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

Grande Gil, José AntonioLuís, Ana TeresaCórdoba García, FranciscoLeiva, MercedesDávila Martín, José MiguelFortes Garrido, Juan CarlosSantisteban Fernández, MaríaFerreira da Silva, EduardoMiguel Sarmiento, Aguasanta2021-11-302021-11-302021Grande, J. A., Luís, A. T., Córdoba, F., Leiva, M., Dávila, J. M., Fortes, J. C., Santisteban, M., Ferreira da Silva, E., & Sarmiento, A. M. (2021). Odiel River (SW Spain), a Singular Scenario Affected by Acid Mine Drainage (AMD): Graphical and Statistical Models to Assess Diatoms and Water Hydrogeochemistry Interactions. In International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Vol. 18, Issue 16, p. 8454). MDPI AG. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181684541660-4601 (electrónico)http://hdl.handle.net/10272/20277The 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 timeengAtribución-NoComercial-SinDerivadas 3.0 Españahttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/es/Factor analysisDiversityOdiel RiverAcid mine drainage (AMD)Hydro-geochemistryShannon–Wiener indexRichnessOdiel River (SW Spain), a Singular Scenario Affected by Acid Mine Drainage (AMD): Graphical and Statistical Models to Assess Diatoms and Water Hydrogeochemistry Interactionsjournal article10.3390/ijerph18168454open access33 Ciencias Tecnológicas