An invisible nutrient dump threatens the Great Barrier Reef

2023-10-09 13:37:37

MADRID, 9 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –

A discharge of groundwater into the sea is the source of previously unquantified nitrogen and phosphorus that are having a profound environmental impact on the Great Barrier Reef.

The findings, published in Environmental Science & Technologyindicate that current efforts to preserve and restore the health of the Great Reef off Australia’s east coast may require a new perspective.

Dr Douglas Tait, from Southern Cross University, who led the study, said it’s a statement: “Submarine groundwater discharge exceeds inputs from rivers as a source of nutrients for the Great Barrier Reef.”

Submarine groundwater discharge is any water released into the ocean below the waterline from various sources, including underground aquifers and the seabed.

The research team collected data from marine transects, rivers and coastal boreholes in an area from south of Rockhampton to north of Cairns. Using radio isotopes allowed scientists to track how many nutrients are transported from soil and shelf sediments through invisible flows of groundwater.

Southern Cross Professor Damien Maher said the team’s work showed groundwater discharge was 10 to 15 times greater than river inputs, something that had not previously been accounted for.

“Groundwater discharge accounted for approximately one-third of the new nitrogen and two-thirds of the phosphorus inputs, indicating that almost twice as much nitrogen enters the reef from groundwater compared to river waters,” said the Professor Maher.

So far most of the efforts to mitigate the impact of nutrients on the reef focused on the outflow of river systems.

Lead author Dr Douglas Tait said: “Nutrients are essential to sustaining the incredible biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef. However, Excess nutrients can cause harmful problems such as harmful algal blooms and fish diseases“, which have been increasing on the reef over the last few decades.

“Our study highlights the need for a strategic shift in management approaches aimed at safeguarding the Great Barrier Reef from the effects of excess nutrients.”

Dr Tait said that unlike river flow, nutrients in groundwater could be stored for decades underground before being released into coastal waters, meaning that research and strategies to protect the reef had to be long-term.