Heavy metals in the rivers of Greenland

David Janssen collects water samples from rivers in southern Greenland to analyse their heavy metal and nutrient content (Photo: Julian Charrière). Field studies by Eawag researcher David Janssen in southern Greenland show that the heavy metals in the rivers are largely of natural origin, and that the influence of mining and agriculture is negligible, at least during the period observed. The rivers in Greenland can transport unusually high concentrations of heavy metals, including copper, zinc, gold, silver, platinum, lead and mercury. Many of these heavy metals are toxic. However, in low concentrations, some of them are important and necessary nutrients for microorganisms, just as they are for humans. For these metals, only excessive concentrations are harmful, endangering life in the Arctic environment and the entire food web, from plankton to fish and humans. Former mining camp at Nyhavn, East Greenland, for a lead-zinc mine near Mestersvig (Photo: David Janssen).