Derek_Bullock
17-02-2006, 06:37 PM
Last Update: Friday, February 17, 2006. 1:00pm (AEDT)
Turtle researcher says Moreton Bay 'toxic'
A Gold Coast researcher investigating the affects pollution has on sea turtles has labelled Moreton Bay, in south-east Queensland, as "toxic".
Griffith University PhD student Jason van de Merwe is researching what affect crop dusting, sewage, fertilisers and stormwater run-off has on endangered loggerhead and green turtles, which inhabit waters off the state's south-east.
In coming weeks, Mr van de Merwe will have preliminary results from blood and tissue samples taken from sick and injured animals.
"Moreton Bay is quite toxic," he said.
"There's a lot of rivers that run into there.
"Obviously it's very close to agricultural and industrial areas, so there's lots of pesticides, heavy metals and things like that which are making their way into the waterways and then making their way into the sea turtles through feeding."
Turtle researcher says Moreton Bay 'toxic'
A Gold Coast researcher investigating the affects pollution has on sea turtles has labelled Moreton Bay, in south-east Queensland, as "toxic".
Griffith University PhD student Jason van de Merwe is researching what affect crop dusting, sewage, fertilisers and stormwater run-off has on endangered loggerhead and green turtles, which inhabit waters off the state's south-east.
In coming weeks, Mr van de Merwe will have preliminary results from blood and tissue samples taken from sick and injured animals.
"Moreton Bay is quite toxic," he said.
"There's a lot of rivers that run into there.
"Obviously it's very close to agricultural and industrial areas, so there's lots of pesticides, heavy metals and things like that which are making their way into the waterways and then making their way into the sea turtles through feeding."