Reconstructing the history of nutrient loads and sources in the Derwent Estuary, Tasmania, Australia, using isotopic fingerprinting techniques

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dc.contributor.authorStevens, Hen_AU
dc.contributor.authorChase, Zen_AU
dc.contributor.authorZawadzki, Aen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWong, HKYen_AU
dc.contributor.authorProemse, BCen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2022-08-29T03:22:23Zen_AU
dc.date.available2022-08-29T03:22:23Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2021-02-24en_AU
dc.date.statistics2022-08-29en_AU
dc.description.abstractCarbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis of estuarine sediment cores has proved useful for tracing nutrient sources and for assessing changes to nutrient loading through time. However, this technique has rarely been applied to estuaries in the Southern Hemisphere, despite the vulnerability of urban estuaries to excess nutrient loading and eutrophication because of mounting anthropogenic pressures. This study uses sediment core nutrient concentrations (total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP)) and stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S) in combination with lead-210 (210Pb) dating, to reveal information about past and current nutrient loads and sources to various parts of the Derwent estuary, Tasmania, Australia. The upper estuary was found to experience periods of low dissolved oxygen levels and δ13C and δ15N values indicate that the nutrient sources to the upper estuary are predominantly riverine inputs and pulp and paper mill effluent. The middle estuary was found to have higher nutrient (TN and TP) concentrations than other Australian estuaries (Quibray Bay, Woolooware Bay, and Moreton Bay). Along the whole estuary there was a transition of predominantly terrestrial OM in upper estuary to predominantly marine OM in middle/lower estuary. However, there was a clear influence from a nitrogen source with an enriched δ15N value, likely wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent. 3-endmember mixing analysis between terrestrial OM, marine OM, and WWTP effluent shows that WWTP effluent has contributed to up to 30.9% of sediment composition in the past—highlighting the significance of anthropogenic nutrient inputs, such as waste-water treatment plant effluent, to an urban estuary. © 2021 Coastal and Estuarine Research Federationen_AU
dc.description.sponsorshipThis project was supported by the Derwent Estuary Program Ltd. Isotope dating and ICP-AES measurements at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation were supported by AP12313.en_AU
dc.identifier.citationStevens, H., Chase, Z., Zawadzki, A., Wong, H., & Proemse, B. C. (2021). Reconstructing the history of nutrient loads and sources in the Derwent Estuary, Tasmania, Australia, using isotopic fingerprinting techniques. Estuaries and Coasts, 44(8), 2236-2249. doi:10.1007/s12237-021-00919-0en_AU
dc.identifier.issn1559-2731en_AU
dc.identifier.issue8en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleEstuaries and Coastsen_AU
dc.identifier.pagination2236-2249en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-021-00919-0en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/13644en_AU
dc.identifier.volume44en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherSpringer Natureen_AU
dc.subjectNutrientsen_AU
dc.subjectSedimentsen_AU
dc.subjectChemical effluentsen_AU
dc.subjectEstuariesen_AU
dc.subjectStable isotopesen_AU
dc.subjectOxygenen_AU
dc.subjectEutrophicationen_AU
dc.subjectTasmaniaen_AU
dc.subjectAustraliaen_AU
dc.titleReconstructing the history of nutrient loads and sources in the Derwent Estuary, Tasmania, Australia, using isotopic fingerprinting techniquesen_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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