Reduced water nutrient concentrations

Impact

Nutrient concentration refers to the amount of a nutrient within a waterway.  Nutrient concentrations can be increased by human activity.  Major sources of nutrients include runoff from agricultural areas (e.g. fertilisers), urban stormwater and wastewater (including sewage), eroded soils and aquaculture (OZCoasts 2010)#.  Nutrient load is an important determinant of water quality.

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

Reduced water nutrient load may be associated with:

Potential associated impacts Suggested indicators+
Reduced potential for algal blooms
  • Microalgae in water
Changed abundance fish and invertebrates
  • Fish
  • Aquatic macro-invertebrates

Changed health of terrestrial fauna that rely on water source
  • River & wetland fauna
  • Native land fauna
  • Exotic pest fauna
Changed vegetation (aquatic and terrestrial) composition and condition
  • In-stream habitat
  • Impacts on native vegetation
Reduced shellfish contamination

# 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