The work addresses the issues of hydrosphere pollution in the Middle Urals resulting from the impact of acid mine drainage from abandoned copper mines. The study examined the concentrations of macro‑ and trace components in water and bottom sediments in the area of the Levikhinsky copper‑pyrite mine, which was abandoned over 20 years ago, as well as changes in their concentrations along the following chain: mine water discharge (acidic environment) – neutralization (alkaline environment) – settling (acidic environment) – middle reach of a small river (slightly acidic environment) – mouth of a small river (neutral environment). Thermodynamic estimations showed that acidic mineralized waters are supersaturated with respect to minerals of the oxides and oxide-hydroxides groups. Strongly alkaline and slightly alkaline waters are supersaturated with respect to minerals of the oxides, oxide-hydroxides, hydroxides, and sulphates groups. Waters from all environments are close to equilibrium or undersaturated with respect to gypsum. The most intensive metal precipitation and sorption by bottom sediments occur in near‑neutral environments: the concentration ratio (CR) exceeds n·105 l/kg for Al, Fe, Cu, and Pb. The performed assessment of the degree of equilibrium of anthropogenically impacted waters with respect to minerals allowed us to determine secondary mineral formation, the forms of metal migration in water bodies, and their impact on the environment. The obtained data are essential for justifying measures aimed at improving the state of the hydrosphere.
