-
- EP42B-08: Gold Rush, Water Crush: Uncovering the Hydrological Cost Beneath the Glitter of Alluvial Gold Mining in Western Amazonia (invited)
-
NOLA CC
Author(s):Generic 'disconnected' Message
A. Joshua West, University of Southern California (First Author, Presenting Author)
Jennifer Angel Amaya, Lamont -Doherty Earth Observatory
Hinsby Cadillo-Quiroz, Arizona State University
Abra Atwood, University of Southern California
Shreya Ramesh, University of Southern California
Daxs Coayla Rimachi, Universidad Nacional de san Antonio Abad del Cusco
Alluvial gold mining is rapidly transforming tropical landscapes, especially in places like the Madre de Dios River basin in southern Peru. While it's well known that mining increases sediment in rivers, this study shows the hydrological impacts go much deeper. After illegal miners were removed from the La Pampa region in 2020, we compared a mined watershed with a nearby untouched one to understand how mining affects water flow, sediment movement, and pollution—especially mercury. We used drones and underground imaging to track changes in land shape, vegetation, and soil moisture. We show that mining drastically alters the hydrology of these areas, slowing forest recovery and helping contaminants spread downstream. The biggest issue appears to be poor handling of sand and sediment, highlighting a need for better mining practices to protect tropical ecosystems in the future.
Scientific DisciplineNeighborhoodType
Enter Note
Go to previous page in this tab
Session
