Reply to the Comment on “Identification of the subsurface sulfide bodies responsible for acidity in Río Tinto source water, Spain” (Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 391 (2014) 36–41)

Gómez-Ortíz, David; Fernández-Remolar, David C.; Granda, Ángel; Quesada, Cecilio; Granda, Teresa; Prieto-Ballesteros, O.; Molina, A.; Amils, Ricardo

doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2014.07.023

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 11 publications

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“…There was a dispute regarding the age of the spring waters by Olías et al [10], who believed the waters to be younger than 1982. Following peer review of the data interpretation methodologies, it was highlighted that Olías had used inappropriate techniques for data processing [48]. An in-depth study in the Peña de Hierro area confirmed the existence of a subsurface aquifer [20].…”

Section: Environmental Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrogeochemical Variability of the Acidic Springs in the Rio Tinto Headwaters

Allman

Gómez-Ortíz

Burke

et al. 2021

Water

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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 δ2H and δ18O values predominantly reflected enrichment by intensive evaporation and depletion in δ18O 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.

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Section: Environmental Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrogeochemical Variability of the Acidic Springs in the Rio Tinto Headwaters

Allman

Gómez-Ortíz

Burke

et al. 2021

Water

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Background Conditions and Mining Pollution throughout History in the Río Tinto (SW Spain)

Álvarez

Nieto

2015

Environments

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The Rí o Tinto drains the eastern part of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), an area with a huge amount of massive sulphide deposits that has been mined for the last 4500 years. This river presents extreme conditions, with very high concentrations in solution of metals and metalloids and low pH values. Mining activities in the upper part of the watershed of the Rí o Tinto have been documented since historical times and a huge amount of widespread acid-producing mine residues exist in this area. Nevertheless, there is no consensus among the scientific community as to whether the extreme conditions of the Rí o Tinto are the result of natural processes or the intense mining activity in the region. Here we show, using numerous geological, archaeological and historical records, that the present quality of the Rí o Tinto is the result of mining activities, especially during the period 1850-2001, while natural processes of formation of acid rock drainage can be considered negligible.

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Fungal Mineralization Processes in Rio Tinto

Oggerin

Rodríguez

Amils

2017

SSP

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Eukaryotic diversity in Río Tinto turns out to be unexpectedly high when compared to the prokaryotic one. Unlike the prokaryotic community, little is known about the role of the most abundant eukaryotes, mainly algae and fungi, in this ecosystem. Previous studies using acidophilic fungi isolated from the Tinto basin have shown their ability to specifically sequester toxic metals. We have also been able to demonstrate their direct implication in the geochemical cycles through biomineralization processes. Although the role that fungi may play in the Tinto basin is still poorly understood, is becoming clear that they participate very actively in the geological conformation of the environment, generating minerals of possible economical interest.

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Reply to the Comment on “Identification of the subsurface sulfide bodies responsible for acidity in Río Tinto source water, Spain” (Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 391 (2014) 36–41)

Cited by 3 publications

References 11 publications

Hydrogeochemical Variability of the Acidic Springs in the Rio Tinto Headwaters

Hydrogeochemical Variability of the Acidic Springs in the Rio Tinto Headwaters

Background Conditions and Mining Pollution throughout History in the Río Tinto (SW Spain)

Fungal Mineralization Processes in Rio Tinto

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