Geochemical and biological aspects of sulfide mineral dissolution: lessonsfrom Iron Mountain, California

The oxidative dissolution of sulfide minerals leading to acid mine drainage (AMD) involves a complex interplay between microorganisms, solutions, and mineral surfaces. Consequently, models that link molecular level reactions and the microbial communities that mediate them to field scale processes ar e few. Here we provide a mini-review of laboratory and field-based studies concerning the chemical, microbial, and kinetic aspects of sulfide mineral dissolution and generation of AMD at the Richmond ore body at Iron Mountain , California. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.