Research Grant
[Cite as https://purl.org/au-research/grants/nesp/mb/c4]Researchers: Clean Ocean Foundation (Managed by) , Dr John Cumming
Brief description
The NOD (National Outfall Database) project addresses the government and community need to understand what the impacts on health and the ocean environment are occurring from sewerage outfalls around Australia. Governments need to be able to prioritise action on sewerage treatment systems with reference to the impacts on both the aquatic environment and the recreational use of the oceans. This can be aided by a suitable database that provides information about pollutants arising from sewerage treatment and the distribution of these from sewerage outfalls. The recreational water users also have a capacity to input into safer and cleaner water.
By and large outfall data is available but it has not been consolidated from across the country. The consolidation of this data together with checking of data completeness and accuracy can be used to the advantage of water users as well as those planning improvements to the treatment of sewerage. This data can show the potential for sewerage pollution impacts on sensitive marine areas such as marine Ramsar sites, national marine parks and marine areas under stress from development. Mapping of high pollution areas can be examined in relation to areas of marine biodiversity and areas of endangered marine species.
In reviewing data we will conduct a statistical analysis of data from different outfall studies to identify patterns among study results and to further understand relationships between the multiple studies. The meta analysis will include:
1) A literature and datasets search
2) Selection of studies based on quality criteria
3) Selection of meta-regression statistical model and multivariate analyses (e.g. simple, fixed-effect meta-regression or random effect meta regression)
The breadth and depth of this analysis will depend on resources available to the study.
The outcomes of the research are:
1. A national outfall database and reports for public consumption
2. Ranking of the outfalls (and sewerage treatment systems) according to health and impact criteria with peer review of the ranking system and resulting ranking outcomes.
3. Comparison of geographical regions in sewerage volume pollution and impact
4. Mapping of the database
5. Community engagement in conduct of this research and consumption of the outcomes
Notes In addition to the NESP funding, this project is matched by an equivalent amount of in-kind support and co-investment from project partners and collaborators.
