Research Fellow
Certified Professional Soil Scientist (Stage 3)
Soil-water-atmosphere interactions
Phone: +61 2 6125 6769
Fax: + 61 (0)2 6125 0746
E-mail: ben.macdonald@anu.edu.au

• 2003+ Research Fellow The Australian National University
• 2000-2003 Research Associate, University of New South Wales
• 1995-2000 University of New South Wales PhD
• 1991-1994 University of New South Wales BSc Hons I (Geography)

Professional Activities

At present I am investigating the interactions between surface and ground waters and the changing salinity within rivers in the east coast of Australia. This work is investigating the causes of increasing salinity in these catchments and the interactions with a changing climate. I am also researching the emission of greenhouse gases from lowland crops, principally sugarcane. This work explores the interactions between earth, air and water and the resulting flux of gases and solutes from these landscapes. Novel techniques are employed such as isotopic analysis and trace gas monitoring solutions. A key part of both areas of research is the development of policy and management solutions to address environmental problems caused by human endeavour.

Academic Highlights

• 2008 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry. Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Australia. Quantification of the drivers of nitrous oxide emissions from sugar cane agriculture.
• 2004-2007 Chief Investigator Sugar Research Development Corporation Grant "Use of artificial wetlands to treat cane drainage"
• 2003-2007 Chief Investigator on an ARC Linkage Grant "Reverting coastal acid sulfate soils to wetlands: Biogeochemical processes and environmental benefits"
• 2006 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry. Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Australia. Use of isotopic techniques to investigate surface and ground water interactions.
• 2006 Australian Soil Science Society Publication Award

Selected Publications

Lowe, A., Dovers, S., Lindenmayer, D., and Macdonald, B.C.T. (2008) Evaluation in environmental conservation: issues of adequacy and rigour. International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development (accepted 31/08/08)

van Oploo P, White I., Macdonald, B.C.T. , Ford, P., and Melville, M.D. (2008) Pore Water Chemistry of Acid Sulphate Soils: Chemical Flux and Oxidation Rates. Geoderma (accepted 07/2008)

van Oploo P., White I, Macdonald, B.C.T., Ford P, and Melville MD, (2008). The use of peepers to sample pore-water in acid sulfate soils. Eur J. Soil Sci. (accepted 10/2007).

Green R, Waite TD, Melville MD, Macdonald BCT (2008) Effectiveness of an open limestone channel in treating acid sulfate soil drainage. Water Air and Soil Pollution 191, 293-304.

Green R, Waite TD, Melville MD, Macdonald BCT (2008) Treatment of acid sulfate soil drainage using limestone in a closed tank reactor. Water Air and Soil Pollution 191, 319-330.

Fischer J., Manning, A.D., Steffen, W., Rose, D., Daniell, K., Felton, A., Garnett, S., Gilna, B., Heinsohn, R., Lindenmayer, D.B., Macdonald, B.C.T., Mills, F., Newell, B., Reid, J., Robin, L., Sherren, K., and Wade, A., (2007). Mind the sustainability gap, Trends Ecol. Evol. (2007), doi:10.1016/j.tree.2007.08.016 (accepted 10/2007).

Macdonald B.C.T., White I, Astrom, M.E., Keene, A.F., Melville M.D., Reynolds, J.K., (2007). Discharge of weathering products from acid sulfate soils after a rainfall event, Tweed River, eastern Australia. Applied Geochemistry doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem. 2007.07.004, (accepted 09/2007).

White I., Melville M.D., Macdonald B.C.T., Quirk R.G., Hawken R., Tunks M., Buckley D., Beattie R., Williams J., and Heath L. (2007). From conflicts to wise practice agreement: Cooperative learning and coastal stewardship in estuarine floodplain management, Tweed River, eastern Australia. Journal of Cleaner Production 15(16)1522-1528.