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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 57(2)

Investigating the potential for groundwater from different vegetation, soil and landuses to stimulate blooms of the cyanobacterium, Lyngbya majuscula, in coastal waters

Kathleen S. Ahern A C , James W. Udy A and Shane M. Pointon B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A University of Queensland, Centre for Water Studies, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.

B Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water, Brisbane, Qld 4068, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: k.ahern1@uq.edu.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 57(2) 177-186 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF05115
Submitted: 15 June 2005  Accepted: 4 January 2005   Published: 23 February 2006

Abstract

Over the past decade, toxic blooms of the cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula have increased in frequency and severity in south-east Queensland, Australia, with blooms in Deception Bay linked to increased inputs of dissolved nutrients and organic carbon from land-based sources. The current study investigates the potential for groundwater from ten combinations of vegetation, soil and landuses to stimulate L. majuscula growth in Deception Bay. The photosynthetic response (14C-bicarbonate uptake rate) of L. majuscula to diluted samples of groundwater (1 part groundwater to 19 parts seawater) was measured under laboratory conditions. The results from the present study show that groundwaters from vegetation/soil/landuse systems characterised by acid sulfate soils, exotic pine plantations and Melaleuca vegetation significantly stimulated L. majuscula photosynthesis. These areas typically have low pH and/or high dissolved organic carbon concentrations with strong iron complexation properties, favouring the bioavailability of nutrients. Data from the current study have been incorporated into models and hazard maps to identify areas most vulnerable to the export of nutrients of concern for L. majuscula growth. The hazard maps are part of the Harmful Algal Bloom Policy within the draft South-east Queensland Coastal Management Plan and are aimed at reducing the severity of L. majuscula blooms.

Extra keywords: acid sulfate soils, algae, Australia, bioassay, Melaleuca, Moreton Bay, nutrients, pine plantation.


Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge funding support from the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency through the Moreton Bay Waterways and Catchment Partnership and the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water. Thanks to I. Hall and J. Manders (Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water) for assistance with the installation of piezometers, and soil and water sampling, L. Korhonen and B. Knowles for assistance in the laboratory and field and I. Baade (University of Queensland) and M. Shakhovskoy (Queensland University of Technology) for statistical advice. Many thanks to C. Ahern, A. McElnea, B. Powell (Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water), K. Bubb (Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Forestry), G. Savige (Savige Fisheries), G. Shaw, S. Albert, C. Lovelock (University of Queensland), M. Burdford (Griffith University) members of the Lyngbya Steering Committee, and the Lyngbya Scientific Expert Panel for valuable discussions.


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