Over the last thirty years there has been a decline in heavy metal contamination in the Derwent estuary. However by national and international standards levels in water, sediment and living organisms (eg. shellfish) remain high.
Heavy metals can be toxic to estuarine and marine mammals, and to humans if ingested through the consumption of seafood.
The Derwent Estuary Program received Commonwealth funding for a Coastal Catchment Initiative heavy metals water quality improvement program. The aim of this program was to better understand and further reduce heavy metal contamination in the Derwent estuary.
The major elements of this program included:
The final report is now available, as is an executive summary .
Heavy metals can be toxic to estuarine and marine mammals, and to humans if ingested through the consumption of seafood.
The Derwent Estuary Program received Commonwealth funding for a Coastal Catchment Initiative heavy metals water quality improvement program. The aim of this program was to better understand and further reduce heavy metal contamination in the Derwent estuary.
The major elements of this program included:
- Determining heavy metal inputs and existing levels
- Computer modelling of water and sediment transport processes controlling the movement of heavy metals
- Evaluating the processes that influence heavy metal availability in sediments
- Establishing heavy metal targets and the loads required to achieve these
- Identifying and evaluating management options to meet these targets
- Recommending actions for implementation
The final report is now available, as is an executive summary .
