La calidad del agua de los ríos Tinto y Odielevaluación temporal y factores condicionantes de la movulidad de los metales

Abstract

The Tinto and Odiel rivers drain one of the most important mining regions in the world, the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), an as a consecuence both rivers are deeply affected by acid mine drainage (AMD). The Tinto river receives, in relation to its discharge, twice as much pollutants than the Odiel, being this the reason why more extrem conditions can be found in the Tinto. Low pH values in both systems througthout the year are due to Fe hydrolysis reactions that buffer pH and contribute to reach high dissolved toxic metal concentrations. Water quality in both rivers follows a seasonal pattern. Most elements show lowest values during winter, increasing progressively in spring and summer.