Potential impacts of salinity and turbidity in riverine ecosystems: Characterisation of impacts and a discussion of regional target setting for riverine ecosystems in Queensland

This report reviews the current state of knowledge on the effects of turbidity and salinity as stressors on riverine ecosystems in Queensland and presents the current methodological approach to setting regional targets for ecosystem protection. The product provides readers with an understanding of the potential impacts and factors that may alter the way that salinity and turbidity influences aquatic ecosystems. The review provides an up to date and comprehensive summary of the available scientific information regarding salinity and turbidity impacts in aquatic ecosystems.

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Setting water quality guidelines for salinity and sediment in freshwater streams in Queensland: An applied approach within a natural resource management context (PDF 2.52 MB)

This report describes innovative approaches to setting water quality guidelines for salinity and sediment and gives subsequent recommendations. The recommended biological effects approach for salinity and departure from reference approach for sediments (turbidity) are presented as a series of steps that are required to be followed in order to develop a guideline. In addition, the context for guideline development and the initial decision that must be addressed prior to their development are outlined. The report also provides a summary of the available literature information describing the biological effects of sediments in freshwater ecosystems

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Application of the EMSS water quality model for The Queensland Murray Darling Catchment - Assessing the impacts of on-ground works (3.10 MB)

To help build regional capacity in the use and application of Environmental Management Support Systems modelling for the Condamine region, a number of maps and input layers have been produced.

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Parameter Library

A database to store and retrieve model parameters used in SedNet and E2 modelling.

Relating Turbidity and Suspended Sediments in Queensland Streams (PDF 1.48 MB)

Research into the relationship between total suspended solids and turbidity, and covariates that influence it regionally. Includes catchment or land use specific models/rating curves for predicting TSS and uncertainty estimates in using these TSS and Turbidity relationships.

Regional Hydraulic Geometry Models

Research into riparian vegetation classes and regional hydraulic geometry relations for Queensland streams for integrated into SedNet and E2 models. A technical report will be produced.

State of the Rivers

The State of the Rivers (SOR) reports provide baseline datasets and technical reports of riverine habitat assessment (including instream and riparian condition) using SOR methodologies for subcatchments and catchments of the NAP priority regions in Queensland. Reports produced include those for:

• The Upper Brisbane, Mid Brisbane and Stanley Rivers and Major Tributaries
• The Fitzroy and Isaac Rivers and Capricorn Coastal Catchments
• The Burdekin River and Major Tributaries

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Burnett Riparian Benchmarking and Mapping Report

A technical report provididing baseline data on benchmarked riparian vegetation in the Burnett Catchment.

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Framework for condition and trend assessment (1.53MB)

This document provides an overview of the development of a framework for assessing whole of catchment aquatic ecosystem condition. The assessment framework is focused on identifying important ecological processes and describing each process in terms of conceptual models. These models can then be used to facilitate an assessment based on pressures, their mechanisms of influence (vectors) and condition of relevant indicators.

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Burnett-Mary Pilot Regional Condition Assessment (2.43 MB)

Report summarising water quality condition assessment of the Burnett-Mary catchment, using the framework for integrated assessment.

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Burnett-Mary Regional Water Quality Summary (2.34 MB)

Report summarising water quality information for the Burnett-Mary region.

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Water Quality Information Summary for the Burdekin Catchment (2.83 MB)

Report summarinsing water quality information for the Burdekin region.

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Water Quality Information Summary for the Condamine Balonne Catchment (4.68 MB)

Report summarinsing water quality information for the Condamine Balonne region.

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Water Quality Information Summary for the Fitzroy Catchment (4.68 MB)

Report summarinsing water quality information for the Fitzroy region.

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