Caracterización del potencial de generación de acidez en rocas presentes al oriente del municipio de Titiribí, Antioquia

Abstract

The phenomenon of acid rock drainage (ARD) occurs naturally, mainly from the exposure and oxidation of sulfide minerals in the environment, with the subsequent generation of acid drainage and leaching of associated heavy metals. ARD is time-dependent and involves chemical and biological oxidation, which have effects at a physicochemical level. The municipality of Titiribí is located in southwestern Antioquia, an area with the presence of geological environments that allowed the occurrence of several lithological typologies (igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks), as well as mineral deposits such as the presence of coals. Consequently, there are volumes of rocks of different compositions exposed to the natural environment that can present geochemical behaviors associated to the potential generation of acidity (PGA), which can be intensified due to the tropical climate conditions of the area (temperature, humidity, and rainfall). In this research, results associated with the characterization of the acidity generation potential (PGA) of the different outcropping lithologies and its possible generation and affectation in the hydrological and hydrogeological systems in the environment are obtained.