CRL ENERGY LTD

MINE DRAINAGE IMPACTS: BIOLOGY


     

MINE DRAINAGE SUBMENU
Researchers: Jon Harding, Olivier Champeau, and Dev Niyogi

This objective aims to identify mining drainage impacts on the aquatic ecology of receiving ecosystems when the potential risks to water quality (Objective 1) are realized. Numerous streams are already impacted by mine drainage from current and historic mining activities.  As responsibility is being placed on the mining industry for the restoration of degraded ecosystems there is an increasing need to understand the processes that trigger the recovery of stream communities. The objective is to improve our understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity underlying mine drainage impacts, and determine what processes are vital to the recovery of an impacted system once impact management strategies are put into action (Objective 3).

Mine drainage toxicity is complicated by the complex relationship between dissolved and precipitated metals and pH. Survey data is being collected at a range of sites in order to classify levels of environmental impact on stream biotic communities associated with different levels of mine drainage. Toxicity tests with different kinds of mine drainage are being conducted on representative species in an effort to tease out the key factors driving toxicity under different conditions.

Survey and toxicity information will be used to classify levels of impact that can occur under various conditions. This classification will enable industry and regulators to work together to select acceptable levels of impacts for a given ecosystem and will provide a defined end point for the mining industry and regulators to agree upon prior to commencing mining activities.

Outputs
2009

Fact Sheet 3: Biology (PDF 684KB)
2008
O'Halloran, K., Cavanagh, J., & Harding, J. (2008). Response of a New Zealand mayfly (Deleatidum spp.) to acid mine drainage: Implications for mine remediation. In:Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. Vol. 27:5, pp. 1135–1140

Harding, J. & Champeau, O. (2008). Can benthic invertebrates be used to predict impacts in streams with acid mine inputs? In: Newsletter of the Freshwater Ecology Research Group, August 2008. Christchurch: School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury

Harding, J., Bray, J. & Niyogi, D. (2008). Do algae grow in acid mine waters? In: Newsletter of the Freshwater Ecology Research Group, July 2008. Christchurch: School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury

Pope, J., Trumm, D., Harding, J., Rait, R., Niyogi D., Champeau O., Cavanagh, J., Clemens, A., Buxton, R., Haffert, L. & Craw, D. (2008). West Coast and Southland Mine Drainage Workshop II. July 2008. p32  Christchurch: CRL Energy

2007

Bray, J., Broady, P. & Harding, J. (2007). Algae as indicators of mine drainage impacts on the West Coast, South Island, New Zealand. NZ Freshwater Sciences Conference. Rotorua: CRL Energy Ltd. (Link to abstract).
2006

Harding, J. (2006). Benthic stream communities in naturally and anthropogenically acidified streams on the West Coast of New Zealand. North American Benthological Society Conference. Anchorage:North American Benthological Society.

Pope, J., Trumm, D., Harding, J., O'Halloran, K., Cavanagh, J., Clemens, A., Buxton, R. & Craw, D. (2006). West Coast Coal and Gold Mine Drainage Workshop. p. 23. Christchurch: CRL Energy Ltd.
2005

Barnden, A. (2005). Ecology of streams affected by iron precipitates and iron floculants [MSc thesis]. Christchurch: University of Canterbury.

Barnden, A. & Harding, J. (2005). Shredders and leaf breakdown in streams polluted by coal mining in the South Island, New Zealand. New Zealand Natural Sciences, v. 30, p. 35-48.

Cavanagh, J., O'Halloran, K., Black, A., & Harding, J. (2005). Integration of aquatic toxicity data in a decision making framework for mining. Australian Society for Ecotoxicity. Melbourne: Australian Society for Ecotoxicity
Selected Presentations

Champeau, O., Harding, J. & Niyogi, D. (2008). Progress on ecological Impacts. Powerpoint presentation. West Coast and Southland Mine Drainage Workshop II. July 2008

Harding, J. (2006). Objective 2 Summary. Environment Southland Information Meeting: Invercargill, November 2006.

Harding, J., Champeau, O. & Niyogi, D. (2008). Predicting ecological Impacts. Powerpoint presentation. West Coast and Southland Mine Drainage Workshop II. July 2008
Related Publications

Moore, T., Black, A., Centeno, J., Harding, J. & Trumm, D. (Eds.). (2005). Metal contaminants in New Zealand: Sources, treatments, and effects on ecology and human health, p. 490. Christchurch, New Zealand: Rezolutionz Press.

Harding, J. (2005). Impacts of Metals and Mining on Stream Communities. In: Moore, T.A., Black, A., Centeno, J.A., Harding, J.S., & Trumm, D.A. (Eds.). Metal contaminants in New Zealand: Sources, treatments, and effects on ecology and human health. p. 343-359. Christchurch: Resolutionz Press.