Coal wastewater linked to higher frog fungus in Sydney national park
Study found higher chytrid fungus levels in frogs downstream of coal wastewater discharge.
Researchers at Macquarie University sampled two frog species in Royal National Park, south of Sydney. They found more chytrid fungus in waterways exposed to coal wastewater from the nearby Metropolitan Mine.
The study was published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances. It was done between December 2022 and February 2023.
This was a few months after the mine released polluted water into Camp Gully Creek. Lead author Shannon Kaiser said the wastewater could not be proven as the cause.
But she urged water quality checks to include frog health and disease levels. The EPA fined mine operator Peabody more than $500,000 for the spill.
Peabody has since spent more than $1.5 million on upgrades. Now Peabody funds a program to help the southern stuttering frog recover from fungal infection.
- Royal National Park, south of Sydney
- Study location
- Macquarie University
- Research institution
- December 2022 to February 2023
- Study period
- more than $500,000
- EPA fine to Peabody
Why it mattersCoal mining can harm wildlife even without direct damage. This raises questions about how companies check their environmental impact.
AustraliaAustralia's oldest national park shows signs of coal industry wastewater affecting native frog populations, a concern for conservation efforts across the country.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 44 min ago
