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[Truncated abstract] Many soil properties are involved in supporting the growth of plants and in limiting soil degradation. The present study was carried out to provide a basis for minimising environmental impact by providing a firm understanding of the soil properties that affect plant growth for soils developed from mining waste from the Wesfarmers Premier coalmine at Collie. The purpose of this study was to provide an understanding of the soil materials and to identify the potential interactions between soil properties and plants for soils developed on coalmine materials at the Premier mine, Collie. This research was to identify the nature of the manmade soils so as to determine if soil forming processes are active, to determine soil acidity including pH buffering capacity and the lime requirement of soils, to measure water retention characteristics and soil available water for plant growth, to relate soil properties to possible effects on plant growth, and to identify management strategies to improve soil conditions and overcome plant growth constraints. Seventy-seven manmade horizons from pits in 18 constructed soils, ranging from 9 to 21-years old, were analyzed throughout this study. These samples are classified based on soil depth, layer (topsoil and subsoil), and age of soil since rehabilitation. The methods for doing most of the analyses follow the Australian Soil and Land Survey handbook by Rayment and Higginson (1992). The results are presented quantitatively and soil properties are compared to provide information on pedogenic processes, the extent of soil development, the ability of the soils to resist degradation and to provide an indication of soil parent materials

[Truncated abstract] The Collie River drainage basin is an important water resource catchment in southwestern Australia. Salinisation of a major water supply within the catchment, the Wellington Reservoir, has arisen due to changes in the water and salt balance in response to land clearing over saprolite aquifers. Paired catchment studies, the Collie Experimental Catchments (CECs), established in the early 1970’s in high and low rainfall areas increased our understanding of water and salt (predominantly chloride) movement in these aquifers through the collection and analysis of high resolution spatio-temporal data. However, the conceptual models developed from this work take little account of landscape heterogeneity, and this has caused problems in subsequent modelling studies, where success in calibrating stream flow has been countered by difficulties in predicting salt loads. The challenge remains to better describe variability in the Collie landscape and understand the influence of climate, vegetation, geology and geomorphology on observed water and salt fluxes. The release of salt from the lower saprolite aquifer and the role of the surficial aquifer in buffering groundwater discharge were investigated. The acquisition, analysis and interpretation of new regolith and geophysical data in 2001-2003 from the CECs, together with data from a high resolution digital elevation model, and existing drilling information, were used to construct a geologicalgeomorphological compartment framework, to observe changes in aquifer behaviour ... Significant differences in the salt flux from compartments have been noted at a range of scales, with implications for both water resource and land management. The approach developed to identify compartments and assess their efficiency could be simplified, using catchment critical parameters determined from geological and geomorphological characteristics. As a consequence, the implementation of a compartment framework in catchments with saprolite aquifers should allow for more informed decisions to be made in the selection of sites for revegetation strategies or the development of engineering works. This is particularly important in the Collie Catchment where reclamation scenarios are currently being discussed. Consideration of the catchment as a compartmentalised system would help manage salt loads in the Collie River and return the Wellington Reservoir to a functional water resource.

The Early Permian coal samples for the study were obtained from the Vasse Shelf, southern Perth Basin, located approximately 200 km south- west of Perth. The selected coal samples for the study were also obtained from the Premier Sub-basin of the Collie Basin and the Irwin Sub-basin of the Perth Basin. The Early Permian coal measures are described as the Sue Coal Measures from the Vasse Shelf, the Ewington Coal Measures from the Premier Sub-basin and the coal measures from the Irwin sub-basin are described as the Irwin River Coal Measures.The Vasse Shelf coal is finely banded and the dominant lithotypes are dull and dull banded types, followed by bright banded and banded types, with minor bright types. The variation of dull and bright lithotypes represents fluctuating conditions of water table level during the growth of peat in the swamp. The maceral composition of the coal is predominantly composed of inertinite, followed by vitrinite and minor exinite and mineral matter. The coal is characterized by very low to medium semifusinite ratio and medium to high vitrinite content, supporting the deposition in anaerobic wet conditions with some degree of oxidation. The coal is classified as sub- bituminous to high volatile bituminous of the Australian classification. In terms of microlithotype group, the predominance of inertite over vitrite suggests the coal was formed under drier conditions with high degree of oxidation during its deposition. On the basis of the interpretations of lithotypes, macerals, microlithotypes and trace elements, the depositional environment of the coal is braided and meandering deltaic-river system without any brackish or marine influence.The maceral composition of the Collie coal predominantly consists of inertinite and vitrinite, with low exinite and mineral matter. The very low to low semifusinite ratio and low to medium vitrinite content of ++ / the coal indicate that the coal was formed under aerobic dry to wet conditions with some degree of oxidation. The coal is categorized as sub-bituminous according to the Australian classification. The domination of inertite and durite over vitrite and clarite contents in the coal reflects the deposition under drier conditions with fluctuations in the water table. On the basis of the interpretations of macerals, microlithotypes and trace elements distribution, the depositional environment of the coal is lacustrine, braided to meandering fluvial system, without the influence of any marine influx.The maceral composition of the Irwin River coal consists predominantly of vitrinite and inertinite, and minor exinite and mineral matter. The coal has very low semifusinite ratio and medium to high vitrinite content, suggesting the coal was deposited in anaerobic wet conditions with some degree of oxidation. The coal is classified as sub-bituminous of the Australian classification. The predominance of vitrite and clarite over inertite and durite contents in the coal indicates that the coal was formed in wetter conditions and in high water covers with a low degree of oxidation. Based on macerals and microlithotypes contents, the depositional environment of the coal is braided fluvial to deltaic, which is in accordance with the interpreted non- marine and mixed marine environment of deposition in the sub-basin.The petrological comparisons of Vasse Shelf, Collie and Irwin River coals show that the average vitrinite content of the Irwin River coal is highest (49.1%) and of the Collie coal is lowest (37.3%) of the three. The inertinite content is highest in Collie coal (49.1%), followed by Vasse Shelf (46.4%) and Irwin River (39.2%) coals. The exinite content is low in Irwin River coal (6.3%) as compared with Vasse Shelf (9.0°/,) and Collie (8.3%) coals. The mineral matter content ++ / is relatively low for all the three coals. The rank of the Vasse Shelf coal is high as compared with the Collie and Irwin River coals, either due to tectonic uplift after the deposition in post-Permian in the southern Perth Basin, or due to the average depth of burial over Vasse Shelf which is much greater than that of Collie and Irwin River coals.The comparisons of the coal from Western Australia with the selected Gondwana coals show that the predominance of inertinite over vitrinite occurs in the Western Australian coals (Vasse Shelf and Collie Basin). On the other hand, the Brazilian, eastern Australian, Indian and Western Australian (Irwin Sub-basin) coals are dominated by vitrinite over inertinite. The exinite content is highest in the Indian coals and lowest in the eastern Australian coals. The mineral matter content is highest in the Brazilian and Indian coals, and lowest in Western Australian (Vasse Shelf) and eastern Australian (Sydney Basin) coals. The rank of the coals ranges from sub- bituminous to medium volatile bituminous according to the Australian classification.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Australia, 2006.

The subsidence characteristics of the Collie Basin sediments have been investigated to provide site specific design criteria for the Wongawilli method of coal extraction. As historical coal extraction (bord and pillar) methods did not generally give rise to large scale subsidence, there were very few details on mining subsidence in the Collie Basin available to base any design methodology on. Consequently, the investigation was conducted on a Green fields basis. Firstly, the mechanisms involved in the development of mining subsidence needed to be investigated and identified. It was then necessary to determine the effects that mining subsidence would have on mine and ground mass (specifically aquitards) structures and surface features. Once these two areas of work were completed, design criteria were formulated to manage the effects of mining subsidence by controlling the critical mechanisms of subsidence development.The results from this study have greatly enhanced the level of understanding of the subsidence mechanisms involved, and allowed for the development of predictive models which can be used for the design of coal extraction by the panel/pillar mining method in the Collie Basin. Mine planning engineers can now use this design information to derive the most cost effective methods for the extraction of coal within the Collie Basin.

A avaliação da atividade física com o uso do acelerômetro é um método quantitativo, não invasivo, sendo mais preciso que métodos subjetivos, como questionários com proprietários, que podem muitas vezes induzir a erros. Seu uso pode ser relevante na rotina clínica para avaliações de terapias medicamentosas e cirúrgicas além de comportamentais. O presente estudo teve como objetivo quantificar a atividade física de cães da raça Border Collie que vivem em diferentes ambientes, como apartamento (grupo I), casa (grupo II), campo (grupo III) e centro de treinamento (grupo IV). Foram coletados os dados de 54 animais, sendo oito de apartamento, 18 de casa, 11 de campo e 17 em centro de treinamento de pastoreio, durante 72h com o uso do acelerômetro. O tempo de atividade sedentária foi maior em cães do grupo I em relação aos do grupo II e aos do grupo III. Já os cães do grupo IV tiveram maior tempo em atividade sedentária em relação aos do grupo III. O tempo de atividade leve a moderada foi maior no grupo III comparado ao grupo I e ao grupo IV, enquanto que o tempo de atividade vigorosa em minutos foi maior entre os cães do grupo II em relação ao grupo I. O tempo em atividade leve a moderada e vigorosa somados do grupo I foi menor que dos grupos II e III, enquanto o tempo do grupo III foi maior que do grupo IV. Contagem dos áxis integrados por minuto do grupo I foi menor tanto em relação do grupo II quanto III. Sendo assim, cães tem sua atividade física alterada conforme o ambiente e com exceção da atividade leve a moderada, animais de apartamento tem menos atividade física do que os de casa. Cães de casa e campo não tiveram nenhuma diferença de atividade física, bem como cães de apartamento e centro de treinamento nos parâmetros analisados. / The use of subjective methods to evaluate levels of physical activity, as owner questionnaires, may led to misguided information. The use of the accelerometer allows physical activity to be measured quantitatively. Therefore, comparison between different published data is possible. The use of the accelerometer in the clinical practice allows evaluating the outcome of medical and surgical treatment, as so behavior changes. In this study, we report the use of the accelerometer to evaluate the level of activity of 54 Border Collie dogs. The animals were divided in four groups according to their living status: eight animals lived in an apartment (group I), 18 in a house (group II), 11 in a farm (group III) and 17 in a shepherd-training center (group IV). The accelerometer was attached to the animal’s collar for 72 hours. The group I presented longer sedentary behavior than groups II and III. Group IV presented longer sedentary behavior than group III. Group III showed longer period of light-moderate physical activity when compared to group I and IV. For vigorous intensity of physical activity, the time spent by group II was longer than group I. The total time of light-moderate and vigorous physical activity of group I was smaller than groups II and III, while group III was superior to group IV. Group I integrated axis mean counts per minute was smaller than group II and III. Therefore, dogs modify their physical activity according to their living status. Apartment subjects showed less physical activity than home subjects, except in the light-moderate category. There was no statistic difference comparing house and farm living animals, nor apartment and shepherd-training center housing.

A avaliação da atividade física com o uso do acelerômetro é um método quantitativo, não invasivo, sendo mais preciso que métodos subjetivos, como questionários com proprietários, que podem muitas vezes induzir a erros. Seu uso pode ser relevante na rotina clínica para avaliações de terapias medicamentosas e cirúrgicas além de comportamentais. O presente estudo teve como objetivo quantificar a atividade física de cães da raça Border Collie que vivem em diferentes ambientes, como apartamento (grupo I), casa (grupo II), campo (grupo III) e centro de treinamento (grupo IV). Foram coletados os dados de 54 animais, sendo oito de apartamento, 18 de casa, 11 de campo e 17 em centro de treinamento de pastoreio, durante 72h com o uso do acelerômetro. O tempo de atividade sedentária foi maior em cães do grupo I em relação aos do grupo II e aos do grupo III. Já os cães do grupo IV tiveram maior tempo em atividade sedentária em relação aos do grupo III. O tempo de atividade leve a moderada foi maior no grupo III comparado ao grupo I e ao grupo IV, enquanto que o tempo de atividade vigorosa em minutos foi maior entre os cães do grupo II em relação ao grupo I. O tempo em atividade leve a moderada e vigorosa somados do grupo I foi menor que dos grupos II e III, enquanto o tempo do grupo III foi maior que do grupo IV. Contagem dos áxis integrados por minuto do grupo I foi menor tanto em relação do grupo II quanto III. Sendo assim, cães tem sua atividade física alterada conforme o ambiente e com exceção da atividade leve a moderada, animais de apartamento tem menos atividade física do que os de casa. Cães de casa e campo não tiveram nenhuma diferença de atividade física, bem como cães de apartamento e centro de treinamento nos parâmetros analisados. / The use of subjective methods to evaluate levels of physical activity, as owner questionnaires, may led to misguided information. The use of the accelerometer allows physical activity to be measured quantitatively. Therefore, comparison between different published data is possible. The use of the accelerometer in the clinical practice allows evaluating the outcome of medical and surgical treatment, as so behavior changes. In this study, we report the use of the accelerometer to evaluate the level of activity of 54 Border Collie dogs. The animals were divided in four groups according to their living status: eight animals lived in an apartment (group I), 18 in a house (group II), 11 in a farm (group III) and 17 in a shepherd-training center (group IV). The accelerometer was attached to the animal’s collar for 72 hours. The group I presented longer sedentary behavior than groups II and III. Group IV presented longer sedentary behavior than group III. Group III showed longer period of light-moderate physical activity when compared to group I and IV. For vigorous intensity of physical activity, the time spent by group II was longer than group I. The total time of light-moderate and vigorous physical activity of group I was smaller than groups II and III, while group III was superior to group IV. Group I integrated axis mean counts per minute was smaller than group II and III. Therefore, dogs modify their physical activity according to their living status. Apartment subjects showed less physical activity than home subjects, except in the light-moderate category. There was no statistic difference comparing house and farm living animals, nor apartment and shepherd-training center housing.

A avaliação da atividade física com o uso do acelerômetro é um método quantitativo, não invasivo, sendo mais preciso que métodos subjetivos, como questionários com proprietários, que podem muitas vezes induzir a erros. Seu uso pode ser relevante na rotina clínica para avaliações de terapias medicamentosas e cirúrgicas além de comportamentais. O presente estudo teve como objetivo quantificar a atividade física de cães da raça Border Collie que vivem em diferentes ambientes, como apartamento (grupo I), casa (grupo II), campo (grupo III) e centro de treinamento (grupo IV). Foram coletados os dados de 54 animais, sendo oito de apartamento, 18 de casa, 11 de campo e 17 em centro de treinamento de pastoreio, durante 72h com o uso do acelerômetro. O tempo de atividade sedentária foi maior em cães do grupo I em relação aos do grupo II e aos do grupo III. Já os cães do grupo IV tiveram maior tempo em atividade sedentária em relação aos do grupo III. O tempo de atividade leve a moderada foi maior no grupo III comparado ao grupo I e ao grupo IV, enquanto que o tempo de atividade vigorosa em minutos foi maior entre os cães do grupo II em relação ao grupo I. O tempo em atividade leve a moderada e vigorosa somados do grupo I foi menor que dos grupos II e III, enquanto o tempo do grupo III foi maior que do grupo IV. Contagem dos áxis integrados por minuto do grupo I foi menor tanto em relação do grupo II quanto III. Sendo assim, cães tem sua atividade física alterada conforme o ambiente e com exceção da atividade leve a moderada, animais de apartamento tem menos atividade física do que os de casa. Cães de casa e campo não tiveram nenhuma diferença de atividade física, bem como cães de apartamento e centro de treinamento nos parâmetros analisados. / The use of subjective methods to evaluate levels of physical activity, as owner questionnaires, may led to misguided information. The use of the accelerometer allows physical activity to be measured quantitatively. Therefore, comparison between different published data is possible. The use of the accelerometer in the clinical practice allows evaluating the outcome of medical and surgical treatment, as so behavior changes. In this study, we report the use of the accelerometer to evaluate the level of activity of 54 Border Collie dogs. The animals were divided in four groups according to their living status: eight animals lived in an apartment (group I), 18 in a house (group II), 11 in a farm (group III) and 17 in a shepherd-training center (group IV). The accelerometer was attached to the animal’s collar for 72 hours. The group I presented longer sedentary behavior than groups II and III. Group IV presented longer sedentary behavior than group III. Group III showed longer period of light-moderate physical activity when compared to group I and IV. For vigorous intensity of physical activity, the time spent by group II was longer than group I. The total time of light-moderate and vigorous physical activity of group I was smaller than groups II and III, while group III was superior to group IV. Group I integrated axis mean counts per minute was smaller than group II and III. Therefore, dogs modify their physical activity according to their living status. Apartment subjects showed less physical activity than home subjects, except in the light-moderate category. There was no statistic difference comparing house and farm living animals, nor apartment and shepherd-training center housing.

Species prescriptions are developed for revegetating abandoned acidic coal overburden seepage sites in the Collie region of Western Australia. The research involved selecting appropriate plant species and determining successful methods of enhancing revegetation. Candidate species were screened for tolerance to acidic overburden materials, local climate conditions and metal toxicity. Methods tested included improving spoil conditions and trialing an alternative method for seeding.Twelve species of native plants were tested for tolerance in two acid overburden materials in pot and field trials. Eucalyptus robusta is the most tolerant, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus cladocalyx are highly tolerant, Eucalyptus rudis and Melaleuca hamulosa demonstrate potential, provided adequate soil moisture is available.An important growth restriction factor in acid soils is the presence of free aluminium ions. A glasshouse trial performed on seven species for tolerance to aluminium toxicity revealed E. robusta as most tolerant and E. camaldulensis and Kunzea ericifolia a highly tolerant. E. rudis and M. hamulosa are moderately tolerant, but E. cladocalyx and Eucalyptus diversicolor are very sensitive to aluminium.Various methods were trialed to increase growth of seedlings transplanted on to acidic overburden sites. Both commercial cow manure and slow-release fertiliser tablets increase growth, whereas commercial potting mix and lime do not. Inoculation of plants with the ectomycorrhiza fungus Pisolithus tinctorius increases the amount of infection in roots but does not enhance plant growth.Supplementary fertilisation is necessary to maintain growth (nitrogen) and restore chlorophyll production (phosphorus) in fast growing eucalypt seedlings planted into typical acidic spoils. Poor levels of nutrient availability in such acidic sites appear to be the primary factor in ++ / retarding growth. In the absence of supplementation, foliage reddening is observed in several species.An alternative method of seeding dumps is fascining. Prepared dump surfaces may be covered with capsule-laden branchwood of myrtaceous species. Material of the locally available Kunzea ericifolia is effective in producing many seedlings. Subsequent seedling growth is enhanced with fertiliser and lime addition.