Impacts of metal mining on river systems: a global assessment

Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolynErthygladolygiad gan gymheiriaid

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Dangosydd eitem ddigidol (DOI)

  • M.G. Macklin
    University of Lincoln
  • Christopher Thomas
    University of Lincoln
  • Amogh Mudbhatkal
    University of Lincoln
  • P.A. Brewer
    Aberystwyth University
  • Karen Hudson-Edwards
    College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, 9 TR10 9EZ, UK.
  • John Lewin
    Aberystwyth University
  • Paul Scussolini
    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  • Dirk D. Eilander
    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  • Alex Lechner
    Monash university, Jakarta
  • John Owen
    University of the Free State
  • Graham Bird
  • Deanna Kemp
    University of Queensland
  • K Mangalaa
    Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India
An estimated 23 million people live on floodplains affected by potentially dangerous concentrations of toxic waste derived from past and present metal mining activity. We analyzed the global dimensions of this hazard, particularly in regard to lead, zinc, copper, and arsenic, using a georeferenced global database detailing all known metal mining sites and intact and failed tailings storage facilities. We then used process-based and empirically tested modeling to produce a global assessment of metal mining contamination in river systems and the numbers of human populations and livestock exposed. Worldwide, metal mines affect 479,200 kilometers of river channels and 164,000 square kilometers of floodplains. The number of people exposed to contamination sourced from long-term discharge of mining waste into rivers is almost 50 times greater than the number directly affected by tailings dam failures.
Iaith wreiddiolSaesneg
Tudalennau (o-i)1345-1350
CyfnodolynScience
Cyfrol381
Rhif y cyfnodolyn6664
Dynodwyr Gwrthrych Digidol (DOIs)
StatwsCyhoeddwyd - 22 Medi 2023

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