DOCSLIB.ORG

NWSJEMSTECHNICAL REPORT No

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
NWSJEMSTECHNICAL REPORT No NORTH WEST SHELF JOINT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT STUDY Ecosystem characterisation of Australia’s North West Shelf NWSJEMSTECHNICAL REPORT No. 12 • V. Lyne • M. Fuller • P. Last • A. Butler • M. Martin • R. Scott June 2006 National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication data: Ecosystem characterisation of Australia's North West Shelf. Bibliography. Includes index. ISBN 1 921061 68 5 (pbk.). 1. Ecosystem management - Western Australia - North West Shelf. 2. Marine ecology - Western Australia - North West Shelf. 3. Fishes - Habitat - Western Australia - North West Shelf. I. Lyne, Vincent David. II. CSIRO. Marine and Atmospheric Research. North West Shelf Joint Environmental Management Study. III. Western Australia. (Series : Technical report (CSIRO. Marine and Atmospheric Research. North West Shelf Joint Environmental Management Study) ; no. 12). 577.7099413 The National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry for your forthcoming publication is as follows: Ecosystem characterisation of Australia's North West Shelf. Bibliography. Includes index. ISBN 1 921061 69 3 (CD-ROM). 1. Ecosystem management - Western Australia - North West Shelf. 2. Marine ecology - Western Australia - North West Shelf. 3. Fishes - Habitat - Western Australia - North West Shelf. I. Lyne, Vincent David. II. CSIRO. Marine and Atmospheric Research. North West Shelf Joint Environmental Management Study. III. Western Australia. (Series : Technical report (CSIRO. Marine and Atmospheric Research. North West Shelf Joint Environmental Management Study) ; no. 12). 577.7099413 Ecosystem characterisation of Australia's North West Shelf. Bibliography. Includes index. ISBN 1 921061 70 7 (pdf). 1. Ecosystem management - Western Australia - North West Shelf. 2. Marine ecology - Western Australia - North West Shelf. 3. Fishes - Habitat - Western Australia - North West Shelf. I. Lyne, Vincent David. II. CSIRO. Marine and Atmospheric Research. North West Shelf Joint Environmental Management Study. III. Western Australia. (Series : Technical report (CSIRO. Marine and Atmospheric Research. North West Shelf Joint Environmental Management Study) ; no. 12). 577.7099413 CONTENTS ACRONYMS TECHNICAL SUMMARY.............................................................................................................. 1 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Regional setting ........................................................................................................ 3 1.2 Approach.................................................................................................................... 4 2. DATA COLLATION AND INTEGRATION............................................................................ 6 2.1 Sourcing existing data.............................................................................................. 6 Papers and reports ......................................................................................... 7 Remote imagery.............................................................................................. 7 CSIRO trawl data............................................................................................ 8 Benthic samples.............................................................................................. 8 2.2 Supplementary field sampling ................................................................................. 8 Port Hedland (URS)........................................................................................ 8 Exmouth to Broome (Fisheries WA) ............................................................... 8 2.3 Development of the database and GIS.................................................................... 8 2.4 Georeferencing data ................................................................................................. 9 2.5 Expert information and assessment ....................................................................... 9 3. DEVELOPING A HABITAT CLASSIFICATION FRAMEWORK........................................ 11 3.1 A general hierarchical approach ........................................................................... 11 3.2 Application to the NWS........................................................................................... 12 3.3 Integration of NWS data.......................................................................................... 16 Level 2 – biomes .......................................................................................... 16 Level 3 – biogeomorphic units...................................................................... 16 Higher levels................................................................................................. 17 4. RESULTS............................................................................................................................ 18 4.1 Information exchange............................................................................................. 18 4.1.1 Ground truth data....................................................................................... 18 4.1.2 Supplementary field sampling .................................................................. 20 4.1.3 Mapping of coastal habitats and infrastructure developments............. 20 Aerial photography ....................................................................................... 20 Historical aerial photography........................................................................ 23 4.2 Hierarchical classification...................................................................................... 24 4.2.1 Level 2 – biomes......................................................................................... 24 Level 2A........................................................................................................ 24 Level 2B........................................................................................................ 25 4.2.2 Level 3 – biogeomorphic units.................................................................. 27 Level 3A........................................................................................................ 27 Level 3B........................................................................................................ 31 Level 3C ....................................................................................................... 32 4.2.3 Level 4 units – coastal and nearshore marine habitats.......................... 39 4.3 Data coverage .......................................................................................................... 42 5. SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... 44 6. RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................................................... 45 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................ 46 APPENDIX A: Report on Port Hedland fieldwork with URS, 13 to 17 March 2002.............. 48 A.1 Timetable of activities ............................................................................................. 48 A.2 Interviews ................................................................................................................. 49 A.3 General comments about the area ........................................................................ 50 APPENDIX B: RV Naturaliste cuise report, 21 February to 17 March 2002 ......................... 56 B.1 WA Fisheries............................................................................................................ 56 B.2 CSIRO ....................................................................................................................... 56 B.3 Itinerary..................................................................................................................... 56 B.4 Area of operation..................................................................................................... 56 B.5 Cruise objectives..................................................................................................... 57 B.6 Cruise results........................................................................................................... 57 B.7 Cruise narrative ....................................................................................................... 57 B.8 CSIRO personnel ..................................................................................................... 57 B.9 Acknowledgments................................................................................................... 58 APPENDIX C: Notes on correspondence analysis of catch data ......................................... 64 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................. 72 ACRONYMS ACOM Australian Community Ocean Model AFMA Australian Fisheries Management Authority AFZ Australian Fishing Zone AGSO Australian Geological Survey Organisation now Geoscience Australia AHC Australian Heritage Commission AIMS Australian Institute of Marine Science AMSA Australian Maritime Safety Authority ANCA Australian Nature Conservation Agency ANZECC Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council ANZLIC Australian and New Zealand Land Information Council APPEA Australian
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Port Hedland AREA PLANNING STUDY
    Port Hedland AREA PLANNING STUDY Published by the Western Australian Planning Commission Final September 2003 Disclaimer This document has been published by the Western Australian Planning Commission. Any representation, statement, opinion or advice expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith and on the basis that the Government, its employees and agents are not liable for any damage or loss whatsoever which may occur as a result of action taken or not taken (as the case may be) in respect of any representation, statement, opinion or advice referred to herein. Professional advice should be obtained before applying the information contained in this document to particular circumstances. © State of Western Australia Published by the Western Australian Planning Commission Albert Facey House 469 Wellington Street Perth, Western Australia 6000 Published September 2003 ISBN 0 7309 9330 2 Internet: http://www.wapc.wa.gov.au e-mail: [email protected] Phone: (08) 9264 7777 Fax: (08) 9264 7566 TTY: (08) 9264 7535 Infoline: 1800 626 477 Copies of this document are available in alternative formats on application to the Disability Services Co-ordinator. Western Australian Planning Commission owns all photography in this document unless otherwise stated. Port Hedland AREA PLANNING STUDY Foreword Port Hedland is one of the Pilbara’s most historic and colourful towns. The townsite as we know it was established by European settlers in 1896 as a service centre for the pastoral, goldmining and pearling industries, although the area has been home to Aboriginal people for many thousands of years. In the 1960s Port Hedland experienced a major growth period, as a direct result of the emerging iron ore industry.
    [Show full text]
  • Marine Conserva
    Marine Conserva A Newsletter about Marine Conservation in CALM June 2001 FOOD FOR THOUGHT A recent article entitled Absent Friends by Hugh Edwards ' in the local fishing paper West Coast Fisherman provides ample food for thought. The article (Vol 2, Issue 8) is an historical Role of the MPRSAC account of changes in fish populations at Rottnest Island over The Marine Parks and Reserves Scientific Advisory the past 40-50 years. According to Hugh many of the large Committee (MPRSAC) is a statutory committee appointed 'resident' fish species that were abundant in the 50s and 60s by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage. The were rare or absent altogether by the 70s. In the early days large Committee has seven members including a senior scientific cod over ~ 100 kg were common and a 645- kg Queerisland officer from each of CALM, Fisheries WA and the WA grouper or giant cod was caught on a ·shark line out of Museum; a sc ientist from a tertiary educational or research Thompsons Bay after choking on a seven foot shark that had institution; a scientist not employed by the State or first taken the hook. Commonwealth governments; and two scientists who Other popular target species such as large blue groper were have knowledge and experience relevant to the functions com_mon in Rottnest bays, baldchin groupers were a common of the Committee. Dr Chris Simpson, Manager of CALM's sight around' reef lumps in Thompsons Bay and · dhufish were Marine Conservation Branch is the current Chair of the plentiful with big schools often seen at Longreach and Dyers Committee.
    [Show full text]
  • Driving in Wa • a Guide to Rest Areas
    DRIVING IN WA • A GUIDE TO REST AREAS Driving in Western Australia A guide to safe stopping places DRIVING IN WA • A GUIDE TO REST AREAS Contents Acknowledgement of Country 1 Securing your load 12 About Us 2 Give Animals a Brake 13 Travelling with pets? 13 Travel Map 2 Driving on remote and unsealed roads 14 Roadside Stopping Places 2 Unsealed Roads 14 Parking bays and rest areas 3 Litter 15 Sharing rest areas 4 Blackwater disposal 5 Useful contacts 16 Changing Places 5 Our Regions 17 Planning a Road Trip? 6 Perth Metropolitan Area 18 Basic road rules 6 Kimberley 20 Multi-lingual Signs 6 Safe overtaking 6 Pilbara 22 Oversize and Overmass Vehicles 7 Mid-West Gascoyne 24 Cyclones, fires and floods - know your risk 8 Wheatbelt 26 Fatigue 10 Goldfields Esperance 28 Manage Fatigue 10 Acknowledgement of Country The Government of Western Australia Rest Areas, Roadhouses and South West 30 Driver Reviver 11 acknowledges the traditional custodians throughout Western Australia Great Southern 32 What to do if you breakdown 11 and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. Route Maps 34 Towing and securing your load 12 We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and Planning to tow a caravan, camper trailer their cultures; and to Elders both past and present. or similar? 12 Disclaimer: The maps contained within this booklet provide approximate times and distances for journeys however, their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Main Roads reserves the right to update this information at any time without notice. To the extent permitted by law, Main Roads, its employees, agents and contributors are not liable to any person or entity for any loss or damage arising from the use of this information, or in connection with, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of this material.
    [Show full text]
  • Ministerial Decisions at at 12 October 2018
    MINISTERIAL DECISIONS AS AT OCTOBER 2020 Recently received Awaiting decision pursuant to section 45(7) of Pending submission to Pending decision by Ministerial decision the Environmental Protection Act 1986 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Minister for Aboriginal Affairs APPLICANT / MINISTERIAL LAND PURPOSE LANDOWNER DECISION September 2020 Lot 140 on DP 39512, CT 2227/905, 140 South Western Highway, Land Act No. 11238201, Lot 141 on DP 39512, CT 2227/906, 141 South Western Highway, Land Act No. 11238202, 202 Vittoria Road, Land Act No. 11891696, Glen Iris. Pending Intersection Vittoria Road Lot 201 on DP 57769, CT 2686/979, 201 submission to Main Roads South Western Highway South Western Highway, Land Act No. Minister for Western Australia upgrade and Bridge 0430 11733330, Lot 202 on DP 56668, CT Aboriginal Affairs replacement, Picton. 2754/978, Picton. Road Reserve, Land Act No.s 1575861, 11397280, 11397277, 1347375, and 1292274. Unallocated Crown Land, South Western Highway, Land Act No.s 11580413, 1319074 and 1292275, Picton. Pending Fortifying Mining Pty Ltd – Tenements M25/369, P25/2618, submission to Fortify Mining Pty Majestic North Project. To P25/2619, P25/2620, and P25/2621, Minister for Ltd undertake exploration and Goldfields. Aboriginal Affairs resource delineation drilling Reserve 34565, Lot 11835 on Plan Pending 240379, CT 3141/191, Coode Street, Landscape enhancement submission to City of South South Perth, Land Act No. 1081341 and and river restoration. To Minister for Perth Reserve 48325, Lot 301 on Plan 47451, construct the Waterbird Aboriginal Affairs CT 3151/548, 171 Riverside Drive, Land Refuge Act No. 11714773, Perth Pending Able Planning and Lot 501 on Plan 23800, CT 2219/673, submission to Lot 501 Yalyalup Urban Project 113 Vasse Highway, Yalyalup, Land Act Minister for Subdivision.
    [Show full text]
  • Port Related Structures on the Coast of Western Australia
    Port Related Structures on the Coast of Western Australia By: D.A. Cumming, D. Garratt, M. McCarthy, A. WoICe With <.:unlribuliuns from Albany Seniur High Schoul. M. Anderson. R. Howard. C.A. Miller and P. Worsley Octobel' 1995 @WAUUSEUM Report: Department of Matitime Archaeology, Westem Australian Maritime Museum. No, 98. Cover pholograph: A view of Halllelin Bay in iL~ heyday as a limber porl. (W A Marilime Museum) This study is dedicated to the memory of Denis Arthur Cuml11ing 1923-1995 This project was funded under the National Estate Program, a Commonwealth-financed grants scheme administered by the Australian HeriL:'lge Commission (Federal Government) and the Heritage Council of Western Australia. (State Govenlluent). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Heritage Council of Western Australia Mr lan Baxter (Director) Mr Geny MacGill Ms Jenni Williams Ms Sharon McKerrow Dr Lenore Layman The Institution of Engineers, Australia Mr Max Anderson Mr Richard Hartley Mr Bmce James Mr Tony Moulds Mrs Dorothy Austen-Smith The State Archive of Westem Australia Mr David Whitford The Esperance Bay HistOIical Society Mrs Olive Tamlin Mr Merv Andre Mr Peter Anderson of Esperance Mr Peter Hudson of Esperance The Augusta HistOIical Society Mr Steve Mm'shall of Augusta The Busselton HistOlical Societv Mrs Elizabeth Nelson Mr Alfred Reynolds of Dunsborough Mr Philip Overton of Busselton Mr Rupert Genitsen The Bunbury Timber Jetty Preservation Society inc. Mrs B. Manea The Bunbury HistOlical Society The Rockingham Historical Society The Geraldton Historical Society Mrs J Trautman Mrs D Benzie Mrs Glenis Thomas Mr Peter W orsley of Gerald ton The Onslow Goods Shed Museum Mr lan Blair Mr Les Butcher Ms Gaye Nay ton The Roebourne Historical Society.
    [Show full text]
  • Cape Preston East Export Facilities Iron Ore Holdings Pty Ltd Assessment on Proponent Information
    CAPE PRESTON EAST EXPORT FACILITIES IRON ORE HOLDINGS PTY LTD ASSESSMENT ON PROPONENT INFORMATION Date: 10 April 2013 Prepared for Iron Ore Holdings Pty Ltd By Preston Consulting Pty Ltd April 2013 Rev_1 PRESTON CONSULTING Email: [email protected] Website: www.prestonconsulting.com.au Phone: +61 8 9324 8518 Fax: + 61 8 9324 8528 Street Address: Level 3, 201 Adelaide Terrace, EAST PERTH Western Australia 6004 Postal Address: PO Box 3093, East Perth, Western Australia, 6892 Cape Preston East Export Facilities Iron Ore Holdings EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Iron Ore Holdings Pty Ltd (IOH) proposes to construct and operate a small scale, third party access iron ore export facility at Cape Preston East in the Pilbara region of Western Australia (the Proposal). This Proposal outlines key elements required for the construction and operation of the facility. Following amendments toe th Iron Ore Processing (Mineralogy Pty Ltd) Agreement Act 2002 (IOPAA) in 2008, an area of land to the east of Cape Preston was set aside by the State Government for the purposes of port development (C Barnett, Hansard 4 December 2008). This area has been selected by IOH as the preferred location for development of iron ore export facilities. The location is known as Cape Preston East (CPE) (Figure E1). IOH proposes to be the foundation proponent to develop the initial iron ore export facilities at CPE. The scope of the Proposal covers the export facilities which are defined as the infrastructure to the north of the North West Coastal Highway required for iron ore export. The mining and haulage of ore has been submitted as a separate proposal for EPA assessment to facilitate the likely transfer of proponency to the Dampier Port Authority (DPA) upon completion of construction of the Proposal.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Record of Lortiella Froggatti Iredale, 1934 (Bivalvia: Unionoida
    RECORDS OF THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM 28 001–006 (2013) SHORT COMMUNICATION A new record of Lortiella froggatti Iredale, 1934 (Bivalvia: Unionoida: Hyriidae) from the Pilbara region, Western Australia, with notes on anatomy and geographic range M.W. Klunzinger1, H.A. Jones2, J. Keleher1 and D.L. Morgan1 1 Freshwater Fish Group and Fish Health Unit, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia. Email: [email protected] 2 Department of Anatomy and Histology, Building F13, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. KEYWORDS: Freshwater mussels, biogeography, species conservation, Australia INTRODUCTION METHODS Accurate delimitation of a species’ geographic range is important for conservation planning and biogeography. SAMPLING METHODS Geographic range limits provide insights into the We compiled 75 distributional records (66 museum ecological and historical factors that infl uence species records and nine fi eld records) of Lortiella species. distributions (Gaston 1991; Brown et al. 1996), whereas Museum records were sourced from Ponder and Bayer the extent of occurrence of a taxon is a key component (2004) and the Online Zoo log i cal Col lec tions of Aus- of IUCN criteria used for assessing the conservation tralian Muse ums (OZCAM 2012). Field records were status of species (IUCN 2001). from sites surveyed for 10–20 minutes by visual and Freshwater mussels (Unionoida) are an ancient group tactile searches in north-western Australia during of palaeoheterodont bivalves that inhabit lotic and lentic 2009–2011. Mussels were preserved in 100% ethanol freshwater environments on every continent except for future molecular study. Water quality data were Antarctica (Graf and Cummings 2006).
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Managed Aquifer Recharge in Developing Northern Australian Agriculture CASE STUDIES to DETERMINE the ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY
    Managed Aquifer Recharge ISSN 2206-1991 Volume 2 No 3 2017 https://doi.org/10.21139/wej.2017.029 THE ROLE OF MANAGED AQUIFER RECHARGE IN DEVELOPING NORTHERN AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE CASE STUDIES TO DETERMINE THE ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY R Evans, L Lennon, G Hoxley, R Krake, D Yin Foo, C Schelfhout, J Simons ABSTRACT more economically attractive for horticulture production. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is a commonly used technique in many countries to artificially increase the INTRODUCTION This paper describes a study to consider the role recharge rate over the wet season and hence increase of MAR in developing irrigated agriculture in the the groundwater storage available during the dry season. Northern Territory (Daly catchment and Central Considering northern Australia’s long dry season and Australia) and the Pilbara in Western Australia. The relatively short wet season, MAR has the potential to play fundamental advantages of MAR based developments a major role in water resource development. over conventional water sources (typically large dams) Shallow weirs, infiltration trenches and injection bores are the cost of transporting water, lack of evaporative were considered as the main MAR methods. Five losses, seasonal variability and the scalability of sites were assessed in the Pilbara and seven across MAR projects. Conversely, impediments are believed the Northern Territory. After consideration of a range to be primarily the economic feasibility rather than of factors such as the available source water, local the technical feasibility. When compared to other hydrogeology, soil suitability and potential irrigation water supply options, MAR can be attractive both demand, most sites were considered technically feasible.
    [Show full text]
  • Port Hedland Regional Water Supply
    DE GREY RIVER WATER RESERVE WATER SOURCE PROTECTION PLAN Port Hedland Regional Water Supply WATER RESOURCE PROTECTION SERIES WATER AND RIVERS COMMISSION REPORT WRP 24 2000 WATER AND RIVERS COMMISSION HYATT CENTRE 3 PLAIN STREET EAST PERTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6004 TELEPHONE (08) 9278 0300 FACSIMILE (08) 9278 0301 WEBSITE: http://www.wrc.wa.gov.au We welcome your feedback A publication feedback form can be found at the back of this publication, or online at http://www.wrc.wa.gov.au/public/feedback/ (Cover Photograph: The De Grey River) _______________________________________________________________________________________________ DE GREY RIVER WATER RESERVE WATER SOURCE PROTECTION PLAN Port Hedland Regional Water Supply Water and Rivers Commission Policy and Planning Division WATER AND RIVERS COMMISSION WATER RESOURCE PROTECTION SERIES REPORT NO. WRP 24 2000 i _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Acknowledgments Contribution Personnel Title Organisation Supervision Ross Sheridan Program Manager, Protection Planning Water and Rivers Commission Hydrogeology / Hydrology Angus Davidson Supervising Hydrogeologist, Groundwater Water and Rivers Commission Resources Appraisal Report Preparation John Bush Consultant Environmental Scientist Auswest Consultant Ecology Services Dot Colman Water Resources Officer Water and Rivers Commission Rueben Taylor Water Resources Planner Water and Rivers Commission Rachael Miller Environmental Officer Water and Rivers Commission Drafting Nigel Atkinson Contractor McErry Digital Mapping For more information contact: Program Manager, Protection Planning Water Quality Protection Branch Water and Rivers Commission 3 Plain Street EAST PERTH WA 6004 Telephone: (08) 9278 0300 Facsimile: (08) 9278 0585 Reference Details The recommended reference for this publication is: Water and Rivers Commission 1999, De Grey River Water Reserve Water Source Protection Plan, Port Hedland Regional Water Supply, Water and Rivers Commission, Water Resource Protection Series No WRP 24.
    [Show full text]
  • Cross-Shelf Heterogeneity of Coral Assemblages in Northwest Australia
    diversity Article Cross-shelf Heterogeneity of Coral Assemblages in Northwest Australia Molly Moustaka 1,*, Margaret B Mohring 1, Thomas Holmes 1,2, Richard D Evans 1,2 , Damian Thomson 3, Christopher Nutt 4, Jim Stoddart 2 and Shaun K Wilson 1,2 1 Marine Science Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA 6151, Australia; [email protected] (M.B.M.); [email protected] (T.H.); [email protected] (R.D.E.); [email protected] (S.K.W.) 2 Oceans Institute, the University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; [email protected] 3 CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, University of Western Australia M097, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; [email protected] 4 Regional and Fire Management Services (Kimberley District), Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Broome, WA 6725, Australia; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +61-427-186-745 Received: 14 December 2018; Accepted: 17 January 2019; Published: 22 January 2019 Abstract: Understanding the spatial and temporal distribution of coral assemblages and the processes structuring those patterns is fundamental to managing reef assemblages. Cross-shelf marine systems exhibit pronounced and persistent gradients in environmental conditions; however, these gradients are not always reliable predictors of coral distribution or the degree of stress that corals are experiencing. This study used information from government, industry and scientific datasets spanning 1980–2017, to explore temporal trends in coral cover in the geographically complex system of the Dampier Archipelago, northwest Australia.
    [Show full text]
  • Groundwater Resource Assessment and Conceptualization in the Pilbara Region, Western Australia
    Earth Systems and Environment https://doi.org/10.1007/s41748-018-0051-0 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Groundwater Resource Assessment and Conceptualization in the Pilbara Region, Western Australia Rodrigo Rojas1 · Philip Commander2 · Don McFarlane3,4 · Riasat Ali5 · Warrick Dawes3 · Olga Barron3 · Geof Hodgson3 · Steve Charles3 Received: 25 January 2018 / Accepted: 8 May 2018 © Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018 Abstract The Pilbara region is one of the most important mining hubs in Australia. It is also a region characterised by an extreme climate, featuring environmental assets of national signifcance, and considered a valued land by indigenous people. Given the arid conditions, surface water is scarce, shows large variability, and is an unreliable source of water for drinking and industrial/mining purposes. In such conditions, groundwater has become a strategic resource in the Pilbara region. To date, however, an integrated regional characterization and conceptualization of the occurrence of groundwater resources in this region were missing. This article addresses this gap by integrating disperse knowledge, collating available data on aquifer properties, by reviewing groundwater systems (aquifer types) present in the region and identifying their potential, and propos- ing conceptualizations for the occurrence and functioning of the groundwater systems identifed. Results show that aquifers across the Pilbara Region vary substantially and can be classifed in seven main types: coastal alluvial systems, concealed channel
    [Show full text]
  • (Burrup) Petroglyphs
    Rock Art Research 2002 - Volume 19, Number 1, pp. 29–40. R. G. BEDNARIK 29 KEYWORDS: Petroglyph – Ferruginous accretion – Industrial pollution – Dampier Archipelago THE SURVIVAL OF THE MURUJUGA (BURRUP) PETROGLYPHS Robert G. Bednarik Abstract. The industrial development on Burrup Peninsula (Murujuga) in Western Australia is briefly outlined, and its effects on the large petroglyph corpus present there are described. This includes changes to the atmospheric conditions that are shown to have been detrimental to the survival of the rock art. Effects on the ferruginous accretion and weathering zone substrate on which the rock art depends for its continued existence are defined, and predictions are offered of the effects of greatly increasing pollution levels that have been proposed. The paper concludes with a discussion of recent events and a call for revisions to the planned further industrial development. Introduction respect for Aboriginal history to do the same. The Burrup is an artificial peninsula that used to be The petroglyphs of the Murujuga peninsula have been called Dampier Island until it was connected to the main- considered to constitute the largest gallery of such rock art land in the mid-1960s, by a causeway supporting both a in the world, although estimates of numbers of motifs have road and rail track. In 1979 it was re-named after the island’s differed considerably, ranging up to Lorblanchet’s (1986) highest hill, Mt Burrup. This illustrates and perpetuates the excessive suggestion that there are 500 000 petroglyphs. common practice in the 19th century of ignoring eminently Except for visits by whalers, pearlers, turtle hunters and eligible existing names of geographical features in favour navigators, this massive concentration remained unknown of dull and insipid European names.
    [Show full text]