Multivariate analysis for a definition of groundwater flow systems in San Luis Potosí, Mexico [Análisis multivariado en la definición de sistemas de flujo de agua subterránea en San Luis Potosí, México]

The study of groundwater flow systems is becoming more important in regions where the city water supply depends on regional flows. The chemical differentiation of the flow systems in the catchment area of San Luis Potosí helps locate the sites for the construction of boreholes for a long-term water supply. The combination of factor analysis and Cluster analysis is a useful tool to find: i) the variables that control regional and intermediate flow systems, and ii) the differentiation of flows in a thick aquifer unit (%2b 1 000 m). To obtain a conceptual model, water analyses from 1987 were used: they have been a tool to differentiate the existing flows, and this definition was verified with the results of a multivaried analysis. A later sampling (2007) was also analyzed with the same methodology and compared with data from 1987. The results display a good flow differentiation, and a group of mixed water between the intermediate and regional flows was detected. The increased number of average values for the regional flow suggests an increasing influence of an ascending flow pertaining to the regional flow resulting from an uncontrolled extraction. A zone north of the study area shows a behavior different from the expected analysis for SO 4 and Mg, where, an independent external influence to that of the established flow systems for this area was detected.

VIVO