Experts, pointing out that cyanide, an extremely dangerous compound, can lead to significant environmental impacts and public health risks if released into the environment, state that cyanide leaks can cause mass fish deaths, contamination of drinking water sources, and even damage to agricultural lands.
Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Ahmet Adiller, Head of the Environmental Health Program, stated that cyanide leakage into groundwater can persist for a long time and contaminate drinking water sources, warning, “Cyanide that seeps into groundwater can also be transported along the basin to which the groundwater is connected.”
Following the landslide at the gold mine in Erzincan İliç, discussions began regarding cyanide and its potential harms due to suspected leakage in the region. Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Ahmet Adiller, Head of the Environmental Health Program at Üsküdar University, evaluated the issue of its mixing with soil and water.
“Cyanide can lead to environmental impacts and public health risks if released into the environment”
Stating that cyanide is a rapidly acting chemical that can potentially have a fatal effect, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Ahmet Adiller said, “Cyanide is an extremely dangerous compound and can lead to significant environmental impacts and public health risks if released into the environment. With long-term use of cyanide, it can mix with soil, water, and even air. Cyanide leaks cause mass fish deaths, contamination of drinking water sources, and even damage to agricultural lands. Some sources claim that cyanide is relatively safe because it rapidly decomposes in surface water even if spilled. However, the compounds into which cyanide decomposes can also be harmful.”
“Leaked cyanide can also be transported along the basin to which the groundwater is connected”
“Cyanide present in the soil can dissolve with precipitation and enter groundwater and surface waters. With this dissolution in water, it can be transported along river basins by streams and rivers. Furthermore, cyanide that seeps into groundwater can also be transported along the basin to which the groundwater is connected,” Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Ahmet Adiller continued:
“Cyanide leakage into groundwater can persist for a long time and contaminate drinking water sources. Groundwater contaminated with cyanide can also pollute neighboring watercourses to which it is connected.
What are the indirect effects of cyanide?
In addition to its direct effects, cyanide also has indirect effects. When cyanide first enters the soil structure, it can make many minerals, which are in equilibrium within the soil, reactive. Among these substances are highly toxic and carcinogenic substances like Arsenic.
Although cyanide easily decomposes in nature, these substances do not decompose quickly and can be transported among environmental components. Especially their transport to agricultural lands and grazing areas causes these substances to enter food and increases their degree of impact.”