An Integrative Approach to Assess the Environmental Impacts of Gold Mining Contamination in the Amazon
Preprints.org2021
7 citations
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Marcela Cabrera,
Marcela Cabrera,
Oscar Lucas-Solis,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Andreu Rico
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Andreu Rico
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Marcela Cabrera,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Andreu Rico
Andreu Rico
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Andreu Rico
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Andreu Rico
Andreu Rico
Verónica Pinos-Vélez,
Marcela Cabrera,
Marcela Cabrera,
Marcela Cabrera,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Andreu Rico
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Andreu Rico
Oscar Lucas-Solis,
Oscar Lucas-Solis,
Andreu Rico
Oscar Lucas-Solis,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Andreu Rico
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Oscar Lucas-Solis,
Andreu Rico
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Verónica Pinos-Vélez,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Andreu Rico
Andreu Rico
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Danieal Alvear-S,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Verónica Pinos-Vélez,
Andreu Rico
Andreu Rico
Andreu Rico
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Verónica Pinos-Vélez,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Danieal Alvear-S,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Andreu Rico
Andreu Rico
Andreu Rico
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Marcela Cabrera,
Marcela Cabrera,
Marcela Cabrera,
Samantha Vasco-Viteri,
Emily Galarza,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Andreu Rico
Andreu Rico
Emily Galarza,
Marcela Cabrera,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Andreu Rico
Marcela Cabrera,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Oscar Lucas-Solis,
Andreu Rico
Lady Shiguango,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Lady Shiguango,
Verónica Pinos-Vélez,
Verónica Pinos-Vélez,
Andreu Rico
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Andreu Rico
Marcela Cabrera,
Andrés Pérez‐González,
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Andreu Rico
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Rodrigo Espinosa,
Andreu Rico
Andreu Rico
Mariana V. Capparelli,
Gabriel M. Moulatlet,
Andreu Rico
Summary
Researchers used an integrative four-line-of-evidence approach to assess environmental impacts of gold mining contamination in the Napo province of Ecuador, finding elevated metals in water and sediments, poor macroinvertebrate community quality at 9 of 11 sites, and reduced seed germination in bioassays.
As the number of legal and illegal mining sites increase, integrative methods to evaluate the effects of mining pollution on Andes-Amazonia freshwater ecosystems are paramount. Here, we sampled water and sediments in 11 sites potentially affected by mining activities in the Napo province (Ecuador). The environmental impacts were evaluated using four lines of evidence (LOEs): water physico-chemical parameters; metal exposure concentrations; macroinvertebrate community response (AAMBI); and toxicity by conducting bioassays with Lactuca sativa and Daphnia magna. Overall, dissolved oxygen and total suspended solids were, under (<80%) and above (>130 mg/Ls) quality standards. Ag, Al, As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn in water and V, B and Cr in sediments were detected above quality standards. Nine out of eleven sites were classified as having bad environmental quality based on the AAMBI. Ranges of L. sativa seed germination in both water (37% to 70%) and sediment (0% to 65%), indicate significant toxicity. In 5 sites, neonates of D. magna showed a 25% reduction in survival compared to the control. Our integrated LOEs index ranked sites regarding their environmental degradation. Given the importance of the Andes-Amazon region, we recommend environmental impact monitoring of the mining expansion using multiple LOEs.