Corals persisting in naturally turbid waters adjacent to a pristine catchment in Solomon Islands.
Few water quality measurements exist from pristine environments, with fewer reported studies of coastal water quality from Solomon Islands. Water quality benchmarks for the Solomons have relied on data from other geographic regions, often from quite different higher latitude developed nations, with large land masses. We present the first data of inshore turbidity and sedimentation rate for a pristine catchment on Isabel Island. Surveys recorded relatively high coral cover. The lowest cover was recorded at 22.7% (Jejevo) despite this site having a mean turbidity (continuous monitoring) of 32 NTU. However, a similar site (Jihro) was significantly less turbid (2.1 mean NTU) over the same period. This difference in turbidity is likely due to natural features of the Jihro River promoting sedimentation before reaching coastal sites. We provide an important baseline for Solomon Island inshore systems, whilst demonstrating the importance of continuous monitoring to capture episodic high turbidity events.
School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.
Simon
S
Albert
School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia. Electronic address: p.fisher@uq.edu.au.
Paul L
PL
Fisher
School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.
Badin
B
Gibbes
School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.
Alistair
A
Grinham
D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D057894:Coral Reefs; D004777:Environment; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D008542:Melanesia; D045483:Rivers; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D060753:Water Quality
D014873:Water Pollutants
Coral reef; Light attenuation; Sedimentation rate; Solomon Islands; Turbidity; Water quality