Furey's Creek – biological and chemical effects of channel improvements

This report replaces an earlier assessment of a proposed channel realignment and includes further information about heavy metals and BOD of sediments to be dredged from Furey's Creek. This ascertains whether the sediments are contaminated by mining activities in the headwaters of the Whangarahi Stream and/or an old rubbish dump located to the north of the proposed channel. Purpose: A revised report to assess heavy metal content and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) of sediments that are proposed to be dredged.

Map of existing biological communities (mangrove, seagrass, pacific oyster, mud crab, shellfish, mud snail). Abundance and cover of plants and animals within communities are estimated.

Furey's Creek, Coromandel Harbour

Furey's Creek – E2732945 N6490086, NZMG, 1:10,000, POINT

January 1991

Abundance and cover of surface species are estimated from 5 1mx1m random quadrats within each community type. Infauna abundance estimated from 5 random 25cmx25cm cores, 10 cm deep, sieved through a 0.5mm mesh. Sediment texture is described to 1.5m from 4 cores. Sediment cores taken along creek edge for heavy metal and BOD analysis with pre-split, taped, 5cm diameter cores to depth <1.5m. Core fully mixed into composite sample and analysed by R.J.Hill Laboratories for Arsenic, coper, lead, zinc and mercury. 5 day BOD analysis was performed by Tasmex Laboratories. BOD results have not been adjusted for salinity. Laboratory methods are briefly described in the report. Frequency of collection: One off

Not reported Gaps in collection: Not reported Data quality: Not reported Attribute accuracy: Not reported Completeness: Not reported. This updated report provides further information requested by the Waikato Regional Council.

report, maps, photographs Digital Format: MS Word, graphics programme?

Freely available Sensitivity/Confidentiality: None

Finished

Related information: Assessment of Environmental Effects of proposed marina at Coromandel Harbour. Dataset described in this database.