title: Determining potential for pollutant impacts in dynamic coastal waters: comparing morphological settings

authors: Pritchard, Timothy Roger

subjects: coastal oceanography

abstract: The coastal focus and beach culture of Australia’s population in general, and the people of New South Wales in particular, mean that coastal systems are both highly prized and subjected to great pressures.  The vast majority of the wastewater generated by the 7.3 million people of New South Wales is discharged directly to the ocean. The dispersion and fate of waterborne pollutants and their potential to impact coastal ecosystems are fundamentally determined by the dynamics of the coastal boundary layer (CBL). This turbulent interface between the coastline and the deep oceans is defined and classified for the first time in this thesis. Coastal morphologies and changes in the orientation of the coastline promote turbulence and strong gradients with extreme variability and heterogeneity over a broad range of scales. Conceptual models are presented to characterise New South Wales coastal boundary layer processes.

The broad aims of this thesis are to investigate the coastal boundary layer processes that affect dispersal and advection of pollutants, and to develop conceptual models and tools to facilitate coastal management.

Remote sensed ocean colour and sea surface temperature observations define meso-scale CBL phenomena, and this study demonstrates their application to support management decisions in relation to marine algal (phytoplankton) blooms. However, considerable scope exists to improve regional algorithms to deliver better ocean colour products for the optically complex (Case 2) waters of the inner coastal boundary layer.

Past failures to consider the CBL (morphological) settings of pollutant discharges to coastal waters have led to inefficient pollutant discharge systems and potential environmental impacts. Two case studies, investigate the principal forcing mechanisms and demonstrate the importance of morphology in controlling the dispersion and retention times of pollutants.

The first case study is focused on Sydney coastal waters where pollutant loadings are greater in magnitude and different in character than elsewhere in New South Wales. Here population pressures generate large wastewater loadings but the distances to offshore discharge locations are large compared to the scale of coastal roughness (headlands and bays) and the water is deep, thus reducing the risk of local retention of pollutants and increasing the potential for rapid dilution. By considering simulations of near field effluent plume behaviour in relation to long term ambient nutrient patterns specific periods of the year and depth intervals have been identified when outfalls would have an increased opportunity to influence bloom development, especially the upper half of the water column during late summer. However, algal blooms appear to be principally driven by seasonal oceanic nutrient enrichment. The research presented in this thesis, together with companion research previously published by the author and routine ongoing monitoring, indicate the viability of disposal of the Sydney’s excess sewage effluent (after source control and re-use options have been exhausted) via existing deepwater outfalls.

In contrast, inner CBL settings with coastal irregularities (e.g. headlands and bays) have a greater propensity to trap pollutants. A new hydrodynamically relevant morphological classification of New South Wales bays, headlands and islands provides both broad context for case studies and guides preliminary assessments for other locations. This classification reveals a borderline propensity for flow separation and re-circulation in the lee of Corambirra Point which is the focus of the second case study off Coffs Harbour in northern NSW. Direct observations and 3D finite difference hydrodynamic (Eulerian) and particle tracking (Lagrangian) model simulations quantify transient re-circulation associated with local current accelerations and a persistent shear zone located in the wake to the south of Corambirra Point. The flux of ambient water across the prescribed outfall alignment increases eighteen fold, over a shear zone spanning a cross-shore distance of just 1.4km (from 1.6km to 3km offshore). In contrast, the potential for re-entrainment and trapping of effluent in transient re-circulation cells was demonstrated to be insignificant. The proposed location of the outfalls was 1.5km offshore whereas the greatest gain per unit extension of the proposed discharge point coincides with the centre of the shear zone located ~2km offshore.

These case studies illustrate specific coastal boundary layer effects and indicate how an understanding of the spatial and temporal scales of these effects can be used to target more specific assessments of potential pollutant impacts. Simple morphological risk assessment tools are also presented to identify factors and processes which limit the exposure of sensitive environments to high pollutant concentrations and loads. Eddy retention effects are generally not incorporated in existing near field models but potential re-entrainment effects in wake zones can be assessed through the eddy retention value, which is introduced in this thesis. Although the approach presented here is focused on New South Wales coastal waters, the framework serves as a basis for general application elsewhere, and as a foundation for further refinement for application to NSW coastal waters.

Existing scientific literature indicates that coastal boundary layer processes also shape the distributions of the biological species and communities. This further motivates the development of a process based understanding of coastal boundary layer dynamics as a fundamental platform to support environmental protection and biodiversity conservation initiatives.

text: Determining potential for pollutant impacts in dynamic coastal waters: comparing morphological settings The coastal focus and beach culture of Australia’s population in general, and the people of New South Wales in particular, mean that coastal systems are both highly prized and subjected to great pressures.  The vast majority of the wastewater generated by the 7.3 million people of New South Wales is discharged directly to the ocean. The dispersion and fate of waterborne pollutants and their potential to impact coastal ecosystems are fundamentally determined by the dynamics of the coastal boundary layer (CBL). This turbulent interface between the coastline and the deep oceans is defined and classified for the first time in this thesis. Coastal morphologies and changes in the orientation of the coastline promote turbulence and strong gradients with extreme variability and heterogeneity over a broad range of scales. Conceptual models are presented to characterise New South Wales coastal boundary layer processes.

The broad aims of this thesis are to investigate the coastal boundary layer processes that affect dispersal and advection of pollutants, and to develop conceptual models and tools to facilitate coastal management.

Remote sensed ocean colour and sea surface temperature observations define meso-scale CBL phenomena, and this study demonstrates their application to support management decisions in relation to marine algal (phytoplankton) blooms. However, considerable scope exists to improve regional algorithms to deliver better ocean colour products for the optically complex (Case 2) waters of the inner coastal boundary layer.

Past failures to consider the CBL (morphological) settings of pollutant discharges to coastal waters have led to inefficient pollutant discharge systems and potential environmental impacts. Two case studies, investigate the principal forcing mechanisms and demonstrate the importance of morphology in controlling the dispersion and retention times of pollutants.

The first case study is focused on Sydney coastal waters where pollutant loadings are greater in magnitude and different in character than elsewhere in New South Wales. Here population pressures generate large wastewater loadings but the distances to offshore discharge locations are large compared to the scale of coastal roughness (headlands and bays) and the water is deep, thus reducing the risk of local retention of pollutants and increasing the potential for rapid dilution. By considering simulations of near field effluent plume behaviour in relation to long term ambient nutrient patterns specific periods of the year and depth intervals have been identified when outfalls would have an increased opportunity to influence bloom development, especially the upper half of the water column during late summer. However, algal blooms appear to be principally driven by seasonal oceanic nutrient enrichment. The research presented in this thesis, together with companion research previously published by the author and routine ongoing monitoring, indicate the viability of disposal of the Sydney’s excess sewage effluent (after source control and re-use options have been exhausted) via existing deepwater outfalls.

In contrast, inner CBL settings with coastal irregularities (e.g. headlands and bays) have a greater propensity to trap pollutants. A new hydrodynamically relevant morphological classification of New South Wales bays, headlands and islands provides both broad context for case studies and guides preliminary assessments for other locations. This classification reveals a borderline propensity for flow separation and re-circulation in the lee of Corambirra Point which is the focus of the second case study off Coffs Harbour in northern NSW. Direct observations and 3D finite difference hydrodynamic (Eulerian) and particle tracking (Lagrangian) model simulations quantify transient re-circulation associated with local current accelerations and a persistent shear zone located in the wake to the south of Corambirra Point. The flux of ambient water across the prescribed outfall alignment increases eighteen fold, over a shear zone spanning a cross-shore distance of just 1.4km (from 1.6km to 3km offshore). In contrast, the potential for re-entrainment and trapping of effluent in transient re-circulation cells was demonstrated to be insignificant. The proposed location of the outfalls was 1.5km offshore whereas the greatest gain per unit extension of the proposed discharge point coincides with the centre of the shear zone located ~2km offshore.

These case studies illustrate specific coastal boundary layer effects and indicate how an understanding of the spatial and temporal scales of these effects can be used to target more specific assessments of potential pollutant impacts. Simple morphological risk assessment tools are also presented to identify factors and processes which limit the exposure of sensitive environments to high pollutant concentrations and loads. Eddy retention effects are generally not incorporated in existing near field models but potential re-entrainment effects in wake zones can be assessed through the eddy retention value, which is introduced in this thesis. Although the approach presented here is focused on New South Wales coastal waters, the framework serves as a basis for general application elsewhere, and as a foundation for further refinement for application to NSW coastal waters.

Existing scientific literature indicates that coastal boundary layer processes also shape the distributions of the biological species and communities. This further motivates the development of a process based understanding of coastal boundary layer dynamics as a fundamental platform to support environmental protection and biodiversity conservation initiatives.

year: 2012

title: Ecology of aquatic hyphomycetes in New Zealand streams

authors: Aimer, Robyn Denise

abstract: This work investigated the occurrence of aquatic hyphomycetes in stream ecosystems in New Zealand. It provided evidence for the potential importance of detrital cycles in such ecosystems and of the role of aquatic hyphomycetes in the decay of leaf litter. Leaves from a representative range of plant species were enclosed in mesh bags in two undisturbed streams flowing through different forest types at different altitudes, and fungal population dynamics followed during leaf decay. A method was developed, using pure cultures of appropriate aquatic hyphomycetes, which enabled the mycelial content of leaf material (m mycelium/g) attributable to individual fungal species to be quickly and easily determined from the spore production measured from leaf samples. Antibiotics were used to quantify the relative fungal and bacterial contributions to microbial activity of leaf samples through the selective inhibition of respiration. Fungi accounted for about half of the total microbial respiration, and on average 80 % of this fungal respiration was attributable to aquatic hyphomycetes.

Three major patterns were apparent from the data for aquatic hyphomycete population dynamics. 1) A successional pattern was identified among aquatic hyphomycetes, with the species falling into three groups on the basis of the order of their period of abundance. 2) Aquatic hyphomycete abundance varied among leaf types, with soft-rotting types (hangehange, young kanono) being poorly colonised compared to firmer, darker-rotting types (old kanono, kamahi, silver beech, tawa, kauri, and rimu). Nikau (palm) and ponga (fern) leaves, although not soft-rotting, were also poorly colonised by aquatic hyphomycetes, but bore a rich alternative mycoflora. 3) The occurrence of many aquatic hyphomycetes showed seasonal preferences and a distinct geographical distribution which followed that of higher plants. Both seasonal and geographical patterns were probably related to temperature.

Laboratory evidence was obtained of the potential importance of oxygen in determining aquatic hyphomycete occurrence, with the dominant species in most New Zealand streams (Lunulospora cymbiformis) being extremely intolerant of low oxygen conditions. Two new species of aquatic hyphomycetes were isolated in the course of the work.

text: Ecology of aquatic hyphomycetes in New Zealand streams This work investigated the occurrence of aquatic hyphomycetes in stream ecosystems in New Zealand. It provided evidence for the potential importance of detrital cycles in such ecosystems and of the role of aquatic hyphomycetes in the decay of leaf litter. Leaves from a representative range of plant species were enclosed in mesh bags in two undisturbed streams flowing through different forest types at different altitudes, and fungal population dynamics followed during leaf decay. A method was developed, using pure cultures of appropriate aquatic hyphomycetes, which enabled the mycelial content of leaf material (m mycelium/g) attributable to individual fungal species to be quickly and easily determined from the spore production measured from leaf samples. Antibiotics were used to quantify the relative fungal and bacterial contributions to microbial activity of leaf samples through the selective inhibition of respiration. Fungi accounted for about half of the total microbial respiration, and on average 80 % of this fungal respiration was attributable to aquatic hyphomycetes.

Three major patterns were apparent from the data for aquatic hyphomycete population dynamics. 1) A successional pattern was identified among aquatic hyphomycetes, with the species falling into three groups on the basis of the order of their period of abundance. 2) Aquatic hyphomycete abundance varied among leaf types, with soft-rotting types (hangehange, young kanono) being poorly colonised compared to firmer, darker-rotting types (old kanono, kamahi, silver beech, tawa, kauri, and rimu). Nikau (palm) and ponga (fern) leaves, although not soft-rotting, were also poorly colonised by aquatic hyphomycetes, but bore a rich alternative mycoflora. 3) The occurrence of many aquatic hyphomycetes showed seasonal preferences and a distinct geographical distribution which followed that of higher plants. Both seasonal and geographical patterns were probably related to temperature.

Laboratory evidence was obtained of the potential importance of oxygen in determining aquatic hyphomycete occurrence, with the dominant species in most New Zealand streams (Lunulospora cymbiformis) being extremely intolerant of low oxygen conditions. Two new species of aquatic hyphomycetes were isolated in the course of the work.

year: 1989

title: The Aroha block from 1880 onwards

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: With the discovery of gold in 1880 and the pressure to open the land for mining, there was a need to determine the boundaries of the Ngati Rahiri reserves and to subdivide these amongst the owners. As well, terms for paying goldfields revenue had to be negotiated before the goldfield could be opened, and after its opening the claims of Maori with little or no basis for their claims of ownership had to be investigated. Wairakau reserve, outside the goldfield, was not subdivided until mid-1882, and arguments over the ownership of Tui Pa continued well into the twentieth century. 
At first, sales of Crown land found few takers, especially because the farm sections required draining before they could be developed. Ngati Rahiri reserves were designated as being inalienable, but they could be leased for 21 years, as some portions were, at low rates. Very quickly, officials, who feared Maori would become landless, had to fend off requests to remove restrictions on sale made by owners who in some instances lived far from Te Aroha and who all wanted to obtain money from selling land of little use to them. The indebtedness of some owners led to continued pressure to sell, though often the money they received was wasted. With the fading of the goldfield, miners sought land for farms, and were frustrated at the Crown not purchasing the Ngati Rahiri reserves. 
Land was acquired by the Crown to extend the hot springs domain, and after negotiating improved leases in the Te Aroha township the freehold of this settlement was acquired. Some Maori retained their land, which Pakeha accused them of not improving; Maori requests that the government provide training in farming methods were ignored. By the twentieth century most Ngati Rahiri had become landless, but as many examples illustrate, this was commonly because cash-strapped owners insisted on selling their interests for an immediate financial return.

text: The Aroha block from 1880 onwards With the discovery of gold in 1880 and the pressure to open the land for mining, there was a need to determine the boundaries of the Ngati Rahiri reserves and to subdivide these amongst the owners. As well, terms for paying goldfields revenue had to be negotiated before the goldfield could be opened, and after its opening the claims of Maori with little or no basis for their claims of ownership had to be investigated. Wairakau reserve, outside the goldfield, was not subdivided until mid-1882, and arguments over the ownership of Tui Pa continued well into the twentieth century. 
At first, sales of Crown land found few takers, especially because the farm sections required draining before they could be developed. Ngati Rahiri reserves were designated as being inalienable, but they could be leased for 21 years, as some portions were, at low rates. Very quickly, officials, who feared Maori would become landless, had to fend off requests to remove restrictions on sale made by owners who in some instances lived far from Te Aroha and who all wanted to obtain money from selling land of little use to them. The indebtedness of some owners led to continued pressure to sell, though often the money they received was wasted. With the fading of the goldfield, miners sought land for farms, and were frustrated at the Crown not purchasing the Ngati Rahiri reserves. 
Land was acquired by the Crown to extend the hot springs domain, and after negotiating improved leases in the Te Aroha township the freehold of this settlement was acquired. Some Maori retained their land, which Pakeha accused them of not improving; Maori requests that the government provide training in farming methods were ignored. By the twentieth century most Ngati Rahiri had become landless, but as many examples illustrate, this was commonly because cash-strapped owners insisted on selling their interests for an immediate financial return.

year: 2016