Catchment modelling of sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient loads with SedNet/ANNEX in the Tully–Murray basin
J. D. Armour A B , L. R. Hateley A and G. L. Pitt A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water, Mareeba, Qld 4880, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: john.armour@qld.gov.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 60(11) 1091-1096 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF08345
Submitted: 15 December 2008 Accepted: 1 September 2009 Published: 17 November 2009
Abstract
A long-term, annual-average catchment biophysical model (SedNet/ANNEX) was used to calculate sediment, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loads in the Tully–Murray catchment of north-eastern Australia. A total of 119 000 t year–1 of suspended sediment, equivalent to 430 kg ha–1 year–1, was calculated to be exported to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Most of the sediment (64%) was generated from hill-slope erosion. The modelled load of dissolved inorganic N (1159 t year–1 or 4.2 kg N ha–1 year–1) was similar to that from other wet tropics catchments in Queensland with similar areas of sugarcane. Sugarcane produced 77% of this load. The annual loads of total N and total P were 2319 t and 244 t, respectively. Simulations (scenarios) were run to evaluate the impact of improved land management on pollutant loads to the GBR. A combination of improved cultivation and fertiliser management of sugarcane and bananas (99% of cropping land) and restoration of the most degraded riparian areas reduced sediment by 23 000 t year–1 (18%) and dissolved inorganic N by 286 t year–1 (25%). However, this reduction is much less than the reduction of 80% that may be needed in the catchment to meet target chlorophyll loads in the marine environment.
Acknowledgements
The study was funded by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water and Terrain NRM Tully Water Quality Improvement Plan with funding from the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
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