Understanding risks of hypoxic blackwater and...
URL: https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/understanding-risks-of-hypoxic-blackwater-and-low-dissolved-oxygen-events-under-climate-change.pdf
Authors: David Robertson and Andrew Freebairn
Date of publication: December 2024
Climate change projections indicate that the Basin will become warmer, and rainfall is likely to decline. The impacts on the hydrological regime of climate change will include lower mean annual runoff, fewer high flow days and longer periods of low flow. The hydrological regime influences water quality in the Basin and therefore climate change is expected to impact water quality outcomes.
This report describes a study investigating the consequences of climate change for the hydrological conditions that lead to hypoxic blackwater and low dissolved oxygen events at more than 150 stream gauges from across the Basin.
Key findings / recommendations:
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Under future climates, the risk of water quality events related to hypoxic blackwater, and low dissolved oxygen levels is likely to be higher. Management interventions can mitigate these risks to some extent, both locally and at a river system scale.
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Water management plans should adapt to consider climate change and reflect impacts on water quality as well as water quantity.
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