Media Releases and Opportunities
» Go to news mainMedia opportunity: Review finds at least 3,600 abandoned and active mines operating in some of the most valuable fish habitats in western North America
A new report by science and policy experts from the U.S. and Canada has found that abandoned and active mining operations are putting tremendous pressure on watersheds from Montana to British Columbia and Alaska, and often overlap with populations of salmon, trout and other species.
The study, led by scientists at the University of Montana and Dalhousie University, reviewed the ecological complexity of rivers and how mines can affect culturally and economically important fish species by contaminating waters with heavy metals, burying stream habitat and diverting water for processing ore.
Those cumulative impacts can be impossible to reverse and degrade landscapes for thousands of years, according to the report by 23 scientists including Alana Westwood of Dalhousie’s School for Environmental and Resource Studies.
The researchers determined that there are more than 3,600 idle and active mines in some of the most valuable fish habitats in western North America, posing risks to fish health. They suggest in the paper, published today (July 1) in the journal Science Advances, that existing regulations and policies are inconsistent and do not adequately assess risks, quantify cumulative effects, mitigate damage or monitor for negative impacts.
Dr. Westwood is available to discuss the findings and how Canadian laws could be improved to close loopholes and prevent mines from harming waterways.
The paper and infographics are available upon request.
-30-
Media contact:
Alison Auld
Senior Research Reporter
Communications, Marketing and Creative Services
Dalhousie University
Cell: 1-902-220-0491
Email: alison.auld@dal.ca
Recent News
- Media opportunity: Being involved in extracurricular activities really does matter when it comes to 'mattering': Dalhousie University research
- Media opportunity: Podcast by Dalhousie researcher and Halifax photographer looks at barriers to Nova Scotia's coastline, decreasing access to waterfronts and problems with litter, marine debris in public coastal areas
- Media opportunity: Dalhousie University researcher pioneers new cancer treatment ‑‑ cutting‑edge CAR‑T cell therapy
- Media opportunity: Research sheds light on the difficulty temporary foreign workers can face in securing permanent residency in P.E.I.
- Media opportunity: World's largest stores of unfrozen freshwater projected to warm and affect cold‑water habitats, geothermal energy resources and drinking water quality : Dalhousie University research
- Media release: Dalhousie University research reveals conservation benefits are doubled for reef sharks and rays in fully protected marine areas that also have strong fisheries management
- Media release: New program partners Dalhousie researcher and IWK Health to tackle violence against women
- Media opportunity: Dalhousie University researchers and an international team identify new strain of mpox virus in Africa that can spread through heterosexual sex and community contact
Comments
comments powered by Disqus