Meghan Hodges
Australia is home to many beautiful states, including Tasmania, which is considered by some to be the most beautiful. However, Tasmania's King River is considered the most polluted river in Australia. The King River is a major perennial river in the West Coast region of Tasmania, formed by the confluence of the Eldon and South Eldon rivers. The river has been affected by mining pollution, with around 100 million tons of tailings deposited on its banks and bed. This has led to increased acidity and dissolved metal concentrations, causing toxic levels for aquatic life. While the closure of a nearby mine in 1995 has helped reduce tailings entering the river, acid water continues to flow in due to mine dewatering and runoff.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most Polluted River in Australia | King River |
| Location | Tasmania, Australia |
| Tributaries | Tofft, Governor, Nelson, Princess, and Queen Rivers |
| Mine Residue | 100 million tonnes |
| Mine Residue Carrier | Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company |
| Dam | Crotty Dam |
| Power Station | John Butters Power Station |
| Pollution Effects | Increased acidity and dissolved metal concentrations, decreased aquatic life |
| Nearby Colliery | Clarence Colliery |
| Colliery Waste | Increased zinc and nickel concentrations |
| World Heritage Area | Blue Mountains |
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What You'll Learn
Tasmania's King River: toxic sludge and high acidity
Tasmania's King River is considered one of the most polluted rivers in Australia. The river is located in the West Coast region of Tasmania and is formed by the confluence of the Eldon and South Eldon rivers. The river flows south and then west, joined by nine tributaries, before emptying into Macquarie Harbour near Strahan and merging with the Southern Ocean.
The King River has a long history of pollution due to mining activities in the area. For over 80 years, the river was used as a dumping ground for mining residue and sewage by the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company. It is estimated that 100 million tonnes of tailings were disposed of into the river, severely affecting the water quality. The tailings contain high levels of toxic metals and acids that are harmful to aquatic life and the surrounding environment.
The pollution in the King River has had significant environmental impacts. The high levels of acidity and dissolved metals have made the water completely inhospitable to aquatic life, and the surrounding soil is also hazardous to human health. The river is also a source of acid mine drainage, where water leaches through exposed and oxidised sulfide rocks, further increasing the acidity and toxicity of the water.
Despite efforts to reduce pollution, including the construction of a tailings dam and the implementation of stricter regulations, the King River continues to be affected by mining activities. Acid water still enters the river due to mine dewatering and runoff from waste rock dumps, and the river is frequently used for rafting and other recreational activities, raising concerns about the potential health risks.
The pollution in the King River is not an isolated issue, as other rivers in Australia, such as the Wollangambe River and the Grose River, have also faced similar problems due to coal mining and other industrial activities. The Australian government has recognised the need to address river pollution, particularly in relation to the protection of ecologically significant areas like the Great Barrier Reef, and has set targets for reducing nutrient loads and sediment pollution. However, more action is needed to effectively mitigate the pollution and its impacts on the environment and human health.
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Brisbane's Forest Lake: microplastic pollution
Brisbane's Forest Lake, a 10.9-hectare recreational lake, was constructed as the centrepiece of Brisbane's first master-planned community. It is surrounded by open public space and a dense urban area. The lake receives stormwater runoff from the heavily used built environment, which is likely the predominant source of microplastic pollution, according to Prof David Hamilton from Griffith University's Australian Rivers Institute.
Forest Lake was found to be the sixth most polluted lake in a study of 38 lakes around the world, with about three plastic particles per cubic metre of water. While this is significantly less than the worst performer, Lake Lugano, with almost 12 parts per cubic metre, it is still a cause for concern. The study, published in the journal Nature, found that microplastic concentrations in lakes were often higher than those in the ocean, as the ocean can dilute pollutants, whereas lakes retain them.
Forest Lake is not used for drinking water, but it does flow into tributaries of the Brisbane River, which pumps water into Moreton Bay, where commercial and recreational fishing occurs. Prof Hamilton has warned that plastic pollution is an escalating menace, and the effect of pollutants in human bodies and in the plants and animals that humans eat is not yet fully understood.
The lake has also suffered from major algal blooms, driven by nutrient-rich runoff, which reflects human activity in the catchment area. Hamilton, who serves on an expert group working to resolve Forest Lake's problems, has said that the study is a red flag as the world grapples with its ever-increasing plastics crisis.
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Blue Mountains' Wollangambe River: coal mine wastewater
The Wollangambe River in the Blue Mountains World Heritage area was heavily polluted by coal mine wastewater for over 40 years. The Clarence Colliery, an active underground coal mine located upstream, discharged poorly treated wastewater directly into the river. The pollution was characterised by dangerously high concentrations of zinc and nickel, more than 10 times the known safe levels. This resulted in a significant decline in the abundance and diversity of invertebrates, with a 90% decrease in abundance and a 65% decrease in the diversity of invertebrate families below the mine waste outfall.
The Wollangambe River case highlights the impact of coal mine wastewater on aquatic ecosystems. The high levels of zinc and nickel in the water are toxic to invertebrates, which form a crucial part of the food chain for water birds, lizards, fish, and platypuses. The reduced abundance and diversity of invertebrates can have cascading effects on the surrounding ecosystem, affecting the animals that rely on them as a food source.
In 2014, water science researchers began calling for tougher regulations to address the pollution in the Wollangambe River. Their efforts, along with the support of the Blue Mountains community, led to the enforcement of stronger regulations by the New South Wales Environment Protection Agency (NSW EPA) in 2020. The improved treatment of wastewater resulted in a significant reduction in zinc and nickel concentrations, and a subsequent increase in the abundance of pollution-sensitive invertebrates.
The recovery of the Wollangambe River is a promising sign that even heavily polluted environments can be rehabilitated. Solid independent scientific research and community involvement played critical roles in achieving this positive outcome. The community's engagement with environmental regulators, such as the NSW EPA, helped address the pollution issue and trigger positive change. The owners of the Clarence Colliery, Centennial Coal, also made significant improvements to their operations and complied with tough new environmental regulations.
While the Wollangambe River is showing signs of recovery, it is important to recognise that the road to its full rehabilitation is a long one. River sediments remain contaminated by decades of zinc and nickel enrichment, and it will take time for the ecosystem to recover fully. The Wollangambe River case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding industry and government regulators accountable for their environmental impact and ensuring the protection of fragile ecosystems.
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Queensland's sugarcane fields: sediment and nutrient pollution
Queensland's sugarcane fields are a significant source of sediment and nutrient pollution, impacting the state's waterways and the Great Barrier Reef. The Queensland government has implemented regulations to minimise these environmental impacts, and sugarcane growers are adopting new farming practices to protect the Reef.
One of the primary sources of pollution from sugarcane fields is nutrient runoff. Excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, can enter waterways through rainfall, leaching, and irrigation runoff. This can lead to an increase in algae growth, reducing water quality and harming aquatic ecosystems. To address this issue, sugarcane growers are required to implement effective nutrient management practices. This includes creating farm nitrogen and phosphorus budgets and adopting new technologies like the Closed Spiked Wheel Applicator (StoolZippa) tool, which reduces the amount of chemicals leaving sugarcane paddocks.
Sediment runoff is another major concern in Queensland's sugarcane fields. Soil erosion and stream sedimentation can degrade waterways and contribute to sediment pollution in the Reef. To mitigate this, growers are encouraged to establish erosion and sediment control measures, such as treatment wetlands, sediment basins, vegetated drains, and bioreactors. These structures help to slow water flows, trap and remove sediments, and improve overall water quality.
The Queensland government has set standards and regulations for sugarcane cultivation to minimise the impact of sediment and nutrient pollution. These include the Agricultural Environmental Relevant Activity standard and the voluntary best management practice (BMP) program, Smartcane BMP. Growers must design and establish measures to reduce fine sediment and dissolved inorganic nitrogen from entering waterways, complying with the government's Reef protection regulations.
The expansion of sugarcane farming in Queensland has also led to habitat degradation and other environmental issues. Land clearance in the coastal lowlands for sugarcane growing, along with urban expansion and other agricultural activities, has resulted in landscape degradation. Additionally, sugarcane farming has been associated with issues such as acid sulphate soil pollution and the use of rodenticides, which can have detrimental effects on the surrounding ecosystems.
To address these challenges, sugarcane growers in Queensland are participating in initiatives like the Complete Nutrient Management Planning trial and the RP161 project. These projects aim to optimise nitrogen rates and provide tailored advice to improve farming production, profitability, and water quality. By adopting new farming practices and technologies, growers are working towards minimising the environmental impacts of sediment and nutrient pollution from their sugarcane fields.
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Tasmania's Queen River: mining residue and sewage
Tasmania's Queen River is a minor perennial river in the West Coast region of Tasmania, Australia. It is a tributary of the King River, which flows into Macquarie Harbour. The Queen River has been severely polluted by mining runoff and sewage for over 80 years, making it uninhabitable for aquatic life.
The Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company used the river as a dumping ground for their mining residue, disposing of an estimated 100 million tonnes of tailings into the river. This waste flowed into the lower part of the King River and then into a delta, affecting the water quality of both rivers. The mine has been closed since 1995, and while tailings no longer enter the river system, acid water continues to enter the river due to mine dewatering and runoff from waste rock dumps. This has increased the acidity of the water and dissolved metal concentrations to levels that are highly toxic, even though they have decreased since the mine's closure.
The pollution in the Queen River has had a significant impact on the environment. The river, which used to be silvery grey, is now a rusty colour due to the high levels of iron oxide and other metal sulphides that leach from the mine. The surrounding landscapes have been denuded, and the river turns red, giving it the nickname "The Red River". The high levels of pollution have also made the river unsafe for human activities such as swimming or drinking the water.
In recent years, there have been efforts to raise awareness about the effects of mining pollution on the Queen River. In 2018, dancers from TasDance performed in the river as part of The Unconformity festival, depicting native animals moving through the water and exploring local indigenous history. Additionally, there have been discussions about the need to tax mining companies appropriately and create funds to address the legacy issues caused by mining activities.
The Queen River in Tasmania is a stark example of the environmental degradation caused by inadequate mining waste management. While there have been some improvements, the river continues to suffer from the effects of acid mine drainage and increased acidity, highlighting the need for effective remediation and long-term management of mining residues.
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Frequently asked questions
The King River in Tasmania has been described as the most polluted river in Australia. It has been affected by mining pollution, with around 100 million tons of tailings deposited in the river and high levels of acidity and dissolved metals that are toxic to aquatic life.
The King River was used for over 80 years as the main carrier of mining residue and local sewage by the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company. The closure of the mine in 1995 and the construction of a tailings dam have stopped tailings from entering the river system, but acid water continues to enter the river due to mine dewatering and runoff from waste rock dumps.
The high levels of pollution in the King River have had detrimental effects on aquatic life, with increased acidity and dissolved metal concentrations making the river inhospitable to many organisms. The pollution has also impacted the local indigenous communities and the nearby Macquarie Harbour and Southern Ocean, into which the King River flows.
