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Chevron first identified the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - used in firefighting foam - in soil stockpiles on Barrow Island in 2020
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PFAS contaminated soil has continued to be used as construction fill across the island despite ongoing investigations
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Conservation Council of WA calls for the immediate removal of PFAS contaminated soils from the island
Contaminated soil first identified at Chevron’s Barrow Island Gorgon LNG project in 2020 has continued to be used as fill in ongoing construction works, despite the very real threat of long-term environmental harm.
The per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are commonly used in firefighting foam, are known as "forever chemicals" because they cannot be easily broken down in the environment or the body.
While Chevron has been under no explicit licence obligation to address PFAS management issues, the Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) said it should have known that use of contaminated soil stockpiles on the Island could cause serious environmental harm (as defined under section 3A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986).
It is believed the PFAS contamination has been present in soil stockpiles on the island for some time and entered stormwater drainage systems before being discharged to the environment.
Dr Kelly Duckworth, CCWA Policy and Research Manager, said the contaminated soil stockpile was equivalent to more than 7,300 standard shipping containers, or 97 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
She said 15% of soil samples from the stockpile were found to contain PFAS, with levels above the Australian and New Zealand guidance value for 99% species protection of marine/freshwater ecosystems.
A Licence Amendment Report notes the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) was aware of the contamination in 2020 and of subsequent groundwater contamination since 2022.
“Since 2020, both Chevron and the regulator knew of the PFAS environmental risks, but contaminated stormwater and soil continued to be discharged into the Class A Reserve that is home to several species of marine turtles, and other threatened flora and fauna,” Dr Duckworth said.
“The risks from PFAS have been understood for decades and firefighting foams containing this substance have not been used at civilian airports since 2010. There has been sufficient time for all other industries to have phased out these chemicals.
“Chevron is in a privileged position to be operating its facility from this Class A Reserve and should be working to the highest environmental standards possible, which includes protective and precautionary responses.
“Marine turtles are long-lived and PFAS can accumulate in body tissues. PFAS is also known to increase in concentration as it moves up the food chain, and this is a major route of exposure for turtles.
“The toxicological effects of PFAS on marine turtles is still largely undetermined, however we know it can be maternally transferred to eggs at levels which are detrimental to birds. There are mounting concerns about the risks of immunosuppression, developmental toxicity, and reduced hatching rates across different species of turtle.”
Dr Duckworth said the DWER Licence Amendment Report inadequately addresses the use of contaminated soils in future construction operations on Barrow Island and it also allows further delays in addressing the contamination problem.
“While the Licence Amendment Report provides additional controls for reuse of the contaminated stockpile, it does not explicitly exclude use of the stockpile or require that the contaminated stockpile be removed for disposal to an appropriate facility.
“CCWA is recommending that a precautionary approach be taken, and the stockpile be removed from Barrow Island to eliminate the risk of further migration of PFAS into the environment of Barrow Island.”
CCWA is also calling for further controls:
- to promptly address further leachate leaving the stockpiled soils;
- for the immediate cessation of re-use of contaminated soils;
- for remediation activities to clean up the contamination; and
- for further monitoring of wildlife for impact from PFAS.
“Monitoring for PFAS contamination provides a retrospective account of contamination levels – it is not preventative. New regulatory controls are aimed at reducing or managing the ongoing risks associated with the stockpile, however, the proposed controls will result in further delays in the implementation of real preventative or remedial controls.
“Chevron and DWER have known about this contamination issue for more than four years - Chevron should have already developed a plan and be acting to fixing the problem, rather than spending more time on developing a plan of action.”
“Most of the proposed new regulatory controls are monitoring and reporting rather than proactive remedial or hazard reduction activities. We would also note that Chevron has not been officially penalised in any way for releasing PFAS pollution into the environment of a Class A Reserve.”
The following Protected Matters are listed as on or proximate to Barrow Island:
- Listed Marine Species: 88
- Whales and Other Cetaceans: 14
- Habitat Critical to the Survival of Marine Turtles: 3
- State Reserves: 4
- Biologically Important Areas: 20
Species of particular concern include:
- Curlew Sandpiper – Critically Endangered
- Eastern Curlew – Critically Endangered
- Short-nose Sea Snake – Critically Endangered
- Leaf-scaled Sea Snake – Critically Endangered
- Loggerhead Turtle – Endangered
- Leatherback Turtle - Endangered
- Green Turtle – Vulnerable
- Hawksbill Turtle – Vulnerable
- Flatback Turtle – Vulnerable