<p>Iron oxide gives the water its color.  The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesabi_Range" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mesobi Iron range</a> is located in Minnesota.  It is very large iron deposit that is still mined today.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/QLRFW.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/QLRFW.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-30T14:09:28.843Z
OK! It's good to see that it's not (at least mostly) oxides of heavy metals! I wonder if the color of the photograph is a bit distorted, and should have been slightly more orange than it seems.
uhoh
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-30T12:20:20.143Z
2017-03-30T12:20:20.143Z
Earth Science Expatriate
<p>From the red stain in the water &amp; the rocks in the lower left of the picture it looks like iron ore.</p>

<p>Also, the red stain in the water appears to be a colloidal suspension, consistent with minor erosion of a bank rather than an aqueous stain caused by water reacting with sulfide minerals in the bank.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Range" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Iron Range</a> occurs in north eastern Minnesota.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-30T14:12:28.217Z
That seems to be consistent with the point of the original website. Does water ever become red from dissolved iron, or is it usually a suspension of particles?
uhoh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-09T13:32:12.860Z
@uhoh: Sorry, I just noticed the additional question in the comment. Minerals/Metals do stain water, copper most definitely. Iron stains water as well. The picture in [this website](https://idahowatersolutions.com/water-problems-solutions/iron-in-water-is-it-harmful/) shows a hand basin with orange colored water that has been stained by iron. You'll see the nature of the stain is different from the one in picture in your question.
Fred
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-09T13:41:40.780Z
Thanks for the follow-up. Yes, that looks familliar, I think I've seen that before.
uhoh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-14T02:45:28.030Z
search for instances of "iron" in https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47165522, perhaps something to add to your answer?
uhoh
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-30T11:51:47.090Z
2017-03-30T11:51:47.090Z
Fred
<p>Reading about turbidity, I came across <a href="http://www.lakeaccess.org/russ/turbidity.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this web page</a> with the frightening image shown below.</p>
<p>Text immediately before reads:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Reasons for Natural Variation</strong></p>
<p>Algal turbidity varies seasonally and with depth in a complex manner as discussed previously in response to physical, chemical and biological changes in the lake. Inorganic and detrital particles from the watershed vary largely in response to hydrological events such as storms and snowmelt.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The figure caption reads:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Even relatively small amounts of wave action can erode exposed lakeshore sediments, in this case a mine pit lake from northeastern Minnesota. Can you guess what mineral was mined here?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Any ideas? I know there are bright red oxides of heavy metals like lead and mercury, certainly hope that's not the right answer.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/jZN3i.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/jZN3i.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>

<geology><pollution><mining>
What kind of mine pit in northeastern Minnesota could make residue that turns water turn bright red?
uhoh
# What kind of mine pit in northeastern Minnesota could make residue that turns water turn bright red?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-03-30)

Reading about turbidity, I came across [this web page](http://www.lakeaccess.org/russ/turbidity.htm) with the frightening image shown below.

Text immediately before reads:

> **Reasons for Natural Variation**
>
> Algal turbidity varies seasonally and with depth in a complex manner as discussed previously in response to physical, chemical and biological changes in the lake. Inorganic and detrital particles from the watershed vary largely in response to hydrological events such as storms and snowmelt.

The figure caption reads:

> Even relatively small amounts of wave action can erode exposed lakeshore sediments, in this case a mine pit lake from northeastern Minnesota. Can you guess what mineral was mined here?

Any ideas? I know there are bright red oxides of heavy metals like lead and mercury, certainly hope that's not the right answer.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/jZN3i.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/jZN3i.jpg)

**Tags:** geology, pollution, mining


---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-03-30. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

From the red stain in the water & the rocks in the lower left of the picture it looks like iron ore.

Also, the red stain in the water appears to be a colloidal suspension, consistent with minor erosion of a bank rather than an aqueous stain caused by water reacting with sulfide minerals in the bank.

The [Iron Range](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Range) occurs in north eastern Minnesota.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: That seems to be consistent with the point of the original website. Does water ever become red from dissolved iron, or is it usually a suspension of particles?  
> **username_2**: @username_0: Sorry, I just noticed the additional question in the comment. Minerals/Metals do stain water, copper most definitely. Iron stains water as well. The picture in [this website](https://idahowatersolutions.com/water-problems-solutions/iron-in-water-is-it-harmful/) shows a hand basin with orange colored water that has been stained by iron. You'll see the nature of the stain is different from the one in picture in your question.  
> **username_0**: Thanks for the follow-up. Yes, that looks familliar, I think I've seen that before.  
> **username_0**: search for instances of "iron" in https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47165522, perhaps something to add to your answer?  

---

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-03-30. Score: 2

Iron oxide gives the water its color. The [Mesobi Iron range](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesabi_Range) is located in Minnesota. It is very large iron deposit that is still mined today.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/QLRFW.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/QLRFW.jpg)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: OK! It's good to see that it's not (at least mostly) oxides of heavy metals! I wonder if the color of the photograph is a bit distorted, and should have been slightly more orange than it seems.  

---

