Isgró, Melisa A.Basallote Sánchez, María DoloresBarbero González, Luis Carlos2022-03-232022-03-232021Isgró, M. A., Basallote, M. D., & Barbero, L. (2021). Unmanned Aerial System-Based Multispectral Water Quality Monitoring in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (SW Spain). In Mine Water and the Environment. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-021-00837-41025-91121616-1068 (electrónico)http://hdl.handle.net/10272/20786Abstract Few studies have assessed mining-associated water pollution using spectral characteristics. We used high-resolution multispectral data acquired by unmanned aerial drones combined with in situ chemical data to assess water quality parameters in 12 relatively small water bodies located in the Tharsis complex, an abandoned mining area in the Iberian pyrite belt (SW Spain). The spectral bands of Micasense RedEdge-MX Dual and spectral band combinations were used jointly with physicochemical data to estimate water quality parameters and develop reliable empirical models using regression analysis. Physicochemical parameters including pH, ORP, EC, Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, S, Si, and Zn were estimated with high accuracy levels (0.81 < R2 < 0.99, 4 < RMSE% < 75, 0.01 < MAPE < 0.97). In contrast, the observed and modelled values for Ba, Ca, and Mg did not agree well (0.42 < R2 < 0.70). The best-fitted models were used to generate spatial distribution maps, providing information on water quality patterns. This study demonstrated that using empirical models to generate spatial distribution maps can be an effective and easy way to monitor acid mine drainage.engAtribución-NoComercial-SinDerivadas 3.0 Españahttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/es/Acid mine drainageAbandoned mineWater monitoringDroneLow altitude remote sensing, multispectral sensorjournal article10.1007/s10230-021-00837-4open access25 Ciencias de la Tierra y del Espacio