Associate Professor Badin Gibbes

Associate Professor

School of Civil Engineering
Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology
b.gibbes@uq.edu.au
+61 7 336 59151

Overview

Badin is an environmental engineer with over 20 years’ experience in environmental hydrology and water resource engineering. In his current role with the University of Queensland’s School of Civil Engineering he leads a program of research that aims to support the sustainable management of water resources and aquatic ecosystems. This research seeks to quantify water flows and the associated transport of sediment and contaminants in environmental systems ranging from upland rivers and streams to lakes, estuaries and the near-coastal ocean as well as their connected groundwater systems. Badin employs a multi-disciplinary approach that combines the application of innovative environmental monitoring with a range of models to better understand how different factors influence water quality and ecosystem health in these systems.

Prior to joining the University of Queensland, Badin was active in engineering and environmental management roles within various local government, state government, not-for-profit and professional engineering consulting organisations. He applies this past industry experience in his current research activities, which are characterised by close collaboration with water management agencies, to deliver scientific information to support management decisions.

Badin also maintains an active involvement in the University of Queensland’s undergraduate and post-graduate teaching programs where he delivers lectures in various subjects including environmental engineering, hydrology, environmental risk assessment and modelling of surface water and groundwater systems. The experience gained in these roles enables him to communicate complex environmental information with a level of detail appropriate to a range of different audiences from community stakeholders to the engineering profession and regulatory agencies. Badin also supervises a number of post-graduate and undergraduate students who are pursuing research in the area of environmental hydrology and contaminant transport, with many focusing on the implications of forecast climate shifts on water resource management decisions.

Research Interests

  • Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources
    Monitoring and modelling of water flows and associated bio-geochemical processes at the catchment scale as they relate to water supply systems. A particular research interest is monitoring and modelling the coupled hydrodynamic and bio-geochemical processes that occur in lakes and water supply reservoirs.
  • Surface Water-Groundwater Interactions
    Measurement and modelling of the exchange of water (and associated dissolved chemicals) between groundwater and surface water systems such as lakes, rivers, estuaries and oceans.
  • Contaminant transport and fate
    A focus of my research is on natural substances such as sediments, nutrients, pathogens, heat and salt that can become contaminants when changes in land use or anthropogenic activity cause them to be present in elevated concentrations in aquatic systems. A combination of environmental monitoring and numerical models are used to explore the movement of these contaminants through environmental systems.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Masters (Coursework), University of New South Wales
  • Bachelor (Honours) of Engineering, Griffith University

Publications

View all Publications

Supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

  • Doctor Philosophy

  • Doctor Philosophy

View all Supervision

Available Projects

  • Engineered wetlands are increasingly used in urban stormwater systems to enhance water quality and ecosystem health. Design of these systems is often informed by coupled hydrologic and water quality models, however these models are often unable to resolve detailed hydrodynamic and water quality interactions. Recent advances in numerical models and computational capacity now allow simulation of these processes.

    The project will focus on the application of a coupled three-dimensional hydrodynamic and water quality model to directly simulate the hydraulic and water quality performance of urban wetlands. Specifically, the project seeks to develop and test innovative approaches to the simulation of flow-vegetation interactions (with a focus on aquatic macrophytes) and the associated implications for nutrient cycling, pathogen dynamics and aquatic vegetation over multiple seasonal cycles. This project involves close collaboration with an industry partner that is an international leader in the simulation of water quality, with opportunities to complete research while embedded within the industry partner organisation. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to develop world-class skills in the construction and application of advanced water quality models. Exposure to environmental modelling is a prerequisite and previous experience in data analysis would be advantageous.

  • Opportunities in these areas of investigaiton are continually emerging. Please contact me directly (b.gibbes@uq.edu.au) to discuss the latest research opportunities or to propose your own study topic.

    Current areas of active research include:

    1. Monitoring and modelling of pollutants (sediments, nutrients, pathogens and chemicals) in lakes and groundwater systems.

    2. Urban lake modelling and management.

    3. Simulation of future climate impacts on the hydrologial cycle with a focus on assessing changes in catchment runoff and lake dynamics.

View all Available Projects

Publications

Featured Publications

Book

Book Chapter

Journal Article

Conference Publication

  • Gibbes, B., Botelho, D., Singh, A., Rissik, D. and Hipsey, M. (2023). Developing an assessment framework to guide investment in water models. 25th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM2023), Darwin, NT, Australia, 9-14 July 2023. Canberra, ACT Australia: Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand.

  • Hutley, Nicholas, Deering, Nathaniel, Wagenaar, Daniel, Beecroft, Ryan, Soutar, Josh, Grinham, Alistair, Gibbes, Badin and Albert, Simon (2023). Adaptive real-time forecasting using model-driven monitoring of catchment inflows and water supply reservoir dynamics. EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 14-19 April 2023. European Geosciences Union. doi: 10.5194/egusphere-egu23-14020

  • Deering, Nathaniel, Hutley, Nicholas, Grinham, Alistair, Albert, Simon, Boehrer, Bertram, Lemckert, Charles and Gibbes, Badin (2022). Exploring the effects of future climate on lake and reservoir circulation in a tropical lake system: Lake Barrine. 40th Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium, HWRS 2022, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 30 November - 2 December 2022. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Engineers Australia.

  • Yu, Songyan, Hamilton, David, Gibbes, Badin, Weber, Tony, Frassl, Marieke, Sturm, Katrin and Veal, Cameron (2022). Modelling purified recycled water inputs to Lake Wivenhoe. OzWater22, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-12 May 2022. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Australian Water Association.

  • Hutley, Nicholas, Deering, Nathaniel, Grinham, Alistair, Gibbes, Badin and Albert, Simon (2021). Linking adaptive catchment and lake models in real-time to guide autonomous monitoring. MODSIM2021, 24th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 5-10 December 2021. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand.

  • Grinham, Alistair Robert , Hutley, Nicholas , Gibbes, Badin and Albert, Simon (2020). Value of Local Data to Modelling Coastal Sediment Delivery in a Remote Unmodified Data-poor Tropical Island Environment. AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting, San Diego, CA, United States, 16-21 February 2020. Washington, DC, United States:

  • Hutley, Nicholas, Dunbabin, Matthew, Gibbes, Badin, Albert, Simon and Grinham, Alistair Robert (2020). Adaptive Real-time Forecasting and Monitoring of Water Quality in a Crucial Link to Regional Water Supply. AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting, San Diego, CA United States, 16-21 February 2020. Washington, DC United States: American Geophysical Union.

  • Baum, Mitchell, Albert, Simon, Callaghan, David, Grinham, Alistair and Gibbes, Badin (2019). UNRAVELLING THE INFLUENCE OF SURFACE WATER WAVES ON DESALINATION PLANT DISCHARGES. International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research. doi: 10.3850/38WC092019-1175

  • Baum, M. J. and Gibbes, B. (2017). Improved understanding of dense jet dynamics to guide management of desalination outfalls. 22nd International Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM2017), Hobart, TAS Australia, 3-8 December 2017. Canberra, ACT Australia: Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand.

  • Gibbes, Badin, Grinham, A., Bartkow, M and Watkinson, A (2013). Sub-tropical water supply reservoirs: a monitoring-modelling-management response to emerging issues. PPNW2013: 16th International Workshop on Physical Processes in Natural Waters, Surfers Paradise, QLD, Australia, 7-11 July, 2013. Gold Coast, QLD, Australia: Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and Management.

  • Gibbes, Badin, Olfateh, M., Laursen, R., Grinham, A. and Callaghan, D. (2013). Variability in estimates of wind stress on the water surface of a small coastal lagoon. PPNW2013: 16th International Workshop on Physical Processes in Natural Waters, Surfers Paradise, QLD, Australia, 7-11 July, 2013. Gold Coast, QLD, Australia: Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and Management.

  • Grinham, Alistair, Gibbes B., Laursen, R. and Rissik, D. (2013). Wind-driven sediment porewater mixing drives nitrogen cycling in a shallow coastal lake. PPNW2013: 16th International Workshop on Physical Processes in Natural Waters, Surfers Paradise, QLD, Australia, 7-11 July, 2013. Gold Coast, QLD, Australia: Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and Management.

  • Laursen, Rikke K., Gibbes, B., Grinham, A., Lemckert, C. and Bartkow, M. (2013). Wind-driven water movements in an Australian subtropical freshwater reservoir. PPNW2013: 16th International Workshop on Physical Processes in Natural Waters, Surfers Paradise, QLD, Australia, 7-11 July, 2013. Gold Coast, QLD, Australia: Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and Management.

  • Grinham, A., Gibbes, B., Gale, D., Watkinson, A. and Bartkow, M. (2012). Extreme rainfall and drinking water quality: a regional perspective. Water Pollution XI: 11th International Conference on Modelling, Monitoring and Management of Water Pollution, New Forest, United Kingdom, 10-12 July 2012. Hants, United Kingdom: W I T Press. doi: 10.2495/WP120161

  • Laursen, R. K., Gibbes, B., Grinham, A., Gale, D., Udy, J. and Lockington, D. (2011). Effects of large water level fluctuations on water quality in subtropical reservoirs. 34th IAHR World Congress, 33rd Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium and 10th Conference on Hydraulics in Water Engineering, Brisbane, Australia, 26 June - 1 July 2011. Brisbane, Australia: Engineers Australia.

  • Cartwright, Nick and Gibbes, Badin (2011). Oceanic pulse forcing of a beach groundwater system. 20th Australasian Coastal and Ocean Engineering Conference 2011, COASTS 2011 and the 13th Australasian Port and Harbour Conference 2011, PORTS 2011, Perth, WA, 28-30 September 2011. Red Hook, NY United States: Curran Associates Inc.

  • Badin Gibbes, Barry, M.E., Collecutt, G.R., Lemckert, C.J., Udy, J. and Lockington, David A. (2009). Preliminary modeling of hydrodynamics of purified recycled water inputs to Lake Wivenhoe.. 18th World IMACS Congress, Cairns Australia, 13-17 July 2009. Australia: The Modelling and Simulation Soc of Australia and New Zealand Inc.

  • Gibbes, B., Robinson, C., Li, L. and Lockington, D. (2007). Measurement of hydrodynamics and pore water chemistry in intertidal groundwater systems. 9th International Coastal Symposium, Gold Coast , Australia, 16-20 April, 2007. West Palm Beach, FL, United States: Coastal Education and Research Foundation.

  • Robinson, C., Baldock, T. E., Horn, D. P., Gibbes, B., Hughes, M. G., Nielsen, P. and Li, L. (2005). Measurement of groundwater and swash interactions on a sandy beach. 5th International Conference on Coastal Dynamics, Barcelona, Spain, 4-8 April 2005. Red Hook, NY United States: Curran Associates. doi: 10.1061/40855(214)104

  • Gibbes, B., Li, L. and Lockington, D. (2004). Flow systems within intertidal sandbanks and their implications for iron transport in Moreton Bay. International Conference on Civil and Environmental Engineering (ICCEE-2004), Faculty Club (Gakushi-Kaikan), Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan, 27 - 28 July, 2004.

Other Outputs

Grants (Administered at UQ)

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Current Supervision

Completed Supervision

Possible Research Projects

Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.

  • Engineered wetlands are increasingly used in urban stormwater systems to enhance water quality and ecosystem health. Design of these systems is often informed by coupled hydrologic and water quality models, however these models are often unable to resolve detailed hydrodynamic and water quality interactions. Recent advances in numerical models and computational capacity now allow simulation of these processes.

    The project will focus on the application of a coupled three-dimensional hydrodynamic and water quality model to directly simulate the hydraulic and water quality performance of urban wetlands. Specifically, the project seeks to develop and test innovative approaches to the simulation of flow-vegetation interactions (with a focus on aquatic macrophytes) and the associated implications for nutrient cycling, pathogen dynamics and aquatic vegetation over multiple seasonal cycles. This project involves close collaboration with an industry partner that is an international leader in the simulation of water quality, with opportunities to complete research while embedded within the industry partner organisation. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to develop world-class skills in the construction and application of advanced water quality models. Exposure to environmental modelling is a prerequisite and previous experience in data analysis would be advantageous.

  • Opportunities in these areas of investigaiton are continually emerging. Please contact me directly (b.gibbes@uq.edu.au) to discuss the latest research opportunities or to propose your own study topic.

    Current areas of active research include:

    1. Monitoring and modelling of pollutants (sediments, nutrients, pathogens and chemicals) in lakes and groundwater systems.

    2. Urban lake modelling and management.

    3. Simulation of future climate impacts on the hydrologial cycle with a focus on assessing changes in catchment runoff and lake dynamics.