Sean Waters
Freshwater Scientist – Limnology and aquatic geochemistry
Qualifications
- PhD (Water Resource Management), University of Canterbury, 2016
- MApplSc (Environmental Management) Lincoln University, 2011.
- MSc (Geology), University of Otago, 1993
Role at Cawthron
Sean is a freshwater scientist with the Environmental Flows and Fisheries Team in the Coastal and Freshwater Group. He is involved in a range of projects focused primarily on lake ecosystems. His main area of expertise relates to biogeochemical processes related to nutrient cycling, as well as contaminant transport and fate in aquatic systems.
Sean decided on a career in the freshwater science due to a longstanding affinity for the outdoors and a desire to play a part in the sustainable management of our natural resources. Prior to science, Sean had a long career in experiential leadership development, outdoor education and guiding. He has an extensive background in mountaineering, has been involved in first ascents around the world and was NZ Mountaineer of the Year in 2005.
Technical skills, experience and interests
- Physical limnology
- Aquatic geochemistry
- Nutrient dynamics in freshwater systems
- Shallow coastal lake systems
- Stream gauging and hydrology
- Contaminant speciation
- Contaminant transport and fate in freshwater systems
- Geochemical modelling
Professional affiliations
New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society
View Sean's Researchgate profile
Publication links
- Waters AS, Kelly D, Vandergoes M, Rees A, Li X, Cochran L and Homes A 2018. Lake Wairarapa — understanding the ecological past and present for future management. Cawthron Report No. 3157. Prepared for Great Wellington Regional Council.
- Waters AS and Webster-Brown JG 2016. The use of a mass balance phosphorus budget for informing nutrient management in shallow coastal lakes. Journal of Hydro-environment Research 10. Pages 32-49.
- Waters AS and Webster-Brown JG 2016. Is dilution a solution to aluminium toxicity in an acid mine drainage affected stream on the Stockton Plateau, New Zealand. Mine Water and the Environment 35(2). Pages 235-242.
- Waters AS and Webster-Brown JG 2013. Assessing aluminium toxicity in streams affected by acid mine drainage. Water Science and Technology 67(8). Pages 1764-1772.
- Waters AS and Webster-Brown JG 2013. Assessing aluminium toxicity in streams affected by acid mine drainage. Water Science & Technology. Volume 67, Issue 8. Pages 1764-1772.
