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Hi everyone
Please find attached the results for Water Quality Monitoring and Chemical Analysis for the freshwater sites for the month of May, 2024.
In respect of those results the following explanation is offered:
The small range of pH results is quite remarkable – no outlandish results with all being within the 6.25 to 7.19 range which is to say close to the neutral reading of pH7.00
The Oxidation Reduction Potential ( ORP) readings are around normal, and perhaps need a little explanation. The ORP refers, in basic terms, to the ability of the water to repair itself from pollution; fortunately the ORP of our readings rarely falls into the negative, however to be really effective in repairing itself, the readings should be 600 mV plus, meaning that our waterways are not quite as healthy as they could be
Apart from Waterhen Lake the turbidity was surprisingly low; this is due to the lack of rainfall and, right now, the streams are the least turbid they have been for a long time
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is a true measure of the health of a stream. For the month of May, with falling water temperatures, the DO levels did rise, which is great news for the animals living in the stream; even Waterhen Lake levels were surprisingly good due to prevailing winds which oxygenate the surface layers
With respect to chemical analyses, the reactive Phosphate levels were quite variable; in the Coomera River the readings were higher than other streams, possibly reflecting the presence of commercial nurseries; yet in the smaller streams the levels were lower. Perhaps people stopped fertilising their gardens at the end of summer.
Ammonia nitrogen levels were OK except there was rise in levels in Waterhen Lake; given there is no flow it could be that the receding water levels have concentrated the chemical in the water which remains. Having said that, the levels are much healthier than they were several years ago.
This month I have been visiting both freshwater and saltwater sites and I must say it is a delight to be out around our waterways. There is an abundance of bream and mullet in Regatta Waters at the very peak of a full moon high tide; the fish are clearly visible on the southern shore, feeding off the food on rocks they cannot access on the lower tides. Last Thursday there were possibly 200 visible fish along that southern shore.
If you have even an hour to spare, I urge you to get out and about and really enjoy the feast of nature we have in SEQ.
Keep well and safe, both physically and mentally
Kindest regards
Steven Gill
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