Regolith and Land Use

A widespread layer of soil, weathered materials and transported sediments above fresh bedrock, known as regolith, reflects the long-term geological stability of Australia and the absence of extensive Quaternary glacial activity. The regolith masks prospective basement rocks and contains variable concentrations of salts. It limits the extent to which Australia can adopt approaches and technologies used in other developed countries for mineral exploration and natural resource management.

Geoscience Australia has made a major commitment to the Cooperative Research Centre for Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration (CRCLEME) which conducts regolith research, education and training.

CRCLEME is providing a range of studies and services under the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality. CRCLEME has demonstrated that a geological systems approach involving the integration of airborne geophysical and ground studies of the regolith can enhance the current understanding of sources of salinity and groundwater flows as well as infiltration and discharge zones. This knowledge helps to facilitate salinity mitigation decisions.

Because natural or anthropogenic environmental conditions can be contributing factors in areas where there are abnormal levels of human, animal and plant health problems, other applications of geoscience technologies and approaches are being pursued to help decision makers. For example, initial studies have shown that electromagnetic surveys have the potential to map acid sulphate soil hazard. Baseline geochemical surveys are being undertaken with the State and Northern Territory governments and other interested parties to provide insights into identified or potential geohealth problems.

Geological systems studies with a focus on land use and natural resource management also can provide information of interest for mineral exploration.