Communicating Science about the Gold King Mine Spill & Water Quality in the Animas River
a. How have geological, biological and human factors created and exacerbated acid mine drainage and water quality issues in the Animas River?
b. What ecological and human health threats might be associated with the Gold King Mine spill: initially, currently and in the future?
c. What actions can be taken to improve the water quality in Cement Creek and the Animas River watershed?
d. What is the role of science in making policy decisions?
Post Project Reflection
Throughout the course of this project, my understanding of scientific thinking has changed in numerous ways. Though Chemistry has never been a strong subject for me, the Gold King Mine project opened my eyes to the vast amount of data, work and knowledge that goes behind research. It made me appreciate the scientific knowledge I always have had available to me, but never understood. To answer my question centering upon the affects on aquatic life, I had to pull information from countless databases to provide the public with an answer.
This project made me realize the complex language that scientific information is spoken by. This tongue isn't understood by the general public, and hundreds of pages filled to the brim with complicated data and charts simply muddles the main idea. Scientists absolutely have a moral duty or obligation to convey their findings in understandable documents. Though they are technically giving us the information, no one can understand what it reads and thus isn't completely transparent.
Silverton has has mine drainage from geological features for hundreds years, this was even before human developed in the area that was rich with precious metals. For example, the annual spring runoff produces an extremely large amount of chemicals, though this is a normal process. Though this has always been a natural factor, it has little comparison to the effects that are a direct result of human involvement such as mining. Mining basically amplifies this natural process at a very unnatural rate to produce energy. Because of the toxic chemicals that slip into the water, pollution is often found beneath even the best regulated mines. This results in raising the rivers overall pH level, thus making it harder for aquatic life to survive and thrive in a once stable environment. Over hundreds of years, aquatic life have had to adapt to live with the mines spills.
All of this sounds reasonable, but what does this all mean for the future? The pivotal question is in the back of everyone's minds whom have been impacted by this fallout. What of chronic human exposure, or the lasting ecological effects? I understand the spill as this, though human threats are potential, one would need to consume plume water at a constant rate for a long interval of time to even have the possibility of internal damage. Aquatic life on the other hand, is much trickier. Because these species and plants are in constant contact with the water sediment buildup holding toxic metals can be a hazard. The four most toxic chemicals from the spill included Aluminum, Cadmium, Manganese and Zinc. These metals effects can range from brain damage to death. Though we have not yet seen any negative impacts, the chronic results are the ones most worry some. So all anyone can do in this unappealing situation, is wait.
b. What ecological and human health threats might be associated with the Gold King Mine spill: initially, currently and in the future?
c. What actions can be taken to improve the water quality in Cement Creek and the Animas River watershed?
d. What is the role of science in making policy decisions?
Post Project Reflection
Throughout the course of this project, my understanding of scientific thinking has changed in numerous ways. Though Chemistry has never been a strong subject for me, the Gold King Mine project opened my eyes to the vast amount of data, work and knowledge that goes behind research. It made me appreciate the scientific knowledge I always have had available to me, but never understood. To answer my question centering upon the affects on aquatic life, I had to pull information from countless databases to provide the public with an answer.
This project made me realize the complex language that scientific information is spoken by. This tongue isn't understood by the general public, and hundreds of pages filled to the brim with complicated data and charts simply muddles the main idea. Scientists absolutely have a moral duty or obligation to convey their findings in understandable documents. Though they are technically giving us the information, no one can understand what it reads and thus isn't completely transparent.
Silverton has has mine drainage from geological features for hundreds years, this was even before human developed in the area that was rich with precious metals. For example, the annual spring runoff produces an extremely large amount of chemicals, though this is a normal process. Though this has always been a natural factor, it has little comparison to the effects that are a direct result of human involvement such as mining. Mining basically amplifies this natural process at a very unnatural rate to produce energy. Because of the toxic chemicals that slip into the water, pollution is often found beneath even the best regulated mines. This results in raising the rivers overall pH level, thus making it harder for aquatic life to survive and thrive in a once stable environment. Over hundreds of years, aquatic life have had to adapt to live with the mines spills.
All of this sounds reasonable, but what does this all mean for the future? The pivotal question is in the back of everyone's minds whom have been impacted by this fallout. What of chronic human exposure, or the lasting ecological effects? I understand the spill as this, though human threats are potential, one would need to consume plume water at a constant rate for a long interval of time to even have the possibility of internal damage. Aquatic life on the other hand, is much trickier. Because these species and plants are in constant contact with the water sediment buildup holding toxic metals can be a hazard. The four most toxic chemicals from the spill included Aluminum, Cadmium, Manganese and Zinc. These metals effects can range from brain damage to death. Though we have not yet seen any negative impacts, the chronic results are the ones most worry some. So all anyone can do in this unappealing situation, is wait.