Regions: North Slave Region
Tags: contaminants, health, mining impacts, bioaccumulation, arsenic, fish health
| Principal Investigator: | de Rosemond, Simone (1) |
| Licence Number: | 13543 |
| Organization: | University of Saskatchewan |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2003
|
| Issued: | Aug 15, 2003 |
| Project Team: | Karsten Li |
Objective(s): The Giant Mine, Yellowknife, was in operation for more than 50 years during which time arsenic levels in the surrounding area have significantly increased due to the roasting methods used to extract gold from mined ore. Arsenic concentrations in Baker Creek, which passes through the mine area and receives arsenic containing effluent, have ranged from 0.3 to 12,600 ug/L, with the highest concentrations being observed in the 1970s. Arsenic was measured in walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), pike (Esox lucius), whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) and white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) caught in Back Bay in 1997. Total arsenic concentrations in the muscle tissue of these fish ranged from 0.28 to 3.1 ppm. There is concern that arsenic from mining activities could affect human health through the consumption of fish living downstream of Giant Mine. The main objective of this project is to determine the concentration and species of arsenic in different fish species from Back Bay, Yellowknife, in order to evaluate whether or not these fish pose a risk to human health through consumption. A total of 32 fish (same 4 species sampled in 1997) will be captured from 3 or 4 locations in Back Bay and analyzed for arsenic concentrations in fish tissues.
