Skip Navigation | ANU Home | Search ANU | Directories

RSES SITE SEARCH

 

Professor Malcolm McCulloch Earth Environment Research School of Earth Sciences The Australian National University Canberra 0200 AUSTRALIA Tel: +61 2 612 59969 Fax: +61 2 612 50738 email: Malcolm.McCulloch@anu.edu.au

Biography Publications Current Research Media Coverage Awards

Research Interests

---

The application of isotopic and trace element geochemical methods to better understand the impacts of both climatic and anthropogenic processes on the Earth’s environment. Research on modern corals takes advantage of Australia's natural assets, corals in the Great Barrier Reef of Queensland, as well as coral reefs of Australia's near neighbours. High resolution, continuous records of both climate and anthropogenic impacts are being extracted from living corals, of up to 300 to 400 years age, to assess the nature and character of past variations in climate and anthropogenic influences. Research on fossil corals utilises high precision TIMS U-series ages to determine the timing and rate of sea level changes combined with climate proxies for SST (Sr/Ca) and rainfall (oxygen isotopes). Development of laser ablation ICP-MS methods for in-situ analyses of trace elements in carbonates (corals) to enable high resolution temporal studies of climate change to be undertaken. Other interests include U-series dating of speleothems, and the application of natural occurring isotopic systems to trace sediment provenances and sources of nutrient (P) in rivers and the nearshore marine environment.