米兰电子

A unique new facility launched today at the University of 米兰电子 will help protect Australia鈥檚 precious groundwater from overuse and contamination, and contribute to our understanding of the impact of climate change through measurements on Antarctic ice cores.

A collaboration between CSIRO and the University of 米兰电子, the Atom Trap Trace Analysis (ATTA) facility uses advanced laser physics to count individual atoms of the noble gases, such as Argon and Krypton, that are naturally found in groundwater and ice cores.

Measuring the ultra-low concentrations of these radioactive noble gases allows researchers to understand the age, origin and interconnectivity of the groundwater and how it has moved underground through space and time.

This is the first Atom Trap Trace Analysis facility in the Southern Hemisphere and, combined with CSIRO鈥檚 complementary Noble Gas Facility at the Waite campus in 米兰电子, gives Australia one of the most comprehensive noble gas analysis capabilities in the world.

鈥淎ustralia relies on its groundwater for 30% of its water supply for human consumption, stock watering, irrigation and mining,鈥� says , Director of the University鈥檚 Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing which houses the ATTA facility.

鈥淲ith climate change and periods of prolonged drought, surface water is becoming increasingly more unreliable and the use of groundwater is rising. We need to make sure it鈥檚 sustainable.鈥�

鈥淏ecause noble gases don鈥檛 easily react chemically, they are the gold standard for environmental tracers to track groundwater movements. Before this new facility, researchers wanting to measure these ultra-low concentrations of noble gases had to rely on a very small number of overseas laboratories which can鈥檛 meet demand for their services.鈥�

ATTA鈥檚 analytic capability will also allow researchers to look further into the past of Antarctica鈥檚 climate, building understanding of global environmental change.

鈥淲ith climate change and periods of prolonged drought, surface water is becoming increasingly more unreliable and the use of groundwater is rising. We need to make sure it鈥檚 sustainable.鈥�Professor Andre Luiten, IPAS Director

CSIRO Senior Principal Research Scientist Dr Dirk Mallants says the new ATTA facility will enable researchers to determine how old groundwater is from decades and centuries up to one million years.

鈥淭his allows us to understand the sources of water, where it comes from and what the recharge rates are,鈥� says Dr Mallants. 鈥淭hat then allows us to make decisions about sustainable extraction. This is critical where development of any kind might use or impact groundwater systems 鈥� from urban development where groundwater systems are used to supply communities, to agricultural and mining development.

鈥淚t will provide Australian researchers, government and industry with unique capability of collaboration on national water challenges.鈥�

The new ATTA facility is partially funded under the Australian Research Council鈥檚 Linkage, Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities scheme.

Energy, mining and resources is a key industry engagement priority for the University of 米兰电子 and environmental sustainability is a research focus.

The CSIRO and the University of 米兰电子 in 2017 announced a new agreement to work together to tackle some of the big issues facing Australia and the region.

The two organisations agreed to build collaborations to advance research in key areas of mutual strength, with significant potential benefit to the Australian economy, society and environment.

A video explaining the facility can be seen .