Rio Tinto - a river in southwestern Spain, originated in the mountains of Andalusia. Beginning in ancient times, areas along the river were used for the extraction of copper, silver, gold and other minerals. As a result a lot of mines and quarries bizarre, and the river water stained a dark red color and filled with acid and heavy metals.
More than 5,000 years of mining contributed to the contamination of the river, turning Tinto in a very dangerous place. Peak production occurred in 1930, after which production declined. Copper mine stopped here in 1986, while silver and gold in 1996, but the vast mines, quarries and dredging remained and metals continue to fall in the river water.
The river originated many iron-and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and that their activity has caused such a deep color of water. Rio Tinto is home to thousands of other wonderful bacteria and organisms.
The river was of great scientific interest because of the activity of aerobic bacteria extremophile, rapidly multiplying in the water. It is these life forms are probable cause of the high acid content. They feed on bacteria and iron minerals that are washed out of the mines and in large quantities contained in the surface rocks along the river.
This unusual condition of the river caused large-scale study conducted astrobiology. In their view, the river of the same type may be in other solar systems, such as in the depths of Mars. For example, in the moon of Jupiter - Europe is probably in the ocean oxidized water, concealed beneath its icy surface and containing the same bacteria as the Rio Tinto in Andalusia. Red Lake, formed at the bottom of a quarry
Partly based on studies made by the river Rio Tinto, two scientists from NASA in February 2005 said they found strong evidence for life on Mars. However, NASA officials have denied the statement of his subordinates, and one of the scientists later retracted his statement.
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