Journal
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
Volume 58, Issue 4, Pages 573-580Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2008.11.016
Keywords
Stable isotopes; Shore crabs; Mangroves; Algae
Funding
- Griffith University Industry
- Queensland Environmental Protection Agency and Brisbane Water
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Stable nitrogen isotopes were used to assess the effects of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) upgrades on the utilisation of sewage-N by estuarine biota in Moreton Bay, Australia. We measured delta N-15 of filamentous algae, mangrove leaves and shore crabs at the Brisbane and Logan Rivers before and after scheduled WWTP upgrades, and at two reference rivers where WWTPs had been upgraded >4 years previously. The total N discharged into Brisbane River decreased by >80% after the upgrades had occurred, but N loads remained similar at Logan River despite the upgrade. In Brisbane River, delta N-15 values of algae and crabs decreased and were comparable to the reference rivers within 1-2 years but no changes occurred at Logan River. The delta N-15 of mangrove leaves remained elevated in all rivers, indicating that sewage-N remained a major source to mangroves either from residual WWTP discharges or from N accumulated in the sediments over many years. Crown Copyright (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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