Geochemical processes in acidic water caused by the weathering of metal sulphides

M. P. Asta Andrés; P. Acero Salazar; L. F. Auqué Sanz; M. J. Gimeno Serrano; J. B. Gómez Jiménez

doi:10.21701/bolgeomin.122.2.010

Autores/as

M. P. Asta Andrés Grupo de Modelización Geoquímica, Área de Petrología y Geoquímica del Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Zaragoza
P. Acero Salazar Grupo de Modelización Geoquímica, Área de Petrología y Geoquímica del Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Zaragoza
L. F. Auqué Sanz Grupo de Modelización Geoquímica, Área de Petrología y Geoquímica del Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Zaragoza
M. J. Gimeno Serrano Grupo de Modelización Geoquímica, Área de Petrología y Geoquímica del Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Zaragoza
J. B. Gómez Jiménez Grupo de Modelización Geoquímica, Área de Petrología y Geoquímica del Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Zaragoza

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.122.2.010

Palabras clave:

drenaje ácido, geoquímica, meteorización, mina

Resumen

Las aguas ácidas formadas a partir de la disolución oxidativa de sulfuros metálicos son una de las principales fuentes de contaminación de aguas superficiales y subterráneas, suelos y sedimentos a nivel mundial. Este tipo de aguas se caracteriza por su elevada acidez así como por el alto contenido en sulfatos y otros elementos potencialmente contaminantes (Fe, As, Cd, Sb, Zn, Cu, etc). La cantidad de acidez generada por los procesos de oxidación de sulfuros está condicionada fundamentalmente por el tipo, cantidad y disposición de los materiales ricos en sulfuros, por las características físicas de los materiales que determinarán la accesibilidad de las soluciones acuosas y los gases a los sulfuros, por la presencia de microorganismos catalizadores de las reacciones involucradas en los procesos de generación del drenaje ácido y por la existencia de minerales capaces de neutralizar la acidez. Por tanto, se trata de un problema de gran complejidad y debe ser abordado de forma multidisciplinar, teniendo en cuenta aspectos geológicos, geoquímicos, mineralógicos y microbiológicos, entre otros. En este trabajo se pretende ofrecer una visión general acerca de estos procesos, así como de los factores que generan y condicionan la evolución de estos sistemas y del estado de conocimiento científico actual existente sobre cada uno de ellos. Con ello, se proporciona un punto de partida para comprender y estudiar los sistemas de aguas ácidas asociadas a la meteorización de sulfuros metálicos y de los procesos asociados a la generación, migración, evolución y atenuación natural de aguas ácidas en estos ambientes.

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