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GBR Catchment land use and nutrient levels
information from the great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

To Water Quality Monitoring Program - Undersea Explorer

The GBR catchment is the principle source of pollutants to the GBR

Grazing (sediments, nutrients)
Cropping (nutrients, pesticides)


Fertilizer loss from the paddock :
Rates of nitrogen fertilizer use (recommended)
sugar ~ 200 kg/ha/yr
cotton ~ 150 kg/ha/yr
bananas ~ 400 kg/ha/yr
Generally >50% of fertilizer is lost from the paddock to streams, atmosphere & groundwater

water quality data sheet - example