As more people call South East Queensland home, we're exploring clean, green ways to make sure the balance of nutrients in our environment remains just right so we can all enjoy our much-loved lifestyle.
That’s why we’re testing the power of seaweed in Moreton Bay, together with the University of the Sunshine Coast. It’s the first time seaweed farming had been trialled off the coast of Queensland and the results are promising.
Why seaweed? It’s good at absorbing nutrients naturally found in wastewater discharge, and could be used to help keep our waterways healthy. Too many nutrients can cause algal blooms that can reduce the level of oxygen in the water and disrupt natural ecosystems. Seaweed naturally “feeds” on nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous and helps naturally boost oxygen levels in waterways.
What did it involve? As part of the trial, four kinds of locally harvested seaweed were nurtured at the CSIRO’s Bribie Island research facility, before the different species were tested at our science lab in Darra for their effectiveness in removing nutrients. Then, more than 125 kg of seaweed was grown in the bay to trial it in real conditions.
What have we discovered? The results proved that native seaweeds can be reliably grown in Moreton Bay. We also know which seaweeds are best at growing quickly and removing nutrients, the most effective way to net and attach seaweed underwater, and the scale of seaweed farming needed to improve the health of our waterways.
Want to know more? We’ll be sharing more fascinating facts about this project on Facebook and LinkedIn.