Baseline assessment of anthropogenic change and ecological risk of an estuary bordered by an urbanized catchment and a pristine national park (Port Hacking estuary, Australia)

Port Hacking is a tide-dominated, drowned river valley at the southern edge of the Sydney conurbation (Australia) and is bordered by intense urbanization to the north and native bushland in the south. The current work provides a first-time, baseline evaluation of the magnitude of human-induced change and risk posed by sedimentary metals in Port Hacking and catchment. The estuary separates fluvial and estuarine sediment enriched in metals exhibiting moderate ecological risk from sediments with minimal anthropogenic change and no biological risk. A full set of baseline data is provided in support of new monitoring of recent and future anthropogenic impacts on the system.

Automated summary

Port Hacking is a tide-dominated, drowned river valley at the southern edge of the Sydney conurbation with varying levels of ecological risk posed by sedimentary metals. This study provides a baseline evaluation of human-induced changes and risks in the area for future monitoring and management.