Impacts of metal mining on river systems: a global assessment

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Macklin, M. G.; Thomas, C. J.; Mudbhatkal, A.; Brewer, P. A.; Hudson-Edwards, K. A.; Lewin, J.; Scussolini, P.; Eilander, D.; Lechner, A.; Owen, J.; Bird, G.; Kemp, D.; Mangalaa, K. R.
• 署名单位: University of Lincoln; Massey University; La Trobe University; University of Namibia; Aberystwyth University; University of Exeter; University of Exeter; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Deltares; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; University of the Free State; Bangor University; University of Queensland; Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) - India
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-11674
• DOI: 10.1126/science.adg6704
• 发表日期: 2023-09-22
• 页码: 1345-1350
• 关键词: heavy-metals; contamination; sediments; water; geomorphology; dispersal; fluxes; basin; tyne

摘要

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.