Søndergaard, J., Schiedek, D. & Asmund, G. 2009: Environmental monitoring at the Seqi olivine mine 2008-2009. National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University. 48 pp. – NERI Technical Report No. 753.
Since 2005, the mineral olivine has been mined at Seqi in Niaquungunaq (Fiskefjord) in West Greenland. Prior to mining, baseline studies were performed in 2004 and 2005 to characterize the natural state and variability of the environment. These studies included measurements of element concentrations in biota such as lichens, seaweed, blue mussels or fish and in the water of the fjord. No measureable natural elevation of elements was found in biota or in water near the mining area.
After the mining activity started, environmental studies have been conducted at Seqi every year to monitor the impact from mining. In this report, the results from sampling in 2008 and 2009, which includes lichens (Cetraria nivalis), brown seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus), blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), shorthorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus scorpius), and Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) are presented and discussed.
Elevated concentrations of some elements, particularly chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni), were measured in lichens at a distance of up to 8 km from the mine, indicating a significant spreading of dust related to the mining activity. Close to the mine site, concentrations of up to 45?g/g dry wt Cr and 96?g/g dry wt Ni were measured, corresponding to 100-200 times higher levels than those measured at the reference sites (0.2 – 0.5?g/g dry wt for both elements). The spreading of dust varied between years with higher levels in 2008 than in 2009, probably due to a decrease in mining activities in late 2008 and 2009. Elevated concentrations of Cr and Ni were also observed in blue mussels [Ni 5.98 ?g/g dry wt (2008); Cr: 4.24?g/g dry wt (2008)] and brown seaweeds [Ni 3.43 ?g/g dry wt (2009) and Cr 0.54 ?g/g dry wt (2009] but only at a few stations in close vicinity to the mine site. When classifying the environmental impact, these stations may be considered as insignificantly to moderately polluted. In fish caught in the fjord around Seqi (shorthorn sculpin) or in Long Lake near Seqi (Arctic char), no elevated element concentrations were found.
Based on these results, it is concluded that spreading of dust near the mine increased from 2007 to 2008 but decreased again in 2009. The impact of the mine on the marine environment, however, is still very local and regarded as insignificant for the Niaquungunaq fjord system.
Full report in PDF-format (2.2 MB).
