Impacts of metal mining on river systems: a global assessment
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
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Yn: Science, Cyfrol 381, Rhif 6664, 22.09.2023, t. 1345-1350.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Impacts of metal mining on river systems: a global assessment
AU - Macklin, M.G.
AU - Thomas, Christopher
AU - Mudbhatkal, Amogh
AU - Brewer, P.A.
AU - Hudson-Edwards, Karen
AU - Lewin, John
AU - Scussolini, Paul
AU - D. Eilander, Dirk
AU - Lechner, Alex
AU - Owen, John
AU - Bird, Graham
AU - Kemp, Deanna
AU - Mangalaa, K
PY - 2023/9/22
Y1 - 2023/9/22
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
U2 - 10.1126/science.adg670
DO - 10.1126/science.adg670
M3 - Article
VL - 381
SP - 1345
EP - 1350
JO - Science
JF - Science
SN - 0036-8075
IS - 6664
ER -