INTRODUCTION the Pilbara Region Is Situated North of the Tropic Of

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

INTRODUCTION The Pilbara region is situated north of the Tropic of Capricorn, in the arid North-West of Western Australia. It covers an area of 178,000 km2. The region is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the west, Ashburton River to the south, Little Sandy Desert to the east, and Great Sandy Desert to the north (fig. 1). The Pilbara is a part of the Western Shield that has emerged since the Precambrian (600 Mya - 400 Mya). The Western Shield is the oldest known land surface in the world (Fox, 1999), and next to the Pilbara Craton, it includes Yilgarn Craton to the south (Beard, 1998). The Pilbara Craton lies between two sedimentary basins: the Canning to the northeast, and Carnavon to the southwest (Beard, 1975). It consists of the Proterozoic and Archaean rocks (fig. 2A), the latter constituting a block known as the Pilbara Block, being overlaid by Proterozoic deposits, which are exposed in the northeastern part of the region. Lower Proterozoic rocks are 9000 m thick and mainly consist of basalt, shale, dolomite, and jaspilite. Middle Proterozoic rocks are composed mainly of sandstone and conglomerate. The underlying Archaean basement consists of essentially the same type of rocks as the Lower Proterozoic, but these are much more folded, and in some parts metamorphosed and intruded by masses of granite (Beard, 1975). The regolith in the Pilbara comprises a fine red blanket over much of the region (fig. 2B). Minor Tertiary limestone outcrops occur across the plain (Reeves et aI., in press). The highest point in the Pilbara is Mount Meharry (1250 m), which is also the highest peak in Western Australia. Mount Meharry is a part of the Hamersley Range, which lies in the central Pilbara. Another plateau, the Chichester Range, lies north of the Hamersley and has a peak of 618 m. The rest of the Pilbara consists of wide floodplains and a coastal zone. The Pilbara encompasses five hydrographic basins: the Ashburton, De Grey, Fortescue, Port Hedland, and Onslow basins (Eberhard et aI., 2005). The Hamers1ey Range is drained by the Ashburton and Fortescue rivers, while the Chichester Plateau is drained by numerous rivers in the De Grey and Port Hedland hydrographic basins. The drainages of most rivers in the region were formed during the Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary. They are well preserved because of the tectonic stability and because a change from a humid to an arid .j:>. o~ S I <: -§ ~ i o·~ N + "OO~ Fig. 1. Map of the Pilbara region with the sampling localities. .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Introduction of an Alien Fish Species in the Pilbara Region of Western
RECORDS OF THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM 33 108–114 (2018) DOI: 10.18195/issn.0312-3162.33(1).2018.108-114 Introduction of an alien fsh species in the Pilbara region of Western Australia Dean C. Thorburn1, James J. Keleher1 and Simon G. Longbottom1 1 Indo-Pacifc Environmental, PO Box 191, Duncraig East, Western Australia 6023, Australia. * Corresponding author: [email protected] ABSTRACT – Until recently rivers of the Pilbara region of north Western Australia were considered to be free of introduced fsh species. However, a survey of aquatic fauna of the Fortescue River conducted in March 2017 resulted in the capture of 19 Poecilia latipinna (Sailfn Molly) throughout a 25 km section of the upper catchment. This represented the frst record of an alien fsh species in the Pilbara region and the most northern record in Western Australia. Based on the size of the individuals captured, the distribution over which they were recorded and the fact that the largest female was mature, P. latipinna appeared to be breeding. While P. latipinna was unlikely to physically threaten native fsh species in the upper reaches of the Fortescue River, potential spatial and dietary competition may exist if it reaches downstream waters where native fsh diversity is higher and dietary overlap is likely. As P. latipinna has the potential to affect macroinvertebrate communities, some risk may also exist to the macroinvertebrate community of the Fortescue Marsh, which is located immediately downstream, and which is valued for its numerous short range endemic aquatic invertebrates. The current fnding indicated that despite the relative isolation of the river and presence of a low human population, this remoteness does not mean the river is safe from the potential impact of species introductions.
[Show full text]
Australia: State of the Environment 1996: Chapter 4
Chapter 4 . Biodiversity ‘Still Flying’ from the painting of a Wandering Albatross by Richard Prepared by Weatherly. Denis Saunders (Chair), CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology Andrew Beattie, Centre for Biodiversity and Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University Susannah Eliott (Research Assistant/Science Writer), Centre for Science Communication, University of Technology, Sydney Marilyn Fox, School of Geography, University of New South Wales Burke Hill, CSIRO Division of Fisheries Bob Pressey, New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service Duncan Veal, Centre for Biodiversity and Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University Jackie Venning, State of Environment Reporting, South Australian Department of Environment and Natural Resources Mathew Maliel (State of the Environment Reporting Unit member), Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories (Facilitator) Charlie Zammit (former State of the Environment Reporting Unit member), Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories (former Facilitator) 4-1 . Australia: State of the Environment 1996 . Contents Introduction. 4-4 Pressure . 4-7 Human populations . 4-9 Urban development . 4-9 Tourism and recreation . 4-9 Harvesting resources and land use. 4-10 Fisheries . 4-10 Forestry . 4-11 Pastoralism. 4-12 Agriculture . 4-12 Introduced species . 4-16 Vertebrates . 4-16 Invertebrates. 4-17 Plants. 4-18 Micro-organisms. 4-20 Native species out of place . 4-20 Pollution . 4-21 Mining . 4-22 Climate change . 4-22 State . 4-23 The state of ecosystem diversity . 4-23 Biogeographic regionalisations for Australia . 4-23 Ecosystem diversity. 4-26 The state of species diversity. 4-30 Number and distribution of species . 4-31 Status of species .
[Show full text]
Little Sandy Desert 1 (LSD1 – Rudall Subregion)
Little Sand Desert 1 Little Sandy Desert 1 (LSD1 – Rudall subregion) PETER KENDRICK NOVEMBER 2001 Subregional description and biodiversity across the desert and into a major salt lake within the Little Sandy Desert (the other is Savory Creek). values Only the upper half of the course of the Rudall River is within LSD1. • Description and area Small permanent rockhole wetlands associated with ranges and uplands. Locally significant water Sparse shrub-steppe over Triodia basedowii on stony hills, sources, with high biological and cultural with River Gum communities and bunch grasslands on significance. • alluvial deposits in and associated with ranges. The Small artificial surface water sources constructed climate is Arid with summer rainfall. The Rudall along the Canning Stock Route (far eastern part of Complex, Throssell Group and Lamil Group of the LSD1). Many in disrepair, but there is an active Patterson Orogen. Proterozoic hill country of Throssell, program of refurbishment underway, and many are Mount Sears, Broadhurst and Harbutt Ranges. Includes open again. Sometimes a locally significant source of headwaters and course of Rudall River. Extensive areas of water. tussock grass are associated with footslopes. River Gum communities along drainage. Extensive Triodia Refugia: • hummock grasslands on hills and surrounding plains. The The only refuge listed by Morton et al. (1995) area of the subregion is 1, 078, 070 ha. within LSD1 is the Rudall River. They note that it may provide a seasonal refuge to wildlife. Dominant land use • The hills of the McKay, Harbutt, Fingoon and Broadhurst Ranges present some areas that are protected from fire. Dominant land uses in the subregion are Conservation (xiii), Unallocated Crown land (xi), (x), Mining leases High Species and Ecosystem Diversity: (vii), and Urban (i) (Parnngurr Aboriginal Community There is a high number of arid zone reptiles, particularly near Cotton Creek in Rudall River National Park) (see skink lizards (genera Ctenotus and Lerista).
[Show full text]
Lenape Valley Regional High School THIS ASSIGNMENT WILL BE DUE in FULL AP World History Summer Assignment 2015 by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2019
Lenape Valley Regional High School THIS ASSIGNMENT WILL BE DUE IN FULL AP World History Summer Assignment 2015 BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2019. Mr. Peter J. De Kleine, MA LAC EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES WILL BE Department of Social Studies DISCUSSED INDIVIDUALLY. [email protected] Before anything else – Get a 5 Inch 3 Ring Binder for your materials. You will need it. Almost 14 billion years ago, as we know it, history began. From nothingness began a journey of creativity and complexity that would lead us to today. As human beings we are (at least we should be) continually seeking answers to the universe in which we are embedded. Some people focus on specific details, others focus on the ideas, but it can be argued that those who study history focus on the entire story of this journey. This course will test your ability to think, reason, and respond at a much higher level than CP or Advanced Courses. A great majority of this course is designed to prepare you for writing analytically so you may tackle the AP World History Exam in May of 2020. That being said, one might ask, “Why do we have to do a summer assignment?” I will be honest; I used to ask the same question and reason that it was my summer to do with as I wanted. Simply put, Lenape Valley Regional High School begins school toward the end of August, most school systems in the United States begin their school year early to mid-August. However, the AP Exam is on the same day for all students across the United States.
[Show full text]
Strategic Proposal SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT PUBLIC ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STRATEGIC PROPOSAL
BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pilbara Public Environmental Review Strategic Proposal SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT PUBLIC ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STRATEGIC PROPOSAL Document Control ACTION NAME POSITION DATE Prepared by: F. Hill Faskel Document Manager 21.09.2016 Team Leader Reviewed by: B. Skarratt 27.09.2016 Strategic Environmental Assessment Manager Environment, Analysis and Endorsed by: R. Thorpe 29.09.2016 Improvement Head of Environment, Analysis and Approved by: G. Price 30.09.2016 Improvement Revised by: F. Hill Faskel Document Manager 21.12.2016 DISCLAIMER This Supplementary Report has been prepared for submission to the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority in response to public comments received during the review period of the Pilbara Public Environmental Review Strategic Proposal (PERSP). This Supplementary Report is to support the information contained in the PERSP for the purpose of the Minister for Environment making a determination regarding whether to approve BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s Proposal under the Western Australian Environmental Protection Act 1986. This Supplementary Report and the PERSP have been developed for this purpose only, and no one other than the Environmental Protection Authority or the Minister should rely on the information contained in these documents to make any decision. In preparing the Supplementary Report and PERSP, BHP Billiton Iron Ore has relied on information provided by specialist consultants, government agencies and other third parties available during preparation. The Supplementary Report and
[Show full text]
1 Early Earth June06.Indd
The Early Earth & First Signs of Life Earth began to solidify and divide into its layers (Core, Mantle and Crust) more than 4 billion years ago – and finally to have a solid surface – unlike Jupiter and Saturn, but more like Mars. But it was not until about 3.8 billion years ago that life is first recorded on Earth by structures called stromatolites “constructed” by bacteria. Their distant relatives are still alive in Australia today, building the same monuments. The early Earth lacked much of an atmosphere and so was heavily pummeled by meteorites. It was a bleak and hellish place, with volcanoes blasting lava fountains in the air, fumeroles steaming – and little water around. But it was this very volcanic activity that formed water and produced the gases which made up an atmosphere, when temperatures on the Earth’s surface finally dipped below 100 o C. – an atmosphere dominated by carbon dioxide, some nitrogen, water vapour, methane and smaller amounts of hydrogen sulfide (which is what makes rotten eggs smell so bad!), hydrogen cyanide and ammonia. There was no significant amount of oxygen in this early atmosphere. By 3800 million years ago there was a solid surface on Earth, and sediments were actually forming – meaning that wind and running water had to be present. How do we know this? Geologists who have studied modern rivers and desert sands, ocean shores and ocean depths compare the sands and muds today with the same sorts of structures (such as ripple marks) and textures preserved in the ancient rocks of the Macdonnell Ranges of Central Australia and the Pilbara region of Western Australia and see many similarities.
[Show full text]
The Nature of Northern Australia
THE NATURE OF NORTHERN AUSTRALIA Natural values, ecological processes and future prospects 1 (Inside cover) Lotus Flowers, Blue Lagoon, Lakefield National Park, Cape York Peninsula. Photo by Kerry Trapnell 2 Northern Quoll. Photo by Lochman Transparencies 3 Sammy Walker, elder of Tirralintji, Kimberley. Photo by Sarah Legge 2 3 4 Recreational fisherman with 4 barramundi, Gulf Country. Photo by Larissa Cordner 5 Tourists in Zebidee Springs, Kimberley. Photo by Barry Traill 5 6 Dr Tommy George, Laura, 6 7 Cape York Peninsula. Photo by Kerry Trapnell 7 Cattle mustering, Mornington Station, Kimberley. Photo by Alex Dudley ii THE NATURE OF NORTHERN AUSTRALIA Natural values, ecological processes and future prospects AUTHORS John Woinarski, Brendan Mackey, Henry Nix & Barry Traill PROJECT COORDINATED BY Larelle McMillan & Barry Traill iii Published by ANU E Press Design by Oblong + Sons Pty Ltd The Australian National University 07 3254 2586 Canberra ACT 0200, Australia www.oblong.net.au Email: [email protected] Web: http://epress.anu.edu.au Printed by Printpoint using an environmentally Online version available at: http://epress. friendly waterless printing process, anu.edu.au/nature_na_citation.html eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and saving precious water supplies. National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry This book has been printed on ecoStar 300gsm and 9Lives 80 Silk 115gsm The nature of Northern Australia: paper using soy-based inks. it’s natural values, ecological processes and future prospects. EcoStar is an environmentally responsible 100% recycled paper made from 100% ISBN 9781921313301 (pbk.) post-consumer waste that is FSC (Forest ISBN 9781921313318 (online) Stewardship Council) CoC (Chain of Custody) certiﬁed and bleached chlorine free (PCF).
[Show full text]
Lgas) Are in Each of the Internet Vacancy Index (IVI) Regions
This list has been prepared by the RAI to show which Local Government Areas (LGAs) are in each of the Internet Vacancy Index (IVI) Regions. The regions do not always map well across LGAs as they have been designed under a different geography. So in preparing the list we have looked at a simple ‘best fit’ as to which Region an LGA best fits into. Vacancies in LGAs which overlap different IVI Regions will have some of the characteristics of both IVI Regions. LGA LGA STATE VACANCY MAP REGION CODE 40070 Adelaide (C) SA Adelaide 40120 Adelaide Hills (DC) SA Fleurieu Peninsula & Murray Mallee 50080 Albany (C) WA South West WA 10050 Albury (C) NSW Riverina & Murray 40220 Alexandrina (DC) SA Fleurieu Peninsula & Murray Mallee 70200 Alice Springs (T) NT Regional NT 20110 Alpine (S) VIC Bendigo & High Country 40250 Anangu Pitjantjatjara (AC) SA Port Augusta & Eyre Peninsula 20260 Ararat (RC) VIC Ballarat & Central Highlands 50210 Armadale (C) WA Perth 10130 Armidale Regional (A) NSW Tamworth and North West NSW 50250 Ashburton (S) WA Pilbara & Kimberley 50280 Augusta-Margaret River (S) WA South West WA 30250 Aurukun (S) QLD Far North QLD 20570 Ballarat (C) VIC Ballarat & Central Highlands 10250 Ballina (A) NSW NSW North Coast 30300 Balonne (S) QLD Toowoomba and South West QLD 10300 Balranald (A) NSW Riverina & Murray 30370 Banana (S) QLD Central QLD 20660 Banyule (C) VIC Melbourne 30410 Barcaldine (R) QLD Outback QLD 30450 Barcoo (S) QLD Outback QLD 70420 Barkly (R) NT Regional NT 40310 Barossa (DC) SA Adelaide 40430 Barunga West (DC) SA Yorke Peninsula
[Show full text]
Regions and Local Government Areas Western Australia
IRWIN THREE 115°E 120°E 125°E SPRINGS PERENJORI YALGOO CARNAMAH MENZIES COOROW Kimberley DALWALLINU MOUNT MARSHALL REGIONS AND LOCAL Pilbara MOORA DANDARAGAN Gascoyne KOORDA MUKINBUDIN GOVERNMENT AREAS WONGAN-BALLIDU Midwest DOWERIN WESTONIA YILGARN Goldfields-Esperance VICTORIA PLAINS TRAYNING GOOMALLING NUNGARIN WESTERN AUSTRALIA - 2011 Wheatbelt GINGIN Perth WYALKATCHEM Peel CHITTERING South West Great KELLERBERRIN Southern TOODYAY CUNDERDIN MERREDIN NORTHAM TAMMIN YORK TIMOR QUAIRADING BRUCE ROCK NAREMBEEN 0 50 100 200 300 400 SEA BEVERLEY SERPENTINE- Kilometres BROOKTON JARRAHDALE CORRIGIN KONDININ 15°S MANDURAH WANDERING PINGELLY 15°S MURRAY CUBALLING KULIN WICKEPIN WAROONA BODDINGTON Wyndham NARROGIN WYNDHAM-EAST KIMBERLEY LAKE GRACE HARVEY WILLIAMS DUMBLEYUNG KUNUNURRA COLLIE WAGIN BUNBURY DARDANUP WEST ARTHUR CAPEL RAVENSTHORPE WOODANILLING KENT DONNYBROOK- KATANNING BUSSELTON BALINGUP BOYUP BROOK BROOMEHILL- AUGUSTA- KOJONUP JERRAMUNGUP MARGARET BRIDGETOWN- TAMBELLUP RIVER GREENBUSHES GNOWANGERUP NANNUP CRANBROOK Derby MANJIMUP DERBY-WEST KIMBERLEY PLANTAGENET BROOME KIMBERLEY ALBANY DENMARK Fitzroy Crossing Halls Creek INSET BROOME INDIAN OCEAN HALLS CREEK 20°S 20°S PORT HEDLAND Wickham Y Dampier PORT HEDLAND KARRATHA Roebourne R ROEBOURNE O T I R Onslow EAST PILBARA Pannawonica PILBARA R Exmouth E T ASHBURTON N EXMOUTH Tom Price R E H Paraburdoo Newman T R O N CARNARVON GASCOYNE UPPER GASCOYNE CARNARVON 25°S 25°S MEEKATHARRA NGAANYATJARRAKU WILUNA Denham MID WEST SHARK BAY MURCHISON Meekatharra A I L CUE A R NORTHAMPTON T Kalbarri
[Show full text]
Pilbara Shorebirds and Seabirds
Shorebirds and seabirds OF THE PILBARA COAST AND ISLANDS Montebello Islands Pilbara Region Dampier Barrow Sholl Island Karratha Island PERTH Thevenard Island Serrurier Island South Muiron Island COASTAL HIGHWAY Onslow Pannawonica NORTH WEST Exmouth Cover: Greater sand plover. This page: Great knot. Photos – Grant Griffin/DBCA Photos – Grant page: Great knot. This Greater sand plover. Cover: Shorebirds and seabirds of the Pilbara coast and islands The Pilbara coast and islands, including the Exmouth Gulf, provide important refuge for a number of shorebird and seabird species. For migratory shorebirds, sandy spits, sandbars, rocky shores, sandy beaches, salt marshes, intertidal flats and mangroves are important feeding and resting habitat during spring and summer, when the birds escape the harsh winter of their northern hemisphere breeding grounds. Seabirds, including terns and shearwaters, use the islands for nesting. For resident shorebirds, including oystercatchers and beach stone-curlews, the islands provide all the food, shelter and undisturbed nesting areas they need. What is a shorebird? Shorebirds, also known as ‘waders’, are a diverse group of birds mostly associated with wetland and coastal habitats where they wade in shallow water and feed along the shore. This group includes plovers, sandpipers, stints, curlews, knots, godwits and oystercatchers. Some shorebirds spend their entire lives in Australia (resident), while others travel long distances between their feeding and breeding grounds each year (migratory). TYPES OF SHOREBIRDS Roseate terns. Photo – Grant Griffin/DBCA Photo – Grant Roseate terns. Eastern curlew Whimbrel Godwit Plover Turnstone Sandpiper Sanderling Diagram – adapted with permission from Ted A Morris Jr. Above: LONG-DISTANCE TRAVELLERS To never experience the cold of winter sounds like a good life, however migratory shorebirds put a lot of effort in achieving their endless summer.
[Show full text]
The Riparian Flora and Plant Communities of the Pilbara Region Of
DOI: 10.18195/issn.0313-122x.78(2).2015.485-513 Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 78: 485–513 (2015). The riparian fl ora and plant communities of the Pilbara region of Western Australia M.N. Lyons Department of Parks and Wildlife, Science and Conservation Division, Kieran McNamara Conservation Science Centre, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Western Australia 6983, Australia. Email: [email protected] Abstract – A survey of riparian fl ora and plant communities was undertaken at 98 wetlands and rivers in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Sampling was quadrat-based, with fl oristics, surface soils and wetland attributes recorded. Selected sites captured the full range of Pilbara wetland types including springs, river pools, claypans, salt marshes and rock pools. A total of 455 taxa was recorded from the survey sites, representing ca. 25% of the known fl ora of the Pilbara bioregion. The fl ora is dominated by taxa with Eremaean and tropical affi nities, with only six taxa endemic in the region. Of recorded taxa known from four or fewer bioregions, most are shared with the adjacent Carnarvon and Gascoyne bioregions rather than the adjoining internally draining deserts. Sixteen taxa of conservation signifi cance were documented, with claypans, the Fortescue Marsh, and Millstream and Karijini National Park sites dominating occurrences of rare species. Eight major groups were defi ned by classifying wetlands in terms of species presence/absence data. Floristic patterning was strongly aligned with the major wetland types (geomorphic/hydrological) used in the primary sampling stratifi cation. A combination of wetland morphology/hydrological setting, site edaphic attributes and distance to the coast were dominant variables related to riparian fl oristic composition.
[Show full text]
Lake Disappointment Potash Project
Lake Disappointment Potash Project Hydrogeological Assessment of the Impact of Process Water Abstraction from the Northern Bore Field An H2 Level Assessment for 2 GL/year with a Numerical Model Prepared by: Strategic Water Management Prepared For: Reward Minerals Ltd June 2018 Rookie Solutions Pty Ltd Trading As: Strategic Water Management ACN 605 020 255 ABN 81 605 020 255 79 Wellington Street, Mosman Park, Western Australia 6012 Telephone: 0402 893 976 E-mail: [email protected] No warranty or guarantee, whether expressed or implied, is made with respect to the data findings, observations and conclusions contained in this report. The entire report was provided in digital form with the original bound copy. Use of the digital file is entirely at the risk of the user and no liability is accepted for damage caused by use of the digital file. The Client has unlimited access to the information in this report but some of the data is the property of Strategic Water Management or is under copyright licence agreement so the report may not be provided to a third party or cited without written permission. Strategic Water Management accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for and in the respect of any use or reliance on this report by any third party. Document Status Rev Author Reviewed By Approved for Issue No. Name Signature Date 0 R. Kinnell R. Nixon R Kinnell 27/09/2017 1 R. Kinnell R. Nixon R Kinnell 15/06/2018 Table of Contents Introduction 1 Location 2 Existing Groundwater Use 4 Geography and Drainage 6 Climate and
[Show full text]