Nuclear detectives - reconstructing histories of toxic dinoflagellates & blue green algae in coastal lakes and estuaries
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Date
2004-10-28
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Atomic Energy Agency
Abstract
Using isotopic, geochemical and microfossil analyses of sediment cores, it is possible to reconstruct pre and post-colonial environmental conditions of coastal lakes and estuaries and their catchments. This is an important management tool, not only for determining the baseline 'natural' conditions of these ecosystems but also identifying the nature and extent of changes they have experienced through time, including the influx of pollutants and cha nges in sedimentation regimes. Such information is generally not available from historic records. Practical examples includes the following case-studies: 1) Tasmania & South Australia - Over the past couple of decades “alien species” have been introduced to the coastal waters of Australia and of Tasmania in particular, such as the toxic dinoflagellate Gymnodinium Catenatum. Careful dating and reconstruction of sediment archives have revealed the time and nature of this arrival. 2) NSW Blue Green Algae in the Great Lakes Area: The occurrence of blue- green algal blooms in the Great Lakes area of NSW have now been linked with catchment changes and the dynamics of this coastal system, using reconstructed histories from sediment cores. These detailed histories span the last 60 – 80 years, and cover the post World War II coastal population & development expansion.
Description
Keywords
Cyanobacteria, Estuaries, Lakes, Watersheds, Ecosystems, Tasmania, South Australia, Human populations
Citation
Heijnis, H., McMinn, A., Hallegraeff, G., & Srisuksawad. K. (2006). Nuclear detectives - reconstructing histories of toxic dinoflagellates & blue green algae in coastal lakes and estuaries. In Proceedings of an international conference held in Monaco, 25–29 October 2004 organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency and co-sponsored by the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, International Hydrological Programme of UNESCO, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and the Commission Internationale pour l’Exploration Scientifique de la Mer Méditerranée, "Isotopes in Environmental Studies Aquatic Forum 2004". (pp. 645). Retrieved from https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/CSP_26_web.pdf