Spreading of pollutants from alkaline mine drainage. Rodalquilar mining district (SE Spain)

► Pollutants spread in a semi-arid climate and in alkaline drainage were studied. ► Pollutants from Au- and Pb-mining wastes were mostly spread by runoff water. ► Sn, Pb and Sb were spread mainly in the solid phase of the runoff. ► Cu, Zn, As and Se were spread in the solid and soluble phases of the runoff. ► As and Se, with the highest soluble content, were spread at a greater distance.