Transcript Salinity and Water Quality of the Murray

By Mariah & Tyler
(the definition of awesomeness)
What is meant by ‘Salinity’ and ‘Water
Quality’?
Salinity refers to the increased
accumulation of excessive salts in
land and water at sufficient levels to
impact on human and natural assets.
( plants, animals, aquatic
ecosystems, water supplies,
agriculture and infrastructure).
Water quality is a term used to
describe the biological, chemical and
physical characteristics of water and
its general composition. These
attributes effect water’s ability to
sustain life and its suitability for
human consumption.
Geographic Characteristics of the
Salinity in the Murray Darling
Basin
The salinity increase in the
Murray-Darling Basin is highly
visible due to the increase in
Saltbush in some areas, especially
in Burtundy, the saltiest area of
the Murray Darling Basin.
The general symptoms of an area
being highly saline are:
-White salt crystals appearing on
the surface of the soil.
-Surface soil may appear moist
and greasy.
-Uneven and poor plant growth
in the area.
-Clay soils may appear loose and
crumbly.
The other visible symptoms of a
saline environment are:
-The smell of salt in the area
-Salt-affected plants have leaves
that appear smaller and darker than
normal.
-Plants grow at a much slower rate
-The tips of a plant’s leaves appear
burnt until eventually the whole leaf
turns yellow.
-Animals will lick and graze the salty
area.
Saltbush in South Australia.
This graph shows the salinity levels in
the Murray-darling Basin as you get
closer to the Murray Mouth.
As shown, as you get closer to the
Mouth the salinity levels dramatically
increase, especially during a low
water flow year.
Distribution of Salinity in the Murray-Darling
Basin
As shown by the map, there is a
clustered distribution of salt
affected areas, with most of the
areas being located on the east
sides of the MDB, with the
exception of the salt affected
areas in the Lower Murray Mouth
regions.
This table shows
the salinity levels of
areas of the MurrayDarling Basin
during 11th March
to the 19th of March
2009.
As you can see, due
to low water flow,
Burtundy is the
most salt affected
area, with an
average of 630EC.
(EC is the
measurement used
for salt levels).
Water is said to be
undrinkable at
approximately
800EC.
Taken from the Murray Darling Basin Commission.