Hydrochemical characteristics and seasonal influence on the pollution by acid mine drainage in the Odiel river Basin (SW Spain)

The Odiel river Basin is heavily affected by acid mine drainage (AMD) from the sulphide mining areas in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). A thorough study has been conducted along this fluvial system, monitoring the seasonal influence on the pollution level and its hydrochemical characteristics. From 2002 to 2006, surface water samples were collected at 91 different points throughout the Odiel river Basin and analyzed by field and laboratory methods for dissolved metals and metalloids. Acid mine drainage affects 37% of the length of the drainage network, which shows a great diversity of geochemical conditions as well as significant variations through the hydrological year. Unaffected streams show different water types depending on the lithological substrate and the marine aerosol influence. Mean concentrations in the contaminated streams are very high: 231 mg/L of Fe, 135 mg/L of Al, 56 mg/L of Zn, 16 mg/L of Cu, etc. Four types of contaminated streams were recognized based on hydrochemical and physicochemical characteristics. There are important seasonal variations depending on the precipitation regimen, level of pollution and proximity to the AMD sources. In the more contaminated samples the M/Fe ratio (M = metals other than Fe) decreases during the summer season. Slightly contaminated samples show an inverse evolution as this ratio increases in spring and summer due to substantial Fe precipitation. A recomparison of contaminant loads suggests that the Odiel river Basin (including the Tinto river) accounts for 15% of the global gross flux of dissolved Zn and 3% of the global gross flux of dissolved Cu transported by rivers into the ocean.