Impact of camping on ground and beach flow water quality on the eastern beach of K'gari-Fraser Island: a preliminary study

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

doi:10.1080/14486563.2014.985269

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Impact of camping on ground and beach flow water quality on the eastern beach of K'gari-Fraser Island: a preliminary study

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Impact of camping on ground and beach flow water quality on the eastern beach of K'gari-Fraser Island: a preliminary study

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

Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, Vol.22(2), pp.216-232

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14486563.2014.985269

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Abstract

beach camping

watertable

coprostanol

nutrients

faecal coliforms

K'gari-Fraser Island

Concern for the maintenance of water quality of the lakes on K'gari-Fraser Island has attracted research attention but the impact of beach camping on beach freshwater 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 differences between sample sites. 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

Details

Title: Impact of camping on ground and beach flow water quality on the eastern beach of K'gari-Fraser Island: a preliminary study
Authors: R W (Bill) Carter (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Business
Neil W Tindale (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Peter R Brooks (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Daryle Sullivan (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Publication details: Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, Vol.22(2), pp.216-232
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
Date published: 2015
DOI: 10.1080/14486563.2014.985269
ISSN: 1448-6563
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: 99450084102621
Output Type: Journal article

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