Flood plumes in the Great Barrier Reef : spatial and temporal patterns in composition and distribution
ResearchOnline at James Cook University (James Cook University)Published 1 November 2001
Michelle Devlin, Jane Waterhouse, J. N. Luthin and G. S. Taylor, Jon Brodie
Citations139
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Abstract
Protecting water quality in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area is recognised as one \nof the major challenges facing management of the area. One of the most important processes \ndirectly impacting the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is the input of terrestrially derived nutrients \nand sediments to nearshore regions. This mainly occurs via river run-off, especially during \nperiods of intense rainfall typically associated with tropical cyclones. Flood plumes occur at \na time when the majority of inputs into the GBR lagoon are at peak concentrations and reefs \nand other inshore marine ecosystems then experience the highest concentrations of \npollutants. The principal threat to the water quality of the reef arises from changes to the \ncomposition of the riverine discharge due to changed land use on coastal catchments. The \ncharacteristics of the plume water, including salinity, nutrients, sediment and toxicants pose \na range of potential threats to the health of inshore ecosystems.
Keywords
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