Negative pH and extremely acidic mine waters from Iron Mountain, California
Environmental Science & Technology
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Abstract
Extremely acidic mine waters with pH values as low as -3.6, total dissolved metal concentrations as high as 200 g/L, and sulfate concentrations as high as 760 g/L, have been encountered underground in the Richmond Mine at Iron Mountain, CA. These are the most acidic waters known. The pH measurements were obtained by using the Pitzer method to define pH for calibration of glass membrane electrodes. The calibration of pH below 0.5 with glass membrane electrodes becomes strongly nonlinear but is reproducible to a pH as low as -4. Numerous efflorescent minerals were found forming from these acid waters. These extreme acid waters were formed primarily by pyrite oxidation and concentration by evaporation with minor effects from aqueous ferrous iron oxidation and efflorescent mineral formation.
Suggested Citation
Nordstrom, D.K., Alpers, C.N., Ptacek, C., Blowes, D., 2000, Negative pH and extremely acidic mine waters from Iron Mountain, California: Environmental Science & Technology, v. 34, no. 2, p. 254-258, https://doi.org/10.1021/es990646v.
ISSN: 1520-5851 (online)
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Negative pH and extremely acidic mine waters from Iron Mountain, California |
| Series title | Environmental Science & Technology |
| DOI | 10.1021/es990646v |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Publication Date | December 10, 1999 |
| Year Published | 2000 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | ACS |
| Contributing office(s) | California Water Science Center, Toxic Substances Hydrology Program |
| Description | 5 p. |
| First page | 254 |
| Last page | 258 |