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Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]
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Water Quality Assessment of Karingal Yalloc: Water Chemical and Macro Faunal Testing
By Zara Aghajanyan
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]
2
Objective_____________________________________________________________
To define the current state of the Karingal Yalloc, a small urban creek in Eltham, Melbourne. By
analyzing chemical and biological indicators of water pollution a baseline will be generated.
Introduction_________________________________________________ _________ Nerreman Gateway was once a large block of farmland, owned by the Smith family. What once was a
hobby farm has now been turned into a wetlands. A storm water fed creek, named Karingal Yalloc,
runs through the block of land, parallel to Coolabindi Chase. When the land was still farmed a large
dam was built to block the creek and to create a lake. As the dam was first of its kind it is currently
heritage listed and cannot be changed. The creek is in an urban area and numerous factors, including
the retardation of stream flow by the dam itself, degrade the water quality of the small creek. Pollution
from stormwater drains, runoff from the surrounding neighborhood, anoxic conditions within the dam
and heavy industrial pollution, such as the collapse of a road into the creek, degrade the water quality
significantly. This report aims to generate the current water quality baseline of the creek and to relate
it to past observations. This will further help in creating the Nillumbik Indigenous Plants Park along
Karingal Yalloc.
Brief History_______________________________________________ _________
Dam built in 1940 by Douglas Bernhard Smith
Farming ceased by end of 20th century, urban settlement began
Waterwatch along Karingal Yalloc began in 2001
Collapse of Sherbourne road into creek on Febuary 2005
Native reforestation along length of creek from Weidlich Rd to Gleneagle way, 2002 – 20
Lake dredged due to bad odour and invasive Cumbungi reed largely removed, March 2010
Application for the creation of the Nillumbik Indigenous Plants Park, 2015
Collapse of Sherbourne road into Karingal Yalloc in 2005. Photo courtesy of Julia Davis
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]
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Methods ___________________ __
Four sampling locations were chosen along the creek, both upstream and downstream from the
Smith dam. This was done to minimize bias and to get a full understanding of the health of the creek.
Location 3 was located downstream from two stormwater drains and was chosen to give a better
understanding of the amount of pollution in the storm water.
Water chemistry
The Thermo Fisher 90FLT Field Analyzer was used for accurate
water chemistry measurements in the field. The analyzer came
with numerous water proof probes that each measured a different
parameter. The probes were left in shallow water for a few
moments and the results were recorded on the analyzer box.
This was repeated 3-4 times at each sampling spot to minimize
error.
Initially other field testing kits were used, such as the LaMotte
D.O Kit, TDScan3 and the Waterwatch Turbidity Tube, but they
were proven to be inefficient and unreliable, for this reason they
are not included in this report. The Total Phosphorous was
measured using the Merck Oxisolve/Aquaquant Test Kit.
Previous Waterwatch Victoria reports on Karingal Yalloc were
accessed and used to compare the current state of the creek to
and use as reference.
Sampling locations along creek
Section 2 of Karingal Yalloc
The Waterwatch Turbidity Tube
relied heavily on interpretation
and was deemed unreliable
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]
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Macroinvertebrates
Macroinvertebrates were manually collected using a long D-
frame net by vigorously sweeping vegetation and debris in
shallow water, such as reeds, fallen logs and tree roots. The
sample was rinsed by pouring stream water through it or by
sweeping open water to get rid of silt and mud particles. The
contents of the net were emptied out onto a large plastic tray
and stream water was poured on top to dislodge the organisms
from the net. Using tweezers and plastic pipettes organisms
were individually plucked from the tray and separated into ice
cube trays for identification. The identification book by
Gooderham and Tsyrlin (2002) of freshwater invertebrates was
used to categorize the organisms under their respective
SIGNAL score. SIGNAL stands for Stream Invertebrate Grade
Number – Average Level. This method of rating helps to
understand the amount of disturbance an ecosystem has
undergone, the more polluted the water is – the more tolerant
types of bugs will be present. The rating is as follows:
Higher than 6: healthy habitat
Between 5 and 6: mild pollution
Between 4 and 5: moderate pollution
Less than 4: severe pollution
Collecting macroinvertebrates
from shallow grass roots
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Results ___________________ __
Table 1. Collected water chemical parameters which aid to assess the current baseline of the creek
and the amount of disturbance affecting it.
Date: 22/04/15
Location: 1a. Top of dam (Nerreman gateway)
Notes: 20o C, 20% foliage, shade cover. 3pm
Sample T (C)
DO (ppm)
DO (%
sat)
EC pH Turb (NTU)
TP (mg/L)
1.1 14.5 0.5 5 131 6.05 14-20 0.04
1.2 15 0.22-0.4 2-4 138 6.4 11 0.06
1.3 14.5 0.55 5
135 6.4 12-19 0.06
Location: 1b. Top of dam, opposite bank (Karingal drive)
Notes: 10% foliage cover, still water
1.4 14.8 0.77 8 132 6.61 17-25 0.07
1.5 15.3 0.64 6 116 6.6 14-25 0.04
1.6 13.8 0.83 8 90 6.63 10-26 0.04
Location: 2. Bottom of dam, across Gleneagle Way
Notes: 40% foliage, shade cover, running water
2.1 14.6 4.6 45 70 6.87 5 0.04
2.2 14.7 4.74 47 70 6.9 5-6 0.04
2.3 14.6 4.45 44 77 6.9 6.2 0.04
Location: 3. Two estuaries combine (Weidlich road)
Notes: 5-10% foliage, cloud cover, 3pm. Lots of gravel in creek bed. Running water.
Sample T, C DO (ppm)
DO (% sat)
EC pH Turb (NTU)
TP (mg/L)
3.1 15.7 8-8.5 80-85 163 7.6 7-10 0.08
3.2 15.9 9.3 94 160 7.58 7-8.5 0.07
3.3 15.3 7.16 71 163 7.8 8-15 0.07
3.4 16.5 9.2 94 156 7.87 10-12 0.07
Location: 4. 50-70m down from estuaries (Ramptons road)
Notes: 10-15% foliage cover. Cloud cover. Running water
4.1 15.3 4.7 47 131 7.28 5 0.05
4.2 15 4.8 48 115 7.4 5-10 0.05
4.3 15.1 5-5.5 50-55 124 7.6 6~8 0.05
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Figure 1. Visual representation of counted macroinvertebrates. Total count of EPT taxa: 4.
General range of signal grades: ~1-3. See: Appendix 1.
Figure 2. Past signal grade distribution with the most abundant grades (1-3). See: Appendix 3
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Figure 3 Dissolved oxygen saturation history of the lake above Smith dam on Nerreman Gateway.
Likely correlation between temperature and DO saturation, higher DO concentrations due to lower
temperatures. See Appendix 2
Figure 4 Slight positive correlation between rainfall and DO. R2 indicates how well the data fits the
regression line. As it is very low, the correlation between the two parameters is very weak.
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Figure 5. Abundance of phosphate and ammonium in the past. Notable spike followed by decrease in
concentration after dredging of dam in March 2010.
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Discussion ___________________ __ The Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZECC)
standards and the Waterwatch Victoria standard for freshwater environments will be used as
reference points to compare the collected data.
ANZECC (2000) guidelines for slightly disturbed and highly disturbed streams:
Environment Phosphorous (mg/L) Nitrogen (mg/L)
DO (% sat) pH
Salinity (µS/ cm)
Turbidity (NTU)
Min Max
Lowland River 0.02 0.02 85 110 8 125 6-50
Freshwater Lake 0.005 0.01 90 110 8 20-30 1-20
Waterwatch guidelines for freshwater streams:
Parameter Excellent Good Fair Poor Degraded
Conductivity (µS/ cm) <100 <250 <500 <750 >750
Turbidity (NTU) <15 <17.5 <20 <30 >30
pH 6.0-7.5 5.5-6 or <8.0 8.0-8.5 5.0-5.5 or 8.5-9.0
<5.0 or >9.0
Phosphorous (mg/L) <0.008 <0.02 <0.04 <0.08 >0.08
Ammonium (mg/L)
<0.05 <0.1 <0.2 <0.4 >0.4
The macroinvertebrate data immediately shows that the
environment is heavily polluted as the SIGNAL scores generally
range from 1-3 (Fig 1). Previous testing also had the same range
of scores, with the upper limit occasionally being a score of 5 or 6
(Fig 2, Appendix 3).Though, in more recent time the amount of
less resistant bugs have become more abundant. In just one
month 4 specimens of EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera,
Trichoptera) taxa were found, which is a sure sign that the
conditions have improved as these indicator insects have SIGNAL
scores of 8-10 (Gooderham and Tsyrlin 2002). This may correlate
to the recent increase in native reforestation along Karingal Yalloc
by the Nillumbik council (Appendix 4). Numerous shells of
Ephemeroptera nymphs were found regularly at the sampling
sites, which is also a sign of improving conditions.
Above the Smith dam and along Nerreman gateway the dissolved
oxygen (DO%) saturation was significantly more degraded than at
other sections along the creek, ranging from 2-8 (Table 1). This is
critically under saturated, as the lower limit for DO% in the ANZECC guidelines is 90. Both the
retardation of stream flow by the dam and the invasive reeds upstream severely affect the DO
saturation of the lake. Decreased stream flow would cease turbidation and aeration of the stream,
whilst the invasive reeds choke the stream and end water circulation. As the Smith dam is heritage
Common waterboatman
(Corixidae), SIGNAL score: 3
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]
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listed (Victorian Heritage Database, 2010), one solution would be to increase the outflow from the
system to increase stream flow. Excessive and repeated weeding of the area would keep the reeds
under control and increase the thermal convection of water, which itself would create flow and
aeration. Further reforestation can introduce more native plant species to the stream and increase the
competition against the invasive reeds. A fountain or some boulders can increases the turbulent flow
of the water and aid in aeration (IEPA 1997). It should also be mentioned that the DO% can be
dependent on the temperature of the water (US EPA, 2012). Colder water can hold higher
concentrations of oxygen (Fig 3). Decreased DO% can cause algal growth and cyanobacteria blooms
which can further deplete the water body of oxygen and create anoxic conditions. Decrease in DO%
may also reduce the redox potential and suspend heavy metals from sediments, which has adverse
effects on the ecosystem. Further downstream and upstream the DO% ranges from poor to fair,
which can be attributed to rainfall and urban pollution.
The ammonium was too low to generate a reading, while the total phosphorous was above both
guidelines. It ranged 0.04 -0.08, which is above all guidelines and can be attributed to either the storm
water runoff or the past land use. Also previously within the Eltham area primarily septic tanks were
used to store and treat wastewater. Septic run off would have also caused an increase in nutrient
concentrations within the creek and in the surrounding sediment. In the past both ammonium and
phosphorous have been quite high (Fig 5). This can be related to the invasive weeds within the water
or algal blooms, which both decrease the water quality of the lake (EPA VIC, 2001). Increase in DO%
and extensive weeding of invasive reeds will decrease the occurrence of harmful algal blooms.
Increased nutrient concentration and a decrease
in DO% in freshwater systems can be the
catalyst to a self-sustaining toxic cycle. Nutrients
can cause algal growth and cyanobacterial
blooms which reduce light penetration into the
water and hinder photosynthesis of aquatic
plants. The increase of organic detritus and the
resulting decay of organic material further
decreases the DO concentration within the
water, which smothers aquatic organisms –
particularly fish (ANZECC 2000). In the past
scum and bad odour have been noted below the
dam wall, which could be due to toxic bacteria,
such as cyanobacteria, that thrive in anoxic and
nutrient rich environments.
The electrical conductivity (EC) indicates the amount of dissolved ions, such as salts, Calcium,
Magnesium, Potassium, Chlorides and Bicarbonates in a water body. Increased conductivity in
Karingal Yalloc can be attributed to storm water that feeds the creek (Fig 4) or runoff from the major
roads surrounding it. The EC within all sections of the creek is relatively good according to the
Waterwatch guidelines (<250), but slightly high according to ANZECC standards. Previously the EC
has been poor to degraded according to Waterwatch and very degraded by ANZECC (Appendix 2).
An increase in salinity may cause a release of heavy metals within the water body from surrounding
sediment. This may drastically harm the ecosystem, affecting the anatomy and reproductive success
of aquatic organisms (WATERSHEDSS, 1995).
Scum below the dam wall.
Photo courtesy of Julia Davis, Waterwatch
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The turbidity of all the sites is quite low, meaning the suspended particles within the water bodies are
very low. This is a positive sign as increased turbidity impedes on photosynthesis within the creek
which can lead to toxic environments. Previously the turbidity has been quite constant, ranging from
10-50, with occasional spikes during increased rainfall, which temporarily mobilizes solids. The
collapse of Sherbourne road into the creek would have also negatively affected the turbidity.
The measured pH was quite good, but in the past the pH has varied significantly (Appendix 2). This
can be attributed to the acidity or alkalinity of the stormwater that feeds the creek, the amount of
suspended heavy metals in the water or even the amount of physical rubbish left in the creek.
Decrease in pH may cause the release of heavy metals from sediment into the water
(WATERSHEDSS, 1995). As aforementioned, this has very negative impacts on the health of the
ecosystem.
Systematic and Random Errors _____ __ It should be note that numerous errors could have altered the collection of data. These could range
from random, those that could not be controlled by the person collecting the sample, to systematic –
errors that can be controlled. Some examples of these errors:
Random Systematic
Weather: increased rainfall, sunshine, shade cover
Incorrect use of equipment
Organisms: abundance depending on season Interpretation of samples: identification of bugs dependent on interpretation
Surrounding environment: landslide, increased pollution from industrial development, increased rubbish
Not enough repeated samples, to minimize bias
Also the use of SIGNAL scores should not be used solely when analyzing freshwater environments.
An ecological system could be in balance, but have more tolerant species that thrive in it. E.g. bugs
that live in brine environments. Or be abundant in more sensitive organisms, but in a very niche
habitat (Gooderham and Tsyrlin 2002).
Conclusion ___________________ __ Karingal Yalloc can be labelled as a ‘highly disturbed creek’ (ANZECC, 2000). Stormwater drainage
and urban runoff from the surrounding suburbs heavily influence the health of the creek. By further
reforestation and weeding the condition of the creek can be greatly improved. Further increase of the
output from the dam will also positively alter the chemical makeup of Karingal Yalloc and help to
return the natural ecosystem to a balanced state. If increased output from dam is not possible, other
forms of aeration must be implemented, such as a fountain.
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]
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References _______________ __
ANZECC (2000) Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality,
‘National Water Quality Management Stategy.
EPA VIC (2001) Nutrient objectives for rivers and streams – ecosystem protection | EPA Victoria. Viewed on 02/07/2015 at: < http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/our-work/publications/publication/2001/december/792-1>
Gooderham, J., and Tsyrlin, E. (2002) The Waterbug Book, CSIRO Publishing, Australia
Illinois EPA (1997) Lake aeration and circulation. Viewed on 02/06/2015 at
<http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/conservation/lake-notes/lake-aeration.pdf>
US EPA (1997) How do we measure the quality of our waters? Viewed on 02/07/2015 at: < http://water.epa.gov/learn/resources/measure.cfm>
Victorian Heritage Database (2010) Smith Dam. Viewed on 06/07/2015 at:
<http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/places/result_detail/63471>
WATERSHEDSS (1995) Precipitation of Heavy Metals from Wastewaters. Viewed on 06/07/2015 at:
< http://www.water.ncsu.edu/watershedss/info/hmetals.html>
Acknowledgements __________ __
A big thank you to my helpers Stephanie Eastmure, Catherine Comerford and Taron Naoroji. Thank
you to the Friends of Karingal Yalloc, Alex Smith and Theodoros Papakonstantinou for organizing this
opportunity. Special thanks to Ian Burns and Julia Davis for supplying extensive data and information
on the history of the site. Also thank you to Karen Borton and the Nillumbik Shire Council for
supplying the field equipment.
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]
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Appendix 1: Macroinverterbate Count
Date: 4/2/2015
Location: 1a. Top of dam
Notes: Sunny, partly cloud cover. 20-25oC
Name Count Signal Grade
Odonata 5 3
Diptera 45 3
Tubificid worm 15 2
Platyhelminthes Turbellarians 7 2
Hirudinea (leach) 7 1
Collembola (springtail) 16 1
Stratiomyids 2 2
Corixidae (waterboatmen) 2 2
Location: 1b. Top of dam, 10m up stream
Name Count Signal Grade
Diptera 17 3
Tubificid worm 10 2
Collembola (springtail) 8 1
Corixidae (waterboatmen) 6 2
Plecoptera (stone fly) nymph 1 10
Date: 12/2/2015
Location: 2. Below dam, across Gleneagle Way
Notes: Warm, 25o C, light cloud cover
Name Count Signal Grade
Heteroptera (water striders) 23 2
Platyhelminthes Turbellarians 50+ 2
Tubificid worm 37 2
Springtail 50+ 1
Hirudinea (leach) 15 1
Corixidae (waterboatmen) 7 2
Diptera 20 3
Ephemeroptera (mayfly) 1 9
Odonata (damselfly) 1 3
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Location: 3. Two estuaries combine. (Weidlich road)
Name Count Signal Grade
Odonata 1 3
Acarina (freshwater mite) 6 3
Ephemeroptera 1 6
Platyhelminthes Turbellarians
6 2
Gastropoda (fresh water snail)
18 2
Diptera 50+ 1
Corixidae (waterboatmen) 3 3
Tubificid worm 9 2
Collembola (springtail) 15 2
Note: Abundance of abandoned shells of ephemeroptera nymphs.
Date: 7/3/2015
Location: 4. Further downstream of estuaries (Ramptons road)
Notes: Cloud cover, warm, mild wind.
Name Count Signal Grade
Odonata 1 3
Corixidae (waterboatmen) 7 2
Diptera 4 3
Platyhelminthes Turbellarians 50+ 2
Tubificid worm 26 2
Acarina (freshwater mite) 2 6
Ephemeroptera (mayfy) 1 9
Heteroptera (water striders) 12 2
Hirudinea (leach) 3 1
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]
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Appendix 2: Past Water Chemistry Data from Nerreman Gateway
Date Ammonium (mg/L NH4
+) DO
(% SAT) DO
(mg/L) EC
(µS/cm) pH
Phosphate (mg/L)
T (water oC)
Turbidity (NTU)
Weather Rain
(mm/mo)
09-2001 9.8 0 95.96 1280 7.8 0.0326 14 12 40
05-2006 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 15 35 Cloudy 50
06-2006 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 12 10 Raining 45
07-2006 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.06 10.5 30 Sunny 51
08-2006 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.05 11.4 15 Cloudy/ windy 33
09-2006 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.06 12 10 Sunny/ cloudy 34
10-2006 N/A N/A N/A 1290 7.6 0.06 15.4 10 Sunny/ windy 23
11-2006 N/A N/A N/A 600 7.4 0.15 19.6 20 Cloudy/ windy 26
12-2006 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.1 18.2 20 Sunny/ smoke haze 54
02-2007 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.07 21 10 Overcast/ windy 30
03-2007 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.03 18.9 10 Sunny/ windy 52
04-2007 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.02 14.9 10 Sunny 22
05-2007 0.2 39 4 360 6.9 0.03 13.8 10 Cloudy/ windy 52
06-2007 N/A 74 8 240 7.1 0.07 11.3 60 Cloudy 50
07-2007 0.2 53 6 730 7.1 0.03 9.5 40 Overcast/ windy 51
08-2007 0.15 35 4 580 8 0.05 9.4 10 Cloudy/ windy 22
09-2007 0.2 39 4 440 6.5 0.125 14.1 10 Cloudy/ windy 8
10-2007 0.01 41 4 360 7.4 0.08 15.5 20 Cloudy/ windy 12
11-2007 0 32 3 490 6.6 0.1 18 15 Sunny 74
12-2007 0 37 3.5 580 6.5 0.08 18 10 Cloudy, windy 43
02-2008 0 41 4 180 8 0.05 16 15 Overcast 20
04-2008 0 54.45 5.5 300 7.1 0.15 14.5 10 Sunny 31
05-2008 0 37.96 4 350 7.2 0.07 12.6 20 Sunny/cloudy 12
06-2008 0 53.59 6 470 7.2 0.1 10 10 Overcast 12
07-2008 0 73 8 370 7.7 0.08 11 15 Sunny/cloudy 47
08-2008 0.01 53 7 440 7.5 0.06 9.2 10 Sunny/cloudy/windy 60
09-2008 0.08 55 6 340 7 0.06 11 10 Sunny/cloudy/windy 29
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Date Ammonium (mg/L NH4
+) DO
(% SAT) DO
(mg/L) EC
(µS/cm) pH
Phosphate (mg/L)
T (water oC)
Turbidity (NTU)
Weather Rain
(mm/mo)
10-2008 0.07 38 4 270 7.4 0.05 12.2 10 Overcast 12
11-2008 0 41 4 200 7.1 0.03 15.7 20 Sunny/cloudy/windy 82
12-2008 0.1 42 4 340 7.3 0.1 17.8 15 Sunny/cloudy/windy 90
01-2009 N/A 36 3.5 390 6.9 0.1 16.5 15 Overcast/raining/windy 0
01-2009 0 41 3.5 630 7.1 0.025 23 10 Sunny 0
03-2009 0.07 36 3.5 340 6.6 0.15 16 15 Sunny/windy 45
04-2009 0.04 106 10 130 6.4 0.5 17.8 400 Raining 64
05-2009 0 36 4 200 6.7 0.03 10.5 20 Overcast/windy 8
06-2009 0.02 37 4 150 7.1 0.08 12 20 Sunny/cloudy 51
07-2009 0 55 6 310 6.5 0 11.4 15 Sunny/ windy 32
08-2009 0 72 8 90 6.2 0.07 10.5 50 Overcast/ windy 48
09-2009 0.15 28 3 130 6.2 0.07 12 20 Sunny/windy 117
10-2009 0.08 37 4 350 6.6 0.04 11.6 10 Sunny 117
11-2009 0.8 34 3 980 6.9 0.12 20.9 20 Sunny/windy 82
12-2009 0 44 4 460 6.9 0.06 20 20 Sunny/windy 69
01-2010 0.01 35 3 290 6.9 0.06 22.8 50 Sunny/windy 39
02-2010 0.4 36 4 850 7.4 0.07 9.9 15 Overcast 37
02-2010 0.03 35 3 440 6.9 0.1 22.2 20 Sunny/windy 37
03-2010 0.15 47 4 470 6.6 0.07 23.4 10 Sunny/windy 57
04-2010 0.05 42 4 180 6.9 0.07 17 20 Sunny/ windy 46
05-2010 0.45 27 3 280 6.9 0.08 11 15 Cloudy 40
07-2010 0.09 57 6 390 7.7 0.08 12.4 22 Cloudy/ windy 37
08-2010 0.01 72 8 170 8.1 0.05 10.1 30 Cloudy 71
09-2010 0.07 39 4 310 7.4 0.05 13.6 20 Cloudy/ windy 51
10-2010 0.01 42 4 780 7.6 0.06 17.5 11 Overcast/ windy 154
12-2010 0 66 6 1080 7.8 0.08 19.3 25 Cloudy/ windy 97
01-2011 0 39 3.5 1400 7.5 0.03 20.9 10 Overcast/ windy 109
03-2011 0 33 3 420 7.3 0.05 20.1 25 Cloudy 43
04-2011 0.01 50 5 1200 7.6 0.07 14.9 10 Sunny/ windy 119
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]
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Date Ammonium (mg/L NH4
+) DO
(% SAT) DO
(mg/L) EC
(µS/cm) pH
Phosphate (mg/L)
T (water oC)
Turbidity (NTU)
Weather Rain
(mm/mo)
05-2011 0.06 68 7 320 7.3 0.04 13.5 50 Cloudy/ windy 62
07-2011 0.07 54 6 1190 7.7 0.07 10.4 15 Sunny/ windy 47
07-2011 0.02 95 10 250 7.2 0.025 12.7 15 Sunny 47
09-2011 0.35 88 9 560 7.3 0.1 13.8 27 Sunny/ windy 87
09-2011 0.07 56 6 1130 7.7 0.05 14.1 9 Sunny/ windy 87
10-2011 0.07 78 7 750 7.5 0.125 20.4 40 Cloudy/ windy 58
11-2011 0 69 6 250 7.8 0.05 22.2 100 Raining/ windy 139
12-2011 0.15 43 4 700 7 0.085 18.1 14 Cloudy 161
02-2012 0.4 35 3 510 6.8 0.1 22.1 14 Windy 78
03-2012 0.02 33 3 550 6.9 0.07 18.9 9 Windy 61
06-2012 0.15 55 6 690 7.1 0.07 10.8 13 Cloudy/ windy 54
07-2012 0.07 50 6 1200 7.3 0.08 7.1 9 Raining 75
09-2012 0.085 56 6 560 7.3 0.06 11.7 13 Overcast/ windy 35
10-2012 0.1 67 3 500 7.2 1.36 20.2 9 Sunny/ windy 36
01-2013 0.06 38 3.5 1030 7.1 0.04 18.9 9 Cloudy/ windy 17
02-2013 0.06 51 5 170 6.3 0.06 16.3 21 Sunny/ windy 70
04-2013 0 31 2.5 440 6.9 0.09 26.4 13 Sunny 23
05-2013 0.05 76 8 130 6.9 0.07 12.9 19 Overcast/ windy 35
05-2013 0.07 88 9 200 7 0.07 14 30 Raining 62
07-2013 0.08 47 5 540 7.2 0.07 12.4 10 Cloudy/ windy 40
08-2013 0.03 47 5 960 6.9 0.06 12.1 13 Sunny/ windy 58
08-2013 0.08 93 10 370 7.8 0.04 11.5 24 Cloudy/ windy 69
09-2013 0 79 8 230 6.6 0.03 14.4 9 Cloudy/ windy 61
10-2013 0 48 5 370 71 0.03 13 13 Overcast/ windy 50
11-2013 N/A 65 6 210 6.3 0.07 19.1 14 Cloudy/ windy 72
12-2013 0.05 56 5 230 7 0.15 20.3 30 Sunny/ windy 18
02-2014 N/A 33 3 250 5.9 N/A 19.9 30 Raining 19
03-2014 0.15 31 3 320 6.2 0.12 16.7 19 Overcast/ windy 30
04-2014 0.4 30 3 300 6.8 0.15 15 10 Overcast/ windy 31
05-2014 0.1 34 3.5 7.3 7 0.14 14 9 Cloudy/ windy 36
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]
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Appendix 3: Past Macroinvertebrate Counts, outliers have been highlighted
Signal Grade
Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
05-2001 1 7 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
06-2001 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
08-2001 0 1 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
09-2001 11 29 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
09-2001 8 55 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
03-2006 3 1 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
04-2006 12 15 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
05-2006 10 12 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
06-2006 2 10 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
08-2006 9 6 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
09-2006 7 8 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
10-2006 10 12 18 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
11-2006 14 11 15 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
12-2006 16 28 41 0 20 0 0 0 0 0
02-2007 1 12 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
03-2007 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
04-2007 1 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
05-2007 4 17 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
06-2007 6 9 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
07-2007 2 7 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
08-2007 2 9 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
09-2007 13 13 45 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11-2007 1 6 54 0 6 0 0 0 0 0
12-2007 8 44 22 0 3 0 0 0 0 0
02-2008 5 25 13 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
04-2008 4 20 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
05-2008 1 15 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
06-2008 4 6 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]
19
Signal Grade
Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
07-2008 16 6 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
08-2008 1 12 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
08-2008 3 7 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
10-2008 5 18 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11-2008 8 50 41 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12-2008 9 14 100 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
01-2009 6 59 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
01-2009 1 14 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
03-2009 10 49 60 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
04-2009 8 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
05-2009 5 33 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
06-2009 3 41 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
07-2009 2 54 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
08-2009 1 33 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
09-2009 6 37 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11-2009 0 17 104 0 0 3 0 0 0 0
12-2009 5 41 40 0 2 8 0 0 0 0
01-2010 7 53 72 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
02-2010 3 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
02-2010 4 44 20 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
03-2010 3 19 38 0 4 0 0 0 0 0
04-2010 2 80 35 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
05-2010 10 70 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
07-2010 9 50 20 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
08-2010 10 19 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
09-2010 25 20 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10-2010 68 27 18 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
12-2010 24 49 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
01-2011 32 50 150 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
02-2011 12 85 12 0 10 0 0 0 0 0
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]
20
Signal Grade
Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
03-2011 12 47 150 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
04-2011 7 9 36 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
05-2011 8 18 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
07-2011 7 17 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
07-2011 3 18 103 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
09-2011 26 29 115 0 10 0 0 0 0 0
10-2011 17 24 35 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12-2011 85 44 39 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
02-2012 3 33 150 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
03-2012 10 93 37 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
03-2012 27 42 111 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
06-2012 3 58 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
07-2012 4 39 43 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
08-2012 7 40 95 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
09-2012 9 35 107 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10-2012 43 31 43 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
02-2013 10 94 124 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
02-2013 5 78 103 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
04-2013 5 67 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
05-2013 0 24 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
07-2013 6 29 11 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
08-2013 4 8 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
09-2013 6 20 93 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10-2013 15 21 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11-2013 13 21 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
02-2014 32 59 59 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
03-2014 4 47 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
04-2014 0 25 24 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
05-2014 6 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
02-2015 23 26 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
02-2015 8 16 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]
21
Appendix 4: Plants Inventory
Nillumbik Indigenous Plants Park – species planted
Courtesy of Friends of Karingal Yalloc
1. A. acinacea
2. A. dealbata
3. A. genistifolia
4. A. implexa
5. A. mearnsii
6. A. melanoxylon
7. A. paradoxa
8. A. pycnanthra
9. A. verticulata
10. Acaena novae-zelandiae
11. Arthropodium strictum
12. Austrostipa mollis
13. Austrostipa pubinodis
14. Austrostipa scabra
15. Banksia serrata
16. Billarderia scandens
17. Bulbine bulbosa
18. Bursaria spinosa
19. Callistemon sieberi
20. Carex appressa
21. Carex tereticaulis
22. Cassinia aculeata
23. Cassinia longifolia
24. Chrysocephalum semipapposum
25. Clematis microphylla
26. Correa
27. Danthonia setacea
28. Dianella longifolia
29. Dianella revoluta
30. Dichelachne
31. E. meliodora
32. E. ovata
33. E. viminalis
34. Eleocharis acuta
35. Ficinia nodosa
36. Glycine latrobiana
37. Goodenia ovata
38. Goodia lotifolia
39. Hardenbergia violacea
40. Indigofera australis
41. Kennedia prostrata
42. Kunzea
43. Linum
44. Lomandra longifolia
45. Melicytus dentatus
46. Microlaena stipoides
47. Olearia stellata
48. Ozothamnus ferrugineus
49. Platylobium obtusangulum
50. Poa ballardieri
51. Poa ensiformis
52. Pomaderris aspera
53. Pultenaea pendulata
54. Pultinaea daphnoides
55. Pultinaea gunnii
56. Rubus parvifolius
57. Solanum laciniatun
58. Themeda triandra
59. Solanum lociniatum
60. Themeda manda
61. Vimianarea uncea
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]
22
Current Plants Inventory Courtesy of Chantelle Ebony Roberts and Georgia Lloyd, Monash University 2015
Shrubs
Scientific Name Common Name
Acacia genistifolia. Spreading wattle
Acacia paradoxa Hedge wattle
Acacia suaveolens Sweet Wattle
Acacia verticillata Prickly Moses
Bursaria spinosa Sweet Bursaria
Cassinia aculeata Dogwood
Cassinia arcuata Drooping Cassinia
Correa lawrenciana Mountain Correa
Dodonaea viscosa Giant hop bush
Goodenia ovata Hop Goodenia
Grevillea rosmarinifolia Spider Flower
Gynartix pulchella Hemp bush
Hakea decurrens Bushy needlewood
Helichrysum luteoalbum Weed
Hymenthera dentata Tree violet
Leptospermum continentale Prickly tea tree
Leptospermum phylicoides Burgan
Melicytus dentatus Tree Violet
Olearia phlogopappa Dusty Daisy bush
Olearia species
Pomaderis lanigera Wooly Pomaderis
Pomaderris aspera Hazel Pomaderris
Prostanthera lasianthos Mint bush
Solanum naciatum Kangaroo apple
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]
23
Grasses
Scientific Name Common Name Status
Acaena novae-zealandiae Bidi-bidi Native
Actotheca calendula Cape dandelion Weed
Anthoxanthum odoratum Buffalo grass Weed
Austrostipa rudis Veined spear-grass Native
Briza maxima Quaking grass Weed
Carex appressa Tall sedge Native
Cirsium vulgare Spear thistle Weed
Delairea odorata Cape ivy Weed
Ehrhata erecta Panic veldtgras Weed
Microlaena stipoides Weeping grass Native
Nassella neesiana Chilean needle grass Weed
Poa labillardieri Tussock grass Native
Poa sieberiana Grey tussock-grass Native
Rytidosperma fulvum Wallaby grass Native
Rytidosperma racemosum Wallaby grass Native
Themeda triandra Kangaroo grass Native
Common weeds found throughout:
Actotheca calendula
Allium triquetrum
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Briza maxima
Cirsium vulgar
Cynodon dactylon
Delairea odorata
Ehrhata erecta
Helichrysum luteoalbum
Poa annua
Taraxacum officinale
Veronica persica
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, [email protected]
24
Trees
Scientific Name Common Name
Allocasuarina littoralis Black Sheoak
Acacia mearnsii Black Wattle
Acacia melanoxylon Blackwood
Eucalyptus dives Broad-leaved Peppermint
Eucalyptus rubida Candlebark
Exocarpos cupressiformis Cherry Ballart
Melaleuca armillaris Giant Honey Myrtle
Acacia pycnantha Golden Wattle
Acacia implexa Lightwood
Eucalyptus goniocalyx Long-leaved Box/Bundy
Eucalyptus viminalis Manna Gum
Eucalyptus radiata Narrow-leaved Peppermint
Melaleuca styphelioides Prickly-leaved Paperbark
Eucayptus sideroxylon Red Irondbark
Eucalyptus macrorhyncha Red Stringybark
Acacia dealbata Silver Wattle
Eucalyptus ovata Swamp Gum
Melaleuca ericifolia Swamp Paperbark
Hakea salicifolia Willow-leaf Hakea
Eucalyptus melliodora Yellow Box