Ecosystem Stress of Rare Earth Mining in Northen Myanmar Myint M.M
Mapping and Natural Resources Informatics (MNRI), Switzerland
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Rare Earth Elements (REE) are essential for production of future technologies that will generally improve quality of life of people. However, the ways REE are extracted largely damages communities, contaminates surrounding environment, and destroys the forested vegetations. The REE originated from Northern Myanmar are being produced using REE leaching ponds. This research study explored the ecosystem stress at REE leaching ponds and surrounding areas at the sub-watersheds of Chipwi township, where REE leaching ponds are unmanageably abundant. Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) is calculated using time series MODIS, Landsat, and Sentinel 2 MSI data for the reference period when REE leaching ponds were not introduced- and for the recent periods when REE leaching ponds are operational. Based on the reference and recent periods, accumulated EVI anomalies are calculated and presented as maps and charts on how ecosystem accumulates or degrades using Python codes and Google Earth Engine (GEE). This research paper contributes the methodology on EVI anomalies of MODIS, Landsat, and Sentinel 2A for ecosystem stress mapping and charting. Moreover, this paper provides detail mapping of the REE leaching ponds and general local hydrology of toxic flow and leaching to May-Kha River which is the one of the water sources of Irrawaddy River. The information contributed by this paper will be beneficial for the scientific community and sustainable landscape management.
