Coral reef studies and coastal marine systems

Western Australia’s spectacular coastline, from the sub-tropics of the north to the cool waters of the south, offers diverse environments for UWA researchers to lead research projects that examine the interaction of physical, chemical and biological processes in shaping this varied coastline. Such studies are critical for understanding current and future climate change and the resulting impacts on coastal environments.

Ningaloo Reef is a major coral reef system rivaling the Great Barrier Reef of northeastern Australia that provides a central focus for our research and teaching in marine geoscience. Research activities focus on important aspects such as understanding how changing ocean temperatures and pH affect the ability of marine organisms to grow their skeletons or shells. Projects using novel isotopic systems, such as boron, seek to reconstruct older ocean conditions and examine how they have changed.

Our world-leading research is based on state-of-the art facilities with opportunity for researchers to collaborate nationally and internationally.