Tracking Aquatic Biodiversity With Environmental DNA: A Study in Quebec's Mining Region

Abstract

In Quebec's James Bay region, mining activities pose significant risks to local aquatic biodiversity due to habitat disturbance and potential contaminant release. This study evaluates the efficacy of environmental DNA (eDNA) for detecting and monitoring fish species in areas affected by mining operations, specifically at an active gold mine and a prospective lithium mine. Over two sampling campaigns, eDNA analyses identified the presence of four target fish species, including species of ecological and cultural significance to the Cree communities. The eDNA method proved to be a sensitive and non-invasive tool, capable of detecting species across large aquatic ecosystems and providing insight into species distribution and abundance in relation to environmental changes. Results indicate that certain species, like lake sturgeon or sauger, may be absent or less detectable in mining-impacted areas, potentially due to habitat fragmentation and altered water quality parameters, including low pH and elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our findings support the integration of eDNA as a valuable monitoring tool for assessing biodiversity and establishing species presence baselines in sensitive ecosystems and highlight its potential for community-led environmental management initiatives in Indigenous territories.