About

A Townsville original, Stephen completed a BSc (Hons) and PhD in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at James Cook University in 2000 and 2005, respectively. Stephen is a geochemist that focuses primarily on water quality in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchment area and lagoon including evaluating the sources, transport and risks of various pollutants in freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems.

Research Disciplines
Socio-Economic Objectives
Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles
Conference Papers
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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 85+ research outputs authored by Dr Stephen Lewis from 2006 onwards.

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Department of the Environment and Energy - National Environmental Science Program (NESP) - Tropical Water Quality Hub (TWQ Hub)

What's really damaging the Reef? Tracing the origin and fate of the environmentally detrimental sediment and associated bioavailable nutrients

Indicative Funding
$598,596 over 2 years
Summary
Recent research has shown that only a portion of the fine sediment fraction delivered from rivers draining into the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon (GBRL) reaches coral reefs and seagrass meadows. The specific sources of this sediment, which affects the health of corals and seagrasses, are as yet unresolved. This project will, for the first time characterise and trace the origin(s), fate and nutrient bioavailability of this environmentally detrimental sediment using samples collected in flood plumes and during resuspension events. This will enable direct spatial targeting of the sources of this material to achieve maximum benefits to GBR health from catchment management actions.
Investigators
Stephen Lewis, Zoe Bainbridge, Thomas Stevens and Scott Smithers in collaboration with Joanne Burton, Alexandra Garzon-Garcia, Phil Moody, Chengrong Chen, Jon Olley and Mehran Rezaei Rashti (TropWATER, College of Science & Engineering, Department of Environment and Science (Qld) and Griffith University)
Keywords
sediment flocs; sediment resuspension; Sediment Tracing; sediment transport and fate; Turbidity; Great Barrier Reef

QLD Department of Science, Information, Technology and Innovation - Advance Queensland Research Fellowship

Identifying sources of fine sediments to protect the Great Barrier Reef

Indicative Funding
$180,000 over 4 years
Summary
This fellowship builds on Bainbridge's PhD thesis which identified the sediment fractions preferentially transported from rivers via flood flumes to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon, and which have the greatest influence on photic depth/water clarity. The research will identify both the key properties and the primary sources of this material, enabling more effective prioritisation and direct targeting of control works to improve the quality of water discharged to the Great Barrier Reef. This research is cutting edge in the field of sediment tracing and will contribute locally by identifying specific catchment sources of ecologically-damaging fine sediment, and to the broader international field of sediment tracing.
Investigators
Zoe Bainbridge, Stephen Lewis, Scott Smithers, Jon Olley, Joanne Burton, Scott Wilkinson and Stephen Hillier (TropWATER, College of Science & Engineering, Australian Rivers Institute, QLD Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation, Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation and James Hutton Institute)
Keywords
Fine Sediment; Great Barrier Reef; Clay minineralogy; Sediment Tracing; Geochemistry; Catchment Management

NQ Dry Tropics - Tender

Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Strategy for Landholders Driving Change project

Indicative Funding
$24,104
Summary
The objective of the Burdekin MIP is to work closely with groups in one or two focus areas, with the Bowen- Broken-Bogie (BBB) catchments, to trial a range of regionally tailored, coordinated actions that reduce sediment and nutrient loads. Throughout this Major Integrated Project, progress in achieving land management practice changes, economic benefits for landholders and pollutant load reductions will be closely monitored and results will inform adaptive management. This project is to develop an overarching Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Strategy for the water quality component of the program.
Investigators
Stephen Lewis in collaboration with Jane Waterhouse (TropWATER)
Keywords
Monitoring; Modelling; Reporting; Burdekin; Suspended Sediment; Lamndholders Driving Change

Department of the Environment and Energy - National Environmental Science Program (NESP) - Tropical Water Quality Hub (TWQ Hub)

Sources, transformations and fate of particulate and dissolved organic carbon-implications for the GBR

Indicative Funding
$5,000 (administered by Griffith University)
Summary
Organic carbon has traditionally been poorly studied in marine systems, but recent studies suggest that GBR microalgae can utilise organic matter, and that eroded soil carbon parameters can ameliorate marine algal responses to catchment nutrients. This suggests that organic carbon may play an important role in marine ecosystems than previously thought. Additionally, GBR organic carbon concentrations are increasing, but the mechanisms are unclear. The proposed study would review the literature, develop a conceptual model, and undertake data analysis on organic carbon in the GBR and catchments, and examine links to ecosystem effects. This will improve monitoring and management of water quality in the GBR.
Investigators
Michele Burford and Stephen Lewis in collaboration with Joanne Burton, Alex Garzon and Jon Brodie (Griffith University, QLD Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation, TropWATER and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies)
Keywords
Great Barrier Reef; catchment nutrients; Dissolved Organic Carbon; marine systems; particulate organic carbon

Department of the Environment and Energy - National Environmental Science Program (NESP) - Tropical Water Quality Hub (TWQ Hub)

Sources, transformations and fate of particulate and dissolved organic carbon-implications for the GBR

Indicative Funding
$5,000 (administered by Griffith University)
Summary
Organic carbon has traditionally been poorly studied in marine systems, but recent studies suggest that GBR microalgae can utilise organic matter, and that eroded soil carbon parameters can ameliorate marine algal responses to catchment nutrients. This suggests that organic carbon may play an important role in marine ecosystems than previously thought. The proposed study would review the literature, develop a conceptual model, and undertake data analysis on organic carbon in the GBR and catchments, and examine links to ecosystem effects. This will improve monitoring and management of water quality in the GBR.
Investigators
Michele Burford and Stephen Lewis in collaboration with Joanne Burton, Alex Garzon and Jon Brodie (Griffith University, QLD Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation, TropWATER and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies)

Department of the Environment and Energy - National Environmental Science Program (NESP) - Tropical Water Quality Hub (TWQ Hub)

What's really damaging the reef? Tracing the origin and fate of the environmentally detrimental sediment

Indicative Funding
$565,000 over 3 years
Summary
Recent research has shown that only a portion of the fine sediment fraction delivered from rivers draining into the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon reaches coral reefs and seagrass meadows. The specific sources of this sediment, which affects the health of corals and seagrasses, are as yet unresolved. This project will, for the first time characterise and trace the origin(s) and fate of this environmentally detrimental sediment using samples collected in flood plumes and during resuspension events. This will enable direct spatial targeting of the sources of this material to achieve maximum benefits to GBR health from catchment management actions.
Investigators
Stephen Lewis in collaboration with Zoe Bainbridge, Jon Olley, Chengrong Chen, Scott Smithers, Joanne Burton and Phil Moody (TropWATER, Griffith University, Griffith Medical School, College of Science & Engineering, QLD Department of Science and Information Technology and Innovation)
Keywords
sediment flocs; sediment resuspension; sediment tracing; sediment transport and fate; Turbidity; Great Barrier Reef

Department of the Environment and Energy - National Environmental Science Program (NESP) - Tropical Water Quality Hub (TWQ Hub)

Testing and implementation of the water quality metric for the 2017 and 2018 reef report cards

Indicative Funding
$9,241 (administered by AIMS)
Summary
Report cards are used at various levels to summarise and communicate complex information on GBR health. The effectiveness of Reef Plan is communicated through the annual Reef Report card. In the Reef Report Card, marine water quality is reported using a metric, developed in 2009, based on satellite remote sensing of near surface concentrations of chlorophyll and total suspended solids. This provides a wide spatial and temporal coverage of marine water quality. However, the current water quality metric has a number of issues such that the Independent Science Panel has recently expressed a lack of confidence in it and suggested that a new approach was needed. This proposal outlines a research program to deliver elements of this new approach.
Investigators
B Schaffelke, Cedric Robillot, Murray Logan, Patricia Menendez, Mark Baird, Stephen Lewis, Katherine Martin and Jane Waterhouse (Australian Institute of Marine Science, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation and TropWATER)
Keywords
report cards; Water Quality

Terrain Natural Resource Management - Contract Research

Wet Tropics Major Integrated Project Synthesis Report

Indicative Funding
$36,000
Summary
Extensive science has been conducted in the catchments of the wet tropics region with the aim of improving water quality in the Great Barrier Reef. This project aims to compile and synthesise this information for the Johnstone and Tully Catchments. The synthesis will utilize and integrate extensive existing biophysical, land management practice, social and economic data with the aim of generating new and increased understanding of the current status and options for the future. It will be used in conjunction with feasibility studies to inform decision making around the best location and mix of on-ground actions to reduce nutrient and pesticide loads.
Investigators
Damien Burrows, Stephen Lewis and Allan Dale (TropWATER and Cairns Institute)
Keywords
Wet Tropics; Water Quality; Cane Farming; Great Barrier Reef; Agriculture

QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries - Contract Research

Re-Invigorating the Pesticide Working Group (PWG)

Indicative Funding
$30,000 over 2 years
Summary
The project is designed to facilitate communication between industry, extension providers, scientists resource managers and regulators, and undertake activities to accelerate progress towards the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan target for pesticides.
Investigators
Stephen Lewis in collaboration with Jane Waterhouse, Aaron Davis and Andrew Negri (TropWATER and Australian Institute of Marine Science)
Keywords
Pesticides; Insecticides; Extension; Herbicides; Farmers

Department of Innovation, Tourism Industry Development and the Commonwealth Games - Contract Research

Sources of Bioavailable Nutrients: Phase 2

Indicative Funding
$30,390
Summary
The primary objective of this project is to determine which indicators (ideally 2 - 4 in total for N and P) best predict algal growth (whole community and diatom only) in freshwater and marine conditions. Research indicates that diatoms are the key food source for Crown of Thorns Starfish larvae therefore having a "diatom only" treatment will enable us to look at indicators specifically related to this issue. Indicators will be tested on a range of key soil types (key soils with a range of erodibilities from the Bowen and Johnstone catchment will be selected), erosion processes (surface and sub-surface) and land uses (grazing and cane) to ensure their applicability and reliability.
Investigators
Stephen Lewis in collaboration with Aaron Davis and Jon Brodie (TropWATER)
Keywords
Bioavailable nutrients; Crown of Thorns; Sediment; Great Barrier Reef; Algae; Soils

Department of the Environment and Energy - National Environmental Science Program (NESP) - Tropical Water Quality Hub (TWQ Hub)

A validation of coral geochemical records to reconstruct suspended sediment loads to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon

Indicative Funding
$22,500 over 2 years (administered by Reef and Rainforest Research Centre)
Summary
While coral geochemistry records are widely cited as evidence for increased suspended sediment loads delivered to the Great Barrier Reef since the 1850s, there has been little replication or quantification of the records. Indeed, most records are based on cores collected prior to the year 2000 when limited catchment monitoring data existed to 'validate' the interpretations that certain trace element ratios provided proxies of annual sediment loadings. This project will analyse the geochemistry of coral cores collected in 2012 from sites in the central GBR and compare the ratios to measured sediment and particulate nutrient loads from the Burdekin River.
Investigators
Stephen Lewis in collaboration with Janice Lough (TropWATER and Australian Institute of Marine Science)
Keywords
Ba/ca ratio; Sediment Loads; coral geochemistry; anthropogenic load; particulate nutrients
Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current
  • Sediment Dynamics of a Large Tropical River System (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
  • Biogeochemical modelling of tropical marine ecosystemns in the context of climate change (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Completed
Data

These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit the JCU Research Data Catalogue.

Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.

  • 5+ collaborations
  • 4 collaborations
  • 3 collaborations
  • 2 collaborations
  • 1 collaboration
  • Indicates the Tropics (Torrid Zone)

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  1. Dr Dominique O'Brien
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  2. Dr Zoe Bainbridge
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  3. Aaron Davis
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  4. Dr Caroline Petus
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  5. Dr Jon Brodie
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies