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 1. Synthesis and characterization of optically transparent colloidal chalcopyrite (CuFeS2); E.J. Silvester, T.W. Healy, F. Grieser, B. A. Sexton Langmuir, 1991, 7, 19.  

2. Spectroscopic studies on copper sulfide sols; E.J. Silvester, F. Grieser, B. A. Sexton, T. W. Healy Langmuir, 1991, 7, 2917.  

3. Oxidation kinetics of ultra-small colloidal chalcopyrite with one electron oxidants; E.J. Silvester, F. Grieser, D. Meisel, T. W. Healy, J.C. Sullivan J. Phys. Chem. 1992, 96, 4382.  

4. Thermodynamics and kinetics of interaction of copper(II) and iron(III) with ultra-small colloidal chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) at low and neutral pH; E. J. Silvester, F. Grieser, D. Meisel, T. W. Healy, J. C. Sullivan J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans. 1994, 90, 3301.  

5. The mechanism of chromium(III) oxidation by sodium buserite. E.J. Silvester; L. Charlet; A. Manceau J. Phys. Chem. 1995, 99, 16662.  

6. The structure of synthetic monoclinic Na-rich birnessite and hexagonal birnessite. I. Results from X-ray diffraction and selected area electron diffraction. V.A. Drits; E.J. Silvester; A.I. Gorshkov; A. Manceau American Mineralogist 1997, 82, 946.  

7. The structure of synthetic monoclinic Na-rich birnessite and hexagonal birnessite. II. Results from chemical studies and EXAFS spectroscopy. E.J. Silvester; A. Manceau; V.A. Drits American Mineralogist 1997, 82, 962.  

8. Structural Mechanism of Co2+ oxidation by the phyllomanganate buserite. A. Manceau; V.A. Drits; E.J. Silvester; C. Bartoli; B. Lanson American Mineralogist 1997, 82, 1150. [Nominated for best paper in American Mineralogist 1997].  

9. N-compound reduction and actinide immobilisation in surficial fluids by Fe(II): the surface ºFeIIIOFeIIOHo species, as major reductant. L. Charlet; E.J. Silvester; E. Liger. Chemical Geology 1998, 151, 85.  

10. Steady-state radiolysis study of the reductive dissolution of ultrasmall colloidal CuS. K. M. Drummond; F. Grieser; T. W. Healy; E. J. Silvester; M. Giersig. Langmuir , 1999, 15, 6637.  

11. Structure of H-exchanged hexagonal birnessite and it mechanism of formation from Na-rich monoclinic buserite at low pH: New data from X-ray diffraction. B. Lanson;V.A. Drits; E.J. Silvester; A. Manceau American Mineralogist 2000, 85, 826.  

12. Spectroscopic characterisation of ethyl xanthate oxidation products and analysis by ion-interaction chromatography. F-P. Hao; E. J. Silvester; G. D. Senior. Analytical Chemistry 2000, 72, 4836.  

13. The oxidation of ethyl xanthate and ethyl thiocarbonate by hydrogen peroxide. E. J. Silvester; D. Trucccolo; F-P. Hao Journal of the Chemical Society Perkin Trans. 2 2002, 1562.  

14. The structure of heavy-metal sorbed birnessite: Part 1. results from X-ray diffraction. B. Lanson; V. A. Drits; A.-C. Gaillot; E. J. Silvester; A. Manceau; A Plançon American Mineralogist 2002, 87, 1631.  

15. Behaviour of impurity elements during the weathering of ilmenite.I. Grey; C. Macrae; E. Silvester; J. Susini Mineralogical Magazine 2005, 69, 437.  

16.Redox Potential Measurements and Mössbauer Spectrometry of FeII Adsorbed onto FeIII (Oxyhydr)oxides. E. Silvester; L. Charlet; C. Tournassat; A. Géhin; J.-M. Greneche; E. Liger Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta 2005, 69, 4801.  

17. The flotation of gersdorffite in sulphide nickel systems – a single mineral study. G.D. Senior, L.K. Smith, E. Silvester, and W.J. Bruckard. International Journal of Mineral Processing 2009, 93, 165.  

18. Longitudinal trends in river functioning: Patterns of nutrient and carbon processing in three Australian rivers. W. L. Hadwen, C.S. Fellows, D.P. Westhorpe, G. Rees, S.M. Mitrovic, B. Taylor, D.S. Baldwin, E. Silvester and R. Croome River Research and Applications 2009, 25, 1.  

19. Ionic regulation in an alpine peatland in the Bogong High Plains, Victoria, Australia. E. Silvester; Environmental Chemistry 2009, 6, 424.  

20. Salinity-induced acidification in a wetland sediment through the displacement of clay-bound iron(II) A. Klein, D. Baldwin, B. Singh and E. Silvester Environmental Chemistry , 2010, 7, 413.

Alpine aquatic ecology

The Australian alps are one of the highest water yielding landscapes on the Australian mainland, providing a high proportion of lowland river base-flows in Summer months. The dependent ecosystems are likely to be among the most affected under future climate change scenarios. Our research activities are focused towards understanding the relationships between hydrology, carbon and nutrient cycling, and the water-dependent flora and fauna in these systems. This information will be critical in the future management of the Australian alpine landscapes. This research is conducted in collaboration with Phil Suter (DEME) and Gavin Rees (MDFRC), members of the Research Centre for Applied Alpine Ecology (RCAAE). 

Peatland hydrology and biogeochemistry  

Alpine peatlands are closely associated with the source waters of alpine streams, and generally thought to have an important role in stream flow regulation and nutrient uptake. Our research aims to test these potentially important ecosystem services, and to understand the effects of hydrological disturbance on these functions. Examples of the types of disturbance in the Australian alps include: engineering works associated with hydro-electric power generation, cattle grazing and fire. Currently we are investigating the unique bryophytes (mosses) associated with alpine groundwater sources, the hydrological and chemical responses of alpine peatlands to storm events, and the interaction of Sphagnum moss with base-cations, using synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy.    

Carbon and nutrient cycling in headwater streams  

The flora and fauna of alpine ecosystems are linked through the aquatic carbon cycle. We are interested in the production of organic carbon, and the usage of both aquatic and terrestrial carbon sources in headwater streams. Our current projects are on the in-stream transformation of organic carbon exported from alpine peatlands, and on the decomposition of Snowgum leaves (Eucalyptus pauciflora) by aquatic fungi. This work is closely linked to our research on the macroinvertebrate communities in alpine peatlands and streams, providing information about the nutritional value of potential food sources. 

Synchrotron radiation techniques  

We have a strong and active program of research utilising synchrotron radiation techniques, applied to a range of aquatic ecology applications. Techniques currently being used by our group include infrared microspectroscopy, soft X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. This work is in collaboration with Darren Baldwin (MDFRC) and Gavin Rees (MDFRC).  

Decomposition of eucalypt leaf lignin by aquatic fungi 

We are using infrared microspectroscopy to study the decomposition of leaf lignin by aquatic fungi.  We are particularly interested in the interface between fungal tissue and lignified leaf tissue, the distribution of fungal protein, and the changes in the nutritional value of the leaf as a food resource for macroinvertebrates.    

Acid-base properties of Sphagnum moss

Sphagnum moss is known to have a high cation exchange capacity due to the carboxylic groups of galacturonic acid. We are studying the acid-base behaviour and cation complexation of these carboxylic groups in-situ by synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy using a liquid flow cell.    

Response of phosphorus and iron speciation to drought and flooding in floodplain soils  

Phosphorus mobility in soils is controlled by microbial transformations of P-speciation and soil mineralogy, particularly that of Fe-containing minerals. Fe mineralogy responds to soil redox conditions through dissolution and re-crystallisation processes. We are using soft-X-ray spectroscopy and XAS to study responses of floodplain soil P & Fe to drying, heating and re-wetting to simulate the effects of drought and high summer temperatures as well as the re-flooding of these soils.    

Fe geochemistry in aquatic systems

We are interested in reactivity and redox cycling of iron (Fe) in aquatic systems. Our current research is on the reactivity of FeII adsorbed onto FeIII(oxyhyr)oxide and clay substrates using electrochemical techniques, and the role of siderophores in the uptake of Fe by algae and bacteria. This work is in collaboration with Darren Baldwin (MDFRC), Prof. Laurent Charlet (University of Grenoble, France) and Christophe Tournassat (BRGM, France).

Reactivity of adsorbed FeII

In previous work we have demonstrated the increased reactivity of FeII adsorbed onto Fe-containing substrates. Enhanced reactivity of adsorbed FeII is observed towards a range of solution oxidants, and attributed to the increased hydrolysis of adsorbed FeII as well as the higher stability of the adsorbed FeIII product on crystal growth sites. More recently we have been working on studying adsorbed FeII reactivity using classical electrochemical techniques, utilising electron mediators to enhance the electron transfer between the adsorbed FeII and the working electrode. This approach has the potential to provide a new experimental technique for measuring redox reactivity in natural soils and sediments.

Fe uptake by cyanobacteria

We are interested in the role of siderophore-type molecules produced by cyanobacteria in mediating Fe-uptake. This work will use electrochemical techniques to study the electron transfer dynamics of Fe-siderophore complexes, and investigate the stimulated uptake of Fe in batch experiments as well as through in-situ studies using IR microspectroscopy.