Reporting the findings of a four-year trial, postgraduate student Cameron Weaving said native trees were now successfully established in what had been barren, salt-infested paddock prior to reclamation with a by-product from coal-fired power generation called Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) Gypsum.

“This is truly a win, win, win solution,” Wearing said.

“Sulphur emissions from coal-fired power stations in Japan are reduced by producing FGD Gypsum, which can then be used to reclaim sodic and salt-affected land. In the process, we can establish forests that accumulate carbon emissions, which would otherwise contribute to global warming.”

The project is in partnership with Japan’s Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industry.

The 8000 square metre trial site was originally productive farmland, abandoned after the ravages of soil sodicity and salinity. However, since the project started in late 2000, the site has been transformed into a showcase for soil reclamation.

“In less than four years the site has gone from being nothing more than a salt pad to now growing over 1000 trees, the majority of which are four metres tall,” he said.

Report courtesy Queensland Resources Council