 |
|
 |
|
CSIRO LATEST STUDY REPORT REVEALS NO POLLUTION IN BUYAT BAY
BUYAT, 2004-11-03 19:11:53
CSIRO: Another Clean Bill of Health for Buyat Bay Waters
3rd Scientific Study in Month proving Buyat Waters not Polluted
In an exhaustive final study, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation of Australia (CSIRO) found that Buyat Bay waters suffer no pollution of heavy metals and that the fish tissue metal concentrations are at normal levels. When the CSIRO report is combined with the results of the WHO/Minamata Institute Report and the recently released Indonesian Government Integrated Team report, the data provides an extensive picture of the environment and irrefutable scientific evidence that there is no pollution in Buyat Bay waters.
In fish populations, CSIRO found an "absence of elevated metals concentrations" and sited the finding as further evidence that Buyat Bay waters were not polluted. Concentrations of heavy metals in fish tissue were found to be similar to those reported from other unpolluted areas.
CSIRO also compared their data to long term monitoring data conducted by PT NMR during mine operations and found the results to be similar in all categories.
Key findings
The key findings of the CSIRO Study include:
- Concentrations of mercury, arsenic and other metals in coastal seawater samples were "below levels of regulatory concerns that apply in both Indonesia and the USA."
- Arsenic concentrations in marine waters averaged 2.4 parts per billion and "were well below the Indonesia Seawater Quality Standard for Marine Biota (12 parts per billion) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Continuous Concentration Criteria (36 parts per billion)." The level was consistent with PT NMR's reported long term monitoring average of 2.7 parts per billion.
- Mercury concentrations averaged .0053 parts per billion and are "orders of magnitude below the Indonesian Seawater Quality Standard for dissolved mercury (1 part per billion) and the U.S. EPA Continuous Concentration Criteria (0.94 parts per billion). The level was consistent with PT NMR's reported long term monitoring average for dissolved mercury of less than 0.05 parts per billion.
- Concentrations of mercury in fish muscle samples averaged 0.19 parts per million and were "below the most stringent Australian and World Health Organization guidelines (0.5 parts per million)."
- Concentrations of total arsenic in fish muscle samples averaged 1.61 parts per million and were "similar to the range reported for the most commonly consumed fish in the United Kingdom (1.9-8.4 parts per million)." Inorganic arsenic was shown to be well below the Australian and New Zealand Food Standard of 2 parts per million.
- Cyanide concentrations were below detection limits in both waters and fish (<0.5 parts per billion).
|
The CSIRO final report is now the 3rd scientific study issued by a top research organization in less than a month showing there is no pollution in the waters or degraded health in the fish of Buyat Bay. The CSIRO study confirms earlier findings from the World Health Organization/ National Minamata Institute (released October 4) and the Government Integrated Team (KLH - released October 19) which concluded there was no pollution in Buyat Bay waters.
The CSIRO Study was conducted on site in Buyat Bay and Totok Bay in August of 2004. Samples were shipped to CSIRO laboratories in Australia for processing and analysis.
Note: Open Disclosure of funding of CSIRO Study:
After allegations of pollution in Buyat Bay, Newmont initiated action to fund a full and independent environmental study of Buyat Bay. Newmont contacted CSIRO to conduct the study because it is considered one of the top independent laboratories in the world with extensive experience in ultratrace analysis and the assessment of contaminant impacts on aquatic systems. Equally as important, CSIRO as a Government research organization has an unquestioned reputation for accuracy, independence and integrity. Before beginning the study, Newmont met with CSIRO to request the study provide thorough and accurate data on water quality levels, water and sediment metal concentrations and fish health in the regions of Buyat Bay and Totok Bay. While on location, Newmont assisted the CSIRO team with logistical support primarily through provision of a boat to collect water samples. Newmont had no control over specific locations in which water samples were collected, nor did Newmont have any influence or participation in sampling methodology, analytical methods or study conclusions and findings. Newmont received the final report earlier this week and is releasing the full report to the public through posting on its website at www.newmont.co.id. More information on CSIRO can be found on their website at www.csiro.au.
|
|
|
|
