Dr Brad Sherman's research interests include reservoir dynamics and its influence on algal blooms, reservoir water quality and reservoir greenhouse gas emissions.
Current activities
Dr Brad Sherman leads the Catchment and Aquatic Modelling (CAM) research group. CAM specialises in field experimental studies and computational modelling of catchment sediment and nutrient generation and transportation processes and the physical, chemical and biological dynamics of receiving waters such as reservoirs and estuaries.
Dr Sherman's primary research interest is in reservoir dynamics and its influence on algal photophysiology.
His projects in this area have covered reservoir and weir pool water quality and algal bloom dynamics, field studies of the effectiveness of reservoir management techniques (artificial destratification, oxygenation, surface pumps), and cold (thermal) water pollution caused by tall dams.
During the past five years Dr Sherman has worked extensively modelling nutrient loads from diffuse sources in Great Barrier Reef Lagoon catchments and co-developed protocols (in collaboration with Dr Stuart Whitten, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems) to address uncertainty in understanding and natural variability in field data for incorporation into Water Quality Improvement Plans.
Dr Sherman's current research focuses on quantifying the temporal and spatial variability of methane emissions from reservoirs and the scope for mitigating these emissions.
The objective is to develop a more accurate understanding of total annual emissions from freshwater systems and how differences in these emissions are related to catchment characteristics such as climate, soil, vegetation and land use.
Previous research projects include:
Dr Sherman has worked extensively modelling nutrient loads from diffuse sources in Great Barrier Reef Lagoon catchments.
Background
Dr Sherman has a background in environmental fluid dynamics focusing on physical-chemical-biological coupling in freshwater systems with emphasis on reservoir water quality and algal bloom dynamics.
He joined CSIRO in 1989 after completing his Doctorate at University of Western Australia.
Prior to coming to Australia in 1983, Dr Sherman worked for three years as a hydrographer for Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation in San Francisco, California, USA.
Academic qualifications
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Bachelor of Science (Honours) from University of California Berkeley, USA in 1978
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Doctor of Philosophy from University of Western Australia Centre for Water Research in 1989.
Dr Sherman's doctoral studies commenced in the field of aquatic ecological modelling and later shifted to the modelling and control of solar ponds (a technology to collect and store solar energy as heat) including real-time data assimilation and operational forecasting of hydrodynamic behaviour of the pond.
Achievements
Dr Sherman is the author of 10 journal articles, 27 reports and 21 conference papers.
Professional activities
Dr Sherman is a member of the:
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International Water Association
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American Geophysical Union
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American Society of Limnology and Oceanography
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Australian Society for Limnology
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North American Lake Management Society
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Australian National Committee on Large Dams.
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