Benthic Nutrient Fluxes in Wallis Lake, NSW - February 2003

Geoscience Australia conducted a survey to measure the benthic nutrient fluxes in Wallis Lake, during February 2003. The objectives were to:
1. measure the nutrient (and other metabolite) fluxes across the sediment-water interface at sites in Pipers Creek, Muddy Creek, Wallis Creek and in the Central Basin of Wallis Lake;
2. describe key processes controlling the nutrient fluxes across the sediment-water interface at each of the four sites; and
3. determine the trophic state and assess the estuarine condition of the four selected sites in Wallis Lake.

The results of this recent summertime survey were compared to the observations made during the winter survey conducted in June, 2000.

Pipers Creek and muddy Creek were similar in that they were both poorly flushed and close to nutrient discharges. These sites are at risk of experiencing eutrophic conditions. Wallis Creek had a high carbon loading, however the presence of seagrass and high denitrification efficiencies means this site remains in a 'good condition. Similarly, the Central Basin remains in a 'good' condition despite an increase in the carbon loading between winter and summer.