Acid lake of São Domingos Mine

Category: Nature > Lagoon

District: Beja > Mértola > Mina de São Domingos > Zona da Mina

Location:

The Acidic Lagoon is located in the Mine Zone, an area of the locality of Mina de São Domingos, Mértola municipality, deeply marked by its industrial past. The site is a testament to the intense mining activity that once characterized this Alentejo region.

A Unique Landscape:

The Acidic Lagoon of Mina de São Domingos offers a remarkably unique landscape. Its waters, resulting from the concentration of minerals, display varied and sometimes unexpected hues, creating a distinct visual spectacle. The environment is complemented by a characteristic aroma of minerals and sulfur, recalling the legacy of extractive activity.

Mining Legacy and Formation:

The formation of this lagoon is intrinsically linked to the history of the Mina de São Domingos. After the closure of mining operations in 1964, the abandoned galleries and spoil heaps gave rise to mineral-rich water runoff. Over time, these runoffs accumulated, forming the lagoons observed today, which reflect the acidity and presence of metals resulting from pyritic activity.

The Waters and Their Properties:

Over the decades, the waters of these lagoons were, for some inhabitants, the subject of popular beliefs related to supposed healing properties. However, it is essential to emphasize that scientific analysis demonstrates the high acidity of these waters, with a recorded pH of approximately 2.4. Such a level of acidity makes contact with the water dangerous for human health, making it a site for observation and not physical interaction.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt