<
https://theconversation.com/the-stunning-recovery-of-a-heavily-polluted-river-in-the-heart-of-the-blue-mountains-world-heritage-area-176246>
"For more than 40 years, an underground coal mine discharged poorly treated
wastewater directly into the Wollangambe River, which flows through the heart
of the Blue Mountains World Heritage area.
Much of this spectacular wild river was chronically polluted, with dangerously
high levels of zinc and nickel. Few animals were able to survive there.
My colleagues and I had been calling for tougher regulations to clean-up the
wastewater flow since 2014, after we first sampled the river for our research.
Finally, with the Blue Mountains community rallying behind us, the New South
Wales Environment Protection Agency (EPA) enforced stronger regulations in
2020.
Our latest research paper documents the Wollangambe River’s recovery since.
Already we’ve seen a massive improvement to the water quality, with wildlife
returning to formerly polluted sites in stunning numbers.
In fact, the long fight for the restoration of this globally significant river
is the focus of a new documentary, Mining the Blue Mountains, released this
week (and online in coming days).
But while the recovery so far is promising, it remains incomplete. Much more
action is needed to return the river to its former health."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
