Murray River floods likely played no part in algal bloom, scientist says

Questions are being raised about the role of the 2022-23 Murray River Floods in South Australia’s recent algal bloom.

Adelaide University scientist Dr. Luke Mosley told a Senate inquiry the major flood event likely played little or no part in causing the bloom, despite a large nutrient discharge into the river and ocean.

While some connection can’t be ruled out, Dr. Mosley says the time gap between the flood and the bloom casts doubt on the flood’s impact.

His views challenge the State government’s claim the flood – combined with a marine heatwave and cold-water upwelling – triggered the bloom.

He instead suggests the heatwave and upwelling alone may have been enough to spark the event.