This study reports on an indirect analysis of manganese from environmental samples of an old copper mine and its neighboring river. Sediment and surface water were analyzed for the presence of manganese. Manganese was extracted, in the case of sediment, using aqua regia, followed by oxidation to the violet permanganate complex (MnO_4^-) with potassium periodate, in a hot acid solution. Analysis of the permanganate complex, by colorimetric and spectrophotometric analytical methods, shows that the river contains a relatively high amount of manganese near the mine, and that the presence of chemical pollutants, directly or indirectly affect aquatic life
