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Biogeochemical Zones Within a Macrotidal, Dry-Tropical Fluvial-Marine Transition Area: A Dry-Season Perspective

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Abstract

The Fitzroy River delivers large amounts of nutrients and fine sediments to Keppel Bay (contiguous with the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon) during intermittent flow events. This study explores sources, forms and transformations of nutrients in Keppel Bay, and develops a functional process zonation that integrates seabed geochemistry and water column nutrient characteristics which are controlled by suspended sediment. The water column and seabed properties were investigated over two dry seasons, with supplementary core incubations taken to measure carbon decomposition rates and nutrient fluxes. Keppel Bay can be divided into three zones, the: zone of maximum resuspension (ZMR); coastal transitional zone (CTZ); and blue water zone (BWZ). Mineralisation of predominantly terrestrial organic matter occurs in the ZMR where nutrient uptake by phytoplankton is light limited. The CTZ and BWZ had higher light penetration and phytoplankton growth was likely limited by N and P, respectively. The identified zones conform to the bathymetry and hydrodynamic characteristics of the bay, allowing for the development of an integrated conceptual model accounting for the benthic and pelagic biogeochemical processes. Recognition of these different zones shows that considerable variation in benthic and water column properties is possible within a small system with the bathymetric and hydrodynamic characteristics of the fluidized bed reactor.

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Acknowledgments

This work was conducted under the auspices of the Cooperative Research Centre for Coastal Zone, Estuary & Waterway Management and benefited from extensive inputs of data and ideas from our colleagues in other components of the Fitzroy Agricultural Contaminants subproject. We acknowledge and thank the following other people for their various contributions to this work. Kirrod Broadhurst, Graham Wassell, Paul Ridett and David Munro, the captain and crew of the Rum Rambler, managed navigation and shared their extensive local knowledge. Colin Tindall, Peter Verwey, Bob Noble, Bob Packett and the crew of the Pacific Conquest helped with various aspects of the fieldwork. Ray Degraaf, Stan Rucinski, Andrew Hislop, Tim Johnson and Craig Wintle developed and maintained equipment used on the surveys. Adrian Beech, Lesley Clementson, Rachel Davenport, Algis Juoldvalkis, Alan Hinde, Danny Hunt, Mio Kuhnen, Andy Longmore, Alex McLachlan, Luis Neumann, David Page, Bill Pappas, Tan Kok Piang, John Pike, Neil Ramsay, Carolyn Sandison, Craig Smith, Peter Taylor and Liz Webber prepared and analysed samples and/or provided advice on analytical methods. Chris Fitzgerald, Bianca Reese and Silvio Mezzomo drafted the figures. The manuscript has benefited from discussions with Nugzar Margvelashvili, Bob Noble, David Ryan, Ralf Haese and Helen Bostock. Stephen V. Smith, Perran Cook, Peter Harris, Craig Smith and two anonymous reviewers provided advice that greatly improved the quality of this manuscript. Fieldwork was undertaken under permit from The Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks Authority. This manuscript is published with permission of the executive director, Geoscience Australia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine and Coastal Environment Group, Geoscience Australia, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

    L. C. Radke, I. Atkinson, J. Li & B. Brooke

  2. CSIRO Land & Water, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

    P. W. Ford, I. T. Webster, K. Oubelkheir & B. Robson

  3. CSIRO Land & Water, Private Bag No. 5, Wembley, WA, 6913, Australia

    G. Douglas

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  1. L. C. Radke
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Correspondence to L. C. Radke.

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Radke, L.C., Ford, P.W., Webster, I.T. et al. Biogeochemical Zones Within a Macrotidal, Dry-Tropical Fluvial-Marine Transition Area: A Dry-Season Perspective. Aquat Geochem 16, 1–29 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10498-009-9070-7

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