Monitoring the algae of Manly Dam

Project Member(s): Mitrovic, S.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Warringah Council

Start year: 2015

Summary: This project is laboratory based and the main task is the identification and enumeration of the algae in Manly Dam. Samples of algae from 7 sites around Manly Dam will be provided every week by Warringah council (couriered to UTS). The samples are preserved with Lugols iodine which has no risk. These samples will be examined under a light microscope (Simon Mitrovic has one available for the project and relevant identification literature) and the algae identified and enumerated. Simon will train the postgraduate student (Christian Moore) to identify and count the algae and will do weekly quality assurance checks on the results. The method is using a Sedgwick Rafter counting chamber with glass cover slip under a light microscope at 200x magnification. The only risk is the possibility of a cut associated with glass slides. This will be added to the risk assessment form. Simon Mitrovic will compile a weekly results sheet and summary page and this will be sent to Warringah council. Simon Mitrovic will train the student, perform quality control on identification and counts and send the reports. This project will be used to part support Christian Moore with a stipend for his Masters Research Project examining the impact of a thermal curtain at Burrendong Dam on cold water (thermal) pollution and algae.

Keywords: THIS IS AN ONGOING PROJECT WITH NO END DATE. INVOICES WILL BE ISSUED ON A QUARTERLY BASIS UNTIL ADVISED OF THE END DATE. Update end date once advised by the CI.

FOR Codes: Urban and Industrial Water Management, Environmental Monitoring, Pollution and contamination, Terrestrial systems and management not elsewhere classified