Impacts of Metals on Aquatic Ecosystems and Human Health

Summary

The purpose of this course is to encourage environmentally-sensitive and sustainable mining practices by educating current and future mining engineers and environmental professionals about impacts of metals on fish, other aquatic species, and human health. A related objective is to promote collaboration between engineers and scientists with respect to prospecting, design, development, operation, and closure of mines to reduce discharge of metals to the aquatic environment.

This course is an overview of metals that are mined or by-products of mining in Canada and other countries (aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, gold, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium, silver, tin, uranium, and zinc), and how they impact the aquatic environment and human health.

We will begin with a description of aquatic ecosystems, and how mining and other human activities discharge metals to these ecosystems. We will then focus on properties of metals, principles of metal toxicity, exposure pathways, bioavailability and speciation, bioconcentration and biomagnification, factors affecting metal toxicity, and acute and chronic effects of each metal on aquatic organisms and human health. There will be a discussion of toxicity testing methods and source control principles, i.e., how to reduce discharge of metals from mining sites. The course will conclude with a small group exercise in which class participants will present and discuss case studies that illustrate what has been taught.

Who Should Attend?

The course is directed towards mining engineers, other professionals involved in the mining industry (e.g., biologists, chemists, geologists), and other scientists and environmental professionals who are interested in the impacts of metals on aquatic ecosystems and human health. Current professionals and current students are welcome to enroll.