Odiel River (SW Spain), a Singular Scenario Affected by Acid Mine Drainage (AMD): Graphical and Statistical Models to Assess Diatoms and Water Hydrogeochemistry Interactions

José A. Grande, Ana Teresa Luís, Francisco Córdoba, Mercedes Leiva, José Miguel Dávila, Juan Carlos Fortes, María Santisteban, Eduardo Ferreira da Silva and Aguasanta Miguel Sarmiento
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José A. Grande: Department of Water, Mining and Environment, Scientific and Technological Center of Huelva, University of Huelva, 21004 Huelva, Spain
Ana Teresa Luís: Department of Water, Mining and Environment, Scientific and Technological Center of Huelva, University of Huelva, 21004 Huelva, Spain
Francisco Córdoba: Department of Integrated Sciences, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain
Mercedes Leiva: Department of Integrated Sciences, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain
José Miguel Dávila: Department of Water, Mining and Environment, Scientific and Technological Center of Huelva, University of Huelva, 21004 Huelva, Spain
Juan Carlos Fortes: Department of Water, Mining and Environment, Scientific and Technological Center of Huelva, University of Huelva, 21004 Huelva, Spain
María Santisteban: Department of Water, Mining and Environment, Scientific and Technological Center of Huelva, University of Huelva, 21004 Huelva, Spain
Eduardo Ferreira da Silva: GeoBioTec Research Unit—Department of Geosciences, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Aguasanta Miguel Sarmiento: Department of Water, Mining and Environment, Scientific and Technological Center of Huelva, University of Huelva, 21004 Huelva, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-17

Abstract: The Odiel River (SW Spain) is one of the most cited rivers in the scientific literature due to its high pollution degree, generated by more than 80 sulphide mines’ (mostly unrestored) contamination in the Iberian Pyritic Belt (IPB), that have been exploited for more than 5000 years. Along the river and its tributaries, the physico-chemical parameters and diatoms, from 15 sampling points, were analyzed in the laboratory. Physico-chemical parameters, water chemical analysis, together with richness and Shannon–Wiener indexes were integrated in a matrix. An initial graphical treatment allowed the definition and proposal of a functioning system model, as well as the establishment of cause–effect relationships between pollution and its effects on biota. Then, the proposed model was statistically validated by factor analysis. For acidic pH waters, high values of Eh, TDS, sulphate, ?REE and ?Ficklin were found, while diatomologic indicators took low values. Thus, factor analysis was a very effective tool for graphical treatment validation as well as for pollution–biota interaction models’ formulation, governed by two factors: AMD processes and water balance suffered by the studied river. As a novelty, the cause–effect relationships between high barium concentration and low diversity and richness were demonstrated in the IPB, for the first time.

Keywords: Odiel River; acid mine drainage (AMD); hydro-geochemistry; Shannon–Wiener index; richness; diversity; factor analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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