Animas River Individual Research Project:
Communicating Science about the Gold King Mine Spill and Water Quality in the Animas River
Essential Project Questions
a. How have geological, biological and human factors created and exacerbated acid mine
drainage and water quality issues in the Animas River?
b. What ecological and human health threats might be associated with the Gold King Mine
spill: initially, currently and in the future?
c. What actions can be taken to improve the water quality in Cement Creek and the
Animas River watershed?
d. What is the role of science in making policy decisions?
Project Reflection
How have geological, biological and human factors created and exacerbated acid mine drainage and water quality issues in the Animas River?
Acid mine drainage is a very prominent issue that the Animas River faces with more than one source factoring into it. The most well known cause of acid mine drainage have to do with human factors. Mine spills, such as the Gold King spill are often heavily covered by the media and draw attention to the issue. This becomes an issue when a mine is not shutdown properly which can allow for water to build up inside and leak out over time. When the water builds inside it reacts with the pyrite and oxygen to create sulfuric acid. This acid absorbs other metals and minerals around it and eats away at the rock. When this toxic waste escapes the mine it can pose significant health threats depending on the contaminants in the water.
What is the role of science in making policy decisions?
Science plays a large role in making policy decisions and the judicial system in general. Science often provides evidence and can assist in verifying decisions. For example, when the Gold King Mine spill happened the only way to determine the safety of the river was to test the water using chemistry. This method gave the government the tools to create an official warning on how to go about recreation, agriculture and general use pertaining to the river. When someone is charged with a felony or crime science is often the strongest evidence.
To what degree do scientists have an obligation to communicate scientific concepts and data to the public in an understandable manner?
Scientists have an obligation to communicate scientific concepts and data to the public in an understandable matter because the information can directly affect health and safety on surrounding issues. The data and decisions that are made can impact everyday lives and the information can help provide important safety precautions. This was exemplified with the Gold King Mine spill because the provided data on the river helped determine whether it was safe or not for recreation, agriculture and the environment. It showed how the spill could effect people and animals and when the water was safe for use.
How has your understanding of scientific knowledge and/or the process of doing science changed throughout the semester as you’ve examined and manipulated data collected by professional scientists and performed analogous experiments to collect and analyze your own data?
My understanding of the scientific process has changed throughout the semester as I’ve performed analogous experiments to collect and analyze my own data because I was able to examine how scientists collect and analyze their data to ensure the most accurate results. To allow the best accuracy they chose multiple sites and from these sites collects several water samples for their data. This was important to do because the results can vary. Overall, science has been very interesting to me and while I don’t plan on using it in my career it can have a benefit in my everyday life. By completing these experiments myself I am able to better understand how the world of science works.
How have geological, biological and human factors created and exacerbated acid mine drainage and water quality issues in the Animas River?
Acid mine drainage is a very prominent issue that the Animas River faces with more than one source factoring into it. The most well known cause of acid mine drainage have to do with human factors. Mine spills, such as the Gold King spill are often heavily covered by the media and draw attention to the issue. This becomes an issue when a mine is not shutdown properly which can allow for water to build up inside and leak out over time. When the water builds inside it reacts with the pyrite and oxygen to create sulfuric acid. This acid absorbs other metals and minerals around it and eats away at the rock. When this toxic waste escapes the mine it can pose significant health threats depending on the contaminants in the water.
What is the role of science in making policy decisions?
Science plays a large role in making policy decisions and the judicial system in general. Science often provides evidence and can assist in verifying decisions. For example, when the Gold King Mine spill happened the only way to determine the safety of the river was to test the water using chemistry. This method gave the government the tools to create an official warning on how to go about recreation, agriculture and general use pertaining to the river. When someone is charged with a felony or crime science is often the strongest evidence.
To what degree do scientists have an obligation to communicate scientific concepts and data to the public in an understandable manner?
Scientists have an obligation to communicate scientific concepts and data to the public in an understandable matter because the information can directly affect health and safety on surrounding issues. The data and decisions that are made can impact everyday lives and the information can help provide important safety precautions. This was exemplified with the Gold King Mine spill because the provided data on the river helped determine whether it was safe or not for recreation, agriculture and the environment. It showed how the spill could effect people and animals and when the water was safe for use.
How has your understanding of scientific knowledge and/or the process of doing science changed throughout the semester as you’ve examined and manipulated data collected by professional scientists and performed analogous experiments to collect and analyze your own data?
My understanding of the scientific process has changed throughout the semester as I’ve performed analogous experiments to collect and analyze my own data because I was able to examine how scientists collect and analyze their data to ensure the most accurate results. To allow the best accuracy they chose multiple sites and from these sites collects several water samples for their data. This was important to do because the results can vary. Overall, science has been very interesting to me and while I don’t plan on using it in my career it can have a benefit in my everyday life. By completing these experiments myself I am able to better understand how the world of science works.