Marine and estuarine reservoir effects in central Queensland, Australia: Determination of Delta R values

As a component of archaeological investigations on the central Queensland coast, a series of five marine shell specimens live-collected between A.D. 1904 and A.D. 1929 and 11 shell/ charcoal paired samples from archaeological contexts were radiocarbon dated to determine local DeltaR values. The object of the study was to assess the potential influence of localized variation in marine reservoir effect in accurately determining the age of marine and estuarine shell from archaeological deposits in the area. Results indicate that the routinely applied DeltaR value of -5 +/- 35 for northeast Australia is erroneously calculated. The determined values suggest a minor revision to Reimer and Reimer's (2000) recommended value for northeast Australia from DeltaR = +11 +/- 5 to + 12 +/- 7, and specifically for central Queensland to DeltaR = +10 +/- 7, for near-shore open marine environments. In contrast, data obtained from estuarine shell/charcoal pairs demonstrate a general lack of consistency, suggesting estuary-specific patterns of variation in terrestrial carbon input and exchange with the open ocean. Preliminary data indicate that in some estuaries, at some time periods, a DeltaR value of more than - 155 +/- 55 may be appropriate, In estuarine contexts in central Queensland, a localized estuary-specific correction factor is recommended to account for geographical and temporal variation in C-14 activity. (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals.

McCabe v Goliath: The case against British American tobacco Australia Services Ltd

Significance of the decision in McCabe v British American Tobacco Australia Services Ltd - ramifications for the possibilities for success of future litigation of this nature in Australia and overseas - ethical and public policy issues regarding the duties of lawyers to the courts and to their clients - whilst a lawyer's implication in the destruction of documents to prevent a fair trial ultimately involves stricter duties, it exposes a need for vigilance against the possibilities for corporations to act outside the public interest, if not the justice system.

Reproductive biology of the eastern shovelnose ray, Aptychotrema rostrata (Shaw & Nodder, 1794), from Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia

The eastern shovelnose ray, Aptychotrema rostrata (Rhinobatidae), is an endemic batoid common to the east coast of Australia. The reproductive cycle was studied in Moreton Bay, south-eastern Queensland, over a 14-month period. Aptychotrema rostrata is an aplacental yolksac viviparous species with an annual, seasonal reproductive cycle in Moreton Bay. Females mature at 54-66 cm total length, and males at 60-68 cm total length. Gravid females were observed during September-November and parturition occurred in November-December. Vitellogenesis does not proceed in parallel with gestation. Ovulation and copulation probably occur during July-September, resulting in a gestational period of 3-5 months. Uterine fecundity ranges from 4 to 18, with a significant positive relationship between uterine fecundity and maternal body length. In mature males, a peak in the proportion of mature spermatocysts in the testes was observed in July, whereas gonadosomatic index peaked in April.

New graptolite faunas from the Llandovery, lower Silurian of the Graveyard Creek Subprovince, Broken River region, Queensland, Australia

A continuous biostratigraphic sequence has been established, possibly from as low as the sedgwickii Biozone but certainly throughout the Telychian Stage (?sedgwickii, turriculatus, ?crispus, griestoniensis and crenulata biozones). Thirty-three taxa have been recorded, including the new genus Wandograptus wandovalensis sp. nov., the new species Pseudostreptograptus queenslandensis and the new subspecies Dictyonema paululum australis and Stimulograptus sedwickii loydelli. A number of species have been recorded from Australia for the first time: Dictyonema cf. geniculatum Bulman, Petalolithus kurcki (Rickards), Pristiograptus initialis (Kirste), Monoclimacis directa Zalasciewicz, Monograptus aff. distans (Portlock), Monograptus sartorius Törnquist, and Torquigraptus pragensis (Bouček). Nine forms have been left under open nomenclature. The type section for the Poley Cow Formation yields a griestoniensis biozone fauna close to the top, and this level can be correlated with a griestoniensis Biozone fauna in the Broken River crossing section, again just below the top of the formation. Further north, griestoniensis Biozone faunas have also been recognized, beyond Diggers Creek, and in the Quinton Formation at Top Hut, enabling a reliable time plane throughout the region. At Top Hut, the highest graptolitic strata yield a crenulata Biozone fauna; and stratigraphically lower sequences, referable to the ?sedgwickii, turriculatus and ?crispus biozones, have been established on the Broken River section. It is likely that a full Telychian (Upper Llandovery) sequence occurs in the Poley Cow and Quinton formations enabling accurate correlation with other parts of the world.