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Huang J, Coates-Marnane J, Faggotter SJ, Grinham A, Burford MA. Sources of nutrients fuelling post-flood phytoplankton biomass in a subtropical bay. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 206:116704. [PMID: 39004060 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Extreme rainfall from an ex-tropical cyclone caused a major flood event in the Logan River system in southeast Queensland, Australia. This resulted in a significant flood plume, containing nutrients and sediment, being discharged into the adjacent estuary/Bay system. The spatial extent of higher phytoplankton biomass (Chl a) matched the distribution of higher nutrient and sediment concentrations post-flood, suggesting nutrients fuelled phytoplankton production. Particulate nitrogen (PN) constituted over 50 % of total nitrogen in floodwaters, with lower proportions of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and phosphate (PO4-P). Phytoplankton utilised DIN rapidly but may have maintained growth due to the release of ammonia from suspended sediments and microbial mineralisation of particulate organic nitrogen. Ammonia release from intertidal sediments contributed minimally (0.85 %) to daily phytoplankton nitrogen demands. Our study highlights the need to understand the fate of particulate nitrogen in coastal systems and its role in stimulating phytoplankton growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyin Huang
- Australian Rivers Institute, Logan campus, 86 University Dr, Meadowbrook, Queensland, QLD 4131, Australia
| | - Jack Coates-Marnane
- Australian Rivers Institute, Logan campus, 86 University Dr, Meadowbrook, Queensland, QLD 4131, Australia
| | - Stephen J Faggotter
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Logan campus, 86 University Dr, Meadowbrook, QLD, 4131, Australia
| | - Alistair Grinham
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 2072, Australia
| | - Michele A Burford
- Australian Rivers Institute, Logan campus, 86 University Dr, Meadowbrook, Queensland, QLD 4131, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Logan campus, 86 University Dr, Meadowbrook, QLD, 4131, Australia.
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Grinham A, Costantini T, Deering N, Jackson C, Klein C, Lovelock C, Pandolfi J, Eyal G, Linde M, Dunbabin M, Duncan B, Hutley N, Byrne I, Wilson C, Albert S. Nitrogen loading resulting from major floods and sediment resuspension to a large coastal embayment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170646. [PMID: 38325481 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Major floods pose a severe threat to coastal receiving environments, negatively impacting environmental health and ecosystem services through direct smothering with sediment and nutrient loading. This study examined the short and long-term impacts of the February 2022 major flood event on mud extent and sediment nitrogen flux in Moreton Bay (the Bay), a large, sub-tropical embayment in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Short-term impacts were assessed three days after the flood peak by sampling surface water at 47 sites in the direction of the predominant circulation pattern. Longer-term impacts were assessed by undertaking an intensive sediment survey of 223 sites and a nutrient flux experiment using sediment core incubations to simulate calm and resuspension conditions for the four key sediment classes. Short-term impacts revealed elevated turbidity levels extended across the Bay but were highest at the Brisbane River mouth, ammonium concentrations varied inversely with surface turbidity, whereas nitrate concentrates closely tracked surface turbidity. The sediment survey confirmed fine sediment deposition across 98 % of the Bay. Porewater within the upper 10 cm contained a standing pool of 280 t of ammonium, with concentrations more than three orders of magnitude higher than overlying surface waters. The nutrient flux experiment revealed an order of magnitude higher sediment ammonium flux rate in the sandy mud sediment class compared to the other sediment classes; and for simulated resuspension conditions compared to calm conditions for sand, muddy sand, and mud sediment classes. Scaling across the whole Bay, we estimated a mean annual sediment flux of 17,700 t/year ammonium, with a range of 13,500 to 21,900 t/year. Delivery of fine sediments by major floods over the last 50 years now impact >98 % of the benthic zone and provide a major loading pathway of available nitrogen to surface waters of Moreton Bay; representing a significant threat to ecosystem health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alistair Grinham
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | | | - Nathaniel Deering
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Carissa Klein
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Catherine Lovelock
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - John Pandolfi
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Gal Eyal
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Michael Linde
- Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd., Brisbane, QLD 4178, Australia
| | - Matthew Dunbabin
- Biopixel Oceans Foundation, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Brendon Duncan
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Nicholas Hutley
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ilha Byrne
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Craig Wilson
- Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd., Brisbane, QLD 4178, Australia
| | - Simon Albert
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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Dunn RJK, Doriean NJC, Bennett WW, Welsh DT, Purandare J, Tomlinson RB. Baseline water quality of the Gold Coast Broadwater, southern Moreton Bay (Australia). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114234. [PMID: 36257244 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study establishes baseline water quality characteristics for the Gold Coast Broadwater, southern Moreton Bay (Australia) utilising routinely monitored parameters between 2016 and 2021, across 18 sites. Combined site mean concentrations of NOx-N, NH3-N and total nitrogen were 11.4 ± 33.4 μg/L, 12.7 ± 27.2 μg/L, and 169 ± 109 μg/L, respectively, whilst PO4-P and total phosphorous were 7.30 ± 5.10 μg/L and 21.7 ± 14.1 μg/L. Additionally, total suspended solids and turbidity combined site means were 6.6 ± 6.0 mg/L and 3.4 ± 2.9 NTU, respectively. During high rainfall periods nutrient concentrations increased by up to >200-, >150-, 15-, 12- and >12-fold for NOx-N, NH3-N, TN, PO4-P and TP, respectively, compared to quiescent conditions. Furthermore, TSS and NTU values increased by up to 15- and 40-fold during periods of measured rainfall compared to quiescent conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J K Dunn
- Coastal and Marine Research Centre, Griffith University, Southport 4215, Queensland, Australia; Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, Southport 4215, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Nicholas J C Doriean
- Coastal and Marine Research Centre, Griffith University, Southport 4215, Queensland, Australia; Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, Southport 4215, Queensland, Australia
| | - William W Bennett
- Coastal and Marine Research Centre, Griffith University, Southport 4215, Queensland, Australia; Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, Southport 4215, Queensland, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport 4215, Queensland, Australia
| | - David T Welsh
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport 4215, Queensland, Australia; Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes 5095, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jemma Purandare
- Coastal and Marine Research Centre, Griffith University, Southport 4215, Queensland, Australia; Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, Southport 4215, Queensland, Australia; Gold Coast Water and Waste, PO Box 5042, Gold Coast Mail Centre, 9726, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rodger B Tomlinson
- Coastal and Marine Research Centre, Griffith University, Southport 4215, Queensland, Australia; Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, Southport 4215, Queensland, Australia
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Shah RM, Crosswell J, Metcalfe SS, Carlin G, Morrison PD, Karpe AV, Palombo EA, Steven ADL, Beale DJ. Influence of Human Activities on Broad-Scale Estuarine-Marine Habitats Using Omics-Based Approaches Applied to Marine Sediments. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7100419. [PMID: 31590307 PMCID: PMC6843362 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7100419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid urban expansion and increased human activities have led to the progressive deterioration of many marine ecosystems. The diverse microbial communities that inhabit these ecosystems are believed to influence large-scale geochemical processes and, as such, analyzing their composition and functional metabolism can be a means to assessing an ecosystem’s resilience to physical and chemical perturbations, or at the very least provide baseline information and insight into future research needs. Here we show the utilization of organic and inorganic contaminant screening coupled with metabolomics and bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing to assess the microbial community structure of marine sediments and their functional metabolic output. The sediments collected from Moreton Bay (Queensland, Australia) contained low levels of organic and inorganic contaminants, typically below guideline levels. The sequencing dataset suggest that sulfur and nitrite reduction, dehalogenation, ammonia oxidation, and xylan degradation were the major metabolic functions. The community metabolites suggest a level of functional homogeneity down the 40-cm core depth sampled, with sediment habitat identified as a significant driver for metabolic differences. The communities present in river and sandy channel samples were found to be the most active, with the river habitats likely to be dominated by photoheterotrophs that utilized carbohydrates, fatty acids and alcohols as well as reduce nitrates to release atmospheric nitrogen and oxidize sulfur. Bioturbated mud habitats showed overlapping faunal activity between riverine and sandy ecosystems. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria and lignin-degrading bacteria were most abundant in the sandy channel and bioturbated mud, respectively. The use of omics-based approaches provide greater insight into the functional metabolism of these impacted habitats, extending beyond discrete monitoring to encompassing whole community profiling that represents true phenotypical outputs. Ongoing omics-based monitoring that focuses on more targeted pathway analyses is recommended in order to quantify the flux changes within these systems and establish variations from these baseline measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan M Shah
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, P. O. Box 218, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia.
| | - Joseph Crosswell
- Oceans and Atmosphere, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, P. O. Box 2583, Dutton Park, QLD 4001, Australia.
| | - Suzanne S Metcalfe
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, P. O. Box 2583, Dutton Park, QLD 4001, Australia.
| | - Geoffrey Carlin
- Oceans and Atmosphere, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, P. O. Box 2583, Dutton Park, QLD 4001, Australia.
| | - Paul D Morrison
- Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science, School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia.
| | - Avinash V Karpe
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, P. O. Box 2583, Dutton Park, QLD 4001, Australia.
| | - Enzo A Palombo
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, P. O. Box 218, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia.
| | - Andy D L Steven
- Oceans and Atmosphere, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, P. O. Box 2583, Dutton Park, QLD 4001, Australia.
| | - David J Beale
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, P. O. Box 2583, Dutton Park, QLD 4001, Australia.
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Kwan BKY, Cheung SG, Chan AKY, Shin PKS. Trophic and growth baseline of dominant subtidal gastropods in contrasting subtropical marine environments. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 127:396-405. [PMID: 29475677 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Using 13C/12C, 15N/14N and 18O/16O isotopes, the trophic relationship and growth estimation were analyzed in gastropods Nassarius siquijorensis, Murex trapa and Turritella bacillum and their potential food sources and predators in summer and winter from estuarine and oceanic environments in subtropical Hong Kong. Results of δ13C and δ15N values and isotopic mixing model revealed N. siquijorensis and M. trapa were one trophic level higher than T. bacillum, in which its main food source was particulate organic matter (POM) whereas N. siquijorensis largely consumed POM and polychaetes and M. trapa also preyed on other gastropods. Crabs were the major predator of gastropods. Organisms collected from oceanic waters were more 13C enriched than from estuarine waters, reflecting different carbon food sources from marine or terrestrial origin. The δ18O profile from shell carbonate suggested these gastropods were one to two years old. T. bacillum exhibited faster summer growth than the other two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Billy K Y Kwan
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Qinzhou University, China; College of Ocean, Qinzhou University, China; Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, China
| | - S G Cheung
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Alice K Y Chan
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Paul K S Shin
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, China.
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Lockington JR, Albert S, Fisher PL, Gibbes BR, Maxwell PS, Grinham AR. Dramatic increase in mud distribution across a large sub-tropical embayment, Moreton Bay, Australia. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 116:491-497. [PMID: 28040248 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Revised: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Major flood events can dramatically alter the coastal sediment environment. This study established the current sediment distribution in a large sub-tropical embayment, Moreton Bay, Australia, and examined the effect of three recent floods on modifying this distribution. In 2015, surface sediment samples were collected from 223 sites across the study area and analysed for particle size distribution with the resultant sediment distribution mapped. In addition, sampling of flood waters during two major events in 2011 and 2013 was undertaken and particle size distribution of suspended sediment was determined. Data was compared to the result of an earlier large-scale survey completed in 1970, with three large flood events occurring between the two surveys. The sediment environment has undergone a dramatic change with muddy sediments now covering an estimated area of over 860km2, more the double the area found in 1970. Mud is now the dominant sediment type within Moreton Bay.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Lockington
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Simon Albert
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Paul L Fisher
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Badin R Gibbes
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Paul S Maxwell
- Health Waterways, 200 Creek Street, Spring Hill, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alistair R Grinham
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Estuary Form and Function: Implications for Palaeoecological Studies. APPLICATIONS OF PALEOENVIRONMENTAL TECHNIQUES IN ESTUARINE STUDIES 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-024-0990-1_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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8
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Nitrogen versus phosphorus limitation in a subtropical coastal embayment (Moreton Bay; Australia): Implications for management. Ecol Modell 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2010.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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