Greenland has a very long coastline with large deep fjord systems and shallow protected inlets. Thus, a great difference in the marine landscape from the south to the north and from the east coast to the west coast is found. As a rule of thumb, species diversity is greater in the south than in the north. In addition to the geographical location, there is also a great amendment in marine habitats within just a few kilometers. This difference is primarily governed by whether thecoast is exposed or protected, and whether it is under influence of drifting floe. The exposed coastlines usually have a more impoverished biological diversity than the protected areas. Since 2012 BioApp has conducted studies of the intertidal biology in an areas from Qaanaaq in the northwest to Qaqortoq in southwest Greenland. We have experience with all intertidal biological disciplines, surveying both clear- and cloudy waters affected by glacial material.
BioApp has made numerousintertidal studies in Greenland especially, baseline collections prior tomining.
In almost all miningprojects, however with few exceptions, tailings are produced as a residual productwithout any economic potential.
The marineenvironment will often and often be affected by mining activity, either throughdust and/or through leaching into the rivers. This impact may result toelevated concentrations of environmental substances (Environmental hazards) andthereby affect the ecology negatively.
BioApp hasextensive experience in designing and executing a targeted baseline andmonitoring program, and our chief biologist has been working in Greenland since2007. Intertidal sampling programs basically include the collection ofstationary organisms from both the bottom and the top of the food web, as wellas an examination of the ecological conditions in vicinity of the activities.
In connectionwith mining projects, a shipping port is often needed. Such an area must becarefully selected, focusing on the local current and wave conditions, as wellas knowledge of the bathymetric conditions, preventing ships grounding andaccidents.
BioApp hasexperience with bathymetric surveys either with Side-Scan or with single-beamsonar. The X, Y positioning is determined with the RTK-GPS system, with an accuracyof less than 5 cm.
Logistics inGreenland are sometimes challenging. Thus, we have assembled a mobile equipmentsetup that makes field work even in the most remote areas possible.
BioApp hasextensive experience in designing and executing baseline programs andexperience in setting up a monitoring program, and since 2007 the holder hasbeen involved in mining activities in Greenland.