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    • Dr Melanie Blanchette
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      Dr Melanie Blanchette

  • See Also
  • Google Scholar profile
    https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=4oYPwBAAAAAJ&hl=en
  • Google Scholar profile
  • ResearchGate profile
    https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Melanie_Blanchette
  • ResearchGate profile

Dr Melanie Blanchette

Research Fellow

Staff Member Details
Campus: Joondalup  
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2138-2864

Melanie is a Research Fellow within the School of Science.

Professional Associations

  • International Mine Water Association (IMWA)
  • 2020-2023 – Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia, MRIWA (College of Experts)

Awards and Recognition

  • 2017: Vice-Chancellor’s Staff award: Early Career Researcher of the year
  • 2015: Vice-Chancellor’s Staff award: Research Engagement

Research Areas and Interests

Freshwater ecology (seasonal/intermittent rivers), environmental genomics, mine water.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, James Cook University, 2013.
  • Master of Science, James Cook University, 2006.
  • Bachelor of Science Biology, United States of America, 2002.

Research Outputs

2024

Journal Articles

  • Foulquier, A., Datry, T., Corti, R., Von Schiller, D., Tockner, K., Stubbington, R., Gessner, MO., Boyer, F., Ohlmann, M., Thuiller, W., Rioux, D., Miquel, C., Albariño, R., Allen, DC., Altermatt, F., Arce, MI., Arnon, S., Banas, D., Banegas-Medina, A., Beller, E., Blanchette, ML., Blessing, J., Boëchat, IG., Boersma, K., Bogan, M., Bonada, N., Bond, N., Brintrup, K., Bruder, A., Burrows, R., Cancellario, T., Canhoto, C., Carlson, S., Cid, N., Cornut, J., Danger, M., De Freitas Terra, B., De Girolamo, AM., Del Campo, R., Díaz Villanueva, V., Dyer, F., Elosegi, A., Febria, C., Figueroa Jara, R., Four, B., Gafny, S., Gómez, R., Gómez-Gener, L., Guareschi, S., Gücker, B., Hwan, J., Jones, JI., Kubheka, PS., Laini, A., Langhans, SD., Launay, B., Le Goff, G., Leigh, C., Little, C., Lorenz, S., Marshall, J., Martin Sanz, EJ., McIntosh, A., Mendoza-Lera, C., Meyer, EI., Miliša, M., Mlambo, MC., Morais, M., Moya, N., Negus, P., Niyogi, D., Pagán, I., Papatheodoulou, A., Pappagallo, G., Pardo, I., Pařil, P., Pauls, SU., Polášek, M., Rodríguez-Lozano, P., Rolls, RJ., Sánchez-Montoya, MM., Savić, A., Shumilova, O., Sridhar, KR., Steward, A., Taleb, A., Uzan, A., Valladares, Y., Vander Vorste, R., Waltham, NJ., Zak, DH., Zoppini, A. (2024). Unravelling large-scale patterns and drivers of biodiversity in dry rivers. Nature Communications, 15(1), article number 7233. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-50873-1.
  • Shanafield, M., Blanchette, ML., Daly, E., Wells, N., Burrows, RM., Korbel, K., Rau, GC., Bourke, S., Wakelin-King, G., Holland, A., Ralph, T., McGrath, G., Robson, B., Fowler, K., Andersen, MS., Yu, S., Jones, CS., Waltham, N., Banks, EW., Flatley, A., Leigh, C., Maxwell, S., Siebers, A., Bond, N., Beesley, L., Hose, G., Iles, J., Cartwright, I., Reid, M., De Castro Tayer, T., Duvert, C. (2024). Australian non-perennial rivers: Global lessons and research opportunities. Journal of Hydrology, 634(2024), article number 130939. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.130939.

2023

Journal Articles

  • Lund, M., Blanchette, ML. (2023). Closing Pit Lakes As Aquatic Ecosystems: Risk, Reality, And Future Uses. WIREs Water, 10(4), article number e1648. https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1648.

Conference Publications

  • Lund, M., Blanchette, ML., Bernasconi, R. (2023). Water Column Profiles And Instrument Chains Provide Complementary Understanding Of Stratification In Pit Lakes. International Mine Water Association (320 – 325). International Mine Water Association.

2022

Journal Articles

  • Bernasconi, R., Lund, M., Blanchette, ML. (2022). Non-Charismatic Waterbodies And Ecosystem Disservices: Mine Pit Lakes Are Underrepresented In The Literature. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13(29-Nov-22), article number 1063594. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1063594.

2021

Journal Articles

Conference Publications

  • Lund, M., Blanchette, ML. (2021). Can Saline Pit Lakes Offer Biodiversity Values at Closure?. Proceedings of the 14th IMWA Congress - "Mine Water Management for Future Generations" (300-306). International Mine Water Association. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/11947.

Reports

  • Lund, M., Blanchette, ML. (2021). Towards closure of potentially saline pit lakes: understanding biophysical processes for condition assessment and remediation options. Australian Coal Association Research Program. Australian Coal Association Research Program. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworks2022-2026/3697.

2020

Journal Articles

  • Lund, M., Van Etten, E., Polifka, J., Quintero Vasquez, M., Ramessur, R., Yangzom, D., Blanchette, ML. (2020). The Importance of Catchments to Mine‑pit Lakes: Implications for Closure. Mine Water and the Environment, 39(3), 572-588. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-020-00704-8.
  • Lopez, XP., Blanchette, ML. (2020). IMWA Insight: Understanding Public Perceptions of a New Pit Lake in As Pontes, Spain. Mine Water and the Environment, 39(3), 647–656. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-020-00651-4.
  • Blanchette, ML., Allcock, R., Gonzalez-Pinto, J., Kresoje, N., Lund, M. (2020). Macroinvertebrates and Microbes (Archaea, Bacteria) Offer Complementary Insights into Mine-Pit Lake Ecology. Mine Water and the Environment, 39(3), 589–602. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-019-00647-9.

2019

Journal Articles

  • Shumilova, O., Zak, D., Datry, T., Von Schiller, D., Corti, R., Foulquier, A., Obrador, B., Tockner, K., Allan, D., Altermatt, F., Arce, MI., Arnon, S., Banas, D., Banegas‐medina, A., Beller, E., Blanchette, ML., Blanco‐libreros, J., Blessing, J., Boëchat, IG., Boersma, K., Bogan, M., Bonada, N., Bond, N., Brintrup, K., Bruder, A., Burrows, R., Cancellario, T., Carlson, S., Cauvy‐fraunié, S., Cid, N., Danger, M., De Freitas Terra, B., De Girolamo, AM., Del Campo, R., Dyer, F., Elosegi, A., Faye, E., Febria, C., Figueroa, R., Four, B., Gessner, M., Gnohossou, P., Cerezo, RG., Gomez‐gener, L., Graca, M., Guareschi, S., Gucker, B., Hwan, J., Kubheka, S., Langhans, S., Leigh, C., Little, C., Lorenz, S., Marshall, J., Angus, M., Mendoza‐lera, C., Meyer, EI., Miliša, M., Mlambo, M., Moleón, M., Negus, P., Niyogi, D., Papatheodoulou, A., Pardo, I., Paril, P., Pešić, V., Rodriguez‐lozano, P., Rolls, R., Sanchez‐montoya, MM., Savić, A., Steward, A., Stubbington, R., Taleb, A., Vander Vorste, R., Waltham, N., Zoppini, A., Zarfl, C. (2019). Simulating rewetting events in intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams: A global analysis of leached nutrients and organic matter. Global Change Biology, 25(5), 1591–1611. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14537.
  • Von Schiller, D., Datry, T., Corti, R., Foulquier, A., Tockner, K., Marce, R., García-Baquero, G., Odriozola, I., Obrador, B., Elosegi, A., Mendoza‐lera, C., Gessner, M., Stubbington, R., Albariño, R., Allen, D., Altermatt, F., Arce, M., Arnon, S., Banas, D., Banegas-Medina, A., Beller, E., Blanchette, ML., Blanco‐libreros, F., Blessing, J., Boëchat, I., Boersma, K., Bogan, M., Bonada, N., Bond, N., Brintrup, K., Bruder, A., Burrows, R., Cancellario, T., Carlson, S., Cauvy-Fraunié, S., Cid, N., Danger, M., De Freitas Terra, B., Dehedin, A., De Girolamo, A., Del Campo, R., Díaz-Villanueva, V., Duerdoth, C., Dyer, F., Faye, E., Febria, C., Figueroa, R., Four, B., Gafny, S., Gómez, R., Gómez-Gener, L., Graça, M., Guareschi, S., Gücker, B., Hoppeler, F., Hwan, J., Kubheka, S., Laini, A., Langhans, SD., Leigh, C., Little, CJ., Lorenz, S., Marshall, J., Martin, E., McIntosh, A., Meyer, E., Miliša, M., Mlambo, M., Moleón, M., Morais, M., Negus, P., Niyogi, D., Papatheodoulou, A., Pardo, I., Pařil, P., Pešić, V., Piscart, C., Polášek, M., Rodríguez-Lozano, P., Rolls, R., Sánchez-Montoya, M., Savić, A., Shumilova, O., Steward, A., Taleb, A., Uzan, A., Vander Vorste, R., Waltham, N., Woelfle-Erskine, C., Zak, D., Zarfl, C., Zoppini, A. (2019). Sediment Respiration Pulses in Intermittent Rivers and Ephemeral Streams. Global Biogeochemical Cycles: an international journal of global change, 33(10), 1251–1263. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GB006276.

Conference Publications

  • Blanchette, ML., Lund, M., Moore, M., Short, D. (2019). Incorporating microbes into environmental monitoring and mine closure programs: river diversions as test beds. Proceedings of the International Mine Water Association, Perm, Russia. Technological and Environmental Challenges (645-651). Perm State University. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/7033.

Reports

  • Blanchette, ML., Lund, M. (2019). Developing Closure Criteria for River Diversions: An Alternative to Reference Sites. Australian Coal Association Research Program. Australian Coal Association Research Program.

2018

Journal Articles

  • Datry, T., Foulquier, A., Corti, R., Von Schiller, D., Tockner, K., Mendoza-Lera, C., Clément, JC., Gessner, MO., Moleón, M., Stubbington, R., Gücker, B., Albariño, R., Allen, DC., Altermatt, F., Arce, MI., Arnon, S., Banas, D., Banegas-Medina, A., Beller, E., Blanchette, ML., Blanco-Libreros, JF., Blessing, JJ., Boëchat, IG., Boersma, KS., Bogan, MT., Bonada, N., Bond, N., Brintrup Barría, K., Bruder, A., Burrows, RM., Cancellario, T., Canhoto, C., Carlson, SM., Cauvy-Fraunié, S., Cid, N., Danger, M., De Freitas Terra, B., De Girolamo, AM., De La Barra, E., Del Campo, R., Diaz-Villanueva, VD., Dyer, F., Elosegi, A., Faye, E., Febria, C., Four, B., Gafny, S., Ghate, SD., Gómez, R., Gómez-Gener, L., Graça, M., Guareschi, S., Hoppeler, F., Hwan, JL., Jones, JI., Kubheka, S., Laini, A., Langhans, S., Leigh, C., Little, C., Lorenz, S., Marshall, JC., Martín, E., McIntosh, A., Meyer, E., Miliša, M., Mlambo, M., Morais, M., Moya, N., Negus, P., Niyogi, D., Papatheodoulou, A., Pardo, I., Pařil, P., Pauls, S., Pešić, V., Polášek, M., Robinson, C., Rodríguez-Lozano, P., Rolls, R., Sánchez-Montoya, M., Savić, A., Shumilova, O., Sridhar, K., Steward, A., Storey, R., Taleb, A., Uzan, A., Vander Vorste, R., Waltham, N., Woelfle-Erskine, C., Zak, D., Zarfl, C., Zoppini, A. (2018). A global analysis of terrestrial plant litter dynamics in non-perennial waterways. Nature Geoscience, 11(7), 497-503. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-018-0134-4.

Conference Publications

  • Lund, M., Blanchette, ML., Harkin, C. (2018). Seasonal river flow-through as a pit lake closure strategy: is it a sustainable option in a drying climate?. Proceedings of the 11th ICARD | IMWA | MWD Conference - "Risk to Opportunity" (34-41). https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/5792.

Reports

  • Lund, M., Blanchette, ML. (2018). Coal Pit Lake Closure by River Flow Through: Risks and Opportunities. Australian Coal Association Research Program. Australian Coal Association Research Program.

2017

Journal Articles

  • Schmidt, K., Blanchette, ML., Pearson, R., Alford, R., Davis, A. (2017). Trophic roles of tadpoles in tropical Australian streams. Freshwater Biology, 62(11), 1929–1941. https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.13036.

Conference Publications

  • Blanchette, ML., Lund, M. (2017). Biophysical closure criteria without reference sites: Evaluating river diversions around mines. 13th International Mine Water Association Congress - Mine Water & Circular Economy (437 – 444). LUT Scientific and Expertise Publications.
  • Lund, M., Blanchette, ML., Gonzalez Pinto, J., Green, R., Mather, C., Kleiber, C., Lee, S. (2017). Are microcosms tiny pit lakes?. 13th International Mine Water Association Congress - Mine Water & Circular Economy (1204-1211). LUT Scientific and Expertise Publications.

Reports

  • Lund, M., Blanchette, ML. (2017). Testing hay as an in situ remediation option for acidic pit lakes in the Pilbara. Australia. Rio Tinto.

2016

Journal Articles

  • Blanchette, ML., Lund, M. (2016). Pit lakes are a global legacy of mining: an integrated approach to achieving sustainable ecosystems and value for communities. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 23(open issue, part 1), 28-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2016.11.012.

Conference Publications

  • Blanchette, ML., Lund, M., Stoney, R., Short, D., Harkin, C. (2016). Bio-physical closure criteria without reference sites: realistic targets in modified rivers. Proceedings of the International Mine Water Association 2016 (586–592). International Mine Water Association.

2015

Conference Publications

  • Macdonald, K., Lund, M., Blanchette, ML. (2015). Impacts of artisanal small-scale gold mining on water quality of a tropical river (Surow River, Ghana). 10th ICARD-IMWA 2015 conference proceedings (1-12). Gecamin.

2014

Journal Articles

  • Blanchette, ML., Davis, AM., Jardine, TD., Pearson, RG. (2014). Omnivory and opportunism characterize food webs in a large dry-tropics river system. Freshwater Science, 33(1), 142-158. https://doi.org/10.1086/674632.

Conference Publications

  • Lund, M., Blanchette, ML. (2014). Are we approaching pit lake closure from the wrong perspective?. Proceedings of the International Mine Water Association Congress 2014 (720-724). IMWA.
  • Macdonald, K., Lund, M., Blanchette, ML., McCullough, C. (2014). Regulation of artisanal small scale gold mining (ASGM) in Ghana and Indonesia as currently implemented fails to adequately protect aquatic ecosystems. Proceedings of the International Mine Water Association 2014 (401-405). IMWA.

Reports

  • Lund, M., Blanchette, ML., McCullough, C. (2014). Enhancing ecological values of coal pit lakes with simple nutrient additions and bankside vegetation. Australian Coal Association Research Program. Australian Coal Association Research Program.

2013

Journal Articles

  • Blanchette, ML., Pearson, R. (2013). Dynamics of habitats and macroinvertebrate assemblages in rivers of the Australian dry tropics.. Freshwater Biology, 58(4), 742-757. https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.12080.

2012

Journal Articles

  • Davis, A., Blanchette, ML., Pusey, B., Jardine, T., Pearson, R. (2012). Gut content and stable isotope analyses provide complementary understanding of ontogenetic dietary shifts and trophic relationships among fishes in a tropical river.. Freshwater Biology, 57(10), 2156-2172. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2427.2012.02858.x.
  • Blanchette, ML., Pearson, R. (2012). Macroinvertebrate assemblages in rivers of the Australian dry tropics are highly variable.. Freshwater Science, 31(3), 865-881. https://doi.org/10.1899/11-068.1.

Research Projects

  • Using large floating islands to promote aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity in pit lakes , Australian Coal Association, Australian Coal Association Research Program, 2024 ‑ 2027, $757,290.
  • Saline pit lakes as aquatic ecosystems: a design manual for closure. Extension, Australian Coal Association, Australian Coal Association Research Program, 2021 ‑ 2024, $787,358.
  • Premier Pit Lakes - Water Quality and Biodiversity Assessment, Premier Coal Ltd, Grant, 2022 ‑ 2023, $47,559.
  • Towards closure of saline pit lakes: understanding biophysical processes for condition assessment and remediation, Australian Coal Association, Australian Coal Association Research Program, 2018 ‑ 2021, $286,040.
  • Developing closure criteria for river diversions: an alternative to reference sites, Australian Coal Association, Australian Coal Association Research Program, 2016 ‑ 2018, $312,293.
  • Testing hay as an in-situ remediation option for acidic pit lakes in the Pilbara, Rio Tinto Ltd, Grant, 2015 ‑ 2017, $52,200.
  • Coal pit lake closure by river flow-through: Risks and opportunities, Australian Coal Association, Australian Coal Association Research Program, 2014 ‑ 2017, $1,136,715.
  • Educational pilot accommodating rehabilitation of WA Pilbara, Koodaideri Contracting Services Pty Ltd, Grant, 2015 ‑ 2016.
  • Microbial metagenomics: A next-generation DNA sequencing approach to improving river condition assessment , Edith Cowan University, ECU Early Career Researcher Grant - 2014, 2014 ‑ 2015, $13,450.

Research Student Supervision

Current Supervisions

No data available

Completed Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Master of Science (Environmental Management), Evaluating the relative importance of stormwater for nutrient and metal contamination in the urgan, groundwater dependent Yellagonga Wetlancs, through wetland budgeting
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