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Selenium (Se) and Phosphate Mining in Southeast Idaho. Smoky Canyon Mine. Taken from, http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/awetzler/ WindowsLiveWriter /AsgoesIdahosogoestheNation_11818/PanelF_after_2.jpg. Phosphorous (P) from phosphate ores. Found in Fertilizers Used in flares and match tips - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Selenium (Se) and Phosphate Mining in Southeast Idaho
Smoky Canyon Mine. Taken from, http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/awetzler/ WindowsLiveWriter/AsgoesIdahosogoestheNation_11818/PanelF_after_2.jpg
Found in Fertilizers
Used in flares and match tips
Used in Pesticides and herbicides for agriculture
Also found in: toothpaste, soda pop, detergents, and roundup.
Phosphorous (P) from phosphate ores
Match tips containing phosphoroushttp://img.ehowcdn.com/article-page-main/ehow/images/a06/cp/et/obtain-red-phosphorus-800x800.jpg. Taken by,
Roundup containing prosperous. Taken by, http://makanaka.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/roundup3.jpg
Toothpaste containing phosphorous. Taken by, http://www.ida.org.in/Information/newimages/tooth-paste.jpg
Soda pop containing phosphorus. Taken by, http://s4.hubimg.com/u/3845251_f260.jpg
Mines in Caribou County. Taken by, http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/3424564834_8515a7b5f2.jpgEastern Idaho phosphate mines. Taken by, http://archive.sltrib.com/images/2007/0921/024342_phosphate-mines-pollution.gif
Phosphate mines east of Soda Springs
Selenium in the water
Selenium in Monsanto's runoff stream. Taken from, http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AfWHfQIzgaw/TgePGYR8CjI/AAAAAAAACzY/MFwWy_m9-hw/s1600/run+off.jpg
Orphan (inactive) mines not closed properly
Selenium rich mine tailings dumped near streams
Top soil non existent in some reclaimed sites
Cause:
Reclaimed Phosphate mine
Abandoned mine in southeast Idaho. Taken by, http://patagonia.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d07fd53ef0147e299eb68970b-500wi
1. Plants absorb the selenium from streams and surface runoff
2. Some cows, sheep, fish, and wildlife diagnosed with chronic selenosis (selenium poisoning)
3. Humans consume fish and wildlife containing high levels of selenium
Result
Left: cow died from selenium poisoning. Taken from, http://www.cariboucleanwater.org/images/dead-cow-8-20-09.jpg
Cows with selenium poisoning
Right: cow with chronic selenosis. Taken by, http://patagonia.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d07fd53ef014e5f3ecb70970c-500wi
Selenium occurs naturally in our bodies, however when concentrated into high doses can lead to Chronic Selenosis (selenium poisoning) and even death
Drinking water derived from contaminated streams in the
area may be harmful due to high levels of selenium
Consuming Fish, wildlife, and domestic animals that graze in pastures near contaminated streams may also be harmful if Selenium levels are great enough
Risk to humans
Pros Cons
Fertilizers Selenium released into local water system
Herbicides and Pesticides Harmful to landscape
Foods Killing plants and animals - Chronic selenosis (Selenium poisoning)
Toothpaste and soap detergents Humans consuming plants and wildlife rich in Selenium may be harmful
Pros and Cons of mining phosphate in Southeast Idaho
Many mines have been in violation of the clean water act for nearly a decade from high selenium levels.
5 Phosphate mine companies in Southeast Idaho: J.R. Simplot Company, Monsanto, Rhodia, NuWest Industries (Agrium), and Astaris (formally FMC) produce more than 5.4 million metric tons of ore per year
The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) is still accepting new mine proposals for the area
3 of the approximately 13-17 orphan mines are now superfund sites (Smoky Canyon Mine, Valley Mine, and South Rasmussen Ridge Mine) all located in Caribou County
Did you know
Buck, Jones, Brian, Jeffery. "Interagency/Industry coordination at phosphate mines in Southeastern Idaho. "http://www.fs.fed.us. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Oct 2011. <http://www.fs.fed.us/geology/buck-jones.pdf>.
"Idaho: Phosphate Mining - Poisoning Lands, Waters, Wildlife. "http://www.greateryellowstone.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Oct 2011. <http://www.greateryellowstone.org/issues/lands/Feature.php?id=287
Blanchard, Tom. "Hard rock and Phosphate Mining in Idaho. "http://www.wildwhiteclouds.org. March 2002, n.d. Web. 4 Oct 2011. <http://www.wildwhiteclouds.org/news_mining_IdahoMiningRpt.pdf>.
References