Objectives:

•Determine if there is a correlation between arsenic contamination in soils and the Alnus spp. present in the tailings

•Quantify arsenic present in the environment in both soils and Alnus spp. tissue using ICP-MS and XRF. 

Nova Scotia has many legacy gold mining sites that are understudied and we need to better understand the contaminants present that could pose a risk to the environment. Alder trees (Alnus spp.) grow in disturbed areas and literature shows they are phytostabilizers in contaminated sites like mines. Studying the alder trees (Alnus spp.) present at the legacy gold mine in Molega may contribute to understanding bioaccumulation of toxic metals and their potential to be transferred through the food web.

Eve Pole

Eve is a fourth year Environmental Science honours student. Eve says, “I would like to pursue a career in environmental consulting and conservation, and I am excited about the experience I am gaining at an undergraduate level”.

Click here to read more about Eve’s research.