TASMANIAN’ INDUSTRY

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18947, 17 May 1933, Page 9

TASMANIAN’ INDUSTRY

lODINE FROM KELP. RICH DEPOSITS. (Empire Press Union.) HOBART, May 10. A variety of kelp which has been found at Blackman’s Bay, in Southern Tasmania, Is believed to be so rich in iodine that there may be prospects for the establishment of an industry in the State for the extraction of iodine from seaweed. Professor A. H. S. Wallace, of Sydney, who has been collecting specimens of seaweed from Southern Tasmanian waters, found at Blackman’s Bay a new variety of kelp belonging to the same family as that growing on the Californian coast, where iodine-producing weeds ocour. Tlie sources of the world’s iodine supply are in dried-up lake beds in Germany and Chile, where there are vast potassium and sodium compounds. Tlie development of seaweeds from which iodine is obtained Is carried on assiduously on the Californian coast. The kelps around Tasmania are rich in potash, and may he used as fertilisers. Professor Lucas is of the opinion, In fact, that if the German supply of potash ever fails off that commodity may be extracted from local seaweeds. In Japan Incidentally, seaweeds are in great demand, and are sold In bundles like

other vegetables. They are rich in vitamins, and are considered a great delicacy. During the war, when the Germans were too busy to grow cabbages, tiiey consumed large auant'ties of seaweed. The iodine kelp which Professor Lucas has discovered is being submitted to tests by the Australian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.