UC Spark

Professor Jenny Webster-Brown

Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management

Fields of Research

  • Water chemistry and quality
  • Trace metal fate and transport in rivers & lakes
  • Antarctic meltwater chemistry
  • Arsenic geochemistry
  • Mining and geothermal effects on water quality

Researcher Summary

Research interests include the processes that control the behaviour and toxicity of trace elements such as arsenic, copper, lead, zinc and cadmium in natural freshwaters and groundwaters.  This includes waters affected by acid mine drainage, urban stormwater and geothermal fluid discharge, the role of natural iron oxide minerals in reducing trace element toxicity and mobility in freshwaters, and trace element and major ion behaviour in Antarctic meltwaters, particularly the lake and pond systems which accommodate most of Antarctica’s inland biological communities.  Field, analytical and experimental approaches are used, together with computer modelling of metal speciation, toxicity and adsorption processes in aquatic systems.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Research Groups

Affiliations

Publications


  • Berry, N. and Webster-Brown, J.G. (2012) A summer hydrological budget for Lake Forsyth/Wairewa: Preliminary Findings. WCFM Report 2012-004. Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management, Christchurch, New Zealand. 54pp. (Technical Report)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G., Hegan, A.F. and Wilson, N.J. (2012) Biological processes affecting geothermal arsenic in a lowland river. Cairns, Australia: As2012 Conference, 23-27 Jul 2012. In Understanding the Geological and Medical Interface of Arsenic 473-476. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G., Hegan, A. and Christenson, H. (2012) Biological processes affecting geothermal arsenic in the Waikato river. Dunedin, New Zealand: New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society Annual Conference, 3-7 Dec 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G. and Hawes, I. (2012) Elevated arsenic, molybdenum and uranium in Antarctic meltwaters. Hamilton, New Zealand: New Zealand GeoSciences Annual Conference (GSNZ), 25-28 Nov 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G. (2012) Environmental chemistry in the freezer: Antarctic meltwaters and their ability to support life. Brisbane, Australia: Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Australasia Conference (SETAC), 4-6 Jul 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G., Dee, T.J. and Hegan, A.F. (2012) Metal removal via particulate material in a lowland river system. Water Science and Technology 66(7): 1439-1445. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.2012.313. (Journal Article)
  • Christenson, H., Webster-Brown, J.G., Hawes, I. and Jungblut, A. (2012) Phosphorous geochemistry in coastal meltwater ponds in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Hamilton, New Zealand: New Zealand GeoSciences Annual Conference (GSNZ), 25-28 Nov 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Webster-Brown, J., Hawes, I., Safi, K., Sorrell, B. and Wilson, N. (2012) Summer-winter transitions in Antarctic ponds: III. Chemical changes. Antarctic Science 24(2): 121-130. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102011000721. (Journal Article)
  • Wilson, N., Webster-Brown, J. and Brown, K. (2012) The behaviour of antimony released from surface geothermal features in New Zealand. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 247-248: 158-167. (Journal Article)
  • Jungblut, A.D., Wood, S.A., Hawes, I., Webster-Brown, J. and Harris, C. (2012) The Pyramid Trough Wetland: Environmental and biological diversity in a newly created Antarctic protected area. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 82(2): 356-366. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6941.2012.01380.x. (Journal Article)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G. (2012) Training the next generation of water resource managers. Nelson, New Zealand: New Zealand Hydrological Society Annual Conference, 27-30 Nov 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G. and Jenkins, B.R. (2012) What will happen when none of the World's rivers reach the coast? Christchurch, New Zealand: IPENZ Rivers Group 3rd Annual Symposium, 22 Nov 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G., Wilson, N.J., Hegan, A.F., Christenson, H.K. and Swedlund, P.J. (2011) A 'Cradle to Grave' analysis of geothermal arsenic in a lowland river system. Prague, Czech Republik: Goldshmidt Geochemistry Conference, 14-19 Aug 2011. (Oral Presentation)
  • Fukunaga, A., Anderson, M.J. and Webster-Brown, J.G. (2011) Assessing the nature of the combined effects of copper and zinc on estuarine infaunal communities. Environmental Pollution 159(1): 116-124. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2010.09.012. (Journal Article)
  • Andersen, D.T., Sumner, D.Y., Hawes, I., Webster-Brown, J. and McKay, C.P. (2011) Discovery of large conical stromatolites in Lake Untersee, Antarctica. Geobiology 9(3): 280-293. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4669.2011.00279.x. (Journal Article)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G., Dee, T.J. and Hegan, A.F. (2011) Metal Removal via Particulate Material in a Lowland River System. Rotorua, New Zealand: 15th International Conference of IWA Diffuse Pollution Specialist Group (DIPCON2011), 18-23 Sep 2011. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Webster-Brown, J., Robertson, P. and Edwards, J. (2011) Rapid Changes in Phosphate Concentrations in a Shallow Eutrophic Lake, Canterbury, New Zealand. Rotorua, New Zeland: 15th International Conference of IWA Diffuse Pollution Specialist Group (DIPCON2011), 18-23 Sep 2011. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Hawes, I., Safi, K., Sorrell, B., Webster-Brown, J. and Arscott, D. (2011) Summer-winter transitions in Antarctic ponds I: The physical environment. Antarctic Science 23(3): 235-242. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102011000046. (Journal Article)
  • Hawes, I., Safi, K., Webster-Brown, J., Sorrell, B. and Arscott, D. (2011) Summer-winter transitions in Antarctic ponds: II. Biological responses. Antarctic Science 23: 243-254. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102011000058. (Journal Article)
  • Webster-Brown, J., Hawes, I., Joungblut, A. and Wood, S. (2010) Aquatic Habitats of the Darwin Region: The Final Chapter (for now). University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand: NZ Annual Antarctic Conference, Jul 2010. (Oral Presentation)
  • Castendyk, D. and Webster-Brown, J. (2010) Effects of mine expansion on geochemical predictions of pit lake quality: an example from Martha Mine, Waihi, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 53(2-3): 143-151. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288306.2010.498783. (Journal Article)
  • Hawes, I., Novis, P., Webster-Brown, J. and Wood, S. (2010) Freshwater Ecosystem Research in the LGP. Antarctic: The Magazine of the Antarctic Society of New Zealand 28(212): 24-26. Magazine Article. (Other)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G. (2010) Freshwater Solutions: Going Beyond the Problem of Misunderstanding and Misinformation. Christchurch, New Zealand: NZ Freshwater Science Society Annual Conference, Nov 2010. (Oral Presentation)
  • Fukunaga, A., Anderson, M.J., Webster-Brown, J.G. and Ford, R.B. (2010) Individual and combined effects of heavy metals on estuarine infaunal communities. Marine Ecology Progress Series 402: 123-136. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps08457. (Journal Article)
  • Hogg, I. and Webster-Brown, J. (2010) Innocents in the Dry Valleys by Colin Bull (1). Antarctic: The Journal of the Antarctic Society of New Zealand 28 Book Review. (Other)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G. and Brown, K.L. (2010) Interpretation of geochemical data (REGEMP II) and recommendations for further monitoring. Environment Waikato. GEOKEM Client report. 55pp. (Technical Report)
  • Webster-Brown, J., Gall, M., Gibson, J., Wood, S. and Hawes, I. (2010) The biogeochemistry of meltwater habitats in the Darwin Glacier region (80oS), Victoria Land, Antarctica. Antarctic Science 22(6): 646-661. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102010000787. (Journal Article)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G. (2010) The Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management. Christchurch, New Zealand: WaterNZ Annual Conference, Sep 2010. 10pp. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G. (2010) The Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management. Christchurch, New Zealand: WaterNZ Annual Conference, Sep 2010. (Oral Presentation)
  • Webster-Brown J.G., Gall., M. and Skews, R. (2009) Doing time on the Darwin Glacier: Results from KO81B. University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand: NZ Annual Antarctic Conference, July 2009. (Oral Presentation)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G., Dee, T.J. and Webster, K.S. (2009) Fluctuating trace metal concentrations in a large lowland river: Implications for water quality monitoring. Whangarei, New Zealand: New Zealand Hydrological & Freshwater Sciences Societies Joint Conference, 23-27 Nov 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Wait, B.R., Nokes, R. and Webster-Brown, J.G. (2009) Freeze-thaw dynamics and the implications for stratification and brine chemistry in meltwater ponds on the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica. Antarctic Science 21: 243-254. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102009001904. (Journal Article)
  • Swedlund, P.J., Webster-Brown, J.G. and Miskelly, G.M. (2009) Goethite adsorption of Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) in the presence of sulphate: Properties of the ternary complex. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 73(6): 1548-1562. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2008.12.007. (Journal Article)
  • Webster-Brown J.G., Hawes., I., Howard-Williams. and C. (2009) Predicting the effects of climate change on aquatic ecosystems in an extreme environment. University of Hamburg, Germany: XIX International Symposia on Environmental Biogeochemistry (ISEB XIX), 14-18 Sep 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G., Martin, B.J. and Swedlund, P.J. (2008) Copper adsorption on natural schwermannite and sulfate-rich goethite in AMD systems. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada: Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference, 13-18 Jul 2008. (Oral Presentation)
  • Lu, X., Bibby, R.L., Ford, R.B. and Webster-Brown, J.G. (2008) Creating metal-spiked bed sediments: A case study from Orewa Estuary, New Zealand. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 27(10): 2088-2096. (Journal Article)
  • Webster-Brown, J., Hawes, I. and Howard-Williams, C. (2008) How will climate change affect terrestrial meltwater chemistry? Lessons from Latitudinal Gradient Studies. St Petersburg, Russia: Open Science Conference in association with the XXX SCAR Meeting, 8-11 Jul 2008. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Pennington, S. and Webster-Brown, J.G. (2008) Stormwater runoff quality from copper roofing, Auckland, New Zealand New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 42(1): 99-108. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288330809509940. (Journal Article)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G., Wait, B.R., Healy, M. and Brown, K.L. (2008) The Geochemical evolution of Antarctic meltwaters in Victoria Land. Te Papa, Wellington, New Zealand: GeoSciences ’08 Conference, 23-26 Nov 2008. (Oral Presentation)
  • Webster-Brown J.G. and Brown K.L. (2007) Interpretation of geochemical data (REGEMP II) and recommendations for further monitoring. Environment Waikato. GEOKEM Client report. 50pp. (Technical Report)
  • Castendyk, D. and Webster-Brown, J. (2007) Sensitivity Analyses in Pit Lake Prediction, Martha Mine, New Zealand 1: Relationship between turnover and input water density. Chemical Geology 244(1-2): 42-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2007.06.004. (Journal Article)
  • Castendyk, D.N. and Webster-Brown, J.G. (2007) Sensitivity analyses in pit lake prediction, Martha mine, New Zealand 2: Geochemistry, water–rock reactions, and surface adsorption. Chemical Geology 244(1-2): 56-73. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2007.06.004. (Journal Article)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G. and Webster, K.S. (2007) Trace metals in cyanobacterial mats, phytoplankton and sediments of the Lake Vanda region, Antarctica. Antarctic Science 19(3): 311-319. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102007000417. (Journal Article)
  • Sharplin R.E.P., Webster-Brown J.G. (2007) Water quality changes after partial remediation at Tui Mine site, Mt Te Aroha. Waihi, New Zealand: AusIMM Conference, Nov 2006. 6pp. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G. (2006) Biogeochemical controls on trace element concentrations in Antarctic meltwaters. Melbourne, Australia: V.M. Goldschmidt Conference, 27 Aug-1 Sep 2006. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Healy, M., Webster-Brown, J.G., Brown, K.L. and Lane, V. (2006) Chemistry and stratification of Antarctic meltwater ponds II: Inland ponds in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land. Antarctic Science 18(4): 525-533. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102006000575. (Journal Article)
  • Castendyk D.N., Webster-Brown J.G. (2006) Geochemical prediction and remediation options for the proposed Martha Mine pit lake, New Zealand. St Louis, MO, USA: 7th ICARD & 23rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation (ASMR), 26-30 Mar 2006. In 7th International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage ICARD - Abstracts (Conference Contribution - Abstract)
  • Ward, K.T., Brown, K.L. and Webster-Brown, J.G. (2006) Mineral precipitation in the Rotokawa Geothermal Power Station, New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand: 28th New Zealand Geothermal Workshop, 16-17 Nov 2006. 6pp. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Wait, B.R., Webster-Brown, J.G., Brown, K.L., Healy, M. and Hawes, I. (2006) PChemistry and stratification of Antarctic meltwater ponds I: Coastal ponds near Bratina Island, McMurdo Ice Shelf. Antarctic Science 18(4): 515-524. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102006000563. (Journal Article)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G. (2006) The fate of trace elements in Antarctica meltwater pond environments. Hobart, Australia: SCAR XXIX Conference (SCAR=Science Committee on Antarctic Research), 9-14 Jul 2006. (Oral Presentation)
  • Bibby, R.L. and Webster-Brown, J.G. (2006) Trace metal adsorption on urban suspended particulate matter (Auckland region, New Zealand). Applied Geochemistry 21(7): 1135-1151. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2006.03.014. (Journal Article)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G. (2005) A review of trace metal transport and attenuation in surface waters. In T. Moore, A. Black, J. Ceneno, J. Harding and D. Trumm (Ed.), Metal Contaminants in New Zealand: 193-212. Christchurch: Resolutionz Press. (Chapter in Book)
  • Bibby, R. and Webster-Brown, J.G. (2005) Characterisation of urban Suspended Particulate Matter (Auckland Region, New Zealand); a comparison with non-urban SPM. Science of the Total Environment 343: 177-197. (Journal Article)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G. and Craw, D. (2005) Examples of trace metal mobility around historic and modern metal mines. In T. Moore, A. Black, J. Ceneno, J. Harding and D. Trumm (Ed.), Metal Contaminants in New Zealand: 213-230. Christchurch: Resolutionz Press. (Chapter in Book)
  • Craw, D., Brown, K. Webster-Brown. and J.G. (2005) Gold mine and geothermal contributions to metals in the New Zealand environment. In T. Moore, A. Black, J. Ceneno, J. Harding and D. Trumm (Ed.), Metal Contaminants in New Zealand: 231-246. Christchurch: Resolutionz Press. (Chapter in Book)
  • Webster-Brown, J.G. and Lane, V. (2005) Modelling as behaviour in the Waikato River, New Zealand. In P. O’Day, D. Vlassopoulos, X. Meng and L. Benning (Ed.), American Chemical Society Symposium Series Vol 195: 253-266. Washington: American Chemical Society. (Chapter in Book)
  • Mandeno, G., Craggs, R., Tanner, C., Sukias, J. and Webster-Brown, J. (2005) Potential biogas scrubbing using a high rate pond. Water Science and Technology 51(12): 253–256. (Journal Article)