Refinery sulphur emissions used ... to restore landscape

From the Western Telegraph, first published Wednesday 18th Aug 2004.

In a ground-breaking conservation project, sulphur emissions from the Texaco refinery are helping to restore a landscape to its original state.

The aim is to recreate smaller fields, heathland, herb-rich grassland and bird-friendly arable crops at Trehill Farm, Marloes.

You'd be forgiven for thinking that an act of environmental vandalism was being committed as you see what looks like a yellow dust being spread over the fields.

But Matt Sutton, Countryside Council for Wales, said: "You're watching a curious paradox. A few years ago, environmental groups were pressing oil refineries to clean up emissions. Sulphur released into the air was the chief ingredient of `acid rain' - air pollution responsible for damaging forests and rivers.

"Now, refineries have invested in `sulphur recovery units'. When I asked Texaco if they would give me a load to spread on fields for a conservation project, they thought I'd lost the plot."

The fields, between Marloes Sands and the Deer Park, are part of the National Trust-owned Trehill Farm. Over 200 acres of the farm are being restored.

"The soils have been boosted with fertiliser and lime over the years - fine for crops, but too rich for plants like heather to establish," said Matt. "We've already scraped off the enriched topsoil in places, and used it to put back some of the old hedge-banks.

The sulphur will counteract the lime, and get us back to naturally acidic soil conditions." "This is a classic example of an environmental project with multiple benefits. We're working with local industry, putting a once polluting by-product to good use.

"We've provided work for local contractors - machinery hire, fencing, heather harvesting, sulphur haulage and spreading, hedge-banking and ecological research.

"The public will soon have free access to the new heathland areas, and this popular stretch of coast path should become even more of a draw to `eco-tourists', he added.

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