Throughout unit 4 of our chemistry course, we expanded our knowledge in the world of solutions. As a class, we were able to learn about the concentrations of solutions and today we're going to discuss a real world application of bad concentrations of metals leaching into water. A solid solution of metals is also considered to be a specific type of alloy.
Throughout industrial activities such as mining, chemicals and contaminants get leached into groundwater systems which is increasingly becoming a major concern for Canada’s mining industry and federal Government because the water is directly shipped off to reserves and territories nearby. Some of these very toxic metals include: Arsenic,(As) Copper, (Cu) Nickel, (Ni) Aluminium, (Al) Zinc, (Zn) Cobalt, (Co). These metals can cause skin lesions, cancer, and poisonings, which cause organ failure, leading to death. There are efforts to develop a sustainable ways for mining companies to clean up their hazardous messes. The processes include trying to find methods to ensure that the heavy metals liberated during the mining process are not allowed to contaminate the territory's water supply.
There are many health risks that come with living near a mine. If you live near a mine, the water systems could potentially be filled with various harmful metals listed above, which pose many health concerns including: cancer and organ failures, which can ultimately lead to death. It is no shock, seeing as many independent and government funded groups are desperately trying to place restrictions on different kinds of chemicals used and practices of mining. Based on the evidence presented, I don’t believe it is ethical for people to have to drink contaminated water because of unethical mining practices. Although it is hard to tell if unsafe practices are being used, I believe there should be a crew who tests the water quality on a daily basis, in areas near mines in order to ensure the water is safe to drink.
Question:
Is there a water plant that can actually filter out all these toxic metals? If not why haven’t we been able to create such a device for communities bordering mines?
References:
Fashola, M., Ngole-Jeme, V., & Babalola, O. (2016). Heavy Metal Pollution from Gold Mines: Environmental Effects and Bacterial Strategies for Resistance. Retrieved 17 December 2018, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5129257/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5129257/
Hi Sahil!
ReplyDeleteI found it very interesting how chemicals and contaminants getting leached into groundwater systems, is becoming a major concern for Canada’s mining industry. Your implication of chemical elements with this topic was also really cool to see. I have not seen anything about a water plant but new research has shown that by harnessing the moss known as Funaria hygrometrica, we can absorb an impressive amount of lead thanks to the special kind of acid contained in its cell walls. If we were able to use this to help clean out toxins in our water, we could use it to clean out contaminated water.