Monitoring of superficial contamination produced by massive sulphide mine waste along the Odiel River (Andalusia, Spain) using hyperspectral data

We present preliminary results from laboratory, field and airborne hyperspectral HyMAP data acquired on a small but typical sector of the Odiel River, a river in southwest Spain which drains abandoned sulphide ore mines from the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Ochres and alluvial sediments present typical absorptions related to iron-bearing oxi-hydroxides and sulfates as well as muscovite and other minerals from the bedrock. ¿Clean¿ sediments from a nearby river were also measured as a reference for future comparisons. Image analysis shows that the spectral response is also strongly dependent on grain size and moisture content. Yearly flights are scheduled over the river to monitor changes and define standard procedures for contamination monitoring.