The news that the environment minister has given the green light for the North West Shelf liquefied natural gas project until 2070 has raised significant concerns regarding the state of the nearby Murujuga rock art site. A UNESCO world heritage site under consideration for listing, this unique rock art site is facing a major threat due to the pollution released by the expanding gas plant at Karratha, Western Australia. The Murujuga rock art site holds an immense cultural and spiritual significance to the Traditional Owners, featuring over 1 million petroglyphs, many dating back an astonishing 50,000 years. As the oldest depiction of the human face in the world, it also records the lore and traditions of Aboriginal Australians since the first human settlement of the continent. However, the industrial precinct built at the centre of the site poses a significant threat to the rock art. The recent Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program Year 2 report highlights the devastating impact of industrial pollution on the site. The findings indicate that the rock surfaces are degraded due to the acidic emissions from industry, and the elevated porosity of the rocks puts the survival of the petroglyphs at risk. The report’s data suggests that the industrial emissions are not limited to the old defunct power plant, but are also being released by the current industrial activities in the immediate area. The study by Jolam Neumann on the impacts of industrial pollution on Murujuga rocks further confirms this, finding elevated porosity in both rock surfaces and degradation of manganese and kaolinite from the surface. The rock varnish, a crucial component of the rock art, is also under threat due to the increased porosity. This varnish forms at a slow rate and relies on the presence of specialized microbes called cyanobacteria to thrive. However, industrial emissions are eliminating these microbes, causing the manganese sheaths to degrade and the rock art to eventually disintegrate. The government has downplayed the findings, focusing on the defunct power plant as the primary culprit. However, the report’s data suggests that contemporary industrial emissions are damaging the rock art at least five times faster than the old power plant. Neumann’s research also shows that the bulk of the industrial damage is likely more recent than 1994 and is ongoing. The Murujuga rock art site is not only a cultural and spiritual site of immense importance but also an irreplaceable piece of natural history. Losing 50,000 years of culture would be a devastating loss to humanity. Therefore, immediate action is needed to reduce industrial pollution levels at Murujuga to zero. There are two well-recognised ways to eliminate NO₂ emissions, which should form part of the conditions to the ministerial approval of the North West Shelf extension. These methods include selective catalytic reduction and replacing all gas burning heat production processes with electricity. The use of such technologies can help to mitigate the damage being done to the Murujuga rock art site and protect this unique and irreplaceable piece of natural history. As the government and the mining industry consider the approval of the North West Shelf extension, it is crucial to take a closer look at the potential impacts on the Murujuga rock art site and to take proactive steps to reduce the harm caused by industrial pollution. In conclusion, the fate of Murujuga rock art hangs in the balance. The continued expansion of the North West Shelf liquefied natural gas project poses a significant threat to this unique and culturally significant site. It is imperative that the government and the mining industry take immediate action to reduce the harm caused by industrial pollution and protect the long-term integrity of the rock art.
Consequences of Industrial Pollution on Murujuga Rock Art
• The rock surfaces are degraded due to acidic emissions from industry. • Elevated porosity of the rocks puts the survival of the petroglyphs at risk. • The rock varnish, a crucial component of the rock art, is under threat due to increased porosity. • The rock varnish forms at a slow rate and relies on the presence of specialized microbes called cyanobacteria to thrive. • Industrial emissions are eliminating these microbes, causing the manganese sheaths to degrade and the rock art to eventually disintegrate. • Contemporary industrial emissions are damaging the rock art at least five times faster than the old power plant. • The bulk of the industrial damage is likely more recent than 1994 and is ongoing.
The Role of Selective Catalytic Reduction
• Selective catalytic reduction is a technology that can convert NO₂ to nitrogen and water. • This method is well-recognised as a way to eliminate NO₂ emissions. • The use of selective catalytic reduction can form part of the conditions to the ministerial approval of the North West Shelf extension.
Replacing Gas Burning Heat Production with Electricity
• Replacing all gas burning heat production processes with electricity is another well-recognised method to eliminate NO₂ emissions. • This method can form part of the conditions to the ministerial approval of the North West Shelf extension. • The use of such technologies can help to mitigate the damage being done to the Murujuga rock art site and protect this unique and irreplaceable piece of natural history.
Protecting the Murujuga Rock Art Site
• Immediate action is needed to reduce industrial pollution levels at Murujuga to zero. • The use of selective catalytic reduction and replacing gas burning heat production with electricity can form part of this action. • It is crucial to take a closer look at the potential impacts on the Murujuga rock art site and to take proactive steps to reduce the harm caused by industrial pollution.
Quote from Robert Bednarik
• “The area where this rock came from now has elevated porosity, but the Bendarik rock shows no signs of it. This means the bulk of the industrial damage is likely more recent than 1994 – and is ongoing.”
• – Robert Bednarik
Quote from Jolam Neumann
• “His work confirms industrial emissions are the cause of the elevated porosity in the report. His work shows the seriousness of the porosity: it is symptomatic of a process causing the rapid disintegration of the rock surface.”
• – Jolam Neumann
The Significance of Murujuga Rock Art
• Murujuga rock art site holds an immense cultural and spiritual significance to the Traditional Owners. • It features over 1 million petroglyphs, many dating back an astonishing 50,000 years. • As the oldest depiction of the human face in the world, it also records the lore and traditions of Aboriginal Australians since the first human settlement of the continent. • The rock art is a unique and irreplaceable piece of natural history. • Losing 50,000 years of culture would be a devastating loss to humanity.
The Threat to Murujuga Rock Art
• The industrial precinct built at the centre of the site poses a significant threat to the rock art. • The recent Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program Year 2 report highlights the devastating impact of industrial pollution on the site. • The government has downplayed the findings, focusing on the defunct power plant as the primary culprit. • However, the report’s data suggests that contemporary industrial emissions are damaging the rock art at least five times faster than the old power plant. • The bulk of the industrial damage is likely more recent than 1994 and is ongoing. • Immediate action is needed to reduce industrial pollution levels at Murujuga to zero.
Recommendations for Action
• The use of selective catalytic reduction and replacing gas burning heat production with electricity can form part of the conditions to the ministerial approval of the North West Shelf extension. • Immediate action is needed to reduce industrial pollution levels at Murujuga to zero. • It is crucial to take a closer look at the potential impacts on the Murujuga rock art site and to take proactive steps to reduce the harm caused by industrial pollution. • Protecting the Murujuga rock art site is essential for preserving Australia’s unique cultural heritage and protecting this irreplaceable piece of natural history.
The Fate of Murujuga Rock Art: A Call to Action
The Murujuga rock art site is a unique and culturally significant site that faces a significant threat due to the pollution released by the expanding gas plant at Karratha, Western Australia. The recent report by the Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program Year 2 highlights the devastating impact of industrial pollution on the site. The findings indicate that the rock surfaces are degraded due to acidic emissions from industry, and the elevated porosity of the rocks puts the survival of the petroglyphs at risk. The government and the mining industry have a responsibility to take proactive steps to reduce the harm caused by industrial pollution and protect the long-term integrity of the rock art. The use of selective catalytic reduction and replacing gas burning heat production with electricity can form part of this action. Immediate action is needed to reduce industrial pollution levels at Murujuga to zero. Protecting the Murujuga rock art site is essential for preserving Australia’s unique cultural heritage and protecting this irreplaceable piece of natural history. The fate of Murujuga rock art hangs in the balance. The continued expansion of the North West Shelf liquefied natural gas project poses a significant threat to this unique and culturally significant site. It is imperative that the government and the mining industry take immediate action to reduce the harm caused by industrial pollution and protect the long-term integrity of the rock art. The world is watching, and it is essential that we take proactive steps to preserve this incredible piece of natural history.
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