Allan Chivas HomePage
Allan's current research includes experimental studies on the trace-element and stable-isotope characteristics of modern and fossil charophytes (with Dr Adriana Garcia who is a visitor to the School); weathering profiles, and the accession of salts to the Australian landscape.
Allan is a member of GeoQuEST, which is an active research centre specialising in research into the Quaternary.
His principal current project within GeoQuEST is the investigation of the Quaternary record of the Gulf of Carpentaria - an alternating marine/lacustrine environment located between Australia and New Guinea. This project is supported by a large grant from the Australian Research Council.
This project is headed by Professor Chivas. During 1997 there has been a continuation of the drilling phase of a major program to investigate the palaeoclimate, sea-level, and hydrocarbon generation potential of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
A barge-mounted drill and the giant-piston coring capability of the French national vessel Marion Dufresne has been used. The undertaking, funded by the ARC, is collaborative with the Australian National University (Dr P. De Deckker), Geoscience Australia (Dr Roger Summons) and the US Geological Survey (Dr Blaine Cecil, Reston, Virginia).
Other recent funds received include a DIST (Department of Industry, Science and Technology) grant for collaborative isotopic research on Chinese loess with Dr Li Zhenghua and Prof An Zhisheng from Xian; a small ARC grant with Professor Bob Bourman (University of South Australia) and funds for purchase of an ion chromatograph and a stripping voltammeter for trace-element determination.
