A machine learning approach to estimating dissolved inorganic nitrogen discharge from ungauged catchments
Theme: Environmental Management
Description:
Catchment water quality models simulate large scale environmental processes with sufficient complexity to provide fit for purpose explanatory power. There are 2 categories of model development that limit model precision and reliability, one is limitations in knowledge that result in a misspecified model and the other is the quality and quantity of the observation data available to calibrate and test the model. This project aims to address both of these issues to some extent.
Given the costs and practical challenges associated with collecting observational data suitable for informing model calibration and validation, there are gaps in the water quality data available for model calibration. In the Great Barrier Reef catchment water quality modelling program, more than 30% of the total catchment area draining to the Great Barrier Reef lies outside of an area referenced by a water quality monitoring site.
This project will use available water quality monitoring data and catchment water quality models to investigate the potential for machine learning modelling methods to adequately estimate dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) loads being generated and transported from the catchment landscape into the stream network.
Additional Information:
The Michael St John Warne (1962 – 2024) Memorial Scholarship is administered by the Reef Catchments Science Partnership in the School of the Environment.
The purpose of the scholarship is to support UQ honours students. Up to three (3) scholarships will be awarded. Each scholarship is worth $5,000 (half paid in February 2026 and half paid on submission of thesis). A top up writing scholarship of $1,000 is available to publish one (1) journal paper from your thesis research after submission.
See https://environment.uq.edu.au/michael-st-john-warne-memorial-scholarship for more information or email rcsp.info@uq.edu.au
Contact: Assoc. Prof. Ryan Turner