Environmental Assessment
Volume E-3.10
Tailings Facility
Water Quality
Ambatovy Project
125
January 2006
•
modelling of water and sediment quality changes based on the selected
mitigation activities;
•
comparison of predicted water and sediment quality to baseline
concentrations and guideline values; and
•
assessment of project effects on human, flora, fauna and aquatic health.
The assessment of the effects of changes in water and sediment quality on
biological receptors is described in Volume E (Sections 4.1 to 4.3 and 5.4).
Water quality concentrations were predicted at the downstream end of twelve
assessment nodes (Figure 3.10-1) for six scenario snapshots. These assessment
nodes and scenarios were also used for hydrological assessment completed in
Volume E, Section 3.8.
Figure 3.10-1 Schematic of Basins Affected by Tailings Facility
A1
▼
A2
▼
A3
▼
A4
▼
B3 ► A5 ◄ B2 ◄ B1
▼
A6 ◄ C3 ◄ C2 ◄ C1
Note: shaded cells will receive seepage directly from the tailings facility.
The individual basins for each assessment node were grouped as follows:
•
Ambolona Tributary 1 (basins A1 to A4);
•
Ambolona Tributary 2 (basins B1 to B3);
•
Ambolona Tributary 3 (basins C1 to C3); and
•
Ambolona River (basins A5 and A6).
The six water quality assessment scenarios correspond to key phases that
represent baseline, operations, post-closure and far-future conditions in the
tailings facility area. The scenarios are listed below:
