Hydrogeochemical variability of the acidic springs in the Rio Tinto headwaters
Entidad
UAM. Departamento de Biología MolecularEditor
MDPIFecha de edición
2021-10-13Cita
10.3390/w13202861
Water 13.20 (2021): 2861
ISSN
2073-4441 (online)DOI
10.3390/w13202861Proyecto
PID2019-1048126GB-I00Versión del editor
https://doi.org/10.3390/w13202861Materias
Acid Mine-Drainage; Fracture Aquifer; Hydro Geochemistries; Iberian Pyrite Belt; Spring Hydrogeochemistry; Rio Tinto; Rio Tinto Acidic System; Non-Porous Rock; Porous Rocks; Biología y Biomedicina / BiologíaDerechos
© 2021 by the authorsResumen
Peña de Hierro, located in southwest Spain, encompasses the springs and headwaters for
the Rio Tinto River that emerge above normal faults and has been mined for its rich sulfide ore since
2500 BC. The springs are typically characterized by an orange coloration, typical pH of ~2.33, and
contain elevated concentrations of heavy metals that are produced by acid rock drainage (ARD).
ARD is a natural phenomenon that results from chemolithoautotrophs metabolizing the sulfide ore.
Mining has amplified the magnitude of the acidity and concentrations of heavy metals evidenced
within sedimentary cores from the Huelva estuary. Acidity, redox state, hydrochemistry and isotopic
analyses were examined for the purpose of characterizing the subsurface flows and determining the
interconnectivity of the groundwaters. Previous studies have documented the geochemistry of the
springs, dating a select few, yet many springs remain uncharacterized. Acidity presented spatial
variability throughout the field area, caused by extensive sulfide interactions which generated and
modified the pH. Redox exhibited a large range of values due to oxygen diffusivity though the fracture
network. The surrounding geology is highly heterogeneous because of intensive deformation during
the Variscan and Tertiary periods, and this heterogeneity is shown in the varied aqueous chemistry.
Fractionation patterns observed in δ
2H and δ
18O values predominantly reflected enrichment by
intensive evaporation and depletion in δ
18O as a result of the proposed sulfatic-water model for Rio
Tinto’s hydrogeology. The analysis illustrates minimal hydrologic interconnectivity, evidenced by the
extensive physical and chemical contrasts within such a small proximity
Lista de ficheros
Google Scholar:Allman, Christopher John
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Gómez-Ortiz, David
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Burke, Andrea
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Amils Pibernat, Ricardo
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Rodriguez, Nuria
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Fernández-Remolar, David
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