Rio Tinto estuary (Spain): 5000 years of pollution

Davis, Richard A.; Welty, A. T.; Borrego, J.; González, Juan Antonio Morales; Pendón, José Gabriel; Ryan, Jeffrey G.

doi:10.1007/s002549900096

Cited by 208 publications

(99 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The extreme conditions of the Tinto River are the product of the metabolic activity of chemolithotrophic microorganisms thriving in its water and not, as formerly believed, the result of the intensive mining activity carried out in the area (15,19,33,56). Analysis of massive laminated iron bioformations corresponding to old terraces of the river has shown that they predate the oldest mining activity reported in the area and are similar to the laminar structures that are being formed currently in the river (20,24).…”

mentioning

confidence: 93%

Microbial Ecology of an Extreme Acidic Environment, the Tinto River

González-Toril

Llobet-Brossa

Casamayor

et al. 2003

Appl Environ Microbiol

400

223

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The Tinto River (Huelva, southwestern Spain) is an extreme environment with a rather constant acidic pH along the entire river and a high concentration of heavy metals. The extreme conditions of the Tinto ecosystem are generated by the metabolic activity of chemolithotrophic microorganisms thriving in the rich complex sulfides of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Molecular ecology techniques were used to analyze the diversity of this microbial community. The community's composition was studied by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) using 16S rRNA and by 16S rRNA gene amplification. A good correlation between the two approaches was found. Comparative sequence analysis of DGGE bands showed the presence of organisms related to Leptospirillum spp., Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Acidiphilium spp., "Ferrimicrobium acidiphilum," Ferroplasma acidiphilum, and Thermoplasma acidophilum. The different phylogenetic groups were quantified by fluorescent in situ hybridization with a set of rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes. More than 80% of the cells were affiliated with the domain Bacteria, with only a minor fraction corresponding to Archaea. Members of Leptospirillum ferrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, and Acidiphilium spp., all related to the iron cycle, accounted for most of the prokaryotic microorganisms detected. Different isolates of these microorganisms were obtained from the Tinto ecosystem, and their physiological properties were determined. Given the physicochemical characteristics of the habitat and the physiological properties and relative concentrations of the different prokaryotes found in the river, a model for the Tinto ecosystem based on the iron cycle is suggested.Microorganisms that are able to develop under extreme conditions have recently attracted considerable attention because of their peculiar physiology and ecology. These extremophiles also have important biotechnological applications (41,44,49,51). Acidic environments are especially interesting because, in general, the low pH of the habitat is the consequence of microbial metabolism (24) and not a condition imposed by the system as is the case in many other extreme environments (temperature, ionic strength, high pH, radiation, pressure, etc.). The Tinto River, a 100-km-long river in southwestern Spain, is an example of such an extreme acidic ecosystem; it has a low pH (between 1.5 and 3

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mentioning

confidence: 93%

Microbial Ecology of an Extreme Acidic Environment, the Tinto River

González-Toril

Llobet-Brossa

Casamayor

et al. 2003

Appl Environ Microbiol

400

223

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“…Such systems exhibit high temporal and spatial variability in chemistry and are generally considered as highly ecotoxic zones. The two most studied examples of European ecotoxic freshwaters are the Tinto and Odiel rivers, the most polluted fluvial-estuarine regions contaminated by thousands of years of mining (Davis et al, 2000;Sanchez-Rodas et al, 2005;Nieto et al, 2007;Sarmiento et al, 2012). The extreme environmental conditions, dramatically high metal concentrations and the specific microorganisms encountered in this environment mean that the Tinto and Odiel rivers are used as a model for astrobiology on Mars (Costas et al, 2007).…”

Section: Environmental and Health Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and chemical speciation of arsenic and heavy metals in highly contaminated waters used for health care purposes (Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Lenoble

Omanović

Garnier

et al. 2013

Science of The Total Environment

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To cite this version:Véronique Lenoble, D Omanović, Cédric Garnier, Stéphane Mounier, N Đonlagić, et al.. Distribution and chemical speciation of arsenic and heavy metals in highly contaminated waters used for health care purposes (Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina). Science of the Total Environment, Elsevier, 2013Elsevier, , 443, pp.420-428. <10.1016Elsevier, /j.scitotenv.2012 H I G H L I G H T S► Acid mine drainage type waters used for decades for healthcare purposes were analysed. ► Extremely high contents of As (up to 6.6 mg/L) and other heavy metals were registered. ► Acidic springs decreased pH of the river from 7.3 to 3.4 in only 1.5 km distance. ► Geochemical modelling revealed dominance of oxidized forms of all elements. Determination of distribution and chemical speciation of arsenic and heavy metals in five acidic springs and in the receiving river near Srebrenica (Bosnia and Herzegovina) was carried out. These waters were used for centuries, and continue to be used, for health-care purposes. The composition and properties of all springs and the river water (after all inputs) resembled that of an acid mine drainage. Very low pH (b 3.3), high sulphate concentration and extremely high contents of most of the measured elements (25) are found in all springs (e.g. arsenic and iron maximal concentration of 6.6 and 500 mg L −1 , respectively). Although of small discharge, spring waters caused the decrease of the receiving river pH (from 7.3 to 3.4) and the considerable increase of the concentrations of elements. The enrichment factor for the studied elements ranged from 1.2 for Sr up to 425 for As. In acidic spring waters, all elements were predominantly present in dissolved form. Elements associated to freshly-formed hydrous ferric oxide were prevailing in particulate forms only at the two most upstream sites in the river with pH > 7. Geochemical speciation modelling (PHREEQC and WHAM-VI) revealed that As was mainly present as As(V), and Fe as Fe(III). Complexation of dissolved metals by organic matter was predicted to be significant only for the two river sites with neutral pH. a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o

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“…Contamination of the Rio Tinto estuary, for example, has occurred due to mining of in massive sulfide deposits that began with the Tartessans who developed the first mine over 5000 b.p. (Davis et al 2000, Palanques et al 1995.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Five years after Pb mining activities were ceased near the River Ystwyth in Wales the river was reported to be generally barren, except for algae, in comparison to reference streams (Carpenter 1924). While individual mines are typically in operation only for 5 to 15 years, contamination can occur for hundreds or even thousands of years following the cessation of mining (Davis et al 2000, Palanques et al 1995.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dispersion of Metals from Abandoned Mines and their Effect on Biota in the Methow River, Okanogan County, Washington: Final Report 2002-2003.

Peplow¹,

Edmonds²

2003

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Rio Tinto estuary (Spain): 5000 years of pollution

Cited by 208 publications

References 8 publications

Microbial Ecology of an Extreme Acidic Environment, the Tinto River

Microbial Ecology of an Extreme Acidic Environment, the Tinto River

Distribution and chemical speciation of arsenic and heavy metals in highly contaminated waters used for health care purposes (Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Dispersion of Metals from Abandoned Mines and their Effect on Biota in the Methow River, Okanogan County, Washington: Final Report 2002-2003.

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