Fate and distribution of mine tailings in marine sediments – a pilot study on the effects of geochemistry and organisms

Due to future increase of mining activity in Greenland, the problem of handling mine tailings (contaminated waste material) will occur. One solution, which is often used elsewhere, is to deposit the waste material in the sea. Negative environmental impacts are expected. Therefore a pilot experiment should be initiated, which should examine how deposited waste materials from mine tailings might react with the marine environment. Sediment, pore water and seawater will be analysed for heavy metal concentrations and other geochemical parameters as a function of time and other variables.