Hydrogeological behavior of the Cuatrociénegas and El Hundido aquifers in Coahuila, Mexico [Comportamiento hidrogeológico de los acuíferos cuatrociénegas y El Hundido, Coahuila, México]
Article
Overview
Research
Additional Document Info
View All
Overview
abstract
The El Hundido aquifer, in Coahuila, Mexico, has been increasingly exploited by groundwater pumping since the beginning of the year 2001, mainly for agricultural purposes. Therefore, there is concern about the possible negative effects on the adjoining Cuatrocienegas aquifer, which lies under the Cuatrocienegas Natural Protected Area, a site containing a great variety of endemic species. The objective of this research was to evaluate the hydrodynamic, isotopic, and geochemical behavior of the El Hundido aquifer and the possible hydraulic interaction with the Cuatrocienegas aquifer in Coahuila. To fulfill this objective, field, office, and laboratory activities were carried out. The field work included a well census, nine infiltration tests, one pumping test, well hydrometry, a topographical leveling survey of 40 wells, geophysical soundings, a geological field survey, the drilling of two test wells to depths of 200 and 250 m, and the taking of 103 surface- and groundwater samples for hydrochemical and isotopic analyses. The main results of the study are as follows: 1) There is a hydrodynamical divide between the groundwater of the Cuatrocienegas aquifer and the El Hundido aquifer; 2) The groundwater of the Cuatrocienegas aquifer is isotopically distinct from that of the El Hundido aquiler; 3) Groundwater salinity in both valleys is due to the dissolution of the underlying rocks of marine origin; 4) The groundwater source in both valleys is rainwater; while the main water source feeding the Cuatrociénegas springs is precipitation falling on the La Fragua and the San Marcos mountain ranges.
