Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Water Quality Assessment of Karingal Yalloc:
Water Chemical and Macro Faunal Testing
By Zara Aghajanyan
1
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Objective_____________________________________________________________
To define the current state of the Karingal Yalloc, a small urban creek in Eltham, Melbourne. By
analyzing chemical and biological indicators of water pollution a baseline will be generated.
Introduction_________________________________________________ _________
Nerreman Gateway was once a large block of farmland, owned by the Smith family. What once was a
hobby farm has now been turned into a wetlands. A storm water fed creek, named Karingal Yalloc,
runs through the block of land, parallel to Coolabindi Chase. When the land was still farmed a large
dam was built to block the creek and to create a lake. As the dam was first of its kind it is currently
heritage listed and cannot be changed. The creek is in an urban area and numerous factors, including
the retardation of stream flow by the dam itself, degrade the water quality of the small creek. Pollution
from stormwater drains, runoff from the surrounding neighborhood, anoxic conditions within the dam
and heavy industrial pollution, such as the collapse of a road into the creek, degrade the water quality
significantly. This report aims to generate the current water quality baseline of the creek and to relate
it to past observations. This will further help in creating the Nillumbik Indigenous Plants Park along
Karingal Yalloc.
Brief History_______________________________________________
_________






Dam built in 1940 by Douglas Bernhard Smith
Farming ceased by end of 20th century, urban settlement began
Waterwatch along Karingal Yalloc began in 2001
Collapse of Sherbourne road into creek on Febuary 2005
Native reforestation along length of creek from Weidlich Rd to Gleneagle way, 2002 – 20
Lake dredged due to bad odour and invasive Cumbungi reed largely removed, March 2010
 Application for the creation of the Nillumbik Indigenous Plants Park, 2015
Collapse of Sherbourne road into Karingal
Yalloc in 2005. Photo courtesy of Julia Davis
2
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Methods
___________________
__
Four sampling locations were chosen along the creek, both upstream and downstream from the
Smith dam. This was done to minimize bias and to get a full understanding of the health of the creek.
Location 3 was located downstream from two stormwater drains and was chosen to give a better
understanding of the amount of pollution in the storm water.
Section 2 of Karingal Yalloc
Sampling locations along creek
Water chemistry
The Thermo Fisher 90FLT Field Analyzer was used for accurate
water chemistry measurements in the field. The analyzer came
with numerous water proof probes that each measured a different
parameter. The probes were left in shallow water for a few
moments and the results were recorded on the analyzer box.
This was repeated 3-4 times at each sampling spot to minimize
error.
Initially other field testing kits were used, such as the LaMotte
D.O Kit, TDScan3 and the Waterwatch Turbidity Tube, but they
were proven to be inefficient and unreliable, for this reason they
are not included in this report. The Total Phosphorous was
measured using the Merck Oxisolve/Aquaquant Test Kit.
Previous Waterwatch Victoria reports on Karingal Yalloc were
accessed and used to compare the current state of the creek to
and use as reference.
The Waterwatch Turbidity Tube
relied heavily on interpretation
and was deemed unreliable
3
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Macroinvertebrates
Macroinvertebrates were manually collected using a long Dframe net by vigorously sweeping vegetation and debris in
shallow water, such as reeds, fallen logs and tree roots. The
sample was rinsed by pouring stream water through it or by
sweeping open water to get rid of silt and mud particles. The
contents of the net were emptied out onto a large plastic tray
and stream water was poured on top to dislodge the organisms
from the net. Using tweezers and plastic pipettes organisms
were individually plucked from the tray and separated into ice
cube trays for identification. The identification book by
Gooderham and Tsyrlin (2002) of freshwater invertebrates was
used to categorize the organisms under their respective
SIGNAL score. SIGNAL stands for Stream Invertebrate Grade
Number – Average Level. This method of rating helps to
understand the amount of disturbance an ecosystem has
undergone, the more polluted the water is – the more tolerant
types of bugs will be present. The rating is as follows:
Collecting macroinvertebrates
from shallow grass roots
Higher than 6: healthy habitat
Between 5 and 6: mild pollution
Between 4 and 5: moderate pollution
Less than 4: severe pollution
4
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Results
___________________
__
Table 1. Collected water chemical parameters which aid to assess the current baseline of the creek
and the amount of disturbance affecting it.
Date:
Location:
Notes:
22/04/15
1a. Top of dam (Nerreman gateway)
20o C, 20% foliage, shade cover. 3pm
Sample
T
(C)
DO
(ppm)
1.1
14.5
1.2
1.3
Location:
Notes:
EC
pH
Turb
(NTU)
TP
(mg/L)
0.5
DO
(%
sat)
5
131
6.05
14-20
0.04
15
0.22-0.4
2-4
138
6.4
11
0.06
14.5
0.55
5
135
6.4
12-19
0.06
1b. Top of dam, opposite bank (Karingal drive)
10% foliage cover, still water
1.4
14.8
0.77
8
132
6.61
17-25
0.07
1.5
15.3
0.64
6
116
6.6
14-25
0.04
1.6
13.8
0.83
8
90
6.63
10-26
0.04
Location:
2. Bottom of dam, across Gleneagle Way
Notes:
40% foliage, shade cover, running water
2.1
14.6
4.6
45
70
6.87
5
0.04
2.2
14.7
4.74
47
70
6.9
5-6
0.04
2.3
14.6
4.45
44
77
6.9
6.2
0.04
Location:
Notes:
Sample
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
Location:
Notes:
4.1
4.2
4.3
3. Two estuaries combine (Weidlich road)
5-10% foliage, cloud cover, 3pm. Lots of gravel in creek bed. Running
water.
T, C
DO
DO
EC
pH
Turb
TP
(ppm)
(% sat)
(NTU)
(mg/L)
15.7
8-8.5
80-85
163
7.6
7-10
0.08
15.9
9.3
94
160
7.58
7-8.5
0.07
15.3
7.16
71
163
7.8
8-15
0.07
16.5
9.2
94
156
7.87
10-12
0.07
4. 50-70m down from estuaries (Ramptons road)
10-15% foliage cover. Cloud cover. Running water
15.3
4.7
47
131
7.28
15
4.8
48
115
7.4
15.1
5-5.5
50-55
124
7.6
5
5-10
6~8
0.05
0.05
0.05
5
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Figure 1. Visual representation of counted macroinvertebrates. Total count of EPT taxa: 4.
General range of signal grades: ~1-3. See: Appendix 1.
Figure 2. Past signal grade distribution with the most abundant grades (1-3). See: Appendix 3
6
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Figure 3 Dissolved oxygen saturation history of the lake above Smith dam on Nerreman Gateway.
Likely correlation between temperature and DO saturation, higher DO concentrations due to lower
temperatures. See Appendix 2
Figure 4 Slight positive correlation between rainfall and DO. R2 indicates how well the data fits the
regression line. As it is very low, the correlation between the two parameters is very weak.
7
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Figure 5. Abundance of phosphate and ammonium in the past. Notable spike followed by decrease in
concentration after dredging of dam in March 2010.
8
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Discussion
___________________
__
The Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZECC)
standards and the Waterwatch Victoria standard for freshwater environments will be used as
reference points to compare the collected data.
ANZECC (2000) guidelines for slightly disturbed and highly disturbed streams:
Environment
Phosphorous (mg/L) Nitrogen (mg/L)
Lowland River
0.02
Freshwater Lake 0.005
0.02
0.01
DO
(% sat)
pH
Min Max
85 110 8
90 110 8
Salinity Turbidity
(µS/ cm) (NTU)
125
20-30
6-50
1-20
Waterwatch guidelines for freshwater streams:
Parameter
Conductivity (µS/ cm)
Turbidity (NTU)
pH
Excellent
<100
<15
6.0-7.5
Good
<250
<17.5
5.5-6 or <8.0
Fair
<500
<20
8.0-8.5
Phosphorous (mg/L)
Ammonium (mg/L)
<0.008
<0.05
<0.02
<0.1
<0.04
<0.2
Poor
<750
<30
5.0-5.5 or
8.5-9.0
<0.08
<0.4
Degraded
>750
>30
<5.0 or >9.0
>0.08
>0.4
The macroinvertebrate data immediately shows that the
environment is heavily polluted as the SIGNAL scores generally
range from 1-3 (Fig 1). Previous testing also had the same range
of scores, with the upper limit occasionally being a score of 5 or 6
(Fig 2, Appendix 3).Though, in more recent time the amount of
less resistant bugs have become more abundant. In just one
month 4 specimens of EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera,
Trichoptera) taxa were found, which is a sure sign that the
conditions have improved as these indicator insects have SIGNAL
scores of 8-10 (Gooderham and Tsyrlin 2002). This may correlate
to the recent increase in native reforestation along Karingal Yalloc
by the Nillumbik council (Appendix 4). Numerous shells of
Ephemeroptera nymphs were found regularly at the sampling
sites, which is also a sign of improving conditions.
Above the Smith dam and along Nerreman gateway the dissolved
oxygen (DO%) saturation was significantly more degraded than at
other sections along the creek, ranging from 2-8 (Table 1). This is
critically under saturated, as the lower limit for DO% in the ANZECC guidelines is 90. Both the
retardation of stream flow by the dam and the invasive reeds upstream severely affect the DO
saturation of the lake. Decreased stream flow would cease turbidation and aeration of the stream,
whilst the invasive reeds choke the stream and end water circulation. As the Smith dam is heritage
Common waterboatman
(Corixidae), SIGNAL score: 3
9
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
listed (Victorian Heritage Database, 2010), one solution would be to increase the outflow from the
system to increase stream flow. Excessive and repeated weeding of the area would keep the reeds
under control and increase the thermal convection of water, which itself would create flow and
aeration. Further reforestation can introduce more native plant species to the stream and increase the
competition against the invasive reeds. A fountain or some boulders can increases the turbulent flow
of the water and aid in aeration (IEPA 1997). It should also be mentioned that the DO% can be
dependent on the temperature of the water (US EPA, 2012). Colder water can hold higher
concentrations of oxygen (Fig 3). Decreased DO% can cause algal growth and cyanobacteria blooms
which can further deplete the water body of oxygen and create anoxic conditions. Decrease in DO%
may also reduce the redox potential and suspend heavy metals from sediments, which has adverse
effects on the ecosystem. Further downstream and upstream the DO% ranges from poor to fair,
which can be attributed to rainfall and urban pollution.
The ammonium was too low to generate a reading, while the total phosphorous was above both
guidelines. It ranged 0.04 -0.08, which is above all guidelines and can be attributed to either the storm
water runoff or the past land use. Also previously within the Eltham area primarily septic tanks were
used to store and treat wastewater. Septic run off would have also caused an increase in nutrient
concentrations within the creek and in the surrounding sediment. In the past both ammonium and
phosphorous have been quite high (Fig 5). This can be related to the invasive weeds within the water
or algal blooms, which both decrease the water quality of the lake (EPA VIC, 2001). Increase in DO%
and extensive weeding of invasive reeds will decrease the occurrence of harmful algal blooms.
Increased nutrient concentration and a decrease
in DO% in freshwater systems can be the
catalyst to a self-sustaining toxic cycle. Nutrients
can cause algal growth and cyanobacterial
blooms which reduce light penetration into the
water and hinder photosynthesis of aquatic
plants. The increase of organic detritus and the
resulting decay of organic material further
decreases the DO concentration within the
water, which smothers aquatic organisms –
particularly fish (ANZECC 2000). In the past
scum and bad odour have been noted below the
dam wall, which could be due to toxic bacteria,
such as cyanobacteria, that thrive in anoxic and
nutrient rich environments.
Scum below the dam wall.
Photo courtesy of Julia Davis, Waterwatch
The electrical conductivity (EC) indicates the amount of dissolved ions, such as salts, Calcium,
Magnesium, Potassium, Chlorides and Bicarbonates in a water body. Increased conductivity in
Karingal Yalloc can be attributed to storm water that feeds the creek (Fig 4) or runoff from the major
roads surrounding it. The EC within all sections of the creek is relatively good according to the
Waterwatch guidelines (<250), but slightly high according to ANZECC standards. Previously the EC
has been poor to degraded according to Waterwatch and very degraded by ANZECC (Appendix 2).
An increase in salinity may cause a release of heavy metals within the water body from surrounding
sediment. This may drastically harm the ecosystem, affecting the anatomy and reproductive success
of aquatic organisms (WATERSHEDSS, 1995).
10
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
The turbidity of all the sites is quite low, meaning the suspended particles within the water bodies are
very low. This is a positive sign as increased turbidity impedes on photosynthesis within the creek
which can lead to toxic environments. Previously the turbidity has been quite constant, ranging from
10-50, with occasional spikes during increased rainfall, which temporarily mobilizes solids. The
collapse of Sherbourne road into the creek would have also negatively affected the turbidity.
The measured pH was quite good, but in the past the pH has varied significantly (Appendix 2). This
can be attributed to the acidity or alkalinity of the stormwater that feeds the creek, the amount of
suspended heavy metals in the water or even the amount of physical rubbish left in the creek.
Decrease in pH may cause the release of heavy metals from sediment into the water
(WATERSHEDSS, 1995). As aforementioned, this has very negative impacts on the health of the
ecosystem.
Systematic and Random Errors
_____
__
It should be note that numerous errors could have altered the collection of data. These could range
from random, those that could not be controlled by the person collecting the sample, to systematic –
errors that can be controlled. Some examples of these errors:
Random
Weather: increased rainfall, sunshine, shade
cover
Systematic
Incorrect use of equipment
Organisms: abundance depending on season
Interpretation of samples: identification of bugs
dependent on interpretation
Surrounding environment: landslide, increased
pollution from industrial development, increased
rubbish
Not enough repeated samples, to minimize bias
Also the use of SIGNAL scores should not be used solely when analyzing freshwater environments.
An ecological system could be in balance, but have more tolerant species that thrive in it. E.g. bugs
that live in brine environments. Or be abundant in more sensitive organisms, but in a very niche
habitat (Gooderham and Tsyrlin 2002).
Conclusion
___________________
__
Karingal Yalloc can be labelled as a ‘highly disturbed creek’ (ANZECC, 2000). Stormwater drainage
and urban runoff from the surrounding suburbs heavily influence the health of the creek. By further
reforestation and weeding the condition of the creek can be greatly improved. Further increase of the
output from the dam will also positively alter the chemical makeup of Karingal Yalloc and help to
return the natural ecosystem to a balanced state. If increased output from dam is not possible, other
forms of aeration must be implemented, such as a fountain.
11
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
References
_______________
__
ANZECC (2000) Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality,
‘National Water Quality Management Stategy.
EPA VIC (2001) Nutrient objectives for rivers and streams – ecosystem protection | EPA Victoria.
Viewed on 02/07/2015 at:
< http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/our-work/publications/publication/2001/december/792-1>
Gooderham, J., and Tsyrlin, E. (2002) The Waterbug Book, CSIRO Publishing, Australia
Illinois EPA (1997) Lake aeration and circulation. Viewed on 02/06/2015 at
<http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/conservation/lake-notes/lake-aeration.pdf>
US EPA (1997) How do we measure the quality of our waters? Viewed on 02/07/2015 at:
< http://water.epa.gov/learn/resources/measure.cfm>
Victorian Heritage Database (2010) Smith Dam. Viewed on 06/07/2015 at:
<http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/places/result_detail/63471>
WATERSHEDSS (1995) Precipitation of Heavy Metals from Wastewaters. Viewed on 06/07/2015 at:
< http://www.water.ncsu.edu/watershedss/info/hmetals.html>
Acknowledgements __________
__
A big thank you to my helpers Stephanie Eastmure, Catherine Comerford and Taron Naoroji. Thank
you to the Friends of Karingal Yalloc, Alex Smith and Theodoros Papakonstantinou for organizing this
opportunity. Special thanks to Ian Burns and Julia Davis for supplying extensive data and information
on the history of the site. Also thank you to Karen Borton and the Nillumbik Shire Council for
supplying the field equipment.
12
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Appendix 1: Macroinverterbate Count
Date:
Location:
Notes:
Name
Odonata
Diptera
Tubificid worm
Platyhelminthes Turbellarians
Hirudinea (leach)
Collembola (springtail)
Stratiomyids
Corixidae (waterboatmen)
Location:
Name
Diptera
Tubificid worm
Collembola (springtail)
Corixidae (waterboatmen)
Plecoptera (stone fly) nymph
Date:
Location:
Notes:
Name
Heteroptera (water striders)
Platyhelminthes Turbellarians
Tubificid worm
Springtail
Hirudinea (leach)
Corixidae (waterboatmen)
Diptera
Ephemeroptera (mayfly)
Odonata (damselfly)
4/2/2015
1a. Top of dam
Sunny, partly cloud cover. 20-25oC
Count
5
45
15
7
7
16
2
2
Signal Grade
3
3
2
2
1
1
2
2
1b. Top of dam, 10m up stream
Count
Signal Grade
17
3
10
2
8
1
6
2
1
10
12/2/2015
2. Below dam, across Gleneagle
Way
Warm, 25o C, light cloud cover
Count
23
50+
37
50+
15
7
20
1
1
Signal Grade
2
2
2
1
1
2
3
9
3
13
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Location:
Name
3. Two estuaries combine.
(Weidlich road)
Count
Signal Grade
Odonata
1
3
Acarina (freshwater mite)
6
3
Ephemeroptera
1
6
Platyhelminthes
Turbellarians
Gastropoda (fresh water
snail)
Diptera
6
2
18
2
50+
1
Corixidae (waterboatmen)
3
3
Tubificid worm
9
2
Collembola (springtail)
15
2
Note: Abundance of abandoned shells of ephemeroptera
nymphs.
Date:
Location:
Notes:
Name
Odonata
Corixidae (waterboatmen)
Diptera
Platyhelminthes Turbellarians
Tubificid worm
Acarina (freshwater mite)
Ephemeroptera (mayfy)
Heteroptera (water striders)
Hirudinea (leach)
7/3/2015
4. Further downstream of
estuaries (Ramptons road)
Cloud cover, warm, mild wind.
Count
Signal Grade
1
3
7
2
4
3
50+
2
26
2
2
6
1
9
12
2
3
1
14
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Appendix 2: Past Water Chemistry Data from Nerreman Gateway
Date
09-2001
05-2006
06-2006
07-2006
08-2006
09-2006
10-2006
11-2006
12-2006
02-2007
03-2007
04-2007
05-2007
06-2007
07-2007
08-2007
09-2007
10-2007
11-2007
12-2007
02-2008
04-2008
05-2008
06-2008
07-2008
08-2008
09-2008
Ammonium
(mg/L NH4+)
9.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.2
N/A
0.2
0.15
0.2
0.01
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.01
0.08
DO
(% SAT)
0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
39
74
53
35
39
41
32
37
41
54.45
37.96
53.59
73
53
55
DO
(mg/L)
95.96
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4
8
6
4
4
4
3
3.5
4
5.5
4
6
8
7
6
EC
(µS/cm)
1280
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1290
600
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
360
240
730
580
440
360
490
580
180
300
350
470
370
440
340
pH
7.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.6
7.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.9
7.1
7.1
8
6.5
7.4
6.6
6.5
8
7.1
7.2
7.2
7.7
7.5
7
Phosphate
(mg/L)
0.0326
N/A
N/A
0.06
0.05
0.06
0.06
0.15
0.1
0.07
0.03
0.02
0.03
0.07
0.03
0.05
0.125
0.08
0.1
0.08
0.05
0.15
0.07
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.06
T
(water oC)
14
15
12
10.5
11.4
12
15.4
19.6
18.2
21
18.9
14.9
13.8
11.3
9.5
9.4
14.1
15.5
18
18
16
14.5
12.6
10
11
9.2
11
Turbidity
(NTU)
12
35
10
30
15
10
10
20
20
10
10
10
10
60
40
10
10
20
15
10
15
10
20
10
15
10
10
Weather
Cloudy
Raining
Sunny
Cloudy/ windy
Sunny/ cloudy
Sunny/ windy
Cloudy/ windy
Sunny/ smoke haze
Overcast/ windy
Sunny/ windy
Sunny
Cloudy/ windy
Cloudy
Overcast/ windy
Cloudy/ windy
Cloudy/ windy
Cloudy/ windy
Sunny
Cloudy, windy
Overcast
Sunny
Sunny/cloudy
Overcast
Sunny/cloudy
Sunny/cloudy/windy
Sunny/cloudy/windy
Rain
(mm/mo)
40
50
45
51
33
34
23
26
54
30
52
22
52
50
51
22
8
12
74
43
20
31
12
12
47
60
29
15
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Date
10-2008
11-2008
12-2008
01-2009
01-2009
03-2009
04-2009
05-2009
06-2009
07-2009
08-2009
09-2009
10-2009
11-2009
12-2009
01-2010
02-2010
02-2010
03-2010
04-2010
05-2010
07-2010
08-2010
09-2010
10-2010
12-2010
01-2011
03-2011
04-2011
Ammonium
(mg/L NH4+)
0.07
0
0.1
N/A
0
0.07
0.04
0
0.02
0
0
0.15
0.08
0.8
0
0.01
0.4
0.03
0.15
0.05
0.45
0.09
0.01
0.07
0.01
0
0
0
0.01
DO
(% SAT)
38
41
42
36
41
36
106
36
37
55
72
28
37
34
44
35
36
35
47
42
27
57
72
39
42
66
39
33
50
DO
(mg/L)
4
4
4
3.5
3.5
3.5
10
4
4
6
8
3
4
3
4
3
4
3
4
4
3
6
8
4
4
6
3.5
3
5
EC
(µS/cm)
270
200
340
390
630
340
130
200
150
310
90
130
350
980
460
290
850
440
470
180
280
390
170
310
780
1080
1400
420
1200
pH
7.4
7.1
7.3
6.9
7.1
6.6
6.4
6.7
7.1
6.5
6.2
6.2
6.6
6.9
6.9
6.9
7.4
6.9
6.6
6.9
6.9
7.7
8.1
7.4
7.6
7.8
7.5
7.3
7.6
Phosphate
(mg/L)
0.05
0.03
0.1
0.1
0.025
0.15
0.5
0.03
0.08
0
0.07
0.07
0.04
0.12
0.06
0.06
0.07
0.1
0.07
0.07
0.08
0.08
0.05
0.05
0.06
0.08
0.03
0.05
0.07
T
(water oC)
12.2
15.7
17.8
16.5
23
16
17.8
10.5
12
11.4
10.5
12
11.6
20.9
20
22.8
9.9
22.2
23.4
17
11
12.4
10.1
13.6
17.5
19.3
20.9
20.1
14.9
Turbidity
(NTU)
10
20
15
15
10
15
400
20
20
15
50
20
10
20
20
50
15
20
10
20
15
22
30
20
11
25
10
25
10
Weather
Overcast
Sunny/cloudy/windy
Sunny/cloudy/windy
Overcast/raining/windy
Sunny
Sunny/windy
Raining
Overcast/windy
Sunny/cloudy
Sunny/ windy
Overcast/ windy
Sunny/windy
Sunny
Sunny/windy
Sunny/windy
Sunny/windy
Overcast
Sunny/windy
Sunny/windy
Sunny/ windy
Cloudy
Cloudy/ windy
Cloudy
Cloudy/ windy
Overcast/ windy
Cloudy/ windy
Overcast/ windy
Cloudy
Sunny/ windy
Rain
(mm/mo)
12
82
90
0
0
45
64
8
51
32
48
117
117
82
69
39
37
37
57
46
40
37
71
51
154
97
109
43
119
16
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Date
05-2011
07-2011
07-2011
09-2011
09-2011
10-2011
11-2011
12-2011
02-2012
03-2012
06-2012
07-2012
09-2012
10-2012
01-2013
02-2013
04-2013
05-2013
05-2013
07-2013
08-2013
08-2013
09-2013
10-2013
11-2013
12-2013
02-2014
03-2014
04-2014
05-2014
Ammonium
(mg/L NH4+)
0.06
0.07
0.02
0.35
0.07
0.07
0
0.15
0.4
0.02
0.15
0.07
0.085
0.1
0.06
0.06
0
0.05
0.07
0.08
0.03
0.08
0
0
N/A
0.05
N/A
0.15
0.4
0.1
DO
(% SAT)
68
54
95
88
56
78
69
43
35
33
55
50
56
67
38
51
31
76
88
47
47
93
79
48
65
56
33
31
30
34
DO
(mg/L)
7
6
10
9
6
7
6
4
3
3
6
6
6
3
3.5
5
2.5
8
9
5
5
10
8
5
6
5
3
3
3
3.5
EC
(µS/cm)
320
1190
250
560
1130
750
250
700
510
550
690
1200
560
500
1030
170
440
130
200
540
960
370
230
370
210
230
250
320
300
7.3
pH
7.3
7.7
7.2
7.3
7.7
7.5
7.8
7
6.8
6.9
7.1
7.3
7.3
7.2
7.1
6.3
6.9
6.9
7
7.2
6.9
7.8
6.6
71
6.3
7
5.9
6.2
6.8
7
Phosphate
(mg/L)
0.04
0.07
0.025
0.1
0.05
0.125
0.05
0.085
0.1
0.07
0.07
0.08
0.06
1.36
0.04
0.06
0.09
0.07
0.07
0.07
0.06
0.04
0.03
0.03
0.07
0.15
N/A
0.12
0.15
0.14
T
(water oC)
13.5
10.4
12.7
13.8
14.1
20.4
22.2
18.1
22.1
18.9
10.8
7.1
11.7
20.2
18.9
16.3
26.4
12.9
14
12.4
12.1
11.5
14.4
13
19.1
20.3
19.9
16.7
15
14
Turbidity
(NTU)
50
15
15
27
9
40
100
14
14
9
13
9
13
9
9
21
13
19
30
10
13
24
9
13
14
30
30
19
10
9
Weather
Cloudy/ windy
Sunny/ windy
Sunny
Sunny/ windy
Sunny/ windy
Cloudy/ windy
Raining/ windy
Cloudy
Windy
Windy
Cloudy/ windy
Raining
Overcast/ windy
Sunny/ windy
Cloudy/ windy
Sunny/ windy
Sunny
Overcast/ windy
Raining
Cloudy/ windy
Sunny/ windy
Cloudy/ windy
Cloudy/ windy
Overcast/ windy
Cloudy/ windy
Sunny/ windy
Raining
Overcast/ windy
Overcast/ windy
Cloudy/ windy
Rain
(mm/mo)
62
47
47
87
87
58
139
161
78
61
54
75
35
36
17
70
23
35
62
40
58
69
61
50
72
18
19
30
31
36
17
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Appendix 3: Past Macroinvertebrate Counts, outliers have been highlighted
Date
05-2001
06-2001
08-2001
09-2001
09-2001
03-2006
04-2006
05-2006
06-2006
08-2006
09-2006
10-2006
11-2006
12-2006
02-2007
03-2007
04-2007
05-2007
06-2007
07-2007
08-2007
09-2007
11-2007
12-2007
02-2008
04-2008
05-2008
06-2008
1
1
2
0
11
8
3
12
10
2
9
7
10
14
16
1
0
1
4
6
2
2
13
1
8
5
4
1
4
2
7
0
1
29
55
1
15
12
10
6
8
12
11
28
12
3
4
17
9
7
9
13
6
44
25
20
15
6
3
4
1
7
0
3
11
4
9
32
7
10
18
15
41
12
0
3
12
7
2
3
45
54
22
13
36
17
32
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Signal Grade
5
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
20
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
3
0
0
0
0
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
18
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Date
07-2008
08-2008
08-2008
10-2008
11-2008
12-2008
01-2009
01-2009
03-2009
04-2009
05-2009
06-2009
07-2009
08-2009
09-2009
11-2009
12-2009
01-2010
02-2010
02-2010
03-2010
04-2010
05-2010
07-2010
08-2010
09-2010
10-2010
12-2010
01-2011
02-2011
1
16
1
3
5
8
9
6
1
10
8
5
3
2
1
6
0
5
7
3
4
3
2
10
9
10
25
68
24
32
12
2
6
12
7
18
50
14
59
14
49
7
33
41
54
33
37
17
41
53
36
44
19
80
70
50
19
20
27
49
50
85
3
21
5
5
26
41
100
32
5
60
0
9
0
4
15
6
104
40
72
0
20
38
35
23
20
30
3
18
18
150
12
Signal Grade
4
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
4
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
6
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
19
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Date
03-2011
04-2011
05-2011
07-2011
07-2011
09-2011
10-2011
12-2011
02-2012
03-2012
03-2012
06-2012
07-2012
08-2012
09-2012
10-2012
02-2013
02-2013
04-2013
05-2013
07-2013
08-2013
09-2013
10-2013
11-2013
02-2014
03-2014
04-2014
05-2014
02-2015
02-2015
1
12
7
8
7
3
26
17
85
3
10
27
3
4
7
9
43
10
5
5
0
6
4
6
15
13
32
4
0
6
23
8
2
47
9
18
17
18
29
24
44
33
93
42
58
39
40
35
31
94
78
67
24
29
8
20
21
21
59
47
25
14
26
16
3
150
36
13
40
103
115
35
39
150
37
111
16
43
95
107
43
124
103
12
13
11
8
93
18
19
59
12
24
0
50
17
Signal Grade
4
5
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
20
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Appendix 4: Plants Inventory
Nillumbik Indigenous Plants Park – species planted
Courtesy of Friends of Karingal Yalloc
1. A. acinacea
32. E. ovata
2. A. dealbata
33. E. viminalis
3. A. genistifolia
34. Eleocharis acuta
4. A. implexa
35. Ficinia nodosa
5. A. mearnsii
36. Glycine latrobiana
6. A. melanoxylon
37. Goodenia ovata
7. A. paradoxa
38. Goodia lotifolia
8. A. pycnanthra
39. Hardenbergia violacea
9. A. verticulata
40. Indigofera australis
10. Acaena novae-zelandiae
41. Kennedia prostrata
11. Arthropodium strictum
42. Kunzea
12. Austrostipa mollis
43. Linum
13. Austrostipa pubinodis
44. Lomandra longifolia
14. Austrostipa scabra
45. Melicytus dentatus
15. Banksia serrata
46. Microlaena stipoides
16. Billarderia scandens
47. Olearia stellata
17. Bulbine bulbosa
48. Ozothamnus ferrugineus
18. Bursaria spinosa
49. Platylobium obtusangulum
19. Callistemon sieberi
50. Poa ballardieri
20. Carex appressa
51. Poa ensiformis
21. Carex tereticaulis
52. Pomaderris aspera
22. Cassinia aculeata
53. Pultenaea pendulata
23. Cassinia longifolia
54. Pultinaea daphnoides
24. Chrysocephalum semipapposum
55. Pultinaea gunnii
25. Clematis microphylla
56. Rubus parvifolius
26. Correa
57. Solanum laciniatun
27. Danthonia setacea
58. Themeda triandra
28. Dianella longifolia
59. Solanum lociniatum
29. Dianella revoluta
60. Themeda manda
30. Dichelachne
61. Vimianarea uncea
31. E. meliodora
21
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Current Plants Inventory
Courtesy of Chantelle Ebony Roberts and Georgia Lloyd, Monash University 2015
Shrubs
Scientific Name
Acacia genistifolia.
Acacia paradoxa
Acacia suaveolens
Acacia verticillata
Bursaria spinosa
Cassinia aculeata
Cassinia arcuata
Correa lawrenciana
Dodonaea viscosa
Goodenia ovata
Grevillea rosmarinifolia
Gynartix pulchella
Hakea decurrens
Helichrysum luteoalbum
Hymenthera dentata
Leptospermum continentale
Leptospermum phylicoides
Melicytus dentatus
Olearia phlogopappa
Olearia species
Pomaderis lanigera
Pomaderris aspera
Prostanthera lasianthos
Solanum naciatum
Common Name
Spreading wattle
Hedge wattle
Sweet Wattle
Prickly Moses
Sweet Bursaria
Dogwood
Drooping Cassinia
Mountain Correa
Giant hop bush
Hop Goodenia
Spider Flower
Hemp bush
Bushy needlewood
Weed
Tree violet
Prickly tea tree
Burgan
Tree Violet
Dusty Daisy bush
Wooly Pomaderis
Hazel Pomaderris
Mint bush
Kangaroo apple
22
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Grasses
Scientific Name
Acaena novae-zealandiae
Actotheca calendula
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Austrostipa rudis
Briza maxima
Carex appressa
Cirsium vulgare
Delairea odorata
Ehrhata erecta
Microlaena stipoides
Nassella neesiana
Poa labillardieri
Poa sieberiana
Rytidosperma fulvum
Rytidosperma racemosum
Themeda triandra
Common Name
Bidi-bidi
Cape dandelion
Buffalo grass
Veined spear-grass
Quaking grass
Tall sedge
Spear thistle
Cape ivy
Panic veldtgras
Weeping grass
Chilean needle grass
Tussock grass
Grey tussock-grass
Wallaby grass
Wallaby grass
Kangaroo grass
Status
Native
Weed
Weed
Native
Weed
Native
Weed
Weed
Weed
Native
Weed
Native
Native
Native
Native
Native
Common weeds found throughout:
Actotheca calendula
Allium triquetrum
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Briza maxima
Cirsium vulgar
Cynodon dactylon
Delairea odorata
Ehrhata erecta
Helichrysum luteoalbum
Poa annua
Taraxacum officinale
Veronica persica
23
Zara Aghajanyan 2015, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, zaghaj@gmail.com
Trees
Scientific Name
Allocasuarina littoralis
Acacia mearnsii
Acacia melanoxylon
Eucalyptus dives
Eucalyptus rubida
Exocarpos cupressiformis
Melaleuca armillaris
Acacia pycnantha
Acacia implexa
Eucalyptus goniocalyx
Eucalyptus viminalis
Eucalyptus radiata
Melaleuca styphelioides
Eucayptus sideroxylon
Eucalyptus macrorhyncha
Acacia dealbata
Eucalyptus ovata
Melaleuca ericifolia
Hakea salicifolia
Eucalyptus melliodora
Common Name
Black Sheoak
Black Wattle
Blackwood
Broad-leaved Peppermint
Candlebark
Cherry Ballart
Giant Honey Myrtle
Golden Wattle
Lightwood
Long-leaved Box/Bundy
Manna Gum
Narrow-leaved Peppermint
Prickly-leaved Paperbark
Red Irondbark
Red Stringybark
Silver Wattle
Swamp Gum
Swamp Paperbark
Willow-leaf Hakea
Yellow Box
24