Central Queensland Ambient estuarine water quality monitoring data

Established in 1994, the program collects monthly chemical, physical and biological water column profile data at fixed sites using laboratory analyses and in situ measurement instruments to assess long-term trends and support environmental management and reporting.

Monitoring is undertaken by the Department of the Environment, Science and Tourism (DETSI) and predecessor organisations. __Monitoring frequency:__ Monthly __Monitoring platform:__ Drifting boat or bankside __Monitored water body:__ Tidal waters (estuaries and sheltered coastal), with limited freshwater monitoring. __Monitored location:__ Mid stream or mid channel at routine sites and regular depths __Monitoring site latitude:__ Latitude as decimal degrees in GDA94 datum __Monitoring site longitude:__ Longitude as decimal degrees in GDA94 datum __Secchi depth (m):__ Water clarity measured by Secchi disc visibility depth __Chlorophyll-a (ug/L):__ Algal biomass samples collected at 0.2 m depth below the surface __Physicochemical parameters:__ In situ water column profiles are measured from 0.2 m below the surface at 2 m intervals, with a final measurement taken ≥0.5 m above the bottom.