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Dr Mandana Shaygan

Research Fellow

Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry
Sustainable Minerals Institute
m.shaygan@uq.edu.au
+61 7 334 64052

Overview

Dr. Shaygan is a reasearch fellow at The University of Queensland. She is a soil physicist who works across disciplines to understand the effect and interaction of chemical processes on soil physical structure and transport properties. Dr. Shaygan obtained both BSc and MSc degrees in Agronomy from The University of Tehran. She also has Master of Environmental Management from The University of Queensland. Dr. Shaygan completed her PhD in Soil Science at The University of Queensland. Before joining SMI, Dr. Shaygan worked with NSW Department of Primary Industries on amelioration of subsoil constraints. Dr. Shaygan is a reviewer of high ranking journals, and she is a member of Soil Science Australia.

Dr. Shaygan's research focuses on rehabilitation of degraded landscapes and mine sites, quantification and modelling of water flow and solute and nutrient transport in porous media, characterization of soil hydrological and mechanical properties and soil salinity management. Since the completion of her PhD, Dr. Shaygan has been involved in various research projects on soil, mine wastes, waste rocks and mine waste cover design. Dr. Shaygan’s research interest includes but is not limited to: (i) salinity, (ii) land rehabilitation, (iii) water flow and solute and nutrient transport, (iv) evaporation from porous media, (v) estimation of water balance parameters

Publications

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Grants

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Supervision

  • Alternative uses of mine influenced water

    Doctor Philosophy

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Available Projects

  • Hydrology of Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone

    Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone (THPSS) support distinctive vegetation that depends on soil water availability and organic-rich sediments. The objective of this research project is to assess the resilience and sustainability of endangered Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone in response to variations in soil water availability as a result of changes to environmental conditions such as climate variability, climate change and mining-induced hydrological impacts. We are looking for a motivated candidate to pursue PhD research with us in this area.

  • The effect of bushfire on erosion from Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone

    During fire, soil physical characteristics and erodibility are impacted by the production of a new soil layer consisting of ash, and by the reduction of the impacts of binding agents such as roots, fungus, and organic compounds. In other words, fire destroys the aggregate stability of the soil and burns the near-surface roots resulting in a layer of unstructured and non-cohesive soil containing highly erodible particles. All of the above factors can result in major changes to the eco-system structure, composition and function across a variety of scales. We are looking for a motivated candidate to pursue PhD research with us on quantification of the effect of bushfire on erosion from Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone in the Sydney Basin.

  • The effect of preferential flows on the fate and transport of solutes in coal mine spoils

    During open cut coal mining activities, overburden is removed and deposited on the land in the form of waste rock dumps commonly known as coal mine spoil piles. When these coal mine spoils are exposed to atmospheric conditions and during rainfall events, they can create adverse environmental impacts through salt generation, affecting the surrounding environments, particularly final voids and water ways. To manage these environmental impacts, it is essential to understand the trajectory and magnitude of salt release from coal mine spoils. This project aims to investigate the effect of preferential flow on salt release from coal mine spoils. This study will quantify the effect of preferential flows on solute transport, and develop a numerical model for the accurate estimation of salt release from spoils. This study will also provide guidance on management strategies mitigating salt discharge. We are looking for a motivated candidate to pursue PhD research with us on this subject.

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Publications

Journal Article

Conference Publication

Other Outputs

Grants (Administered at UQ)

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Current 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.

  • Hydrology of Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone

    Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone (THPSS) support distinctive vegetation that depends on soil water availability and organic-rich sediments. The objective of this research project is to assess the resilience and sustainability of endangered Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone in response to variations in soil water availability as a result of changes to environmental conditions such as climate variability, climate change and mining-induced hydrological impacts. We are looking for a motivated candidate to pursue PhD research with us in this area.

  • The effect of bushfire on erosion from Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone

    During fire, soil physical characteristics and erodibility are impacted by the production of a new soil layer consisting of ash, and by the reduction of the impacts of binding agents such as roots, fungus, and organic compounds. In other words, fire destroys the aggregate stability of the soil and burns the near-surface roots resulting in a layer of unstructured and non-cohesive soil containing highly erodible particles. All of the above factors can result in major changes to the eco-system structure, composition and function across a variety of scales. We are looking for a motivated candidate to pursue PhD research with us on quantification of the effect of bushfire on erosion from Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone in the Sydney Basin.

  • The effect of preferential flows on the fate and transport of solutes in coal mine spoils

    During open cut coal mining activities, overburden is removed and deposited on the land in the form of waste rock dumps commonly known as coal mine spoil piles. When these coal mine spoils are exposed to atmospheric conditions and during rainfall events, they can create adverse environmental impacts through salt generation, affecting the surrounding environments, particularly final voids and water ways. To manage these environmental impacts, it is essential to understand the trajectory and magnitude of salt release from coal mine spoils. This project aims to investigate the effect of preferential flow on salt release from coal mine spoils. This study will quantify the effect of preferential flows on solute transport, and develop a numerical model for the accurate estimation of salt release from spoils. This study will also provide guidance on management strategies mitigating salt discharge. We are looking for a motivated candidate to pursue PhD research with us on this subject.

  • Fire resilience of Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone

    Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone (THPSS) support distinctive vegetation that depends on soil water availability and organic-rich sediments, and can assist with carbon capture and storage, and enhance biodiversity. Bushfires can create or amplify soil water repellency, resulting in non-uniform rainfall infiltration, heterogeneous soil moisture patterns and preferential flow. Likewise, water repellent surfaces may reduce infiltration and intensify erosion through the loss of surface particle cohesion and rhizobial stabilisation. Soil chemical properties affected by fires include pH, nutrient content, organic matter content, sorption capacity, and major and trace elements. THPSS when wet have a high resilience to fire, due to their generally high soil moisture, and ability to support rapid vegetation re-growth. However, the resilience of THPSS affected by underground mining to fires is not understood. We are looking for motivated candidates to pursue PhD research with us in this area.

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ORCID: 0000-0002-9187-9406

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