Robson Creek Rainforest Water Chemistry Data 2013 

Measured water quality variables are reported for surface water from a permanent sampling site on Robson Creek, Far North Queensland. The variables include major cations and anions, trace heavy metals, solids (suspended and total) inorganic and organic nitrogen and phosphorus. 

We at TERN acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Australia, New Zealand and all nations. We honour their profound connections to land, water, biodiversity and culture and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. This project was funded by the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) and Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE). 

This data is sampled to monitor the baseline water quality of an upper catchment stream in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforests, specifically, a highland location in the Lamb Range, Atherton Tablelands. Data can be used to evaluate changes in water quality as a result of climate change and other disturbance factors in this relatively pristine environment. 

Grab samples were collected mid-stream, sub-surface directly under Robson Creek bridge. Unfiltered samples were collected directly into the appropriate sample container. Filtered samples were collected into a syringe and then filtered through 0.45 micron (Millipore Millex-HA 0.45) filters into the appropriate sample container. Test Parameter Sample container Alkalinity, EC, Cations, Cl, SO4, Nitrate, TDS, TSS: 500ml plastic TN, NOx, TKN, TP: 125ml plastic (Sulfuric acid) TOC: 40ml Amber vials (Sulfuric acid) Total Heavy Metals: 60ml plastic Once collected the samples were kept in a portable chiller on ice and then transferred to a fridge for overnight storage. The following day, samples were sent to Australian Laboratory Services (ALS) in Brisbane for analyses. For more detail on the water analysis, please see attached Robson_water_chemistry_methods.pdf