Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) researchers will this
week embark on the largest scientific research project to take place
in the Darwin Harbour.
It is also the first detailed study, and comes ahead of major urban
and industrial development in the harbour that has raised community
concerns for the health of the Darwin harbour environment.
AIMS physicist Simon Spagnol said the plan is to improve our
understanding of the Harbour’s biology to enable any change caused
by future development to be identified, and provide information to
guide environmentally sustainable development.
"Currently northern Australia has low population density, is
resource-rich and has a relatively pristine marine environment,
however large-scale developments are planned. We’re getting in on
the ground level," said Mr Spagnol.
The community has expressed concern that increased traffic caused
by the expansion of the shipping port, a gas pipeline and new gas
plant may add significant pressure on the harbour. Large aquaculture
development in the Blackmore River region is also causing concern, the
major issues being nutrient run-off, the threat of cross-farm waste or
viral contamination, and mangrove clearing to make way for farms.
The research team will take a two-pronged approach examining the
physics and biology of the harbour. For example, the status of water
quality and sediment will be established. Fish communities and
habitats will be surveyed in collaboration with NT government
departments. The nutrient content and concentration will be determined
as well as the rate at which plankton and bacteria consume nutrients.
The team will also investigate how the harbour is flushed and the
dynamics of sedimentation.
"The projected population growth for Darwin is significant,
and with that comes increased nutrient load on the waterway. So,
it’s important to pinpoint the sources of nutrients, the rate at
which they’re being delivered into the system and the rate they are
turning over or being absorbed," said Mr Spagnol.
Over the past two years AIMS scientists in collaboration with NT
government scientists have been gathering preliminary data and setting
up monitoring stations throughout the east and middle arms of the
harbour where aquaculture and residential developments are planned.
Mr Spagnol said a full understanding of the environmental impact of
development is vital to managing future coastal projects.
"We’ll be assisting in the provision of baseline information
that will allow urban expansion and resource development that does not
compromise the quality of Darwin Harbour," he said.
This is a long-term AIMS research project within the
"Sustainable Coastal Development in Northern Australia"
research team led by Dr Eric Wolanski and is supported by Northern
Territory Government departments. It marks the institute’s first
major step towards broadening its research activity in northern
Australia and providing research knowledge to departmental Government
management authorities and the public, to assist in future
decision-making for the Darwin harbour region.
