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Impact of afforestation on coastal aquifer recharge. Case study: eastern coast of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Abstract

The effects of afforestation on groundwater recharge—which is the only source of drinking water supply in the Pinamar District (Partido de Pinamar), located on the eastern coast of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina—are analysed. The study area is characterised by a sand-dune barrier parallel to the coast, where freshwater lenses accumulate. These are bounded to the west by the brackish water of the continental plain and to the east by the seawater. Soil texture makes it possible to infer the infiltration capacity. Methods associated with groundwater table fluctuations, hydrodynamics, hydrochemistry and the characteristics of stable isotopes (2H and 18O) in groundwater were used. In order to confirm the results, daily water balances were carried out. Recharge variations were quantified based on periodic groundwater table records and water balances. A decrease in recharge was verified in forested areas with respect to non-forested areas (bare soil). The groundwater flow (hydraulic gradients), the electrical conductivity of groundwater and the fractionation of stable isotopes indicate that the higher evapotranspiration in areas with tree cover leads to a decrease in water surplus and in the possibilities for groundwater table recharge. The effects of afforestation on recharge and, therefore, on good-quality shallow groundwater reserves constitute a key element in planning the sustainable use of the water resources.

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Acknowledgements

This work was developed under the research project “Bases para un manejo sustentable de los recursos hídricos en la franja costera arenosa oriental de la Provincia de Buenos Aires” [“Guidelines for the sustainable management of water resources in the eastern coastal sand-dune barrier of the Province of Buenos Aires”] (PICT 2013-2117, ANPCyT, Argentina). The authors are thankful for the valuable comments of reviewers and editor, which improved the quality of the manuscript.

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  1. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Centro de Estudios Integrales de la Dinámica Exógena (CEIDE), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), 64 No 3, 1900, La Plata, Argentina

    Leandro Rodrigues Capítulo, Silvina C. Carretero & Eduardo E. Kruse

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  1. Leandro Rodrigues Capítulo
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  2. Silvina C. Carretero
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  3. Eduardo E. Kruse
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Correspondence to Leandro Rodrigues Capítulo.

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Rodrigues Capítulo, L., Carretero, S.C. & Kruse, E.E. Impact of afforestation on coastal aquifer recharge. Case study: eastern coast of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Environ Earth Sci 77, 74 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7258-0

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