By Tiwalola Anawo, Biological Anthropology Major, Mentor Raphael Oliveira. In 2015, the Gold King Mine Spill caused a release of toxic wastewater into the Animas River watershed, spilling 3 million US gallons of mine water containing heavy metals like zinc, iron, copper, and beryllium into the Animas River. This mine spill affected the waterways of states like Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and the Navajo Nation. Mr. Olivera, a graduate student pursuing his master’s in agricultural engineering at UNM, is conducting research to address the enduring pollution impacts stemming from past mining activities in the region. The aim of his study is to investigate the role of microorganisms in metal release in the river. His experiments simulate relevant environmental conditions in the river, such as redox, pH, and food, which he provides as pure acetate to feed the microorganisms. He evaluates how these variables impact the microbial community and their metal release. The results of his research would show how those microorganisms can be impacted to better inform bioremediation strategies.
For my Grand Water Challenge communication project, I will present a diorama and a short slideshow about Mr. Olivera’s current research on the microbial community. The results of the study could halt the release of metals into the river by microorganisms, thereby aiding the animals inhabiting the river and the citizens who rely on it for drinking and farming. The diorama will visually depict the river in its original state, transitioning to the orange hue it has acquired due to mining activity.
