Maughan et al., 2008:

"In contrast to TP and TSS, there is a large spatial expansion in the exposure to DIN compared to pre-European (Figures 12-13), with exposure now extending completely along the coast south of Princess Charlotte Bay, but even more significantly well offshore into the main reef area between Princess Charlotte Bay and Townsville/Burdekin. In the region between Cardwell and Cooktown inshore, midshelf and outer reefs are all moderately exposed to DIN."

AND

"Obviously there was no herbicide exposure in pre-European times. In contrast our model now predicts high herbicide exposure to inshore waters and ecosystems between the Palm Island Group and Cairns, and between Mackay and Repulse Bay. Even mid and outer shelf reefs in the Townsville to Cooktown region are predicted to have low-moderate exposure to herbicides. This exposure is supported by recent monitoring results which show significant concentrations of herbicides in waters up to 100km from the coast in the Tully region (Faithful et al. 2006); Mackay Whitsunday region (Rohde et al.2006 & 2008); Burdekin region (Lewis et al. 2007); and the entire central Great Barrier Reef (Prange et al. 2006)."

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Citation and/or URL

Maughan, M., Brodie, J. & Waterhouse, J. 2008, Reef exposure model for the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. ACTFR report (Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research) 07/19, Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research, Townsville, Australia

Spatial Coverage

Great Barrier Reef catchment and lagoon  

Temporal Coverage

Pre-European to present

Update Frequency

 Not applicable 

Other Information

None