TITLE:
Hydrogeochemical Studies in Drought Scenarios: Canelones, Uruguay Case Study
AUTHORS:
Karina Pamoukaghlian, Elena Alvareda, Mariano Cáceres, Rebeca Panzl, Marcelo Aboy, Sofìa Da Rocha, Pablo Gamazo, María Paula Collazo
KEYWORDS:
Water Bearing Fractures, Hydrogeochemistry, Water Quality, Sustainable Management
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.12 No.5,
May
30,
2024
ABSTRACT: The water scarcity in quality and quantity is becoming more noticeable and an urgent concern around the world. In Uruguay, these issues become exacerbated by the need to obtain drinking water in coastal areas, influenced by the climate change. Basic and structural geologies are strong conditioners in heterogeneous coastal aquifers. The objective of this study is to characterize the hydrochemistry of the fractured aquifers after having identified the main bearing fractures and the causes of aleatoreous water scarcity and quality problems, for hydric resources sustainable management. Identification of water bearing fracture, hydrogeochemical analysis and water quality evaluation are specific objectives. Some strategies were performed: 1) a base map in QGIS Software; 2) fracture photointerpretation; 3) geological correlation; 4) statistical analysis of the background geochemistry data; 5) ions analysis of strategically located wells. There were found water bearing fractures corresponding to 28 m3/h maximum flow rate for the NW-SE and 12 m3/h maximum flow rate for the NE-SW fracture direction, respectively. Besides, there could be a problem related to the high Sodium (Na) and Chloride (Cl) levels. In this respect, having previous data from 25 well samples, ions geochemical analysis has been carried out for 14 wells from Costa Azul and surrounding to have a first approach about the possible cause for the high values of Na (max. 385 mg/L) and Cl (max. 381 mg/L). The selected area for this study has a particular characteristic, because it corresponds to a heterogeneous fractured aquifer, which makes it difficult to catch water with enough flow rates and water quality to meet the population demand.