Monitoring mangrove creek systems for prawn pond effluent effects in north Queensland

Surface water concentrations of ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, DON, DOP, chlorophyll a, were sampled monthly in two tropical, tidally-dominated creeks in north Queensland for 30 months between October 1993 and May 1996. Climatic factors (rainfall and temperature), and physico-chemical information from the creeks (salinity, pH, DO, temperature) were analysed using ANOVA and multiple regression. Seasonal and climatic fluctuations were significantly correlated with fluctuations in several of the observed parameters. The dynamics of salinity at upstream and downstream locations in the creeks was the major factor which had a significant effect on the dynamics of the nutrient and chlorophyll a concentrations. Rainfall in the catchment area feeding these creeks is also significantly correlated with associated fluctuations in concentrations of dissolved nutrients and chlorophyll a. Natural fluctuations in climatic events, as demonstrated here, need to be taken into account when assessing the relative impact of human activities upon the same ecosystem.. To identify potential environmental impact of prawn farm aquaculture discharge on adjacent tidal mangrove creeks and forests. This project was conducted under contract from Mossman Central Mill Co. Ltd. Research was centred on Muddy Creek adjacent to the Sea Ranch Pty Ltd prawn aquaculture facility.Additional information in database: monthly mangrove forest litter fall, mangrove soil salinity, mangrove soil nutrients.