Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) Vanuatu water sampling results September 2023

Under the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) water quality data was collected around Efate island in Vanuatu during September 2023. Sampling was focused on rivers around the island, Port Vila Bay, and Emten Lagoon. Sites were visited opportunistically once for nutrient analysis (total suspended solids (TSS) (mg/L); Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonium, Phosphate and Silicate (µmol/L); Chlorophyll-a and Phaeophytin-a (µg/L)), while microbiology sites were visited up to 4 times to assess daily fluctuations (reported as Colony Forming Units (CFU/100ml) counts). Passive samplers were deployed for 5-7 days to assess accumulation of metals (Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Nickel, Zinc, Iron, Copper and Manganese (µg/l (ppb))) at fixed locations.

At each site, a CTD (Conductivity-Temperature-Depth) probe was used to establish water depth and surface temperature, before surface water samples were collected. Water samples were then taken for nutrients analysis. These were stored in cool boxes and filtered on the same day of collection, then filter papers were transported to the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia for full chlorophyll analysis. Microbiology samples were processed immediately in country at the Vanuatu Bureau of Standard. Passive samplers were stored in a fridge, before being transported in a cool box back to the UK and processed at the Cefas laboratory.