Impact of camping on ground and beach flow water quality on the eastern beach of K'gari-Fraser Island: a preliminary study

Concern for the maintenance of water quality of the lakes on K'gari-Fraser Island has attracted research attention but the impact of beach camping on beach freshwater has been poorly considered. The assumption has been that the natural assimilative capacity of the foredune ecosystem is sufficient to dissipate any negative environmental impact. An exploratory study of nutrients, faecal coliforms and faecal sterols in the watertable and beach flows associated with camping and non-camping zones reveals concerning differences between sample sites. The study suggests nutrient levels in the watertable are enriched in camping zones and that, in some areas, faecal coliforms persist in beach flows. The link to a human cause is supported by the presence of strong faecal sterol signals in soil samples from the watertable interface. The risk implications for human health are significant although the biological impact implications remain unexplored.