The ecology of sewage treatment gradients in relation to their use by waterbirds

• Published in: Hydrobiologia Vol. 534; no. 1-3; pp. 91 - 108
• Main Authors: HAMILTON, Andrew J, ROBINSON, Wayne, TAYLOR, Iain R, WILSON, Ben P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.02.2005; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anatidae; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Aquatic birds; Biological and medical sciences; Dissolved oxygen; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Oxygen; Plankton; Ponds; Sewage treatment; Sulfides; Synecology; Wastewater treatment; Waterfowl; Zooplankton; Australia, Victoria; Australia; Aquatic environment; Vertebrata; Game; Waterfowl; Plankton; Hydrobiology; Ecology; Aves; Zooplankton; waterbirds; sewage
• ISSN: 0018-8158; 1573-5117
• DOI: 10.1007/s10750-004-1415-z

The distribution and abundance of waterbirds along sewage treatment gradients at the Western Treatment Plant (Victoria, Australia) were studied in late summer/early autumn 2000. In general, the highest densities and diversity of waterbirds, and of zooplankton, were found in the ponds towards the end of a treatment series. Filter-feeding waterfowl (Anatidae) probably used these ponds because of the availability of zooplankton as a food-source. Dissolved oxygen concentration generally increased along the treatment gradient and un-ionised sulphide concentration decreased, and it is possible that either one, or both, of these played a key role in determining the distribution of zooplankton.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]