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Completed contract research projects
| Transboundary water quality study |
| Project team: |
Prof Barry Hart, Michael Jones and Gabriel Pistone (NSR Environmental Consultants, Melbourne) |
| Duration: |
2001 |
| Funding: |
Mekong River Commission, Cambodia |
| Summary: |
Deteriorating water quality in the lower Mekong River basin has been identified as a priority transboundary issue by each of the four member countries. Three particular transboundary water quality issues are considered in this report: (a) the potential effects of municipal and industrial wastewater from Phnom Penh on both downstream Vietnam and fish migration in Tonle Sap River; (b) the potential effects of municipal and industrial wastewater from Vientiane on both neighbouring Thailand and fish migration in the Mekong River; and (c) the influence of upstream water on the degraded water quality in the Mekong Delta. A risk assessment framework was used to assess these issues. In particular, the risk of adverse effects on three key values of the Mekong River ecosystem health (characterised by eutrophication, toxicity due to dissolved oxygen and toxicants and ecosystem processes), fish migration and human health (drinking, recreation) - have been assessed. The risk to irrigation water quality was also assessed for the third transboundary issue above. |
| Final Report: |
Available as pdf file - this will be placed on the site in early November |
| In-stream flow requirements for Lesotho Highlands Water Project dams |
| Project team: |
Prof Barry Hart |
| Duration: |
1997 to 2000 |
| Funding: |
Metsi Consultants |
| Summary: |
Prof Barry Hart was engaged by Metsi Consultants as internal adviser for a major project conducted during 1997 to 2000 to determine the environmental flow requirements for rivers likely to be affected by the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (Southern Africa). |
| Final Report: |
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| Fate of Boyer Mill resin acids in the Derwent estuary |
| Project team: |
Dr Mike Grace and Ashley Liang |
| Duration: |
1999 to 2001 |
| Funding: |
Norske Skog Paper Australia |
| Summary: |
Dr Mike Grace and Ashley Liang of the WSC undertook a study for Norske Skog Paper Australia to investigate the biogeochemical aspects of the fate of Boyer Mill resin acids in the Derwent estuary. This formed part of the Ecological risk assessment of wastewater discharge to Derwent estuary. |
| Final Report: |
Available at web site - http://www.nsrenv.com.au |
| Phosphorus partitioning in suspended and bottom sediments from Gippsland Lakes |
| Project team: |
Dr Mike Grace and Ashley Liang |
| Duration: |
2001 |
| Funding: |
Gippsland Coastal Board |
| Summary: |
Dr Mike Grace and Ashley Liang undertook an investigation into the uptake of orthophosphate onto suspended particulate matter and bottom sediments from the Gippsland Lakes. The work done for the Gippsland Coastal Board provided information to the CSIRO team developing an ecological model of the Gippsland lakes. |
| Final Report: |
Available from Mike.Grace@sci.monash.edu.au |
| River restoration plan for the Thomson and Macalister Rivers |
| Project team: |
Prof Barry Hart, Peter Cottingham, Dr Gerry Quinn, Dr Mike Stewardson (Univ Melb), Dr Brian Finlayson (Univ Melb), Tarmo Raadik (ARI). |
| Duration: |
2000 - 2001 |
| Funding: |
Department of Natural Resources & Environment |
| Summary: |
Rehabilitation Plan is to be developed for the lower Thomson and Macalister Rivers and when implemented will improve river condition by optimising the interaction between environmental flows and aquatic habitat management. The plan is to be developed in two stages: a scoping stage and an investigative works stage. This project undertook the scoping stage. The final report covers:
- The available information that describes the ecological and physical condition of the study area
- The basis for rehabilitation, including a vision for the system and key objectives for rehabilitation
- Gaps in our understanding of the system
- What rehabilitation actions can be implemented now; and
- An investigative works program that will provide additional information to guide the development of a rehabilitation plan for the lower Thomson and Macalister rivers.
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| Final Report: |
Development of a Rehabilitation Plan for the lower Thomson and Macalister Rivers - A Scoping Study, CRC for Freshwater Ecology, Technical Report 5/2001, July 2001 (available in pdf format). |
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