| Title | Environmental monitoring programme of the Little River estuary |
| Author | Bellgrove A (Victoria, Board of Works), Holloway M (Victoria, Board of Works) |
| Keywords | Estuaries|Effluent Disposal|Sewage Works Effluents|Outfalls (Sea)|Water Quality Monitoring|Eutrophication|Algal blooms|Heavy metals|Pollution (Environmental)|Pollution Sources |
| Abstract | Between 1960 and 1990, the Little River Vic estuary, enclosed by the Werribee treatment complex, received treated effluent via the winter outlet which is believed to be the major source of pollution affecting the estuary. Consequently the effluent is diverted from the estuary, except during major storm events when effluent overflows to it. A report on the environmental status of the estuary in 1990 recommended the implementation of a monitoring program to ascertain any changes following closure of the outlet, but conditions in the estuary have not changed greatly since the closure of the winter outlet. Continuing eutrophication and regular phytoplankton blooms are a cause for concern as they are probably responsible for anoxic sediments, depauperate benthic infauna and the apparent absence of fish recruitment. Heavy metals and their effects on the estuarine ecosystem are also of concern (A). |
| Publish Date | 1st January 1991 |
| Resource Code | S036303 |
| Published Year | 1991 |
| Series | Environmental services series (Victoria, Board of Works); no 91/ 012. |
| Availability | Copies of this document are available from Deakin University Library (Geelong Campus), Pigdons Road Geelong Victoria 3217, Telephone: (03) 5227 1200. |
| Availability Email | libinfo@deakin.edu.au |
| Source | AANRO |