Bulimbe Creek
Citipointe Christian College
Year 9 Science
Term 1, 2010
The Health of The Bulimba Creek
Judy Lee
Mrs. Williams
Introduction
This report will investigate Bulimba Creek to determine the environmental health of this ecosystem. The purpose of this report is to identify degraded conditions of the creek and to make recommendations to improve these conditions. The sources used to inform this report include experimental data and internet research. A creek is defined as a small inlet or bay, narrower and extending further into the land than a cove; a recess in the shore of the sea, or a river.
Bulimba Creek is located in the eastern and south-eastern areas of Brisbane and generally flows northwards into the Brisbane River. Bulimba Creek extends from Sunnybank to the Brisbane river at Hemmant as can be seen in figure 1. In 1865, European settlers extensively farmed the more fertile flats in the catchment area causing damages through bad farming techniques. Also, unlimited fish were caught from the creek. The creek’s catchment area covers122 square kilometers; the second largest in Brisbane. Factors impacting the catchment area are by urban development, tree clearing, land uses and weeds. Infrastructure, services and inappropriate land use; filling and building on flood plains and waterway corridors are also serious problems.
To determine the health of the Bulimba Creek at Mansfield, 3 experiments are performed. These experiments are determined through sampling soil quality, litter density and distribution, and concentration of weed species. Litter is considered by environmentalists to negatively impact on the environment. 18 per cent of litter ends up polluting waterways; presenting a hazard to humans, fauna and flora. It not only encourages pests to spread germs and diseases, but also affects the water quality and the organisms living in them. The pH (potential of Hydrogen) and EC (Electrical Conductivity) can also affect the creek. PH is a measure of the
Year 9 Science
Term 1, 2010
The Health of The Bulimba Creek
Judy Lee
Mrs. Williams
Introduction
This report will investigate Bulimba Creek to determine the environmental health of this ecosystem. The purpose of this report is to identify degraded conditions of the creek and to make recommendations to improve these conditions. The sources used to inform this report include experimental data and internet research. A creek is defined as a small inlet or bay, narrower and extending further into the land than a cove; a recess in the shore of the sea, or a river.
Bulimba Creek is located in the eastern and south-eastern areas of Brisbane and generally flows northwards into the Brisbane River. Bulimba Creek extends from Sunnybank to the Brisbane river at Hemmant as can be seen in figure 1. In 1865, European settlers extensively farmed the more fertile flats in the catchment area causing damages through bad farming techniques. Also, unlimited fish were caught from the creek. The creek’s catchment area covers122 square kilometers; the second largest in Brisbane. Factors impacting the catchment area are by urban development, tree clearing, land uses and weeds. Infrastructure, services and inappropriate land use; filling and building on flood plains and waterway corridors are also serious problems.
To determine the health of the Bulimba Creek at Mansfield, 3 experiments are performed. These experiments are determined through sampling soil quality, litter density and distribution, and concentration of weed species. Litter is considered by environmentalists to negatively impact on the environment. 18 per cent of litter ends up polluting waterways; presenting a hazard to humans, fauna and flora. It not only encourages pests to spread germs and diseases, but also affects the water quality and the organisms living in them. The pH (potential of Hydrogen) and EC (Electrical Conductivity) can also affect the creek. PH is a measure of the
Bibliography: Australian Government. 2007. “About Weeds” Australian Governemtn [Internet], http://www.weeds.gov.au/weeds/what.html, 1 March, 2010. Brisbane City Council. 1995. “Bulimba Creek” Brisbane City Council [Internet], http://intranet.brisbane.coc.edu.au/masterfile6/jsp/viewfile.jsp?as_session_id=81746973E569B6F37EABC275AE9FEC57A8A3D&doc_id=7358, 3 March, 2010. Corey Washbourne “Paspalum” [Internet], http://www.weeds.asn.au/weeds/txts/paspalum.htm, 12 March, 2010. 2008. “Acidic or Alkaline Soil” Hipages.com.au [Internet], http://www.homeimprovementpages.com.au/article/Acidic_and_Alkaline_Soil, 10 March, 2010. 2009. “About Litter” EPA Division [Interent], http://www.environment.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=2435, 12 March, 2010. 2010. “Definition of Creek” Brainy Quote [Internet], http://www.brainyquote.com/words/cr/creek149469.html, 18 March, 2010. 2010. “About Bulimba Creek Catchment” Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee [Internet], http://www.bulimbacreek.org.au/#/about-bulimba-creek/4533525386, 12 March, 2010. 2010 2010. “Electrical Conductivity” About.com [Internet], http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/termsandtables/g/electricalcondu.htm, 12 March, 2010. [ 2 ]. 2010. Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee, “About Bulimba Creek Catchment” http://www.bulimbacreek.org.au/ [ 3 ] [ 10 ]. 2008. “Acidic and Alkaline Soil” http://www.homeimprovementpages.com.au/ [ 11 ] [ 14 ]. Australian Government. 2007. “What is a Weed?” http://www.weeds.gov.au/ [ 15 ]