Metals and the Environment
THE CHALLENGE
Understanding how metals behave in the environment and assessing their impact
is important to policymakers, the scientific community, the metal mining industry
and to society in general. Sound science is key to developing appropriate policies
and approaches to metals issues, and for developing management capabilities required
to protect the environment. The responsible management of minerals, metals and
their products will continue to ensure their safe and widespread use.
NRCan CAN HELP
CANMET-MMSL has established a team of specialists on the environmental effects
of metals, from aquatic toxicology and geochemistry to metallurgical processing
and the characterization of metal-bearing substances. This knowledge is used in
combination with expertise in life-cycle assessment (LCA) to integrate information
in the context of environmental sustainability. This unique multi-disciplinary
team enables CANMET-MMSL to play a leading role in developing and promoting a
sound scientific foundation for protocols related to metals and metal products
as well as environmental protection decisions at both a national and international
level.
OUR EXPERTISE
CANMET-MMSL has developed a range of expertise through its R&D; activities:
Hazard identification of metals alloys and metal compounds
- Undertaking research that will be used to develop standards, protocols, guidelines
and classification criteria;
- Integrating research results and bringing the latest findings forward in national
and international multi-stakeholder fora.
Environmental impact of metals and metal compounds
- Investigating transformation
and bioavailability of metals, alloys and metal mixtures in aquatic media;
- Assessing acute toxicity
and developing predictive models;
- Investigating chronic
sublethal impacts of metals.
Life-cycle assessment (LCA)
methodology and standards
- Promoting LCA as an important tool for the sustainable development of the
metals industry;
- Participating in national and international committees that develop standards
for life-cycle assessment;
- Promoting the use of appropriate methodologies for recycling and for life-cycle
impact assessment of metals.
Environmental impacts of metal production.
- Characterization and identification of toxicity in effluents;
- Development and application of models for the prediction of effluent toxicity;
- Characterizing smelter emissions;
- Understanding the potential impact on the environment;
- Participation and coordination of multi-partner research on mine effluents.
SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS
CANMET-MMSL works in partnership with other federal departments, provincial/territorial
governments, universities, environmental non-governmental organizations, industry,
domestic and international industry associations, and consultants. Examples of
successful partnerships are:
- Targeted research and
participation in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Working Groups and Advisory Committees is being undertaken to ensure the application
of sound science in the development of international standards, protocols and
guidelines for appropriate hazard identification measures for metals, alloys and
metal compounds. This work is being done within the context of global harmonization,
as mandated by the United Nations.
- The need for life-cycle
assessment approaches in decision-making, and the illustration of limitations,
barriers and opportunities for methodology development are being demonstrated.
A key feature in this initiative was organizing the Eco-indicators for Products
and Materials Workshop in 1997.
- Research partnerships
between MMSL, industry and universities directed at the development of predictive
models to characterize metal and effluent toxicity on a site specific water chemistry
basis.
- CANMET-MMSL coordinates
multi-stakeholder initiatives such as the Aquatic Effects Technology Evaluation
(AETE) Program and the Toxicological Investigations of Mining Effluents (TIME)
Network. These initiatives identify and evaluate methodologies and technologies
for meeting the environmental protection requirements for mine effluents.
- CANMET-MMSL is undertaking
a collaborative effort to develop appropriate management options for smelter emissions.
For the past six years, CANMET-MMSL has provided scientific advice in this area
and more recently has conducted research on smelter and power plant emission characterization.
- CANMET-MMSL is cooperating
with Environment Canada in developing methodologies for the categorization of
inorganic substances on Canada's Domestic Substances List (DSL). The partnership
involves conducting laboratory research and contributing expertise in the field
of metals chemistry and toxicology.
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