A new discovery of toxic effects related to a blue-green alga, detected throughout the Fitzroy Catchment following research conducted by CQUniversity and the Australian Water Quality Research Centre, should lead to increased monitoring of Central Queensland waterways and reduced health risks for animals and people.

Principal investigator, Associate Professor Larelle Fabbro said the research describes new toxic effects not produced by known algal toxins.

"Further work and funding is needed to isolate the toxin, determine its chemical structure and to assess its impact . The more information we have the better prepared we will be," Dr Fabbro said.

"As with all toxic blue-green algae, the important elements are regular monitoring and optimal water treatment to avoid negative effects on public health."

The research findings come from a CQUniversity and Australian Water Quality Research Centre collaborative research project which was financed by the Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) and supported by BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance.

These findings are to be published in the international scientific journal Environmental Toxicology.