Publication Abstract

Terrestrial discharge into the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon: Distribution of riverwaters and pollutant concentrations during flood plumes

Terrestrial discharge into the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon: Distribution of riverwaters and pollutant concentrations during flood plumes

M. Devlin, J. Waterhouse and J. Brodie

This paper summarises the extent and movement of river waters entering the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) from the adjacent catchment. The spatial extent of freshwater plumes in the GBR over the last ten years was correlated with weather and flow conditions. Since 1991 plume movement has been mapped by aerial flyovers. Coverages were created and combined to illustrate the general plume movement in the GBR lagoon. Plume distribution and pollutant concentrations are controlled by a number of factors, particularly wind direction and speed. South-easterly winds are dominant, pushing plume water north and close to the coast. High concentrations of sediments and nutrients are initially present in the plume, however sediments tend to settle out rapidly close to the shore. By measuring flood plume distribution and pollutant concentration, reef hot spots can be identified. These are areas where the reefs are likely to experience extreme water quality conditions associated with flood plumes on an annual basis, in close proximity to catchments with greatest pollutant export.

Reference:

M. Devlin, J. Waterhouse and J. Brodie (2002) Terrestrial discharge into the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon: Distribution of riverwaters and pollutant concentrations during flood plumes. Proceedings of the 9th International Coral Reef Symposium. October, 2000. Bali, Indonesia. 2, 1205-1211

*M. Devlin, J. Waterhouse and J. Brodie

Proceedings of the 9th International Coral Reef Symposium. October, 2000. Bali, Indonesia. 2, 1205-1211