Reduced water chemical contamination

Impact

Here chemical contamination refers to the presence of harmful toxicants, substances that could cause adverse effects in a living organism above certain concentrations in the environment.  Potential toxicants include many metals and metalloids, such as: organic sulphur compounds, industrial chemicals, organochloride pesticides (e.g. DDT), organophosphorous pesticides, pyrethroids, herbicides and fungicides (OzEstuaries, 2005).  Chemical contamination can result from poorly timed or over application of chemicals, poor chemical storage,  water run-off carrying contaminants into waterways and many other causes.  Chemical contamination is an important determinant of water quality for human uses.

Suggested indicators: Nitrates in water*, Phosphates in water*, Farm chemicals in water*

Reduced water chemical contamination may be associated with:

Potential associated impacts	Suggested indicators
Changed vegetation (aquatic and terrestrial) composition and condition	In-stream habitat* Impacts on native vegetation*
Altered viability, growth, reproductive success, competitive abilities and deformities in fauna species (aquatic and terrestrial)	Fish* Aquactic macro-invertebrates* River & wetland fauna* Native land fauna* Exotic pest fauna*
Reduced shell fish contamination

*Yet to be developed

Last updated: 27 August 2008

Land Manager's Monitoring Guide

• Monitoring overview
• Selecting indicators
• - Enterprise or production systems
• - Land practices
• - Management activity
• - Impact
• Indicators
• About the Land Manager's Monitoring Guide