Archived water quality assessments
Ecological health
We collect two samples of macroinvertebrates, one from riffle
(or flowing water) habitat and one from edge (still water) habitat.
The diversity of the macroinvertebrate community is used to describe
ecological health as being in good,
moderate or poor
condition.
Ecological health assessment for December 2005
| Habitat |
Ecological health
|
| Edge |
Good
|
| Riffle |
Good
|
The edge and riffle habitats at this site are almost always rated
in good condition.
Ecological health assessment for May 2005
| Habitat |
Ecological health
|
| Edge |
Good
|
| Riffle |
Good
|
Water chemistry
The indicators that are measured in the Hindmarsh River are nutrients
(nitrogen and phosphorus), turbidity and salinity.
The concentrations of these indicators are used to classify the
water chemistry as being in good,
moderate or poor
condition, according to the needs of aquatic ecosystem protection.
Water chemistry classification for October 2005 to March 2006
|
Indicator
|
Classification
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Moderate
|
|
|
Poor
|
|
|
Poor
|
|
|
Good
|
These classifications are consistent with previous results. Nitrogen
and phosphorus levels can be elevated by fertilisers or animal
wastes being washed off farms during storms.
Water chemistry classification for April to September 2005
|
Indicator
|
Classification
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Poor
|
|
|
Poor
|
|
|
Good
|
Total phosphorus levels can be elevated by fertilisers or animal
wastes being washed off farms during storms or due to effluent
outfalls. The poor phosphorus results for the recent samples are
consistent with previous results.
This page was last modified 13-09-2007
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