The Guadiamar Green Corridor

A Restoration Story

© Antonio Sabater/Enfoque 10

         Several years have passed since the ecological catastrophe of Doñana, Spain. On 25 april 1998, six billons liters of toxic mud and acid waters came out through the broken walls of a huge reservoir by the Aznalcollar pyrite mine. More than 4600 ha were flooded with washing mineral waste having a high concentration of heavy metals. 

         They stopped at the door of the Doñana National Park, the most important wetland in Europe and a UN World Heritage Site. The spill caused a serious damage to the riparian ecosystem of the Guadiamar river. Thirty tons of agonizing  fishes were collected a few hours later. The consequences of the spill on many other organisms are still to be assessed. 

         A numerous staff of national and international experts has studied which biological and chemicals processes have been affected, and how damages could be neutralized. As a result, the Corredor Verde project, an ambitious plan to restore the flooded area, was born.