Water quality monitoring will be carried out in the nearshore waters of the Great Barrier Reef to assess change over time in concentrations of key water quality indicators. Monitoring of marine water quality is required to establish the extent of improvement in lagoon water quality as a consequence of any reductions in delivery of pollutants to the marine environment. This monitoring will include the measurement of chlorophyll as a surrogate nutrient indicator, as well as the measurement of water turbidity and pesticide and pharmaceutically active compound concentrations at key inshore reef sites. Sampling methods will include state of the art water quality sensors with long-term data logging capacity to minimise fieldwork in the marine environment. Sampling of marine sediments will also be carried where necessary to assess long- term change in the accumulation of pesticides in the seafloor if these types of pollutants are being sequestered. Outcomes: Information about current status and long-term (10 year) trends in water quality and marine ecosystem status in the GBRWHA
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Organisation Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA)
Name David Haynes
Phone 07 4750 0853
Email d.haynes@gbrmpa.gov.au
Position in organisation Co-ordinator of water quality, research and monitoring
Monitoring Type Water Quality
Monitoring Indicators Various marine water quality indicators
Monitoring location Great Barrier Reef Wide
Frequency of monitoring
Monitoring Start Date 01/01/2005
Monitoring End Date 30/06/2005
Location of monitoring data GBRMPA
Date quality / confidence Scientific
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