Short-Term Variability of Nutrients and Fecal Indicator Bacteria within the Gold Coast Seaway, Southern Moreton Bay (Australia)

• DOI: 10.2112/jcoastres-d-10-00065.1
• Publication Date: 2011-12-29T20:48:29Z
• Authors: R. J. K. Dunn; K. Catterall; A. Hollingsworth; S. Kirkpatrick; G. Capati; S. Hudson; S. Khan; J. G. Panther; G. Stuart; S. Szylkarski; P. R. Teasdale; R. B. Tomlinson; D. T. Welsh
• Keywords: Indicator bacteria

Significant urban development surrounding the Gold Coast Broadwater and upper catchment has resulted in concerns about degrading water quality of estuarine system. The Seaway plays an important role exchange oceanic waters influencing intertidal region. Water within immediately adjacent was investigated three times at sample depths 13 locations. Conductivity, temperature, depth casts, total (nitrogen phosphorus) dissolved inorganic (NOx NH4 ) nutrients, fecal indicator bacteria were measured hourly intervals to compare under different tidal conditions each location. Hydrological data also collected. From these measurements, intratidal variability determined. Observed current velocities ranged from 0.001 0.909 m s−1 0.018 1.8 during neap spring tide periods, respectively. Physical parameters nutrient concentrations demonstrated typical cyclic variations, with influence diurnal cycles apparent. Near minimum maximum generally observed high low water, respectively, indicating flood tides ebb tides. correlations between surface salinity values nitrogen phosphorus concentrations. Fecal coliforms Enterococcus spp. (<60 colony-forming units per 100 mL−1), no significant trends apparent concentration location, depth, or phase.