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Water quality assessment

Water quality at Horseshoe Bay jetty is assessed as being in good, moderate or poor condition by interpreting water chemistry and algal data. >> More

Water quality classification for October 2005 to March 2006

Indicator	Ecosystem	Recreation	Aquaculture
Ammonia	Good	NA	Good
Oxidised Nitrogen	Good	NA	NA
Total Nitrogen	Good	NA	NA
Total Phosphorus	Good	NA	NA
Turbidity	Good	Good	NA
Chlorophyll (a)	Poor	NA	NA
Heavy Metals	Poor	NA	Poor
Bacteria	NA	Good	NA

Notes NA = not applicable

For this sampling period chlorophyll (a) was classified as poor. Previously it has been classified as moderate Elevated chlorophyll (a) is probably due to the effect of excess nutrients most likely as a result of fertilisers or animal wastes being washed off nearby catchments during storms.Heavy metals were classified as poor due to slightly elevated copper concentrations. These heavy metals can come from runoff from roads and galvanised iron roofs. All other classifications are consistent with previous results.

Water quality classification for April to September 2005

Indicator	Ecosystem	Recreation	Aquaculture
Ammonia	Good	NA	Good
Oxidised Nitrogen	Good	NA	NA
Total Nitrogen	Good	NA	NA
Total Phosphorus	Good	NA	NA
Turbidity	Good	Good	NA
Chlorophyll (a)	Good	NA	NA
Heavy Metals	Poor	NA	Poor
Bacteria	NA	Good	NA

Notes NA = not applicable

Heavy metals were classified as poor, which is most likely due to urban runoff containing heavy metals washing off roads and galvanised iron roofs.

This page was last modified 31-07-2007