Benthic Nutrient Fluxes in Smiths Lake, NSW

Geoscience Australia conducted a survey of benthic nutrient fluxes in Smiths Lake , during February 2003, to gather baseline data for the ongoing management of the waterway by the Great Lakes Council. The objectives were to:
1. measure the nutrient (and other metabolite) fluxes across the sediment-water interface;
2. assess the trophic condition of the two selected sites in Smiths Lake; and
3. describe key processes controlling the nutrient fluxes across the sediment-water interface at each of the two sites.

The site in the larger western basin (SL2) had a higher carbon loading than the site in the smaller eastern basin (SL1). As a result, denitrification efficiencies have been reduces and more nitrogen retained in the system. Given the long residence time of the water in Smiths Lake, there is a threat of deteriorating water quality if nutrient inputs from the catchment are increased.