User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
The area I chose to study for my field research project is located in Red Chris Mine on a stream called Quarry Creek. The mine is situated on the northeastern portion of Todagin Plateau in northwestern part of BC, which is on the boundary of two regional watersheds: Klappan and Iskut River.
The mine also falls within Tahltan Traditional Territory and as a member of the Tahltan Nation; I find it incredibly important to study this area and to understand the environmental impacts that can occur.
Quarry Creek is a second order stream that flows from the project site along the valley bottom and into the Klappan River. Quarry Creek will receive operational discharge from the north end of the tailings impound area of the mine.
Freshwater habitats contain organisms from many taxonomic groups; each group is likely to respond differently to concentrations of contaminants in the aquatic receiving environment. Aquatic receptor groups include aquatic plants, aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, fish, and aquatic-feeding birds.
The following points outlines what I want to base my research project on:
- Identify potential environmental impacts from selenium in effluent.
- Will Selenium bioaccumulation have long-term affect on Quarry Creek aquatic organisms?
- Is there correlation or relationship between aqueous selenium concentrations and benthic invertebrate concentrations?
