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Tracking the Aquatic Impacts of a Historical Metal Mine Using Lacustrine Protists and Diatom Algae

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Abstract

Two lake sediment cores collected near a closed Cu–Au mine were analyzed for testate amoebas, diatoms, and geochemistry to compare their utility for assessment and monitoring of aquatic impacts of metal mines. Geochemical profiles displayed the mine history as increases in mineral matter-related elements during the mining period, and as post-mining metal peaks. Biotic assemblages co-varied with geochemical shifts, and the most notable ecological changes coincided with the peaks in metal concentrations. Additionally, nutrient enrichment caused a major shift in biotic assemblages. According to the results, the mine affected the lake environment over a relatively large area but the changes were transient. Major ecological effects occurred only after the actual mining period as the tailings weathered, which delayed the metal release. This suggests that mine impacts can be significantly reduced by careful design and after-care of the waste facilities.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the K. H. Renlund Foundation for the financial support that made this research possible, Mikael Eklund for his contribution to the field operations, and Hannu Seppänen for the 137Cs analyses. This study was conducted in conjunction with the EU Life-funded RAMAS project and we extend our thanks to the RAMAS team.

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  1. Department of Geology, University of Turku, 20014, Turku, Finland

    Susanna Kihlman

  2. Geological Survey of Finland, PO Box 96, 00251, Espoo, Finland

    Susanna Kihlman

  3. Geological Survey of Finland, PO Box 1237, 70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Tommi Kauppila

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  1. Susanna Kihlman
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Correspondence to Susanna Kihlman.

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Kihlman, S., Kauppila, T. Tracking the Aquatic Impacts of a Historical Metal Mine Using Lacustrine Protists and Diatom Algae. Mine Water Environ 29, 116–134 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-009-0096-2

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