and the longer it goes,the worse it gets

Now it is in the green Triangle,Great southern and Gunns what a toxic cocktail these MIS schemes make.

Testing confirmed Dr.Bleaney's concerns and further tests are being carried out.

S.A. Border Watch
Call to research toxic bluegum leaves
Posted on March 1, 2010, 6:06pm and updated on March 3, 2010 at 8:43 am
Discovery of a link between bluegums and toxic water in Tasmania has led scientists to call for greater research into the issue, which could have implications across the Green Triangle.

�gThe problem is the trees keep getting bigger and more trees continue to be planted as well, so the biomass delivering the toxin is growing,�h marine ecologist Marcus Scammell said.
�gThe problem can only go in one direction if no action is taken.

�gSomething has to be done; it is not going to go away.�h

Dr Scammell has worked with general practitioner Dr Alison Bleaney and various laboratories to identify the cause of contamination in the George�fs Bay area of north-east Tasmania.

Details of their work was recently revealed on ABC Television�fs Australian Story.

After previously raising concerns about aerial spraying of plantations, Dr Scammell said he had now found the bluegum leaves themselves were toxic.

�gWe have effectively found a new water contaminant and once a water authority knows that information is reliable they are legally obliged to start looking at ways to deal with it,�h he told The Border Watch.

�gThat could be in the catchment by changing farming practices to make them safe, which is a long-term solution, or in the interim at water treatment plant level so they can guarantee supply.�h

Dr Scammell has asked New Zealand�fs National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, a similar body to Australia�fs CSIRO, to conduct further studies to identify the risk to animals and people, but said the implications for the Green Triangle were unknown.

�gOne criticism since the story was released is we haven�ft looked at any other catchment, but we simply don�ft have the money,�h he said.

However, he said the tree was used extensively in Australia and broader investigation was needed.

Although the toxin had always been present in bluegums, he said development of intensive forestation was creating new scenarios.

It was unknown if the toxin could reach underground water sources.

�gWe found it during dry weather flow, so whether that is due to constant release from leaves or whether it has made it into the groundwater and is coming through is something we don�ft know yet,�h he said.

Dr Scammell said he had observed plantations that were planted all the way to riversides in Tasmania and provision of buffers may be one way to help address the issue.

�gThat is something else we have to look into,�h he said.

Although research at the University of New South Wales and Flinders University has found the contaminated water was toxic to human cells, Dr Scammell said the threat of the toxin and whether it was present in hazardous concentrations was still to be assessed.

He said sensible measures had already been introduced at St Helens, with activated charcoal now added to the water to capture contaminants, but action also had to be taken at a broader level to address the problem and manage its impacts.

Five scientists from the Cooperative Research Centre for Forestry, including three from the University of Tasmania, one from the CSIRO and chief executive officer Professor Gordon Duff, have issued a statement responding to the claims forestry trees are linked to toxic water.

��Full report in The Border Watch on Tuesday.
Tags: bluegums, research, water