Downstream effects of mine drainage on benthos and fish in a Norwegian river: a comparison of the situation before and after river rehabilitation

Abstract

Parts of the Norwegian river Gaula are strongly polluted from former mining activity in the area. In the most polluted parts of the river the concentration levels of Cu and Zn in 1986–1987 were up to 155 μg 1 −1 and 186 μg 1 −1, respectively. In 1989 the spoil heaps in the mining area were covered with protective layers of moss-covered plastic. In 1991–1992 the concentration levels of Cu and Zn had decreased by 75% and 65%, respectively. Animal life in the polluted area seemed to be strongly affected by the trace metals in 1986–1987. The 1991–1992 results showed a marked increase in the number of species and in the number of individuals of each species of Ephemcroptera and Plecoptera, compared with the results from 1986–1987. Good correlations were found between the concentrations of Cu in the water and both the number of species and the number of individuals of Ephemcroptera and Plecoptera. Analysis of the species Baetis rhodani, Diura nanseni and Rhyacophila nubila showed an average total dry weight content of Cu up to 264 μg g −1, of Zn up to 1930 μg g −1 and of Cd up to 16 μg g −1. The contents of the three trace metals were significantly different from one species to another and in part between the stations for each species. In 1987 trout died after an exposure of one to two days on three test sites in the river, whereas in 1991–1992 40–75% of the trout survived an exposure period of several weeks at two of the sites. Electrofishing in 1991–1992 indicated recolonization of trout in the lower parts of the former affected and uninhabitable area.