Swales S, Storey A W, Roderick I D, Figa B S, Bakowa K A, Tenakanai C D
Environment Department, Ok Tedi Mining Limited, Western Province, Papua New Guinea.
Sci Total Environ. 1998 Jun 18;214:99-111. doi: 10.1016/s0048-9697(98)00057-6.
Monitoring of the impacts of the Ok Tedi copper mine on fish populations in the Fly River system in Papua New Guinea has recorded approx. 100 species of fish representing 32 families. Fish catches have shown considerable temporal and spatial variability but, since the commencement of mine operations and the input of mine-derived waste material into the headwaters of the system, long-term monitoring has revealed significant reductions in fish catches at most riverine sites in the Ok Tedi, upper and middle Fly River. However, no significant declines in fish catches have been recorded in the lower Fly or delta areas. Possible mechanisms accounting for the declines in fish catches in the river are discussed. Although catches in some floodplain habitats have also declined, these changes are thought to be associated with the effects of natural climatic phenomena, particularly El Nino droughts. Introduced species and increased commercial and artisanal fishing may also have had an effect. Levels of copper, zinc, lead and cadmium were found to be elevated in tissues from a range of fish species taken from riverine and floodplain sites sampled in the Ok Tedi and Fly Rivers. Metal levels were generally much higher in liver and kidney than from flesh. There was a general trend for metal concentrations to decrease with distance downstream from the mine, suggesting a mine-related effect. Significantly higher metal concentrations were recorded at 'impact' compared to 'control' sites. The intake of dietary copper by humans consuming fish taken from the river is well within guidelines set by the World Health Organisation and does not constitute a health risk. Ok Tedi Mining Limited has recently initiated a programme of mitigation works aimed at reducing the adverse effects of mine wastes on the river environment.
对巴布亚新几内亚弗莱河系统中奥克泰迪铜矿对鱼类种群影响的监测记录了约100种鱼类，分属32个科。捕鱼量呈现出显著的时间和空间变异性，但是，自矿山运营开始以及矿山废弃物排入该系统上游水域以来，长期监测显示，奥克泰迪河、弗莱河上游和中游的大多数河滨地点的捕鱼量大幅减少。然而，弗莱河下游或三角洲地区的捕鱼量并未出现显著下降。文中讨论了导致河流捕鱼量下降的可能机制。尽管一些洪泛区栖息地的捕鱼量也有所下降，但这些变化被认为与自然气候现象的影响有关，尤其是厄尔尼诺干旱。外来物种以及商业和个体渔业的增加也可能产生了影响。从奥克泰迪河和弗莱河采样的河滨和洪泛区地点采集的一系列鱼类的组织中，铜、锌、铅和镉的含量升高。肝脏和肾脏中的金属含量通常比鱼肉中的高得多。金属浓度总体上呈现出随离矿山下游距离增加而降低的趋势，表明与矿山有关。与“对照”地点相比，“受影响”地点的金属浓度显著更高。食用从河中捕获鱼类的人通过饮食摄入的铜量远低于世界卫生组织设定的指导标准，不构成健康风险。奥克泰迪矿业有限公司最近启动了一项缓解工程计划，旨在减少矿山废弃物对河流环境的不利影响。
