Gavan has 18 years’ experience in the hydrological sciences. He recently joined DBCA after a stint as a Research Fellow with Teagasc, an Irish government research institute dedicated to agricultural and environmental research. In collaboration with NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Irish EPA he developed models for agrochemical movement of pesticide and nutrients in runoff through the Murray Darling and in Irish rivers.
He has conducted industry focussed research for the water resources, mining and agricultural sectors and has contributed fundamental science to range of disciplines including: soil physics, hillslope and catchment hydrology, urban hydrology, conservation biology, remote sensing, eco-hydrology, mathematics, agriculture, soil biology and engineering. His research in these areas contributed to many practical outcomes, including: influencing the measurement protocol adopted by the Danish Pesticide Leaching Assessment Program; providing recommendations as to the impact of herbicides on soil biology in cropping systems; the developed a novel forecasting methods for agrochemical residues in soil; and provision of a model for evaluating design options for combined sewer over flow systems.
He lectured at The University of Western Australia as a Soil Physicist/Hydrologist, teaching hydrology, soil physics, solute fate and transport processes, data analysis and environmental modelling, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. With the supervision of several PhD and Masters by research students completed he has many years’ experience supervising research at high levels. He has ongoing collaborations with Australian, North American, European, and Asian based scientists evaluating: diffuse pollution of rivers, nutrient discharges from urban sewers, urban heat islands, snow pack hydrology, climate reconstruction, soil water repellence, and eco-geomorphology.
Water and solute movement through soils and groundwater.
Hydrological modelling of surface-water, vadose-zone and groundwater systems.
Model development.
Hydrogeophysics.
Ecohydrology
Erosion and landform evolution.
Work History
|
Period |
Company Name & Address |
Main Role & Responsibilities |
|
|
02/2018 |
Teagasc |
Research Fellow Development of research models for the simulation of diffuse water pollution in Irish Rivers. |
|
|
10/2017 |
Ishka Solutions |
Director Consulting hydrologist + software start-up, proposal writing, reporting, hydrological modelling. |
|
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03/2017 |
Soilwater Group |
Consulting Hydrologist Preparation of EIA, hydrological studies, modelling and contract management. |
|
|
01/2017 |
Ishka Solutions |
Director Consulting hydrologist + software start-up. |
|
|
1/2012 |
University of Western Australia |
Teaching and Research Fellow Coordinated and taught two undergraduate and three masters courses. Supervised eight PhD students and four masters students (Four to completion, seven in progress). Proposal preparation and submission. Hydrological research, and writing of research papers. Laboratory health and safety management. |
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10/2007 |
University of Western Australia |
Research Fellow Field work in remote locations. Development of eco-hydrological models. Preparation of research papers. Management of a seminar series. |
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01/2007 09/2007 |
Otek Australia Pty Ltd |
Consulting Environmental Engineer Contaminated sites assessment and remediation specialist and assistant to Contaminated Sites Auditor. Project management, reporting and auditing. |
|
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07/2002 12/2006 |
University of Western Australia |
PhD student and Research Assistant Research, undergraduate student supervision, manager of seminar series. |
|
|
01/1999 07/2002 |
Otek Australia |
Consulting Environmental Engineer Contaminated sites assessment and remediation, project management and reporting. |
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Refereed Journal Articles
Fang, Y., Ceola, S., Paik, K., McGrath, G., Rao, P. S. C., Montanari, A., & Jawitz, J. W. (2018). Globally universal fractal pattern of human settlements in river networks. Earth’s Future, 6. https://doi.org/ 10.1029/2017EF000746
McGowan, H., Callow, J. N., Soderholm, J., McGrath, G., Campbell, M., & Zhao, J. X. (2018). Global warming in the context of 2000 years of Australian alpine temperature and snow cover. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 4394, doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-22766-z.
M.L., Callow J.N., McGrath G.S. and McGowan H.A., 2018. Co-authorship analysis of the speleothem proxy-climate community: working together to tackle the big problems. International Journal of Speleology, 47 (2), 165-172, doi:10.5038/1827-806X.47.2.2159.
Yang, S., Paik, K., McGrath, G. S., Urich, C., Krueger, E., Kumar, P., & Rao, P. S. C. (2017). Functional topology of evolving urban drainage networks. Water Resources Research, 53(11), 8966-8979, doi:10.1002/2017WR021555
Campbell, M.L., J.N. Callow, G.S. McGrath, H.A. McGowan (2017) A multi-method approach to inform epikarst drip discharge modelling: Implications for palaeo-climate reconstruction, Hydrological Processes, accepted in press.
Aquino, T., A. Aubeneau, G. McGrath, D. Bolster and S. Rao (2017) Noise-driven return statistics: Scaling and truncation in stochastic storage processes, Scientific Reports, 7,302, doi:10.1038/s41598-017-00451-x.
Lowe, M.-A., G. McGrath, F. Mathes and M. Leopold (2017) Evaluation of surfactant effectiveness on water repellent soils using electrical resistivity tomography. Agricultural Water Management, 181:56-65, doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2016.11.013.
Challis, A., J.C. Stevens, G. McGrath, B.P. Miller (2016) Plant and environmental factors associated with drought-induced mortality in two facultative phreatophytic trees, Plant and Soil, 1-16, doi:10.1007/s11104-016-2793-5.
McGrath, G.S., Z. Nie, A. Dyskin, T. Byrd, R. Jenner, G. Holbeche, and C. Hinz (2013) In situ fragmentation and rock particle sorting on arid hills, Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 118, 17–28, doi:10.1029/2012JF002402.
Mitchell, N., M.R. Hipsey, S. Arnall, G. McGrath, H. Bin Tareque, G. Kuchling, R. Vogwill, M. Sivapalan, W.P. Porter and M.R. Kearney (2013) Linking eco-energetics and eco-hydrology to select sites for the assisted colonization of Australia’s rarest reptile, Biology, 2(1), 1-25, doi:10.3390/biology2010001.
McGrath, G.S., K. Paik, and C. Hinz (2012) Microtopography alters self-organized vegetation patterns in water-limited ecosystems, Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, 117, G03021, doi:10.1029/2011JG001870.
McGrath, G.S., R. Sadler, K.M. Fleming, P. Tregoning, C. Hinz, and E.J. Veneklaas (2012) Tropical cyclones and the ecohydrology of Australia's recent continental-scale drought, Geophysical Research Letters, 39, L03404, doi:10.1029/2011GL050263.
Harman, C. J., P.S.C. Rao, N.B. Basu, G.S. McGrath, P. Kumar, and M. Sivapalan (2011) Climate, soil, and vegetation controls on the temporal variability of vadose zone transport, Water Resources Research, 47, W00J13, doi:10.1029/2010WR010194.
McGrath, G.S., C. Hinz, and M. Sivapalan (2010) Assessing the impact of regional rainfall variability on rapid pesticide leaching potential, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 113, 56–65, doi:10.1016/j.jconhyd.2009.12.007.
McGrath, G.S., C. Hinz, M. Sivapalan, J. Dressel, T. Pütz and H. Vereecken (2010) Identifying a rainfall event threshold triggering herbicide leaching by preferential flow, Water Resources Research, 46, W02513, doi:10.1029/2008WR007506.
McGrath, G.S., C. Hinz, and M. Sivapalan (2009) A preferential flow leaching index, Water Resources Research, 45, W11405, doi:10.1029/2008WR007265.
McGrath, G.S., C. Hinz, and M. Sivapalan (2008) Modeling the effect of rainfall intermittency on the variability of solute persistence at the soil surface, Water Resources Research , 44, W09432, doi:10.1029/2007/WR006652.
McGrath, G.S., C. Hinz, and M. Sivapalan (2008) Modelling the impact of within-storm variability of rainfall on the loading of solutes to preferential flow pathways, European Journal of Soil Science, 59, 2008, 24–33, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2389.2007.00987.x.
McGrath, G.S., C. Hinz, and M. Sivapalan (2007) Temporal dynamics of hydrological threshold events, Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 11, 923-938, doi:10.5194/hess-11-923-2007.
Lehmann, P., C. Hinz, G. McGrath, H. J. Tromp-van Meerveld, and J. J. McDonnell (2007) Rainfall threshold for hillslope outflow: an emergent property of flow pathway connectivity, Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 11, 1047-1063, doi:10.5194/hess-11-1047-2007.
Book Chapters
Payraudeau, S., G.S. McGrath and C. Hinz (2011) Climate and contaminant transport: the role of within-storm variability on contaminant transport by surface runoff, in Water Quality: Current Trends and Expected Climate Change Impacts, IAHS Publication 348, edited by N. Peters, V. Krysanova, A. Lepisto, R. Prasad, M. Thomas, R. Wilby, and S. Zandaryaa, IAHS Press, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Refereed Conference Proceedings
Stutsel, B.M., J.N. Callow, H.A. McGowan, G.S. McGrath (2016) The Influence of Climate Teleconnections on Streamflow in the Snowy Mountains, The Art and Science of Water - 36th Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium, HWRS 2015, 242-249, Engineers Australia.
McGrath, G.S., K. Paik, C. Hinz (2011) Complex landscapes from simple ecohydrological feedbacks, MODSIM2011, International Congress of Modelling and Simulation, Perth, Australia, 2011. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand.
Hinz, C., W. Gwenzi, G.S. McGrath, E. Veneklaas, and C. Scanlon (2009) Soil-vegetation feedbacks as a driver for early ecosystems development in the context of mine site rehabilitation, Fourth International Conferencer on Mine Closure, Perth, Australia.
Hinz, C., G.S. McGrath, and A. Hearman (2006) Towards a climate based risk assessment of land rehabilitation, First International Seminar on Mine Closure, Perth, Australia.
Technical Reports
Mendham, D. J. Bartle, A. Peck, R. Bennett, G. Ogden, G. McGrath, A. Abadi, R. Vogwill, D. Huxtable and P. Turnbull (2014) Management of Mallee Belts for Profitable and Sustained Production, CRC for Future Farm Industries.
Lambers, H., C. Hinz, E. Veneklaas, T. Bleby and G. McGrath (2012) Ecohydrological Characterisation of the Natural and Rehabilitation Ecosystems at Newcrest’s Telfer Gold Mine, Minerals and Energy Research Institute of Western Australia, Report number 381.
Scanlan, C., D. Weaver, R. Summers, T. Griffin, K. Holmes, G. McGrath, M. Leopold, S. Mason, T. Overheu, R. Brennan (2017) A review of the properties of ironstone gravel soils in south-west Western Australia and opportunities to improve agronomic management. A report for the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
McGrath, G.S., V. Gonzalez-Quiñones Hortas, R. Vogwill (2017) An assessment of remote sensing for identifying peat wetlands in Western Australia. Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia.
McGrath, G.S., N. Callow, H. MacGowan (2015) Multi-annual hydrological forecast modelling for rivers in the Australian Alps, Snowy Hydropower Ltd (confidential).
McGrath, G.S. (2017) By Unsaturated Zone Modelling of Hale-Bopp Northwest Pit Wall, Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations, First Quantum Minerals.
McGrath, G.S. (2017) Geomorphological Characterisation of Creeks, Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations, First Quantum Minerals.
McGrath, G.S. (2017) Hydrological Assessment, Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations, First Quantum Minerals, Pty. Ltd.
McGrath, G.S. (2017) Landscape Evolution Modelling of the Oyen Tailings Storage Facility, Iluka Minerals, Pty Ltd.
Conference Presentations
McGrath, G., C Scanlan, L van Zwieten, M Rose, and T Rose (2016) Forecasting residual herbicide concentrations in soil (oral) European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2016, Vienna, Austria.
McGrath, G. (2016) Self-organization in hydrological systems (oral) Synthesis I-Workshop (2016): Resilient Complex Water Networks, Dresden, Germany.
McGrath, G., C Scanlan, L van Zwieten, M Rose, and T Rose (2016) Forecasting residual herbicide concentrations in soil (oral) Grains Research and Development Corporation, Regional Crop Network, Esperance, Australia.
McGrath G. (2016) Emergent properties from dynamic networks (oral) Synthesis Workshop on Dynamics of Structure and Functions of Complex Networks, Seoul, Korea.
McGrath, G. S. and A. Alsih (2016) Thermal signatures of water repellent soils (oral) Soil Science Australia, Mandurah, Western Australia.
McGrath, G.S., K. Paik (2014) Co-evolution of vegetation patterns and erosional dynamics under varying CO2 concentrations (oral) American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco.
McGrath, G., Paik, K., and Hinz, C. (2010) Transitions of self-organised vegetation patterns in arid ecosystems induced by variations in topography (oral) Meeting of Young Researchers in Earth Sciences (MYRES), Structures and Processes of Initial Ecosystem Development, Brandenburg University of Technology, Cottbus, Germany.
McGrath, G., Paik, K., and Hinz, C. (2010) Spatial soil-vegetation interactions: Landscape and vegetation pattern co-evolution (oral) 2nd International Ecosystem Assessment and Management Workshop, Lanhzou, China.
McGrath, G., K. Paik, and C. Hinz (2010) Coupled dynamics of soil erosion and banded vegetation in arid ecosystems: A cellular automata approach (oral) European Geosciences Union General Assembly, Vienna, Austria.
McGrath, G.S., and C. Hinz (2009) Modeling the impact of spatial and temporal variation of a semi-arid climate upon timing and potential of N2O gas emissions from soil for risk assessment (oral) EGU General Assembly, Vienna, Austria.
McGrath, G.S., C. Hinz and M. Sivapalan (2009) Hydrological statistics may help explain inter-annual variability of annual net primary productivity (poster) EGU General Assembly, Vienna, Austria.
McGrath, G.S., C. Hinz, and M. Sivapalan (2008) Threshold flow events: Interrelationships between the variability of their triggering, their magnitude and soil moisture (solicited talk), EGU General Assembly, Vienna, Austria.
McGrath, G.S., C. Hinz, M. Sivapalan, H. Vereecken, and T. Pütz (2007) Rainfall controls on pesticide transport by preferential flow in lysimeters (poster) Groundwater Quality 2007, Fremantle, Australia.
McGrath, G.S., C. Hinz, and M. Sivapalan (2007) Effect of intermittent rainfall on pesticide leaching risk by preferential flow: A new leaching index (oral) Groundwater Quality 2007, Fremantle, Australia.
McGrath, G.S., C. Hinz, and M. Sivapalan (2006) Reappraising pesticide leaching risk: Temporal clustering of flow processes (oral, Awarded best talk in the session) Australian Society of Soil Science Inc. Conference, Adelaide, Australia.
McGrath, G.S., and C. Hinz (2006) Using the structure of rainfall to predict NOx emissions from soil at ungauged sites (poster) Australian Society of Soil Science Inc. Conference, Adelaide, Australia.
McGrath, G.S., C. Hinz, and M. Sivapalan (2006) Extreme and event based controls on pesticide leaching and the role of within-storm rainfall variability (poster) Australian Society of Soil Science Inc. Conference, Adelaide, Australia.
McGrath, G.S., C. Hinz, and M. Sivapalan (2005) Climate, soil and vegetation controls on the rapid transport of pesticides: A minimalist probabilistic approach (oral) EGU General Assembly, Vienna, Austria.
McGrath, G.S., C. Hinz, and M. Sivapalan (2005) A rainfall based pesticide risk assessment approach (oral), EGU General Assembly, Vienna, Austria.
Grants and Funding
Rose, Jessup, McGrath, Bell, van Zweiten, Rose, Patti , Devitt , Ward (2018) Developing knowledge and tools to better manage herbicide residues in soil. 5.4M, Soil CRC
Rose, Van Zwieten, Nachimuthu, Kimber, Sanchez-Bayo, Kennedy, McGrath, Hancock, Muschal, and Beecham (2017) Quantifying the potential environmental impacts of pesticides used on cotton farms. Cotton Research and Development Corporation, 1718FRP045, $1.2M
Scanlan, McGrath, Leopold, Holmes, Bell, Harper, and Weaver (2015) Improving Productivity on Forest Gravel Soils, Grains Research and Development Corporation, $1.6M
McGrath, and Callow (2015). Eco-geomorphological modelling of Weeli Woolie Creek, Rio Tinto, $60k
McGrath (2014) Eco-hydrological modelling and monitoring for improved rehabilitation of iron ore mines in the Mid-West of Western Australia, Kings Park Botanic Gardens, Western Australia, $120k
McGrath, Callow, and M. Leopold (2014) Aboveground response to belowground processes in oil-mallees, Department of Parks and Wildlife, Western Australian Government, $10k
Veneklaas, Dixon, Miller, McGrath, Callow, Aitken, and Malcolm (2014) Managing Ecosystem Change Requires the Integration of Above & Below Ground Hydrological Processes at Relevant Scales, Australian Research Council, Linkage Project 140100736, $330k
van Zwieten, Seymour , McGrath, Rose, Baten, Cavagnaro, Kennedy, Kimber, Vancov, Crossan, Jenkins, Rose, Butler, and Scanlan (2013) Does increased herbicide use impact on key soil biological processes? Grains Research and Development Corporation, $1.25M
Leopold, Gleeson, McGrath, Banwart, White, Murphy and Siddique (2013) The Critical Zone Concept in the Southern Hemisphere, Research Collaboration Awards, The University of Western Australia. $10k
McGrath, R. Vogwill, and M. Hipsey, (2011) Towards hydrological design criteria for Mallee belts, Future Farm Industries CRC, $100k
Scientific Service
Scientific Peer Reviewer
Conference and Workshop Organisation
University teaching
|
Year |
Students |
Subject |
Role |
|
2013-2016 |
~50 |
Remediation of Soils and Groundwater (Masters) Introducing concepts such as chemical partitioning in porous media, solute transport, transport theories, soil and groundwater remediation, environmental risk assessment, contaminated sites legislation, geography of legacy contamination and groundwater modelling. Recognised by Vice Chancellor (2015) for consistently high student satisfaction scores 2013-2015. |
Unit Coordinator, Course Developer and Lecturer |
|
2013 - 2016 |
~80 |
Land Rehabilitation (3rd Year Undergraduate Environmental Science) |
Unit Coordinator, Course Developer and Lecturer |
|
2013 - 2016 |
~100 |
Environmental Assessment (3rd Year Undergraduate Environmental Science) |
Lecturer |
|
2013-2014 |
~30 |
Introduction to Hydrogeology (Masters) |
Lecturer |
|
2016 |
~80 |
Geomorphology and Soils (2nd /3rd Year Undergraduate Environmental Science) |
Lecturer |
|
2013 - 2016 |
~80 |
Environmental Change (2nd Year Undergraduate Environmental Science) |
Lecturer |
|
2013 - 2016 |
~250 |
Environmental Hydrology (2nd Year Undergraduate Environmental Science and Engineering) |
Lecturer |
Hydrology of the Ashfield Flats
