“Enhanced runoff of terrestrial nutrients (esp. N and P) into the Great Barrier Reef as a result of human land use in the GBR catchment is regarded as a threat to the health and status of reef and coastal benthic ecosystems. As external nutrients are rapidly and largely taken up by phytoplankton, concentrations of chlorophyll a, provide a robust and convenient index of nutrient availability and nutrient-related water quality status. An increase in chlorophyll concentration can be regarded as indicative of increased nutrient availability and eutrophication.
To maintain a watch on regional water quality status and trends within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, GBRMPA established water quality sampling sites throughout the park. Basic water quality parameters (temperature, salinity, surface chlorophyll, water transparency) have been sampled have been sampled since 1992 at regular intervals by tourism operators and the Queensland National Park & Wildlife Service. The chlorophyll analyses have been undertaken by AIMS. This task transfers the chlorophyll monitoring program from GBRMPA to the CRC to be managed by AIMS with the intention that the latter will develop a more cost-effective program including satellite remote sensing.”