Marine Produce Australia: Cone Bay Barramundi Aquaculture ...

shall be homogenised to form one sample as shown in Figure 4.3. Remaining sediment will
be used to form a duplicate sample. While both samples will be frozen for transport to the
laboratory, only one of the samples will be analysed immediately. The other sample will be
analysed in the event that the EQG is exceeded.
Figure 4.3 Sampling protocol for MEPA sediment nutrients
Analyses will be undertaken by NATA-accredited laboratories. Sample analysis will achieve
LORs equal to or less than the ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000) sediment quality guidelines. Where
concentrations are less than LOR, the limits of reporting will be used in the calculations.
Sediment sampling methods: redox discontinuity
Sediment redox discontinuity will be sampled in the MEPA, HEPA and MaxEPA using an
appropriately sensitive field probe. A written description will be made of each core taking
note of the following parameters (DPIW 2008):
� Length of core measured in millimetres;
� Approximate depth (mm) of the redox discontinuity layer;
� Visible animal and/or plant life; and
� Any sediment odour indicating presence/absence of hydrogen sulphide.
4.2.5 Environmental Quality Criteria
The EQG and EQS have been developed to provide early warning of the potential for adverse
effects relating to sediment nutrients, organic enrichment, and sediment oxygen
concentration. The EQC were developed in the context of the likely cause-effect-pathway
shown in Figure 4.2. Monitoring against the EQG will proceed on an annual basis.
Monitoring associated with the EQS will proceed only upon exceedance of the EQG.
Environmental Quality Guidelines
The EQG for sediment nutrients are outlined in Table 4.5. For details on how to apply the
EQG (particularly those listed beneath moderate protection), refer to Section 5.1.
Oceanica: Marine Produce Australia: Cone Bay Barramundi Aquaculture, Environmental Monitoring & Management Plan 23