Grad student researches small-scale gold-mining's impact on biodiversity in Peru

In Madre de Dios, Markham is applying many, if not all, of her research interests. The area's forest loss has increased 400 percent in 13 years, and “NGOs, academics and media over the last few years have highlighted the appalling impacts and conditions,” according to The Guardian. “These include the destruction of forests and river-banks, contamination of rivers by mercury and cyanide, contamination of people, fish and other foods by mercury, indications of forced labor, 10,000s of child workers, prostitution, sexual exploitation of minors, people trafficking, appalling health and safety, numerous fatalities, money laundering, the razing of indigenous peoples’ land, violence and alcoholism.”
http://www.clarku.edu/blogs/7-continents-grad-student-researches-gold-minings-impact-biodiversity-peru