Press release 2012-11-13 at 10:00
The Finnish Environment Institute SYKE has analysed in its laboratory the latest samples from the waters around Talvivaara, obtained on Sunday. These observations confirm SYKE’s earlier estimates, gained by means of modelling, regarding the alarming situation south of the mine area. In addition to nickel, the heavily increased cadmium, aluminium and uranium levels – which have multiplied since the previous sampling – pose a threat. The newly measured levels are poisonous to organisms, and the high level of aluminium may cause local fish kills as far away as Lake Laakajärvi.
Contaminants drifting in pulses
The contaminants have drifted into the water body during Sunday as a pulse-like emission, creating a peak in measured levels. After this, the levels rapidly drop in the waters. In River Lumijoki, the peak level has already been left behind. However, the amount of contaminants is temporarily so high as to have immediate poisonous effects on organisms. The drift of these contaminants into Lakes Kivijärvi and Laakajärvi will be modelled as measurement results accumulate.
The levels of several substances exceeding the tolerance of organisms
Based on the samples obtained from River Lumijoki on 11 November, harmful amounts of cadmium, aluminium and uranium have escaped into the waters to the south of the mine, in addition to nickel and zinc. In the case of nickel and zinc, the level of impact on organisms is exceeded by dozens or hundreds of times, while with uranium the amounts are over tenfold as compared to the desired level. The cadmium level clearly exceeds the temporary level determined in the Dangerous Substances Regulation. In addition, led, arsenic and copper have been released into the water course. However, their levels are considerably lower, and will not prove harmful in the light of these results.
SYKE will continue to monitor the situation with new samples. It is clear that completely removing the contaminants released into the environment will not be possible. However, the effects on the region’s water courses will not be comprehensively known until next spring or summer.
Further information
Jaakko Mannio, Senior Researcher
Finnish Environment Institute SYKE
Tel. +358 400 148 604 (The effects of heavy metals)
Seppo Rekolainen, DIrector of the Freshwater Centre
Finnish Environment Institute SYKE
Tel. +358 40 5806 538
Kirsi Norros, Communications Director
Finnish Environment Institute SYKE
Tel. 040 740 1693