@incollection{fdi:010065808,
  title = {{I}mpact of gold mining on mercury contamination and soil degradation in {A}mazonian ecosystems of {F}rench {G}uiana},
  author = {{G}rimaldi, {M}ichel and {G}u{\'e}dron, {S}t{\'e}phane and {G}rimaldi, {C}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}his chapter focuses on the impact of artisanal small-scale gold mining ({ASGM}) on the {H}g contamination of tropical soils, with special attention on how the change in land use (i.e., gold extraction practices) alters the soil processes that affect {H}g fate and behaviour. {T}he chapter explains the soil formation and transformation processes that determine the accumulation or mobilization of {H}g, reflecting the dual role of soils as both 'sink' and 'source' of {H}g. {F}irst, it compares the fate and behaviour of {H}g from {ASGM} with that from the natural geochemical background, considering the nature and abundance of carrier phases and soil functioning. {T}hen, it describes how former and current {ASGM} activities intensify the soil processes that favour {H}g mobilization by surface and near-surface runoff to watercourses, {H}g emission to the atmosphere and production of monomethyl-{H}g. {F}urther, this chapter combines research carried out in {F}rench {G}uiana, a territory located in northern {S}outh {A}merica with studies from {B}razilian {A}mazonia. {F}rench {G}uiana, like much of {A}mazonia, is greatly impacted by ancient and current, legal and illegal {ASGM} activities. {T}he impact on tropical soils, as well as on ecosystems as a whole, has been well studied in these areas. {F}urthermore, as the environmental legislation in force since 2006 in {F}rench {G}uiana prohibits the use of {H}g at gold mining sites, it is relevant to compare {ASGM} with or without the amalgamation practice. {F}or a better understanding of the soil processes involved, the main research issue is to promote mining practices that can reduce health and environmental risks. {T}he chapter established that although the use of {H}g has been officially prohibited in {F}rench {G}uiana since 2006, being replaced by techniques combining concentration by gravity and centrifugation, its use is common in other parts of the developing world. {H}owever, even when {H}g amalgamation is not used, gold mining without any precautions creates conditions that favour the transport of {H}g already present in the soils to river systems and its transformation into monomethyl-{H}g. {T}he risk of {H}g contamination for humans thus tends to eclipse the other problems arising from {ASGM} operations. {I}n fact, {ASGM} also causes complete deforestation of the areas exploited and consequently a loss of biodiversity and ecosystem functions, landscape modifications and soil degradation.},
  keywords = {{GUYANE} {FRANCAISE} ; {AMAZONIE} ; {BRESIL}},
  booktitle = {{L}and-use change impacts on soil processes : tropical and savannah ecosystems},
  numero = {},
  pages = {95--107},
  address = {{W}allingford},
  publisher = {{CABI}},
  series = {},
  year = {2015},
  DOI = {10.1079/9781780642109.0095},
  ISBN = {978-1-78064-210-9},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010065808},
}