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Application of a Fuzzy Logic Based Methodology to Validate the Hydrochemical Characterization and Determining Seasonal Influence of a Watershed Affected by Acid Mine Drainage

Author

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  • Jose M. Davila

    (Department of Water, Mining and Environment, Scientific and Technological Center of Huelva, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
    Sustainable Mining Engineering Research Group, Department of Mining, Mechanic, Energetic and Construction Engineering, Higher Technical School of Engineering, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain)

  • Aguasanta M. Sarmiento

    (Department of Water, Mining and Environment, Scientific and Technological Center of Huelva, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
    Sustainable Mining Engineering Research Group, Department of Mining, Mechanic, Energetic and Construction Engineering, Higher Technical School of Engineering, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain)

  • Javier Aroba

    (Department of Information Technologies, Higher Technical School of Engineering, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain)

  • Juan C. Fortes

    (Department of Water, Mining and Environment, Scientific and Technological Center of Huelva, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
    Sustainable Mining Engineering Research Group, Department of Mining, Mechanic, Energetic and Construction Engineering, Higher Technical School of Engineering, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain)

  • Jose A. Grande

    (Department of Water, Mining and Environment, Scientific and Technological Center of Huelva, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
    Sustainable Mining Engineering Research Group, Department of Mining, Mechanic, Energetic and Construction Engineering, Higher Technical School of Engineering, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain)

  • Maria Santisteban

    (Department of Water, Mining and Environment, Scientific and Technological Center of Huelva, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
    Sustainable Mining Engineering Research Group, Department of Mining, Mechanic, Energetic and Construction Engineering, Higher Technical School of Engineering, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain)

  • Francisco Cordoba

    (Department of Integrated Sciences, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain)

  • Mercedes Leiva

    (Department of Integrated Sciences, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
    Department of Mining, Mechanic, Energetic and Construction Engineering, Higher Technical School of Engineering, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain)

  • Ana T. Luís

    (Department of Water, Mining and Environment, Scientific and Technological Center of Huelva, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
    GeoBioTec Research Unit, Department of Geosciences, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

Abstract

The Odiel River Basin, located in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), is heavily affected by acid mine drainage (AMD), which occurs when pyritic minerals from sulfide mining areas are exposed to atmospheric, hydrological or biological weathering. This paper presents a hydrochemical characterization of parameters in the Odiel River Basin by means of Fuzzy Logic and data mining methodologies to determine the seasonal influence of AMD in polluted waters that have not been used before for a basin in this environmental area. This technique was proven to be effective, providing results that could not be achieved by using classic statistics, because it allows us to characterize the different parameters separately and also their relationships in waters affected by AMD in a qualitative manner based on the antecedents and according to the conditions (rules) imposed by the consequents (in this case, the Fe(II) and accumulated rainfall over 30 days). Thus, it was possible to confirm that hydrochemistry is greatly affected by seasonal changes, with a higher pH in the wet season (up to 8.59) compared to 2.12, the minimum pH value reached in the dry season. Accordingly, higher concentrations of most of the metals were observed in the dry season (e.g., up to 4000 mg/L of Fe (II)), with the exception of the values found after the first rains that occur in the early fall. With the use of the Fuzzy Logic technique, it was observed that, during the wet season, lixiviates with a higher Fe content have higher metal concentrations, and in the dry season, the behavior is the opposite.

Suggested Citation

  • Jose M. Davila & Aguasanta M. Sarmiento & Javier Aroba & Juan C. Fortes & Jose A. Grande & Maria Santisteban & Francisco Cordoba & Mercedes Leiva & Ana T. Luís, 2021. "Application of a Fuzzy Logic Based Methodology to Validate the Hydrochemical Characterization and Determining Seasonal Influence of a Watershed Affected by Acid Mine Drainage," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4693-:d:545157
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. J. Grande & Jose Andújar & Javier Aroba & Rafael Beltrán & Maria de la Torre & Juan Cerón & T. Gómez, 2010. "Fuzzy Modeling of the Spatial Evolution of the Chemistry in the Tinto River (SW Spain)," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 24(12), pages 3219-3235, September.
    2. Sung-Min Kim & Yosoon Choi, 2018. "SIMPL: A Simplified Model-Based Program for the Analysis and Visualization of Groundwater Rebound in Abandoned Mines to Prevent Contamination of Water and Soils by Acid Mine Drainage," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-19, May.
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