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Selenium (Se) and Phosphate Mining in Southeast Idaho

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

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Selenium (Se) and Phosphate Mining in Southeast Idaho

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  1. 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

  2. Phosphorous (P) from phosphate ores • 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.

  3. 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

  4. Phosphate mines east of Soda Springs Mines in Caribou County. Taken by, http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/3424564834_8515a7b5f2.jpg Eastern Idaho phosphate mines. Taken by, http://archive.sltrib.com/images/2007/0921/024342_phosphate-mines-pollution.gif

  5. 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

  6. Cause: • Orphan (inactive) mines not closed properly • Selenium rich mine tailings dumped near streams • Top soil non existent in some reclaimed sites

  7. Reclaimed Phosphate mine Abandoned mine in southeast Idaho. Taken by, http://patagonia.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d07fd53ef0147e299eb68970b-500wi

  8. Result • Plants absorb the selenium from streams and surface runoff • Some cows, sheep, fish, and wildlife diagnosed with chronic selenosis (selenium poisoning) • Humans consume fish and wildlife containing high levels of selenium

  9. Cows with selenium poisoning Left: cow died from selenium poisoning. Taken from, http://www.cariboucleanwater.org/images/dead-cow-8-20-09.jpg Right: cow with chronic selenosis. Taken by, http://patagonia.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d07fd53ef014e5f3ecb70970c-500wi

  10. Risk to humans • 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

  11. Pros and Cons of mining phosphate in Southeast Idaho

  12. Did you know • 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

  13. References • 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>.

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