Geochemical and biological aspects of sulfide mineral dissolution: lessons from 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 are 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.