Increased water chemical contamination

Impact

Here chemical contamination refers to the presence of harmful toxicants, substances that could cause adverse effects in a living organism above certain concentrations in the environment.  Potential toxicants include many metals and metalloids, such as: organic sulphur compounds, industrial chemicals, organochloride pesticides (e.g. DDT), organophosphorous pesticides, pyrethroids, herbicides and fungicides (OzCoasts, 2010)#.  Chemical contamination can result from poorly timed or over application of chemicals, poor chemical storage,  water run-off carrying contaminants into waterways and many other causes. Chemical contamination is an important determinant of water quality for human uses.

Suggested indicators: Nitrates in water+, Phosphates in water+, Farm chemicals in water+

Increased water chemical contamination may be associated with:

Potential associated impacts Suggested indicators+
Changed vegetation (aquatic and terrestrial) composition and condition
  • In-stream habitat
  • Impacts on native vegetation

Altered viability, growth, reproductive success, competitive abilities and deformities in fauna species (aquatic and terrestrial)
  • Fish
  • Aquatic macro-invertebrates
  • River & wetland fauna
  • Native land fauna
  • Exotic pest fauna
Chemical accumulation in sediments

Chemical accumulation in biological tissues causing health risks to consumers (including humans) of aquatic organisms, e.g. fish

# OZCoasts 2010, Coastal indicators factsheets, Geoscience Australia,  http://www.ozcoasts.org.au/indicators/index.jsp (accessed July 6, 2010).

+ Descriptions of indicators (PDF, 76K)* provides a brief description of each indicator including techniques and purpose.

* Requires Adobe Reader

Last updated 7 September 2010

Land Manager's Monitoring Guide