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Lu J, Newham M, Chuang A, Burton J, Garzon-Garcia A, Burford MA. Factors driving impacts of different nitrogen sources on freshwater and marine green algae. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 208:116991. [PMID: 39332336 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116991] [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: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024]
Abstract
The response of marine and freshwater algal species to both point and non-point sources of nitrogen have not been directly compared. We compared the photosynthetic yield response (Fv/Fm) of nitrogen-starved freshwater and marine green microalgae after a 3-day exposure to fourteen treated wastewater and nine aquaculture farm effluent as well as twenty-three soil erosion sources. The combination of inorganic and organic nutrients, organic carbon, and carbon-to‑nitrogen ratios were most highly correlated with algal responses across all nitrogen sources (R2 = 0.69 for the freshwater species, and 0.63 for the marine species). The marine algal response also correlated with ammonium de-sorbed from sediment upon contact with marine waters. Our study highlights that organic carbon and salinity affect the bioavailability of nutrient sources for microalgae, although the mechanisms remain unclear. This provides new insights relevant to managing nitrogen pollution in both freshwater and coastal environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Lu
- Australian Rivers Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland 4111, Australia.
| | - Michael Newham
- Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, GPO Box 2454, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - Ann Chuang
- Australian Rivers Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Joanne Burton
- Council of Mayors, South East Queensland, PO Box 12995, George Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4003, Australia
| | - Alexandra Garzon-Garcia
- Australian Rivers Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland 4111, Australia; Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, GPO Box 2454, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - Michele A Burford
- Australian Rivers Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland 4111, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
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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] [MESH Headings] [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, Griffith University, Logan campus, 86 University Dr, Meadowbrook, Queensland, QLD 4131, Australia
| | - Jack Coates-Marnane
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, 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, 4072, Australia
| | - Michele A Burford
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, 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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Newham M, Olley J, Orr D, Ramsay I, Burton J. Temporal and spatial water quality impacts of point-source versus catchment-derived nitrogen loads in an urbanised estuary. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 931:172548. [PMID: 38643882 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The Brisbane River estuary is an anthropogenically-impacted waterway in southeast Queensland, Australia. The estuary is over 80 km long and flows through an urbanised region. It receives over 500 t per year of total nitrogen (N) from direct point-source discharges in addition to sporadic flood loads of N from an agriculturally impacted upper catchment. Comprehensive water quality monitoring data for the estuary have been collected from at least 2001. This monitoring data includes ambient nutrient concentrations in the estuary, nutrient concentration and volume of the catchment inflows, and nutrient concentration and volume of point source discharges. This long-term data from a range of sources was used to determine temporal and spatial variations in concentrations, forms, stores and loads of N along the estuary for the period 2001 to 2022. Results showed that, during low-flow periods, the store of N in the mid-upper estuary (33-81 km upstream) is significantly determined by point-source discharges to this reach, and therefore the store of N can be modelled. Model parameters are the daily point source loads, a point source load decay factor, and a background constant store. In the lower estuary (0-33 km upstream) N store can be accurately determined based on dilution with seawater, with point sources not having significant influence on total N in the reach. Total N from large flood events was found to largely pass through the estuary without detectable removal processes, delivering catchment derived N directly to coastal waters. This work informs potential application of nutrient offsets in the estuary, guiding where and when offset options will be effective to mitigate the water quality impacts of point-source nutrients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Newham
- Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, GPO Box 2454, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
| | - Jon Olley
- Australian Rivers Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - David Orr
- Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, GPO Box 2454, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - Ian Ramsay
- Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, GPO Box 2454, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - Joanne Burton
- Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, GPO Box 2454, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia; Council of Mayors South East Queensland, PO Box 12995, George Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4003, Australia
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Bahadori M, Chen C, Lewis S, Wang J, Shen J, Hou E, Rashti MR, Huang Q, Bainbridge Z, Stevens T. The origin of suspended particulate matter in the Great Barrier Reef. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5629. [PMID: 37699913 PMCID: PMC10497579 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41183-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
River run-off has long been regarded as the largest source of organic-rich suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), contributing to high turbidity, pollutant exposure and increasing vulnerability of coral reef to climate change. However, the terrestrial versus marine origin of the SPM in the GBR is uncertain. Here we provide multiple lines of evidence (13C NMR, isotopic and genetic fingerprints) to unravel that a considerable proportion of the terrestrially-derived SPM is degraded in the riverine and estuarine mixing zones before it is transported further offshore. The fingerprints of SPM in the marine environment were completely different from those of terrestrial origin but more consistent with that formed by marine phytoplankton. This result indicates that the SPM in the GBR may not have terrestrial origin but produced locally in the marine environment, which has significant implications on developing better-targeted management practices for improving water quality in the GBR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Bahadori
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Chengrong Chen
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
| | - Stephen Lewis
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Juntao Wang
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
- Global Centre for Land-Based Innovation, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Jupei Shen
- School of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Enqing Hou
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
| | - Mehran Rezaei Rashti
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Qiaoyun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zoe Bainbridge
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Tom Stevens
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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Lu J, Burton J, Garzon-Garcia A, Jackson C, Newham M, Bloesch P, Ramsay I, Rogers J, Griffith M, Saeck E, Burford MA. Scientific challenges and biophysical knowledge gaps for implementing nutrient offset projects. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 339:117902. [PMID: 37060695 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117902] [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: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Nutrient offsetting allows nutrient point source polluters to pay for diffuse source nutrient reductions, or improvements in nutrient load reductions from alternative point sources. These programs have the potential to provide a more cost-effective approach to achieve water quality goals in waterways compared to infrastructure upgrades. However, worldwide adoption of nutrient offset/trading has not been realized. Here, we identified the biophysical-chemical knowledge gaps that can act as barriers to adopting these programs and summarized areas where further research is needed. This includes a) evaluating if any appropriate spatial scale (local-, catchment-, or regional-scale) and time scale (especially for areas with dry/wet cycles) exists to achieve nutrient load management goals, and b) quantifying nutrient characteristic differences and load contributions between point and diffuse sources to determine possible offsets between the two. Where offsets are appropriate, there is also a need to 1) improve monitoring design and reduce modelling uncertainties to better quantify diffuse nutrient loads; 2) quantify and manage uncertainties in catchment interventions to reduce nutrient loads, and design effective long-term monitoring and maintenance to sustain intervention outcomes; 3) prioritize areas within catchments that are key nutrient sources for catchment interventions to achieve the optimal outcomes for nutrient load management and catchment and aquatic ecosystem health; and 4) develop methodologies to determine the environmental equivalency ratio between different nutrient sources in terms of ecosystem effects. This would include identifying the best metric to quantify equivalency ratios, determining discharge patterns for different nutrient sources, and linking this with ecosystem responses across seasons and in the downstream receiving environment. Addressing the identified knowledge gaps will improve the program feasibility assessment process as well as confidence and certainty in the environmental outcomes of nutrient offsetting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Lu
- Australian Rivers Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland, 4111, Australia.
| | - Joanne Burton
- Australian Rivers Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland, 4111, Australia; Department of Environment and Science, PO Box 5078, Brisbane, Queensland, 4001, Australia
| | - Alexandra Garzon-Garcia
- Australian Rivers Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland, 4111, Australia; Department of Environment and Science, PO Box 5078, Brisbane, Queensland, 4001, Australia
| | | | - Michael Newham
- Department of Environment and Science, PO Box 5078, Brisbane, Queensland, 4001, Australia
| | - Philip Bloesch
- Department of Environment and Science, PO Box 5078, Brisbane, Queensland, 4001, Australia
| | - Ian Ramsay
- Department of Environment and Science, PO Box 5078, Brisbane, Queensland, 4001, Australia
| | - Jenny Rogers
- Sydney Water, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Emily Saeck
- Healthy Land and Water, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michele A Burford
- Australian Rivers Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland, 4111, Australia
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Robson BJ, Lewis S, Kroon F, Fabricius K, Warne M, Wolanski E. Jon Brodie Memorial: The sources, fates and consequences of pollutants in tropical shelf systems. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 179:113669. [PMID: 35468473 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara J Robson
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Australia; AIMS@JCU, Australia.
| | - Stephen Lewis
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Eric Wolanski
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Australia
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Bainbridge Z, Lewis S, Stevens T, Petus C, Lazarus E, Gorman J, Smithers S. Measuring sediment grain size across the catchment to reef continuum: Improved methods and environmental insights. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 168:112339. [PMID: 33962086 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Sediments collected within freshwater, estuarine and marine habitats were used to trial various chemical and physical pre-treatments to develop a systematic protocol for grain-size analysis using laser diffraction. Application of this protocol mitigates the influence of bio-physical processes that may transform grain-size distributions, enabling the characterisation and quantification of 'primary' mineral sediments across the complex freshwater-marine continuum to be more reliably assessed. Application of the protocol to two Great Barrier Reef (Australia) river catchments and their estuaries reveals the ecologically relevant <20 μm fraction comprises a larger component of exported sediment than existing methods indicate. These findings are highly relevant when comparing measured data to grain-size-specific modelled sediment loads and water-quality targets. Finally, adoption of the protocol also improves the environmental interpretation of the influence of 'terrigenous sediment' in marine settings, including quantification of newly-delivered flood plume sediment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Bainbridge
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia.
| | - Stephen Lewis
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Thomas Stevens
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Caroline Petus
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Emily Lazarus
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Jessica Gorman
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Scott Smithers
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia; Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
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