Environment
New methods to detect toxic mine water seepage
Researchers say they have found a reliable new way of predicting whether water seeping from a mine into a creek is toxic.
After studying an east Kimberley nickel mine they say toxins only seem to affect animals in the creek in the late dry and early wet seasons.
This, they say, is easily predicted by seeing how readily the water samples conduct electricity.
Science Network [read this story]
This appears to be good news as it is much easier to control the flow of water at these times.
There was no legal requirement to conduct this research.
Mount House: Move to conserve fairy wren
An ornamental plant from the old homestead garden has invaded the river at Mt House.
Ngarinjin Rangers have been working to eradicate it, and help preserve the purple crowned fairy wren.
Science Network [read this story]
Lungworm kills tree frogs
Hopes of using a parasite as a new biological control for cane toads have been dashed.
Photo by Rod Hartvigsen
It has proven fatal to one of the Kimberley’s tree frog species.
Science Network [read this story]
One Arm Point wins Tidy Towns
One Arm Point community has taken out this year’s Tidy Towns award for the Kimberley.
You can read a media release here:
Melbourne: Strain wildlife documentary in film festival
A Kimberley documentary has featured at the Environmental Film Festival in Melbourne.
Coloured mangrove crab by Peter Strain
“Secrets of the Kimberley” features the photographic art of marine creatures by Broome Photographer Peter Strain.
He describes it as “a different way of seeing nature: anthropomorphic and art values featuring small marine creatures from the remote Kimberley shoreline”. [go to website]
The thirty minute documentary follows a journey to remote Kimberley reefs as Broome Photographer combines expressionistic pohotography of marine creatures with the work of a science team examining the extraordinary coral reefs of remote onshore reefs.
Art meets science. The photos featured in this documentary went on to become a major museum exhibition – “Line of Sight – Art meets Science on Australia’s Kimberley coast”.
New wildlife found on offshore islands
Indigenous rangers and scientists have found “new” populations of quolls and golden-backed tree rats on offshore islands.
You can read a media release here:
Free slide shows: Six new Kimberley frogs
A WA Museum scientist has described six new Kimberley frog species.
Science Network [read this story]
Dr Paul Doughty will be giving free talks at Kununurra and Broome’s libraries next month.
Broome:
7pm, Wednesday 17 September
Kununurra:
6:30pm, Thursday 18 September
Kununurra: Bushfire at Lakeside
A bushfire continues to burn west towards Lakeside.
You can read DFES’ advice here:
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