The University of Western Australia
Assoc/Prof Andrew Rate
Associate Professor
Contact details
| Address | School of Earth and Environment The University of Western Australia (M087) 35 Stirling Highway CRAWLEY WA 6009 Australia |
|---|---|
| Phone | 6488 2500 |
| Fax | 6488 1050 |
| Andrew.Rate@uwa.edu.au | |
| Personal homepage | http://www.see.uwa.edu.au/research/soil-chemistry |
Key research
- ***** APAI PhD SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE NOW (July 2009)! ***** DOWNLOAD information from http://myresearchspace.grs.uwa.edu.au/files/folders/23937/download.aspx *****
- Geochemistry of soils and regolith
- Trace elements in the environment & ecosystems
- Geochemical exploration
- Acid sulfate soils
- Geochemical / soil chemical modelling using PhreeqC
Major research interests
- Geochemical exploration by sampling soils and regolith
- Geochemical/soil chemical modelling using PhreeqC
- Soil, sediment and water chemistry
- Trace elements in the environment and ecosystems
Qualifications
MSc Cant., PhD Lincoln(N.Z.)
Publications
(since 2000)
Santini, T.C., Degens, B. & Rate, A.W. (2009). Organic substrates in bioremediation of acidic saline drainage waters by sulfate-reducing bacteria. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, DOI:10.1007/s11270-009-0196-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-0196-4
Rate, A.W., Hamon, R.E., Bettenay, L.F. & Gilkes, R.J. (2009). Adjustment of weak partial extraction data assuming metal ion adsorption - examples using bulk cyanide leach. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis (accepted Dec 2008).
Rate, A.W., Vidot, J.-M., Hamon, R.E., Gilkes, R.J., Bettenay, L.F., Radford, N.W. & Griffin, W.J. (2009). Systematic evaluation of bulk cyanide leach (BCL) parameters affecting extractability of metals from soils. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis (accepted Dec 2008).
Ma, Y. & Rate, A.W. (2009). Formation of trace element biogeochemical anomalies in surface soils: the role of biota. Geochemistry - Exploration, Environment, Analysis 9:353-367.
Zhao, Z.-Z., Rate, A.W., Tang, S.-X., Bi, H. 2007. Characteristics of heavy metals distribution in agricultural soils of Hainan Island and its environment significances (in Chinese). Journal of Agro-Environment Science 27:182-187.
Zhao, Z.-Z., Rate, A.W., Tang, S.-X., Bi, H. 2007. REE geochemical characteristics of non-cultivated soils in the western areas of the Hainan Island (in Chinese). Earth and Environment 35:303-309.
Ma, Y. and Rate, A.W. 2007. Metals adsorbed to charcoal are not identifiable by sequential extraction. Environmental Chemistry, 4:26–34.
Patterson BM, Ma Y, Grassi ME, Robertson BS, Davis GB, Lipman M, Rhodes S, Mckinley AJ, Rate AW. 2005. Assessment of different carbon sources and delivery techniques to promote an in situ reactive zone for bioprecipitation of metals in groundwater. In 'Permeable Reactive Barriers'(IAHS Publication 298); (Eds GA Boshoff and BD Bone) pp. 97-104. (IAHS Press: Wallingford, UK)
Quaghebeur, M., Rate, A.W., Rengel, Z. and Hinz, C. 2005. Desorption kinetics of arsenate from kaolinite as influenced by pH. Journal of Environmental Quality 34:479-486.
Li, J., Rate, A.W., and Gilkes, R.J. 2004. Silver desorption kinetics from iron oxides and soil organic matter: effect of adsorption period. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 42:59-67.
Hamon RE, McLaughlin MJ, Gilkes RJ, Rate AW, Zarcinas B, Robertson AE, Cozens G, Radford NW, Bettenay LF 2004. Geochemical indices allow estimation of heavy metal background concentrations in soils. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 18, GB1014, doi:10.1029/2003GB002063.
Rate AW, Lee KM, French PA (2003) Application of biosolids in mineral sands mine rehabilitation: use of stockpiled topsoil decreases trace element uptake by plants. Bioresource Technology, 91:223-231.
Li, J., Rate, A.W., & Gilkes, R.J. 2003. Fractionation of trace elements in non-agricultural Australian soils. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 41:1389-1402.
Valizadeh, G.R., Rengel, Z. and Rate, A.W. 2002. Response of wheat genotypes efficient in P utilisation and genotypes responsive to P fertilization to different P banding depths and watering regimes. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 54:59-65.
Valizadeh, G.R., Rengel, Z. and Rate, A.W. 2002. Wheat genotypes differ in growth and P uptake when supplied with different sources and rates of P banded or mixed in soil in pots. Aust. J. Exp. Agric. 42:1103-1111.
Valizadeh, G.R., Rengel, Z. and Rate, A.W. 2002. Role of phosphorus fertilizer banding and the nitrate-to-ammonium ratio in phosphorus uptake and wheat growth: a glasshouse study. Aust. J. Exp. Agric. 42:1095-1102.
Mann, S.S., Gilkes, R.J. and Rate, A.W. 2002. Cadmium accumulation in agricultural soils in Western Australia. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 141:281-297.
Yong, R., Jiamo, F., Rate, A.W., and Gilkes, R.J. 2002. Adsorption of Au(I, III) complexes on Fe, Mn oxides and humic acid. Chemical Geology, 185:33-49.
De Roach, R., Rate, A.W., Knott, B. and Davies, P.M. 2002. Denitrification activity in sediments surrounding polychaete (Ceratonereis aequisetis) burrows. Marine and Freshwater Research, 53:35-41.
Rate, A.W., Robertson, A.E. and Borg, A. 2000. Distribution of copper, lead and cadmium in near-shore sediments of the Swan River Estuary, Western Australia. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 124:155-168.
Whitten, M.G., Wong, M.T.F. and Rate, A.W. 2000. Amelioration of subsurface acidity in the SW of Western Australia: downward movement and mass balance of surface incorporated lime after 2-15 years. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 38:711–728.
Santini, T.C., Degens, B. & Rate, A.W. (2009). Organic substrates in bioremediation of acidic saline drainage waters by sulfate-reducing bacteria. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, DOI:10.1007/s11270-009-0196-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-0196-4
Rate, A.W., Hamon, R.E., Bettenay, L.F. & Gilkes, R.J. (2009). Adjustment of weak partial extraction data assuming metal ion adsorption - examples using bulk cyanide leach. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis (accepted Dec 2008).
Rate, A.W., Vidot, J.-M., Hamon, R.E., Gilkes, R.J., Bettenay, L.F., Radford, N.W. & Griffin, W.J. (2009). Systematic evaluation of bulk cyanide leach (BCL) parameters affecting extractability of metals from soils. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis (accepted Dec 2008).
Ma, Y. & Rate, A.W. (2009). Formation of trace element biogeochemical anomalies in surface soils: the role of biota. Geochemistry - Exploration, Environment, Analysis 9:353-367.
Zhao, Z.-Z., Rate, A.W., Tang, S.-X., Bi, H. 2007. Characteristics of heavy metals distribution in agricultural soils of Hainan Island and its environment significances (in Chinese). Journal of Agro-Environment Science 27:182-187.
Zhao, Z.-Z., Rate, A.W., Tang, S.-X., Bi, H. 2007. REE geochemical characteristics of non-cultivated soils in the western areas of the Hainan Island (in Chinese). Earth and Environment 35:303-309.
Ma, Y. and Rate, A.W. 2007. Metals adsorbed to charcoal are not identifiable by sequential extraction. Environmental Chemistry, 4:26–34.
Patterson BM, Ma Y, Grassi ME, Robertson BS, Davis GB, Lipman M, Rhodes S, Mckinley AJ, Rate AW. 2005. Assessment of different carbon sources and delivery techniques to promote an in situ reactive zone for bioprecipitation of metals in groundwater. In 'Permeable Reactive Barriers'(IAHS Publication 298); (Eds GA Boshoff and BD Bone) pp. 97-104. (IAHS Press: Wallingford, UK)
Quaghebeur, M., Rate, A.W., Rengel, Z. and Hinz, C. 2005. Desorption kinetics of arsenate from kaolinite as influenced by pH. Journal of Environmental Quality 34:479-486.
Li, J., Rate, A.W., and Gilkes, R.J. 2004. Silver desorption kinetics from iron oxides and soil organic matter: effect of adsorption period. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 42:59-67.
Hamon RE, McLaughlin MJ, Gilkes RJ, Rate AW, Zarcinas B, Robertson AE, Cozens G, Radford NW, Bettenay LF 2004. Geochemical indices allow estimation of heavy metal background concentrations in soils. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 18, GB1014, doi:10.1029/2003GB002063.
Rate AW, Lee KM, French PA (2003) Application of biosolids in mineral sands mine rehabilitation: use of stockpiled topsoil decreases trace element uptake by plants. Bioresource Technology, 91:223-231.
Li, J., Rate, A.W., & Gilkes, R.J. 2003. Fractionation of trace elements in non-agricultural Australian soils. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 41:1389-1402.
Valizadeh, G.R., Rengel, Z. and Rate, A.W. 2002. Response of wheat genotypes efficient in P utilisation and genotypes responsive to P fertilization to different P banding depths and watering regimes. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 54:59-65.
Valizadeh, G.R., Rengel, Z. and Rate, A.W. 2002. Wheat genotypes differ in growth and P uptake when supplied with different sources and rates of P banded or mixed in soil in pots. Aust. J. Exp. Agric. 42:1103-1111.
Valizadeh, G.R., Rengel, Z. and Rate, A.W. 2002. Role of phosphorus fertilizer banding and the nitrate-to-ammonium ratio in phosphorus uptake and wheat growth: a glasshouse study. Aust. J. Exp. Agric. 42:1095-1102.
Mann, S.S., Gilkes, R.J. and Rate, A.W. 2002. Cadmium accumulation in agricultural soils in Western Australia. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 141:281-297.
Yong, R., Jiamo, F., Rate, A.W., and Gilkes, R.J. 2002. Adsorption of Au(I, III) complexes on Fe, Mn oxides and humic acid. Chemical Geology, 185:33-49.
De Roach, R., Rate, A.W., Knott, B. and Davies, P.M. 2002. Denitrification activity in sediments surrounding polychaete (Ceratonereis aequisetis) burrows. Marine and Freshwater Research, 53:35-41.
Rate, A.W., Robertson, A.E. and Borg, A. 2000. Distribution of copper, lead and cadmium in near-shore sediments of the Swan River Estuary, Western Australia. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 124:155-168.
Whitten, M.G., Wong, M.T.F. and Rate, A.W. 2000. Amelioration of subsurface acidity in the SW of Western Australia: downward movement and mass balance of surface incorporated lime after 2-15 years. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 38:711–728.
Roles, responsibilities and expertise
Associate Professor
School Graduate Research Coordinator
School Graduate Research Coordinator
Funding received
Selected Recent Research Projects
ARC Linkage / WA Water Corp. / ALS Laboratory Group. 2008 'Environmental risk assessment of acid sulfate soil formation and pollutant generation in Swan Coastal Plain', RFCD: 300104 (Zed Rengel, Christoph Hinz, Andrew Rate)
ARC Linkage / Newmont Mining Corp. 2008 'Evaluating a biogeochemical mechanism for soil anomaly formation using diffusive thin-film samplers in geochemical exploration', RFCD: 260302 (Andrew Rate, Nigel Radford)
Lionore Australia Pty Ltd 2007 'Discharge of Nickel Bearing Mine Water into Lake Hope North - Retention and Release of Nickel by Lake Sediments', RFCD: 259902 (Andrew Rate, Christoph Hinz)
UWA Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences 2005 'Diffuse gradients in thin films for sensitive profiling of nutrient gradients and trace elements in soils' (Andrew Rate)
Sons of Gwalia Tantalum 2004 'Assessment and Remediation of Arsenic Contamination in a Mine Site Environment', RFCD: 300801 (Andrew Rate, Christoph Hinz)
The Era Farming Company Ltd. 2004 'Preliminary Assessment of Concepts for Soil Quality and Soil Amendments in Organic and Integrated Agriculture and Horticulture', RFCD: 300102 (Andrew Rate, Lynette Abbott, Hafeel Kalideen, Lesley Maher)
ARC Linkage / WA Water Corp. / ALS Laboratory Group. 2008 'Environmental risk assessment of acid sulfate soil formation and pollutant generation in Swan Coastal Plain', RFCD: 300104 (Zed Rengel, Christoph Hinz, Andrew Rate)
ARC Linkage / Newmont Mining Corp. 2008 'Evaluating a biogeochemical mechanism for soil anomaly formation using diffusive thin-film samplers in geochemical exploration', RFCD: 260302 (Andrew Rate, Nigel Radford)
Lionore Australia Pty Ltd 2007 'Discharge of Nickel Bearing Mine Water into Lake Hope North - Retention and Release of Nickel by Lake Sediments', RFCD: 259902 (Andrew Rate, Christoph Hinz)
UWA Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences 2005 'Diffuse gradients in thin films for sensitive profiling of nutrient gradients and trace elements in soils' (Andrew Rate)
Sons of Gwalia Tantalum 2004 'Assessment and Remediation of Arsenic Contamination in a Mine Site Environment', RFCD: 300801 (Andrew Rate, Christoph Hinz)
The Era Farming Company Ltd. 2004 'Preliminary Assessment of Concepts for Soil Quality and Soil Amendments in Organic and Integrated Agriculture and Horticulture', RFCD: 300102 (Andrew Rate, Lynette Abbott, Hafeel Kalideen, Lesley Maher)
Memberships
Australian Society of Soil Science Inc. http://www.asssi.asn.au
Association of Applied Geochemists http://www.appliedgeochemists.org/
Association of Applied Geochemists http://www.appliedgeochemists.org/
Teaching
Earth & Environment: Dynamic Planet EART1105
Earth Surface Processes and Soils EART2222 (coordinator)
Introduction to Geochemistry EART2235 (co-coordinator)
Land, Soil and Water Systems EART3323
Case studies in Land and Water Management ENVT3333
Land and Water Management ENVT3334-5 Research Project
NRM 400 / Agriculture 400 project supervision
BSc(Hons), BSc(Env)(Hons) supervision
Earth Surface Processes and Soils EART2222 (coordinator)
Introduction to Geochemistry EART2235 (co-coordinator)
Land, Soil and Water Systems EART3323
Case studies in Land and Water Management ENVT3333
Land and Water Management ENVT3334-5 Research Project
NRM 400 / Agriculture 400 project supervision
BSc(Hons), BSc(Env)(Hons) supervision
Current external positions
Editorial Board, "Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis" (http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/gsl/publications/journals/geea)
Editorial Advisory Board, "Australian Journal of Soil Research" (Australian Society of Soil Science Representative). (http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/84.htm)
Editorial Advisory Board, "Australian Journal of Soil Research" (Australian Society of Soil Science Representative). (http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/84.htm)
Useful links
http://myresearchspace.grs.uwa.edu.au/blogs/andrewrates_blog/default.aspx
Current projects
Potential project areas for prospective students
Soil Chemistry group, Earth & Environment, UWA
***** APAI PhD SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE NOW (January 2009)! ***** DOWNLOAD information from http://myresearchspace.grs.uwa.edu.au/files/folders/23937/download.aspx *****
Behaviour of trace elements and rare earth elements in deeply weathered soil/regolith profiles
Distribution of gold and trace elements in nodular calcretes by laser-ablation ICP-MS
Significance of soil charcoal as a trace element sink
Novel applications of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT)
Quantitative modelling of pedogenetic processes using geochemical / transport models
Column studies of contaminant release and transport in soils
Acid sulfate soils:
fate of associated contaminants (arsenic, heavy metals);
nitrate as an alternative electron acceptor in groundwater contaminated by urban land-use;
landscape and other controls on distribution of co-contaminants (arsenic, heavy metals);
effects of groundwater-level seasonality on sulfide oxidation...
____________________________
Current/recent PhD students:
Talitha Santini (2009- ) "A pedogenic treatment for rehabilitation of bauxite residue mud" (santit01@student.uwa.edu.au)
Xin Du (2008- ) "Vertical distribution, geochemical transformations and transfer of rare earth elements (REE) in intensely weathered regolith profiles" (dux01@student.uwa.edu.au)
Bree Morgan (2007- ) "Monosulfidic black oozes (MBO) of the Lower Murray river and associated river delta, Western Australia" (morgab03@student.uwa.edu.au)
Yamin Ma (PhD completed in 2008) - "Vegetation as a biotic driver for the formation of soil geochemical anomalies for mineral exploration of covered terrains"
Mr Fadly Yusran (PhD completed in 2005)
Thesis title: Soil Organic Matter Decomposition: Effect of Organic Carbon on Phosphorus Transformation in Lateritic Soils
Edgardo Alarcon-Leon (PhD completed in 2005)
Thesis title: Pyrite weathering and lithium (Li+) transport under unsaturated flow conditions in model and mine-tailing systems
Claire McMahon (MSc completed 2006)
Thesis Title: Characteristics and sorption properties of charcoal in soil with a specific study of the charcoal in an arid region soil of Western Australia".
____________________________
Selected Recent Honours Students:
Talitha Santini (2008) "In situ neutralisation of bauxite residue by cross-layer leaching"
Cassie Turvey (2007) "An investigation of the relationships between hydrogeology and geochemistry during lake acidification at Lake Mariginiup, Western Australia"
Michael Rowe (2006) "Fate of nickel introduced into a salt lake by mine dewatering"
Kristy Ferguson (2005) "Catchment runoff and nitrification of sediments as potential sources of nitrate in a seasonal wetland on the Swan Coastal Plain"
Alicia Lim (2004) "An investigation into the nature & extent of arsenic contamination in a mine process water dam".
Soil Chemistry group, Earth & Environment, UWA
***** APAI PhD SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE NOW (January 2009)! ***** DOWNLOAD information from http://myresearchspace.grs.uwa.edu.au/files/folders/23937/download.aspx *****
Behaviour of trace elements and rare earth elements in deeply weathered soil/regolith profiles
Distribution of gold and trace elements in nodular calcretes by laser-ablation ICP-MS
Significance of soil charcoal as a trace element sink
Novel applications of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT)
Quantitative modelling of pedogenetic processes using geochemical / transport models
Column studies of contaminant release and transport in soils
Acid sulfate soils:
fate of associated contaminants (arsenic, heavy metals);
nitrate as an alternative electron acceptor in groundwater contaminated by urban land-use;
landscape and other controls on distribution of co-contaminants (arsenic, heavy metals);
effects of groundwater-level seasonality on sulfide oxidation...
____________________________
Current/recent PhD students:
Talitha Santini (2009- ) "A pedogenic treatment for rehabilitation of bauxite residue mud" (santit01@student.uwa.edu.au)
Xin Du (2008- ) "Vertical distribution, geochemical transformations and transfer of rare earth elements (REE) in intensely weathered regolith profiles" (dux01@student.uwa.edu.au)
Bree Morgan (2007- ) "Monosulfidic black oozes (MBO) of the Lower Murray river and associated river delta, Western Australia" (morgab03@student.uwa.edu.au)
Yamin Ma (PhD completed in 2008) - "Vegetation as a biotic driver for the formation of soil geochemical anomalies for mineral exploration of covered terrains"
Mr Fadly Yusran (PhD completed in 2005)
Thesis title: Soil Organic Matter Decomposition: Effect of Organic Carbon on Phosphorus Transformation in Lateritic Soils
Edgardo Alarcon-Leon (PhD completed in 2005)
Thesis title: Pyrite weathering and lithium (Li+) transport under unsaturated flow conditions in model and mine-tailing systems
Claire McMahon (MSc completed 2006)
Thesis Title: Characteristics and sorption properties of charcoal in soil with a specific study of the charcoal in an arid region soil of Western Australia".
____________________________
Selected Recent Honours Students:
Talitha Santini (2008) "In situ neutralisation of bauxite residue by cross-layer leaching"
Cassie Turvey (2007) "An investigation of the relationships between hydrogeology and geochemistry during lake acidification at Lake Mariginiup, Western Australia"
Michael Rowe (2006) "Fate of nickel introduced into a salt lake by mine dewatering"
Kristy Ferguson (2005) "Catchment runoff and nitrification of sediments as potential sources of nitrate in a seasonal wetland on the Swan Coastal Plain"
Alicia Lim (2004) "An investigation into the nature & extent of arsenic contamination in a mine process water dam".
RFCD
260304
Research profile
