Australian Coastal Water Salinity and Nutrient Time Series

A collection of monthly water sample measurements for salinity, carbon, alkalinity, oxygen, and nutrients from nine Australian coastal reference stations. Sampling began between 2008 and 2010 and is ongoing at seven sites, with depths ranging from the surface to 105 meters. It includes historical data from CSIRO coastal monitoring programs dating back to 1944 for three sites.

Use Cases

• Analyze long-term trends in silicate, ammonium, and phosphate concentrations to assess coastal nutrient pollution.
• Model the relationship between salinity and alkalinity across different depths and geographic sites like Maria Island and Port Hacking.
• Investigate seasonal and interannual variability in dissolved oxygen levels from surface to 105-meter depths.
• Compare biogeochemical parameters like nitrite/nitrate ratios between active and discontinued stations such as Ningaloo and Esperance.

Strengths

• Includes data from nine distinct coastal monitoring stations across Australia.
• Provides long-term temporal coverage, with historical records for some sites extending back to 1944.
• Contains vertically resolved data with samples typically taken at 10-meter depth intervals up to 105 meters.

Limitations

• Sampling frequency is inconsistent, with some sites sampled monthly and others (Esperance, Ningaloo) sampled only every three months before cessation.
• Data collection has ceased at two of the nine sites (Ningaloo and Esperance), limiting temporal continuity for those locations.
• The specific number of data rows, columns, and file sizes are not provided in the input.

Provenance

Source

CSIRO Marlin Data Catalogue, collected as part of the IMOS National Mooring Network.

Collection Method

Monthly (or 3-monthly) water sampling from small vessels at fixed stations, with samples analyzed for biogeochemical parameters.

Time Range

Ongoing sampling began between 2008-2010; historical data for three sites ranges from 1944 to 2010.

Freshness

Data collection is described as ongoing for seven sites, with a metadata last updated date of 2026-03-20.

Geography

Nine coastal sites around Australia: Maria Island (TAS), Kangaroo Island (SA), Esperance (WA), Rottnest Island (WA), Ningaloo (WA), Darwin (NT), Yongala (QLD), North Stradbroke Island (QLD), Port Hacking (NSW).