Ecosystem recovery after emission reductions: Sudbury, Canada

Freshwater Diatoms as Indicators of Combined Long-Term Mining and Urban Stressors in Junction Creek (Ontario, Canada)

“…Open-air roasting (processing step) occurred, releasing sulfur dioxide. Atmospheric emissions were estimated at over 100 million of tons of SO 2 and thousands of tons of metal particles [22,23]. Along with forest fires and clear-cut logging (large amounts of wood were necessary for roasting), this industrial process led to the destruction of nearly 20,000 ha of land and to about 80,000 ha of semi-barren landscape [23].…”

“…Atmospheric emissions were estimated at over 100 million of tons of SO 2 and thousands of tons of metal particles [22,23]. Along with forest fires and clear-cut logging (large amounts of wood were necessary for roasting), this industrial process led to the destruction of nearly 20,000 ha of land and to about 80,000 ha of semi-barren landscape [23]. Outdoor roasting was common to the end of the 1920s when it was banned by the Ontario Government, following which three smelting plants were built (Copper Cliff, Coniston and Falconbridge).…”

“…Technological development and legislative control have led to a 90% reduction in SO 2 and particulate matter emissions between 1967 and the 1990s [23,25]. A stack rising 380 m above the Canadian Shield floor was built in 1972 (Inco Superstack), spreading smelting fumes to a much larger area.…”

Lead isotopes as particulate contaminant tracers and chronostratigraphic markers in lake sediments in northeastern North America

“…Sulfur and trace metal emissions reductions imposed in the 1970s led to a rebound in vegetation and fresh water pH in the region affected by the Sudbury smelters (e.g. Gunn et al, 1995;Keller et al, 1992). Since Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb are all found in Sudbury smelter emissions (Nriagu et al, 1982;Pacyna and Pacyna, 2001), and since their abundance profiles in Big McDougal Lake show a reduction in recent decades, it is likely that the major source of metals to Big McDougal Lake in the late 20 th century is Sudbury smelting.…”

Changes in distribution and substrate preferences of selected threatened lichens in the Czech Republic

“…Better ecological conditions or presence of different genotypes in North American populations may explain this tolerance to immissions. This lichen has ability to recover after emission reduction (data from the Sudbury area in Canada, see Gunn et al 1995). Similar reason probably explains surprising finding of young thallus in the Lower Lusatia near Cottbus where E. mesomorpha has been found together with further beard lichens Usnea spp.…”