Historical Impacts of Silt Pollution on a Clear Water Bay
A fascinating and historical research report on silt pollution and dredging near Magnetic Island’s fringing reefs in the 1960s and 1970s. It was during this period when dramatic damage to the reefs began to be recorded as they succumbed to the impacts of silt pollution from dredging.
Theo Brown conducts extensive surveys with accounts of early clear water conditions in Cleveland Bay. He observes the flourishing diversity of Magnetic Island’s fringing reefs noting, ‘its coastal fringes once supported coral reefs equal to any found on the Reef proper’ (Introduction pg 8).
Elsewhere he describes how underwater visibility once averaged 10 metres and often 15. (par 3 pg 39)
Particular references to the region’s formerly clear waters on pages: 8, 12, 35, 39 and 41.
Silt Pollution: The destruction of Magnetic Island’s Coral Fringing Reefs by Theo Brown 1972
Theo Brown conducts extensive surveys with accounts of early clear water conditions in Cleveland Bay. He observes the flourishing diversity of Magnetic Island’s fringing reefs noting, ‘its coastal fringes once supported coral reefs equal to any found on the Reef proper’ (Introduction pg 8).
Elsewhere he describes how underwater visibility once averaged 10 metres and often 15. (par 3 pg 39)
Particular references to the region’s formerly clear waters on pages: 8, 12, 35, 39 and 41.
Silt Pollution: The destruction of Magnetic Island’s Coral Fringing Reefs by Theo Brown 1972
