Figure 7 . Graph showing the full range of SS concentrations measured at each sampling site for all three wet seasons ( 2018-2021 ). Average site concentrations are shown in blue text . Number of samples collected at each sample represented as n below each boxplot .
Particulate nutrients
Average particulate nitrogen ( PN ) and particulate phosphorus ( PP ) concentrations for each site are shown in Figure 8Error ! Reference source not found . and Figure 9 . Nitrogen and phosphorus in the particulate form ( PN and PP ) are associated with organic matter and commonly attached to soil particles , so it is often elevated in runoff with higher sediment concentrations . Hence in most circumstances , the patterns in the PN and PP values closely match the SS concentrations which was the case over the three sampled wet seasons .
Over the three wet seasons , the highest particulate nutrient concentrations were measured at the high sediment contributing Little Bowen sub-catchment sites , with site average PN concentrations higher than those for PP . Average PN concentrations of 2,750 , 1,865 and 1,645 µ g N / L were measured at the Exe Ck , Little Bowen and Little Bowen ( Junction ) sites , respectively . Average PP concentrations of 1135 , 765 and 635 µ g P / L were measured for these three sites , respectively . Average concentrations were also elevated in Pelican , Rosella and Glenmore Creeks draining into the lower reaches of the Bowen River . The Broken River site had the lowest PN ( 190 µ g N / L ) and PP ( 22 µ g N / L ) concentrations due to the relatively low SS concentrations measured at this site .
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