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Okoffo ED, Tan E, Grinham A, Gaddam SMR, Yip JYH, Twomey AJ, Thomas KV, Bostock H. Plastic pollution in Moreton Bay sediments, Southeast Queensland, Australia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 920:170987. [PMID: 38365023 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
The mounting issue of plastic waste in the aquatic ecosystem is a growing source of concern. Most plastic waste originates on land and a significant proportion of this eventually finds its way into the marine environment, which is widely regarded as a major repository for plastic debris. Currently, there exists a substantial gap in our understanding of how much plastic, the main polymer types, and the distribution of plastic in the marine environment. This study aimed to provide information on mass concentrations of a range of plastics in the surface sediments in the semi-enclosed Moreton Bay, just offshore the large city of Brisbane, Southeast Queensland, Australia. Surface sediment samples were quantitatively analysed for a suite of 7 common plastic polymer types (i.e., polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), poly-(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)) using a pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) followed by double-shot microfurnace pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC/MS). The advantage of this approach is that it can measure plastics below the limit of visual detection. The study revealed that Σ7plastics were consistently present in the samples, although the concentrations displayed a wide range of concentrations from 3.3 to 2194.2 μg/g across different sites. Among the polymers analysed, PE and PVC were found at the highest concentrations, ranging from 2.3 to 1885.9 μg/g and 3.0-979.5 μg/g, respectively. Based on the average concentrations of plastics measured, the dry bulk density and volume of sediments within the top 10 cm of the bay, it was estimated that there is a minimum of 7000 t of plastics stored in the surface sediments of the bay. This study is the first to report the mass concentrations of identified plastics and identify the main polymer types in Moreton Bay. This is important information to develop management plans to reduce the plastic waste entering the coastal marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvis D Okoffo
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Emmeline Tan
- School of the Environment, Faculty of Science, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Alistair Grinham
- School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology, University of Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Josie Yee Hang Yip
- School of the Environment, Faculty of Science, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Alice J Twomey
- School of the Environment, Faculty of Science, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Kevin V Thomas
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Helen Bostock
- School of the Environment, Faculty of Science, The University of Queensland, 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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Grinham A, Deering N, Beecroft R, Rudd J, Heatherington C, Cossu R, Linde M, Richardson D, Wilson C, Hutley N, Albert S. Event loading drives distribution of the organochlorine pesticide metabolite DDE in a sub-tropical river system, Brisbane River, Australia. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 170:112671. [PMID: 34217054 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Past catchment practices can contribute to environmental impacts for decades following their cessation. We examine the distribution of the prevalent organochlorine pesticide, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites (DDE, DDD) in the sediments of a sub-tropical river system (Brisbane River, Australia). This study aimed to identify sources of DDT, DDE, DDD into the lower reaches of the Brisbane River. Annual sediment sampling of the lower Brisbane River over a period of 15 years (2001-2015) revealed a significant increase in sediment DDT, DDE and DDD content following major floods. A regional survey detected elevated sediment DDT, DDE and DDD content at 32 of 79 sites sampled; however, these were generally below guideline trigger values. DDE was the sole fraction at all but one site with creek systems dominated by intensive cropping practices identified as legacy sources and major flood events as a driver of elevated sediment DDE content in the lower reaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alistair Grinham
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.
| | - Nathaniel Deering
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Ryan Beecroft
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Jessica Rudd
- Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd., Port of Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Craig Heatherington
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Remo Cossu
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Michael Linde
- Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd., Port of Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Craig Wilson
- Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd., Port of Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicholas Hutley
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Simon Albert
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
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Beale DJ, Crosswell J, Karpe AV, Metcalfe SS, Morrison PD, Staley C, Ahmed W, Sadowsky MJ, Palombo EA, Steven ADL. Seasonal metabolic analysis of marine sediments collected from Moreton Bay in South East Queensland, Australia, using a multi-omics-based approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 631-632:1328-1341. [PMID: 29727957 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic effects of urban density have altered natural ecosystems. Such changes include eutrophication of freshwater and adjoining coastal habitats, and increased levels of inorganic nutrients and pollutants into waterways. In Australia, these changes are intensified by large-scale ocean-atmospheric events, leading to considerable abiotic stress on the natural flora and fauna. Bacterial communities in marine sediments from Moreton Bay (South East Queensland, Australia) were examined in order to assess the impact of rainfall changes, chemical pollution, and subsequent abiotic stress on living organisms within a marine ecosystem. Sediments were collected during the wet and dry seasons and analyzed using bacterial metagenomics and community metabolomics techniques. Physicochemical data were also analyzed to account for biological variance that may be due to non-rainfall-based abiotic stresses. Wet-dry seasonality was the dominant control on bacterial community structure and metabolic function. Changes in the availability of nutrients, organic matter and light appeared to be the major seasonal stressors. In contrast, urban and industrial pollutants appeared to be minor stressors at the sites sampled. During the wet season, the bacterial community composition reflected organisms that utilize biogeochemical pathways with fast kinetics, such as aerobic metabolism, direct assimilation of inorganic compounds, and primary production. The transition to the dry season saw the bacterial community composition shift towards organisms that utilize more complex organic energy sources, such as carbohydrates and fatty acids, and anaerobic redox processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Beale
- CSIRO Land & Water, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - J Crosswell
- CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - A V Karpe
- CSIRO Land & Water, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - S S Metcalfe
- CSIRO Land & Water, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - P D Morrison
- Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science, School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia.
| | - C Staley
- Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.
| | - W Ahmed
- CSIRO Land & Water, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - M J Sadowsky
- Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.
| | - E A Palombo
- Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia.
| | - A D L Steven
- CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
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Grinham A, Dunbabin M, Albert S. Importance of sediment organic matter to methane ebullition in a sub-tropical freshwater reservoir. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 621:1199-1207. [PMID: 29054653 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This paper summarises the results of an extensive field campaign which demonstrates that high sediment organic matter is the primary driver of methane ebullition in a sub-tropical, freshwater reservoir. Methane emissions from freshwater reservoirs represent an important global methane source. Whilst diffusive methane fluxes are commonly used for predicting total emissions, recent studies show that the under-reported ebullitive fluxes can vary by over three orders of magnitude within an individual system and have a greater relative contribution compared to diffusion. Key to predicting this variability in emission rates is to better understand the primary drivers of different emission pathways, and in particular ebullition. Zones of catchment derived organic material as well as elevated water column chlorophyll a concentration have been associated with increased rates of ebullition. Little Nerang Dam (LND), a subtropical freshwater reservoir in Queensland Australia, consistently experiences high rates of ebullition adjacent to major inflow arms that are both deposition zones of catchment organic material as well as areas with elevated water column chlorophyll a concentration. A year-long study of emission rates was undertaken on LND during which water column chlorophyll a concentration, bottom water temperature and sediment organic matter content were assessed for methane ebullition potential. This included a transect with high-spatial sampling (259 sites) from the dam wall to the ebullition zones to explore the relationship between water column chlorophyll a concentration, sediment organic matter content and methane ebullition. These results showed that ebullition was associated with the large forest litter deposits adjacent to major inflow sites where sediment organic matter content was significantly higher compared with the main body of the reservoir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alistair Grinham
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Matthew Dunbabin
- Institute for Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Simon Albert
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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Near-Bed Monitoring of Suspended Sediment during a Major Flood Event Highlights Deficiencies in Existing Event-Loading Estimates. WATER 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/w10020034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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