The Chemical Composition of Some Surface Waters in Central Australia

1963 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 166 ◽  
Author(s):  
WD Williams ◽  
BD Siebert

The surface waters of central Australia are briefly discussed. Analyses are presented of the ionic composition of some relatively non-saline and mostly permanent surface waters in the southern part of the Northern Territory. A brief note upon their fauna is included. Such waters are of interest because of their extreme isolation in so arid an area. They contain from 77 to 3735 p.p.m. total dissolved salts and their ionic ratios are variable. The ionic compositions are discussed.

1977 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Bradley ◽  
J. E. Philips

1. Larvae of the saline-water mosquito Aedes campestris were adapted to three waters, all having an osmotic concentration of 700 mOsm, but differing in ionic rations. The (Na+Mg) SO4 medium was much moretoxic than the NAHCO3 or the NaCl media. 2. Ionic and osmotic concentrations of haemolymph and rectal secretion were measured in larvae adapted to all three media. The ratio of ionic concentrations in the rectal secretion reflected those in the external medium to which the larvae had been adapted, with the exception of SO42-, which was possibly replaced by HCO3-in the secretion. These differences in rectal fluid composition persisted even though all ligated recta were bathed in the same artificial haemolymph. 3. The Malpighian tubules were found to be the major site of SO42- excretion. In media containing high levels of NA+, Mg2+, K+, Cl- and HCO3-, the rectum secreted a hyperosmotic fluid containing these ions at concentrations several times greater than those found in the haemolymph. 4. These data provide the basis for speculation on the functioning of anal papillae in waters of diverse chemical composition.


2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Will Sanders ◽  
Sarah Holcombe

In light of some basic desert demography, this paper examines governance patterns for small desert settlements. It traces policy histories which led to the emergence of highly localised, single settlement governance arrangements during the 1970s and ’80s. It also identifies the many pushes since within the Northern Territory local government system for more regional, multi-settlement governance structures. The paper goes on to examine the history of one such regional, multi-settlement arrangement in central Australia, the Anmatjere Community Government Council established in 1993. The paper details our work with this Council over the last 4 years on ‘issues of importance or concern’ to them. The paper aims to learn from the ACGC experience in order to inform the more radical restructuring of Northern Territory local government currently underway towards larger multi-settlement regionalism. It concludes with four specific lessons, the most important of which is that regionalism must build on single settlement localism.


2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Pople ◽  
S. R. McLeod

Since their release over 100 years ago, camels have spread across central Australia and increased in number. Increasingly, they are being seen as a pest, with observed impacts from overgrazing and damage to infrastructure such as fences. Irregular aerial surveys since 1983 and an interview-based survey in 1966 suggest that camels have been increasing at close to their maximum rate. A comparison of three models of population growth fitted to these, albeit limited, data suggests that the Northern Territory population has indeed been growing at an annual exponential rate of r = 0.074, or 8% per year, with little evidence of a density-dependent brake. A stage-structured model using life history data from a central Australian camel population suggests that this rate approximates the theoretical maximum. Elasticity analysis indicates that adult survival is by far the biggest influence on rate of increase and that a 9% reduction in survival from 96% is needed to stop the population growing. In contrast, at least 70% of mature females need to be sterilised to have a similar effect. In a benign environment, a population of large mammals such as camels is expected to grow exponentially until close to carrying capacity. This will frustrate control programs, because an ever-increasing number of animals will need to be removed for zero growth the longer that culling or harvesting effort is delayed. A population projection for 2008 suggests ~10 500 animals need to be harvested across the Northern Territory. Current harvests are well short of this. The ability of commercial harvesting to control camel populations in central Australia will depend on the value of animals, access to animals and the presence of alternative species to harvest when camels are at low density.


1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 562
Author(s):  
R. Liddle

Following the discovery of oil and gas, the Mereenie Joint Venture (MJV) applied for a production lease in November 1973. However, the Aboriginal Land Rights Act NT 1976 came into operation in January 1977 and the MJV was thereby required to negotiate with the Central Land Council in order to be granted the lease. The CLC was reluctant to proceed with negotiations because of the difficulty of identifying traditional owners. After 22 communications with the Council, the MJV grew impatient and the Northern Territory Government advised them to engage the author to assist in expediting the negotiations. After an intense period from March to November 1979 in which the traditional owners were identified and some violent exchanges occurred, agreement was reached on the financial terms. The Mereenie lease, which was the first petroleum lease on Aboriginal land, was granted on 18 November 1981. At present oil is piped to Brewer Estate in Alice Springs and then transported by rail to Port Stanvac in South Australia. Gas is transported to the Channel Island Power Station near Darwin via a 1,485 km pipeline. Aboriginal traditional owners receive royalty payments from all petroleum produced from Mereenie, in addition to sharing a 10% statutory royalty under the NT petroleum ordinance. The Mereenie agreement stands as a precursor to all agreements on Aboriginal land in central Australia.


Author(s):  
M.R. Zabokrytska

The article reviewed and analyzed the textbook “Regional Hydrochemistry of Ukraine” (authors V.K. Khilchevskyi, V.I. Osadchyi, S.M. Kurylo), published in 2019. The textbook comprehensively summarizes and covers materials on the hydrochemistry of precipitation, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and ponds, underground and sea waters in Ukraine. The authors used the latest results of studies of the chemical composition of water of various water bodies in the country, applied the hydrochemical characteristics of the river basin districts according to the modern hydrographic zoning of Ukraine (2016), which takes into account the requirements of the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD 2000/60/EC). A feature of the textbook is that the authors were largely based on the materials of their own studies of the chemical composition of surface waters. They also systematized and generalized the monographic works of leading Ukrainian scientists, in different years (from the 1950s to the present day) they studied fundamental and applied issues of hydrochemistry of surface, underground and sea waters. The structure of the textbook consists of a preface, 11 sections, applications and a list of references. The textbook is intended for students of the specialty “Earth Sciences”, studying in educational programs of hydrological, hydroecological and hydrogeological profile. It may be useful for students of the specialty “Geography”, students in educational programs of a physical-geographical and geo-ecological profile.


Author(s):  
Susan E.J. Buykx ◽  
Marc A.G.T. Van Den Hoop ◽  
Rob F.M.J. Cleven ◽  
Jacques Buffle ◽  
Kevin J. Wilkinson

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