dc.contributor.advisor |
Simon, K |
en |
dc.contributor.author |
Safran, Alexandre |
en |
dc.date.accessioned |
2017-08-02T00:16:10Z |
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dc.date.issued |
2017 |
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dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/2292/34678 |
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dc.description |
Full text is available to authenticated members of The University of Auckland only. |
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dc.description.abstract |
Recent studies have emphasized the need for better understanding the accumulation and toxic effects of metal contaminants from acid mine drainage (AMD) on different organisms and at different trophic levels. The Tui and Tunakohoia streams of Mt Te Aroha, in Waikato, New Zealand were selected for this study as they receive remediated AMD input from the Tui mine. Restoration of the Tui mine was completed in 2013, after remediation of mine portals and tailings associated with the abandoned metal mine were completed. This study complemented the 2016 study done by Gregersen on ecosystem function response to AMD remediation with special emphasis on heavy metal concentrations impacts on community distribution through the analysis of bioaccumulation and toxicity responses. No previous study has been made on the response of fish communities to the remediation of the Tui mine to my knowledge. Furthermore, local iwis wish to know whether it is safe to fish and consume longfin eels (Anguilla dieffenbachia) from the streams. Eel communities were found to have begun repopulating the lower reaches of the Tui and Tunakohoia streams. The bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish and the macroinvertebrates they feed on were analysed and recorded using ICP-MS. Results indicated that sites receiving remediated AMD inputs had high levels of dissolved metals and metal hydroxide deposits compared to reference sites, and the metal concentrations in eels were found to be significantly elevated and out of the range of edible limits set by New Zealand and international standards. Uneven macroinvertebrates community density patterns were observed across sites of the Tui and Tunakohoia streams. The toxicity responses of invertebrate taxa to heavy metals were studied in an attempt to explain the distribution patterns. Results suggest that the toxicity of Zn, Al and Cd may influence the community distribution patterns observed across all sites of the Tui and Tunakohoia streams. In conclusion, the remediation of the Tui mine has not successfully restored ecosystem function. The Tui mine continues to release elevated levels of dissolved metals, resulting in unsuccessful recovery and repopulation of fish and macroinvertebrates community assemblages in the contaminated Tui and Tunakohoia streams. |
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dc.publisher |
ResearchSpace@Auckland |
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dc.relation.ispartof |
Masters Thesis - University of Auckland |
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dc.relation.isreferencedby |
UoA99264930408502091 |
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dc.rights |
Items in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. |
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dc.rights |
Restricted Item. Available to authenticated members of The University of Auckland. |
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dc.rights.uri |
https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htm |
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dc.rights.uri |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/nz/ |
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dc.title |
Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation & Toxicity in Response to Acid Mine Drainage Remediation of The Tui Mine |
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dc.type |
Thesis |
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thesis.degree.discipline |
Environmental Science |
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thesis.degree.grantor |
The University of Auckland |
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thesis.degree.level |
Masters |
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dc.rights.holder |
Copyright: The author |
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pubs.elements-id |
642506 |
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pubs.record-created-at-source-date |
2017-08-02 |
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dc.identifier.wikidata |
Q112934831 |
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