Abstract
An excess of plant nutrients has caused serious eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems of southwestern Australia manifested by excessive growth and accumulation of green and bluegreen algae. Phosphorus is generally the limiting nutrient for algal growth and phosphatic fertilizers applied to nutrient-deficient, leaching, sandy soils are the main source of P, supplemented by rural industry point sources. Nitrogen is the limiting nutrient in marine embayments with little drainage from the land. Measures to reduce the load of P delivered to drainage include basing fertilizer application rates on soil testing for P and the use of less soluble P fertilizers. Catchment management plans are being implemented with community involvement to reduce P loads and maintain agricultural production. This introductory paper reviews the history of eutrophication in southwestern Australia and of studies into its causes, principally in the large Peel-Harvey estuary. It briefly summarises other papers in this special issue concerned with different aspects of the problem: how to fertilize the land without causing eutrophication.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atkins RP, Deeley DM and McAlpine KW (1993) Managing the aquatic environment. Fert Res 36: 171–175 (this issue)
Cambridge ML, Chiffings AW, Brittan C, Moore L and McComb AJ (1986) The loss of seagrass in Cockburn Sound, Western Australia. II. Possible causes of seagrass decline. Aquat Bot 24: 269–285
Chambers JM, Wrigley TJ and McComb A (1993) The potential use of wetlands to reduce phosphorus export from agricultural catchments. Fert Res 36: 157–164 (this issue)
EPA (1992) Draft Environmental Protection (Peel-Harvey Estuarine System) Policy 1992. Environmental Protection Authority, Perth Western Australia
George PR and Bradby K (1993) The Peel-Harvey catchment management program. Fert Res 36: 185–192 (this issue)
Hodgkin EP, Birch PB, Black RE and Hillman K (1985) The Peel-Harvey estuarine system, proposals for management. Department of Conservation and Environment, Perth Western Australia. Report No 14
Hodgkin EP, Birch PB, Black RE and Humphries RB (1980) The Peel-Harvey Estuarine System Study (1976–1980) Department of Conservation and Environment, Perth Western Australia. Report No 9
Hodgkin EP and Clark R (1988) Beaufort Inlet and Gordon Inlet. Environmental Protection Authority, Perth Western Australia. Estuarine Studies Series No. 4
Hodgkin EP and Vicker E (1987) A history of algal pollution in the Swan River. In: Jacob John (ed) The Swan River Estuary Ecology and Management, pp 65–70. Curtin University Environmental Studies Group, Bentley Western Australia. Report No 1
Kinhill Engineers (1988) Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary Environmental Review and Management Program, Stage 2. Kinhill Engineers, Perth, Western Australia
Lukatelich RJ, Schofield NJ, and McComb AJ (1987) Nutrient loading and macrophyte growth in Wilson Inlet, a bar-built southwestern Australian estuary. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Sci 24: 141–165
McAlpine KW, Spice JF and Humphries R (1989) The Environmental condition of the Vasse Wonnerup wetland system and a discussion of management options. Environmental Protection Authority WA Technical Series No 31
McComb AJ and Davis JA (1993) Eutrophic waters of southwestern Australia. Fert Res 36: 105–114 (this issue)
Mattinson BC and Morrison DA (1985) A cost benfit study of alternative strategies for reducing the algal nuisance in the Peel-Harvey estuary. In Hodgkin EP (ed) Peel-Harvey Eastuarine Systen Study: Management of the Estuary. Department of Conservation and Environment, Western Australia. Bulletin 195
New South Wales Blue-Green Algae Task Force (1992) Final Report. Department of Water Resources. Parramata NSW
Weaver DM and Prout AL (1993) Changing farm practice to meet environmental objectives of nutrient loss to Oyster Harbour. Fert Res 36: 177–184 (this issue)
Ritchie GSP and Weaver DM (1993) Phosphorus retention and release from sandy soils of the Peel-Harvey catchment. Fert Res 36: 115–122 (this issue)
Ruprecht JK and George PR (1993) Hydrology of the Peel-Harvey coastal catchment. Fert Res 36: 127–133 (this issue)
Simpson CJ and Masini RJ, eds. (1990) Albany Harbours Environmental Study (1988–1989). Environmental Protection Authority, Perth Western Australia. Bulletin 412
Ward SC and Summers RN (1993) Modifying sandy soils with the fine residue from bauxite refining. Fert Res 36: 151–156 (this issue)
Weaver DM (1993) Managing nutrient losses from rural point sources and urban environments. Fert Res 36: 165–170 (this issue)
Yeates JS (1993) Soils and fertilizer use in southwestern Australia. Fert Res 36: 123–125 (this issue)
Yeates JS (1993) Changing fertilizer practices Fert Res 36: 135–140 (this issue)
Yeates JS and Clarke MF (1993) Developing alternatives to phosphate fertilizers of high water solubility. Fert Res 36: 141–150 (this issue)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hodgkin, E.P., Hamilton, B.H. Fertilizers and eutrophication in southwestern Australia: Setting the scene. Fertilizer Research 36, 95–103 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00747579
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00747579