Impact of winter heat waves on the mining-affected environment: mobilization and redistribution of pollutants under a changing climate (CLIMAMINE)

Climate change is having a significant impact on the planet, and it is now clear that this includes not just the well-known summer heat waves but also corresponding winter heat waves.

These events can have serious implications for water quantity and quality, especially in catchments where the environment is already under stress, e.g., in areas with ongoing or previous mining activities.

This study aims to investigate the impact of winter heat waves on water flows, water quality and contaminant mobilization in mining-affected catchments.

Using geospatial analysis, historical meteorological and hydrological data, soil and water chemistry data, loading-leaching column experiments, and reactive transport modeling, we will assess the effect of changing meteorological and hydrological conditions on catchment flow regimes and water quality.

We also aim to predict transport of contaminants in soil and groundwater in mining-affected catchments under different future winter heat wave scenarios.

This knowledge will be invaluable for various stakeholders including mining companies and environmental protection authorities for more sustainable and effective future management of contaminated mining sites.