Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

In general, I'd say that Australia is about the same at plastic and micro-plastic pollution as most similarly developed countries, but we're doing something about that, now. Single use plastic bags are now illegal in most states, for example, and plastic drink bottles in most states are returnable, for the refund of a pretty stiff deposit.

BUT where it really matters, and where there is still a big problem, is with the Great Barrier Reef. The main threats affecting the reef at the present time are a) climate change, b) agricultural runoff from coastal streams and c) attack by the crown-of-thorns starfish. The latter two are linked, of course, as high nutrient load in the water aids the out-of-control spread of crown-of-thorns, and the excess nutrient load is due to agricultural runoff. Of course the runoff also includes sediment plumes and agricultural toxic chemicals and other nasties. One recent Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority report highlights this issue http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/our-work/reef- ... ook-report Of course there are many other pristine reefs vulnerable to this kind of damage, but most are in regions with relatively little agricultural activity in the adjoining mainland. (E.g. Ningaloo reef off the West Australian coast.)