Leaf collective

Lake Tuggeranong is a merging water body including natural tributaries and stormwater discharge, localized within the Tuggeranong area in the Australian Capital Territory. Over the last 30 years, Lake Tuggeranong has experienced increasing nutrient loads and sediment runoff, resulting in the growth of blue-green algae, which affects not only the quality of the lake but also the communities around it (Achá et al. 2018; Wang et al., 2021). The lake is constantly closed and is now receiving five times more phosphorus than can naturally be supported (AU, 2019). The excess organic matter rests at the bottom of the lake and mixes with high temperatures in summer months feeding algae. Outbreaks of algae are known to have harmful effects on public health (Wiltsie et al., 2018; Waters et al., 2021). Eucalypt leaves, which fall in Summer, are one of many organic materials entering Lake Tuggeranong.