A spoiled batch of oyster liver and gill samples was the spark for fresh research collaborations between Australia and China in the areas of biological stress and water quality.

The oyster tissue samples from inner-harbour and outer-harbour sites at Port Curtis (near Gladstone) were spoiled while being freighted to the City University of Hong Kong (CUHK).

The CUHK’s Centre for Coastal Pollution and Conservation was due to analyse a range of antioxidant enzymes known to react to the oxidative stress often caused by exposure to pollutants. The Centre had previously tested mussels from Hong Kong harbour.

Central Queensland University researcher Dr Leonie Andersen (pictured right) is evaluating antioxidant enzymes as potential biomarkers of environmental stress, following her studies into bioaccumulation of metals in snails, mudcrabs and oysters in Port Curtis.

Wanting to avoid further sample spoilage, Dr Andersen flew to Hong Kong in person, taking her next batch of oyster tissues as carry-on luggage in an esky filled with dry ice (at a cost similar to the freight charge).

The next successful sample delivery was completed by CQU colleague Dr Larelle Fabbro (pictured left), who is researching the management of nutrient concentrations and algal blooms in waterways and wanted to extend links with colleagues in China.

The personal visits have paid off since Centre for Coastal Pollution of Conservation leader Professor Paul Lam and his team members have expressed an interest in further collaborations on biological stress. They are now planning to visit Australia for a toxicology conference in July.

Dr Fabbro was also able to make further contact with members of the Hydrobiology Section of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on mainland China and Chinese postgraduates interested in taking up research positions in Queensland.

Dr Andersen and Dr Fabbro are members of CQU’s Centre for Environmental Management. Dr Andersen’s oyster research has been funded by the Cooperative Research Centre for Coastal Zone, Estuary and Waterway Management (Coastal CRC).

Additional photo: Dr Andersen in Hong Kong with Centre for Coastal Pollution and Conservation researcher Dr Eric Ching.