Baseline water quality of the Gold Coast Broadwater, southern Moreton Bay (Australia).

Abstract

This study establishes baseline water quality characteristics for the Gold Coast Broadwater, southern Moreton Bay (Australia) utilising routinely monitored parameters between 2016 and 2021, across 18 sites. Combined site mean concentrations of NOx-N, NH3-N and total nitrogen were 11.4±33.4μg/L, 12.7±27.2μg/L, and 169±109μg/L, respectively, whilst PO4-P and total phosphorous were 7.30±5.10μg/L and 21.7±14.1μg/L. Additionally, total suspended solids and turbidity combined site means were 6.6±6.0mg/L and 3.4±2.9 NTU, respectively. During high rainfall periods nutrient concentrations increased by up to >200-, >150-, 15-, 12- and >12-fold for NOx-N, NH3-N, TN, PO4-P and TP, respectively, compared to quiescent conditions. Furthermore, TSS and NTU values increased by up to 15- and 40-fold during periods of measured rainfall compared to quiescent conditions.