Article
Oceanography
D. L. Livsey, J. R. Crosswell, R. D. R. Turner, A. D. L. Steven, P. R. Grace
Summary: This study found that flocculation occurs in all rivers along the Great Barrier Reef coastline, resulting in an order-of-magnitude difference in particle size between in-situ and dispersed sediment. Machine learning algorithms showed promise in predicting in-situ particle size. Hydrodynamics were found to be more important than inter-catchment differences in controlling particle size.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Apolline Mariotti, Jacky Croke, Rebecca Bartley, Samuel E. Kelley, Jay Ward, Reka-Hajnalka Fulop, Anna H. Rood, Dylan H. Rood, Alexandru T. Codilean, Klaus Wilcken, Keith Fifield
Summary: This study utilized cosmogenic 10Be data to investigate sediment delivery to the Great Barrier Reef, presenting background sediment yields for 11 catchments and calculating an Accelerated Erosion Factor to identify denudation hotspots. The results showed that 58% of basins have higher modern sediment yields compared to long-term values, indicating potential changes in sediment delivery dynamics.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexandra Garzon-Garcia, Joanne M. Burton, Stephen Lewis, Zoe Bainbridge, Rob De Hayr, Philip Moody, Jon Brodie
Summary: This study found that riverine plumes have the potential to be significant sources of bioavailable nitrogen to the coastal environments of the GBR, with organic matter being a key driver of bioavailability. Conversion of particulate inorganic nitrogen to dissolved inorganic nitrogen was identified as an important process.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Kamrun Nahar, Justine Baillie, Noor Azwa Zulkarnain
Summary: Herbicides used for weed management on agricultural land in the Great Barrier Reef catchments have negative impacts on the ecosystem, including marine plants and corals. Numerical simulations and computer models can be used to assess herbicide risk, but their effectiveness is limited by a lack of specific herbicide usage data and understanding of herbicide breakdown and transport processes. This paper reviews herbicide risk in the catchments, provides recommendations from the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan, and examines the fate and transport pathways of herbicides to improve modelling accuracy and reliability.
Article
Ecology
Chris T. T. Perry, Michael A. A. Salter, Ines D. D. Lange, David P. P. Kochan, Alastair R. R. Harborne, Nicholas A. J. Graham
Summary: Coral reef fishes play essential ecological roles on reefs and also contribute to geo-ecological functions, such as framework modification and sediment generation. The functions vary across different regions and are influenced by fish biomass and species identity.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Yucheng Lin, Pippa L. Whitehouse, Fiona D. Hibbert, Sarah A. Woodroffe, Gustavo Hinestrosa, Jody M. Webster
Summary: The continental shelf along northeastern Australia, where the Great Barrier Reef is located, has experienced extensive sediment deposition due to carbonate and terrigenous siliciclastic sediments. This sediment loading can alter the relative sea level, which is poorly constrained in the region. Using a glacial isostatic adjustment model, this study provides a sediment loading history for the Great Barrier Reef and quantifies the effect on relative sea level. The results highlight the importance of considering sediment-induced sea level changes in postglacial sea-level studies.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jennifer Skerratt, Mark E. Baird, Mathieu Mongin, Robin Ellis, Rachael A. Smith, Melanie Shaw, Andy D. L. Steven
Summary: Pesticides from urban and agricultural runoff are causing pollution in the Great Barrier Reef, with concentrations of the pesticide diuron exceeding water quality guidelines. The diuron load entering the reef waters and its dispersal patterns have been quantified using models. The highest concentrations of diuron were found in the Mackay-Whitsunday region, posing a risk to coral and seagrass habitats. This study provides valuable information for the understanding and management of pesticide pollution in the Great Barrier Reef.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chris M. Roelfsema, Mitchell B. Lyons, Carolina Castro-Sanguino, Eva M. Kovacs, David Callaghan, Magnus Wettle, Kathryn Markey, Rodney Borrego-Acevedo, Paul Tudman, Meredith Roe, Emma Kennedy, Manuel Gonzalez-Rivero, Nicholas Murray, Stuart R. Phinn
Summary: The geomorphic and benthic composition of Australia's Great Barrier Reef are understudied, but crucial for understanding disturbance impacts and recovery potential. Through new research methods and high-resolution maps, there is now a more comprehensive understanding of the spatial extent and ecological characteristics of the Great Barrier Reef.
Article
Ecology
Ryan M. Burrows, Alexandra Garzon-Garcia, Joanne Burton, Stephen E. Lewis, Renee K. Gruber, Jon E. Brodie, Michele A. Burford
Summary: This study investigated the variability and potential drivers of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations in coastal waters of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia, using 12 years of marine physiochemical and climate data. The results showed that DOC concentrations were affected by salinity, the Southern Oscillation Index, and wind speeds, while POC concentrations were influenced by water depth, suspended solids, and chlorophyll a concentrations. Latitude was an important factor in determining the organic carbon variations in the GBR coastal waters.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Catia Carreira, Sam Talbot, Christian Lonborg
Summary: This study conducted short-term experiments in tropical coastal waters and found that bacterial growth efficiency is low, and there is no difference in carbon cycling between different sources, seasons, or locations. Overall, the study suggests that the Great Barrier Reef is a heterotrophic system.
Article
Limnology
A. Carter, S. Mckenna, M. A. Rasheed, H. Taylor, C. van de Wetering, K. Chartrand, C. Reason, C. Collier, L. Shepherd, J. Mellors, L. Mckenzie, N. C. Duke, A. Roelofs, N. Smit, R. Groom, D. Barrett, S. Evans, R. Pitcher, N. Murphy, M. Carlisle, M. David, S. Lui, Rg Torres Strait Indigenous Rangers, R. G. Coles
Summary: This study validates and synthesizes historical seagrass spatial data to create a publicly available database, including 48,612 geolocated data points and 641 individual seagrass meadows. Thirteen seagrass species are identified, providing an important evidence base for marine resource management.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Mohammad Jahanbakht, Wei Xiang, Mostafa Rahimi Azghadi
Summary: This paper proposes a novel sediment distribution prediction model that utilizes a physics-informed neural network to incorporate simulated and measured data, accurately predicting sediment across the entire Great Barrier Reef and offering potential for improved water quality management.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ross Jones, Mari-Carmen Pineda, Heidi M. Luter, Rebecca Fisher, David Francis, Wojciech Klonowski, Matthew Slivkoff
Summary: Elevated suspended sediment concentration leads to spectral changes in underwater irradiance and affects the growth and photosynthesis of coral reef communities. Monitoring and understanding these spectral shifts are essential for assessing the risks of enhanced sediment runoff to turbid water communities.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Wenhui Zhao, Yi Huang, Steven Siems, Michael Manton
Summary: The study revealed a significant negative correlation between total cloud cover anomaly (TCCA) and lagged sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) in the Great Barrier Reef region, which is greater in magnitude and spatial extent compared to the SSTA-ENSO correlation. This suggests that local-scale reduced cloud cover plays a crucial role in the formation of warm shallow water and occurrence of thermal coral bleaching events in the region.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Mandi C. Thran, Sascha Brune, Jody M. Webster, Dale Dominey-Howes, Daniel Harris
Summary: The study investigates the buffering capacity of the Great Barrier Reef against tsunamis triggered by various sources. It reveals that coral cover has a stronger buffering effect on higher-amplitude tsunamis. The orientation of the shoreline relative to the reef platforms determines the level of protection, with areas behind broad, shallow, coral-covered platforms benefiting the most.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Dalia Ponce, Diane L. Brinkman, Jeremy Potriquet, Jason Mulvenna
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kathryn L. E. Berry, Mia O. Hoogenboom, Diane L. Brinkman, Kathryn A. Burns, Andrew P. Negri
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2017)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Sebastian Overmans, Mikaela Nordborg, Ruben Diaz-Rua, Diane L. Brinkman, Andrew P. Negri, Susana Agusti
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
A. P. Negri, H. M. Luter, R. Fisher, D. L. Brinkman, P. Irving
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
F. Mikaela Nordborg, Florita Flores, Diane L. Brinkman, Susana Agusti, Andrew P. Negri
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2018)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Frederieke J. Kroon, Kathryn L. E. Berry, Diane L. Brinkman, Rai Kookana, Frederic D. L. Leusch, Steven D. Melvin, Peta A. Neale, Andrew P. Negri, Marji Puotinen, Jeffrey J. Tsang, Jason P. van de Merwe, Mike Williams
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chinnathambi Velu, Samuel Cires, Diane L. Brinkman, Kirsten Heimann
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
F. Mikaela Nordborg, Diane L. Brinkman, Gerard F. Ricardo, Susana Agusti, Andrew P. Negri
Summary: Different early life stages of Acropora millepora showed varying sensitivities to the dissolved fraction of heavy fuel oil, with larval metamorphosis being the most sensitive endpoint. Coexposure to UVR reduced toxicity thresholds across life stages and endpoints, emphasizing the importance of considering UVR when assessing oil toxicity in coral reefs.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chinnathambi Velu, Obulisamy Parthiba Karthikeyan, Diane L. Brinkman, Samuel Cires, Kirsten Heimann
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of pre-treatment conditions and subsequent methane production of Tolypothrix under outdoor cultivation conditions. Results showed that thermal, hydrothermal, and sonication pre-treatments supported high solubilization of organic compounds. However, high N-content and low C-content of the biomass affected methane recovery, and pre-treatment accelerated the production of volatile acids and ammonia-N accumulation, leading to poor methane yields. Calculated theoretical methane yields based on the elemental composition of the biomass were higher than actual yields, indicating the complexity of interactions during anaerobic digestion.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrew P. Negri, Diane L. Brinkman, Florita Flores, Joost van Dam, Heidi M. Luter, Marie C. Thomas, Rebecca Fisher, Laura S. Stapp, Paul Kurtenbach, Andrea Severati, Thomas F. Parkerton, Ross Jones
Summary: Toxicity thresholds for dissolved oil in tropical ocean risk assessments are largely based on sensitivities of temperate and/or freshwater species. Experimental data supported the use of TLM-modeled thresholds for tropical application, and identified several tropical species as more sensitive in the TLM database, which can be utilized in modeling risk for tropical marine ecosystems.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ananya Ashok, Lone Hoj, Diane L. Brinkman, Andrew P. Negri, Susana Agusti
Summary: This study investigated the uptake rates and accumulation of a C-13-labeled polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in corals. The results showed that the accumulation of PAHs in corals was higher with increasing food-chain length, with predation having the largest contribution. Additionally, dissolved or diet-bound PAHs had no significant effect on the photosynthetic efficiency of coral symbionts.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
F. Mikaela Nordborg, Diane L. Brinkman, Andrew P. Negri
Summary: This study provides data on the sensitivity of different post-settlement life stages of the coral species Acropora millepora to heavy fuel oil (HFO) exposure. The results show that ultraviolet radiation (UVR) increases the toxicity of HFO towards corals, supporting the importance of incorporating UVR in oil toxicity testing.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Diane L. Brinkman, Florita Flores, Heidi M. Luter, F. Mikaela Nordborg, Maxime Brooks, Thomas F. Parkerton, Andrew P. Negri
Summary: The risks posed by petroleum spills to coral reefs are not well understood. This study aims to quantify the toxicity thresholds of aromatic hydrocarbons to reef-building corals. The results show that Acropora millepora is more sensitive to aromatic hydrocarbons compared to other corals and aquatic taxa.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chinnathambi Velu, Samuel Cires, Diane L. Brinkman, Kirsten Heimann
Meeting Abstract
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
D. L. Brinkman