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This report presents the findings of detailed sediment monitoring undertaken throughout the Hutt Estuary in January 2017. Monitoring includes measures of sediment grain size, nutrient and metal concentrations and invertebrate community health. This is the first survey since the fine scale baseline was established between 2010 and 2012. Results indicate a muddiness issue within the estuary with poor sediment oxygenation. Metal concentrations are very low and the invertebrate community is tolerant of muddy conditions. The estuary condition has not changed greatly since monitoring commenced in 2010.

Keywords: Hutt Estuary, sediment, substrate, macroalgae, grain size, mud content, sediment oxygenation, environmental monitoring, invertebrate