Darwin Harbour in good health
Westra Van Holthe, Willem
Country Liberals
Media Releases for 12th Assembly 2012 - 2016; Media Releases; ParliamentNT
2015-03-04
Darwin
Made available by via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT)
English
Oceans; Marine life
Northern Territory Government
application/pdf
Issued as a Media Release
Northern Territory Government
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/254788
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/528215
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/528211; https://hdl.handle.net/10070/528213
24 Elizabeth River 2014 5.4 Elizabeth River Estuary The estuary is characterised by a relatively long residence time in the upper reaches compared to outer and middle parts of the harbour. The catchment area around the estuary is subject to increasing commercial and urban development with the mid to outer reaches characterised by port activities and other industrial development. Elizabeth River estuary indirectly receives licensed wastewater discharge from Myrmidon Creek, and sediment and nutrient loads from diffuse sources during the wet season. Figure 9 summarises the results of each water quality parameter measured at the Elizabeth River Estuary monitoring sites. Table 8 below reports median values and 20th-80th percentiles (compliance), minimum and maximum values of the data measured. Table 8 - Summary of water quality parameters measured in Elizabeth River estuary All water quality parameters measured complied with the WQOs: Water quality within the reporting zone of the Elizabeth River estuary is in excellent condition. pH and dissolved oxygen measured in upper parts were generally lower compared to those measured in more open parts of the harbour. Indicators Water Quality Objectives Elizabeth Upper min-max 20th-80th percentiles and (median) pH 6.5-8.5 7.3-8.05 7.4-7.7 (7.6) Dissolved oxygen (% saturation) 80-100 79.9-114.7 82-94 (89) Suspended solids (mg/L) <10 0.66-12.84 2.09 Chlorophyll a (g/L) <4 0.39-2.04 0.8 No (g/L) <20 3-30 9.5 Ammonia (g/L) <20 1-10 2.5 Total nitrogen (g/L) <300 120-260 170 Total phosphorus (g/L) <30 5-15 5 Filterable reactive phosphorus (g/L) <10 2-9 4 2014 rating A 24