The Surface Hydrology Points (Regional) dataset provides a set of related features classes to be used as the basis of the production of consistent hydrological information. This dataset contains a geometric representation of major hydrographic point elements - both natural and artificial. This dataset is the best available data supplied by Jurisdictions and aggregated by Geoscience Australia it is intended for defining hydrological features.

This document represents part of Geoscience Australia's contribution to the National Estuaries Assessment and Management (NE) project, Theme 5 (Assessment and Monitoring), Task 5A 'Conceptual Models of Australian Estuaries and Coastal Waterways'. The report contains comprehensive conceptual models of the biophysical processes that operate in a wide range of estuaries and coastal waterways found around Australia. Geomorphic conceptual models have been developed for each of the seven types of Australian estuaries and coastal waterways. Each conceptual model comprises a three-dimensional block diagram depicting detailed summaries of the structure, evolutionary characteristics, and geomorphology of each coastal waterway type, which are ?overlain? by flow diagrams that depict some of the important biotic and abiotic processes, namely: hydrology, sediment dynamics, and nutrient dynamics. Geomorphology was used as the common 'base layer' in the conceptual models, because sediment is the fundamental, underlying substrate upon which all other estuarine processes depend and operate. In the conceptual models, wave-dominated systems are depicted as having a relatively narrow entrance that restricts marine flushing, and low water-column turbidity except during extreme events. Tide-dominated systems feature relatively wide entrances, which likely promote efficient marine flushing, very large relative areas of intertidal habitats, and naturally high turbidity due to strong turbulence induced by tidal currents. Strong evidence exists suggesting that estuaries (both wave- and tide-dominated) are the most efficient 'traps' for terrigenous and marine sediments, and these are depicted as providing the most significant potential for trapping and processing of terrigenous nutrient loads. Intertidal areas, such as mangroves and saltmarshes, and also the central basins of wave-dominated estuaries and coastal lagoons, are likely to accumulate the majority of trapped sediments and nutrients. Conceptual model diagrams, with overlays representing environmental processes, can be used as part of a decision support system for environmental managers, and as a tool for comparative assessment in which a more integrative and shared vision of the relationship between components in an ecosystem can be applied.

An area of about 12,000 square miles was mapped in the field seasons 1950-51. It contains four Pre-Cambrian rock groups ranging from Archaeozoic to Uppermost Proterozoic. The main groups in the area, the Mt. Isa and Lawn Hill Groups, are shallow-water geosynclinal sediments involved in a Proterozoic orogeny which resulted in fairly intensive folding along dominantly north-south axes, together with much faulting. The geological features discussed in this report include physiography, topography, stratigraphy, igneous activity, structure, mineral deposits and water supply.

Existing sources of water supply are described. Proposals for improving the supply of town water are considered. Further investigations are recommended with respect to tapping the southern lobe of the local basin, surface conservation, underground water resources, and the selection of a possible dam site.

Benthic nutrient fluxes from the sediments were measured at three Sites in the Bombah Broadwater of Myall Lakes during the winter (June) of 2000. Surface sediments (0-1 cm) and two cores were collected at each site and processed for measurements of carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition of the OM (organic matter), biomarkers and bulk sediment composition (OM and major cations). Pore waters were extracted from sediments and measured for both organic and inorganic metabolites. Biomarker, benthic flux data and the compositions of inorganic metabolites in pore waters indicated that Redfield OM (organic matter) was predominant in the sediments and mostly diatomaceous and probably responsible for the observed release of nutrients from the sediments to t he overlying waters. Carbon degradation rates in the sediments, during these winter month, varied between 5-47 mmol m-2 d-1 (60-564 µg m-2d-1) and were highest in the muddy sediments (mean = 21.3 +/-12.7 mmol m-2 d-1) as compared to the sandy sediments (mean = 11.6 +/-4.8 mmol m-2 d-1). DIN fluxes were less than those predicted from CO2 fluxes and Redfield stoichiometry and the `missing nitrogen' (subsequently determined by mass spectrometry as N2) was indicative of denitrification in the surface sediments. Rates of denitrification calculated from N2 directly and from `missing N' were similar and up to 5.1 mmol N m-2 d-1. There was no evidence of organic metabolite fluxes although the organic and inorganic metabolite concentrations were similar in the pore waters. Denitrification efficiencies were high (mean = 80 +/- 4%) in the sandy sediments and lower (although there was considerable variability) in the muddy sediments (mean =38% +/- 9%). Most DIP (generally > 70%) liberated to pore waters during OM degradation was not released into overlying waters but remained trapped and enriched in surface sediments. Benthic nutrient fluxes (average DIN/DIP = 131) were preferentially enriched in N compared to the OM (N/P = 16) raining into the sediments. Adjective biophysical processes (not diffusive) dominated the fluxes of metabolites across the sediment -water interface.

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No abstract available

A PowerPoint presentation showing regional interpretations of data from the Frome airborne electromagnetic survey, presented at a workshop on 30 November 2011 at the University of Adelaide, South Australia

A detailed analysis of aquifer systems in the Broken Hill Managed Aquifer Recharge priority areas has clarified our understanding of key components of the aquifer systems. Of the priority areas examined in detail, the aquifers located in the Darling Floodplain are considered to have the greatest potential for developing Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) options and for hosting significant volumes of previously undefined fresh and brackish groundwaters with low levels of allocation, thereby assisting the larger strategic effort aimed at identifying significant water-saving measures for the Darling River system.

In early autumn 2006 (14th March to 4th April), Geoscience Australia conducted a field survey to investigate the major processes controlling water quality in Wellstead Estuary, Gordon Inlet and Beaufort Inlet. This project aimed to address critical knowledge gaps in understanding the impact of sediment-water interactions on water quality in each estuary, in particular, to identify the major controls on nutrient abundance and availability. The impacts of sediment-water interactions on overall water quality took into account: 1. shallowness of the estuaries and long water residence time; 2. productivity of microbenthic algae; and 3. the type of aquatic plant growth. Recommendations for the future management of these estuaries included: 1. Reducing nitrogen loads from the catchments of Wellstead Estuary and Gordon Inlet, and reducing the phosphorus loads from the catchment of Beaufort inlet; 2. Monitoring the abundance of macroalgae in Wellstead Estuary, the abundance of macrophytes in Gordon Inlet and the water column Chl-a concentrations in Beaufort Inlet.