Volumetric Quantification and Quality of Water Stored in a Mining Lake: A Case Study at Reocín Mine (Spain)
This study deals with the potential use of water stored in a lake formed by Reocín’s old zinc mine, which has become the second most important reservoir in Cantabria, with a flow of 1300 L s<sup>−1</sup>. The methodology used is based on the hydrogeological and hydrochemical characteriza...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/2/212 |
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| author | Noemí Barral Raúl Husillos Elena Castillo Manuel Cánovas Elizabeth J. Lam Lucas Calvo |
| author_facet | Noemí Barral Raúl Husillos Elena Castillo Manuel Cánovas Elizabeth J. Lam Lucas Calvo |
| author_sort | Noemí Barral |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study deals with the potential use of water stored in a lake formed by Reocín’s old zinc mine, which has become the second most important reservoir in Cantabria, with a flow of 1300 L s<sup>−1</sup>. The methodology used is based on the hydrogeological and hydrochemical characterization of the area studied. A total of 16 piezometers were installed to monitor the amount and quality of water. Results obtained show a pH close to 8 and iron, manganese, zinc, and sulphate concentrations lower than 0.05 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, 0.05 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, 1.063 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, and 1305.5 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. The volume of the water stored in the lake amounts to 34 hm<sup>3</sup>. Measurements show that Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrations are below the limits acceptable for human consumption, according to the Spanish 0.2, 0.05, and 5.0 mg L<sup>−1</sup> standards, respectively, while sulphate greatly exceeds the 250 mg L<sup>−1</sup> limit accepted by the norm. Therefore, the water could be apt for human consumption after a treatment appropriate for decreasing the sulphate level by, for example, reverse osmosis, distillation, or ion exchange. Although industrial and energy uses are possible, the lake water could be utilized as a geothermal energy source. The management of the hydric resources generated when a mine is closed could improve the economic and environmental conditions of the zone, with all the benefits it brings about, thus allowing for compensating of the pumping cost that environmental protection entails, creating, at the same time, a new business opportunity for the company that owns the mine. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:45:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4389776b8e5c41b78e9b1af31159f95f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:45:31Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-4389776b8e5c41b78e9b1af31159f95f2023-12-11T17:31:14ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2021-02-0111221210.3390/min11020212Volumetric Quantification and Quality of Water Stored in a Mining Lake: A Case Study at Reocín Mine (Spain)Noemí Barral0Raúl Husillos1Elena Castillo2Manuel Cánovas3Elizabeth J. Lam4Lucas Calvo5Transport and Project and Process Technology Department, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, SpainTransport and Project and Process Technology Department, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, SpainGeographic Engineering and Graphic Expression Techniques Department, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, SpainMining and Metallurgical Engineering Department, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta 1270709, ChileChemical Engineering Department, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta 1270709, ChileCenter for Hydraulic Research of the Technological University of Panama, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panamá 0819-07289, PanamaThis study deals with the potential use of water stored in a lake formed by Reocín’s old zinc mine, which has become the second most important reservoir in Cantabria, with a flow of 1300 L s<sup>−1</sup>. The methodology used is based on the hydrogeological and hydrochemical characterization of the area studied. A total of 16 piezometers were installed to monitor the amount and quality of water. Results obtained show a pH close to 8 and iron, manganese, zinc, and sulphate concentrations lower than 0.05 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, 0.05 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, 1.063 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, and 1305.5 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. The volume of the water stored in the lake amounts to 34 hm<sup>3</sup>. Measurements show that Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrations are below the limits acceptable for human consumption, according to the Spanish 0.2, 0.05, and 5.0 mg L<sup>−1</sup> standards, respectively, while sulphate greatly exceeds the 250 mg L<sup>−1</sup> limit accepted by the norm. Therefore, the water could be apt for human consumption after a treatment appropriate for decreasing the sulphate level by, for example, reverse osmosis, distillation, or ion exchange. Although industrial and energy uses are possible, the lake water could be utilized as a geothermal energy source. The management of the hydric resources generated when a mine is closed could improve the economic and environmental conditions of the zone, with all the benefits it brings about, thus allowing for compensating of the pumping cost that environmental protection entails, creating, at the same time, a new business opportunity for the company that owns the mine.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/2/212abandoned minesmine waterReocín minewater management |
| spellingShingle | Noemí Barral Raúl Husillos Elena Castillo Manuel Cánovas Elizabeth J. Lam Lucas Calvo Volumetric Quantification and Quality of Water Stored in a Mining Lake: A Case Study at Reocín Mine (Spain) Minerals abandoned mines mine water Reocín mine water management |
| title | Volumetric Quantification and Quality of Water Stored in a Mining Lake: A Case Study at Reocín Mine (Spain) |
| title_full | Volumetric Quantification and Quality of Water Stored in a Mining Lake: A Case Study at Reocín Mine (Spain) |
| title_fullStr | Volumetric Quantification and Quality of Water Stored in a Mining Lake: A Case Study at Reocín Mine (Spain) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Volumetric Quantification and Quality of Water Stored in a Mining Lake: A Case Study at Reocín Mine (Spain) |
| title_short | Volumetric Quantification and Quality of Water Stored in a Mining Lake: A Case Study at Reocín Mine (Spain) |
| title_sort | volumetric quantification and quality of water stored in a mining lake a case study at reocin mine spain |
| topic | abandoned mines mine water Reocín mine water management |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/2/212 |
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