Assessment

Sediment Sampling Equipment

Marine Solutions has conducted a large number of projects requiring sediment sampling for a range of parameters. We are experienced in the processes and procedures for sampling and assessment of sediments, and the manner for them to be safely sampled and handled as appropriate for the relevant analyses, whether that be contaminant, elutriate, pore-water, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), particle size, or other tests as required. We have the capabilities and equipment to collect sediment samples in the manner that best suits the requirements of a given project, be it by quad corer, vibrocorer grab sampler, hand-collected by divers, or otherwise.

Selected Past Projects:

  • Derwent Rivers wastewater treatment plants ambient monitoring program (TasWater)
  • Ecological assessment of public boardwalk development, Battery Point, Hobart (SKM/Hobart City Council)
  • Ecological assessment of port development, Triabunna, Tasmania (Burbury Consulting/Glamorgan Spring Bay Council)
  • Ecological assessment for marina redevelopment, Bellerive, Tasmania (Clarence City Council)
  • Marine ecological assessment for ‘Basslink’ cable construction (CEE)
  • Marine ecological assessment for bridge redevelopment, Bridgewater Bridge (GHD)
  • Environmental impact assessment of aquaculture facility, Spring Bay, Triabunna, Tasmania (Spring Bay Seafoods)
  • Environmental impact assessments for Macquarie Point sewage outfall and Hobart Rivulet, Derwent River, Hobart (Hobart City Council)
  • Environmental impact assessment of effluent and wastewater disposal, Coffs Harbour, NSW (Coffs Harbour City Council)

Baseline Surveys and EIAs

Marine Solutions has the in-house expertise to design and implement quality baseline surveys and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for a wide variety of projects. Our team’s extensive knowledge of marine ecology and coastal engineering enables us to evaluate anthropogenic impacts on the surrounding environment using a variety of techniques, including characterisation of habitat, biological communities and sediments, and quantification of water quality parameters through space and time. We have a thorough understanding of legislative requirements surrounding coastal construction works in Tasmania and further afield. We have conducted baseline surveys and EIAs for marina redevelopments, jetty constructions, effluent outfalls, underwater pipeline constructions and aquaculture leases.

Selected Past Projects:

  • EIA, shipping operations of Stanley port, Stanley (TasPorts)
  • EIA, public boardwalk proposed development, Battery Point, Hobart (SKM/Hobart City Council)
  • EIA, marine effluent outfall, Ulverstone (CEE)
  • Sediment and biological monitoring plan, George Town sewage outfall (GHD/TasWater)
  • EIA, marine effluent outfall, Blackmans Bay (CEE)
  • Baseline survey/ecological assessment, Domgas pipeline route (DOF Subsea)
  • Baseline survey, PNG LNG pipeline route (Marengo Mining/COFFEY)
  • Baseline marine surveys, sewage treatment plant, Medang, PNG (Marengo Mining/COFFEY)
  • Environmental impact assessment of effluent and wastewater disposal, Coffs Harbour, NSW (Coffs Harbour City Council)

Ecological Assessments

Our project team is experienced in assessing benthic flora and fauna, with the relevant techniques varying to reflect different substrate types. Standard techniques include infauna grabs, quadrat and transect surveys, towed and diver video, photo quadrats, and diver surveys for mobile invertebrates, fish, algae and sessile invertebrate communities. Usually a combination of these and similar techniques are utilised to characterise the marine community and also survey for threatened and protected species. Introduced species and sensitive habitats are also identified through this process. Within our team is specific expert knowledge of macroalgae, reef fish, coral and other benthic invertebrates’ identification.

Marine Solutions has designed and conducted numerous monitoring programs utilising benthic infauna as an indicator of impact. Notably among these was a three year study into impact from the Coffs Harbour deep sea release, and other ongoing studies in southern Tasmania monitoring impact of effluent outfalls. Marine Solutions has also conducted numerous finfish, algae, invertebrate and coral baseline surveys and monitoring in the past.

Selected Past Projects:

  • Ecological assessment of proposed jetty and boat ramp development, Fulham Island, Tasmania (Burbury Consulting)
  • Spotted Handfish population survey, Sandy Bay, Hobart (DSS)
  • Ecological assessment of public boardwalk development, Battery Point, Hobart (SKM/Hobart City Council)
  • Ecological assessment of port development, Triabunna, Tasmania (Burbury Consulting/Glamorgan Spring Bay Council)
  • Effluent outfall investigation, Derwent River, Hobart, Tasmania (TasWater)
  • Baseline survey/ecological assessment of Domgas pipeline route (DOF Subsea)
  • Marine ecological assessment for bridge redevelopment, Bridgewater Bridge (GHD)
  • Environmental impact assessment of effluent and wastewater disposal, Coffs Harbour, NSW (Coffs Harbour City Council)