Central NSW Research Articles

Facets of Variation: Macrocrystalline quartz reduction at Moolarben, central NSW, Australia

Macrocrystalline quartz is an abundant raw material used widely for artefact manufacture. In Australia its procurement, reduction and use are now considered more complex than previously thought. The analysis of a mid-late Holocene assemblage from Moolarben in eastern Australia demonstrates how geoarchaeological variability influences the manufacture of macrocrystalline quartz artefacts. The different flaking proprieties of the three available macrocrystalline quartz varieties (opaque milky, semi-transparent milky and crystal), along with the type of source, influenced core reduction as well as the resulting flake form and its use. Moreover, to counter the costs of flaking problems of macrocrystalline quartz, different reduction strategies were used for cores obtained from primary reef/vein outcrops and those from secondary sources (water-rolled alluvial pebbles). The systematic reduction strategies used to prepare cores and remove the elongated flakes suitable for backed artefacts represent an adaption of already established flaking strategies, and suggest that the disappearance of backed artefacts in Late Holocene assemblages from eastern Australia (associated with an increase in the use of macrocrystalline quartz in some areas), did not represent a dramatic change in technology, but rather an effective and significant innovation which ultimately meant that backing was no longer required. This technological shift is also reflected in the benefits of flaking a locally abundant material which retains a strong and sharp working edge. Measuring geoarchaeological variability adds greater insights into the costs and benefits of manufacturing macrocrystalline quartz artefacts, and these insights are applicable to studies worldwide.

Drone-Based Assessment of Marine Megafauna off Wave-Exposed Sandy Beaches

The wave-impacted waters off exposed sandy beaches support marine megafauna, including dolphins, whales, sharks, rays and turtles. To characterise variation in megafaunal assemblages in this challenging habitat, we used drone-based remote sensing to survey marine megafauna off 23 beaches along 1050 km of the New South Wales (NSW, Australia) coast from 2017 to 2020. The surveys occurred from September to May and included 17,085 drone flights, with megafaunal abundances standardised by flight hours. In total, we identified 3838 individual animals from 16 taxa, although no megafauna was observed off 5 of the 23 beaches surveyed. Bottlenose dolphins were the most commonly sighted taxa and accounted for 82.3% of total megafaunal abundance. Cownose (6.7%) and eagle (3.4%) rays were the next most abundant taxa, with potentially dangerous sharks being rarely sighted (<1% of total megafauna). The megafaunal assemblages off wave-exposed beaches in northern NSW significantly differed from those in the central region, whereas the assemblages off the central region and southern NSW did not differ significantly. Wave exposure and water temperature were the best predictors of megafaunal assemblage structure. The richness of marine megafauna off ocean beaches was significantly greater in northern than southern NSW, and turtles were only observed off beaches in the northern region. However, variation in megafaunal richness, as well as the abundances of total megafauna, dolphins, rays, sharks and turtles were not significantly explained by water temperature, wave height, distance to estuary, or proximity to the nearest reef. Overall, drone-based surveys determined that megafaunal assemblages off wave-exposed beaches are characterised by sparse individuals or small groups of sharks, turtles and rays, punctuated by occasional large aggregations of dolphins, cownose rays and schooling sharks. The exception to this pattern was bottlenose dolphins, which routinely patrolled some beaches in northern NSW.

Gold and aurostibite from the metaturbidite-hosted Au–Zn–Pb–Ag Hera deposit, southern Cobar Basin, central NSW, Australia: geochemical and textural evidence for gold remobilisation

AbstractThe Devonian Hera metaturbidite-hosted polymetallic Au–Zn–Pb–Ag deposit of central NSW, Australia, contained a total undepleted resource of 3.6 Mt @ 3.3 g/t Au, 25 g/t Ag, 2.6% Pb and 3.8% Zn. The deposit comprises a number of distinctive lodes with each containing a distinctive ore and alteration/gangue mineralogy, though generally the sulfide ore comprises various mixtures of sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and relatively common visible gold–electrum. The North Pod and Far West lodes are distinctly Sb rich and contain a more diverse ore mineralogy with arsenopyrite, native silver, native antimony, gudmundite, tetrahedrite-(Fe), argentotetrahedrite-(Fe), acanthite, dyscrasite, nisbite and breithauptite. From analysis of 52,760 assays from across the deposit it was found that there was a very poor correlation between gold and each of Fe, Zn, S, Pb, Cu, As and Ag, whereas Ag correlated reasonably well with both Pb and Zn. Results from EPMA shows that gold varies widely in composition from host-rock associated gold (96 wt.% Au) through more intermediate compositions (88–73 wt.% Au) to electrum (46–27 wt.% Au), commonly associated with Sb-phases and containing significant Sb within the gold itself (1.05–2.58 wt.% Sb). From the Far West lense, aurostibite occurs as distinctive rims around gold. Although aurostibite associated with gold contains no silver, the gold itself contains constant moderate amounts (10.87–12.27 wt.% Ag). We suggest that the aurostibite and other Sb phases formed from a late-stage Sb-rich hydrothermal during low-temperature retrograde skarn alteration. There is abundant evidence for both chemical and physical remobilisation at Hera and this remobilisation is largely responsible for the spectrum of gold compositions observed. The source for these fluids may be an underlying magmatic body, evidence for which occurs as granite pegmatite dykes in various locations throughout the deposit. Furthermore, gold with a moderate to high Sb content may be indicative of a low temperature of formation.

Genomic and morphological evidence of distinct populations in the endemic common (weedy) seadragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (Syngnathidae) along the east coast of Australia.

The common or weedy seadragon, Phyllopteryx taeniolatus, is an iconic and endemic fish found across temperate reefs of southern Australia. Despite its charismatic nature, few studies have been published, and the extent of population sub-structuring remains poorly resolved. Here we used 7462 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to identify the extent of population structure in the weedy seadragon along the temperate southeast coast of Australia. We identified four populations, with strong genetic structure (FST = 0.562) between them. Both Discriminant Analysis of Principle Components (DAPC) and Bayesian clustering analyses support four distinct genetic clusters (north to south: central New South Wales, southern NSW, Victoria and Tasmania). In addition to these genetic differences, geographical variation in external morphology was recorded, with individuals from New South Wales shaped differently for a few measurements to those from the Mornington Peninsula (Victoria). We posit that these genetic and morphological differences suggest that the Victorian population of P. taeniolatus was historically isolated by the Bassian Isthmus during the last glacial maximum and should now be considered at least a distinct population. We also recorded high levels of genetic structure among the other locations. Based on the genomic and to a degree morphological evidence presented in this study, we recommend that the Victorian population be managed separately from the eastern populations (New South Wales and Tasmania).

Assessing the Sensitivity of Site-Specific Lime and Gypsum Recommendations to Soil Sampling Techniques and Spatial Density of Data Collection in Australian Agriculture: A Pedometric Approach

There is currently limited understanding surrounding the spatial accuracy of soil amelioration advice as a function of sampling density at the sub-field scale. Consequently, soil-based decisions are often made using a data limiting approach, as the value proposition of soil data collection has not been well described. The work presented here investigates the spatial errors of gypsum and lime recommendations based on industry-standard blanket-rate and zone-based variable rate application, as well as the more advanced pedometric approaches – ordinary kriging (OK) and regression kriging (RK). All methods were tested at sampling densities between 0.1–3 samples/ha for a 108 ha broadacre site in central NSW, Australia. Whilst previous work has tested the effect of sampling density on the spatial predictive performance of OK and RK, here we assess prediction accuracy as the error associated with soil management decisions based on their results (i.e., the over- and under-application error of gypsum and lime applications) in conjunction with the RMSE of prediction for soil pH and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP). The uncertainty of each method is also tested to observe the effect of random initialisation on predictive performance. Results indicated that RK provided superior spatial predictions across all sampling densities for the application of gypsum and lime, with a blanket-rate application providing the worse results, with over- and under-application errors exceeding 200 t and 300 t respectively for 40–60 cm treatment for the entire field. Interestingly, the spatial accuracy of amendment application increased to a sampling density of 0.5 samples/ha for RK, with minimal improvement thereafter, suggesting that meaningful soil amelioration advice can be attained proximal to this density.

Evaluation of Commercial Wheat Cultivars for Canopy Architecture, Early Vigour, Weed Suppression, and Yield

Herbicide resistance in weeds restricts control options, thereby escalating economic loss and threatening agricultural sustainability in cereal production. Field evaluation of the crop performance, competitive traits, and consequent weed suppressive potential of 13 commercial winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars was performed in central NSW Australia with a focus on the evaluation and modelling of above-ground interactions. In 2015 and 2016, replicated field trials were established with genetically diverse commercial wheat genotypes under moderate to low rainfall conditions in Wagga Wagga (572 mm) and Condobolin (437 mm) New South Wales, respectively. The heritage cultivar Federation and a commercial cultivar of winter cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) were included as known weed-suppressive controls. Crop and weed growth, as well as early vigour, leaf area index, and photosynthetically active radiation, were monitored at various crop phenological stages including early growth, vegetative, flowering, grain fill, and harvest. Significant differences between wheat cultivar and location were observed for crop biomass, early vigour, leaf area index, weed number, weed biomass, canopy architecture, and yield in both 2015 and 2016. Differences in weed establishment were largely impacted first by rainfall and season and secondly by crop architecture (i.e., height, size, canopy) and phenology (i.e., growth stages). Early vigour and early canopy closure were instrumental in suppressing weed establishment and growth. Cultivar performance and competition with weeds were also clearly influenced by both environmental factors and genotype, as evidenced by differences in early cultivar performance, yield, and weed suppression by season and location. Specifically, Federation, Condo, and Janz wheat cultivars were superior performers in terms of weed suppression in both locations and years; however, Federation produced up to 55% lower yield than recently introduced cultivars. Partial least squares (PLS) regression was performed to develop a predictive linear model for weed competition in commercial wheat cultivars based on weed dry biomass as the response variable and selected aboveground crop canopy traits as predictors. In 2015, the model differed in accordance with crop growth stage, but the impact of predictors on weed biomass at both locations was not significant. In 2016, under local above average rainfall conditions, the model showed a significant negative correlation (p < 0.001) of most predictors on weed biomass (r2 = 0.51 at Condobolin, r2 = 0.62 at Wagga Wagga), suggesting the most influential factors in reducing weed numbers and establishment as crop vigour, biomass, and height. Our results indicate the establishment of competitive wheat cultivars in the absence of post-emergent herbicides resulted in a two to five-fold increased weed suppression over less suppressive genotypes, without significant yield penalties. Therefore, cultivar choice constitutes a cost-effective and sustainable weed management tool, particularly when weed pressure is significant.

A school fluoride varnish program for Aboriginal children in rural New South Wales, Australia.

Australian Aboriginal children are less likely to access preventive oral health services such as fluoride varnish. The regular application of fluoride varnish can prevent dental caries. This study aims to determine if a school-based fluoride varnish program can provide Aboriginal children with at least three fluoride varnish applications over 12months and whether the routine application of fluoride varnish for Aboriginal children in schools is a feasible approach for oral health promotion in Aboriginal communities. A school fluoride varnish program was co-designed with Aboriginal communities in Central Northern New South Wales, Australia and implemented in three schools where majority of enrolled children are Aboriginal. Four "fluoride varnish days," 3months apart, were held at each school over the 12-month study period. On each "fluoride varnish day" an oral health therapist applied fluoride varnish to all children included in the study. This study took place between January and December 2017. About 153 children were eligible to participate and 131 (86%) were consented into the program by a parent or guardian. A total of 104 children were enrolled for the entire 12-month study period and included in the analysis. Majority of children (65.4%) received at least three fluoride varnish applications, with an average of 70% of students receiving an application of fluoride varnish on each "fluoride varnish day." School-based fluoride varnish programs, co-designed with local Aboriginal communities, may be a feasible approach to oral health promotion aimed at improving the oral health of Aboriginal children. This study aimed to improve access to fluoride varnish for Aboriginal children in Central Northern NSW. Four "fluoride varnish days," each three months apart, were held in three schools over 12months. Majority of children (65.4%) received at least three fluoride varnish applications during the fluoride varnish program.

Evidence for a change in wind regime during the Last Glacial Maximum from the Sydney region

This paper presents the results of a small number of dates from sand samples collected at building sites in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. OSL ages of well-sorted, quartz sand ranges from 31 to 24 ka from within well-developed podzol soil profiles within a metre of the surface. The source of this sand appears to be from the east off the inner continental shelf during a period just prior to the maximum of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, Marine Isotope Stage 2) when sea-level was approximately 70–90 m below present level. During a later phase of the LGM, there is evidence from other coastal sites in central NSW and Gippsland, Victoria, that the dominant wind was from the west consistent with evidence from arid and semiarid Australia. Dune orientations in northern NSW into Queensland and other evidence at this time appear to reflect winds from the southeast quadrant. This study highlights the existence of a potential pivot area in dominant wind direction during the LGM between sustained westerly flow in southern area including Victoria and northeast Tasmania and southeast flow of northern NSW into Queensland. In central NSW, the circulation switched from easterly in Stage 2 to westerly as the glacial stage intensified in the LGM sometime after ca 25 ka.

An assessment of strategies to control dental caries in Aboriginal children living in rural and remote communities in New South Wales, Australia

BackgroundA community-led oral health service for Aboriginal people in Central Northern NSW identified the need for oral health promotion, as well as dental treatment; in three remote communities with limited access to dental services. A three-stage plan based on the Precede-Proceed model was used to develop a school-based preventive oral health program. The program will be piloted in three schools over 12 months aimed at improving the oral health of local Aboriginal children.MethodsThe proposed program includes four components: daily in-school toothbrushing; distribution of free fluoride toothpaste and toothbrushes; in-school and community dental health education and the installation of refrigerated and chilled water fountains to supply a school water bottle program. Primary school children will be issued toothbrushing kits to be kept at school to facilitate daily brushing using a fluoride toothpaste under the supervision of trained teachers and/or Oral Health Aides. School children, parents and guardians will be issued free fluoride toothpaste and toothbrushes for home use at three-monthly intervals. Four dental health education sessions will be delivered to children at each school and parents/guardians at local community health centres over the 12 month pilot. Dental education will be delivered by an Oral Health Therapist and local Aboriginal Dental Assistant. The program will also facilitate the installation of refrigerated and filtered water fountain to ensure cold and filtered water is available at schools. A structured school water bottle program will encourage the consumption of water. A process evaluation will be undertaken to assess the efficiency, feasibility and effectiveness of the pilot program.DiscussionThe proposed program includes four core evidence-based components which can be implemented in rural and remote schools with a high Aboriginal population. Based on the Precede-Proceed model, this program seeks to empower the local Aboriginal community to achieve improved oral health outcomes.Trial registrationTRN: ISRCTN16110292 Date of Registration: 20 June 2018.

Use of the Project Integrate Framework for situational analysis and benchmarking of progress towards care integration in the Central Coast NSW

Background: The Project Integrate[i] conceptual framework began with a literature review on conceptual frameworks and relevant aspects of integrated care, from which a new conceptual framework, was built iteratively. This framework provides a standard set of dimensions and sub-elements which can be used to describe any integrated care initiative. As part of the formative evaluation of the Central Coast Integrated Care Program (CCICP), we have employed the Project Integrate Framework to map the integration efforts of the program, provide a consistent and common language, to enable supported self-assessment of progress towards integrated care and to allow for international benchmarking. Methods: An online survey of key stakeholders was undertaken mapping the degree of agreement on progress towards the Project Integrate dimensions. The survey results were used as a support tool in a workshop to assist CCICP team reflection and assessment and build a situational analysis of care integration progress within the program. This exercise was used as the basis to support agreement of future priorities and strategies within the program. Results: The survey results indicated where progress towards care integration had been achieved in the Central Coast. It was then used as a support tool in a workshop setting to assist the CCICP team to reflect and self-assess progress towards integrated care. Reflections regarding international comparators were made, stimulating further discussion, this led to the recognition of progress made to date and a realistic review of where progress should be given the maturity of the intervention. Achievements and opportunities were identified, with priority areas mapped out. A key priority was communication, in particular, building a common and consistent language for integrated care. Workforce and upskilling regarding data warehousing and analysis was also identified as an opportunity for future work. Discussion: The survey tool alone was inadequate since many answers reflected uncertainty regarding progress (Neither Disagree nor Agree), thus the data required review and further consideration by the team to contextualise the uncertainty, particularly given the formative stage of assessment. The power of the survey results was in the group analysis and the contextualized discussion which ensued and added greatly to the understanding of progress in care integration on the Central Coast. The Project Integrate Framework and its nomenclature was identified by the CCICP team as a key communication tool, to build a consistent terminology for integrated care and its use in reporting, communication and stakeholder engagement. As with international case studies, progress towards system integration was regarded as poor, with substantial structural barriers beyond the control of the CCICP team. However, the intervention appears to be tracking more favourably in the dimension of patient-centred care. Conclusion: Use of the Project Integrate framework has enabled the CCICP team to reflect on progress and spread of integrated care within the Central Coast Local Health District and where their next steps should be for spreading and building sustainability.

Molecular and serological dynamics of Chlamydia pecorum infection in a longitudinal study of prime lamb production.

BackgroundChlamydia pecorum is a globally significant livestock pathogen causing pathology and production losses. The on-farm infection and serological dynamics and the relevance of existing diagnostic tools for diagnosing C. pecorum in livestock remains poorly characterized. In this study, we characterized the antigen and antibody dynamics of this pathogen in a longitudinal study of prime lamb production, utilizing the infection focused C. pecorum-specific 16S rRNA qPCR assay and serology based chlamydial Complement fixation Test (CFT).MethodsThe study consisted of 76 Border Leicester mixed sex lambs (39 females and 37 males) that were sampled bimonthly from 2–10 months of age in a commercial farm operating in Central NSW, Australia. Blood/plasma was analysed for CFT antibodies, and swabs from conjunctival, rectal and vaginal sites were analysed for C. pecorum shedding using qPCR. We assessed the temporal and overall dynamics of C. pecorum in lambs, including detailed description and comparison of qPCR and CFT, the timing of first detection by either diagnostic method, the lag between infection and antibody response; and the distribution of qPCR load and CFT antibody titre over time.ResultsOver the study period, C. pecorum was highly prevalent (71.0% by qPCR, 92.1% by CFT, 96.0% by both), with 21.1% (16/76) lambs shedding ≥1, 000 qPCR copies/µl (denoted as high shedders). C. pecorum shedding (as evidence of infection) were first observed at two months of age (14.4%) with a significant peak of infection occurring at six months of age (34.2%), whereas seroconversions peaked at eight months of age (81.5%). 52.6% of C. pecorum qPCR and CFT positive lambs became qPCR negative by 10 months of age, indicating clearance of chlamydial infection. Although CFT is utilised for on-farm detection of active infection, we confirm that it lagged behind qPCR detection (average lag 1.7 ± 2.1 months) and that the proportion of qPCR positives simultaneously identified by CFT was low with 2/11 (18.1%), 0/13, 17/25 (68.0%), 5/7 (71.4%) and 1/10 (10.0%) concurrent seroconversions occurring at two, four, six, eight and 10 months of age, respectively.DiscussionThis work reveals rapid rates of C. pecorum infection and widespread exposure during lamb production. The comparison of molecular and serological diagnostic agreement longitudinally, supports the use of qPCR as an important ancillary tool for the detection of active infections in conjunction with chlamydial CFT for routine veterinary diagnostics. Development of rapid Point-of-Care (POC) tools for diagnosing active infection would be valuable for producers and veterinarians.

Reference ranges for the intra-amniotic umbilical cord vein diameter, peak velocity and blood flow in a regional NSW population.

To construct gestational age (GA)-related reference ranges of the intra-amniotic umbilical cord vein (UCV) diameter, peak velocity (PV) and blood flow (Qucv) using a Central West New South Wales population. This was a prospective, quasi-experimental study of low risk, singleton pregnancies (n=321) between 16 and 42weeks of gestation. Participation was voluntary following informed consent. The UCV diameter and PV were measured using B mode and duplex Doppler respectively, and Qucv calculated. Percentile values and reference range graphs were established using quantile regression modelling in R statistical software. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to assess the intra and intersonographer reliability. Reference ranges for the UCV diameter, PV and Qucv were established and graphed. All three UCV measurements increased with advancing GA, with both diameter and Qucv exhibiting a decline in the late third trimester. The intrasonographer and intersonographer ICCs for the UCV diameter and PV showed almost perfect agreement within and between sonographers. Gestational age-related reference ranges for the UCV diameter, PV and Qucv were developed using quantile regression from a cohort of low risk, singleton pregnancies in Central West NSW. These reference ranges have the potential to assist in the diagnosis and monitoring of fetal growth restriction.

Variation in Nutritional Composition of Australian Mungbean Varieties

Australian mungbean production is primarily focused in Central and Southern Queensland and Northern NSW, with around 95% of the total mungbean crop exported as a commodity to overseas markets. Significant improvement in pulse crops such as mungbean have primarily been achieved from plant breeding approaches focused on increasing yield and disease resistance. Whilst this remains crucial for the ongoing success and production of the crop, further improvements could be achieved through an increased understanding of nutritional variation, varietal performance and the impact of environmental and agronomic factors on overall nutritional quality. In this survey, the primary objective was to evaluate and compare the nutritional composition of three commercial Australian mungbean varieties (Crystal, Satin II and Celera II-AU), grown in different regions in Queensland (Warra and Hermitage sites) and New South Wales (Liverpool Plains and Northern NSW sites). Mungbean varieties were evaluated in terms of visual seed appearance, measuring seed colour and size, prior to comprehensive nutritional evaluation of milled mungbean flours in order to determine the extent of variation between varieties and regions. Moisture, protein, ash, fat, dietary fibre (total, insoluble and soluble fibre), starch and amylose composition, starch pasting properties (RVA profile) and amino acid compositions were evaluated and compared. This survey may potentially lead to a larger scale evaluation in the future, broadening the scope to include other significant Australian pulse crops such as faba bean and chickpea. Ultimately, the information gathered from this survey may assist plant breeders, producers and processors in regard to improving, growing, processing and value-adding Australian mungbean for both domestic and export markets.

An Example of Imaging Deeper using Extended Vibroseis Cross-Correlation

Geoscience Australia has been collecting Vibroseis deep crustal reflection seismic data since 1999. Since 2013, Geoscience Australia has also collected the uncorrelated single sweep data for each VP of each survey. For a typical survey using three 12 s sweeps, each with 20 s listening time, this means collecting 96 s + 20 s = 116 s of data per VP, instead of 20 s of data per VP. This is nearly a 6-fold increase in data volume, and has been made possible by the availability of high capacity USB data disks. Using extended cross-correlation on the uncorrelated record data, it is possible to image deeper into the earth than using standard vibroseis cross-correlation. Geoscience Australia applied the method of truncated cross-correlation to a deep crustal reflection seismic survey collected over the Yathong Trough section of the Darling Basin in central NSW in 2013. This area showed unusual reflectivity below the Moho in the mantle, stimulating this study. The extended correlation stack showed some faint reflectivity visible from 18s to 24 s which may link to a region of higher reflectivity visible at about 18s in the mantle. Also, the truncated extended cross-correlation method appeared to show improved reflectivity in the mid to lower crustal areas.

Geology and genesis of the Toongi rare metal (Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, Y and REE) deposit, NSW, Australia, and implications for rare metal mineralization in peralkaline igneous rocks

The Toongi Deposit, located in central NSW, Australia, hosts significant resources of Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, Y and REE within a small (ca. 0.3 km2), rapidly cooled trachyte laccolith. Toongi is part of regional Late Triassic to Jurassic alkaline magmatic field, but is distinguished from the other igneous bodies by its peralkaline composition and economically significant rare metal content that is homogenously distributed throughout the trachyte body. The primary ore minerals are evenly dispersed throughout the rock and include lueshite/natroniobite and complex Na–Fe–Zr–Nb–Y–REE silicate minerals dominated by a eudialyte group mineral (EGM). The EGM occurs in a unique textural setting in the rock, commonly forming spheroidal or irregular-shaped globules, herein called “snowballs”, within the rock matrix. The snowballs are often protruded by aegirine and feldspar phenocrysts and contain swarms of fine aegirine and feldspar grains that often form spiral or swirling patterns within the snowball. Secondary ore minerals include REE carbonates, Y milarite, catapleiite and gaidonnayite that fill fractures and vesicles in the rock. Based on bulk-rock geochemical and Nd isotope data, and thermodynamic modelling of magma fractionation, the alkaline rocks of the region are interpreted to represent extrusive to hyperbyssal products of mantle-derived magma that ponded at mid-crustal levels (ca. 0.3 GPa) and underwent extensive fractionation under low-oxygen fugacity conditions. The high Na2O, peralkaline nature of the Toongi Deposit trachyte developed via extensive fractionation of an alkali olivine basalt parental magma initially in the mid-crust and subsequently at shallow levels (ca. 0.1 GPa). This extended fractionation under low fO2 and relatively low H2O-activity conditions limited volatile release and allowed build-up of rare metal contents to ore grades. We speculate that the ore minerals may have originally formed from rare metal-rich sodic-silicate melt that formed immiscible globules (subsequently crystallized to EGM) in the magma shortly before emplacement and rapid cooling. Subsequent hydrothermal alteration caused relatively limited and localized remobilization of some ore metals into fractures and vesicles in the rock.

Conodonts and tabulate corals from the Upper Ordovician Angullong Formation of central New South Wales, Australia

Zhen, Y.Y., Wang, G.X. & Percival, I.G., August 2016. Conodonts and tabulate corals from the Upper Ordovician Angullong Formation of central New South Wales, Australia. Alcheringa 41, xxx–xxx. ISSN 0311-5518.The Angullong Formation is the youngest Ordovician unit exposed in the Cliefden Caves area of central New South Wales. Its maximum age is constrained by a Styracograptus uncinatus graptolite Biozone fauna at the very top of the underlying Malongulli Formation, but the few fossils previously reported from higher in the Angullong Formation are either long-ranging or poorly known. From allochthonous limestone clasts in the middle part of the formation, we document a conodont fauna comprising Aphelognathus grandis, A. solidum, Aphelognathus sp., Aphelognathus? sp., Belodina confluens, Drepanoistodus suberectus, Panderodus gracilis, Panderodus sp., Phragmodus undatus, Pseudobelodina inclinata and Pseudobelodina? sp. aff. P. obtusa, which supports correlation with the Aphelognathus grandis Biozone (late Katian) of the North American Midcontinent succession. The species concepts of Aphelognathus and Pseudobelodina are reviewed in detail. Associated corals are exclusively tabulates, dominated by agetolitids, including Agetolites angullongensis sp. nov., Heliolites orientalis, Hemiagetolites breviseptatus, Hemiagetolites sp. cf. H. spinimarginatus, Navoites sp. cf. N. circumflexa, Plasmoporella bacilliforma, P. marginata, Quepora sp. cf. Q. calamus and Sarcinula sp. Affinities of the coral fauna from the Angullong Formation are closer to faunas from northern NSW and northern Queensland than to the locally recognized Fauna III of late Eastonian age in central NSW. We propose a subdivision of Fauna III to account for this difference, with the late Katian Fauna IIIB characterized by the incoming of agetolitid corals. The currently known distribution of representatives of this group with adequate age constraints suggests that agetolitids possibly originated in North China, subsequently migrating to Tarim, South China and adjacent peri-Gondwanan terranes while also spreading eastward to northern Gondwana, where they progressively moved through eastern Australia to reach the central NSW region by the early Bolindian.Yong Yi Zhen* (yong-yi.zhen@industry.nsw.gov.au) and Ian G. Percival (ian.percival@industry.nsw.gov.au), Geological Survey of New South Wales, W.B. Clarke Geoscience Centre, 947–953 Londonderry Road, Londonderry, NSW 2753, Australia; Guangxu Wang (gxwang@nigpas.ac.cn), State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, 39 East Beijing Road Nanjing 210008 PR China.

A comparison of a regional NSW obstetrics population to district, state and national statistics.

In the central west NSW region, there are variations in population density, socioeconomic status and ethnicity. Compare and contrast the maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of an obstetric population in central west New South Wales to district, state and national data. A prospective cross-sectional study involving 625 pregnant women who attended Orange or Bathurst public hospitals for obstetric ultrasounds. The women were 16 years and older and were greater than 16 weeks pregnant with a single fetus. Maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were compared to district, state and national data. Descriptive comparisons and hypothesis testing were undertaken and P values or confidence intervals were provided where appropriate. The average maternal age was 27.5 years, 24.6% of the women smoked during pregnancy, 31.7% of deliveries were by caesarean, 52.4% of live births were female, 7.8% of babies were born preterm and the mean live birthweight was 3297 g. Four per cent of the participants were indigenous. Analysis of a regional sample indicated differences in indigenous population distribution, maternal age and smoking when compared to broader statistics. This has local implications for education, workforce, government and public health planning.

Applications of Rapid Evaluation of Metapopulation Persistence (REMP) in Conservation Planning for Vulnerable Fauna Species.

In many regions species are declining due to fragmentation and loss of habitat. If species persistence is to be achieved, ecologically informed, effective conservation action is required. Yet it remains a challenge to identify optimal places in a landscape to direct habitat reconstruction and management. Rather than relying on individual landscape metrics, process-based regional scale assessment methodology is needed that focuses primarily on species persistence. This means integrating, according to species' ecology, habitat extent, suitability, quality and spatial configuration. The rapid evaluation of metapopulation persistence (REMP) methodology has been developed for this purpose. However, till now no practical conservation planning application of REMP has been described. By integration of expert ecological knowledge, we extended REMP's capabilities to prioritize conservation action for a highly modified agricultural region of central NSW, Australia based on the metapopulation ecology of 34 fauna species. The region's current capacity to support the species was evaluated in relation to the pre-European state for which there was known viability. Six of the species were found to currently have insufficient habitat to support viable populations. Seeking locations to maximize overall improvement in viability for these species, we prioritized conservation action to locations near the threshold of metapopulation persistence.

Fashioning the Curator: The Chinese at the Lambing Flat Folk Museum

Fashioning the Curator: The Chinese at the Lambing Flat Folk Museum

Field Measurement of Fluorescent Dissolved Organic Material as a Means of Early Detection of Leachate Plumes

Early detection of landfill leachate plumes may minimise aquifer degradation and financial expenditure for the landfill operator. Current methods of landfill leachate monitoring typically include analysis of groundwater field parameters such as electrical conductivity (EC), coupled with laboratory analysis of a selection of major cations and anions. In many instances, background influences can mask the impact of leachate, which only becomes apparent once a significant impact has occurred. Here, we investigate the potential for changes in fluorescent dissolved organic material (FDOM) concentration to be used as an indicator of leachate impact. The research was undertaken in a fractured rock aquifer located downgradient of a local government-operated putrescible landfill in Central West NSW, Australia. Field measurement of groundwater FDOM was undertaken using an in situ fluorometer (FDOM probe) which provides a relative measurement of FDOM. To quantify the FDOM values, a bench fluorescence spectrophotometer was used to collect excitation/emission spectra. A plume of elevated FDOM and EC levels within the fractured rock system up to 600 m downgradient of the landfill was identified, whereas analysis of major cations and anions from boreholes within the plume did not detect leachate impacts above background. Excitation/emission matrices of groundwater from these locations confirmed that similar fluorescence signatures to those collected from the landfill were present. Photodegradation experiments were conducted to determine if fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) were a component of the fluorescence signal. Observed photodegradation of 40 % compared to background (8 %) suggests that a component of the fluorescence signal can be attributed to FWAs. FDOM in groundwater therefore provides an indicator of low-level (up to 98 % dilution) leachate influence, and the identification of FWAs within groundwater can be considered confirmation of a leachate signal.