RT Journal Article
T1 Mining and e-waste recycling influence the spatial distribution of technology-critical elements, but not rare earth elements, in boreal lakes
A1 Gabriele, Marta
A1 Rosabal, Maikel
A1 Montoro Girona, Miguel
A1 Blaney, Patrice
A1 Grosbois, Guillaume
AB Mining and more recent e-waste recycling have contributed trace elements (TEs) to the environment. However, the occurrence of emerging technology-critical elements (TCEs), including rare earth elements (REEs), remains poorly reported. Our study aims to i) investigate the spatial distribution of TEs, including TCEs, across different environmental matrices; ii) compare measured concentrations in water and sediment against environmental quality guidelines; and iii) assess potential risks to human health from fish consumption. In this study, we sampled water, sediment, and fish tissues (muscle and liver) across six  boreal lakes near the historically mining region of Rouyn-Noranda, home to North America's largest copper smelting and recycling facility (Horne Smelter). Concentrations of TEs (e.g., Cu, Se) were higher in lakes closest to the smelter. Similarly, some TCEs (i.e., Ti, Co, Tl) followed this same spatial distribution pattern, suggesting that their release may be linked to historical and current mining activities. Conversely, REEs displayed distinct spatial patterns, likely influenced by geological sources rather than pollution. Several TEs (e.g., Zn, Cd, Pb) exceeded Canadian water and sediment quality guidelines in lakes closer to the mining area. Muscle tissue from walleye or yellow perch showed Zn, Cd, or Pb concentrations above safety limits in at least one lake. This study highlights the importance of including emerging TCEs (e.g., Sr, Tl, Co) in biomonitoring programs. Our findings provide critical insights into the environmental distribution of TEs across multiple matrices of boreal lake ecosystems, contributing to global efforts in risk assessment and sustainable freshwater management in the context of growing electronic waste recycling.
PB Elsevier
SN 0048-9697
SN 1879-1026 (electrónico)
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10272/27700
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10272/27700
LA eng
NO Gabriele, M., Rosabal, M., Montoro Girona, M., Blaney, P., & Grosbois, G. (2025). Mining and e-waste recycling influence the spatial distribution of technology-critical elements, but not rare earth elements, in boreal lakes. Science of The Total Environment, 1007, 180916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180916
NO This study was financially supported by Hecla-mining company and the Interuniversity Group of Limnology Research (GRIL). It was also supported by the UQAT Foundation (FUQAT), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (FRQNT) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 1 jun 2026