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Journal article
A generic environmental risk assessment framework for deep-sea tailings placement
The Science of the total environment, Vol.845, 157311
13/07/2022
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Abstract
Deep-sea tailings placement (DSTP) involves the oceanic discharge of tailings at depth (usually >100 m), with the intent of ultimate deposition of tailings solids on the deep-sea bed (>1000 m), well below the euphotic zone. DSTP discharges consist of a slurry of mine tailings solids (finely crushed rock) and residual process liquor containing low concentrations of metals, metalloids, flotation agents and flocculants. This slurry can potentially affect both pelagic and benthic biota inhabiting coastal waters, the continental slope and the deep-sea bed. Building on a conceptual model of DSTP exposure pathways and receptors, we developed a stressor-driven environmental risk assessment (ERA) framework using causal pathways/causal networks for each of eight pelagic and benthic impact zones. For the risk characterisation, each link in each causal pathway in each zone was scored using four levels of likelihood (not possible, possible, likely and certain) and two levels of consequence (not material, material) to give final risk rankings of low, potential, high or very high risk. Of the 246 individual causal pathways scored, 11 and 18 pathways were considered to be of very high risk and high risk respectively. These were confined to the benthic zones in the mixing zone (continental slope) and the primary and secondary deposition zones. The new risk framework was then tested using a case study of the Batu Hijau copper mine in Indonesia, the largest DSTP operation globally. The major risk of DSTP is smothering of benthic biota, even outside the predicted deposition zones. Timescales for recovery are slow and may lead to different communities than those that existed prior to tailings deposition. We make several recommendations for monitoring programs for existing, proposed and legacy DSTP operations and illustrate how georeferenced causal networks are valuable tools for ERA in DSTP.
•A causal network risk framework was developed for DSTP for eight pelagic and benthic zones. •There were 11 and 18 pathways of very high risk and high risk respectively. •The major stressor to mobile and sessile macro/meiofauna was the tailings particles. •Monitoring of near-shore and secondary deposition zones will improve model predictions.
Details
- Title
- A generic environmental risk assessment framework for deep-sea tailings placement
- Creators
- Jenny L. Stauber - CSIRO Land and WaterMerrin S. Adams - CSIRO Land and WaterGraeme E. Batley - CSIRO Land and WaterLisa A. Golding - CSIRO Land and WaterIan Hargreaves - Ocean Sciences International, Brisbane, Qld, AustraliaLuk Peeters - CSIRO Land and WaterAmanda J. Reichelt-Brushett - Southern Cross UniversityStuart L. Simpson - CSIRO Land and Water
- Publication Details
- The Science of the total environment, Vol.845, 157311
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Identifiers
- 991013048913802368
- Copyright
- © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article