A Ramsar-wetland in suburbia: wetland management in an urbanised, industrialised area
S. J. Kermode A B D , H. Heijnis A , H. Wong A , A. Zawadzki A , P. Gadd A and A. Permana C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Institute for Environmental Research, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, NSW 2322, Australia.
B GeoQuest Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia.
C BATAN – National Nuclear Energy Agency, Jl Kuningan Barat, Mampang Prapatan, Special Capital Region of Jakarta 12710, Indonesia.
D Corresponding author. Email: skermode@uow.edu.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 67(6) 771-781 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF14307
Submitted: 26 June 2014 Accepted: 10 February 2015 Published: 31 July 2015
Abstract
Wetlands provide crucial services to support human populations and intrinsic environmental functioning. They are, therefore, recognised at higher-level global conservation treaties down to regional and local environmental management plans. Palaeorecords to understand preimpact conditions and ranges of natural variability are critical, alongside ongoing monitoring of ecosystem health for understanding important wetlands and determining long-term conservation strategies. They also enable effective analysis of human impacts.
Towra Point Nature Reserve is an internationally significant wetland complex listed under multiple international conservation agreements, including the 1971 Ramsar Convention. It faces similar challenges to other coastal wetlands globally: sea level rise, changing shoreline conditions, and anthropogenic impacts. Its location within Sydney’s Botany Bay results in high potential for pollutants to enter the wetland complex. This makes ongoing monitoring of the ecosystem critically important. This study has found that arsenic, lead and zinc are relatively elevated in the southern part of the embayment, adjacent to an urban area, where concentrations are near to, or exceeding trigger levels (ANZECC/ARMCANZ 2000). In contrast, in the western part of the embayment contaminant levels are well below trigger values. We propose that these trigger levels should be adopted and incorporated into the Towra Point Plan of Management.
References
ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000). Australian and New Zealand guidelines for fresh and marine water quality. In ‘National Water Quality Management Strategy Paper No. 4’. pp. 3.5-1–3.5-10. (Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council and Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand.)Appleby, P. G., and Oldfield, F. (1978). The calculation of lead-210 dates assuming a constant rate of supply of unsupported 210Pb to the sediment. Catena 5, 1–8.
| The calculation of lead-210 dates assuming a constant rate of supply of unsupported 210Pb to the sediment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE1MXksVahurw%3D&md5=1cee132d4a1bcb7e3e4b9a6f641d27eaCAS |
Australian Littoral Society (1977). An investigation of management options for Towra Point, Botany Bay: a report. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services, Sydney.
Birch, G. F. (1996). Sediment-bound metallic contaminants in Sydney’s estuaries and adjacent offshore, Australia. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 42, 31–44.
| Sediment-bound metallic contaminants in Sydney’s estuaries and adjacent offshore, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK28XhsV2ntrg%3D&md5=c5ef9647145512c7cc0b9485e82229beCAS |
Birch, G. F., Evenden, D., and Teutsch, M. E. (1996). Dominance of point source in heavy metal distributions in sediments of a major Sydney estuary (Australia). Environmental Geology (Heidelberg, Germany) 28, 169–174.
| Dominance of point source in heavy metal distributions in sediments of a major Sydney estuary (Australia).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXhsFSqu74%3D&md5=594dd43d0db4a0c8cd2e6620e5e99820CAS |
Brown, K. R., and McPherson, R. G. (1992). Concentrations of copper, zinc and lead in the Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea commercialis (Iredale and Roughley) from the Georges River, New South Wales. The Science of the Total Environment 126, 27–33.
| Concentrations of copper, zinc and lead in the Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea commercialis (Iredale and Roughley) from the Georges River, New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK38Xmtl2gs70%3D&md5=16475abe03d62bf44274136faac0a884CAS | 1439751PubMed |
Bruce, E., and Hickey, D. (2010). Examining tidal inundation and salt marsh vegetation distribution patterns using spatial analysis (Botany Bay, Australia). Journal of Coastal Research 26, 94–102.
| Examining tidal inundation and salt marsh vegetation distribution patterns using spatial analysis (Botany Bay, Australia).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bryan, G. W. (1971). The effects of heavy metals (other than mercury) on marine and estuarine organisms. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences 177, 389–410.
| The effects of heavy metals (other than mercury) on marine and estuarine organisms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE3MXht1Wrtbo%3D&md5=3a4a1338c26983f5a71173f229296d12CAS | 4396393PubMed |
Bryan, G. W., and Langston, W. J. (1992). Bioavailability, accumulation and effects of heavy metals in sediments with special reference to United Kingdom estuaries: a review. Environmental Pollution 76, 89–131.
| Bioavailability, accumulation and effects of heavy metals in sediments with special reference to United Kingdom estuaries: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK38XhvVSmsbs%3D&md5=ce2d00fb3737fea2b4c053902461db42CAS | 15091993PubMed |
Burnett, A. P., Soreghan, M. J., Scholz, C. A., and Brown, E. T. (2011). Tropical East African climate change and its relation to global climate: a record from Lake Tanganyika, tropical East Africa, over the past 90+ kyr. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 303, 155–167.
| Tropical East African climate change and its relation to global climate: a record from Lake Tanganyika, tropical East Africa, over the past 90+ kyr.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Canli, M., and Atli, G. (2003). The relationships between heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn) levels and the size of six Mediterranean fish species. Environmental Pollution 121, 129–136.
| The relationships between heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn) levels and the size of six Mediterranean fish species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XotlylurY%3D&md5=049aac714794f716b2bae8f2c2660af1CAS | 12475070PubMed |
Chagué-Goff, C., and Wong, H. K. Y. (2013). Wet chemical methods (pH, electrical conductivity, ion-selective electrodes, colorimetric analysis, ion chromatography, flame atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, and quadrupole inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry). In ‘Treatise in Geomorphology. Vol. 14’. (Ed. J. Shroder.) pp. 274–281. (Academic Press: San Diego.)
Clements, W. H., Carlisle, D. M., Lazorchak, J. M., and Johnson, P. C. (2000). Heavy metals structure benthic communities in Colordao mountain streams. Ecological Applications 10, 626–638.
| Heavy metals structure benthic communities in Colordao mountain streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cuven, S., Francus, P., and Lamoureux, S. (2010). Estimation of grain size variability with micro X-ray fluorescence in laminated lacustrine sediments, Cape Bounty, Canadian High Arctic. Journal of Paleolimnology 44, 803–817.
| Estimation of grain size variability with micro X-ray fluorescence in laminated lacustrine sediments, Cape Bounty, Canadian High Arctic.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dean, W. E. (1974). Determination of carbonate and organic matter in calcareous sediments and sedimentary rocks by loss on ignition; comparison with other methods. Journal of Sedimentary Research 44, 242–248.
| 1:CAS:528:DyaE2cXkt1Snurg%3D&md5=9b904b5fec570954885494b6b0520d52CAS |
Department of Environment Climate Change and Water NSW (2010). Towra Point Nature Reserve Ramsar site: ecological character description. 166 pp. (Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW: Sydney.)
Everaarts, J., and Fischer, C. (1992). The distribution of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) in the fine fraction of surface sediments of the North Sea. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 29, 323–331.
| The distribution of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) in the fine fraction of surface sediments of the North Sea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXhslGhtLs%3D&md5=47d97c5aa2951bf2ee86348edb93328fCAS |
Everaarts, J. M., and Nieuwenhuize, J. (1995). Heavy metals in surface sediment and epibenthic macroinvertebrates from the coastal zone and continental slope of Kenya. Marine Pollution Bulletin 31, 281–289.
| Heavy metals in surface sediment and epibenthic macroinvertebrates from the coastal zone and continental slope of Kenya. Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK28XislSqsw%3D%3D&md5=276c8a24ed806c1e1af505e56d431f25CAS |
Falciani, R., Novaro, E., Marchesini, M., and Gucciardi, M. (2000). Multi-element analysis of soil and sediment by ICP-MS after a microwave assisted digestion method. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry 15, 561–565.
| Multi-element analysis of soil and sediment by ICP-MS after a microwave assisted digestion method.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXivVOgsL4%3D&md5=6b0971a4cc7e85471eefe13292bbd8deCAS |
Fink, D., Hotchkis, M., Hua, Q., Jacobsen, G., Smith, A. M.,, Zoppi, U., Child, D., Mifsud, C., van der Gaast, H., Williams, A., and Williams, M. (2004). The ANTARES AMS facility at ANSTO. Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms 223–224, 109–115.
| The ANTARES AMS facility at ANSTO.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gillespie, R., and Polach, H. A. (1979). The suitability of marine shells for radiocarbon dating of Australian prehistory. In ‘Radiocarbon Dating: Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference, Los Angeles and La Jolla, 1976’. (Eds R. Berger and H. E. Suess.) pp. 404–421. (University of California Press: Los Angeles and La Jolla.)
Hayes, W. J., Anderson, I. J., Gaffoor, M. Z., and Hurtado, J. (1998). Trace metals in oysters and sediments of Botany Bay, Sydney. The Science of the Total Environment 212, 39–47.
| Trace metals in oysters and sediments of Botany Bay, Sydney.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXhsFyltb4%3D&md5=35c1e0bd2778d46146049396e6a1051fCAS | 9525046PubMed |
Heiri, O., Lotter, A., and Lemcke, G. (2001). Loss on ignition as a method for estimating organic and carbonate content in sediments: reproducibility and comparability of results. Journal of Paleolimnology 25, 101–110.
| Loss on ignition as a method for estimating organic and carbonate content in sediments: reproducibility and comparability of results.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hogg, A. G., Hua, Q., Blackwell, P. G., Buck, C. E., Guilderson, T. P., Heaton, T. J., Niu, M., Palmer, J. G., Reimer, P. J., Reimer, R. W., Turney, C. S. M., and Zimmerman, S. R. H. (2013). SHCal13 Southern Hemisphere Calibration, 0–50,000 Years cal BP. Radiocarbon 55, 1889–1903.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhvVyrtbk%3D&md5=775a9c259801f71c901def5778f8585aCAS |
Ilott, P. (1998). Pollution history of Botany Bay assessed via geochemical analysis of Towra Point sediments. B.Sc.(Honours) Thesis, University of Wollongong.
Jangu, S., and Brraich, O. S. (2014). Heavy metals accumulation and structural alterations in the scales of fish, Labeo calbasu (Hamilton-Buchanan) from Harike Wetland (Ramsar Site), India. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research 5, 637–642.
Larkum, A. W. D. (1976). Ecology of Botany Bay. I. Growth of Posidonia australis (Brown) Hook. f. in Botany Bay and other bays of the Sydney basin. Marine and Freshwater Research 27, 117–127.
| Ecology of Botany Bay. I. Growth of Posidonia australis (Brown) Hook. f. in Botany Bay and other bays of the Sydney basin.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Li, Q., Wu, Z., Chu, B., Zhang, N., Cai, S., and Fang, J. (2007). Heavy metals in coastal wetland sediments of the Pearl River Estuary, China. Environmental Pollution 149, 158–164.
| Heavy metals in coastal wetland sediments of the Pearl River Estuary, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXovFyls7w%3D&md5=c086cfb27ef756dd47703cd7c684c24eCAS | 17321652PubMed |
Mackay, N. J., Williams, R. J., Kacprzac, J. L., Kazacos, M. N., Collins, A. J., and Auty, E. H. (1975). Heavy metals in cultivated oysters (Crassostrea commercialis = Saccostrea cucullata) from estuaries of New South Wales. Marine and Freshwater Research 26, 31–46.
| Heavy metals in cultivated oysters (Crassostrea commercialis = Saccostrea cucullata) from estuaries of New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE2MXktlyns7s%3D&md5=5b73c08066f0d9bb0f717b5adcfbfb31CAS |
Macreadie, P. I., Allen, K., Kelaher, B. P., Ralph, P. J., and Skilbeck, C. G. (2012). Paleoreconstruction of estuarine sediments reveal human-induced weakening of coastal carbon sinks. Global Change Biology 18, 891–901.
| Paleoreconstruction of estuarine sediments reveal human-induced weakening of coastal carbon sinks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mazumder, D., Saintilan, N., and Williams, R. (2005). Temporal variations in fish catch using pop nets in mangrove and saltmarsh flats at Towra Point, NSW, Australia. Wetlands Ecology and Management 13, 457–467.
| Temporal variations in fish catch using pop nets in mangrove and saltmarsh flats at Towra Point, NSW, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mazumder, D., Saintilan, N., and Williams, R. (2006). Fish assemblages in three tidal saltmarsh and mangrove flats in temperate NSW, Australia: a comparison based on species diversity and abundance. Wetlands Ecology and Management 14, 201–209.
| Fish assemblages in three tidal saltmarsh and mangrove flats in temperate NSW, Australia: a comparison based on species diversity and abundance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mazumder, D., Saintilan, N., and Williams, R. (2009). Zooplankton inputs and outputs in the saltmarsh at Towra Point, Australia. Wetlands Ecology and Management 17, 225–230.
| Zooplankton inputs and outputs in the saltmarsh at Towra Point, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mitchell, M. L., and Adam, P. (1989). The decline of saltmarsh in Botany Bay. Wetlands Australia 8, 55–60.
Napoli, M. (1996). The contaminant chronology of Prospect Creek and Salt Pan Creek as recorded in their sediment. Thesis. University of Sydney, Sydney.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services (2001). Towra Point Nature Reserve Plan of Management. Australian Government, Sydney.
Paquin, P. R., Santore, R. C., Farley, K. J., Kavvadas, C., Wu, K. B., Mooney, K., Winfield, R. P., and Di Toro, D. M. (Eds) (2003). ‘Metals in Aquatic Systems: a Review of Exposure, Bioaccumulation, and Toxicity Models.’ (SETAC Press: Pensacola, FL.)
Ramsar Convention (2012). Limits of Acceptable Change. In ‘11th Meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Wetlands, 2012, Bucharest, Romania’. (Ed. Scientific and Technical Review Panel.) p. 35.
Reimer, P. J., Bard, E., Bayliss, A., Beck, J. W., Blackwell, P. G., Bronk-Ramsey, C., Buck, C. E., Cheng, H., Edwards, R. L., Friedrich, M., Grootes, P. M., Guilderson, T. P., Haflidason, H., Hajdas, I., Hatté, C., Heaton, T. J., Hogg, A. G., Hughen, K. A., Kaiser, K. F., Kromer, B., Manning, S. W., Niu, M., Reimer, R. W., Richards, D. A., Scott, E. M., Southon, J. R., Turney, C. S. M., and van der Plicht, J. (2013). IntCal13 and Marine13 radiocarbon age calibration curves 0–50,000 years cal BP. Radiocarbon 55, 1869–1887.
| IntCal13 and Marine13 radiocarbon age calibration curves 0–50,000 years cal BP.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhvVyrtbg%3D&md5=f70ad22e9139a4d77666bb8b713f5d72CAS |
Roach, A. C. (1998). Effects of predation on the size structure of the gastropod Salinator solida (Martens) populations at Towra Point, NSW, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 49, 779–784.
| Effects of predation on the size structure of the gastropod Salinator solida (Martens) populations at Towra Point, NSW, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Roach, A. C. (2000). Variation in the population dynamics of the intertidal pulmonate gastropod Salinator solida Martens (Gastropoda: Amphibolidae) at Towra Point, NSW, Australia. Wetlands Ecology and Management 8, 53–69.
| Variation in the population dynamics of the intertidal pulmonate gastropod Salinator solida Martens (Gastropoda: Amphibolidae) at Towra Point, NSW, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Roy, P. S. (1994). Holocene estuary evolution – stratigraphic studies from southeastern Australia. Society for Sedimentary Geology SEPM Special Publication No. 51, 241–263.
Roy, P. S., and Crawford, E. A. (1979). Holocene geological evolution of the southern Botany Bay – Kurnell Region, central New South Wales coast. Geological Society of New South Wales, Sydney.
Saintilan, N., and Mazumder, D. (2010). Fine-scale variability in the dietary sources of grazing invertebrates in a temperate Australian saltmarsh. Marine and Freshwater Research 61, 615–620.
| Fine-scale variability in the dietary sources of grazing invertebrates in a temperate Australian saltmarsh.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXms1Omur0%3D&md5=dc7fb4ab29ed6d415deaab6318fc98acCAS |
Santisteban, J., Mediavilla, R., López-Pamo, E., Dabrio, C., Zapata, M. B., García, M. J., Castaño, S., and Martínez-Alfaro, P. (2004). Loss on ignition: a qualitative or quantitative method for organic matter and carbonate mineral content in sediments? Journal of Paleolimnology 32, 287–299.
| Loss on ignition: a qualitative or quantitative method for organic matter and carbonate mineral content in sediments?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schiff, K. C., and Weisberg, S. B. (1999). Iron as a reference element for determining trace metal enrichment in southern California coastal shelf sediments. Marine Environmental Research 48, 161–176.
| Iron as a reference element for determining trace metal enrichment in southern California coastal shelf sediments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXkt1yqs74%3D&md5=2bfae658126c7a7e189279613a7c9598CAS |
Sloss, C., Murray-Wallace, C., and Jones, B. (2007). Holocene sea-level change on the southeast coast of Australia: a review. The Holocene 17, 999–1014.
| Holocene sea-level change on the southeast coast of Australia: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Suh, J.-Y., and Birch, G. F. (2005). Use of grain-size and elemental normalization in the interpretation of trace metal concentrations in soils of the reclaimed area adjoining Port Jackson, Sydney, Australia. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 160, 357–371.
| Use of grain-size and elemental normalization in the interpretation of trace metal concentrations in soils of the reclaimed area adjoining Port Jackson, Sydney, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXhsFegsLc%3D&md5=2b4addb4faeb20757eecd09f84f61245CAS |
Sutherland Shire Council (2004). Trends in and characterisation of storm water quality in the Sutherland Shire. Sutherland Shire Council, Sutherland.
UK Marine SAC Project (2001). Zinc. UK Marine Protected Areas Centre.
Wharfe, J. R., and Van Den Broek, W. L. F. (1977). Heavy metals in macroinvertebrates and fish from the lower Medway estuary, Kent. Marine Pollution Bulletin 8, 31–34.
| Heavy metals in macroinvertebrates and fish from the lower Medway estuary, Kent.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE2sXktFKlt7w%3D&md5=c9fcf6283b37a522273e3aa912d0f005CAS |
Yeats, P. A., and Bewers, J. M. (1983). Potential anthropogenic influences on trace metal distributions in the North Atlantic. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 40, s124–s131.
| Potential anthropogenic influences on trace metal distributions in the North Atlantic.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
