Torea Nhun-Fat- MSc candidate

The ecological consequences of iron ore mining on northern aquatic biodiversity revealed by environmental DNA

There are debated uncertainties about how airborne Fe pollution to aquatic ecosystems from historical and contemporary Fe mining influences algal blooms and freshwater biodiversity that cause water quality problems for local First Nations communities in northeastern Quebec / northwestern Labrador, Canada. Using a field enclosure experiment, we tested lethal effects of particulate iron oxide on crustacean zooplanktion, especially cladocerans, a finding not documented previously. As a next step in this line of investigation, we are applying sedimentary eDNA to examine the extent to which iron ore mining activities have on primary production and cyanobacterial abundance, and northern aquatic biodiversity in understudied taiga lakes near Schefferville QC, at the heart of Canada’s iron ore mining activities.
Cosupervised with Zofia Taranu, Environment and Climate Change Canada