New research indicates that artisanal gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon has destroyed more peatlands in the last two years than in the previous thirty. This destruction poses significant environmental threats, releasing millions of tons of carbon. If trends continue, carbon emissions could equal those of millions of cars, necessitating urgent protective measures.
Recent research published in the journal Environmental Research Letters indicates a significant escalation in environmental damage caused by gold mining in the southern Peruvian Amazon. In the past two years alone, artisanal gold mining has destroyed more peatland than in the previous thirty years altogether, posing a substantial threat to both the environment and the global climate. This alarming trend highlights the long-term consequences of unregulated mining activities in sensitive regions.
For decades, small-scale gold mining has proliferated in the Madre de Dios region, attracted by the deposits of gold found in local soils. While deforestation resulting from these activities has already led to considerable carbon emissions, the new findings reveal deeper implications. Researchers utilized over 35 years of data from NASA’s Landsat program to quantify the encroachment of gold mining into peatlands, areas critical for carbon storage.
The study reports that mining has destroyed over 550 hectares of peatland, releasing approximately 0.2 to 0.7 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere. Shockingly, more than 55% of this destruction has occurred in the last two years alone, exceeding all previous cumulative losses. The significance of these peatlands is highlighted by their ability to store carbon more effectively than forests, with an area that can store as much carbon as forests covering seven times that land.
Currently, peatland mining constitutes about 9% of total mining activity in the region, but projections suggest that this figure could jump to 25% by 2027 if current trends persist. So far, 63 out of 219 identified peatland areas have experienced damage, putting over 10,000 hectares at risk, with potential carbon releases reaching up to 14.5 million tons – equivalent to the emissions produced by millions of vehicles annually.
The knowledge of these vital peatlands is relatively recent, with their scientific recognition dating back only to 2012. Now, scientists who initially documented these peat deposits are witnessing their rapid decline. Dr. John Householder, the lead author of the study, underscores the urgent need for enforcement measures to protect these environmentally sensitive areas. He warns that increased accessibility to mining sites, coupled with insufficient law enforcement, accelerates the destruction of peatlands, potentially leading to irreversible damage.
The findings from the study published in Environmental Research Letters reveal a concerning trend in the destruction of peatlands due to artisanal gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon. Over the past two years, the extent of this damage has far surpassed that of the previous three decades, imperiling both the environment and climate. If unchecked, ongoing mining activities may lead to catastrophic carbon emissions and permanent loss of biodiversity in this critical ecosystem. Immediate action is necessary to mitigate the impacts of this rapidly advancing threat.
Original Source: www.eurekalert.org
