An ecotoxicological screening tool to prioritise acid mine drainage impacted streams for future restoration

Abstract

Streams impacted by acid mine drainage (AMD) typically present water exhibiting low pH and high metal concentrations. These factors result in the environmental degradation of watercourses. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate an ecotoxicological screening tool (EST) to prioritise future remediation of streams impacted by AMD. The Bloubank stream drainage system in South Africa, served as study area for this purpose. In the initial EST development phase physicochemical variables were assessed while in the second phase, epilithic filamentous green algae biomass (chl-a mg m(-2)), diatoms and filamentous green algae community structures were employed as bioindicators as well as Daphnia magna toxicity assays. Using a weight of evidence approach, the first three sites receiving AMD were critically and seriously modified, followed by site 4 that was modified. Sites 1-3 with EST scores ≤70% were assessed as priority candidates for future restoration.