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A hydrogeochemical approach to coastal groundwater-dependent ecosystem conservation: The case of Cooloola Sand Mass, Australia

Published Article

Australia

Publication date: December 7, 2024

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Hydrogeochemical and isotopic data from the Cooloola Sand Mass in southeast Queensland reveal a highly complex groundwater system supporting wetlands, fens, lakes, and streams. Recharge depends on intense rainfall events, with mean residence times from 12–100 years. GDEs rely on regional and perched aquifers, each facing distinct threats, underscoring the need for site‑specific groundwater understanding to guide conservation.

Subject Tags

  • Coastal
  • Groundwater

Abstract

Site-focused hydrogeological studies are often touted as a fundamental requirement for the effective conservation of groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) as they unveil important detail about processes that threaten groundwater and connected ecosystems. We used a hydrogeochemical and isotopic approach to characterise groundwater source, movement and recharge in a highly complex coastal dune system, the Cooloola Sand Mass, in south-east Queensland, Australia. For a relatively small area (620 km2), Cooloola contains a variety of GDEs including wetlands, fens, lakes and streams. GDEs within Cooloola are exposed to a myriad of threats including over-abstraction, saltwater intrusion and climatic drying. Conservation approaches are broadly applied to these valuable habitats, where greater hydrological understanding could inform management actions. Major ions, trace elements, stable water isotopes from 83 sites, as well as isotope tracers (3H and 14C) from 12 sites were used to characterise groundwater sources, movement, recharge processes and estimate mean residence time (MRT). Estimated MRTs ranged from 12 to 100 years, with recharge of the regional aquifer reliant on high monthly rainfall totals (>150–200 mm) associated with La Niña phases across eastern Australia. Results highlight the complex nature of the groundwater system with GDEs depending solely on the regional aquifer, shallow perched aquifers, or a mix of both sources. Each of these sources are exposed to different threats depending on recharge mechanisms, coastal proximity and surrounding land-use.

Citation

Dyring, M., Hofmann, H., McDougall, A., Marshall, S., Cendón, D. I., Stanton, D., ... & Rohde, M. M. (2025). A hydrogeochemical approach to coastal groundwater-dependent ecosystem conservation: The case of Cooloola Sand Mass, Australia. Science of the Total Environment, 958, 177892. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177892

TNC Authors

  • Melissa M. Rohde
    The Nature Conservancy