Imagine a world without animals—no butterflies fluttering through the air, no cicadas singing in the summer, no birds soaring overhead. While this is far from our reality today, we are at risk of losing some of our beloved species, such as freshwater sea turtles. A recent joint study by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) has revealed alarming signs of population decline and the toxic impact of PFAS chemicals on Queensland’s freshwater turtles, potentially pushing their populations toward collapse.

According to Molly Ginty and Courtney Lindwall, writers for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl—are man-made synthetic chemicals that are nearly indestructible. These chemicals are carried across far distances by wind, water, and tides. This reaches even the most remote ecosystems. Dr David Beale, a Senior Research Scientist at CSIRO, explains that high concentrations of PFAS has caused severe health impacts for freshwater turtles. “Exposure to high concentrations of PFAS impacts essential metabolic processes in the turtles we sample,” Dr. Beale says. “Adults had a high risk of forming gout, which is deadly in reptiles. We also found that eggs had altered ratios of essential minerals and hatchlings had a high rate of defects in their shells.”

Principal Scientist Dr Suzanne Vardy highlights the extent of the problem. As part of a three-year investigation, researchers captured, measured, tagged, and released nearly 350 freshwater turtles. “PFAS concentrations were detected up to 30 times higher in the blood and organs of turtles from the highly contaminated area, compared to control sites where there were low levels of PFAS in the water,” Dr Vardy said. “When we looked at the population, we found that there was a lack of juveniles at the more contaminated site. The findings revealed significant metabolic disruptions in PFA’s-exposed turtles, with alterations in amino acid and lipid metabolism, energy production and stress responses.” PFAS are not only harmful to sea turtles but to many other animal species as well, making it crucial to implement regulations and bans to protect wildlife.

 In response, DETSI is undertaking various actions, including funding research to remove PFAS from the environment and collaborating with government agencies to address PFAS contamination in Queensland. Currently, the European Union, Japan, and Canada have also banned some PFAS. However, outside these countries, PFAS remain poorly regulated, reported Sharon Guynup, a writer for Mongabay, an American environmental news website.

PFAS chemicals pose a serious threat to wildlife and ecosystems. While some countries are starting to take action, much more needs to be done. If we want to continue sharing our world with the unique and diverse species that inhabit it, we must act now to reduce and regulate the use of these harmful chemicals before it’s too late.