Effects of potash mining on river ecosystems: An experimental study

Cañedo‐Argüelles, Miguel; Brucet, Sandra; Carrasco, Sergi; Flor-Arnau, Núria; Ordeix, Marc; Ponsá, Sergio; Coring, Eckhard

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2016.12.072

Cited by 39 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…Tracing and quantifying relative contributions of Na þ ions from different non-point sources in watersheds warrants further study. Although K þ concentrations are under stronger biotic demand, they can increase in runoff draining agricultural land and mines [7,49]. We also observed significantly increasing trends in mean Ca 2þ and Mg 2þ concentrations across many sites, but there were some cases where there were decreasing trends [47].…”

Section: (A) Freshwater Salinization Syndrome Mobilizes Mixtures Of Mmentioning

confidence: 62%

Novel ‘chemical cocktails' in inland waters are a consequence of the freshwater salinization syndrome

Kaushal

Likens

Pace

et al. 2018

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

111

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Widespread changes in water temperatures, salinity, alkalinity and pH have been documented in inland waters in North America, which influence ion exchange, weathering rates, chemical solubility and contaminant toxicity. Increasing major ion concentrations from pollution, human-accelerated weathering and saltwater intrusion contribute to multiple ecological stressors such as changing ionic strength and pH and mobilization of chemical mixtures resulting in the freshwater salinization syndrome (FSS). Here, we explore novel combinations of elements, which are transported together as chemical mixtures containing salts, nutrients and metals as a consequence of FSS. First, we show that base cation concentrations have increased in regions primarily in North America and Europe over 100 years. Second, we show interactions between specific conductance, pH, nitrate and metals using data from greater than 20 streams located in different regions of the USA. Finally, salinization experiments and routine monitoring demonstrate mobilization of chemical mixtures of cations, metals and nutrients in 10 streams draining the Washington, DC–Baltimore, MD metropolitan regions. Freshwater salinization mobilizes diverse chemical mixtures influencing drinking water quality, infrastructure corrosion, freshwater CO 2 concentrations and biodiversity. Most regulations currently target individual contaminants, but FSS requires managing mobilization of multiple chemical mixtures and interacting ecological stressors as consequences of freshwater salinization. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Salt in freshwaters: causes, ecological consequences and future prospects’.

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Section: (A) Freshwater Salinization Syndrome Mobilizes Mixtures Of Mmentioning

confidence: 62%

Novel ‘chemical cocktails' in inland waters are a consequence of the freshwater salinization syndrome

Kaushal

Likens

Pace

et al. 2018

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

111

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“…Over the last two decades there has been growing attention to the anthropogenic activities that lead to the salinization of fresh waters, which includes humanaccelerated weathering, mining (e.g. coal and potash), shale-gas extraction, brines used for secondary oil recovery, the diversion of surface water and vegetation removal for agriculture, improper irrigation practices, industrial waste, improper storage of wastewater, and the application of fertilizers and road de-icing salts [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regulations are needed to protect freshwater ecosystems from salinization

Schuler

Cañedo‐Argüelles

Hintz

et al. 2018

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

Self Cite

114

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Anthropogenic activities such as mining, agriculture and industrial wastes have increased the rate of salinization of freshwater ecosystems around the world. Despite the known and probable consequences of freshwater salinization, few consequential regulatory standards and management procedures exist. Current regulations are generally inadequate because they are regionally inconsistent, lack legal consequences and have few ion-specific standards. The lack of ion-specific standards is problematic, because each anthropogenic source of freshwater salinization is associated with a distinct set of ions that can present unique social and economic costs. Additionally, the environmental and toxicological consequences of freshwater salinization are often dependent on the occurrence, concentration and ratios of specific ions. Therefore, to protect fresh waters from continued salinization, discrete, ion-specific management and regulatory strategies should be considered for each source of freshwater salinization, using data from standardized, ion-specific monitoring practices. To develop comprehensive monitoring, regulatory, and management guidelines, we recommend the use of co-adaptive, multi-stakeholder approaches that balance environmental, social, and economic costs and benefits associated with freshwater salinization. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Salt in freshwaters: causes, ecological consequences and future prospects’.

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“…Atmospheric acid deposition accelerates chemical weathering over large geographic scales due to chemical dissolution and ion exchange in rocks and soils ( 7 , 12 , 17 ). Accelerated weathering of geological substrates can contribute to increased concentrations of major ions in water including bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, and potassium ( 7 , 12 , 18 – 21 ). Finally, land-use activities enhance the anthropogenic inputs of easily weathered materials, including agricultural lime and impervious surfaces made of concrete, which can impact chemistry of drainage waters ( 13 , 22 , 23 ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The directionality and severity of trends for different salt ions, alkalinity, and pH are influenced on a regional scale by dilution capacity of rivers due to water demand, changes in river runoff due to climate variability, and sea level rise and saltwater intrusion into freshwater sections of rivers and estuaries ( 6 , 28 , 29 ). A holistic understanding of concurrent patterns in salinization and alkalinization on a continental scale is important for identifying and prioritizing regional management needs, given that interactions between different salts, specific conductance, and pH can influence aquatic life, ecosystem functioning, and services ( 14 , 15 , 19 , 30 ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Freshwater salinization syndrome on a continental scale

Kaushal

Likens

Pace

et al. 2018

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

428

345

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SignificanceSalinization and alkalinization impact water quality, but these processes have been studied separately, except in arid regions. Globally, salinization has been largely attributed to agriculture, resource extraction, and land clearing. Alkalinization has been attributed to recovery from acidification, with less recognition as an environmental issue. We show that salinization and alkalinization are linked, and trends in these processes impact most of the drainage area of the United States. Increases in salinity and alkalinity are caused by inputs of salts containing strong bases and carbonates that originate from anthropogenic sources and accelerated weathering. We develop a conceptual model unifying our understanding of salinization and alkalinization and its drivers and impacts on fresh water in North America over the past century.

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Effects of potash mining on river ecosystems: An experimental study

Cited by 39 publications

References 50 publications

Novel ‘chemical cocktails' in inland waters are a consequence of the freshwater salinization syndrome

Novel ‘chemical cocktails' in inland waters are a consequence of the freshwater salinization syndrome

Regulations are needed to protect freshwater ecosystems from salinization

Freshwater salinization syndrome on a continental scale

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