Assessing Impacts to Ecosystems from Uranium Mining in the Grand Canyon Region
The use of uranium is an alternative energy source to petroleum products and some of the United States’ highest quality ore is located on the Colorado Plateau. However, some regions where suitable mining efforts are conducted include areas that are near important environmental resources such as National Parks that provide viewscapes and habitat for wildlife.
![Closed uranium mine (background) with detention pond (foreground) near the Grand Canyon North Rim. 2016](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/CloseduraniummineW_detention%20pondGrndCnynNRim2016Valdez.jpg?itok=lmVDzQSM)
The use of uranium is an alternative energy source to petroleum products and some of the United States’ highest quality ore is located on the Colorado Plateau. However, some regions where suitable mining efforts are conducted include areas that are near important environmental resources such as National Parks that provide viewscapes and habitat for wildlife. Research is ongoing to reduce the uncertainties of mining impacts and effects on water quality and quantity, and better understand the potential toxicological and radiological effects of mining on wildlife, as well as to evaluate the potential impacts on cultural and tribal resources.
![Stacked mist-nets and acoustic detector outside boundary fence of closed uranium mine near the Grand Canyon North Rim, 2015.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/Stackedmist-netsW_acoustic%20detectorClosedUraniumMineGrndCnynNRim2015.jpg?itok=zCeNs2V7)
![Habitat used by bats and insects at uranium mines along the Grand Canyon Strip](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/Picture5.jpg?itok=e1CrgLjR)
Return to The New Mexico Landscapes Field Station or Ecosystem Dynamics
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
The New Mexico Landscapes Field Station
Below are publications associated with this project.
Exposure pathways and biological receptors: baseline data for the canyon uranium mine, Coconino County, Arizona
Below are partners associated with this project.
The use of uranium is an alternative energy source to petroleum products and some of the United States’ highest quality ore is located on the Colorado Plateau. However, some regions where suitable mining efforts are conducted include areas that are near important environmental resources such as National Parks that provide viewscapes and habitat for wildlife.
![Closed uranium mine (background) with detention pond (foreground) near the Grand Canyon North Rim. 2016](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/CloseduraniummineW_detention%20pondGrndCnynNRim2016Valdez.jpg?itok=lmVDzQSM)
The use of uranium is an alternative energy source to petroleum products and some of the United States’ highest quality ore is located on the Colorado Plateau. However, some regions where suitable mining efforts are conducted include areas that are near important environmental resources such as National Parks that provide viewscapes and habitat for wildlife. Research is ongoing to reduce the uncertainties of mining impacts and effects on water quality and quantity, and better understand the potential toxicological and radiological effects of mining on wildlife, as well as to evaluate the potential impacts on cultural and tribal resources.
![Stacked mist-nets and acoustic detector outside boundary fence of closed uranium mine near the Grand Canyon North Rim, 2015.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/Stackedmist-netsW_acoustic%20detectorClosedUraniumMineGrndCnynNRim2015.jpg?itok=zCeNs2V7)
![Habitat used by bats and insects at uranium mines along the Grand Canyon Strip](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/Picture5.jpg?itok=e1CrgLjR)
Return to The New Mexico Landscapes Field Station or Ecosystem Dynamics
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
The New Mexico Landscapes Field Station
Below are publications associated with this project.
Exposure pathways and biological receptors: baseline data for the canyon uranium mine, Coconino County, Arizona
Below are partners associated with this project.