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: 12 September 2007
