A landslip at the edge of Sydney's Royal National Park has sent thick, black sediment into nearby waterways, which scientists hope will not hurt platypuses re-homed earlier this year.

Scientists re-homing a group of platypuses in Australia’s oldest national park fear thick, black sediment from a nearby mine site could contaminate the animal’s food supply.

Earlier this month, the New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) issued a clean-up notice to the Metropolitan Colliery after a landslip in an unused part of the mine caused a large volume of debris to fall into Camp Gully Creek, near Helensburgh.

The waters of Camp Gully Creek turned an oily-black colour.

GHowever, Dr Bino and his research team had recorded a visible increase in system turbidity using devices deployed in the Hacking River. “I’m really pleased to say that all 10 of the platypuses are accounted for,” he said.

“So, my gut feeling is that the water quality from this latest mine incident probably is not directly a problem, but I’m very concerned that it could inhibit invertebrate life in the river.”