BIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF PARTICULATE POLLUTANTS DURING EXPLORATION WORK AT A NIOBIUM MINERALIZATION IN GREENLAND

The purpose of this investigation was to monitor airborne dipersion of particulates in connection with exploration activities at a niobium-m ineralization in the Sarfartoq area, SW Greenland, during the summer o f 1989, and to provide a basis for monitoring strategies in later phas es of the development of the mining site. During three periods moss ba gs were exposed at 9 stations close to the outcrop and at 3 background stations, and indigenous lichens and mosses were sampled before and a fter the exploration work. Analyses of element concentrations showed t hat the natural enrichment of elements in the indigenous vegetation is restricted to areas immediately at or on the outcrop. The elements fo und in elevated concentrations were Nb, La, Ce, Th and U. The moss bag s and the indigenous monitor organisms showed rises in concentrations of the elements Nb, Ce, Cd, Pb and Zn after the exploration activities during the summer. This shows that some dispersion of dust has occurr ed in the area.