The applicability of eDNA for environmental monitoring in mining projects

Abstract

The mining industry plays a crucial role in the green transition, which is why increasing attention is being paid to the sustainability and environmental impacts of mines. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the applicability of eDNA for environmental monitoring, particularly in mining projects. Environmental DNA (eDNA) refers to DNA shed by organisms that can be separated from environmental samples such as water, soil, and air.

The thesis examined how eDNA has been used previously in different Anglo American projects around the world and what kind of eDNA experiments have already been conducted in Anglo American's Sakatti project in Sodankylä. Additionally, advisory interviews were conducted and four experts from four different organizations were interviewed. The aim of the interviews was to find out the prevailing opinion regarding eDNA and its utilization in Finland and how its development in the future is seen. The results of the interviews were compared to the literature, and many similarities were found regarding the opportunities and development areas brought by eDNA. The interviews generally conveyed a positive attitude towards eDNA, but it was not yet seen as reliable as traditional monitoring methods. Promising applications included monitoring single species and biodiversity. The thesis also included a case study of eDNA water sampling, with the goal of identifying moor frog DNA from the samples and assessing the effectiveness of the sampling. The eDNA research was conducted in collaboration with international company Nature Metrics. Samples were collected from the mire areas surrounding the project site during the moor frog’s breeding season and were sent to Nature Metrics for laboratory analysis. A total of 30 water samples were taken, of which six contained DNA from the moor frog. Challenges in sampling were posed by northern conditions, where very little eDNA research has been conducted. The effectiveness of the sampling was evaluated, and suggestions for improvement were made for future sampling.

Based on literature, interviews, and water sampling, it was concluded that the best results in environmental monitoring are achieved by combining multiple monitoring methods. eDNA sampling allows for the collection of information that cannot be obtained with traditional monitoring methods. The study found that eDNA is a very promising environmental monitoring method, especially in the future, but it still requires a lot of scientific research and international cooperation to harness its full potential.