The impact of a high magnitude flood on metal pollution in a shallow subtropical estuarine embayment

Coates-Marnane, Jack; Olley, Jon; Burton, Joanne; Grinham, Alistair

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.193

Cited by 25 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…plebejus distribution patterns of several major elements (Al, Mn, and Fe) and trace elements (Cu, Pb, and REY) strongly suggested these elements were derived from terrestrial sources. This is consistent with previous sediment analyses that showed local coastal rivers, most notably the Brisbane River, were the primary entry points for terrestrial soils and trace elements into Moreton Bay [ 37 , 82 ]. High inshore Mn, Fe and Al concentrations in M .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Heavy metals that are often used as indicators of anthropogenic pollution were highest in prawns collected along the western shore and within the bay. Higher levels of these tracers in nearshore prawns is consistent with current water quality assessments and sediment patterns in the bay [ 37 , 39 ]. The spatial regularity and agreement of δ 13 C, δ 15 N, Cu, Pb, and Cd also suggests these tracers are robust indicators of biochemical patterns in Moreton Bay and that M .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

“…Major and trace elements, alongside stable isotopes, substantially improved separation between sampling areas. Although trace element distributions were only reported for one season, we had confidence in most tracerscapes because results broadly matched trace element patterns in sediments [ 37 ]. The M .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Average flow is low at 5 m 3 s -1 , and water residence time in the lower river near the coast is high at 50–100 days [ 36 ]. Summer dominated rainfall in combination with large storms can lead to increased river flow and periodic flood events that discharge water and associated sediment and contaminants into the bay [ 37 ]. The Brisbane River contains the largest and most active industrial port in the bay, however smaller industrial and recreational marinas are found all along the Moreton coastline.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A benthic bioindicator reveals distinct land and ocean–Based influences in an urbanized coastal embayment

et al. 2018

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Biogeochemical maps of coastal regions can be used to identify important influences and inputs that define nearshore environments and biota. Biogeochemical tracers can also track animal movement and their diet, monitor human coastal development, and evaluate the condition of habitats and species. However, the beneficial applications of spatial biogeochemical analysis are hindered by a limited understanding of how tracer distribution is affected by different land and ocean–based influences. To help address these knowledge gaps, we determined the spatial trends of three stable isotopes (δ13C-carbon, δ15N-nitrogen, δ34S-sulfur) and 13 major and trace elements in an urbanized coastal embayment (Moreton Bay, Australia), as incorporated into the muscle tissue of a marine consumer, the eastern king prawn Melicertus plebejus. Results were used to identify unique biochemical regions within the bay and to discuss how spatial patterns in tracers could be used to indicate the relative importance of catchment, urban and offshore drivers in coastal bays. Discriminant analysis identified seven biogeochemical regions that were likely distinguished by variation in catchment, urban, and offshore input, and habitat type. δ13C and δ15N patterns suggested nearshore areas could be distinguished by increased sediment resuspension and higher wastewater inputs from catchments. High inshore lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) concentrations were likely the result of urban input. Arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) increased further from shore. This trend implied oceanic influences were a significant control over As and Cd bioavailability. Cobalt (Co) and rare earths were also used to differentiate some nearshore areas, but incongruent distribution patterns in Co suggested it may be less reliable. Overall, results indicated that δ15N, δ13C, Cd, Cu, Pb and rare earth elements were the most reliable tracers to differentiate nearshore and offshore environments, and catchment–based effects. We encourage future studies to consider using a similar multivariate approach in coastal spatial analysis, and to include unrelated tracers that reflect distinct coastal influences.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A benthic bioindicator reveals distinct land and ocean–Based influences in an urbanized coastal embayment

et al. 2018

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“…Moreton Bay's catchments have become modified landscapes where greater than 10% is considered urban, and less than 25% is comprised of natural vegetation, with the remaining largest fraction of land used for agricultural purposes (Capelin et al, 1998). Subsequently, high intensity rainfall events in the region have been found to cause a significant degradation in the water quality of the waterways entering the Moreton Bay ecosystem (DERM, 2011; Davies & Eyre, 1998), coinciding with large amounts of fine sediment thought to be caused by runoff and gully erosion (Saxton et al, 2012;Coates-Marnane et al, 2016b). Some of the ecological downstream effects of these arising circumstances has been the subject of much critical research such as studies into the benthic microalgal communities, which can contribute up to 50% of primary productivity in shallow coastal systems such as Moreton Bay, and were found to be significantly negatively affected by catchment development (Grinham, 2007).…”

Section: Moreton Bay Study Regionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling cohesive sediment dynamics in Moreton Bay

Hutley¹

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Many ports around the world require maintenance of engineered navigational channels, for the safe passage and berthing of vessels, that suffer from sedimentation. Dredging is often performed on these vital navigational channels, an economically burdening and traditionally ecologically risky operation. Moreton Bay is a subtropical semi-enclosed waterbody of high value on the east coast of Australia that has been impacted by anthropogenic development, particularly through natural vegetation clearing for agriculture. The Port of Brisbane operates and maintains a shipping channel through the bay and into the lower Brisbane river. A trailing suction hopper dredger is utilised to maintain the safe navigational depth of the channel. Much of the fine sediments dredged from the lower Brisbane river section of the channel is placed into a designated placement area nearby. The context of the sediment dynamics of the environment this material is being placed into and surrounding this placement area are not well understood. The sediment bed characteristics around this area of interest is thought to behave cohesively. A three-dimensional numerical model of Moreton Bay was developed using open source Delft3D (Deltares, Delft, The Netherlands) focusing on cohesive sediment transport processes. Calibration and two validation stages were carried out on the modelled hydrodynamics in order to reduce the large range of uncertainty in the sediment transport computations. A subsequent investigation was then undertaken into the relative modelled scales of response and variability surrounding the tidal and wind driven suspension within a defined 10x10 km study area enclosing the Mud Island placement area within Moreton Bay. Following from this, the model was utilised to predict a dredge material placement scenario that would later be monitored. In conducting these investigations, a contextualised understanding of the significance of dredge material placements within the Mud Island placement area was developed, along with further understanding of the dynamics of suspended material around this environment in which dredge material is being placed into. It was found from the modelled scale of response in the study area, that approximately 10% of the total bed disturbance resulting in suspension was directly due to tidal forcing over 2015 and 2016. However, large wind events generating at least 10-fold greater suspended sediment in the study area and occurring less than 10% of the time in 2015 and 2016 would have been the driver of more than 50% of the total amount of bed disturbance resulting in suspension inside the study area. These results are contrasted by the results of both model predictions and field observations of a dredge material placement event in the Mud Island placement area which suggest placement events have a very localised effect on elevated sediment concentrations spanning and lasting less than 1 km and 3 hours in space and time.

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La Niña Pushes an Endangered Temperate Soft Coral Species to the Brink of Localised Extinction

Larkin,

Davis,

Harasti

et al. 2023

Estuaries and Coasts

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Extreme weather events such as floods are becoming more frequent, and pose a substantial threat to Australia’s nearshore marine communities. In March 2021, a 450 km stretch of the eastern NSW coastline experienced a La Niña-related rainfall event over several days, resulting in large volumes of freshwater ingress to marine systems. Port Stephens, an estuary 250 km north of Sydney, recorded its highest week of rainfall on record. This was followed by two more flood events in March 2022 and June 2022. Prior to 2021, the marine-dominant Eastern Port of Port Stephens was home to the world’s largest aggregations of Dendronephthya australis, an endangered species of soft coral endemic to the south-east coast of Australia. Using data from a 2019–2022 D. australis monitoring program in Port Stephens, spanning the unprecedented series of flood events in 2021–2022, we detail the impacts of flood events on the population. Prior to the floods, aggregations of colonies were persisting, and individuals were growing at two of the four monitored sites. However, flooding in March 2021 caused a 91% decline in the remaining areal extent of D. australis. Modelling of likely causative factors highlighted water depth as the most significant environmental variable correlated with coral loss. Corals in shallower waters experienced lower salinity and were the most impacted. Continued monitoring during 2021 and 2022 documented the loss of all remaining aggregations in the estuary after further La Niña-related rainfall events, to the point where D. australis is now on the brink of localised extinction.

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The impact of a high magnitude flood on metal pollution in a shallow subtropical estuarine embayment

Cited by 25 publications

References 68 publications

A benthic bioindicator reveals distinct land and ocean–Based influences in an urbanized coastal embayment

A benthic bioindicator reveals distinct land and ocean–Based influences in an urbanized coastal embayment

Modelling cohesive sediment dynamics in Moreton Bay

La Niña Pushes an Endangered Temperate Soft Coral Species to the Brink of Localised Extinction

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