Negative impacts of mining on Neotropical freshwater fishes

Abstract Mining activities have significantly affected the Neotropical freshwater ichthyofauna, the most diverse in the world. However, no study has systematized knowledge on the subject. In this review, we assembled information on the main impacts of mining of crude oil, gold, iron, copper, and bauxite on aquatic ecosystems, emphasizing Neotropical freshwater fishes. The information obtained shows that mining activities generate several different disturbances, mainly via input of crude oil, metals and other pollutants, erosion and siltation, deforestation, and road construction. Mining has resulted in direct and indirect losses of fish diversity in several Neotropical waterbodies. The negative impacts on the ichthyofauna may change the structure of communities, compromise entire food chains, and erode ecosystem services provided by freshwater fishes. Particularly noteworthy is that mining activities (legal and illegal) are widespread in the Neotropics, and often located within or near protected areas. Actions to prevent and mitigate impacts, such as inspection, monitoring, management, and restoration plans, have been cursory or absent. In addition, there is strong political pressure to expand mining; if – or when – this happens, it will increase the potential of the activity to further diminish the diversity of Neotropical freshwater fishes.摘要 采矿活动已对新热带淡水鱼类区系（Neotropical freshwater ichthyofauna）——全球物种多样性最丰富的淡水类群——造成显著影响。然而，目前尚无研究对该主题的相关知识进行系统化梳理。本综述汇总了原油、黄金、铁矿石、铜以及铝土矿的开采活动对水生生态系统的主要影响，重点聚焦新热带淡水鱼类。所获研究信息表明，采矿活动主要通过原油与金属污染物输入、侵蚀与淤积、森林砍伐以及道路建设等途径，引发多种不同类型的水生生态扰动。在多个新热带水域中，采矿活动已直接或间接造成鱼类多样性损失。其对鱼类区系的负面影响可能改变群落结构、破坏完整食物链，并削弱淡水鱼类所提供的生态系统服务。尤其值得关注的是，新热带地区的采矿活动（合法与非法）分布广泛，且常位于保护区内或其邻近区域。用于预防和减缓影响的相关措施，如检查、监测、管理与修复计划，均较为草率或完全缺失。此外，当前存在推动采矿活动扩张的强大政治压力；若（或当）该扩张得以实现，将进一步提升该活动进一步削弱新热带淡水鱼类多样性的潜在可能。