Dr Rob Fitzpatrick: leading soil biogeochemistry research

Dr Rob Fitzpatrick's research is leading the science to minimise and manage the risks associated with acid sulfate soils.

• 5 August 2009 | Updated 14 October 2011

• Research activities
• Background
• Academic qualifications
• Achievements 

Dr Rob Fitzpatrick's research interests are principally in pedology, mineralogy, biogeochemistry and spatial analysis as applied to soil-landscape processes, as well as criminal and environmental soil forensics.

He develops and uses advanced techniques to characterise, map and monitor acid sulfate soils in the environment.

Research activities

Dr Fitzpatrick is a Chief Research Scientist and leads the Soil Biochemistry Group in CSIRO Land and Water. 

Dr Fitzpatrick is also the inaugural Director of the Centre for Australian Forensic Soil Science.

He is a Professorial Fellow in the School of Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences at Flinders University, Australia.  

He is also an Associate Professor in Soil & Land Systems and Geology & Geophysics Disciplines within the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences of the University of Adelaide, Australia.

His research activities include:

• field and laboratory methods for identifying, characterising and mapping occurrence of various saline, sodic and acid sulfate soil-water systems
• combined quantitative techniques for geochemical and mineralogical analyses using advanced XRD, XRF, synchrotron, DTA/TGA, IR and mineral magnetic techniques
• soil-landscape process models to better understand soil properties that change in landscapes with time - by incorporating, advanced pedological/regolith research, mineralogical investigations, biogeochemistry, terrain analyses and remote sensing
• the first formal worldwide network of soil and forensic scientists maintaining a critical mass of research expertise in soil forensics to fight crime, terrorism and environmental pollution.
  

Background

Dr Fitzpatrick's recent professional experience involves:

• providing national and international leadership in recognising and establishing the importance, extent and severity of inland acid sulfate soils as an environmental issue in both public and government arenas
• leading the development of the first national map and atlas of coastal and inland Australian acid sulfate soils, which underpins procedures and guidelines for identification and remediation strategies of acid sulfate soils in environments across Australia
• successfully developing a new geochemical sampling medium for mineral exploration, based on an understanding of acid sulfate soil processes.

Academic qualifications

Dr Fitzpatrick has been awarded a:

• Chemical Technicians Diploma from the Republic of South Africa in 1966
• Mine Assayer's Certificate of Competency from the Republic of South Africa in 1970
• Bachelor of Science, Agriculture, Soil Science (1st Class), Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry with Honours, Soil microbiology from the University of Natal, South Africa in 1971
• Masters of Science, Agriculture: Pedology, Soil survey, Clay mineralogy from the University of Natal in 1974
• Doctor of Philosophy in Mineralogy, Soil processes, Geochemistry of Ti & Fe, from the University of Natal in 1978.

Achievements

Dr Fitzpatrick is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE).

He has been awarded the:

• Gold medal for science by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1997
• Prescott Medal of Soil Science awarded by the Australian Society of Soil Science for outstanding contributions to soil science in 1998
• Sir Joseph Verco Medal awarded by the Royal Society of South Australia for outstanding contributions to science in 1999
• Honorary Fellow Soil Science Society of Southern Africa in 2009.

Dr Fitzpatrick is a member of the:

• Soil Science Societies: Australian (Certified Professional Soil Scientist: CPSS-level 3), British, American, International Union of Soil Sciences (Life Member, since 1983)
• International Association for the Study of Clays (Life Member, since 1984), Australian Clay Minerals Society
• Royal Society of South Australia
• International Geohazards Working Group
• the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS).
  

He has published over 69 journal papers, 2 encyclopaedia chapters, 85 book chapters, 10 edited books, 105 conference proceedings/monograph articles, 236 technical reports and 162 non-refereed articles.

Read more about CSIRO Land and Water.