Northern Territory's gas industry regulator is investigating claims a gas company caused contamination at Tanumbirini cattle station in the Beetaloo Basin, which Traditional Owners say poses a threat to Country, water and cultural sites.

University of Sydney Water Ecologist Professor Ian Wright told the ABC's 7:30 program broadcast Monday evening that his studies in the area in question found "quite a few metals" that he would regard as an ecological concern.

"We also found barium and that was strange because the barium was in the highest concentration out of all the metals, and in 30 years of sampling I have never seen that," he said.

"In my opinion it is likely there was serious material harm."

In response to Dr Wright's report the NT's gas industry regulator launched its own investigation, which is ongoing.

Dr Wright warned that the laws in the Territory are inadequate for protecting the environment.

"I think there is very weak regulation here," he said.

The recent Pepper Inquiry made a series of recommendations to strengthen environmental protections regarding the gas industry in the Territory.

While the NT government says it has implemented all of those recommendations, some Traditional Owners have disputed this claim.

Tanumbirini Station manager Mick Tasker told 7:30: "We just want them (the NT government) to really regulate it more."

"Just say we have other incomes, we are probably better off not going down this path," he said, in reference to fracking.

The gas company, Tamboran, paid a $6,500 fine in January for using more than 300,000 litres of drilling sump waste water for dust suppression, which Dr Wright believes was "probably the source of the contaminants that were found in the pipe that was dumped out into the paddock".

"That is really alarming if that's the case," he told the ABC.

In response to the broadcast, a Traditional Owners group expressed dismay at potential risks to their Country and, in particular, the sacred Newcastle Creek which runs across the Beetaloo Basin and has sites protected under the NT Sacred Sites Act.

In a statement, Nurrdalinji Native Title Aboriginal Corporation noted that "the three incidents are: drill water used to manage dust; a bund wall breaking spilling sediment and potentially toxic chemicals down towards a sacred waterway; and what appears to be the pumping of toxic wastewater, containing heavy metals including lead, as well as barium, which is highly toxic to humans, stock, wildlife and the environment, into a cattle breeding paddock".

Djingili Elder and cultural advisor to Nurrdalinji, Janet Sandy Gregory, said the incidents show "us once again why we do not want fracking which will poison our water, our animals and upset the songlines that run across our country".

"I felt my spirit and heart were breaking. I worry about the country and the future and what it's going to hold for my family and my people," she said.

"We have asked the Territory sacred sites authority to look into this because we fear for our country."

Nurrdalinji chair Johnny Wilson said the Professor Wright's findings reflect "what Traditional Owners have long feared, that fracking will damage our water, country and songlines which mean absolutely everything to us and were passed down for us to care for".

"This is my grandfather's country which I have a responsibility to look after. It tears at my heart to imagine how fracking by Tamboran might be damaging what I have been asked to protect," he said.

Jingili Senior Traditional Owner Mark Raymond said the incidents at Tanumbirini Station sadden him.

"I have two totems up that way. I don't want any fracking anywhere. I don't want that to be my legacy for my grandchildren, I want them to know the country and protect it," he said.

A Tamboran spokesperson told National Indigenous Times that the company is awaiting the outcome of an ongoing DEPWS report.

"Tamboran understands that Rallen has made a number of recent adverse submissions to DEPWS. Tamboran has asked Rallen to share those submissions, and the underlying data. To date, Rallen has refused to provide that information," he said.

"Drilling wastewater has never been transferred to the sediment basins that are designed to accommodate overland waterflow/rain that accumulates on the lease pad. As per the photographic evidence provided to the ABC, and can be confirmed by physical inspection, only rainwater that accumulated on top of the cover of the wastewater storage tank, not in contact with wastewater, was transferred to sediment basins prior to testing and discharge off the lease as per the approved EMP. Sweetpea (Tamboran) categorically denies this allegation."

The spokesperson said Tamboran has undertaken "extensive testing with independent, NATA-accredited laboratories and can demonstrate that the allegations of transfers of drilling fluids to the sediment basins is not supported by data".

"Although Tamboran has not received any information directly from Rallen about its purported concerns, it understands Rallen has various wastewater and alleged elevated mineral or metal level concerns," he said.

"Tamboran does not accept that any of those concerns are well founded or credible. Tamboran has, at all times, sought to act in accordance with its EMP, the applicable regulations and environmental standards in the Northern Territory. Wherever an issue requiring regulatory engagement has been identified, Tamboran has promptly engaged with the relevant regulators and has implemented safe and sustainable operational plans."

A spokesperson for the NT Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security told National Indigenous Times that the current Northern Territory government "has done more to strengthen regulation of the onshore petroleum industry than any previous government".

"Our regulations are among the strictest in the world. The Northern Territory government is investing $2 million ongoing from 2023-24 to further strengthen environmental regulation of the onshore petroleum industry," they said.

"Tamboran Resources have reported matters of interest to the regulator, as per regulatory requirements, including the focus of your media query. The regulator undertakes all compliance and enforcement activities in accordance with its Compliance and Enforcement Policy, Enforcement Guideline and prioritises the activities set out in its annual Compliance Plan.

"The fact we are investigating the Tanumbirini matter proves we have strong regulations in place. We will have more to say about the Tanumbirini investigation once it's complete."