Research Themes
Theme 1: Understanding regolith processes
Processes in regolith formation are currently inferred from descriptive
documentation. There is a need to understand the phases and dynamics
of chemical, organic, clastic and hydrological changes and then
translate observations into process models. The nature and magnitude
of these changes require investigation at all scales, in field and
laboratory situations, in different environments and in both currently
active and past regimes. These studies underpin the prediction of
metal mobility, element transformations and the salt stores in
regolith and groundwater. This theme elucidated processes in
the formation of calcrete, silcrete, duricrusts, soils, sediments
and hardpans. It forged a strong linkage between the two principle
applications of mineral exploration (MINEX) and natural resource
management (NRM).
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