Unique acidic springs found

Transcription

1 Cooktown Local News 24-Feb-2011 Page: 4 Market: Cooktown QLD Circulation: 1300 Size: sq.cms ---T--- Unique acidic springs found By COREY BOUSEN THOSE of us who spend time on Cape York all know the region to be a natural wonderland, but specially adapted fish and frog species that can survive in water as acidic as soft-drink have further underlined the uniqueness of the Peninsula. The acid-loving creatures, which are a new discovery to mankind and will be the focus of extensive research over coming years, make their home in seven perennial springs of unsurpassed beauty that were recently discovered on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, along tributaries of the Wenlock River. The reserve's head ranger Barry Lyon, who discovered the uncharted springs while doing a biodiversity survey, said he was quick to realise the significance of his find. "Having been a ranger on Cape York for 25 years, I've seen plenty of springs but I'd seen nothing like these," he told the Cooktown Local News. The springs are surrounded by many rare and threatened species of plants, including one spring surrounded by what botanists are describing as "essentially a new type of rainforest" that includes what Traditional Owners know as the Spearwood Tree. The seven springs range in size from the largest, known as Bluebottle, at 650 metres across, down to the smallest ofjust 20 metres across, and were discovered by Ranger Barry, who found the first four springs at the end of 2007, and the remaining three in The discovery of the acidic nature of the springs ecosystem - with ph levels of 3.8 that approach those of the devastating acid rain that falls in industrialised areas of the northern hemisphere - has piqued the curiosity of scientists. A team, headed by the University of Queensland's Professor Craig Franklin, has been looking at the springs and their surrounding ecosystems since their discovery and believe them to be "unique in the world". "The springs sit at the base of a bauxite plateau and it is fascinating to us as scientists that they pump out water that has a very low ph, is highly acidic, yet they are teeming with life," Professor Franklin, who is Director of Research for the Wildlife Reserve, said. "It is very clear that the flora and fauna are related to that acidity, to that unique water composition." Professor Franklin said the region was largely uncharted scientifically, and much research was needed to even start to explain how the flora and fauna could co-exist so successfully with the acidic water. In north America, acid rain that is the result of industrial pollution has made some lakes so acidic they can no longer support native fish species. In both America and Europe, acid rain has had negative effects on human health, damaged forests and soils, and killed insect and aquatic life forms. "Life thriving amid this level of acidity is a new discovery to mankind and will be the focus of much research over coming years," Professor Franklin said. The professor said the findings could provide important clues for industrialised countries in the northern hemisphere seeking ways of coping with acid rain. "It is fascinating that water with similarly low ph levels in the northern hemisphere has caused the loss of huge numbers of fish and aquatic organisms, yet here we have almost equivalent ph levels and life is abundant and the organisms have evolved to cope with those acidic conditions," he said. "In fact, their survival may be dependent upon the acidic conditions." Some of the species already described as "exciting finds" include the Aru Gudgeon, the Short-finned Eeltail Catfish and Rainbowfish. "The former two are range extensions for these species which is of great conservation significance," Professor Franklin said. Professor Franklin, who is an expert in conservation physiology, said there was no harm to land animals or humans in drinking the acidic water, which has a ph level compared to that of some carbonated softdrinks. Interestingly, however, the UQ research teams had noticed that many of crocodiles on the Wenlock River had very "stained and weak-looking" teeth. It had now become apparent that this was possibly related to the acidic spring water. He said a UQ PhD student would soon begin a three-year investigation into the life of the aquatic animals living around the acidic springs, and how the fish and amphibians in particular were able to cope with the acidic conditions. "We currently know very little about this natural phenomenon and it deserves our attention and conservation," Professor Franklin said. UQ researchers have been working in north Queensland for the past seven years on what is now the 1350sq m Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, 80Icm north of Weipa. The Australian Research Council and Australia Zoo funds their work. Professor Craig Franklin measuring ph in a tributary of the Wenlock River, on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in northern Queensland. Ref:

2 Mossman & Beaches Independent 13-Jan-2011 Page: 7 Market: Port Douglas Circulation: 1500 Size: sq.cms ---T--- Page 1 of 2 Unique acidic springs found on Cape York By Corey Bousen Those of us who spend time on Cape York all know the region to be a natural wonderland, but specially adapted fish and frog species that can survive in water as acidic as soft-drink have further underlined the uniqueness of the Peninsula. The acid-loving creatures, which are a new discovery to mankind and will be the focus of extensive research over coming years, make their home in seven perennial springs of unsurpassed beauty that were recently discovered on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, along tributaries of the Wenlock River. The reserve's head ranger Barry Lyon, who discovered the uncharted springs while doing a biodiversity survey, said he was quick to realise the significance of his find. "Having been a ranger on Cape York for 25 years, I've seen plenty of springs but I'd seen nothing like these," he told the Cooktown Local News. The springs are surrounded by many rare and threatened species of plants, including one spring surrounded by what botanists are describing as "essentially a new type of rainforest" that includes what Traditional Owners know as the Spearwood Tree. The seven springs range in size from the largest, known as Bluebottle, at 650 metres across, down to the smallest of just 20 metres across, and were discovered by Ranger Barry, who found the first four springs at the end of 2007, and the remaining three in The discovery of the acidic nature of the springs ecosystem - with ph levels of 3.8 that approach those of the devastating acid rain that falls in industrialised areas of the northern hemisphere - has piqued the curiosity of scientists. A team, headed by the University of Queensland's Professor Craig Franklin, has been looking at the springs and their surrounding ecosystems since their discovery and believe them to be "unique in the world". "The springs sit at the base of a bauxite plateau and it is fascinating to us as scientists that they pump out water that has a very low ph, is highly acidic, yet they are teeming with life," Professor Franklin, who is Director of Research for the Wildlife Reserve, said. "It is very clear that Ref:

3 Mossman & Beaches Independent 13-Jan-2011 Page: 7 Market: Port Douglas Circulation: 1500 Size: sq.cms ---T--- Page 2 of 2 Professor Craig Franklin measuring ph in a tributary of the Wenlock River, on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in northern Queensland. Ref:

4 Western Cape Bulletin 12-Jan-2011 Page: 5 Market: Weipa QLD Circulation: 1000 Size: sq.cms ----F-- Page 1 of 2 Unique acidic springs are teeming with life By Corey Bousen THOSE of us who spend time on Cape York all know the region to be a natural wonderland, but specially adapted fish and frog species that can survive in water as acidic as soft-drink have further underlined the uniqueness of the Peninsula. The acidity-loving creatures, which are a new discovery to mankind and will be the focus of extensive research over coming years, make their home in seven perennial springs of unsurpassed beauty that were recently discovered on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, along tributaries of the Wenlock River. The reserve's head ranger Barry Lyon, who discovered the uncharted springs while doing a biodiversity survey, said he was quick to realise the significance of his find. "Having been a ranger on Cape York for 25 years, I've seen plenty of springs but I'd seen nothing like these," he told the Western Cape IN,SGSG/E. The springs are surrounded by many rare and threatened species of plants, including one spring surrounded by what botanists are describing as "essentially a new type of rainforest" that includes what Traditional Owners know as the Spearwood Tree. The seven springs range in size from the largest, known as Bluebottle, at 650 metres across, down to the smallest of just 20 metres across, and were discovered by Ranger Barry, who found the first four springs at the end of 2007, and the remaining three in The discovery of the acidic nature of the springs ecosystem - with ph levels of 3.8 that approach those of the devastating acid rain that falls in industrialised areas of the northern hemisphere - has piqued the curiosity of scientists. A team, headed by the University of Queensland's Professor Craig Franklin, has been looking at the springs and their surrounding ecosystems since their discovery and believe them to be "unique in the world". "The springs sit at the base of a bauxite plateau acid it is fascinating to us as scientists that they pump out water that has a very low ph, is highly acidic, yet they are teeming with life," Professor Franklin, who is Director of Research for the Wildlife Reserve, said. "It is very clear that the flora and fauna are related to that acidity, to that unique water composition." Professor Franklin said the region was largely uncharted scientifically, and much research was needed to even start to explain how the flora and fauna could co-exist so successfully with the acidic water. In north America, acid rain that is the result of industrial pollution has made some lakes so acidic they can no longer support native fish species. In both America and Europe, acid rain has had negative effects on human health, damaged forests and soils, and killed insect and aquatic life forms. "Life thriving amid this level of acidity is a new discovery to mankind and will be the focus of much research over coming years," Ref:

5 Western Cape Bulletin 12-Jan-2011 Page: 5 Market: Weipa QLD Circulation: 1000 Size: sq.cms ----F-- Page 2 of 2 Professor Franklin said. The professor said the findings could provide important clues for industrialised countries in the northern hemisphere seeking ways of coping with acid rain. "It is fascinating that water with similarly low ph levels in the northern hemisphere has caused the loss of huge numbers of fish and aquatic organisms, yet here we have almost equivalent ph levels and life is abundant and the organisms have evolved to cope with those acidic conditions," he said. "In fact, their survival may be dependent upon the acidic conditions." Some of the species already described as "exciting finds" include the Am Gudgeon, the Short-finned Eeltail Catfish and Rainbowfish. "The former two are range extensions for these species which is of great conservation significance," Professor Franklin told The Bully. Professor Franklin, who is an expert in conservation physiology, said there was no harm to land animals or humans in drinking the acidic water, which has a ph level compared to that of some carbonated softdrinks. Interestingly, however, the UQ research teams had noticed that many of crocodiles on the Wenlock River had very "stained and weaklooking" teeth. It had now become apparent that this was possibly related to the acidic spring water. He said a UQ PhD student would soon begin a three-year investigation into the life of the aquatic animals living around the acidic springs, and how the fish and amphibians in particular were able to cope with the acidic conditions. "We currently know very little about this natural phenomenon and it deserves our attention and conservation," Professor Franklin said. UQ researchers have been working in north Queensland for the past seven years on what is now the 1350sq m Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, 801cm north of Weipa. The Australian Research Council and Australia Zoo funds their work. Professor Craig Franklin measuring ph in a tributary of the Wenlock River, on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in northern Queensland. Ref:

6 Courier Mail 29-Dec-2010 Page: 18 Market: Brisbane Circulation: Type: Capital City Daily Size: sq.cms MTWTFS- L 5d1i 4:j j SURPRISE FIND: Professor Craig Franklin measures ph levels in a tributary of the Wenlock River. on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve. Picture: AAP Plants spring to life in acid SCIENTISTS in far north Queensland have discovered unique ecosystems thriving in water so acidic it would be classified as acid rain if it fell from the sky. Fauna and flora have been found in abundance around acidic springs on a tributary of the Wenlock River, on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve. The springs have ph levels approaching those of devastating acid rain that has killed off some fish species in industrialised areas of the northern hemisphere. The University of Queensland researchers said the discovery could one day help countries seeking ways to cope with acid rain. The team, headed by Professor Craig Franklin, discovered the naturally occurring acidic springs believed to be unique in the world on the reserve about 80km north of Weipa, on Cape York. "The springs sit at the base of a bauxite plateau and it is fascinating to us, as scientists, that they pump out water that has a very low ph, is highly acidic, yet they are teeming with life," Prof Franklin said. "It is very clear the flora and fauna are related to... that unique water composition." It is essentially a new type of rainforest, the scientists say. Prof Franklin said the region was largely uncharted scientifically, and much research was needed to even begin to explain how lifeforms survived in such acidic conditions. They also noticed many of the crocodiles in the area had "stained and weak-looking" teeth. Ref:

7 Gold Coast Bulletin 29-Dec-2010 Page: 13 Market: Gold Coast QLD Circulation: Size: sq.cms MTWTF-- Acidic springs full of life SCIENTISTS in far north Queensland have discovered unique ecosystems thriving in water so acidic it would be classified as acid rain if it fell from the sky. Fauna and flora have been found in abundance around highly acidic springs on a tributary of the Wenlock River, part of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve. The springs have ph levels approaching those of devastating acid rain that has killed off some fish species in industrialised areas of the northern hemisphere. Researchers from The University of Queensland say the discovery could one day help countries seeking ways to cope with acid rain. The team, headed by Professor Craig Franklin, discovered the naturally occurring acidic springs, believed to be unique in the world, on the reserve about 80km north of Weipa in Cape York. "It is very clear that the flora and fauna are related to that acidity, to that unique water composition," Prof Franklin said in a statement. It is essentially a new type of rainforest, the scientists say. Prof Franklin said the region was largely uncharted scientifically, and much research was needed to even begin to explain how lifeforms survived in such acidic conditions. He said a PhD student would soon begin a three-year study investigating the various aquatic animals living around the springs and how the fish and amphibians in particular were able to cope with the acidic conditions. "We have only just scratched the surface in terms of making discoveries in terms of these unique springs and rainforest." Prof Franklin said. But the acidic springs are not good news for crocodiles. Prof Franklin said crocodiles in the Wenlock had "stained and weak-looking" teeth. It seems likely this is related to the acidic spring water. An aerial view of Wenlock River, Cape York, where a unique rainforest exists Photo: GLENN WALKER Ref:

8 Barrier Daily Truth 23-Dec-2010 Page: 7 Market: Broken Hill NSW Circulation: 5906 Size: sq.cms MTWTFS- Acid springs life unique: scientists BRISBANE - Scientists in far north Queensland have discovered unique ecosystems thriving in water so acidic it would be classified as acid rain if it fell from the sky. Fauna and flora have been found in abundance around highly acidic springs on a tributary of the Wenlock River, on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve. The springs have ph levels approaching those of the acid rain that has killed off some fish species in industrialised areas of the northern hemisphere. The University of Queensland researchers say the discovery could one day help countries seeking ways to cope with acid rain. The team, headed by Professor Craig Franklin, discovered the naturally occurring acidic springs, believed to be unique in the world, on the reserve about 80km north of Weipa on Cape York. "The springs sit at the base of a bauxite plateau and it is fascinating to us, as scientists, that they pump out water that has a very low ph, is highly acidic, yet they are teeming with life," he said. "It is very clear that the flora and fauna are related to that acidity, to that unique water composition." It is essentially a new type of rainforest, the scientists say. Prof Franklin said the region was largely uncharted scientifically, and much research was needed to even begin to explain how lifeforms survive in such conditions. An expert in conservation physiology, he said researchers had noticed that many of crocodiles in the Wenlock River had very "stained and weaklooking" teeth. It now seems likely that this is related to the acidic spring water. AAP Ref:

9 Unique highly acidic springs discovered in FNQ teeming with life Townsville Bulletin 23-Dec-2010 Page: 13 Market: Townsville QLD Circulation: Size: sq.cms MTWTFS- SCIENTISTS in far north Queensland have discovered unique ecosystems thriving in water so acidic it would be classified as acid rain if it fell from the sky. Fauna and flora have been found in abundance around highly acidic springs on a tributary of the Wenlock River, on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve. The springs have ph levels approaching those of devastating acid rain that has killed off some fish species in industrialised areas of the northern hemisphere. The University of Queensland researchers say the discovery could one day help countries seeking ways to cope with acid rain. The team, headed by Professor Craig Franklin, discovered the naturally occurring acidic springs, believed to be unique in the world, on the reserve about 80km north of Weipa on Cape York. "The springs sit at the base of a bauxite plateau and it is fascinating to us, as scientists, that they pump out water that has a very low ph, is highly acidic, yet they are teeming with life," Prof Franklin said in a statement. -Detailed and comprehensive further investigation is needed. We have only j ust scratched the surface in terms of making discoveries in terms of these unique springs and rainforest." But the acidic springs are not good news for crocodiles. Prof Franklin, an expert in conservation physiology, said researchers had noticed that many of crocodiles in the Wenlock River had very -stained and weak-looking" teeth. It now seems likely that this is related to the acidic spring water.... MP Bob Katter TOO ACIDIC hugged a replica of a Wenlock River crocodile in Photo NELLIE PRATT Ref:

10 Cairns Post 23-Dec-2010 Page: 11 Market: Cairns QLD Circulation: Size: sq.cms MTWTF-- It's bad for croc teeth but frogs and fish love it Live and learnt Prof Craig Franklin measures the ph level of an acidic natural spring on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, near the Wenlock River,Cape York. The springs are 1 ine for fish and frogs but not for Grecs. noun JEREMY WIEN bailernand@tcp.n.awslid.mm.au FROGS and fish are thriving in a Cape York natural spring where the water is so acidic, crocodiles in a nearby river may be experiencing tooth decay from it. Scientists from the University of Queensland have been blown away by the ph level of the springs, on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, along the Wenlock River, about 80km north of Weipa. The acidity is close to the same levels of acid rain in the US and Europe. There. the rain has made lakes so acidic, native fish can no longer tolerate the water. The scientists, however, have suggested animals and plants living in the natural springs have adapted to the toxic conditions. Exactly how, though, remains unexplained, according to UQ team leader Prof Craig Franklin. "Would I swim in it? I wouldn't drink it, let's put it that way," Prof Franklin told The Cairns Post. The springs flow into the Wenlock River. Researchers had observed many of the saltwater crocodiles in the Wenlock with stained and weaklooking teeth. Prof Franklin said this may be related to the acidic spring water. The researchers have so far documented unique flora and fauna and described a new type of rainforest growing at the springs. "We don't know what they're doing special to survive these conditions and we don't know if the conditions change, whether they become more neutral and they'll survive that change," Prof Franklin said. "Maybe they're highly evolved to those conditions and if those conditions change, they might be in trouble." The springs sit at the base of the region's massive bauxite plateau, and the acidity is suspected to be a result of the water percolating through the earth. Another UQ researcher will spend three years examining the effect the water is having on native wildlife. "We currently know very little about this natural phenomenon and it deserves our attention and conservation," Prof Franklin said. The 185,000ha Steve Irwin Reserve, also known as Bertiehaugh Station, was set aside in honour of the late Crocodile Hunter. Ref:

11 AAP Newswire 22-Dec-2010 National Market: Australia Market: Australia MTWTFSS QLD:Acid springs ecosystems excite researchers BRISBANE, Dec 22 AAP - Scientists in far north Queensland have discovered unique ecosystems thriving in water so acidic it would be classified as acid rain if it fell from the sky. Fauna and flora have been found in abundance around highly acidic springs on a tributary of the Wenlock River, on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve. The springs have ph levels approaching those of devastating acid rain that has killed off some fish species in industrialised areas of the northern hemisphere. The University of Queensland researchers say the discovery could one day help countries seeking ways to cope with acid rain. The team, headed by Professor Craig Franklin, discovered the naturally occurring acidic springs, believed to be unique in the world, on the reserve about 80km north of Weipa on Cape York. "The springs sit at the base of a bauxite plateau and it is fascinating to us, as scientists, that they pump out water that has a very low ph, is highly acidic, yet they are teeming with life," Prof Franklin said in a statement. "It is very clear that the flora and fauna are related to that acidity, to that unique water composition." It is essentially a new type of rainforest, the scientists say. Prof Franklin said the region was largely uncharted scientifically, and much research was needed to even begin to explain how lifeforms survive in such acidic conditions. In North America, acid rain resulting from industrial pollution has made some lakes so acidic they can no longer support native fish species, Prof Franklin said. "In both America and Europe, acid rain has had negative effects on human health, damaged forests and soils, and killed insect and aquatic life forms," he said. "Life thriving amid this level of acidity is a new discovery to mankind and will be the focus of much research over coming years. "It is fascinating that water with similarly low ph levels in the northern hemisphere has caused the loss of huge numbers of fish and aquatic organisms, yet here we have almost equivalent ph levels and life is abundant and the organisms have evolved to cope with those acidic conditions." He said a PhD student would soon begin a three-year study of the aquatic animals living around the springs, and how the fish and amphibians in particular were able to cope with the acidic conditions. "Detailed and comprehensive further investigation is needed. We have only just scratched the surface in terms of making discoveries in terms of these unique springs and rainforest." But the acidic springs are not good news for crocodiles. Prof Franklin, an expert in conservation physiology, said researchers had noticed that many of crocodiles in the Wenlock River had very "stained and weak-looking" teeth. It now seems likely that this is related to the acidic spring water. AAP stg/tnf Content Supplied by Australian Associated Press AAP, All Rights Reserved. See disclaimer at Ref:

12 MX (Melbourne) 22-Dec-2010 Page: 4 Market: Melbourne Circulation: Type: Capital City Daily Size: sq.cms MTWTF-- Hope springs from acid life A new type of rainforest has been uncovered in far north Queensland where unique ecosystems thrive in highly acidic water. University of Queensland researchers say the discovery could help countries seeking ways to cope with acid rain. The fauna and flora were found in abundance around the naturally occurring acidic springs on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, about 80kin north of Weipa on Cape York. The springs have ph levels approaching those of devastating acid rain that has killed fish species in industrialised areas of the northern hemisphere. Prof Craig Franklin, who led the team, said research would now be carried out into how lifeforms survive in such acidic conditions. Ref: