Cairns Region (Wet Tropics) Ambient estuarine water quality monitoring data

Brief description

These datasets comprise water quality measurements collected under the Wet Tropics Ambient Monitoring Program from estuarine and marine monitoring sites in the Cairns region between Cardwell and the Daintree River. Since 2015, monthly sampling at fixed sites has generated chemical, physical and biological water column profile measurements using laboratory analyses and in situ measurement instruments. The data support the Wet Tropics Waterways Report Card, enable assessment of long-term trends, and inform environmental management and reporting. Monitoring is undertaken by the Department of the Environment, Science and Tourism (DETSI) and predecessor organisations.

__Monitoring frequency:__ Monthly

__Monitoring platform:__ Drifting boat or bankside

__Monitored water body:__ Tidal waters (estuaries and sheltered coastal), with limited freshwater monitoring

__Monitored location:__ Mid stream or mid channel at routine sites and regular depths

__Monitoring site latitude:__ Latitude as decimal degrees in GDA94 datum

__Monitoring site longitude:__ Longitude as decimal degrees in GDA94 datum

__Secchi depth (m):__ Water clarity measured by Secchi disc visibility depth

__Chlorophyll-a (ug/L):__ Algal biomass samples collected at 0.2 m depth below the surface

__Physicochemical parameters:__ In situ water column profiles are measured from 0.2 m below the surface at 2 m intervals, with a final measurement taken ≥0.5 m above the bottom

* Dissolved Oxygen concentration (mg/L)
* Dissolved Oxygen % saturation (%)
* pH
* Salinity (PSU)
* Specific Conductance at 25 deg C (mS/cm)
* Temperature (°C)
* Turbidity (NTU)

__Nutrient parameters:__ samples collected at 0.2 m depth below the surface; dissolved nutrients filtered in-field

* Ammonia (dissolved) as N (mg/L)
* Nitrogen oxides (NOx: nitrate + nitrite, dissolved) as N (mg/L)
* Total Nitrogen as N (mg/L)
* Filterable Reactive Phosphorus (dissolved) as P (mg/L)
* Total Phosphorus as P (mg/L)

Full description

Armit Creek from 2015 to 2025 - This dataset contains water quality measurements collected from Armit Creek from 2015 to 2025. It includes physicochemical parameters, nutrient parameters, and Chlorophyll-a (µg/L). The data support the Wet Tropics Waterways Report Card, enable assessment of long-term trends, and inform environmental management and reporting. Monitoring is undertaken by the Department of the Environment, Science and Tourism (DETSI) and predecessor organisations.
Daintree River from 2015 to 2025 - This dataset contains water quality measurements collected from Daintree River from 2015 to 2025. It includes physicochemical parameters, nutrient parameters, and Chlorophyll-a (µg/L). The data support the Wet Tropics Waterways Report Card, enable assessment of long-term trends, and inform environmental management and reporting. Monitoring is undertaken by the Department of the Environment, Science and Tourism (DETSI) and predecessor organisations.
Hinchinbrook Channel from 2015 to 2025 - This dataset contains water quality measurements collected from Hinchinbrook Channel from 2015 to 2025. It includes physicochemical parameters, nutrient parameters, and Chlorophyll-a (µg/L). The data support the Wet Tropics Waterways Report Card, enable assessment of long-term trends, and inform environmental management and reporting. Monitoring is undertaken by the Department of the Environment, Science and Tourism (DETSI) and predecessor organisations.
Moresby River from 2015 to 2025 - This dataset contains water quality measurements collected from Moresby River from 2015 to 2025. It includes physicochemical parameters, nutrient parameters, and Chlorophyll-a (µg/L). The data support the Wet Tropics Waterways Report Card, enable assessment of long-term trends, and inform environmental management and reporting. Monitoring is undertaken by the Department of the Environment, Science and Tourism (DETSI) and predecessor organisations.