Great Barrier Reef stressed by fresh water run-off

Natalie Poyhonen ABC News 1 Mar 11;

A north Queensland scientist says the health of the Great Barrier Reef is being put under stress by large amounts of fresh water from flooded rivers.

Dr Michelle Devlin from James Cook University says too much fresh water reduces salinity levels which can lead to coral bleaching.

But she says the reef could also struggle to cope with pollutants, flushed into the marine system.

"You also now have waters that have high concentrations of nutrients, sediments and potentially pesticides," she said.

"We also are trying to manage that water quality issue as well as monitor the impact of this cumulative stress."