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Frazzoli C, Bocca B, Battistini B, Ruggieri F, Rovira J, Amadi CN, Offor SJ, Orisakwe OE. Rare Earth and Platinum Group Elements In Sub-Saharan Africa and Global Health: The Dark Side of the Burgeoning of Technology. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSIGHTS 2024; 18:11786302241271553. [PMID: 39282214 PMCID: PMC11393805 DOI: 10.1177/11786302241271553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
Despite steady progress in the development and promotion of the circular economy as a model, an overwhelming proportion of technological devices discarded by the Global North still finds its way to the Global South, where technology-related environmental health problems start from the predation of resources and continue all the way to recycling and disposal. We reviewed literature on TCEs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), focussing on: the sources and levels of environmental pollution; the extent of human exposure to these substances; their role in the aetiology of human diseases; their effects on the environment. Our review shows that even minor and often neglected technology-critical elements (TCEs), like rare earth elements (REEs) and platinum group elements (PGEs), reveal the environmental damage and detrimental health effects caused by the massive mining of raw materials, exacerbated by improper disposal of e-waste (from dumping to improper recycling and open burning). We draw attention of local research on knowledge gaps such as workable safer methods for TCE recovery from end-of-life products, secondary materials and e-waste, environmental bioremediation and human detoxification. The technical and political shortcomings in the management of TCEs in SSA is all the more alarming against the background of unfavourable determinants of health and a resulting higher susceptibility to diseases, especially among children who work in mines and e-waste recycling sites or who reside in dumping sites.This paper demonstrates, for the first time, that the role of unjust North-South dynamics is evident even in the environmental levels of minor trace elements and that the premise underlying attempts to solve the problem of e-waste dumped in Africa through recycling and disposal technology is in fact misleading. The influx of foreign electrical and electronic equipments should be controlled and limited by clearly defining what is a 'useful' second-hand device and what is e-waste; risks arising from device components or processing by-products should be managed differently, and scientific uncertainty and One Health thinking should be incorporated in risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Frazzoli
- Department of Cardiovascular and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases, and Ageing, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italian National Institute of Health), Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Bocca
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Battistini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Ruggieri
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Joaquim Rovira
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department d'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Cecilia Nwadiuto Amadi
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Port-Harcourt, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
| | - Samuel James Offor
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
| | - Orish E Orisakwe
- African Centre of Excellence for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria
- Advanced Research Centre, European University of Lefke, Lefke, Northern Cyprus, Turkey
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2
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Torres A, Zu Ermgassen SOSE, Navarro LM, Ferri-Yanez F, Teixeira FZ, Wittkopp C, Rosa IMD, Liu J. Mining threats in high-level biodiversity conservation policies. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024; 38:e14261. [PMID: 38571408 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Amid a global infrastructure boom, there is increasing recognition of the ecological impacts of the extraction and consumption of construction minerals, mainly processed as concrete, including significant and expanding threats to global biodiversity. We investigated how high-level national and international biodiversity conservation policies address mining threats, with a special focus on construction minerals. We conducted a review and quantified the degree to which threats from mining these minerals are addressed in biodiversity goals and targets under the 2011-2020 and post-2020 biodiversity strategies, national biodiversity strategies and action plans, and the assessments of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Mining appeared rarely in national targets but more frequently in national strategies. Yet, in most countries, it was superficially addressed. Coverage of aggregates mining was greater than coverage of limestone mining. We outline 8 key components, tailored for a wide range of actors, to effectively mainstream biodiversity conservation into the extractive, infrastructure, and construction sectors. Actions include improving reporting and monitoring systems, enhancing the evidence base around mining impacts on biodiversity, and modifying the behavior of financial agents and businesses. Implementing these measures could pave the way for a more sustainable approach to construction mineral use and safeguard biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Torres
- Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Georges Lemaître Earth and Climate Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Sophus O S E Zu Ermgassen
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Laetitia M Navarro
- Departamento de Biología de la Conservación y Cambio Global, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Francisco Ferri-Yanez
- Departamento de Biología de la Conservación y Cambio Global, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
- Instituto Multidisciplinar para el Estudio del Medio "Ramón Margalef", Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Fernanda Z Teixeira
- Graduate Program in Ecology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Constanze Wittkopp
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | | | - Jianguo Liu
- Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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3
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den Braber B, Oldekop JA, Devenish K, Godar J, Nolte C, Schmoeller M, Evans KL. Socio-economic and environmental trade-offs in Amazonian protected areas and Indigenous territories revealed by assessing competing land uses. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:1482-1492. [PMID: 39009851 PMCID: PMC11310078 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02458-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Protected area (PA) assessments rarely evaluate socio-economic and environmental impacts relative to competing land uses, limiting understanding of socio-environmental trade-offs from efforts to protect 30% of the globe by 2030. Here we assess deforestation and poverty outcomes (fiscal income, income inequality, sanitation and literacy) between 2000 and 2010 of strict PAs (SPAs), sustainable-use PAs (SUPAs) and Indigenous territories (ITs) compared with different land uses (agriculture and mining concessions) across ~5,500 census tracts in the Brazilian Legal Amazon. ITs reduced deforestation relative to all alternative land uses (48-83%) but had smaller socio-economic benefits compared with other protection types and land uses (18-36% depending on outcome), indicating that Indigenous communities experience socio-economic trade-offs. By contrast, SUPAs, and potentially SPAs, did not reduce deforestation relative to small-scale agriculture (landholdings <10 ha) but did so relative to larger agricultural landholdings (70-82%). Critically, these reductions in deforestation frequently occurred without negative socio-economic outcomes. By contrast, ITs and SUPAs protected against deforestation from mining, but at the cost of smaller improvements in income and inequality. Our results suggest that although PAs in the Brazilian Legal Amazon substantially reduced deforestation without compromising local socio-economic development, efforts to secure Indigenous rights need additional interventions to ensure these communities are not further disadvantaged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowy den Braber
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Johan A Oldekop
- Global Development Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Katie Devenish
- Global Development Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Javier Godar
- Stockholm Environmental Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christoph Nolte
- Department of Earth & Environment, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marina Schmoeller
- Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- International Institute for Sustainability Australia, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Karl L Evans
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
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da Silveira PHPM, da Conceição MDN, de Pina DN, de Moraes Paes PA, Monteiro SN, Tapanes NDLCO, da Conceição Ribeiro RC, Bastos DC. Impact of Different Mineral Reinforcements on HDPE Composites: Effects of Melt Flow Index and Particle Size on Physical and Mechanical Properties. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:2063. [PMID: 39065380 PMCID: PMC11280493 DOI: 10.3390/polym16142063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of mineral reinforcements in polymer matrix composites has emerged as an alternative for sustainable production, reducing waste and enhancing the physical and mechanical properties of these materials. This study investigated the impact of the melt flow index (MFI) of HDPE and the particle size of two mineral reinforcements, Bahia Beige (BB) and Rio Grande do Norte Limestone (CRN), on the composites. All composites were processed via extrusion, followed by injection, with the addition of 30 wt.% reinforcement. Chemical analyses revealed similar compositions with high CaO content for both minerals, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) identified predominantly calcite, dolomite, and quartz phases. Variations in the MFI, reinforcement type, and particle size showed a minimal influence on composite properties, supported by robust statistical analyses that found no significant differences between groups. Morphological analysis indicated that composites with lower MFI exhibited less porous structures, whereas larger particles of BB and CRN formed clusters, affecting impact resistance, which was attributed to poor interfacial adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Davi Nascimento de Pina
- West Zone Campus, Rio de Janeiro State University—UERJ, Avenida Manuel Caldeira de Alvarenga, 1203, Campo Grande, Rio de Janeiro 23070-200, RJ, Brazil; (D.N.d.P.); (P.A.d.M.P.); (S.N.M.); (N.d.L.C.O.T.)
| | - Pedro Afonso de Moraes Paes
- West Zone Campus, Rio de Janeiro State University—UERJ, Avenida Manuel Caldeira de Alvarenga, 1203, Campo Grande, Rio de Janeiro 23070-200, RJ, Brazil; (D.N.d.P.); (P.A.d.M.P.); (S.N.M.); (N.d.L.C.O.T.)
| | - Sergio Neves Monteiro
- West Zone Campus, Rio de Janeiro State University—UERJ, Avenida Manuel Caldeira de Alvarenga, 1203, Campo Grande, Rio de Janeiro 23070-200, RJ, Brazil; (D.N.d.P.); (P.A.d.M.P.); (S.N.M.); (N.d.L.C.O.T.)
| | - Neyda de La Caridad Om Tapanes
- West Zone Campus, Rio de Janeiro State University—UERJ, Avenida Manuel Caldeira de Alvarenga, 1203, Campo Grande, Rio de Janeiro 23070-200, RJ, Brazil; (D.N.d.P.); (P.A.d.M.P.); (S.N.M.); (N.d.L.C.O.T.)
| | | | - Daniele Cruz Bastos
- West Zone Campus, Rio de Janeiro State University—UERJ, Avenida Manuel Caldeira de Alvarenga, 1203, Campo Grande, Rio de Janeiro 23070-200, RJ, Brazil; (D.N.d.P.); (P.A.d.M.P.); (S.N.M.); (N.d.L.C.O.T.)
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5
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Metaxas A, Anglin CD, Cross A, Drazen J, Haeckel M, Mudd G, Smith CR, Smith S, Weaver PPE, Sonter L, Amon DJ, Erskine PD, Levin LA, Lily H, Maest AS, Mestre NC, Ramirez-Llodra E, Sánchez LE, Sharma R, Vanreusel A, Wheston S, Tunnicliffe V. Comparing environmental impacts of deep-seabed and land-based mining: A defensible framework. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17334. [PMID: 38780465 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The crises of climate change and biodiversity loss are interlinked and must be addressed jointly. A proposed solution for reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and thus mitigating climate change, is the transition from conventional combustion-engine to electric vehicles. This transition currently requires additional mineral resources, such as nickel and cobalt used in car batteries, presently obtained from land-based mines. Most options to meet this demand are associated with some biodiversity loss. One proposal is to mine the deep seabed, a vast, relatively pristine and mostly unexplored region of our planet. Few comparisons of environmental impacts of solely expanding land-based mining versus extending mining to the deep seabed for the additional resources exist and for biodiversity only qualitative. Here, we present a framework that facilitates a holistic comparison of relative ecosystem impacts by mining, using empirical data from relevant environmental metrics. This framework (Environmental Impact Wheel) includes a suite of physicochemical and biological components, rather than a few selected metrics, surrogates, or proxies. It is modified from the "recovery wheel" presented in the International Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration to address impacts rather than recovery. The wheel includes six attributes (physical condition, community composition, structural diversity, ecosystem function, external exchanges and absence of threats). Each has 3-5 sub attributes, in turn measured with several indicators. The framework includes five steps: (1) identifying geographic scope; (2) identifying relevant spatiotemporal scales; (3) selecting relevant indicators for each sub-attribute; (4) aggregating changes in indicators to scores; and (5) generating Environmental Impact Wheels for targeted comparisons. To move forward comparisons of land-based with deep seabed mining, thresholds of the indicators that reflect the range in severity of environmental impacts are needed. Indicators should be based on clearly articulated environmental goals, with objectives and targets that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Metaxas
- Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - C D Anglin
- Anglin & Associates Consulting, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - A Cross
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
- EcoHealth Network, Brookline, Massachusetts, USA
| | - J Drazen
- University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - M Haeckel
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - G Mudd
- Environmental Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - C R Smith
- University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - S Smith
- Blue Globe Solutions Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - L Sonter
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - D J Amon
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
- SpeSeas, D'Abadie, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - P D Erskine
- Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - L A Levin
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - H Lily
- Independent Legal Consultant, Canterbury, Kent, UK
| | - A S Maest
- Buka Environmental, Telluride, Colorado, USA
| | - N C Mestre
- Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA)-Infrastructure Network in Aquatic Research (ARNET), Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | | | - L E Sánchez
- Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R Sharma
- National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, India
| | - A Vanreusel
- Marine Biology Research Group Ghent University Krijgslaan, Ghent, Belgium
| | - S Wheston
- Tembusu-Sustainability & Risk Management, Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland
| | - V Tunnicliffe
- Department of Biology/School Earth & Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Borovichev EA, Kozhin MN, Koroleva NE, Petrova OV, Akhmerova DR, Shulina MV. Conservation of the Rare and Endangered Vascular Plants in the Mining and Tourism Area: Khibiny Mountains, Murmansk Region, Russia. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1180. [PMID: 38732395 PMCID: PMC11085426 DOI: 10.3390/plants13091180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The Khibiny Mountains (hereafter called Khibiny Mts.) are one of the most urbanized and industrialized regions in the Russian Arctic. There are combined a developed mining complex, elaborate infrastructure, a well-known tourist resort, and a large population, all amidst an exceptionally rich biodiversity of plants. In this study, we analyzed the current knowledge of the spatial distribution of rare and endangered vascular plants and vegetation and the impacts of human activities on these ecosystems. Approximately 28% of the protected vascular plant species in the Murmansk Region were registered within the confines of the Khibiny Mts. In particular, although only a handful of protected species had a widespread presence, most rare species were confined to the southern reaches of the mountain range, with only a select few extending into other parts. Papaver lapponicum was the only species that thrived across the entire territory, including industrial areas. The studied territory contained nine specially protected areas spanning 123,220 hectares. Nature monuments adjacent to mining sites and urban centers play an important role in preserving regional biodiversity. However, the expansion of the mining industry, alongside deforestation and wildfires, poses considerable threats to the biodiversity of the Khibiny Mts. A comprehensive biodiversity conservation strategy implemented in this region balances the local and expansive territorial protection of rare species and habitats, ensuring environmental preservation while facilitating social and economic progress, a noteworthy example of environmental protection in the Arctic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene A. Borovichev
- Avrorin Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity 184209, Russia; (M.N.K.); (N.E.K.); (O.V.P.)
| | - Mikhail N. Kozhin
- Avrorin Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity 184209, Russia; (M.N.K.); (N.E.K.); (O.V.P.)
| | - Natalia E. Koroleva
- Avrorin Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity 184209, Russia; (M.N.K.); (N.E.K.); (O.V.P.)
| | - Olga V. Petrova
- Avrorin Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity 184209, Russia; (M.N.K.); (N.E.K.); (O.V.P.)
| | - Diana R. Akhmerova
- Institute of Industrial Ecology Problems in the North, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity 184209, Russia; (D.R.A.); (M.V.S.)
| | - Maria V. Shulina
- Institute of Industrial Ecology Problems in the North, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity 184209, Russia; (D.R.A.); (M.V.S.)
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Narayan A, Diogo BS, Mansilha C, Espinha Marques J, Flores D, Antunes SC. Assessment of ecotoxicological effects of Fojo coal mine waste elutriate in aquatic species (Douro Coalfield, North Portugal). FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1334169. [PMID: 38465195 PMCID: PMC10920227 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1334169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The exploitation of anthracite A in the Pejão mining complex (Douro Coalfield, North Portugal) resulted in the formation of several coal waste piles without proper environmental control. In 2017, a new pedological zonation emerged in the Fojo area, after the ignition and self-burning of some of the coal waste piles, namely: unburned coal waste (UW); burned coal waste, and a cover layer (BW and CL, respectively); uphill soil (US); mixed burned coal waste (MBW); downhill soil (DS). This study aimed to evaluate the toxic effects of 25 soil elutriates from different pedological materials. Methods: Allivibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition assay, Lemna minor growth inhibition assay, and Daphnia magna acute assay were used to assess the toxicity effects. Additionally, total chlorophyll and malondialdehyde (MDA) content and catalase (CAT) activity were also evaluated in L. minor. Results and Discussion: The results obtained from each endpoint demonstrated the extremely heterogeneous nature of soil properties, and the species showed different sensibilities to soil elutriates, however, in general, the species showed the same sensitivity trend (A. fischeri > L. minor > D. magna). The potentially toxic elements (PTE) present in the soil elutriates (e.g., Al, Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn) affected significantly the species understudy. All elutriates revealed toxicity for A. fischeri, while US1 and UW5 were the most toxic for L. minor (growth inhibition and significant alterations in CAT activity) and D. magna (100% mortality). This study highlights the importance of studying soil aqueous phase toxicity since the mobilization and percolation of bioavailable PTE can cause environmental impacts on aquatic ecosystems and biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aracelis Narayan
- Instituto de Ciências da Terra, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Geociências, Ambiente e Ordenamento do Território, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto (FCUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Bárbara S. Diogo
- Instituto Ciências Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia da Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto (FCUP), Porto, Portugal
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Universidade do Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Catarina Mansilha
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Espinha Marques
- Instituto de Ciências da Terra, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Geociências, Ambiente e Ordenamento do Território, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto (FCUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Deolinda Flores
- Instituto de Ciências da Terra, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Geociências, Ambiente e Ordenamento do Território, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto (FCUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara C. Antunes
- Departamento de Biologia da Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto (FCUP), Porto, Portugal
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Universidade do Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
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Zhu Y, Xu X, Xi Z, Liu J. Conservation priorities for endangered trees facing multiple threats around the world. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e14142. [PMID: 37424365 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Trees are vital to the survival of numerous species and to forest ecosystem functioning. However, the current distribution, vulnerability to extinction, and conservation priorities of globally endangered trees are not well known. We mapped the global distribution of 1686 tree species listed as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List and identified conservation priority for them based on species richness, life-history traits, evolutionary distinctiveness, future climate change, and intensity of human activities. We also evaluated the impacts of various threats to these endangered tree species and evaluated the effectiveness of their protection based on the percentage of the species' range inside protected areas. The worldwide distribution of endangered trees, from the tropics through temperate zones, was uneven. Most endangered tree species were not protected in their native ranges, and only 153 species were fully protected. Hotspots of tree diversity occurred primarily in the tropics, and 79.06% of these were highly vulnerable to threats. We identified 253 areas of high priority for the conservation of endangered trees that are highly threatened and insufficiently protected. In particular, 43.42% of unprotected tree species in priority areas lacked recommended conservation measures or had no associated conservation plan. The priority conservation areas and unprotected trees we identified serve as a guideline for future management underpinning the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Bio-resource and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences & State Key Lab of Hydraulics & Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoting Xu
- Key Laboratory for Bio-resource and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences & State Key Lab of Hydraulics & Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P. R. China
| | - Zhenxiang Xi
- Key Laboratory for Bio-resource and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences & State Key Lab of Hydraulics & Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P. R. China
| | - Jianquan Liu
- Key Laboratory for Bio-resource and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences & State Key Lab of Hydraulics & Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P. R. China
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9
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Ruiz-Mondragón EDJ, Romero-Figueroa G, Paredes-Montesinos R, Tapia-Cabazos LA, Méndez-Rosas LA, Venegas-Barrera CS, Arrellano-García ME, Guerrero-Cárdenas I, Lozano-Cavazos EA. Community-Based Workshops to Involve Rural Communities in Wildlife Management Case Study: Bighorn Sheep in Baja California, Mexico. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3171. [PMID: 37893895 PMCID: PMC10603732 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The description of natural history, and information on the factors threatening conservation, the distribution area, and the status of species population are necessary for proper wildlife management. The objective of this research was to generate such information in two rural communities and to engage residents in bighorn sheep management through a program of three workshops. The first one covered training regarding natural history and management of the species. The second one consisted in the description of the habitat of the species through a dynamic of participatory mapping. The third, include a design of a one strategy to monitor the bighorn sheep population. The workshops were attended by 37 people from the two rural communities. The results suggest the economic element was the main interest of the inhabitants regarding the bighorn sheep. Eleven risk factors were identified to the bighorn sheep in the study sites, a participatory map with relevant information for the management of the species on each community was developed, and a monitoring strategy of the bighorn sheep population was prepared. The workshop program proposed in this research is a tool that can be applied in rural communities to lay the groundwork for a long-term management project of wildlife species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique de J. Ruiz-Mondragón
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, BC, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (R.P.-M.); (L.A.T.-C.); (L.A.M.-R.); (M.E.A.-G.)
| | - Guillermo Romero-Figueroa
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, BC, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (R.P.-M.); (L.A.T.-C.); (L.A.M.-R.); (M.E.A.-G.)
| | - Rafael Paredes-Montesinos
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, BC, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (R.P.-M.); (L.A.T.-C.); (L.A.M.-R.); (M.E.A.-G.)
| | - Luz A. Tapia-Cabazos
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, BC, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (R.P.-M.); (L.A.T.-C.); (L.A.M.-R.); (M.E.A.-G.)
| | - Luis A. Méndez-Rosas
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, BC, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (R.P.-M.); (L.A.T.-C.); (L.A.M.-R.); (M.E.A.-G.)
| | - Crystian S. Venegas-Barrera
- Tecnológico Nacional de México, Benito Juárez 03330, CDMX, Mexico;
- División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Victoria, Ciudad Victoria 87010, TAMPS, Mexico
| | - María E. Arrellano-García
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, BC, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (R.P.-M.); (L.A.T.-C.); (L.A.M.-R.); (M.E.A.-G.)
| | | | - Eloy A. Lozano-Cavazos
- Departamento de Recursos Naturales Renovables, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Saltillo 25315, COAH, Mexico;
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Sayers CJ, Evers DC, Ruiz-Gutierrez V, Adams E, Vega CM, Pisconte JN, Tejeda V, Regan K, Lane OP, Ash AA, Cal R, Reneau S, Martínez W, Welch G, Hartwell K, Teul M, Tzul D, Arendt WJ, Tórrez MA, Watsa M, Erkenswick G, Moore CE, Gerson J, Sánchez V, Purizaca RP, Yurek H, Burton MEH, Shrum PL, Tabares-Segovia S, Vargas K, Fogarty FF, Charette MR, Martínez AE, Bernhardt ES, Taylor RJ, Tear TH, Fernandez LE. Mercury in Neotropical birds: a synthesis and prospectus on 13 years of exposure data. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 32:1096-1123. [PMID: 37907784 PMCID: PMC10622370 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-023-02706-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Environmental mercury (Hg) contamination of the global tropics outpaces our understanding of its consequences for biodiversity. Knowledge gaps of pollution exposure could obscure conservation threats in the Neotropics: a region that supports over half of the world's species, but faces ongoing land-use change and Hg emission via artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Due to their global distribution and sensitivity to pollution, birds provide a valuable opportunity as bioindicators to assess how accelerating Hg emissions impact an ecosystem's ability to support biodiversity, and ultimately, global health. We present the largest database on Neotropical bird Hg concentrations (n = 2316) and establish exposure baselines for 322 bird species spanning nine countries across Central America, South America, and the West Indies. Patterns of avian Hg exposure in the Neotropics broadly align with those in temperate regions: consistent bioaccumulation across functional groups and high spatiotemporal variation. Bird species occupying higher trophic positions and aquatic habitats exhibited elevated Hg concentrations that have been previously associated with reductions in reproductive success. Notably, bird Hg concentrations were over four times higher at sites impacted by ASGM activities and differed by season for certain trophic niches. We developed this synthesis via a collaborative research network, the Tropical Research for Avian Conservation and Ecotoxicology (TRACE) Initiative, which exemplifies inclusive, equitable, and international data-sharing. While our findings signal an urgent need to assess sampling biases, mechanisms, and consequences of Hg exposure to tropical avian communities, the TRACE Initiative provides a meaningful framework to achieve such goals. Ultimately, our collective efforts support and inform local, scientific, and government entities, including Parties of the United Nations Minamata Convention on Mercury, as we continue working together to understand how Hg pollution impacts biodiversity conservation, ecosystem function, and public health in the tropics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Sayers
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA.
- Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica, Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, 17000, Peru.
| | - David C Evers
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | | | - Evan Adams
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Claudia M Vega
- Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica, Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, 17000, Peru
- Department of Biology, Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, 27106, USA
| | - Jessica N Pisconte
- Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica, Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, 17000, Peru
| | - Vania Tejeda
- Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica, Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, 17000, Peru
| | - Kevin Regan
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Oksana P Lane
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Abidas A Ash
- Environmental Research Institute, University of Belize, Price Center Road, P.O. Box 340, Belmopan, Cayo District, Belize
| | - Reynold Cal
- Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Tropical Education Center, 28 George Price Highway, P.O. Box 368, La Democracia, Belize District, Belize
| | - Stevan Reneau
- Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Tropical Education Center, 28 George Price Highway, P.O. Box 368, La Democracia, Belize District, Belize
| | - Wilber Martínez
- Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Tropical Education Center, 28 George Price Highway, P.O. Box 368, La Democracia, Belize District, Belize
| | - Gilroy Welch
- Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Tropical Education Center, 28 George Price Highway, P.O. Box 368, La Democracia, Belize District, Belize
| | - Kayla Hartwell
- Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Tropical Education Center, 28 George Price Highway, P.O. Box 368, La Democracia, Belize District, Belize
| | - Mario Teul
- Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Tropical Education Center, 28 George Price Highway, P.O. Box 368, La Democracia, Belize District, Belize
| | - David Tzul
- Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Tropical Education Center, 28 George Price Highway, P.O. Box 368, La Democracia, Belize District, Belize
| | - Wayne J Arendt
- International Institute of Tropical Forestry, USDA Forest Service, 1201 Calle Ceiba, Jardín Botánico Sur, San Juan, 00926-1119, Puerto Rico
| | - Marvin A Tórrez
- Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Centroamericana, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Mrinalini Watsa
- Beckman Center for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, P.O. Box 120551, San Diego, CA, 92112, USA
- Field Projects International, Escondido, CA, 92029, USA
| | | | - Caroline E Moore
- Beckman Center for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, P.O. Box 120551, San Diego, CA, 92112, USA
| | - Jacqueline Gerson
- Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Victor Sánchez
- Instituto de Investigación en Ecología y Conservación, Trujillo, Peru
| | - Raúl Pérez Purizaca
- Universidad Nacional de Piura, Urb. Miraflores S/N, Castilla, 20002, Piura, Peru
| | - Helen Yurek
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Mark E H Burton
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Peggy L Shrum
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | | | - Korik Vargas
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Finola F Fogarty
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society, 27.5 Miles Hummingbird Hwy, Stann Creek, Belize
| | - Mathieu R Charette
- Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society, 27.5 Miles Hummingbird Hwy, Stann Creek, Belize
| | - Ari E Martínez
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | | | - Robert J Taylor
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Timothy H Tear
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Luis E Fernandez
- Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica, Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, 17000, Peru
- Department of Biology, Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, 27106, USA
- Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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11
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Siddiqui SA, Fernando I, Saraswati YR, Rahayu T, Harahap IA, Yao Q, Nagdalian A, Blinov A, Shah MA. Termites as human foods-A comprehensive review. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2023; 22:3647-3684. [PMID: 37350054 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Global food production is anticipated to rise along with the growth of the global population. As a result, creative solutions must be devised to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious, affordable, and safe food. Consequently, including insects in diets has the potential to improve global food and nutrition security. This paper aims to share recent findings by covering edible termites as the main aspect, from their consumption record until consumer acceptance. A total of 53 termite species are reported as edible ones and distributed in 6 biogeographic realms. Generally, termites have a nutrient composition that is suitable for human consumption, and cooked termites are a better dietary choice than their raw counterparts. Besides, increasing customer interest in eating termite-based food can be achieved by making it more palatable and tastier through various cooking processes, that is, boiling, frying, grilling, roasting, smoking, and sun-drying. Moreover, edible termites can also be used as a new source of medication by exhibiting antimicrobial activity. Regarding their advantages, it is strongly encouraged to implement a seminatural rearing system to sustain the supply of edible termites. Overall, this paper makes it evident that termites are an important natural resource for food or medicine. Hence, the long-term objective is to stimulate scientific inquiry into the potential of edible insects as an answer to the problem of global food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahida Anusha Siddiqui
- Technical University of Munich, Department of Biotechnology and Sustainability, Straubing, Germany
- German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL e.V.), D-Quakenbrueck, Germany
| | - Ito Fernando
- Department of Plant Pest and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Yuniar Rizky Saraswati
- School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Teguh Rahayu
- CV HermetiaTech, Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
| | | | - Qifa Yao
- Insect Engineers, Melderslo, The Netherlands
| | - Andrey Nagdalian
- Department of Food Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, North-Caucasus Federal University, Stavropol, Russia
| | - Andrey Blinov
- Department of Food Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, North-Caucasus Federal University, Stavropol, Russia
| | - Mohd Asif Shah
- Department of Economics, Kabridahar University, Kabridahar, Somali, Ethiopia
- School of Business, Woxsen University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Division of Research and Development, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
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12
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Sonter LJ, Maron M, Bull JW, Giljum S, Luckeneder S, Maus V, McDonald-Madden E, Northey SA, Sánchez LE, Valenta R, Visconti P, Werner TT, Watson JEM. How to fuel an energy transition with ecologically responsible mining. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2307006120. [PMID: 37624732 PMCID: PMC10466501 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307006120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Sonter
- School of the Environment,The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science,The University of Queensland, Brisbane,QLD4072, Australia
- Sustainable Minerals Institute,The University of Queensland, Brisbane,QLD4072, Australia
| | - Martine Maron
- School of the Environment,The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science,The University of Queensland, Brisbane,QLD4072, Australia
| | - Joseph W. Bull
- Department of Biology,The University of Oxford, OxfordOX1 3AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Giljum
- Institute for Ecological Economics,Vienna University of Economics and Business,Vienna1020, Austria
| | - Sebastian Luckeneder
- Institute for Ecological Economics,Vienna University of Economics and Business,Vienna1020, Austria
| | - Victor Maus
- Institute for Ecological Economics,Vienna University of Economics and Business,Vienna1020, Austria
- Novel Data Ecosystems for Sustainability Group, Advancing Systems Analysis, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg2361, Austria
| | - Eve McDonald-Madden
- School of the Environment,The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science,The University of Queensland, Brisbane,QLD4072, Australia
| | - Stephen A. Northey
- Institute for Sustainable Futures,University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW2007, Australia
| | - Luis E. Sánchez
- Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering,University of São Paulo, São Paulo05508-220, Brazil
| | - Rick Valenta
- Sustainable Minerals Institute,The University of Queensland, Brisbane,QLD4072, Australia
| | - Piero Visconti
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Group,International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis,Laxenburg2361, Austria
| | - Tim T. Werner
- School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, TheUniversity of Melbourne, Melbourne,VIC3052, Australia
| | - James E. M. Watson
- School of the Environment,The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science,The University of Queensland, Brisbane,QLD4072, Australia
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13
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Mishra PC, Panigrahi RR, Shrivastava AK. Geo-environmental factors' influence on mining operation: an indirect effect of managerial factors. ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY 2023:1-25. [PMID: 37362978 PMCID: PMC10074338 DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-03211-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of the paper is to identify factors associated with operational factor (OF), geo-environmental factor (GEF), and managerial factor (MF) from the literature. After identification, the study intended to assess the impact of geo-environmental factors and managerial factors on operational factors of the mining industry. The study also tests the indirect effect of managerial factors between GEF and OF in the Indian environment. The geographical boundary of the study was 06 large mines of Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh of India. Three hundred and twenty nine number of purposive samples were collected via email and filtered and processed through the SPSS package. To find out the complex role and inter-relationship of GEF and MF on OF, the study adopted the structural equation modelling technique. The finding reflects that MF plays a partial mediation among GEF and OF. This phenomenon is completely novel in its field when it comes to the geo-environmental and management difficulties confronting mining operations. This research can aid managers in identifying key geological and environmental concerns in mining operations, as well as providing data for regulatory compliance. Overall, this study's findings can help management create policies and manage the environmental concerns of the mining sector. The study's findings provide important directions for future Indian mining research.
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Bomfim FF, Fares ALB, Melo DGL, Vieira E, Michelan TS. Land use increases macrophytes beta diversity in Amazon streams by favoring amphibious life forms species. COMMUNITY ECOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s42974-023-00139-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
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15
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Aldridge DC, Ollard IS, Bespalaya YV, Bolotov IN, Douda K, Geist J, Haag WR, Klunzinger MW, Lopes‐Lima M, Mlambo MC, Riccardi N, Sousa R, Strayer DL, Torres SH, Vaughn CC, Zając T, Zieritz A. Freshwater mussel conservation: A global horizon scan of emerging threats and opportunities. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:575-589. [PMID: 36444494 PMCID: PMC10100069 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We identified 14 emerging and poorly understood threats and opportunities for addressing the global conservation of freshwater mussels over the next decade. A panel of 17 researchers and stakeholders from six continents submitted a total of 56 topics that were ranked and prioritized using a consensus-building Delphi technique. Our 14 priority topics fell into five broad themes (autecology, population dynamics, global stressors, global diversity, and ecosystem services) and included understanding diets throughout mussel life history; identifying the drivers of population declines; defining metrics for quantifying mussel health; assessing the role of predators, parasites, and disease; informed guidance on the risks and opportunities for captive breeding and translocations; the loss of mussel-fish co-evolutionary relationships; assessing the effects of increasing surface water changes; understanding the effects of sand and aggregate mining; understanding the effects of drug pollution and other emerging contaminants such as nanomaterials; appreciating the threats and opportunities arising from river restoration; conserving understudied hotspots by building local capacity through the principles of decolonization; identifying appropriate taxonomic units for conservation; improved quantification of the ecosystem services provided by mussels; and understanding how many mussels are enough to provide these services. Solutions for addressing the topics ranged from ecological studies to technological advances and socio-political engagement. Prioritization of our topics can help to drive a proactive approach to the conservation of this declining group which provides a multitude of important ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C. Aldridge
- Aquatic Ecology Group, Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Isobel S. Ollard
- Aquatic Ecology Group, Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Yulia V. Bespalaya
- N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of SciencesArkhangelskRussia
| | - Ivan N. Bolotov
- N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of SciencesArkhangelskRussia
- Northern Arctic Federal UniversityArkhangelskRussia
| | - Karel Douda
- Department of Zoology and FisheriesCzech University of Life Sciences PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Juergen Geist
- Aquatic Systems Biology UnitTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Wendell R. Haag
- Southern Research Station, Center for Bottomland Hardwoods ResearchU.S. Forest ServiceFrankfortKentuckyUSA
| | - Michael W. Klunzinger
- Australian Rivers InstituteGriffith UniversityNathanQueenslandAustralia
- Department of Aquatic ZoologyWestern Australian MuseumWelshpoolWestern AustralianAustralia
| | - Manuel Lopes‐Lima
- CIBIO/InBIO/BIOPOLIS—Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic ResourcesUniversity of PortoVairãoPortugal
| | - Musa C. Mlambo
- Department of Freshwater InvertebratesAlbany MuseumMakhandaSouth Africa
- Department of Zoology and EntomologyRhodes UniversityMakhandaSouth Africa
| | | | - Ronaldo Sousa
- CBMA—Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of BiologyUniversity of MinhoBragaPortugal
| | - David L. Strayer
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem StudiesMillbrookNew YorkUSA
- Graham Sustainability InstituteUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Santiago H. Torres
- Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia Santa Cruz (CONICET, UNPA, UTN), Unidad Académica San JuliánUniversidad Nacional de la Patagonia AustralSanta CruzArgentina
| | - Caryn C. Vaughn
- Oklahoma Biological Survey and Department of BiologyUniversity of OklahomaNormanOklahomaUSA
| | - Tadeusz Zając
- Institute of Nature ConservationPolish Academy of SciencesKrakówPoland
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Han Y, Xu W, Liu J, Zhang X, Wang K, Wang D, Mei Z. Ecological impacts of unsustainable sand mining: urgent lessons learned from a critically endangered freshwater cetacean. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20221786. [PMID: 36629097 PMCID: PMC9832547 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sand mining, which has tripled in the last two decades, is an emerging concern for global biodiversity. However, the paucity of sand mining data worldwide prevents understanding the extent of sand mining impacts and how it affects wildlife populations and ecosystems, which is critical for timely mitigation and conservation actions. Integrating remote sensing and field surveys over 14 years, we investigated mining impacts on the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) in Dongting Lake, China. We found that sand mining presented a consistent, widespread disturbance in Dongting Lake. Porpoises strongly avoided mining sites, especially those of higher mining intensity. The extensive sand mining significantly contracted the porpoise's range and restricted their habitat use in the lake. Water traffic for sand transportation further blocked the species's river-lake movements, affecting the population connectivity. In addition, mining-induced loss of near-shore habitats, a critical foraging and nursery ground for the porpoise, occurred in nearly 70% of the water channels of our study region. Our findings provide the first empirical evidence of the impacts of unregulated sand extractions on species distribution. Our spatio-temporally explicit approach and findings support regulation and conservation, yielding broader implications for sustainable sand mining worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Han
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjing Xu
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jiajia Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinqiao Zhang
- WWF China, Beijing 100006, People's Republic of China
| | - Kexiong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Ding Wang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhigang Mei
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
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17
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Yin X, Martineau C, Fenton NJ. How big is the footprint? Quantifying offsite effects of mines on boreal plant communities. Glob Ecol Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
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18
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McClinton JD, Kulpa SM, Grames EM, Leger EA. Field observations and remote assessment identify climate change, recreation, invasive species, and livestock as top threats to critically imperiled rare plants in Nevada. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2022.1070490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionRare plant species comprise >36.5% of the world’s flora and disproportionately support ecosystem function and resilience. However, rare species also lead global plant extinctions, and unique ecological characteristics can make them vulnerable to anthropogenic pressure. Despite their vulnerability, many rare plants receive less monitoring than is needed to inform conservation efforts due to limited capacity for field surveys.MethodsWe used field observations and geospatial data to summarize how 128 imperiled, rare vascular plant species in Nevada are affected by various threats. We assessed correlations between threats predicted by geospatial data and threats observed on the ground and asked how historic and current threats compare.ResultsThe most commonly observed threats were from recreation, invasive and non-native/alien species, and livestock farming and ranching. Threat prevalence varied by elevation (e.g., a greater variety of threats at lower elevations, greater threat from climate change observed at higher elevations) and land management. There was a 28.1% overall correlation between predicted and observed threats, which was stronger for some threats (e.g., development of housing and urban areas, livestock farming and ranching) than others. All species experienced extreme climatic differences during 1990-2020 compared to baseline conditions, with the most extreme change in southern Nevada. The average number of threats observed per occurrence increased by 0.024 each decade.DiscussionWhile geospatial data did not perfectly predict observed threats, many of these occurrences have not been visited in over 30 years, and correlations may be stronger than we were able to detect here. Our approach can be used to help guide proactive monitoring, conservation, and research efforts for vulnerable species.
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19
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Performance of an automated conservation status assessment for the megadiverse vascular flora of Brazil. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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20
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Sonter LJ, Lloyd TJ, Kearney SG, Di Marco M, O'Bryan CJ, Valenta RK, Watson JEM. Conservation implications and opportunities of mining activities for terrestrial mammal habitat. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Sonter
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences The University of Queensland St Lucia Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity & Conservation Science The University of Queensland St Lucia Australia
| | - Thomas J. Lloyd
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences The University of Queensland St Lucia Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity & Conservation Science The University of Queensland St Lucia Australia
| | - Stephen G. Kearney
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences The University of Queensland St Lucia Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity & Conservation Science The University of Queensland St Lucia Australia
| | - Moreno Di Marco
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies Sapienza Università di Roma Rome Italy
| | - Christopher J. O'Bryan
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences The University of Queensland St Lucia Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity & Conservation Science The University of Queensland St Lucia Australia
| | - Richard K. Valenta
- Sustainable Minerals Institute The University of Queensland St Lucia Australia
| | - James E. M. Watson
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences The University of Queensland St Lucia Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity & Conservation Science The University of Queensland St Lucia Australia
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21
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Cabernard L, Pfister S. Hotspots of Mining-Related Biodiversity Loss in Global Supply Chains and the Potential for Reduction through Renewable Electricity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:16357-16368. [PMID: 36279569 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Anticipated infrastructure growth and energy transition may exacerbate biodiversity loss through increased demand for mining products. This study uses an enhanced multiregional input-output database (REX, Resolved EXIOBASE) and supply chain impact mapping (SCIM) method to assess global biodiversity loss associated with mining-related land use. We identify hotspots in the supply chain of mining products, compare the impact of fossil and renewable electricity, and estimate the share of mining in total global impacts. We found that half of the global mining-related biodiversity loss occurs in Indonesia, Australia, and New Caledonia. Major international trade flows of embodied biodiversity loss involve Indonesia's coal exports to China and India, New Caledonia's nickel exports to Japan and Australia, and Australia's iron and bauxite exports to China. Key end-consumers include China's growing infrastructure and the EU's and USA's household consumption. Electricity generation accounted for 10% of global mining-related biodiversity loss in 2014. The impact of coal-fired electricity was 10 times higher than that of renewables per unit of electricity generated. Globally, mining contributes to less than 1% of the total land use-related biodiversity loss, which is dominated by agriculture. Our results provide transparency in sourcing more sustainable mining products and underline synergies in fostering renewables to meet local biodiversity and global climate targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Cabernard
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Ecological Systems Design, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, John-von-Neumann-Weg 9, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Humanities, Social, and Political Sciences, Institute of Science, Technology, and Policy (ISTP), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, Universitätstrasse 41, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Pfister
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Ecological Systems Design, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, John-von-Neumann-Weg 9, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Humanities, Social, and Political Sciences, Institute of Science, Technology, and Policy (ISTP), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, Universitätstrasse 41, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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22
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Quasi-experimental analysis of new mining developments as a driver of deforestation in Zambia. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18252. [PMID: 36309592 PMCID: PMC9617878 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22762-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mining is a vital part of the global, and many national, economies. Mining also has the potential to drive extensive land cover change, including deforestation, with impacts reaching far from the mine itself. Understanding the amount of deforestation associated with mining is important for conservationists, governments, mining companies, and consumers, yet accurate quantification is rare. We applied statistical matching, a quasi-experimental methodology, along with Bayesian hierarchical generalized linear models to assess the impact on deforestation of new mining developments in Zambia from 2000 to present. Zambia is a globally significant producer of minerals and mining contributes ~ 10% of its gross domestic product and ~ 77% of its exports. Despite extensive deforestation in mining impacted land, we found no evidence that any of the 22 mines we analysed increased deforestation compared with matched control sites. The extent forest lost was therefore no different than would likely have happened without the mines being present due to other drivers of deforestation in Zambia. This suggests previous assessments based on correlative methodologies may overestimate the deforestation impact of mining. However, mining can have a range of impacts on society, biodiversity, and the local environment that are not captured by our analysis.
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Tanalgo KC, Oliveira HFM, Hughes AC. Mapping global conservation priorities and habitat vulnerabilities for cave-dwelling bats in a changing world. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 843:156909. [PMID: 35753458 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Research and media attention is disproportionately focused on taxa and ecosystems perceived as charismatic, while other equally diverse systems such as caves and subterranean ecosystems are often neglected in biodiversity assessments and prioritisations. Highlighting the urgent need for protection, an especially large fraction of cave endemic species may be undescribed. Yet these more challenging systems are also vulnerable, with karsts for example losing a considerable proportion of their area each year. Bats are keystone to cave ecosystems making them potential surrogates to understand cave diversity patterns and identify conservation priorities. On a global scale, almost half (48 %) of known bat species use caves for parts of their life histories, with 32 % endemic to a single country, and 15 % currently threatened. We combined global analysis of cave bats from the IUCN spatial data with site-specific analysis of 1930 bat caves from 46 countries to develop global priorities for the conservation of the most vulnerable subterranean ecosystems. Globally, 28 % of caves showed high bat diversity and were highly threatened. The highest regional concentration of conservation priority caves was in the Palearctic and tropical regions (except the Afrotropical, which requires more intensive cave data sampling). Our results further highlight the importance of prioritising bat caves by incorporating locally collected data and optimising parameter selection (i.e., appropriate landscape features and threats). Finally, to protect and conserve these ecosystems it is crucial that we use frameworks such as this to identify priorities in species and habitat-level and map vulnerable underground habitats with the highest biodiversity and distinctiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krizler C Tanalgo
- Landscape Ecology Group, Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan, PR China; Center for Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan, PR China; International College of the University Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China; Zukunftskolleg and the Centre for Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, Baden-Württemberg, Konstanz, Germany; Ecology and Conservation Research Laboratory (Eco/Con Lab), Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, North Cotabato, Philippines.
| | | | - Alice Catherine Hughes
- Landscape Ecology Group, Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan, PR China; Center for Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan, PR China; International College of the University Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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24
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Siqueira-Gay J, Sánchez LE. Considering counterfactual scenarios in conservation planning: Perspectives from a biodiverse mining area in the Atlantic Forest. Perspect Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pecon.2022.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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25
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Living Fungi in an Opencast Limestone Mine: Who Are They and What Can They Do? J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8100987. [DOI: 10.3390/jof8100987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Opencast limestone mines or limestone quarries are considered challenging ecosystems for soil fungi as they are highly degraded land with specific conditions, including high temperature, prolonged sunlight exposure, and a lack of organic matter, moisture, and nutrients in soil. In such ecosystems, certain fungi can survive and have a crucial function in maintaining soil ecosystem functions. Unfortunately, we know very little about taxonomic diversity, potential functions, and the ecology of such fungi, especially for a limestone quarry in a tropical region. Here, we characterized and compared the living soil fungal communities in an opencast limestone mine, including mining site and its associated rehabilitation site (9 months post-rehabilitation), with the soil fungal community in a reference forest, using the amplicon sequencing of enrichment culture. Our results showed that living fungal richness in the quarry areas was significantly lower than that in the reference forest, and their community compositions were also significantly different. Living fungi in the mining sites mostly comprised of Ascomycota (Eurotiomycetes and Sordariomycetes) with strongly declined abundance or absence of Basidiomycota and Mucoromycota. After nine months of rehabilitation, certain taxa were introduced, such as Hypoxylon spp. and Phellinus noxius, though this change did not significantly differentiate fungal community composition between the mining and rehabilitation plots. The majority of fungi in these plots are classified as saprotrophs, which potentially produce all fifteen soil enzymes used as soil health indicators. Network analysis, which was analyzed to show insight into complex structures of living fungal community in the limestone quarry, showed a clear modular structure that was significantly impacted by different soil properties. Furthermore, this study suggests potential taxa that could be useful for future rehabilitation.
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Villegas-Plazas M, Sanabria J, Arbeli Z, Vasquez Y, Roldan F, Junca H. Metagenomic Analysis of Biochemical Passive Reactors During Acid Mine Drainage Bioremediation Reveals Key Co-selected Metabolic Functions. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2022; 84:465-472. [PMID: 34591135 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01872-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is the major pollutant generated by the mining industry, and it is characterized by low pH and high concentration of metals and sulfate. The use of biochemical passive reactors (BPRs) is a promising strategy for its bioremediation. To date, there are various studies describing the taxonomical composition of BPR microbial communities, generally consisting of an assemblage of sulfate-reducing organisms inside Deltaproteobacteria, and a diverse set of anaerobic (ligno)cellulolytic bacteria; however, insights about its functional metagenomic content are still scarce. In previous studies, a laboratory-scale AMD bioremediation using biochemical passive reactors was designed and performed, tracking operation parameters, chemical composition, and changes, together with taxonomic composition of the microbiomes harbored in these systems. In order to reveal the main functional content of these communities, we used shotgun metagenomics analyses to explore genes of higher relative frequencies and their inferred functions during the AMD bioremediation from three BPRs representing the main microbiome compositions detected in the system. Remarkably, genes encoding for two-component regulatory systems and ABC transporters related to metal and inorganic ions, cellulose degradation enzymes, dicarboxylic acid production, and sulfite reduction complex were all detected at increased frequency. Our results evidenced that higher taxonomic diversity of the microbiome was arising together with a functional redundancy of the specific metabolic roles, indicating its co-selection and suggesting that its enrichment on BPRs may be implicated in the cumulative efficiency of these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Villegas-Plazas
- Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Engineering School of Environmental & Natural Resources, Engineering Faculty, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
- RG Microbial Ecology: Metabolism, Genomics & Evolution, Div. Ecogenomics & Holobionts, Microbiomas Foundation, LT11A, 250008, Chia, Colombia
| | - Janeth Sanabria
- Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Engineering School of Environmental & Natural Resources, Engineering Faculty, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Ziv Arbeli
- Departamento de Biología, Unidad de Saneamiento y Biotecnología Ambiental USBA, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Yaneth Vasquez
- Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Central, Carrera 5 No. 21-38, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Fabio Roldan
- Departamento de Biología, Unidad de Saneamiento y Biotecnología Ambiental USBA, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Howard Junca
- RG Microbial Ecology: Metabolism, Genomics & Evolution, Div. Ecogenomics & Holobionts, Microbiomas Foundation, LT11A, 250008, Chia, Colombia.
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Sergeant CJ, Sexton EK, Moore JW, Westwood AR, Nagorski SA, Ebersole JL, Chambers DM, O'Neal SL, Malison RL, Hauer FR, Whited DC, Weitz J, Caldwell J, Capito M, Connor M, Frissell CA, Knox G, Lowery ED, Macnair R, Marlatt V, McIntyre JK, McPhee MV, Skuce N. Risks of mining to salmonid-bearing watersheds. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn0929. [PMID: 35776798 PMCID: PMC10883362 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn0929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mining provides resources for people but can pose risks to ecosystems that support cultural keystone species. Our synthesis reviews relevant aspects of mining operations, describes the ecology of salmonid-bearing watersheds in northwestern North America, and compiles the impacts of metal and coal extraction on salmonids and their habitat. We conservatively estimate that this region encompasses nearly 4000 past producing mines, with present-day operations ranging from small placer sites to massive open-pit projects that annually mine more than 118 million metric tons of earth. Despite impact assessments that are intended to evaluate risk and inform mitigation, mines continue to harm salmonid-bearing watersheds via pathways such as toxic contaminants, stream channel burial, and flow regime alteration. To better maintain watershed processes that benefit salmonids, we highlight key windows during the mining governance life cycle for science to guide policy by more accurately accounting for stressor complexity, cumulative effects, and future environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Sergeant
- Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana, Polson, MT 59860, USA
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
| | - Erin K Sexton
- Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana, Polson, MT 59860, USA
| | - Jonathan W Moore
- Earth2Ocean Research Group, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Alana R Westwood
- School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Sonia A Nagorski
- Environmental Science Program, University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
| | | | - David M Chambers
- Center for Science in Public Participation, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA
| | - Sarah L O'Neal
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Rachel L Malison
- Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana, Polson, MT 59860, USA
| | - F Richard Hauer
- Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana, Polson, MT 59860, USA
| | - Diane C Whited
- Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana, Polson, MT 59860, USA
| | - Jill Weitz
- Salmon Beyond Borders, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
| | - Jackie Caldwell
- Lands, Resources, and Fisheries, Taku River Tlingit First Nation, Atlin, BC V0W 1A0, Canada
| | | | - Mark Connor
- Lands, Resources, and Fisheries, Taku River Tlingit First Nation, Atlin, BC V0W 1A0, Canada
| | - Christopher A Frissell
- Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana, Polson, MT 59860, USA
- Department of Hydrology, Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, MT 59855, USA
| | - Greg Knox
- SkeenaWild Conservation Trust, Terrace, BC V8G 1M9, Canada
| | - Erin D Lowery
- Environment, Land, and Licensing Business Unit, Seattle City Light, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | | | - Vicki Marlatt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Jenifer K McIntyre
- School of the Environment, Puyallup Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, Puyallup, WA 98371, USA
| | - Megan V McPhee
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
| | - Nikki Skuce
- Northern Confluence Initiative, Smithers, BC V0J 2N0, Canada
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Stoll E, Roopsind A, Maharaj G, Velazco S, Caughlin TT. Detecting gold mining impacts on insect biodiversity in a tropical mining frontier with SmallSat imagery. REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION 2022; 8:379-390. [PMID: 35912067 PMCID: PMC9305433 DOI: 10.1002/rse2.250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Gold mining is a major driver of Amazonian forest loss and degradation. As mining activity encroaches on primary forest in remote and inaccessible areas, satellite imagery provides crucial data for monitoring mining-related deforestation. High-resolution imagery, in particular, has shown promise for detecting artisanal gold mining at the forest frontier. An important next step will be to establish relationships between satellite-derived land cover change and biodiversity impacts of gold mining. In this study, we set out to detect artisanal gold mining using high-resolution imagery and relate mining land cover to insects, a taxonomic group that accounts for the majority of faunal biodiversity in tropical forests. We applied an object-based image analysis (OBIA) to classify mined areas in an Indigenous territory in Guyana, using PlanetScope imagery with ~3.7 m resolution. We complemented our OBIA with field surveys of insect family presence or absence in field plots (n = 105) that captured a wide range of mining disturbances. Our OBIA was able to identify mined objects with high accuracy (>90% balanced accuracy). Field plots with a higher proportion of OBIA-derived mine cover had significantly lower insect family richness. The effects of mine cover on individual insect taxa were highly variable. Insect groups that respond strongly to mining disturbance could potentially serve as bioindicators for monitoring ecosystem health during and after gold mining. With the advent of global partnerships that provide universal access to PlanetScope imagery for tropical forest monitoring, our approach represents a low-cost and rapid way to assess the biodiversity impacts of gold mining in remote landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Stoll
- Department of BiologyUniversity of GuyanaTurkeyen CampusGeorgetownGuyana
| | - Anand Roopsind
- Center for Natural Climate SolutionsConservation International2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 600ArlingtonVirginia22202USA
- Department of Biological SciencesBoise State UniversityBoiseIdaho83725USA
| | - Gyanpriya Maharaj
- Department of BiologyUniversity of GuyanaTurkeyen CampusGeorgetownGuyana
| | - Sandra Velazco
- Department of Biological SciencesBoise State UniversityBoiseIdaho83725USA
| | - T. Trevor Caughlin
- Department of Biological SciencesBoise State UniversityBoiseIdaho83725USA
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Katona S, Paulikas D, Stone GS. Ethical opportunities in deep-sea collection of polymetallic nodules from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2022; 18:634-654. [PMID: 34766726 PMCID: PMC9300171 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Infrastructure supporting the transition of human societies from fossil fuels to renewable energy will require hundreds of millions of tons of metals. Polymetallic nodules on the abyssal seabed of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), eastern North Pacific Ocean, could provide them. We focus on ethical considerations and opportunities available to the novel CCZ nodule-collection industry, integrating robust science with strong pillars of social and environmental responsibility. Ethical considerations include harm to sea life and recovery time, but also the value of human life, indigenous rights, rights of nature, animal rights, intrinsic values, and intangible ecosystem services. A "planetary perspective" considers the biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, extends beyond mineral extraction to a life-cycle view of impacts, and includes local, national, and global impacts and stakeholders. Stakeholders include direct nodule-collection actors, ocean conservationists, companies, communities, interest groups, nations, and citizens globally, plus counterfactual stakeholders involved with or affected by intensification of terrestrial mining if ocean metals are not used. Nodule collection would harm species and portions of ecosystems, but could have lower life-cycle impacts than terrestrial mining expansion, especially if nodule-metal producers explicitly design for it and stakeholders hold them accountable. Participants across the value chain can elevate the role of ethics in strategic objective setting, engineering design optimization, commitments to stakeholders, democratization of governance, and fostering of circular economies. The International Seabed Authority is called to establish equitable and transparent distribution of royalties and gains, and continue engaging scientists, economists, and experts from all spheres in optimizing deep-sea mineral extraction for humans and nature. Nodule collection presents a unique opportunity for an ambitious reset of ecological norms in a nascent industry. Embracing ethical opportunities can set an example for industrial-scale activities on land and sea, accelerate environmental gains through environmental competition with land ores, and hasten civilization's progress toward a sustainable future. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:634-654. © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daina Paulikas
- Minerals, Materials and Society Program, Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences, Pearson HallUniversity of DelawareNewarkDelawareUSA
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Reuleaux A, Collar NJ, Jones MJ, Limu RND, Mardiastuti A, Pinto P, Siregar BA, Marsden SJ. Correlates of persistence in remnant populations of two Critically Endangered cockatoos. Anim Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Reuleaux
- Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester UK
| | | | - M. J. Jones
- Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester UK
| | | | - A. Mardiastuti
- Bogor Agricultural University (IPB University) Bogor Indonesia
| | - P. Pinto
- Department of National Parks and Protected Areas Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries Dili Timor‐Leste
| | | | - S. J. Marsden
- Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester UK
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Rajapakshe RPVGSW, Cross AT, Turner SR, Tomlinson S. Understanding the interplay of temperature and moisture on the germination niche to improve management of threatened species impacted by mining. Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rajapakshe P. V. G. S. W. Rajapakshe
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Bentley WA 6102 Australia
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Bentley Western Australia 6102 Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
| | - Adam T. Cross
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Bentley WA 6102 Australia
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Bentley Western Australia 6102 Australia
- EcoHealth Network, 1330 Beacon St, Suite 355a Brookline MA 02446 United States
| | - Shane R. Turner
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Bentley WA 6102 Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
- School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
| | - Sean Tomlinson
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Bentley Western Australia 6102 Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace Adelaide South Australia 5000 Australia
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32
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Tran TS, Dinh VC, Nguyen TAH, Kim KW. Soil contamination and health risk assessment from heavy metals exposure near mining area in Bac Kan province, Vietnam. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2022; 44:1189-1202. [PMID: 35064383 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-021-01168-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Mining activities in Vietnam have resulted in potential heavy metals contamination, which unfavorably influences soil quality and represents a risk to human health. This study was designed to investigate the heavy metals contamination in the vicinity of the Pb-Zn and Au mines. Soil samples were collected along the stream, and then, solutions were prepared by a modified Aqua Regia method. They were analyzed by ICP-MS for trace elements, and the analytical result data of 7 elements (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were used to define pollution indices with statistical results and to interpret the health risk assessment. For the preliminary identification of the pollution sources near the Pb-Zn mine of the elements, statistical analysis (including principal component analysis and Spearman correlation coefficient) and information about mineral composition ore and surrounding rocks were applied. The analytical results of heavy metals showed that the average concentrations of As and Pb were higher than the Vietnam standard for residential soil by about eight and three times, respectively. Pollution indices also indicated that Pb and As were the highest contamination factors in the soil near Pb-Zn mine and Au mine, respectively. Statistical analysis results revealed that the pollution sources of these elements in the soil near the Pb-Zn mine were a combination of anthropogenic and geogenic sources. Health risk assessment pointed out that children were at higher risk than adults in both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh Son Tran
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, South Korea
- Laboratory of Quality Assurance, National Institute for Food Control (NIFC), 65 Pham Than Duat, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Viet Chien Dinh
- Heavy Metals and Minerals Laboratory, National Institute for Food Control (NIFC), 65 Pham Than Duat, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thi Anh Huong Nguyen
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 19 Le Thanh Tong, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi, Vietnam
| | - Kyoung-Woong Kim
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, South Korea.
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Physical, Chemical, and Microbiological Characterization of Kettara Mine Tailings, Morocco. SOIL SYSTEMS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/soilsystems6010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The mining industry is of major importance to Morocco’s economy. However, the abandoned pyritic mines are a source of potentially toxic elements that can cause the disruption of the surrounding ecosystems, constituting a huge threat to wellbeing and human health. The present study aimed to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of different types of tailings and to investigate the microbial populations of acidophilic bacteria involved in the oxidation of pyrite. Coarse and fine tailings collected from different zones of the mine (dike and pond) at two different depths (oxidized and non-oxidized residues) were analyzed for their pH, electrical conductivity, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, available P, major elements, and pseudo-total metal concentrations. The abundance of acidophilic bacteria was determined, and some acidophilic bacterial strains were isolated and tested for their metal tolerance. Tailings showed a pH ≈ 2, very low nutritional content, and high concentrations of Cu, As, Zn, and Pb, which were higher in the non-oxidized samples. The microbial counts of iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria were higher than heterotrophic bacteria, with the highest numbers detected in the oxidized fine tailings. The five acidophilic bacteria isolated from the tailings were affiliated to genera Alicyclobacillus and Sulfobacillus, commonly found in this kind of environment.
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Luzyanin S, Blinova S. Formation of Ant (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) Communities on Rock Dumps of an Open-Pit Coal Mine in SW Siberia. ANN ZOOL FENN 2022. [DOI: 10.5735/086.059.0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Luzyanin
- Department of Ecology and Nature Management, Kemerovo State University, 6 Krasnay st., RU-650000 Kemerovo, Russia
| | - Svetlana Blinova
- Department of Ecology and Nature Management, Kemerovo State University, 6 Krasnay st., RU-650000 Kemerovo, Russia
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Aquatic Ecological Risk of Heavy-Metal Pollution Associated with Degraded Mining Landscapes of the Southern Africa River Basins: A Review. MINERALS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/min12020225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Africa accounts for nearly 30% of the discovered world’s mineral reserves, with half of the world’s platinum group metals deposits, 36% of gold, and 20% of cobalt being in Southern Africa (SA). The intensification of heavy-metal production in the SA region has exacerbated negative human and environmental health impacts. In recent years, mining waste generated from industrial and artisanal mining has significantly affected the ecological integrity of SA aquatic ecosystems due to the accelerated introduction and deposition of heavy metals. However, the extent to which heavy-metal pollution associated with mining has impacted the aquatic ecosystems has not been adequately documented, particularly during bioassessments. This review explores the current aquatic ecological impacts on the heavily mined river basins of SA. It also discusses the approaches to assessing the ecological risks, inherent challenges, and potential for developing an integrated ecological risk assessment protocol for aquatic systems in the region. Progress has been made in developing rapid bioassessment schemes (RBS) for SA aquatic ecosystems. Nevertheless, method integration, which also involves heavy-metal pollution monitoring and molecular technology, is necessary to overcome the current challenges of the standardisation of RBS protocols. Citizenry science will also encourage community and stakeholder involvement in sustainable environmental management in SA.
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Bonecker ACT, Menezes BS, Dias Junior C, Silva CAD, Ancona CM, Dias CDO, Longhini CM, Costa ES, Sá F, Lázaro GCS, Mill GN, Rocha GM, Lemos KDN, da Conceição LR, Demoner LE, Fernandes LFL, Castro MSD, Alves MM, Laino PDS, Auer PPB, Cagnin RC, Ghisolfi RD, Neto RR, Bonecker SLC. An integrated study of the plankton community after four years of Fundão dam disaster. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150613. [PMID: 34648830 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mining activities can affect the environment either by the tailings releasing or dams failures. The impact of the tailings can last decades and cause chronic effects due to their toxicity. The Fundão dam collapse, a relevant environmental disaster, occurred in November 2015 in Southeastern Brazil. Tailing rich in metals reached the Doce River and arrived in the Atlantic Ocean. Previous studies revealed the acute impact of the tailings in the marine planktonic community near the Doce River mouth. The current study aims to characterize the structure of planktonic assemblages in the impacted area after four years of the disaster. Sampling occurred in November 2018, January, April, and July 2019 at 32 stations located at the marine coastal area near the Doce River mouth. Our study detected high metal concentrations in the surface waters during January 2019, when the lowest diversity and abundance of phytoplankton, lowest zooplankton diversity, and low ichthyoplankton abundance were recorded. The zooplanktonic community was structured by environmental parameters and ichthyoplankton assemblages in November 2018, January and April 2019. Nutrients and metals, mainly iron from the tailing carried by the Doce River waters to the marine environment changed the plankton community, confirming the impact of the Fundão Dam collapse in the coastal area near the Doce River mouth. The phytoplankton community, influenced by the nutrients and to a lesser extent metals concentrations, was not decisive in the zooplankton community structure. The environmental variability was driven by the meteoceanographic conditions and the Doce River flow. There was a high correlation between the zooplanktonic community and ichthyoplanktonic assemblage and the environmental factors and metals. These relations indicate the impact of the tailings from the collapse of the Fundão Dam on these communities, even after four years of the Mariana disaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cristina Teixeira Bonecker
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Avenida Prof. Rodolpho Rocco, 211, Prédio do CCS, Bloco A, Sala A0-084, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Bárbara Santos Menezes
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Avenida Prof. Rodolpho Rocco, 211, Prédio do CCS, Bloco A, Sala A0-084, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Tecnologia, Escola Politécnica, Programa de Engenharia Ambiental-PEA, Avenida Athos da Silveira Ramos, 149, Bl. A, 2 andar, Sala DAPG, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Camilo Dias Junior
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Cesar Alexandro da Silva
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Cintia Maria Ancona
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Cristina de Oliveira Dias
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Avenida Prof. Rodolpho Rocco, 211, Prédio do CCS, Bloco A, Sala A0-084, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Tecnologia, Escola Politécnica, Programa de Engenharia Ambiental-PEA, Avenida Athos da Silveira Ramos, 149, Bl. A, 2 andar, Sala DAPG, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Cybelle Menolli Longhini
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Schettini Costa
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Fabian Sá
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Georgette Cristina Salvador Lázaro
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Nogueira Mill
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Martins Rocha
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Kassia do Nascimento Lemos
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Laura Rodrigues da Conceição
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Lilian Elisa Demoner
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Fernando Loureiro Fernandes
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Márcia Salustiano de Castro
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Avenida Prof. Rodolpho Rocco, 211, Prédio do CCS, Bloco A, Sala A0-084, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Tecnologia, Escola Politécnica, Programa de Engenharia Ambiental-PEA, Avenida Athos da Silveira Ramos, 149, Bl. A, 2 andar, Sala DAPG, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mariana Magnago Alves
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Pedro de Souza Laino
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Pollyanna Pereira Borgo Auer
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Renata Caiado Cagnin
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Renato David Ghisolfi
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Renato Rodrigues Neto
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Luiz Costa Bonecker
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Avenida Prof. Rodolpho Rocco, 211, Prédio do CCS, Bloco A, Sala A0-084, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Tecnologia, Escola Politécnica, Programa de Engenharia Ambiental-PEA, Avenida Athos da Silveira Ramos, 149, Bl. A, 2 andar, Sala DAPG, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Siqueira-Gay J, Santos D, Nascimento WR, Souza-Filho PWM, Sánchez LE. Investigating Changes Driving Cumulative Impacts on Native Vegetation in Mining Regions in the Northeastern Brazilian Amazon. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 69:438-448. [PMID: 35013793 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-021-01578-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Developing conservation strategies to mitigate cumulative impacts requires the understanding of historic land use and land cover changes at the regional scale. By using a multisensory and multitemporal approach, we identified the major changes driving cumulative impacts on native vegetation in northeastern Amazon. Comparing two regions, one with mining as the key driver and another where mining is associated with other industrial activities (cellulose), we explore the land use and land cover historic dynamics and derive implications for the assessment of cumulative impacts. Transitions of forest cover to pastureland, silviculture, and urban expansion were mapped in detail over a 20-year period, revealing that silviculture growth cleared more forests than pastureland expansion when associated with pulp mill activities and kaolin mining. In contrast, in a region with gold and iron mining, pastureland expansion was more relevant, clearing mainly areas surrounding new roads. This research shows that the interplay of major mining and industrial investments can produce cumulative losses of native vegetation, depending on the associated industries and infrastructure required for the project development. Our findings emphasize that the definition of spatial and temporal boundaries for the assessment of cumulative impacts must consider different trends in impact accumulation and changes in their spatial distribution over time.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diogo Santos
- Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Pará, Brazil
- Geosciences Institute, Universidade Federal do Pará, Pará, Brazil
| | | | - Pedro Walfir M Souza-Filho
- Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Pará, Brazil
- Geosciences Institute, Universidade Federal do Pará, Pará, Brazil
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Abstract
The increasing demand for Li-ion batteries for electric vehicles sheds light upon the Co supply chain. The metal is crucial to the cathode of these batteries, and the leading global producer is the D.R. Congo (70%). For this reason, it is considered critical/strategic due to the risk of interruption of supply in the short and medium term. Due to the increasing consumption for the transportation market, the batteries might be considered a secondary source of Co. The outstanding amount of spent batteries makes them to a core of urban mining warranting special attention. Greener technologies for Co recovery are necessary to achieve sustainable development. As a result of these sourcing challenges, this study is devoted to reviewing the techniques for Co recovery, such as acid leaching (inorganic and organic), separation (solvent extraction, ion exchange resins, and precipitation), and emerging technologies—ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvent, supercritical fluids, nanotechnology, and biohydrometallurgy. A dearth of research in emerging technologies for Co recovery from Li-ion batteries is discussed throughout the manuscript within a broader overview. The study is strictly connected to the Sustainability Development Goals (SDG) number 7, 8, 9, and 12.
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Cuya A, Glikman JA, Groenendijk J, Macdonald DW, Swaisgood RR, Barocas A. Socio-environmental perceptions and barriers to conservation engagement among artisanal small-scale gold mining communities in Southeastern Peru. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Semi-Natural Areas on Post-Mining Brownfields as an Opportunity to Strengthen the Attractiveness of a Small Town. An Example of Radzionków in Southern Poland. LAND 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/land10070761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The socio-economic and political changes of the end of the 20th century in Central and Eastern Europe had significant impacts on the transformation of urban spaces, especially in industrial and mining towns. The article attempts to explain the essence of these changes concerning the spatial development of—a small post-mining town in southern Poland. This article evaluates urban development policy in response to the significant land-use changes in the small post-mining city of Radzionków, with particular attention to the transformation of brownfield sites to semi-natural areas of regional importance. This issue is interesting for two reasons. First, this small city, located in a large European agglomeration, has to face competition focused on interesting regional projects. Second, there is a desire for reindustrialization as a remedy for job losses in mining and heavy industry. The successful establishment of a large botanical garden in this city provides a case study for discussing the future of small post-industrial cities and the development of land use policy regarding valuable natural areas located in post-industrial and post-mining areas. This study also indicates the vital role of the creative management factor.
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Xiang H, Wang Z, Mao D, Zhang J, Zhao D, Zeng Y, Wu B. Surface mining caused multiple ecosystem service losses in China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 290:112618. [PMID: 33866089 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
China's surface mining greatly supported the rapid socio-economic development; however, there was a scarcity in the systematic understanding of national changes in surface mining changes and associated ecosystem services (ESs) losses, which inevitably affected human well-being and limited sustainable ecosystem management and policy optimization. In this study, we quantified the areal changes in surface mining based on the ChinaCover database and performed further analysis of ES loss from expanded surface mining using multidimensional geospatial data from 1990 to 2015, including MODIS products, meteorological records, and statistical datasets. Our observations reveal that China's surface mining was estimated to be 4746 km2 in 2015 and that Inner Mongolia had the largest surface mining area (28%). Surface mining expanded remarkably from 1990 to 2015, with an increase by 2.7 times after 2000. In particular, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, and Qinghai had the greatest increases in surface mining area. Rapid expansion of surface mining led to obvious declines in natural habitat area, water retention, net primary productivity, and grain production, and these ES losses showed apparent spatiotemporal variations. China has taken many measures to reclaim the abandoned surface mining sites. Given the rapid expansion of surface mining and related ES loss, China should continue to perform ecological restoration for its sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengxing Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zongming Wang
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China; National Earth System Science Data Center, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Dehua Mao
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China.
| | - Jian Zhang
- The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Landscape Ecology & Planning Lab, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Dan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yuan Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Bingfang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
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Scotton M, Andreatta D. Anti-erosion rehabilitation: Effects of revegetation method and site traits on introduced and native plant cover and richness. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 776:145915. [PMID: 33647653 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In mountainous areas, bare slopes represent often dangerous forms of land degradation that need to be rehabilitated. However, revegetation is usually performed with non-native plants, negatively impacting the natural landscape value. Comprehensive studies, especially on poorly investigated long-term revegetation effects, are therefore essential for the improvement of rehabilitation practices. In this study, four landslides or disused quarries surrounded by well-preserved (semi-) natural vegetation that were revegetated between 1988 and 2002 with non-native only herbaceous or both herbaceous and woody plants were studied 1-9 and 16-31 years after rehabilitation. A total of 111 sampling areas were surveyed for introduced and volunteer species and other important ground cover soil and topography traits. Climatic traits and species' ecological indicators were retrieved from the available databases. The time patterns and ecological spectra of the plant covers were analysed and correlated to the site traits. In the first decade, introduced plants were initially abundant but decreased rapidly. In the long-term, the more stress-tolerant among them still had a considerable cover, especially in fine-textured soils. Native species were established slowly but, due to their higher stress tolerance, dominated in the long-term, especially at more stressful sites. In areas with predominantly herbaceous cover, soil factors, such as gravel content, were more related to the plant cover. In areas with predominantly woody plant cover, the high plant cover was dependent on microclimatic factors, especially aspect. At sites like those studied here, woody species should be always used, but in the form of native plants, as they tend to persist. If herbaceous species are unavailable in native forms, their introduction should be avoided in areas not exposed to erosion, whereas poorly stress-tolerant non-native plants should be used in steep areas as they create a fast but short-lasting cover compensated in the long term by the establishment of native species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Scotton
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy.
| | - Davide Andreatta
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
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Barocas A, Farfan J, Groenendijk J, Mendoza J, Silva J, Mujica O, Ochoa JA, Macdonald DW, Swaisgood RR. Disturbance‐specific behavioral responses of giant otters exposed to ecotourism and extractive activities. Anim Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Barocas
- Recovery Ecology San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Escondido CA USA
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit Department of Zoology The Recanati‐Kaplan Centre University of Oxford Abingdon UK
- San Diego Zoo Global‐Peru Cusco Peru
| | - J. Farfan
- Frankfurt Zoological Society – Perú Cusco Peru
- Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco Cusco Peru
| | | | - J. Mendoza
- National Service of Protected Natural Areas (SERNANP) Cusco Peru
| | - J. Silva
- Frankfurt Zoological Society – Perú Cusco Peru
| | - O. Mujica
- Frankfurt Zoological Society – Perú Cusco Peru
| | - J. A. Ochoa
- Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco Cusco Peru
- Museo de Biodiversidad del Perú Cusco Peru
| | - D. W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit Department of Zoology The Recanati‐Kaplan Centre University of Oxford Abingdon UK
| | - R. R. Swaisgood
- Recovery Ecology San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Escondido CA USA
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Trevelin LC, Simões MH, Prous X, Pietrobon T, Brandi IV, Jaffé R. Optimizing speleological monitoring efforts: insights from long-term data for tropical iron caves. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11271. [PMID: 33959423 PMCID: PMC8054738 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the factors underpinning species abundance patterns in space and time is essential to implement effective cave conservation actions. Yet, the methods employed to monitor cave biodiversity still lack standardization, and no quantitative assessment has yet tried to optimize the amount and type of information required to efficiently identify disturbances in cave ecosystems. Using a comprehensive monitoring dataset for tropical iron caves, comprising abundance measurements for 33 target taxa surveyed across 95 caves along four years, here we provide the first evidence-based recommendations to optimize monitoring programs seeking to follow target species abundance through time. We found that seasonality did not influence the ability to detect temporal abundance trends. However, in most species, abundance estimates assessed during the dry season resulted in a more accurate detection of temporal abundance trends, and at least three surveys were required to identify global temporal abundance trends. Finally, we identified a subset of species that could potentially serve as short-term disturbance indicators. Results suggest that iron cave monitoring programs implemented in our study region could focus sampling efforts in the dry season, where detectability of target species is higher, while assuring data collection for at least three years. More generally, our study reveals the importance of long-term cave monitoring programs for detecting possible disturbances in subterranean ecosystems, and for using the generated information to optimize future monitoring efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xavier Prous
- Environmental Licensing and Speleology, Vale S.A., Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thadeu Pietrobon
- Environmental Licensing and Speleology, Vale S.A., Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Iuri Viana Brandi
- Environmental Licensing and Speleology, Vale S.A., Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo Jaffé
- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Belém, Pará, Brazil
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Penido IS, Pessali TC, Zawadzki CH. When destruction comes first: Two new species of Hypostomus Lacépède, 1803 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from a deeply-impacted river in the Rio São Francisco basin in Brazil. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 98:1371-1384. [PMID: 33440014 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Environmental disasters affecting Brazilian rivers have been frequent recently, especially involving mining activities. Two recent dam-rupture events suddenly released millions of cubic meters of iron tailings downstream into two major Brazilian watersheds. These events generated major losses to the environment and human life. Additionally, the biodiversity in both watersheds was still incompletely known. Two new species of the armoured catfish genus Hypostomus were discovered in the Rio Paraopeba and surrounding rivers of the Rio São Francisco Basin. The species share some main characteristics including a depressed body, large dark spots on a clearer background and the absence of keels on flanks. However, while one species (Hypostomus freirei sp. n.) has a large mandibular ramus and numerous slender teeth, the other (Hypostomus guajupia sp. n.) has a shorter mandibular ramus and few robust teeth. The discovery of these two new mid-sized fish species emphasizes the presumption that the effects of major environmental disasters cannot be fully estimated as local biodiversity is not completely known. This discovery in a recently devastated area also shows that tough environmental laws for the protection, supervision and mitigation of major impacts are urgently needed in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iago S Penido
- Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Comparada, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Tiago C Pessali
- Museu de Ciências Naturais da PUC Minas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Cláudio H Zawadzki
- Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Departamento de Biologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia, Ictiologia e Aquicultura (Nupélia), Maringá, Brazil
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Phytostabilization of Phosphate Mine Wastes Used as a Store-and-Release Cover to Control Acid Mine Drainage in a Semiarid Climate. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10050900. [PMID: 33946966 PMCID: PMC8146361 DOI: 10.3390/plants10050900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The abandoned Kettara pyrrhotite mine, located near Marrakech, Morocco, is an acid mine drainage (AMD) producer site. A store-and-release cover system made of phosphate wastes was built to prevent water infiltration and the formation of AMD. This cover system should be vegetated with appropriate plants to ensure its long-term sustainability and allow its reintegration in the surrounding ecosystem. Several indigenous plant species were studied. The choice of plant species was based mainly on their tolerance to trace elements contained in the phosphate wastes, and their low capacity to translocate these metals to their aboveground parts in order to limit the risk of pollutants transfer along the food chain. The main metals and metalloids (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr) are determined in 13 dominant plants naturally colonizing the store-and-release cover and their rhizospheric soils. The results showed that the phosphate cover contained high concentrations of Cr (138.04 mg/kg), Cu (119.86 mg/kg) and Cd (10.67 mg/kg) exceeding the regulatory thresholds values (Cr > 100 mg/kg, Cu > 100 mg/kg, Cd > 3 mg/kg). The studied plants revealed no hyper-accumulation of metals and metalloids, and lower concentrations in shoots than in roots. Six species (Plantago afra, Festuca ovina, Aizoon hispanicum, Herniaria cinerea, Echium plantagineum and Asphodelus tenuifolius) have bioconcentration factors greater than 1, and weak translocation factors, identifying them as appropriate candidates for phytostabilization of the phosphate cover.
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Hayyat MU, Siddiq Z, Mahmood R, Khan AU, Cao KF. Limestone Quarry Waste Promotes the Growth of Two Native Woody Angiosperms. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.637833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Limestone quarrying is an active mining practices generating bulk of solid remains and altering the habitat by the removal of plants; however, the utilization of such waste for the growth of plants has not been investigated much. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of limestone quarry waste on the growth of two native plants by analyzing its physicochemical properties and utility for plantation purposes, while determining whether mitigation measures would be required for the habitat restoration of quarry site. Two species, Acacia modesta and Adhatoda vasica were selected from the quarry site habitat. These plants were grown in different proportions of quarry waste, and garden soil was used as a control. Growth was assessed by recording plant height, number of branches per plant, root and shoot length, and total biomass. We also analyzed the N, P, K, Na, Ca, and Mg contents of the root and shoot tissues of both species. We found a significant increase in plant height (1.24- and 1.19-fold greater than controls for A. modesta and A. vasica, respectively). Differences in the number branches, root, shoot length, and biomass were also found. A significant and positive relationship was found between the mineral content in roots and the total plant biomass across both species. We conclude that (1) the mining solid waste contained the necessary minerals for the studied plant species and no amelioration would be required for restoration of such sites with the selected indigenous plants; and (2) the quarry waste promoted the growth of the two selected species. The results of the present study can be used to plan habitat restoration in limestone mining areas that have lost plant cover.
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Rebello S, Anoopkumar AN, Aneesh EM, Sindhu R, Binod P, Kim SH, Pandey A. Hazardous minerals mining: Challenges and solutions. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 402:123474. [PMID: 32738780 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Minerals are valuable resources gifted to man from the Mother Earth and quite often they need to be dug out from deep down with much effort to utilize them in many of our anthropogenic activities. The fascinating nature, colours as well as the physicochemical properties of minerals has extended their prospective value in the synthesis of various household and industrial products. However, knowledge of the mostly explored minerals, associated products, and their hazardous nature becomes relevant to its prevalence in our daily life. The harmful effects of some minerals are mostly evident from its site of occurrence, process of mining, post mining wastes left over and even in finished products. The current review focuses to evaluate the hazardous nature of minerals, cautions associated with its mining, drastic effects on human health, and ecosystem as an eye-opener to us. Finally, the effective remedies that could be implemented in the exploration of minerals are also discussed to the best of our knowledge. Bioleaching methods of rare earth elements and copper have been discussed briefly to explain the pros and cons of biological methods over conventional chemical leaching methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharrel Rebello
- Communicable Disease Research Laboratory, St. Joseph's College, Irinjalakuda, India
| | - A N Anoopkumar
- Communicable Disease Research Laboratory, St. Joseph's College, Irinjalakuda, India; Department of Zoology, Christ College, Irinjalakuda, University of Calicut, India
| | | | - Raveendran Sindhu
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Trivandrum, 695 019, India
| | - Parameswaran Binod
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Trivandrum, 695 019, India
| | - Sang Hyoun Kim
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ashok Pandey
- Center for Innovation and Translational Research, CSIR- Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, 226 001, India; Frontier Research Lab, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.
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Ugya AY, Hasan DB, Ari HA, Ajibade FO, Imam TS, Abba A, Hua X. Natural freshwater microalgae biofilm as a tool for the clean-up of water resulting from mining activities. ALL LIFE 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/26895293.2020.1844307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Adamu Yunusa Ugya
- Key Lab of Groundwater Resources and Environment of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Water Resources and Aquatic Environment of Jilin Province, College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Environmental Management, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria
| | | | - Hadiza Abdullahi Ari
- Key Lab of Groundwater Resources and Environment of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Water Resources and Aquatic Environment of Jilin Province, College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
- Faculty of Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Fidelis Odedishemi Ajibade
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Technology Akure, Akure, Nigeria
- Key Lab of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | | | - Abidina Abba
- Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University Lokoja, Anyigba, Nigeria
| | - Xiuyi Hua
- Key Lab of Groundwater Resources and Environment of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Water Resources and Aquatic Environment of Jilin Province, College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
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Mining Waste Challenges: Environmental Risks of Gigatons of Mud, Dust and Sediment in Megadiverse Regions in Brazil. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12208466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The management of long-lived mining wastes is a complex environmental challenge, but the subject is little discussed among the public, scientific community, and policymakers. The negative environmental impacts caused by mining wastes are severe and cause damage to human health and the loss and degradation of natural ecosystems. With the objective of stimulating discussion to advance the development of measures to contain threats to biodiversity and to mitigate negative impacts, we present an overview of total volumes of mining waste disposal in tailings dams and dump piles, discriminating them by ore type and biome. We highlight the major environmental risks and challenges associated with tropical forests, savannas, and freshwater ecosystems and possible limitations and advances in public policies and governance. The scale of this challenge is global, as some data show, for example, Brazil generated 3.6 billion tons of solid mining waste in dump piles in the period between 2008 and 2019. The volume is equivalent to 62% of the global mass of nonfuel minerals removed from the planet’s crust in 2006. Numerous socio-environmental disasters are caused by catastrophic mining dam failures, and over the last 34 years, an average of one failure has occurred every three years in Brazil.
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