Magnetic Quay water quality and sediment baseline study 1989

Abstract

A study of water quality and water column sediment loads was carried out in the period mid-December 1988 to mid-February 1989 on the south-east facing fringing reefs of Magnetic Island. The study aimed at providing a baseline before construction commenced on the marina/hotel development planned for the northern end of Nelly Bay. Although it was realized that a complete baseline, allowing for natural seasonal and meteorological variability, could not be produced in two months, as much data as was logistically possible to obtain ·was collected including data from periods of contrasting weather conditions. An associated benthic biota and sedimentation study provided a benthos baseline and measured sediment deposition in sediment traps in the same areas.