Australian Rivers Institute (ARI)

Griffith University

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A person wearing a wide-brimmed hat and blue waterproof jacket stands beside a shallow, rocky stream in a green, forested area. The person is holding a large, dark-coloured fish with both hands. The water is clear, and the surrounding banks are covered with grass and vegetation.

ARI is a world leader in research and education on rivers, coasts and catchments. It brings together scientists and postgraduate students with expertise across a broad range of disciplines including aquatic ecology, biogeochemistry, geomorphology, economics and law.

ARI aims to deliver world-class science that improves understanding of catchment, river, estuarine and coastal ecosystems. The Institute encourages a creative and collaborative environment that fosters the next generation of ecosystem scientists and provides the knowledge to support sustainable use and conservation of the world's natural resources.

ARI's research is carried out in partnership with governments, resource managers, Traditional Owners, and the community to support informed decision making for the sustainability of catchment, river, estuarine and coastal ecosystems.

Website
https://www.griffith.edu.au/australian-rivers-institute
Organisation type
  • University Research Institute
Number of research staff
20-100 research staff
Address
Room 4.27 Sir Samuel Griffith Building (N78), Griffith University South Brisbane campus, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan QLD 4111

Strengths and capabilities

  • River basin management and catchment planning
  • Spatial planning and predictive modelling for the environment
  • Aquatic ecology: freshwater & marine
  • Fluvial geomorphology
  • Nutirent biochemistry and water quality
  • Water quality monitoring and assessment
  • Environmental economics
  • Environmental law
  • Riparian restoration and wetland systems
  • Ecotoxicology

Facilities and major equipment

  • Stable isotope laboratory
  • Molecular ecology laboratory
  • Nutrient laboratory
  • Boats for inshore and nearshore research
  • Sediment tracing laboratory
  • Microbiology laboratory including PC2 facility
  • DNA and RNA handling facilities
  • Ecotoxicology laboratory
  • Smart Water facility

Lead researchers

  • Professor David Hamilton: Director of ARI and globally recognised expert in lake restoration, water quality modelling and freshwater ecosystem recovery
  • Chengrong Chen: Leader in environmental biogeochemistry, soil carbon and nutrient cycling, and Research Director of the Plastic Waste CRC
  • Professor Michele Burford: Specialist in aquatic ecology and water quality, particularly harmful algal blooms in freshwater and estuarine systems
  • Professor Fran Sheldon (external link): River ecologist specialising in dryland river systems and environmental flows; advisory roles on Murray–Darling Basin water management and national scientific panels
  • Professor Frederic Leusch: Environmental toxicology expert focusing on water quality, contaminant fate and transport.

Achievements of the centre

Key science sectors

More information about the sectors this centre is involved in:

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