Higher Degree by Research Application Portal

This project with UWA is in response to the invitation by the Water Corporation to partner with suitably qualified marine specialists to help understand the recent occurrence of algal bloom events along the Perth Coastal waters. In the past few the number of algal blooms along the Perth coastal waters have increased and in particular in 2024 beaches in Mullaloo were closed. Other blooms in Cockburn Sound has affected the operation of the desalination plant.

The project aims to meet the following objectives:

1. Understand the physical factors that are likely to have contributed to the increased magnitude of the algal blooms in 2021, 2023 and 2024.

2. Understand the spatial and temporal fluctuations in algal along the Perth coastal waters.

3. Understand if the frequency of algae events, similar to that observed in early 2021, 2023 and 2024 are likely to increase in the future.

4. Develop a framework for predicting the likely onset of algal blooms, using environmental parameters as indicators.

Water Corporation of Western Australia

Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS)

Prof Charitha Pattiaratchi

Bachelor Honours or Masters in Oceanography, marine science or applied mathematics

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a program of independent, supervised research that is assessed solely on the basis of a thesis, sometimes including a creative work component, that is examined externally. The work presented for a PhD must be a substantial and original contribution to scholarship, demonstrating mastery of the subject of interest as well as an advance in that field of knowledge. 

Visit the course webpage for full details of this course including admission requirements, course rules and the relevant CRICOS code/s.