Environmental Assessment
Volume E-5.4
Tailings Facility
Human and Ecological Health
Ambatovy Project
218
January 2006
Key Question EH-1
What Effect Will Chemical Releases From the
Tailings Facility Site Have on Aquatic Life
Health?
Potential impacts on terrestrial flora and fauna health are evaluated in Section 4
(Biological Assessment) in this Volume.
5.4.4.2 Key Question HH-1: What Effect Will Chemical Releases
From the Tailings Facility Site Have on Human Health?
Impact Pathway
The following impact pathways were analyzed:
•
between changes in water quality and human health; and
•
between changes in food quality and human health.
Water Quality
Predicted water quality in the tailings area is presented in the Section 3.10, Water
Quality Assessment in this Volume. Changes in surface waters (i.e., more than
10% change of some water quality parameters compared to baseline
concentrations) are predicted to occur during operation and post-closure of the
facility (Table 5.4-1). People in the study area depend on surface water for
drinking water (Volume K, Social Appendices).
Table 5.4-1 Water Quality Parameters Predicted to Increase Due to the Tailings
Facility Versus Baseline Conditions
Watersheds
Parameters
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 B1 B2 B3 C1 C2 C3
magnesium
X
X
X
X
sulphate
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
manganese
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
zinc
X
X
X
silicon
X
Note: “Xs” represent a change of more than 10% in relation to the baseline conditions.
Watersheds are as defined in Section 3.8 of this volume (Hydrology).
Fish Quality
Some of the elements which levels are predicted to increase at the facility site can
bioaccumulate in fish tissue and fish are an important food resource in the area.
