#2 Kayaking alongside our dolphin friends

Oct 31, 2015 by wilderness-jyeung

A Visit to the Port Adelaide Estuary

On the 20/10/15, our biology class visited Port Adelaide, the main port of the city located in the northwest region of Adelaide. Before the European settlement, Port Adelaide was previously covered in mangroves, swamps and mud flats accompanied by creeks, which ran into smaller channels (Wikipedia, 2015). Mangroves are a native type of shrub that typically grows on shoreline. 

Mangroves (green bushes) surrounding a creek in Port Adelaide (Shipway, 2011). 

Since humans have engaged in Industrialisation 200 years ago, the effects of increased carbon emissions have impacted many aspects of the earth, especially the environment. These impacts are evident in the area surrounding the Port Adelaide Estuary.

This is a current map that shows a bird’s-eye-view of Port Adelaide.

It is evident that there is a stark difference in environmental land use on either side of the Port Adelaide River.

Many industrial factories, power lines, power plants and containers occupy the left hand side of the river, revealing the extensive amount of human intervention. Obvious signs of greenhouse gas emissions could be identified by the grey smoke that lingered in the atmosphere.

On the right hand side of the river (Torrens island), the nature had been mostly preserved and little human industrialisation had taken place. Some of the area was covered in mangroves, whilst the rest of the area remained as flat lands that seem to indicate that it is a minimal human affected area.

Fortunately, there are still remnants of natural wildlife, which can be enjoyed when seeing dolphins and seals swimming through the river.

The danger with having such stark contrasts in environmental occupation between two closely situated areas is that the wildlife will be affected by the industrialisation. With only a small river separating the factors and the untouched nature, the mangroves are sure to be impacted by the amount of gases and chemicals being released into the air. Over time, the natural plant life would be negatively by the affected, and furthermore, the animal wildlife may be harmed by the amount of chemicals in the air.

The optimal temperature of the water in the Port should be at 17 degrees. This is suitable for the marine life as well as the plant life surrounding the waters. Alarmingly, in some areas of the river, the temperature of the water is 41 degrees. Not only does the hot temperature have severe effects on plant and animal life in that area, but also the difference in water temperatures can lead to other complications.

South Australians are aware of the dangerous consequences if we ignore the need for change. The MP for the Port Adelaide area, Mark Butler, has intentions to amend the issue of high levels of carbon emission, aiming to go from 400pp million of carbon to an absolute 0pp million by 2050. His goal may be ambitious, but nothing is ever set in concrete especially when we underestimate the power of unified action.

Kayaking alongside our dolphin friends (30/10/15)

A second biology excursion beckoned us back to the Port Adelaide region. However this time, we were fortunate enough to gain an intimate, firsthand experience with native marine life that is precious to South Australians. We spent the day kayaking alongside dolphins and exploring tranquil creeks that were sheltered by mangroves forests. Fortunately, we were joined by a marine biologist, who specialised in study of dolphins. From his many years of experience, not only was he able to share his knowledge of the Port Adelaide area, but also give genuine advice and insight into our responsibility to conquer climate change.

Here is what I have learnt about the Port Adelaide Region:

• South Australia is privileged to have an abundance of pods of dolphins neighbouring areas of civilisation. Apparently, this does not happen in any other place in the world!
• Unfortunately, many baby dolphins die and other adult dolphins severely injured as a result of being cut by the blades of motors of the boats that cruise along the river.
• The mangroves (a native shrub) play a crucial role in supporting the whole ecosystem in the Port Adelaide region.
• Firstly, without mangroves, the marine life, such as little fish, will be stricken from food, as the decayed mangrove leaves provides them with nutrients.
• Secondly, less plant life = less photosynthesis = increased carbon dioxide and decreased oxygen in the air = is harmful for humans.
• Thirdly, mangroves maintain the salt level in the surrounding waters, by absorbing it into its leaves. Without this natural phenomenon, the salt level will disturb other sea creatures and plants
• If the rate of carbon emissions continues to increase, this could see the greenhouse effect worsening, resulting in rising sea levels and warmer temperatures. Should this happen, the mangroves species would be wiped out, as they would drown, and many of the coastal areas would sink underwater. It is likely that animals’ species, such as the dolphins, will leave to migrate to areas with cooler water.
• If we want our children and the future generations to be able to experience the natural beauties of the world, we have to take action to start preserving it now. 

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