Target setting for pollutant discharge management of rivers in the Great Barrier Reef catchment area

Brodie, Jon; Lewis, Stephen E.; Bainbridge, Zoë; Mitchell, Alan; Waterhouse, Jane; Kroon, Frederieke J.

doi:10.1071/mf08339

Cited by 52 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Total P export was ∼1/10 of the TN export and mostly from particulate P (65%), which illustrates the importance of sediment control from fertilised cropping lands. However, while a reduction of 25% in DIN loads by the sugarcane and banana industries may be readily achievable, Brodie et al (2009) have reported that a reduction of 80% may be needed in the Tully-Murray to meet target chlorophyll loads in the marine environment. They discuss the implications of this disparity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Catchment modelling of sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient loads with SedNet/ANNEX in the Tully - Murray basin

Armour¹,

Hateley²,

Pitt³

2009

Mar. Freshwater Res.

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Abstract.A long-term, annual-average catchment biophysical model (SedNet/ANNEX) was used to calculate sediment, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loads in the Tully-Murray catchment of north-eastern Australia. A total of 119 000 t year −1 of suspended sediment, equivalent to 430 kg ha −1 year −1 , was calculated to be exported to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Most of the sediment (64%) was generated from hill-slope erosion. The modelled load of dissolved inorganic N (1159 t year −1 or 4.2 kg N ha −1 year −1 ) was similar to that from other wet tropics catchments in Queensland with similar areas of sugarcane. Sugarcane produced 77% of this load. The annual loads of total N and total P were 2319 t and 244 t, respectively. Simulations (scenarios) were run to evaluate the impact of improved land management on pollutant loads to the GBR. A combination of improved cultivation and fertiliser management of sugarcane and bananas (99% of cropping land) and restoration of the most degraded riparian areas reduced sediment by 23 000 t year −1 (18%) and dissolved inorganic N by 286 t year −1 (25%). However, this reduction is much less than the reduction of 80% that may be needed in the catchment to meet target chlorophyll loads in the marine environment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Catchment modelling of sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient loads with SedNet/ANNEX in the Tully - Murray basin

Armour¹,

Hateley²,

Pitt³

2009

Mar. Freshwater Res.

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“…This is a critical finding because aquatic ecosystem values require the most stringent WQOs. This finding has also been important because targets for pollutant discharge of rivers to the Reef are being set linking marine ecosystem objectives to end-of-basin pollutant load objectives (Brodie et al 2009). Both objectives, marine and end-of-basin, are most likely to match if the most stringent terrestrial WQOs are set and supported by farmers and industry.…”

Section: Community Uses and Values Of Water In The Tully Basinmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community uses and values of water informing water quality improvement planning: a study from the Great Barrier Reef region, Australia

Bohnet¹,

Kinjun²

2009

Mar. Freshwater Res.

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Abstract. Community participation has gained widespread recognition in water management and planning for its potential to inform management plans and gain community support for actions that are aligned with the community's water values. However, the practical application of community participation remains challenging as there is no consensus on who should be involved and why. During a participatory research project to inform the Tully Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP), the local community was involved in qualitative interviews and workshops to identify the water uses and values in the Tully basin. The results showed that these waters are extensively used and valued via a wide range of activities and that water is more than an economic good. All participants valued the aquatic ecosystems, which provide the basis for setting the most stringent water quality objectives (WQOs). Moreover, the results showed that many of the current uses and values of waters are under serious threat and that some uses and values have been lost over time. These findings informed the setting of the WQOs for the Tully WQIP to protect and re-establish the water uses and values that the local community supports.

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“…Contemporary estimates suggest that the total nitrogen discharge to the GBR has increased from 14,000 tonnes year -1 in pre-development times (prior to 1850) to a current discharge of 58,000 tonnes year -1 ; a four-fold increase (Brodie et al 2009a). The predominant form of the nitrogen that is delivered to the GBR has also changed.…”

Section: Nutrient Supply To Gbr Marine Watersmentioning

confidence: 96%

Assessment of the eutrophication status of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon (Australia)

et al. 2010

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Current scientific consensus is that inshore regions of the central and southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia, are at risk of impacts from increased nutrient (as well as sediment and pesticide) loads delivered to Reef waters. Increases in the discharge of water quality contaminants to the Reef are largely a consequence of the expansion of agricultural practices in northern Queensland catchments following European settlement in the 1850s. In particular, the presence of elevated chlorophyll a and nutrient concentrations in many parts of the inshore Great Barrier Reef together with intense and extensive phytoplankton blooms following the discharge of nutrient-rich river flood waters suggest that the central and southern inshore area of the Great Barrier Reef is likely to be significantly impacted by elevated nutrient loads. The biological consequences of this are not fully quantified, but are likely to include changes in reef condition including hard and soft coral biodiversity, macroalgal abundance, hard coral cover and coral recruitment, as well as change in seagrass distribution and tissue nutrient status. Contemporary government policy is centered around promotion and funding of better catchment management practices to minimize the loss of catchment nutrients (both applied and natural) and the maintenance of a Reef wide water quality and ecosystem monitoring program. The monitoring program is designed to assess trends in uptake of management practice improvements and their associated impacts on water quality and ecosystem status over the next 10 years. A draft set of quantitative criteria to assess the eutrophication status of Great Barrier Reef waters is outlined for further discussion and refinement

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Target setting for pollutant discharge management of rivers in the Great Barrier Reef catchment area

Cited by 52 publications

References 53 publications

Catchment modelling of sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient loads with SedNet/ANNEX in the Tully - Murray basin

Catchment modelling of sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient loads with SedNet/ANNEX in the Tully - Murray basin

Community uses and values of water informing water quality improvement planning: a study from the Great Barrier Reef region, Australia

Assessment of the eutrophication status of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon (Australia)

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