Environmental Impact of mine waste interactions with permafrost

矿山废物与永久冻土相互作用的环境影响

• 批准号: 444190-2013
• 负责人: Peterson, Ronald
• 金额: $ 1.27万
• 依托单位: Queen's University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Northern Research Supplement
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2013-01-01 至 2014-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=535348
• 关键词: Environmental; Impact; mine; waste; interactions

This research program will investigate the phase relationships, reaction mechanisms, chemical variations, and observed natural associations of hydrated sulfate minerals and hydrated carbonate minerals as they occur in regions of the Canadian Arctic where permafrost exists. Mineral deposits are more accessible by sea than in the past. The impact of mining these deposits, and the waste that is generated in permafrost regions needs to be understood if we are to minimize the effects on the local ecosystem. The reactions that occur within mine waste that undergo freeze-thaw cycles or that are enclosed in permafrost are not well studied. These reactions will be investigated through a combination of laboratory experiments on, and field observations of, the stability and reaction mechanisms that involve these very reactive minerals. Field studies will investigate the reactions in or near permafrost by studying 1) natural gossan deposits and 2) ore deposits disturbed by mining exploration but not exploited. Studying natural, undisturbed ore bodies provides a long-term experiment as these sluggish low- temperature reactions have been progressing since the retreat of the last glaciation. The fieldwork will be conducted by graduate students and supported by undergraduate students and local students from the nearby communities. The NASA lander Phoenix discovered permafrost just below the Martian surface and the work proposed in this application has direct relevance to sulfate mineral reactions in such a situation. Northern Supplement funds are requested to help defray the costs of air travel of graduate students to commercially serviced airports in the north. Community participation with Elders to discuss and hear their views on the impact of mining in the North will take place during the visits to these communities. Funds are also requested to support the involvement of Aurora College students in Inuvik. Through an outreach program, researchers from Queen's University will participate in the Environmental and Natural Resources Technology Program at Aurora College, provide materials, and offer instruction on the environmental impact of mining.

该研究计划将研究水合硫酸盐矿物和水合碳酸盐矿物的相关系、反应机制、化学变化以及观察到的水合硫酸盐矿物和水合碳酸盐矿物在存在永久冻土的加拿大北极地区的自然关联。与过去相比，通过海运更容易获取矿藏。如果我们想尽量减少对当地生态系统的影响，就需要了解开采这些矿藏的影响以及永久冻土地区产生的废物。经历冻融循环或封闭在永久冻土中的矿山废物中发生的反应尚未得到充分研究。这些反应将通过实验室实验和现场观察相结合的方式来研究，这些反应涉及这些非常活跃的矿物的稳定性和反应机制。实地研究将通过研究 1) 天然戈山矿床和 2) 受采矿勘探干扰但未开采的矿床来调查永久冻土内或附近的反应。研究天然、未受干扰的矿体提供了一项长期实验，因为自上次冰川消退以来，这些缓慢的低温反应一直在进行。实地考察将由研究生进行，并得到本科生和附近社区的当地学生的支持。美国宇航局凤凰号着陆器在火星表面下方发现了永久冻土，本申请中提出的工作与这种情况下的硫酸盐矿物反应直接相关。请求北方补助资金来帮助支付研究生飞往北方商业服务机场的航空旅行费用。在访问这些社区期间，将与长者一起参与社区讨论并听取他们对北部采矿影响的看法。还需要资金支持奥罗拉学院学生参与伊努维克活动。通过外展计划，女王大学的研究人员将参与奥罗拉学院的环境和自然资源技术计划，提供材料并提供有关采矿对环境影响的指导。