Landscape of Riotinto with its red waters, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
The Riotinto, (red river) is a river in southwestern Spain that originates in the Sierra Morena mountains of Andalusia. It flows generally south-southwest, reaching the Gulf of Cadiz at Huelva. Since ancient times, a site along the river has been mined for copper, silver, gold, and other minerals. In approximately 3,000 BCE, Iberians and Tartessians began mining the site, followed by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, and Moors. After a period of abandonment, the mines were rediscovered in 1556 and the Spanish government began operating them once again in 1724.[1] As a possible result of the mining, Riotinto is notable for being very acidic (pH 2) and its deep reddish hue is due to iron dissolved in the water. Acid mine drainage from the mines leads to severe environmental problems due to the heavy metal concentrations in the river. In 1873, the multinational Riotinto Company was formed to operate the mines; by the end of the 20th century it had become one of the world's largest mining companies, although it no longer controls the Riotinto mines; these are now owned by EMED Mining plc. Recently, evidence has been found that suggests microbes are responsible for the acidity of the river as well as the colour instead of pollution as previously believed.
Size: 4992px × 3328px
Location: Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
Photo credit: © Joan Gil / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: landscape, red, rio, riotinto, river, tinto, water
