April 30, 2009 -- The largest species of cuttlefish in the world is at risk from a huge desalination plant being proposed in South Australia, say researchers. The comments, from a marine ecologist and oceanographer, come on the eve of the release of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) covering the plant. BHP Billiton defends the impacts of the plant, which it wants to build in the Upper Spencer Gulf for its expanded Olympic Dam uranium, copper and gold mine. "BHP Billiton will reveal in the EIS the outcome of a great deal of research which demonstrates that there will be no adverse impact on cuttlefish from the operation of the desalination plant," Richard Yeeles of BHP Billiton said in a statement. But, marine ecologist Bronwyn Gillanders of the University of Adelaide said her research suggests otherwise. Related Content:
Gillanders is co-author of a recent study, published in the journal Marine Environmental Research, which examined the impact of brine on the giant Australian cuttlefish. The cuttlefish (Sepia apama) are the largest in the world and a master of disguise, changing both their texture and color to fit in with their surroundings. The Upper Spencer Gulf is a hotbed of breeding for the cuttlefish, which Gillanders believes are a species of their own. "You get tens to hundreds of thousands of individuals and that's the only known breeding aggregation of cuttlefish in the world so it's really quite unique," she said. The cuttlefish breed only once a year and then die, so anything that interrupts their breeding and development can have a serious impact on their population. Gillanders' study, funded by the university, measured the survival of cuttlefish eggs under different concentrations of brine. She found that 100 percent of eggs survived at normal background levels of salinity of 38 to 40 parts per thousand. But, survival rates dropped off once salinity reached 45 parts per thousand, with all eggs being killed at 50 and 55 parts per thousand. "The level that would potentially be discharged would be much higher than that," she said. Gillanders is concerned that if the salinity is not dispersed the cuttlefish will be adversely affected. BHP Billiton was unavailable today for further comment, but their Web site states that currents in the area are strong and able to help disperse the brine. Get More NewsSpiders, Scorpions Among World's Oldest CreaturesMany creepy crawlies have been on Earth much longer than previously believed.Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats Sing DuetsWhite-winged vampire bats "harmonize" with separated roost mates.Oldest Hebrew Writing Possibly FoundAncient inscriptions on a 3,000-year-old pottery shard could make history.Rare, Prehistoric-Age Reptile Found in N.Z.A tuatara has been spotted on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in 200 years.Iceman Has No Living RelativesOetzi, the 5,300 year-old frozen mummy, left no living genetic legacy.SLIDE SHOW: Landscapes of TerrorWhat makes a place feel scary? There are scientific explanations.It's Official: People Are Warming the PolesHumans are conclusively to blame for polar warming, say scientists.Eight-Armed Animal Preceded DinosaursWhat may be one of Earth's first animals was no bigger than a coaster and had eight arms.Phoenicians Live on in People's GenesOne in 17 Mediterranean men may be descended from ancient Phoenicians.Pesticides, Fertilizers Linked to Frog DeclineA pesticide is found to promote parasites among amphibians.Hubble Telescope Taking Photos AgainThe Hubble Space Telescope is once again snapping stunning photos of the universe.Andean Mummy Hairs Show Hallucinogen UseScientists find direct evidence of hallucinogenic drug use among ancient Andeans.Opals on Mars Reveal Planet's Long Wet PastOpals found on Mars suggest the planet has been wet for much longer. |
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