Great Barrier Reef Case Study

865 Words2 Pages

Problem Statement
The water quality of the ocean is diminishing due to chemical run-off from farms. The run- off begins into small catchments which eventually reach our reefs with devastating outcomes. The pesticides and herbicides used on farmlands are high in phosphorus which is a harmful chemical to our reef flora and fauna. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF, 2015) states that 60 kilometres inside the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area harmful concentrations of pesticides are being detected. And a staggering one-third of the reef is exposed to herbicides (WWF, 2015). These chemicals are often dispersed in excess of what is needed. In areas such as Far North Queensland, summer represents an increase in pests, and weeds. This is also …show more content…

Unfortunately, this natural beauty is being threatened and certain coral species are facing extinction. Hugh Yorkston (Meteorology, 2014), is the Director of ecosystems and water quality group for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. He states that the Great Barrier Reef stretches along 2300 kilometres of the Queensland coast (Meteorology, 2014). And of that 2300 Kilometres, there are 35 major rivers that discharge water into the great Barrier Reef (Meteorology, 2014). The Author resides in Far North Queensland, which is a large farming district; in large farming communities it has become evident through resources such as the eReef project, that the water quality in these areas are less than satisfactory. Dr Jennie Mallela (Observer, 2013), from Australian National University- ANU, has undertaken research to support the decline in water quality in this region. Her research identifies the increase in the amount of phosphorus that is found in coral. Dr Mallela, began studying coral skeletons off Dunk Island in Far North Queensland, for information that may provide insight into the chemical impacts on coral over many years (Observer,

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