Fitzroy Estuary Contaminant Fate and Impact Study

Research investigates the fate and impact of agricultural contaminants like nutrients and sediments in the Fitzroy Estuary and Keppel Bay system. The work is part of the Fitzroy Agricultural Contaminants Project under the Coastal CRC. It was published by the Australian Ocean Data Network, with metadata last updated in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Analyze sediment load and nutrient concentration data from the Fitzroy River discharge to model transport in Keppel Bay.
• Correlate agricultural contaminant levels with biogeochemical indicators to assess impact on near-shore reef ecosystems.
• Use findings on contaminant fate to inform catchment management strategies for the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.

Strengths

• Focus on a major contaminant source, the Fitzroy River, which is the second-largest contributor to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.
• Research conducted under a structured project (Coastal CRC's Fitzroy Agricultural Contaminants Project) ensuring defined scientific aims.

Limitations

• Primary data format is PDF/HTML reports, limiting direct machine-readability and analysis of underlying raw measurements.
• Specific sample sizes, temporal coverage, and measurement methodologies for contaminants are not detailed in the provided metadata.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network, associated with the Coastal CRC's Fitzroy Agricultural Contaminants Project.

Collection Method

Research and analysis as part of a scientific project; specific data collection methods are not specified.

Freshness

Metadata record was last updated in April 2026.

Geography

Fitzroy Estuary and Keppel Bay system, which discharges into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon, Queensland, Australia.