Risks of Coal Seam and Shale Gas Extraction on Groundwater and Aquifers in Eastern Australia

In the developed world there are growing concerns about water security due to the increase in exploration and production of coal seam and shale gas in peri-urban areas using both the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) technique of gas production and the method of extraction of naturally occurring groundwater by pumping it from coal formations to release coal seam gas (CSG). In Australia there is a competing prerequisite to maintain and increase the natural resource base as well as the need to protect and sustain the supply of potable and agricultural groundwater in peri-urban areas. One identified issue for this chapter is whether the increasing popularity of fracking in peri-urban and semi-rural areas in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland poses a risk to the quality of groundwater supply as well as its contamination. The other main issue is whether the extraction of groundwater from coal seams where fracking is not needed has a major impact on groundwater depletion; and, if so, investigating the appropriate risk assessment and risk management approaches

The impact of climate change and urban growth on urban climate and heat stress in a subtropical city

Urban residents face increasing risk of heat stress due to the combined impact of climate change and intensification of the urban heat island (UHI) associated with urban growth. Considering the combined effect of urban growth and climate change is vital to understanding how temperatures in urban areas will change in the future. This study investigated the impact of urban growth and climate change on the UHI and heat stress in a subtropical city (Brisbane, Australia) in the present day (1991–2000) and medium term (2041–2050; RCP8.5) during summer. A control and urban growth scenario was used to compare the temperature increase from climate change alone with the temperature increase from climate change and urban growth. Average and minimum temperatures increased more with climate change and urban growth combined than with climate change alone, indicating that if urban growth is ignored, future urban temperatures could be underestimated. Under climate change alone, rural temperatures increased more than urban temperatures, decreasing the effect of the UHI by 0.4 °C at night and increasing the urban cool island by 0.8 °C during the day. With climate change, the number of hot days and nights doubled in urban and rural areas in 2041–2050 as compared to 1991–2000. The number of hot nights was higher in urban areas and with urban growth. Dangerous heat stress, defined as apparent temperature above 40 °C, increased with climate change and occurred on average 1–2 days every summer during 2041–2050, even in shaded conditions. There was higher temperature increases with urban growth and climate change than with climate change alone, indicating that reducing the effect of the UHI is vital to ensuring urban growth does not increase the heat stress risks that urban residents will face in the future

Water: Northern Territory : a perspective on Northern Territory water resources to the year 2000

v. 1. Background on Northern Territory water resources : what do we know. v. 2. Identifying the existing and emerging problems in Northern Territory Water Resources - What are the issues?Made available by the Northern Territory Library via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).vol. 1 Table of Contents: What do we know? -- How do we fit into world? -- What about the rest of Australia? -- Landscape, climate, water - is there a link? -- Has water affected our development? -- How water affected our development? -- How do we know all this? -- Water resource base for selected river basins. Vol. 2 Table of contents Summary -- Background -- Floods -- Erosion -- Drought -- Pollution -- Eutrophication -- Public Health -- Balancing the books - the Law -- How much is needed -- Making better use of water -- Conclusions and recommedactions -- Appendix

Adelaide River water supply : investigation of groundwater resources, 1982/83

Made available by the Northern Territory Library via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).A groundwater resource investigation has been undertaken for the Adelaide River Township between November 1982 and March 1983. Two new bores were constructed specifically to meet the Adelaide River town water supply requirements. An additional bore was constructed as part of the investigation that is suitable for connection into the town water supply. The total peak pumping capacity of all production bores, allowing for adequate standby capacity, is now 7.7 litres per second.1. Introduction -- 2. Hydrogeology -- 3. Water demand -- 4. Modelling borefield performance -- 5. Conclusions.Includes bibliographical references

Danuta Karp.

Made available by the Northern Territory Library via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).Introduction -- Hydrogeology -- Results -- Attachments

Flood forecasting model for the Todd River - Alice Springs : a component of project number 3009, flood warning systems =

Made available by the Northern Territory Library via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).This report outlings the procedures adpoted in the development of a flood forecasting system for Alice Springs. A description of the catchment is presented and discussion of the flooding problem in Alice Springs provided. The methodology is developed. The flood forecasting model program is appended (Appendix 1). The model uses the established parameters (X and K), the rating curves for both stations, the estimated rate of rise at Wigley Gorge and the telemetered data to predict the water level at Wills Terrace for the next hour.Abstract -- 1.0 INTRODUCTION -- 2.0 TODD RIVER CATCHMENT CHARACTERISTICS -- 3.0 CHARACTERISTICS OF FLOODING IN ALICE SPRINGS -- 4.0 FLOOD FORECASTING MODEL -- 5.0 DISCUSSION.Includes bibliographical references

Color image map : [ports of entry, United States-Canadian border] /

Scale 1:25,000.Each sheet separately titled."Projection and 1000-meter grid: Universal Transverse Mercator.""Photoimagery rectified by optical scanning of simultaneously exposed B/W panchromatic and B/W infrared 1:70,000 scale aerial photographs taken October 28, 1975, by the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada."Includes diagr. of "Adjoining color image maps.

Bore completion report bore 23905 Alroy Downs outstation

Made available by the Northern Territory Library via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).Introduction -- Hydrogeology -- Results -- Attachments

Air and water concentrations of radon in Alice Springs and Santa Teresa houses, 1984

Made available by the Northern Territory Library via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).This report details results of integrated radon measurements taken in and around five houses at Alice Springs. Radon concentrations were measured in reticulated water supplies, household rooms and outdoor air. The reticulated water supply and bathroom air of two houses in Santa Teresa were also measured. The possible significance of the water supply as a source of indoor atmospheric radon is discussed. Recommendations for further reticulated water supplies discussed. sampling and implications for in the Northern Territory are discussed.1. Introduction -- 2. Sampling programme -- 3. Analysis and results -- 4. Health -- 5. Conclusions and recommendations -- 6. Acknowledgements -- 7. References.prepared by J. Alcock & G. Johnsto