One sentence summary – A comprehensive study conducted by UK scientists has revealed widespread contamination of flood-plains due to metal mining activities, impacting approximately 23 million people globally, highlighting the urgent need for careful planning of future mining operations, particularly given the growing demand for metals like lithium and copper, and the study underscores the threat posed by “silent pollution” stored in flood-plains, emphasizing the need for urgent action to safeguard human health, protect the environment, and ensure the sustainable development of mining practices.
At a glance
- Widespread contamination of flood-plains due to metal mining activities
- Impacts approximately 23 million people globally
- Urgency for careful planning of future mining operations
- Growing demand for metals like lithium and copper
- Chemicals from mining operations leach into soil and waterways, posing significant environmental risks
The details
UK scientists have conducted a comprehensive study revealing widespread contamination of flood-plains due to metal mining activities.
The research impacts approximately 23 million people globally.
This study builds upon previous research and emphasizes the urgency for careful planning of future mining operations.
This is particularly relevant given the growing demand for metals like lithium and copper.
The study utilized data from various sources to map active and abandoned metal mines worldwide.
These sources included governments, mining companies, and organizations such as the US Geological Survey.
Chemicals from mining operations have the capacity to leach into soil and waterways.
This poses significant environmental risks.
Most metals extracted from metal mining are stored in sediment.
This sediment can eventually find its way into river channels and flood-plains.
Through field and laboratory analyses, researchers determined the extent to which metal-contaminated sediment travels downstream in river systems.
Scientists used a computer model to calculate the precise areas of river channels and flood-plains that have been polluted by mining waste.
The compiled data, combined with population information, revealed that an alarming 23 million people reside on contaminated ground.
The study does not directly assess the effects of contamination on individuals.
However, potential exposure routes such as agriculture and irrigation raise concerns.
Crops grown in contaminated soils or irrigated with contaminated water may contain elevated levels of metals.
This poses health risks to consumers.
Animals grazing on flood-plains are at risk of consuming contaminated plant material and sediment.
This risk is particularly high after flooding events.
Climate change and the anticipated increase in flood frequency could exacerbate the pollution legacy.
This could extend its reach and impact.
The study underscores the threat posed by “silent pollution” stored in flood-plains.
This highlights the need for urgent action.
River sediments are often rich in harmful contaminants.
This makes it crucial to enhance our understanding of their transport and storage.
This understanding is necessary to adequately assess hazards and implement effective mitigation strategies.
Flood-plain grasslands heavily contaminated by mining waste should not be utilized for livestock grazing.
This is to ensure consumer safety.
Metal mining has been a persistent and enduring source of environmental contamination throughout human history.
This spans over 7,000 years.
The pollution resulting from abandoned mines continues to affect millions of people globally.
This emphasizes the long-lasting impact of mining activities.
The comprehensive study serves as a wake-up call to the global community.
It reveals the extensive contamination of flood-plains caused by metal mining activities.
With increasing demand for metals and the looming challenges posed by climate change, meticulous planning and effective mitigation strategies are imperative.
The study’s findings emphasize the need for proactive measures.
These measures are needed to safeguard human health, protect the environment, and ensure the sustainable development of mining practices.
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| bbc.co.uk |
|---|
| – Approximately 23 million people worldwide live on flood-plains contaminated by toxic waste from metal-mining activity. |
| – UK scientists conducted a study mapping active and abandoned metal mines to calculate the extent of pollution caused by them. – Chemicals from mining operations can leach into soil and waterways. – Future mines need to be planned carefully due to the increasing demand for metals like lithium and copper for battery technology and electrification. – Pollution from abandoned mines is still affecting millions of people. |
| – |
| The study builds on previous research on how pollution from mining activity moves and accumulates in the environment. – Data on mining activity around the world was compiled from various sources, including governments, mining companies, and organizations like the US Geological Survey. – Most metals from metal mining are bound up in sediment in the ground, which can end up in river channels or flood-plains. – |
| The scientists used field and laboratory analyses to determine how far metal-contaminated sediment moves down river systems. – |
| A computer model was created to calculate the extent of river channels and flood-plains polluted by mining waste. |
| – Combining this data with population data revealed that 23 million people live on contaminated ground. – |
| The research does not determine how these people may be affected by the contamination, but agriculture and irrigation in these areas are potential exposure routes. – Crops grown on contaminated soils or irrigated with contaminated water can contain high concentrations of metals. – Animals grazing on flood-plains may consume contaminated plant material and sediment, especially after flooding. – Climate change and more frequent floods are expected to extend and expand the pollution legacy. – |
| The study highlights the threat posed by “silent pollution” stored in flood-plains. |
| – River sediments often contain the most harmful contaminants, and better understanding their transport and storage is crucial for assessing hazards and mitigating against them. |
| – Flood-plain grasslands heavily contaminated by mining waste should not be used for livestock grazing. – Metal mining is considered humankind’s earliest and most persistent form of environmental contamination. – Mining waste has been contaminating river systems for at least 7,000 years. |
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