Hydrogeochemistry and isotope analyses used to determine groundwater recharge and flow in low-gradient catchments of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

The region known as Pampa Plain, in Argentina, is a vast area characterized by slopes of less than 0.05%. The surface sediment is silty sand, mainly Aeolian, referred to as Pampean Loess, which is a phreatic aquifer unit of utmost importance for the water supply of the region. On account of the slig...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrogeology journal 2008-09, Vol.16 (6), p.1113-1127
Main Authors: Quiroz Londoño, O. M, Martínez, D. E, Dapeña, C, Massone, H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aquatic Pollution
Catchments
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Geochemistry
Geology
Geophysics/Geodesy
Groundwater
Groundwater flow
Groundwater recharge
hydrochemistry
Hydrogeochemistry
Hydrogeology
Hydrology
Hydrology/Water Resources
Isotopes
Modelling
Mountain regions
Recharging
Sand
stable isotopes
Surface water
Surface-groundwater relations
Waste Water Technology
Water analysis
Water Management
Water Pollution Control
Water Quality/Water Pollution
Water sampling
Water supply
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Summary:The region known as Pampa Plain, in Argentina, is a vast area characterized by slopes of less than 0.05%. The surface sediment is silty sand, mainly Aeolian, referred to as Pampean Loess, which is a phreatic aquifer unit of utmost importance for the water supply of the region. On account of the slight gradient, hydrogeological analyses using only hydraulic measurements are difficult to perform, often leading to confusing results. Thus, the study presented relies on hydrochemical modeling and isotopic determinations as well. The study area comprises three catchments in the inter-mountainous area corresponding to El Moro, Tamangueyú and Seco creeks, and covering 2,570 km² in the province of Buenos Aires. Measurements of piezometric levels and samples of groundwater, surface water and rainwater were carried out between January and March 2005. Major ion results were analyzed by means of hydrochemical graphs and hydrogeochemical modelling using NETPATH. The resulting data show that it is possible to identify local changes in recharge, flow direction and stream/groundwater relationship by using hydrochemical and isotopic information, which may become a useful and more precise tool for the study of particularly flat landscapes.
ISSN:1431-2174
1435-0157
DOI:10.1007/s10040-008-0289-y