Water Quality Assessment of Karingal Yalloc: Water ... · Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected] 1 Water Quality Assessment of Karingal

Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]

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Water Quality Assessment of Karingal Yalloc: Water Chemical and Macro Faunal Testing

By Zara Aghajanyan


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Objective_____________________________________________________________

To define the current state of the Karingal Yalloc, a small urban creek in Eltham, Melbourne. By

analyzing chemical and biological indicators of water pollution a baseline will be generated.

Introduction_________________________________________________ _________ Nerreman Gateway was once a large block of farmland, owned by the Smith family. What once was a

hobby farm has now been turned into a wetlands. A storm water fed creek, named Karingal Yalloc,

runs through the block of land, parallel to Coolabindi Chase. When the land was still farmed a large

dam was built to block the creek and to create a lake. As the dam was first of its kind it is currently

heritage listed and cannot be changed. The creek is in an urban area and numerous factors, including

the retardation of stream flow by the dam itself, degrade the water quality of the small creek. Pollution

from stormwater drains, runoff from the surrounding neighborhood, anoxic conditions within the dam

and heavy industrial pollution, such as the collapse of a road into the creek, degrade the water quality

significantly. This report aims to generate the current water quality baseline of the creek and to relate

it to past observations. This will further help in creating the Nillumbik Indigenous Plants Park along

Karingal Yalloc.

Brief History_______________________________________________ _________

Dam built in 1940 by Douglas Bernhard Smith

Farming ceased by end of 20th century, urban settlement began

Waterwatch along Karingal Yalloc began in 2001

Collapse of Sherbourne road into creek on Febuary 2005

Native reforestation along length of creek from Weidlich Rd to Gleneagle way, 2002 – 20

Lake dredged due to bad odour and invasive Cumbungi reed largely removed, March 2010

Application for the creation of the Nillumbik Indigenous Plants Park, 2015

Collapse of Sherbourne road into Karingal Yalloc in 2005. Photo courtesy of Julia Davis


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Methods ___________________ __

Four sampling locations were chosen along the creek, both upstream and downstream from the

Smith dam. This was done to minimize bias and to get a full understanding of the health of the creek.

Location 3 was located downstream from two stormwater drains and was chosen to give a better

understanding of the amount of pollution in the storm water.

Water chemistry

The Thermo Fisher 90FLT Field Analyzer was used for accurate

water chemistry measurements in the field. The analyzer came

with numerous water proof probes that each measured a different

parameter. The probes were left in shallow water for a few

moments and the results were recorded on the analyzer box.

This was repeated 3-4 times at each sampling spot to minimize

error.

Initially other field testing kits were used, such as the LaMotte

D.O Kit, TDScan3 and the Waterwatch Turbidity Tube, but they

were proven to be inefficient and unreliable, for this reason they

are not included in this report. The Total Phosphorous was

measured using the Merck Oxisolve/Aquaquant Test Kit.

Previous Waterwatch Victoria reports on Karingal Yalloc were

accessed and used to compare the current state of the creek to

and use as reference.

Sampling locations along creek

Section 2 of Karingal Yalloc

The Waterwatch Turbidity Tube

relied heavily on interpretation

and was deemed unreliable


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Macroinvertebrates

Macroinvertebrates were manually collected using a long D-

frame net by vigorously sweeping vegetation and debris in

shallow water, such as reeds, fallen logs and tree roots. The

sample was rinsed by pouring stream water through it or by

sweeping open water to get rid of silt and mud particles. The

contents of the net were emptied out onto a large plastic tray

and stream water was poured on top to dislodge the organisms

from the net. Using tweezers and plastic pipettes organisms

were individually plucked from the tray and separated into ice

cube trays for identification. The identification book by

Gooderham and Tsyrlin (2002) of freshwater invertebrates was

used to categorize the organisms under their respective

SIGNAL score. SIGNAL stands for Stream Invertebrate Grade

Number – Average Level. This method of rating helps to

understand the amount of disturbance an ecosystem has

undergone, the more polluted the water is – the more tolerant

types of bugs will be present. The rating is as follows:

Higher than 6: healthy habitat

Between 5 and 6: mild pollution

Between 4 and 5: moderate pollution

Less than 4: severe pollution

Collecting macroinvertebrates

from shallow grass roots


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Results ___________________ __

Table 1. Collected water chemical parameters which aid to assess the current baseline of the creek

and the amount of disturbance affecting it.

Date: 22/04/15

Location: 1a. Top of dam (Nerreman gateway)

Notes: 20o C, 20% foliage, shade cover. 3pm

Sample T (C)

DO (ppm)

DO (%

sat)

EC pH Turb (NTU)

TP (mg/L)

1.1 14.5 0.5 5 131 6.05 14-20 0.04

1.2 15 0.22-0.4 2-4 138 6.4 11 0.06

1.3 14.5 0.55 5

135 6.4 12-19 0.06

Location: 1b. Top of dam, opposite bank (Karingal drive)

Notes: 10% foliage cover, still water

1.4 14.8 0.77 8 132 6.61 17-25 0.07

1.5 15.3 0.64 6 116 6.6 14-25 0.04

1.6 13.8 0.83 8 90 6.63 10-26 0.04

Location: 2. Bottom of dam, across Gleneagle Way

Notes: 40% foliage, shade cover, running water

2.1 14.6 4.6 45 70 6.87 5 0.04

2.2 14.7 4.74 47 70 6.9 5-6 0.04

2.3 14.6 4.45 44 77 6.9 6.2 0.04

Location: 3. Two estuaries combine (Weidlich road)

Notes: 5-10% foliage, cloud cover, 3pm. Lots of gravel in creek bed. Running water.

Sample T, C DO (ppm)

DO (% sat)

EC pH Turb (NTU)

TP (mg/L)

3.1 15.7 8-8.5 80-85 163 7.6 7-10 0.08

3.2 15.9 9.3 94 160 7.58 7-8.5 0.07

3.3 15.3 7.16 71 163 7.8 8-15 0.07

3.4 16.5 9.2 94 156 7.87 10-12 0.07

Location: 4. 50-70m down from estuaries (Ramptons road)

Notes: 10-15% foliage cover. Cloud cover. Running water

4.1 15.3 4.7 47 131 7.28 5 0.05

4.2 15 4.8 48 115 7.4 5-10 0.05

4.3 15.1 5-5.5 50-55 124 7.6 6~8 0.05


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Figure 1. Visual representation of counted macroinvertebrates. Total count of EPT taxa: 4.

General range of signal grades: ~1-3. See: Appendix 1.

Figure 2. Past signal grade distribution with the most abundant grades (1-3). See: Appendix 3


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Figure 3 Dissolved oxygen saturation history of the lake above Smith dam on Nerreman Gateway.

Likely correlation between temperature and DO saturation, higher DO concentrations due to lower

temperatures. See Appendix 2

Figure 4 Slight positive correlation between rainfall and DO. R2 indicates how well the data fits the

regression line. As it is very low, the correlation between the two parameters is very weak.


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Figure 5. Abundance of phosphate and ammonium in the past. Notable spike followed by decrease in

concentration after dredging of dam in March 2010.


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Discussion ___________________ __ The Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZECC)

standards and the Waterwatch Victoria standard for freshwater environments will be used as

reference points to compare the collected data.

ANZECC (2000) guidelines for slightly disturbed and highly disturbed streams:

Environment Phosphorous (mg/L) Nitrogen (mg/L)

DO (% sat) pH

Salinity (µS/ cm)

Turbidity (NTU)

Min Max

Lowland River 0.02 0.02 85 110 8 125 6-50

Freshwater Lake 0.005 0.01 90 110 8 20-30 1-20

Waterwatch guidelines for freshwater streams:

Parameter Excellent Good Fair Poor Degraded

Conductivity (µS/ cm) <100 <250 <500 <750 >750

Turbidity (NTU) <15 <17.5 <20 <30 >30

pH 6.0-7.5 5.5-6 or <8.0 8.0-8.5 5.0-5.5 or 8.5-9.0

<5.0 or >9.0

Phosphorous (mg/L) <0.008 <0.02 <0.04 <0.08 >0.08

Ammonium (mg/L)

<0.05 <0.1 <0.2 <0.4 >0.4

The macroinvertebrate data immediately shows that the

environment is heavily polluted as the SIGNAL scores generally

range from 1-3 (Fig 1). Previous testing also had the same range

of scores, with the upper limit occasionally being a score of 5 or 6

(Fig 2, Appendix 3).Though, in more recent time the amount of

less resistant bugs have become more abundant. In just one

month 4 specimens of EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera,

Trichoptera) taxa were found, which is a sure sign that the

conditions have improved as these indicator insects have SIGNAL

scores of 8-10 (Gooderham and Tsyrlin 2002). This may correlate

to the recent increase in native reforestation along Karingal Yalloc

by the Nillumbik council (Appendix 4). Numerous shells of

Ephemeroptera nymphs were found regularly at the sampling

sites, which is also a sign of improving conditions.

Above the Smith dam and along Nerreman gateway the dissolved

oxygen (DO%) saturation was significantly more degraded than at

other sections along the creek, ranging from 2-8 (Table 1). This is

critically under saturated, as the lower limit for DO% in the ANZECC guidelines is 90. Both the

retardation of stream flow by the dam and the invasive reeds upstream severely affect the DO

saturation of the lake. Decreased stream flow would cease turbidation and aeration of the stream,

whilst the invasive reeds choke the stream and end water circulation. As the Smith dam is heritage

Common waterboatman

(Corixidae), SIGNAL score: 3


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listed (Victorian Heritage Database, 2010), one solution would be to increase the outflow from the

system to increase stream flow. Excessive and repeated weeding of the area would keep the reeds

under control and increase the thermal convection of water, which itself would create flow and

aeration. Further reforestation can introduce more native plant species to the stream and increase the

competition against the invasive reeds. A fountain or some boulders can increases the turbulent flow

of the water and aid in aeration (IEPA 1997). It should also be mentioned that the DO% can be

dependent on the temperature of the water (US EPA, 2012). Colder water can hold higher

concentrations of oxygen (Fig 3). Decreased DO% can cause algal growth and cyanobacteria blooms

which can further deplete the water body of oxygen and create anoxic conditions. Decrease in DO%

may also reduce the redox potential and suspend heavy metals from sediments, which has adverse

effects on the ecosystem. Further downstream and upstream the DO% ranges from poor to fair,

which can be attributed to rainfall and urban pollution.

The ammonium was too low to generate a reading, while the total phosphorous was above both

guidelines. It ranged 0.04 -0.08, which is above all guidelines and can be attributed to either the storm

water runoff or the past land use. Also previously within the Eltham area primarily septic tanks were

used to store and treat wastewater. Septic run off would have also caused an increase in nutrient

concentrations within the creek and in the surrounding sediment. In the past both ammonium and

phosphorous have been quite high (Fig 5). This can be related to the invasive weeds within the water

or algal blooms, which both decrease the water quality of the lake (EPA VIC, 2001). Increase in DO%

and extensive weeding of invasive reeds will decrease the occurrence of harmful algal blooms.

Increased nutrient concentration and a decrease

in DO% in freshwater systems can be the

catalyst to a self-sustaining toxic cycle. Nutrients

can cause algal growth and cyanobacterial

blooms which reduce light penetration into the

water and hinder photosynthesis of aquatic

plants. The increase of organic detritus and the

resulting decay of organic material further

decreases the DO concentration within the

water, which smothers aquatic organisms –

particularly fish (ANZECC 2000). In the past

scum and bad odour have been noted below the

dam wall, which could be due to toxic bacteria,

such as cyanobacteria, that thrive in anoxic and

nutrient rich environments.

The electrical conductivity (EC) indicates the amount of dissolved ions, such as salts, Calcium,

Magnesium, Potassium, Chlorides and Bicarbonates in a water body. Increased conductivity in

Karingal Yalloc can be attributed to storm water that feeds the creek (Fig 4) or runoff from the major

roads surrounding it. The EC within all sections of the creek is relatively good according to the

Waterwatch guidelines (<250), but slightly high according to ANZECC standards. Previously the EC

has been poor to degraded according to Waterwatch and very degraded by ANZECC (Appendix 2).

An increase in salinity may cause a release of heavy metals within the water body from surrounding

sediment. This may drastically harm the ecosystem, affecting the anatomy and reproductive success

of aquatic organisms (WATERSHEDSS, 1995).

Scum below the dam wall.

Photo courtesy of Julia Davis, Waterwatch


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The turbidity of all the sites is quite low, meaning the suspended particles within the water bodies are

very low. This is a positive sign as increased turbidity impedes on photosynthesis within the creek

which can lead to toxic environments. Previously the turbidity has been quite constant, ranging from

10-50, with occasional spikes during increased rainfall, which temporarily mobilizes solids. The

collapse of Sherbourne road into the creek would have also negatively affected the turbidity.

The measured pH was quite good, but in the past the pH has varied significantly (Appendix 2). This

can be attributed to the acidity or alkalinity of the stormwater that feeds the creek, the amount of

suspended heavy metals in the water or even the amount of physical rubbish left in the creek.

Decrease in pH may cause the release of heavy metals from sediment into the water

(WATERSHEDSS, 1995). As aforementioned, this has very negative impacts on the health of the

ecosystem.

Systematic and Random Errors _____ __ It should be note that numerous errors could have altered the collection of data. These could range

from random, those that could not be controlled by the person collecting the sample, to systematic –

errors that can be controlled. Some examples of these errors:

Random Systematic

Weather: increased rainfall, sunshine, shade cover

Incorrect use of equipment

Organisms: abundance depending on season Interpretation of samples: identification of bugs dependent on interpretation

Surrounding environment: landslide, increased pollution from industrial development, increased rubbish

Not enough repeated samples, to minimize bias

Also the use of SIGNAL scores should not be used solely when analyzing freshwater environments.

An ecological system could be in balance, but have more tolerant species that thrive in it. E.g. bugs

that live in brine environments. Or be abundant in more sensitive organisms, but in a very niche

habitat (Gooderham and Tsyrlin 2002).

Conclusion ___________________ __ Karingal Yalloc can be labelled as a ‘highly disturbed creek’ (ANZECC, 2000). Stormwater drainage

and urban runoff from the surrounding suburbs heavily influence the health of the creek. By further

reforestation and weeding the condition of the creek can be greatly improved. Further increase of the

output from the dam will also positively alter the chemical makeup of Karingal Yalloc and help to

return the natural ecosystem to a balanced state. If increased output from dam is not possible, other

forms of aeration must be implemented, such as a fountain.


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References _______________ __

ANZECC (2000) Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality,

‘National Water Quality Management Stategy.

EPA VIC (2001) Nutrient objectives for rivers and streams – ecosystem protection | EPA Victoria. Viewed on 02/07/2015 at: < http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/our-work/publications/publication/2001/december/792-1>

Gooderham, J., and Tsyrlin, E. (2002) The Waterbug Book, CSIRO Publishing, Australia

Illinois EPA (1997) Lake aeration and circulation. Viewed on 02/06/2015 at

<http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/conservation/lake-notes/lake-aeration.pdf>

US EPA (1997) How do we measure the quality of our waters? Viewed on 02/07/2015 at: < http://water.epa.gov/learn/resources/measure.cfm>

Victorian Heritage Database (2010) Smith Dam. Viewed on 06/07/2015 at:

<http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/places/result_detail/63471>

WATERSHEDSS (1995) Precipitation of Heavy Metals from Wastewaters. Viewed on 06/07/2015 at:

< http://www.water.ncsu.edu/watershedss/info/hmetals.html>

Acknowledgements __________ __

A big thank you to my helpers Stephanie Eastmure, Catherine Comerford and Taron Naoroji. Thank

you to the Friends of Karingal Yalloc, Alex Smith and Theodoros Papakonstantinou for organizing this

opportunity. Special thanks to Ian Burns and Julia Davis for supplying extensive data and information

on the history of the site. Also thank you to Karen Borton and the Nillumbik Shire Council for

supplying the field equipment.


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Appendix 1: Macroinverterbate Count

Date: 4/2/2015

Location: 1a. Top of dam

Notes: Sunny, partly cloud cover. 20-25oC

Name Count Signal Grade

Odonata 5 3

Diptera 45 3

Tubificid worm 15 2

Platyhelminthes Turbellarians 7 2

Hirudinea (leach) 7 1

Collembola (springtail) 16 1

Stratiomyids 2 2

Corixidae (waterboatmen) 2 2

Location: 1b. Top of dam, 10m up stream


Diptera 17 3

Tubificid worm 10 2



Plecoptera (stone fly) nymph 1 10

Date: 12/2/2015

Location: 2. Below dam, across Gleneagle Way

Notes: Warm, 25o C, light cloud cover


Heteroptera (water striders) 23 2

Platyhelminthes Turbellarians 50+ 2

Tubificid worm 37 2

Springtail 50+ 1



Diptera 20 3

Ephemeroptera (mayfly) 1 9

Odonata (damselfly) 1 3


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Location: 3. Two estuaries combine. (Weidlich road)


Odonata 1 3

Acarina (freshwater mite) 6 3

Ephemeroptera 1 6

Platyhelminthes Turbellarians

6 2

Gastropoda (fresh water snail)

18 2

Diptera 50+ 1


Tubificid worm 9 2


Note: Abundance of abandoned shells of ephemeroptera nymphs.

Date: 7/3/2015

Location: 4. Further downstream of estuaries (Ramptons road)

Notes: Cloud cover, warm, mild wind.


Odonata 1 3


Diptera 4 3

Platyhelminthes Turbellarians 50+ 2

Tubificid worm 26 2

Acarina (freshwater mite) 2 6

Ephemeroptera (mayfy) 1 9

Heteroptera (water striders) 12 2



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Appendix 2: Past Water Chemistry Data from Nerreman Gateway

Date Ammonium (mg/L NH4

+) DO

(% SAT) DO

(mg/L) EC

(µS/cm) pH

Phosphate (mg/L)

T (water oC)

Turbidity (NTU)

Weather Rain

(mm/mo)

09-2001 9.8 0 95.96 1280 7.8 0.0326 14 12 40

05-2006 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 15 35 Cloudy 50

06-2006 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 12 10 Raining 45

07-2006 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.06 10.5 30 Sunny 51

08-2006 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.05 11.4 15 Cloudy/ windy 33

09-2006 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.06 12 10 Sunny/ cloudy 34

10-2006 N/A N/A N/A 1290 7.6 0.06 15.4 10 Sunny/ windy 23

11-2006 N/A N/A N/A 600 7.4 0.15 19.6 20 Cloudy/ windy 26

12-2006 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.1 18.2 20 Sunny/ smoke haze 54

02-2007 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.07 21 10 Overcast/ windy 30

03-2007 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.03 18.9 10 Sunny/ windy 52

04-2007 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.02 14.9 10 Sunny 22

05-2007 0.2 39 4 360 6.9 0.03 13.8 10 Cloudy/ windy 52

06-2007 N/A 74 8 240 7.1 0.07 11.3 60 Cloudy 50

07-2007 0.2 53 6 730 7.1 0.03 9.5 40 Overcast/ windy 51

08-2007 0.15 35 4 580 8 0.05 9.4 10 Cloudy/ windy 22

09-2007 0.2 39 4 440 6.5 0.125 14.1 10 Cloudy/ windy 8

10-2007 0.01 41 4 360 7.4 0.08 15.5 20 Cloudy/ windy 12

11-2007 0 32 3 490 6.6 0.1 18 15 Sunny 74

12-2007 0 37 3.5 580 6.5 0.08 18 10 Cloudy, windy 43

02-2008 0 41 4 180 8 0.05 16 15 Overcast 20

04-2008 0 54.45 5.5 300 7.1 0.15 14.5 10 Sunny 31

05-2008 0 37.96 4 350 7.2 0.07 12.6 20 Sunny/cloudy 12

06-2008 0 53.59 6 470 7.2 0.1 10 10 Overcast 12

07-2008 0 73 8 370 7.7 0.08 11 15 Sunny/cloudy 47

08-2008 0.01 53 7 440 7.5 0.06 9.2 10 Sunny/cloudy/windy 60

09-2008 0.08 55 6 340 7 0.06 11 10 Sunny/cloudy/windy 29


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+) DO

(% SAT) DO

(mg/L) EC

(µS/cm) pH

Phosphate (mg/L)

T (water oC)

Turbidity (NTU)

Weather Rain

(mm/mo)

10-2008 0.07 38 4 270 7.4 0.05 12.2 10 Overcast 12

11-2008 0 41 4 200 7.1 0.03 15.7 20 Sunny/cloudy/windy 82

12-2008 0.1 42 4 340 7.3 0.1 17.8 15 Sunny/cloudy/windy 90

01-2009 N/A 36 3.5 390 6.9 0.1 16.5 15 Overcast/raining/windy 0

01-2009 0 41 3.5 630 7.1 0.025 23 10 Sunny 0

03-2009 0.07 36 3.5 340 6.6 0.15 16 15 Sunny/windy 45

04-2009 0.04 106 10 130 6.4 0.5 17.8 400 Raining 64

05-2009 0 36 4 200 6.7 0.03 10.5 20 Overcast/windy 8

06-2009 0.02 37 4 150 7.1 0.08 12 20 Sunny/cloudy 51

07-2009 0 55 6 310 6.5 0 11.4 15 Sunny/ windy 32

08-2009 0 72 8 90 6.2 0.07 10.5 50 Overcast/ windy 48

09-2009 0.15 28 3 130 6.2 0.07 12 20 Sunny/windy 117

10-2009 0.08 37 4 350 6.6 0.04 11.6 10 Sunny 117

11-2009 0.8 34 3 980 6.9 0.12 20.9 20 Sunny/windy 82

12-2009 0 44 4 460 6.9 0.06 20 20 Sunny/windy 69

01-2010 0.01 35 3 290 6.9 0.06 22.8 50 Sunny/windy 39

02-2010 0.4 36 4 850 7.4 0.07 9.9 15 Overcast 37

02-2010 0.03 35 3 440 6.9 0.1 22.2 20 Sunny/windy 37

03-2010 0.15 47 4 470 6.6 0.07 23.4 10 Sunny/windy 57

04-2010 0.05 42 4 180 6.9 0.07 17 20 Sunny/ windy 46

05-2010 0.45 27 3 280 6.9 0.08 11 15 Cloudy 40

07-2010 0.09 57 6 390 7.7 0.08 12.4 22 Cloudy/ windy 37

08-2010 0.01 72 8 170 8.1 0.05 10.1 30 Cloudy 71

09-2010 0.07 39 4 310 7.4 0.05 13.6 20 Cloudy/ windy 51

10-2010 0.01 42 4 780 7.6 0.06 17.5 11 Overcast/ windy 154

12-2010 0 66 6 1080 7.8 0.08 19.3 25 Cloudy/ windy 97

01-2011 0 39 3.5 1400 7.5 0.03 20.9 10 Overcast/ windy 109

03-2011 0 33 3 420 7.3 0.05 20.1 25 Cloudy 43

04-2011 0.01 50 5 1200 7.6 0.07 14.9 10 Sunny/ windy 119


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+) DO

(% SAT) DO

(mg/L) EC

(µS/cm) pH

Phosphate (mg/L)

T (water oC)

Turbidity (NTU)

Weather Rain

(mm/mo)

05-2011 0.06 68 7 320 7.3 0.04 13.5 50 Cloudy/ windy 62

07-2011 0.07 54 6 1190 7.7 0.07 10.4 15 Sunny/ windy 47

07-2011 0.02 95 10 250 7.2 0.025 12.7 15 Sunny 47

09-2011 0.35 88 9 560 7.3 0.1 13.8 27 Sunny/ windy 87

09-2011 0.07 56 6 1130 7.7 0.05 14.1 9 Sunny/ windy 87

10-2011 0.07 78 7 750 7.5 0.125 20.4 40 Cloudy/ windy 58

11-2011 0 69 6 250 7.8 0.05 22.2 100 Raining/ windy 139

12-2011 0.15 43 4 700 7 0.085 18.1 14 Cloudy 161

02-2012 0.4 35 3 510 6.8 0.1 22.1 14 Windy 78

03-2012 0.02 33 3 550 6.9 0.07 18.9 9 Windy 61

06-2012 0.15 55 6 690 7.1 0.07 10.8 13 Cloudy/ windy 54

07-2012 0.07 50 6 1200 7.3 0.08 7.1 9 Raining 75

09-2012 0.085 56 6 560 7.3 0.06 11.7 13 Overcast/ windy 35

10-2012 0.1 67 3 500 7.2 1.36 20.2 9 Sunny/ windy 36

01-2013 0.06 38 3.5 1030 7.1 0.04 18.9 9 Cloudy/ windy 17

02-2013 0.06 51 5 170 6.3 0.06 16.3 21 Sunny/ windy 70

04-2013 0 31 2.5 440 6.9 0.09 26.4 13 Sunny 23

05-2013 0.05 76 8 130 6.9 0.07 12.9 19 Overcast/ windy 35

05-2013 0.07 88 9 200 7 0.07 14 30 Raining 62

07-2013 0.08 47 5 540 7.2 0.07 12.4 10 Cloudy/ windy 40

08-2013 0.03 47 5 960 6.9 0.06 12.1 13 Sunny/ windy 58

08-2013 0.08 93 10 370 7.8 0.04 11.5 24 Cloudy/ windy 69

09-2013 0 79 8 230 6.6 0.03 14.4 9 Cloudy/ windy 61

10-2013 0 48 5 370 71 0.03 13 13 Overcast/ windy 50

11-2013 N/A 65 6 210 6.3 0.07 19.1 14 Cloudy/ windy 72

12-2013 0.05 56 5 230 7 0.15 20.3 30 Sunny/ windy 18

02-2014 N/A 33 3 250 5.9 N/A 19.9 30 Raining 19

03-2014 0.15 31 3 320 6.2 0.12 16.7 19 Overcast/ windy 30

04-2014 0.4 30 3 300 6.8 0.15 15 10 Overcast/ windy 31

05-2014 0.1 34 3.5 7.3 7 0.14 14 9 Cloudy/ windy 36


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Appendix 3: Past Macroinvertebrate Counts, outliers have been highlighted

Signal Grade

Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

05-2001 1 7 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

06-2001 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

08-2001 0 1 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

09-2001 11 29 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0

09-2001 8 55 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

03-2006 3 1 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

04-2006 12 15 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

05-2006 10 12 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

06-2006 2 10 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

08-2006 9 6 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

09-2006 7 8 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

10-2006 10 12 18 0 0 2 0 0 0 0

11-2006 14 11 15 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

12-2006 16 28 41 0 20 0 0 0 0 0

02-2007 1 12 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

03-2007 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

04-2007 1 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

05-2007 4 17 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

06-2007 6 9 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

07-2007 2 7 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

08-2007 2 9 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

09-2007 13 13 45 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

11-2007 1 6 54 0 6 0 0 0 0 0

12-2007 8 44 22 0 3 0 0 0 0 0

02-2008 5 25 13 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

04-2008 4 20 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

05-2008 1 15 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

06-2008 4 6 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


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Signal Grade

Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

07-2008 16 6 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

08-2008 1 12 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

08-2008 3 7 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

10-2008 5 18 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

11-2008 8 50 41 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

12-2008 9 14 100 0 0 2 0 0 0 0

01-2009 6 59 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

01-2009 1 14 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

03-2009 10 49 60 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

04-2009 8 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

05-2009 5 33 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

06-2009 3 41 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

07-2009 2 54 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

08-2009 1 33 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

09-2009 6 37 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

11-2009 0 17 104 0 0 3 0 0 0 0

12-2009 5 41 40 0 2 8 0 0 0 0

01-2010 7 53 72 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

02-2010 3 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

02-2010 4 44 20 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

03-2010 3 19 38 0 4 0 0 0 0 0

04-2010 2 80 35 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

05-2010 10 70 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

07-2010 9 50 20 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

08-2010 10 19 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

09-2010 25 20 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

10-2010 68 27 18 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

12-2010 24 49 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

01-2011 32 50 150 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

02-2011 12 85 12 0 10 0 0 0 0 0


20

Signal Grade

Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

03-2011 12 47 150 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

04-2011 7 9 36 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

05-2011 8 18 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

07-2011 7 17 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

07-2011 3 18 103 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

09-2011 26 29 115 0 10 0 0 0 0 0

10-2011 17 24 35 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

12-2011 85 44 39 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

02-2012 3 33 150 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

03-2012 10 93 37 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

03-2012 27 42 111 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

06-2012 3 58 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

07-2012 4 39 43 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

08-2012 7 40 95 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

09-2012 9 35 107 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

10-2012 43 31 43 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

02-2013 10 94 124 0 0 2 0 0 0 0

02-2013 5 78 103 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

04-2013 5 67 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

05-2013 0 24 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

07-2013 6 29 11 0 2 0 0 0 0 0

08-2013 4 8 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

09-2013 6 20 93 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

10-2013 15 21 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

11-2013 13 21 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

02-2014 32 59 59 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

03-2014 4 47 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

04-2014 0 25 24 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

05-2014 6 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

02-2015 23 26 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

02-2015 8 16 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 1


21

Appendix 4: Plants Inventory

Nillumbik Indigenous Plants Park – species planted

Courtesy of Friends of Karingal Yalloc

1. A. acinacea

2. A. dealbata

3. A. genistifolia

4. A. implexa

5. A. mearnsii

6. A. melanoxylon

7. A. paradoxa

8. A. pycnanthra

9. A. verticulata

10. Acaena novae-zelandiae

11. Arthropodium strictum

12. Austrostipa mollis

13. Austrostipa pubinodis

14. Austrostipa scabra

15. Banksia serrata

16. Billarderia scandens

17. Bulbine bulbosa

18. Bursaria spinosa

19. Callistemon sieberi

20. Carex appressa

21. Carex tereticaulis

22. Cassinia aculeata

23. Cassinia longifolia

24. Chrysocephalum semipapposum

25. Clematis microphylla

26. Correa

27. Danthonia setacea

28. Dianella longifolia

29. Dianella revoluta

30. Dichelachne

31. E. meliodora

32. E. ovata

33. E. viminalis

34. Eleocharis acuta

35. Ficinia nodosa

36. Glycine latrobiana

37. Goodenia ovata

38. Goodia lotifolia

39. Hardenbergia violacea

40. Indigofera australis

41. Kennedia prostrata

42. Kunzea

43. Linum

44. Lomandra longifolia

45. Melicytus dentatus

46. Microlaena stipoides

47. Olearia stellata

48. Ozothamnus ferrugineus

49. Platylobium obtusangulum

50. Poa ballardieri

51. Poa ensiformis

52. Pomaderris aspera

53. Pultenaea pendulata

54. Pultinaea daphnoides

55. Pultinaea gunnii

56. Rubus parvifolius

57. Solanum laciniatun

58. Themeda triandra

59. Solanum lociniatum

60. Themeda manda

61. Vimianarea uncea


22

Current Plants Inventory Courtesy of Chantelle Ebony Roberts and Georgia Lloyd, Monash University 2015

Shrubs

Scientific Name Common Name

Acacia genistifolia. Spreading wattle

Acacia paradoxa Hedge wattle

Acacia suaveolens Sweet Wattle

Acacia verticillata Prickly Moses

Bursaria spinosa Sweet Bursaria

Cassinia aculeata Dogwood

Cassinia arcuata Drooping Cassinia

Correa lawrenciana Mountain Correa

Dodonaea viscosa Giant hop bush

Goodenia ovata Hop Goodenia

Grevillea rosmarinifolia Spider Flower

Gynartix pulchella Hemp bush

Hakea decurrens Bushy needlewood

Helichrysum luteoalbum Weed

Hymenthera dentata Tree violet

Leptospermum continentale Prickly tea tree

Leptospermum phylicoides Burgan

Melicytus dentatus Tree Violet

Olearia phlogopappa Dusty Daisy bush

Olearia species

Pomaderis lanigera Wooly Pomaderis

Pomaderris aspera Hazel Pomaderris

Prostanthera lasianthos Mint bush

Solanum naciatum Kangaroo apple


23

Grasses

Scientific Name Common Name Status

Acaena novae-zealandiae Bidi-bidi Native

Actotheca calendula Cape dandelion Weed

Anthoxanthum odoratum Buffalo grass Weed

Austrostipa rudis Veined spear-grass Native

Briza maxima Quaking grass Weed

Carex appressa Tall sedge Native

Cirsium vulgare Spear thistle Weed

Delairea odorata Cape ivy Weed

Ehrhata erecta Panic veldtgras Weed

Microlaena stipoides Weeping grass Native

Nassella neesiana Chilean needle grass Weed

Poa labillardieri Tussock grass Native

Poa sieberiana Grey tussock-grass Native

Rytidosperma fulvum Wallaby grass Native

Rytidosperma racemosum Wallaby grass Native

Themeda triandra Kangaroo grass Native

Common weeds found throughout:

Actotheca calendula

Allium triquetrum

Anthoxanthum odoratum

Briza maxima

Cirsium vulgar

Cynodon dactylon

Delairea odorata

Ehrhata erecta

Helichrysum luteoalbum

Poa annua

Taraxacum officinale

Veronica persica


24

Trees

Scientific Name Common Name

Allocasuarina littoralis Black Sheoak

Acacia mearnsii Black Wattle

Acacia melanoxylon Blackwood

Eucalyptus dives Broad-leaved Peppermint

Eucalyptus rubida Candlebark

Exocarpos cupressiformis Cherry Ballart

Melaleuca armillaris Giant Honey Myrtle

Acacia pycnantha Golden Wattle

Acacia implexa Lightwood

Eucalyptus goniocalyx Long-leaved Box/Bundy

Eucalyptus viminalis Manna Gum

Eucalyptus radiata Narrow-leaved Peppermint

Melaleuca styphelioides Prickly-leaved Paperbark

Eucayptus sideroxylon Red Irondbark

Eucalyptus macrorhyncha Red Stringybark

Acacia dealbata Silver Wattle

Eucalyptus ovata Swamp Gum

Melaleuca ericifolia Swamp Paperbark

Hakea salicifolia Willow-leaf Hakea

Eucalyptus melliodora Yellow Box

Documents

Water Quality Assessment of Karingal Yalloc: Water ... · Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected] 1 Water Quality Assessment of Karingal