YES-27-D-04: Impact of Climate Change Processes on the Environmental and Human Health Impacts of Abandoned Mine Wastes
Project Summary
Abandoned mine wastes represent a long-standing environmental hazard, often rich in potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium. Climate change is intensifying the processes that influence contaminant mobility, including increased rainfall variability, rising temperatures, and prolonged droughts. These shifts not only alter geochemical pathways but also increase the risk of human exposure. Drought conditions can lead to the desiccation of mine tailings and the formation of contaminated dust, which may be dispersed by wind and inhaled by nearby populations, posing serious respiratory and toxicological risks. This research will investigate how climate-driven processes affect the environmental behaviour and health impacts of legacy mine wastes.
Research Objectives
- Characterise the physical, mineralogical and elemental composition of mine wastes prone to inundation, erosion and dust formation.
- Quantify uncertainty in contaminant release and exposure during drought and storm events.
- Model risk pathways for environmental and human health exposures, focusing on aerosol and aqueous dispersion.
- Develop decision-support tools for prioritising site interventions under predicted climate change scenarios.
- Explore communication strategies for conveying risk and uncertainty to stakeholders
Methodology and Approach
The methodology for this project begins with the collection and detailed analysis of mine waste samples. Techniques such as laser grainsize analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) will be employed to determine the mineralogical and elemental composition of the materials. To understand the potential for dust formation, especially under drought conditions, laboratory simulations will be conducted to assess how these dry spells influence the generation and mobility of contaminated dust particles. Field measurements conducted at UK sites will determine contaminant fluxes and in situ exposures under current climate conditions.
Building on established contaminant exposure modelling approaches, this project will advance beyond traditional background modelling techniques by explicitly addressing the dynamic and uncertain nature of climate-driven contaminant fluxes from abandoned mine wastes. While conventional models often rely on fixed contaminant concentrations and static assumptions, this will employ statistical approaches to capture variability and complex behaviours in contaminant dispersion. By coupling detailed geochemical data with advanced statistical approaches, the project addresses limitations in current models that do not adequately consider heterogeneous mineralogy or weather-driven changes in contaminant mobility. This enhances ecological and human health risk predictions, making them more responsive to climate variability and responses to extremes in weather conditions.
A crucial aspect of the project involves collaborating closely with stakeholders to co-develop decision-support tools. These tools will be designed to aid site managers and policymakers in making informed, adaptive decisions under conditions of uncertainty. They will also facilitate clear and effective communication of risk to affected communities, ensuring that complex scientific information is accessible and actionable.
This project aligns closely with the goals of the YES DTP by integrating environmental science and the quantification of human risks. It investigates how drought and erosion influence contaminant release, employs advanced quantitative methods to handle uncertainty, and develops tools for risk-informed site management and communication. By bridging these themes, the research advances understanding of uncertainty and risk in climate-sensitive environmental health contexts.
Candidate
A strong candidate for this project would have a background in environmental science, geochemistry, or earth sciences, with hands-on experience in field sampling and mineralogical analysis techniques such as XRD, XRF, and ICP-MS. They should understand contaminant transport and environmental risk, with some knowledge of public health related to exposure pathways. The ideal candidate will also be skilled in statistical analysis to model variability and uncertainty in contaminant behaviour and able to use spatial tools like GIS for mapping dispersion.
Beyond technical skills, they should have a systems-thinking mindset to connect climate-driven processes with contaminant dynamics and health risks. Good communication and collaboration skills are essential for working with stakeholders and conveying complex information clearly. Adaptability is important for handling diverse tasks, from fieldwork to data analysis and decision-support development. This candidate is motivated to quantify and communicate uncertainty, bridging climate science, data science, and decision-making to address environmental health risks under changing climate conditions.
Suggested References:
Concurrence of mining and climate change: environmental implications and mitigation strategies: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10653-025-02556-z
The conversation: https://theconversation.com/how-mine-dumps-in-south-africa-affect-the-health-of-communities-living-nearby-77113
BBC Rivers of Lead: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002h9wr