A detailed streamflow and groundwater salinity dataset for Muttama Creek Catchment, NSW, Australia

Abstract

Dryland salinity remains a major natural resource management concern, specifcially in Australia, but also globally. However, a lack of detailed space-time data sets with observations of stream and groundwater salinity has limited further understanding of the range of processes that can lead to dryland salinity problems in landscapes. The aim of this study is to report on the open data available as a result of a 10-year data collection effort in a subcatchment of the Murrumbidgee catchment in New South Wales, Australia. Over a 10 year period a series of different sampling campaigns has resulted in a large dataset with hydrogeochemical data which includes both in-situ (field) data and post laboratory analysis of major anions and cations. The data set covers 23 groundwater sample sites and 37 surface water sites. Because the data was collected by four distinct groups and over many years we analyse if this has caused a bias in the dataset. In addition we show the major spatial and temporal trends to provide an overview of the dataset and analyse any posible biases. The dataset is made open access to encourage further research and the basic description already shows the richness of the collected data and opportunities for further research.

The associated paper is submitted to Earth System Science Data: https://www.earth-system-science-data.net/