Development of biological monitoring programs used to assess mining impact in the ARR: A report to the Alligator Rivers Region Technical Committee
Internal Report 286
Humphrey C & Pidgeon R
Supervising Scientist Division
Department of the Environment
About the report
In 1987, eriss established a program of research to develop biological monitoring programs that would be used to assess the impact of mining upon aquatic ecosystems of the Alligator Rivers Region (ARR). The objective of this briefing paper is to summarise progress made in developing this program since its inception. In particular, the paper describes and summarises:
- past efforts to develop biological monitoring programs,
- progress made to date, and
- further research needs and future monitoring roles that eriss proposes to carry out in the short-term (next 3 years).
It is intended that the proposals outlined in (iii) be refined in the ensuing 67 month period following feedback and endorsement from ARRTC members.
It is important to recognise that eriss' biological monitoring program does not include an assessment of the impact upon people and ecosystems of radionuclides associated with U mining and milling in the ARR. These issues were the subject of a previous review paper Radiological protection research in the Alligator Rivers Region' presented to ARRTC in December 1995.