Developing ecogenomic signatures for estuarine sediment health assessment

Coastal and estuarine systems are amongst the most productive and diverse ecosystems in the world. These environments also support more than 85% of Australia’s population subjecting them to immense pressure from rapid urbanisation, expanding industry and shipping. A continuous supply of chemical contaminants enter estuarine systems where they accumulate at significant concentrations in the sediments.

My research investigates the effects of anthropogenic contaminants on benthic prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities using cutting-edge molecular technologies including fingerprinting, tag sequencing and metagenomic approaches. Following initial survey work, I hope to work towards outlining ecogenomic signatures of healthy and stressed estuarine benthic communities. I am also interested in exploring the metabolic and functional traits of organisms of interest and the implications of community change on ecosystem functionality.

Supervisor -

Associate Professor Emma Johnston

Co-Supervisors -

Dr Mark Brown (BABS)

Dr Anthony Chariton (CSIRO)

Dr Katherine Dafforn

Publications 

Sun MY, Dafforn KA, Brown MV, Johnston EL (2012). Bacterial communities are sensitive indicators of contaminant stress. Marine Pollution Bulletin XX(XX), XX.