Meet Celine Anderson, talented Hydrogeologist in Umwelt’s Water Services team and PhD candidate at the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University (ANU).
Celine has been applying her extensive skills across a range of ecohydrological studies around Australia with Umwelt, all while undertaking her PhD on Hydrogeological controls on Australian alpine water and the potential impacts of climate change on stream flow generation.
Celine’s PhD research focuses on the hydrogeological controls in the Australian Alps, an area where snow and ice, despite being spatially limited and seasonally brief (3-6 months), play a crucial role in controlling hydrological processes. Termed ‘marginal’ snowpacks, Australia’s alpine areas are highly sensitive to temperature shifts and climate change, making it vital to understand their role in groundwater recharge and streamflow generation. Changes in snowpack characteristics could significantly alter water flow patterns, impacting downstream reaches of the southern Murray-Darling Basin.
Over the past four years, Celine has been exploring key questions in hillslope hydrology within the Snowy Mountains. Her research is dedicated to understanding the journey from precipitation to streamflow generation, investigating the flow pathways and the residence/response times of water.
Working in the alpine landscape presents unique challenges. Celine often navigates the terrain using snowshoes and skis, a novel approach that adds to the complexity of accessing groundwater monitoring bores through meters of snow. Her dedication and innovative methods have been instrumental in advancing wider knowledge of water storage and movement in these unique environments.
Celine’s Honours and PhD work is also part of the Australian Mountain Research Facility (AMRF), a collaborative project aimed at understanding alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems in Australia. The AMRF provides a multi-faceted approach to research, helping to guide adaptive management strategies for Australian High Mountain regions.
At Umwelt, Celine continues to apply her expertise, ensuring that her findings contribute to the broader understanding and protection of Australia’s precious water resources. Her innovative work, passion and dedication is shedding light on the vital impacts of climate change on alpine water systems, ensuring that we understand and protect these resources for future generations.
We are eagerly looking forward to more updates on Celine’s research and its impact on environmental conservation and climate resilience.
