Water quality monitoring in the Mary River catchment
Details:
Title
Water quality monitoring in the Mary River catchment,
Other title
A report to the Natural Heritage Trust,
Creator
Schultz, Tim J.,
Townsend, Simon A.,
Edwards, Cyrus. A.,
Dostine, Peter L,
Collection
E-Publications,
E-Books,
PublicationNT,
42/2002,
Date
2002-11-01,
Location
Mary River Region,
Description
As shown by NLWRA (2002), the condition of the Mary River catchment is far better than most in Australia. However, as the expansion of human influence and development in the catchment increases, there is a growing recognition of the need for careful management of the catchment, especially given its multiple uses (Anon. 1998, 2001, Armstrong et al. 2002). An understanding of background or baseline levels is vital to determine if these uses are impacting on the water quality of the catchment. Before the present study, there was some information on the lower catchment, but scant data on the upper catchment. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to determine the “baseline” water quality parameters of the upper catchment, and then to bring together the earlier, somewhat disjointed studies on the lower catchment. The other main aim of the project was to examine the current and proposed uses of the catchment in relation to the potential threats they place to the health of the catchment via impacts on water quality. We examined, for example, the discharge from mine sites, the state of the riparian zone, possible effects from cattle grazing, the causes of fish kills, and the fate of outboard engine pollutants. We also wanted to know the best way to detect potential future impacts. This entailed a detailed investigation into seasonal changes within billabongs and differences between nearby billabongs, and a determination of the most efficient sampling techniques to determine potential impacts from future development of the catchment.,
Made available via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).,
Notes
Logo on Cover: Natural Heritage Trust and Northern Territory Government,
Made available via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).,
Table of contents
Executive summary -- Project report -- Introduction -- Methods -- The ecological status of the aquatic environment -- Monitoring and management issues for the aquatic environment -- References -- Appendix 1-4,
Language
English,
Subject
Water Quality,
Catchments,
Riprarian vegetation,
Land and water use,
Publisher name
Northern Territory. Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment,
Northern Territory Government,
Place of publication
Darwin,
Series
42/2002,
Now known as
Northern Territory. Department of Environment and Natural Resources,