Methods for Water Quality Assessment of Intermittent/Ephemeral Stream and Lake Systems

A Practical Guide to the Application of the ANZECC/ARMCANZ Water Quality Guidelines for the Mining Industry

Methods for Water Quality Assessment of Intermittent/Ephemeral Stream and Lake Systems

Background	The new ANZECC/ARMCANZ Water Quality Guidelines, released in 2001, are a major step forward in the management of water. However the mechanisms for dealing with pulsed exposures, such as occurs in ephemeral stream and lake systems where many of the mine sites in Australia are located, are not well defined. Mining industry representatives identified this as a major issue at an ACMER workshop on the new Guidelines held in Hobart in February 2001.
Objectives	To examine existing chemical/ biological methods that have been or are being used for water quality assessment of ephemeral stream systems; To assess their suitability for this role and identify the most promising chemical/biological indicators; and Make interim recommendations for methods of water quality assessment, based on chemical/biological indicators.
Outcomes	Report that reviews the chemical and biological methods available, or being currently investigated, for monitoring the water quality of ephemeral stream systems; Identification of those approaches and biotic groups that appear most appropriate for water quality monitoring purposes in Australian ephemeral streams; and Interim recommendations of methods for the monitoring of ephemeral streams.
Methodology	An extensive literature review of published works and unpublished mining company reports has been undertaken. This generated a short list of potentially suitable water quality monitoring and assessment tools for temporary waters consistent with the new guidelines. Shortcomings of monitoring techniques in terms of likely sensitivity and practicality for mining companies have been identified.
Project Team	The project team was lead by Dr Ross Smith, Hydrobiology Pty Ltd and included Dr Ross Jeffree (formerly Environment Division, ANSTO), Dr Paul Clayton (Queensland EPA) and Assoc Prof Jacob John (Curtin University of Technology).
Project Duration	September 2002 to July 2004
Project Sponsors	Anaconda Nickel Ltd Anglo Coal Australia Pty Ltd AngloGold Ashanti Australia Limited Xstrata Coal NSW Department of Mineral Resources Placer Dome Asia Pacific Limited WMC Resources Ltd
Project Report	Final Report
More Information	info@acmer.uq.edu.au

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A Practical Guide to the Application of the ANZECC/ARMCANZ Water Quality Guidelines for the Mining Industry

Background	The new ANZECC/ARMCANZ Water Quality Guidelines, released in April 2001, introduced a new system of managing water quality that will need to be addressed by the minerals industry. Due to the complexity of the Water Quality Guidelines, there is a need for a user-friendly industry handbook that will cover in detail the issues with respect to the chemical and biological methodologies for the water assessment process. This handbook will cover the field sampling and laboratory methods needed to support the procedure under the Water Quality Guidelines.
Objectives	To provide a handbook for the minerals industry with: a whole-of-mine-life coverage (exploration, design, construction, operation, closure and relinquishment) together with metals processing coverage, by which the Water Quality Guidelines can be applied; a step-by-step guide for dealing individually with contaminants encountered in the minerals industry; and accepted processes by which fauna and flora are used to determine toxic responses to these contaminants.
Outcomes	The principal outcome will be that minerals industry officers, from reading the handbook, will develop a much more detailed understanding of processes involved in the Water Quality Guidelines and be confident of applying the Guidelines at site.
Methodology	Dr Graeme Batley (CSIRO) and Dr Chris Humphrey (Environment Australia), who had a major input into the preparation of the new Water Quality Guidelines, produced a draft of the handbook which was circulated widely to industry and government for comment. The final report was published in September 2003.
Project Team	A committee was formed to oversee the production of the handbook and includes Federal agencies and sponsors. The research team that developed the handbook comprised Dr Graeme Batley (Chief Research Scientist), Dr Simon Apte, Dr Stuart Simpson, Dr Cath King and Dr Jenny Stauber, all from CSIRO and Dr Chris Humphrey, Senior Research Scientist, ERISS. Dr Graeme Batley was the Project Leader.
Project Duration	February 2002 to June 2003
Project Sponsors	Alcoa World Alumina Australia BHP Billiton Limited Ecowise Environmental Minerals Council of Australia New South Wales Minerals Council Nabalco Pty Limited Newmont Australia Limited Queensland Mining Council Rio Tinto Limited WMC Resources Ltd
Project Summary	Publication available from ACMER Click here to download an order form
More Information	info@acmer.uq.edu.au

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