UQ researchers finding solutions to soil salinity and global warming

Research trials near the University of Queensland's Gatton Campus could solve much of Australia's soil sodicity and salinity problems and advance the fight against global warming, according to UQ postgraduate student, Mr. Cameron Wearing.

Sodicity and salinity are two of the most serious threats to modern day agriculture and global warming an issue of international concern. Now the Hokuriku Electric Power Company from Japan, a Lockyer Valley farmer and UQ researchers are tackling these global environmental problems with the help of a by-product from power generation.

A by-product from the burning of coal known as Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) Gypsum, is being used in trials in the Lockyer Valley to reclaim Australian sodic soils, with a view to establishing forests for the accumulation of carbon. This in turn works to counter the effect of global warming.

The site of the trial is a property 10km from UQ Gatton and just like vast areas of Australia, it was once a productive agricultural field but has been left barren by the twin curses of sodicity and salinity. Now the site is a reclamation showcase, demonstrating that by working together agriculture and industry can solve the big environmental questions.

The postgraduate student Mr. Cameron Wearing is responsible for the trial's maintenance.

'The possibilities of this approach to soil reclamation are very exciting as it could lead to thousands of hectares of trees being planted, not only to reclaim degraded Australian soils, but to solve the problem of global warming as well. There are only winners in this story,' said Mr. Wearing.

Mr. Daryl Byrne, the manager of the property on which the field trial has been established, is also impressed with the possibilities.

'Everybody talks about these problems but to actually see something being done about them and here on my farm? that's something else,' he said.

Further information can be sought from:
Mr Cameron Wearing 07 5460 1317
Mr Phil Matthew 07 5460 1360