Role at ANSTO
Dr Mark Peterson is a Science Research Leader– Contaminant Impacts – leading a diverse team of experienced environmental researchers who use nuclear science to inform contaminant impacts across the globe.
Projects include:
1. Impacts on terrestrial and marine biosphere from historical radioactive fallout or contamination events
2. Global air pollution, atmospheric composition and mixing, using radioactive radon-222 as a tracer of airborne source trajectories
3. Characterising radioactively contaminated sites and soils, from molecular adsorption mechanisms to legacy nuclear waste site transport dynamics
4. Measuring the accumulated naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMS), mercury and associated marine environmental impacts of offshore oil and gas infrastructure decommissioning.
Expertise
Mark’s own research is focussed on sustainable water and groundwater resources. His interests include diffusion of radioactive ‘age’ tracers (e.g. 3H, 14C, 36Cl) and other contaminants, apparent ages of water resources, nitrate pollution of rivers and groundwater, and stable isotope evidence of water sources and processes.
Qualifications & Achievements
- PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Australia (2017)
- Grad Dip Ed, University of Wollongong (2001)
- BSc (Hons) in volcanic processes from the University of Wollongong (1999)
Committees, Affiliations & memberships
- Institute of Australian Hydrogeologists