Reclamation of mine tailings in British Columbia using biological soil crusts.

Biocrusts are soil crust communities made up of drought and cold tolerant soil dwelling biological communities. Biocrusts are predominant in landscapes inhospitable to vascular plants, such as deserts and tundra. This project will initiate and promote development of biocrusts on the Gibraltar mine tailings. The aim is to utilize the function of biocrusts in stabilizing substrates against erosion and accumulating biologically useful nutrients, to promote remediation of the mine tailings facility. Over a four-month period, this study will explore inoculum types, assisted watering frequency and substrate amendments on biocrust development on the tailings substrate. It is expected that a cyanobacteria supplemented inoculum and amendments that reduce stress for the biocrust communities, will increase biocrust development rate. Interpretations will be made to establish the potential and optimum methods for biocrust development at mine tailings facilities and other degraded substrates where topsoil is absent.

Faculty Supervisor:

Anayansi Cohen-Fernandez

Student:

Partner:

Stantec Consulting (Sidney, BC);Taseko | Gibraltar Mines Ltd

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

British Columbia Institute of Technology

Program: