Sediment quality in Australian river basins: a compartmental approach to assessment of a regional sediment-variability factor

Aharon Arakel, R. Hanna, D. McConchie

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

    1 Citation (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Sedimentological, geochemical, hydrological, and land use information from major river basins along the east coast of Australia are used to develop a framework for comparative evaluation of regional scale variation in aquatic sediment quality. Textural features of bottom sediment form the basis for assessment bottom dynamics and sediment quality variability in depositional areas of a river basin on a hierarchical basis. Despite local variation in loading and partitioning characteristics of sediment-bound contaminants, regional variation in key sediment quality parameters largely reflects the influence of catchment hydrogeology and land use features. Land scale units used for compartmental assessments closely correspond with major hydrological zones in the drainage basins studied. The compartmental approach to sediment quality assessment is compatable with time requirements for potential natural recovery of contaminated sediment in river basins with diverse environmental flows and land use impacts. -Authors

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationEffects of Scale on Interpretation and Management of Sediment and Water Quality
    EditorsW.R. Osterkamp
    PublisherInternational Association of Hydrological Sciences
    Pages243-252
    Number of pages10
    ISBN (Print)0947571345
    Publication statusPublished - 1995

    Publication series

    NameIAHS Publications
    PublisherInternational Association of Hydrological Sciences
    ISSN (Print)0144-7815

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