With an algal bloom now spanning 800 kilometres of the Murray River, inflows at record lows and Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra closed due to an outbreak of blue green algae, experts comment on the impacts and our complacency in the face of these challenges.

See also Science Blog, “When did this become OK?”, by Tim Stubbs, Policy Analyst with the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, who notes the alarming complacency we have towards massive blooms like this.

For more information about the bloom try the following links:

http://riverinfo.mdba.gov.au/weekly-report/current_wr.pdf

http://www.naturalresources.nsw.gov.au/mediarelnr/mm20090406_4004.html

Feel free to use these quotes in your stories. If you would like to speak to an expert, please don’t hesitate to contact us on (08) 8207 7415 or by email.

Dr John Williams is the Commissioner for the Natural Resources Commission, a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists and a former Chief of CSIRO Land and Water.

“The occurrence of 800 km of algal bloom in our river coupled with our lower lakes in such a desperate condition must ring alarm bells in our society that we’ve got a major problem in managing the precious Murray-Darling.

The drought is not an excuse. The issue of algal blooms is about flow regimes, nutrient loading and the nature of the water reservoirs and waterways along the system. We need to accelerate our water reform. The future is about national development, learning to build regional communities with vibrant futures using 60% of the water that we currently extract.

The adjustment is massive. It’s about nation building. It’s about building a future where we have healthy rivers and vibrant communities living with much less water. Water and living within the river’s capacity to supply is an issue that this nation must press on with urgency and determination. These blooms, dried lakes and acid wetlands tell us that we have much to do and not a lot of time to do it in. And the drought and the economic downturn is perhaps the catalyst we need to pursue the reforms and rebuilding that we must have. It’s time!”

Tim Stubbs is a policy analyst with the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists. This is an extract of his Science Blog.

“For an 800km stretch of river, people are advised not to enter the water, drink untreated water or bathe in water drawn from the river. Boiling the water does not deactivate toxins. These are the warnings for a river that has not reached the sea for almost three years and is so toxic you cannot even wash your face in it.

Which Third World Nation is so badly abusing their natural resources that they think it is OK to turn a mighty river into what sounds like a stagnant drain. Don’t they understand the importance of a healthy environment and the need to look after something as valuable as a river system? Where will they get their precious clean water from? These poor ignorant people need to make some serious changes.

This river is the Murray. Similar warnings are in place for the lower Darling and the Murrumbidgee.

WHEN DID THIS BECOME OK IN AUSTRALIA?

The excuse that comes to mind is the drought. On Tuesday April 7 the Murray Darling Basin Authority released its drought update. It states that the inflow for the period January to March of this year was the lowest in the 117 years of records. The story gets worse.” (Continues)

Dr Stuart Khan is a researcher with the Water Research Centre (WRC) at the University of New South Wales.

“The important thing is to identify which particular species of algae are present, and it could be more than one. That will tell us whether or not there are species that produce toxic chemicals. Some species of algae produce very toxic chemicals, and some are quite benign so it could turn out to be a major hazard with respect to human health, or there could be no problem at all. So it’s a matter of characterising the bloom in some detail. There are two approaches that could be taken: one is to go out and look for which species are present, and the other is to directly look for algal toxins by chemical analysis, so you could target particular toxins to see whether or not they are present.”

Dr Brent Ritchie is a senior lecturer in the School of Tourism at the University of Queensland.

“The timing of the Murray algae bloom around the Easter period could be a major concern for local tourism operators and the community in which they operate. Unfortunately tourism decision making is often affected by perceptions of risk rather than reality, as seen by the recent oil spill off the south-east coast of Queensland, which has led to a downturn in tourist bookings in areas unaffected by the oil spill.

The relevant tourism authorities in conjunction with the government need to embark on a reassurance campaign highlighting the real level of risk and promote alternative opportunities for recreation. Time is of the essence. Local operators should consider cooperating in joint promotions or special deals to encourage visitation, and could use the heightened media attention positively and creatively to actually encourage visitation from the surrounding localities.”