Story: Marine conservation

Silt plume, Cass River

Silt plume, Cass River

While this discoloured water off the Cass River mouth in Lake Tekapo is in fresh water, similar plumes occur where rivers carrying high sediment loads enter the sea. While sediment entering the ocean through streams and rivers is natural, poor land use can greatly exaggerate this process – with resulting silt plumes. If too much sediment settles it can smother seaweed and creatures living on the sea floor.

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Photograph by Tim Rayward

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching and Carl Walrond, 'Marine conservation - Pollution', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/5832/silt-plume-cass-river (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching and Carl Walrond, published 12 Jun 2006, updated 1 Sep 2015