Environmental management
Monitoring
Air quality monitoring
The
Queensland air monitoring network consists of stations around the state
containing instruments which record and store weather and air pollutant
data. The air quality index is calculated by converting the measured
pollutant concentrations into index values, which are categorised in
relation to standards. Visitors can view the air quality index and
request information for a particular day and time.
Storm tide monitoring
Monitoring coastal flooding from the sea, usually because of storm
surge during tropical cyclones, is performed using a network of 20
storm tide gauges along Queensland's coastline for data collection.
This network provides sea level information in near real time. The
information, and special storm tide maps that show the extent of
coastal land vulnerable to tidal inundation, are vital when Queensland
State Counter-Disaster Organisation (SCDO) considers the evacuation of
communities during cyclone events.
Water quality monitoring
Queensland's diversity of waters includes streams, rivers, lakes,
wetlands, estuaries, embayments and open coastal waters. Water quality
is assessed by measuring physical, chemical and biological indicators,
which are then compared with national guidelines. These national
guidelines provide a framework for assessing water quality through
comparison with guidelines derived from local reference values.
Wave monitoring
Wave rider buoys
transmit the wave heights measured from Queensland wave recording sites
to radio receivers at shore stations. Wave information is used by
planners and engineers in the design and construction of coastal
structures and the Environmental Protection Agency to help short and
long term investigations of natural coastal processes. Wave data is
used for individual planning purposes and, within the meteorological
community, at regional, hemispheric and global levels.
Last updated: 26 August 2008
