Research shows the devastation of a potential coal spill on Great Barrier Reef

by **Nanneerose** Tue Nov 22, 2016 6:28 pm

AUSTRALIAN researchers have raised fresh concerns over the potential danger posed by coal tankers on the Great Barrier Reef.
Queensland scientists say their latest study shows coal dust in seawater can kill coral and stunt the growth of fish and seagrass. Carried out by researchers at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, the study details the devastating impact of a potential coal tanker accident on the World Heritage-listed reef.
“Corals exposed to the highest concentrations of coal dust died within two weeks,” said author Kathryn Berry, who has led the experimental research over the past two years.
Coral exposed to a lesser amount of coal dust survived slightly longer but most died after four weeks.
A number of fish and seagrass also died from exposure to coal dust. A majority survived but had their growth stunted by half compared to freshwater.
Previously, scientists “had no idea at all of the impact” coal dust had on marine life, researcher Dr Andrew Negri told news.com.au.
The paper was published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports.
Research shows the devastation of a potential coal spill on Great Barrier Reef 7e7feba499f31863ecc2a9e01f28e59d

Research shows the devastation of a potential coal spill on Great Barrier Reef 7e7feba499f31863ecc2a9e01f28e59d

Research shows the devastation of a potential coal spill on Great Barrier Reef D6ea7aad8abf5586b1c7ecd9402efb2f

There has never been a major coal spillage on the reef but about six years ago there was a very close call. In 2010 Chinese tanker Shen Neng 1 ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef off Gladstone. The ship had 60,000 tonnes of coal on-board at the time but fortunately the ship did not break apart and the coal was contained.
Dr Negri said the incident provided a strong impetus for scientists to understand the risks of such events.
“We’ve been interested ever since then what would happen if the ship broke apart,” he said.
In 2013 the bulk carrier, MV Smart, broke apart in South Africa while carrying more than 140,000 tonnes of coal.
The work carried out by the Australian researchers was designed to show the potential impact of a major shipping disaster. Such an event would produce the “threshold concentration” of coal dust that would cause widespread death of marine life.
However researchers said coal dust could also enter the marine environment at loading and storage facilities when blown or washed into the sea, as well as during transport.
Dr Negri said the research had allowed us to “better understand the risk in transporting coal” and hoped the findings would be considered in any future risk assessments in regards to conservation efforts being made in the Great Barrier Reef.
Coral bleaching is perhaps the most urgent issue facing the reef with some scientists predicating its demise within 20 years if the current rate of bleaching continues. But the polluting effects of coal dust adds a separate threat to that posed by climate change.
“The potential for coal to affect the marine environment is generally quite localised and remote,” said Dr Negri. “Coral is under threat from the accumulative affect of a range of different stresses.”
Research shows the devastation of a potential coal spill on Great Barrier Reef 6039598d9f5eb16468a90db2c67547ce

Research shows the devastation of a potential coal spill on Great Barrier Reef 6039598d9f5eb16468a90db2c67547ce

Surrounded by protesters, Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt announced an extra $50 million in new projects to improve the health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef. Picture: Marc McCormackSource:News Corp Australia
featured video

0:00

/

0:00

http://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/conservation/research-shows-the-devastation-of-a-potential-coal-spill-on-great-barrier-reef/news-story/3ca92001ca9cb074f680a55ad6893b6f

Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30