Camping and groundwater quality on the eastern beach of Fraser Island: a smoking gun

R W (Bill) Carter; Peter R Brooks; Neil W Tindale; Daryle Sullivan; Nikita Tully

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Camping and groundwater quality on the eastern beach of Fraser Island: a smoking gun

Conference paper

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Camping and groundwater quality on the eastern beach of Fraser Island: a smoking gun

R W (Bill) Carter, Peter R Brooks, Neil W Tindale, Daryle Sullivan and Nikita Tully

Biennial Fraser Island Conference: Shifting Sands, The dynamics of the Great Sandy Region, 3rd (Brisbane, Australia, 29-Jul-2009)

Fraser Island Defenders Organisation (FIDO)

2009

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Abstract

Environmental Science and Management

beach camping

watertable

coprostanol

nutrients

faecal coliforms

Fraser Island

Concern for the maintenance of water quality of the lakes on Fraser Island has attracted research attention but the impact of beach camping on freshwater beach-flows has been poorly considered. The assumption has been that the natural assimilative capacity of the foredune ecosystem is sufficient to dissipate any negative environmental impact. An exploratory study of nutrients, faecal coliforms and faecal sterols in the watertable and beach flows associated with camping and non-camping zones reveals concerning and, in some cases, extreme differences. The study suggests nutrient levels in the watertable are enriched in camping zones and that, in some areas, faecal coliforms persist in beach flows. The link to a human cause is supported by the presence of strong faecal sterol signals in soil samples from the watertable interface. The risk implications for human health are significant although the biological impact implications remain unexplored. It will be important to clarify the temporal and spatial nature of the variables measured to inform the management decision making process, because the groundwater pollutants may be localised and short-term seasonal. If this is the case, then management strategies of camp area rotation and health warnings may be appropriate. If the human waste signals are more widespread and persistent, then a major change in human waste disposal will be essential.

Details

Title: Camping and groundwater quality on the eastern beach of Fraser Island: a smoking gun
Authors: R W (Bill) Carter (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Peter R Brooks (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Neil W Tindale (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Daryle Sullivan (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Nikita Tully (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Conference details: Biennial Fraser Island Conference: Shifting Sands, The dynamics of the Great Sandy Region, 3rd (Brisbane, Australia, 29-Jul-2009)
Publisher: Fraser Island Defenders Organisation (FIDO)
Date published: 2009
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Academic Support Unit; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; School of Law and Society; Centre for Bioinnovation; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449717402621
Output Type: Conference paper

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