Hydrogeochemical model of an acid mine drainage affected watershed (Odiel River Basin): current state and possible remediations actions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55407/geogaceta95132Keywords:
Odiel River basin, Acid mine drainage, Geochemical model, Pollutant load, Alcolea reservoirAbstract
The current situation of the Odiel River basin, severely polluted by acid mine drainages (AMD), calls for the design of a hydrogeochemical predictive model which matches the actual hydrochemical conditions along the watershed. The model allows an individual or combined evaluation of the different river courses within the basin, assessing the pollution grade of each one, the acid and metal load contribution of the leachates and the results of their mixing within the watershed confluences. Given the uncertainties associated to the future construction of the Alcolea reservoir and the pressures exerted by the European Water Framework Directive, the model could be a useful tool for simulating remediation actions in the basin and evaluate their impact on the water quality. Therefore, reduction of 50% and 100% of the pollutant load delivered by the Riotinto, Tharsis and San Telmo mines has been modeled. It is estimated that the concentration of Al, Fe, SO4 would decrease significantly in the lower part of the Odiel basin, where the future dam will be located.
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