Nutrients and related water quality characteristics were measured at six sites along
a transect from the Barron River estuary to Green Island over a twenty-month
period.
The water column was generally well mixed and so depth was not a significant
source of variation. Overall, slightly higher nutrient concentrations tended to be
found at the two most inshore sites. FUrthermore, some elevated nutrient levels
were recorded right across the transect after periods of heavy rain and/or rough
weather. This elevation was most noticeable at the two inshore sites, suggesting
input from the Barron River discharge.· At Green Island there was no significant
increase over background levels in the mean levels of nutrients in the vicinity of the
sewage outfall, however relatively high chlorophyll a levels were recorded near to
the sewage discharge. These high chlorophyll a levels could indeed result from the
discharge of sewage effluent but further studies will need to be carried out in order
to confirm this
