Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Methodology of hydrogeological characterization of deep carbonate aquifers as potential reservoirs of groundwater. Case of study: the Jurassic aquifer of El Maestrazgo (Castellón, Spain)

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Geology

Abstract

A methodology for the characterization of deep carbonate aquifers has been developed and applied to El Maestrazgo Jurassic aquifer in Castellón, Spain. Characterization of these aquifer formations, located at more than 300 m deep, consisted of a previous phase of compilation, analysis and synthesis of the existing information about the area, followed by a coordinated combination of different speciality studies: geology, stratigraphy, structural analysis, hydrogeology, hydrochemistry, geophysics and remote sensing. Geological studies included geological mapping, definition of stratigraphical units and facies and structural analysis. The aim of the hydrogeology study was to define aquifer formations, recharge area, aquifer points inventory and groundwater flow directions for the establishment of piezometric and water quality observation nets. Special techniques were applied, like thermal infrared aerial images and the evaluation of submarine groundwater discharge by means of natural radium isotopes. Hydrochemical techniques, including majority elements characterization and stable isotopes (18O, 2H and 3H) determination, allowed classifying hydrochemical facies and establishing a renewal pattern for water within the system. Geophysics was useful in determining the aquifer geometry, the features of the basement and the petrophysical characteristics of the geological formations. Preliminary results show an important tectonic complexity and the possibilities for groundwater uses in the area of study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andreo B, Vías J, López-Geta JA, Carrasco F, Durán JJ, Jiménez P (2004) Propuesta metodológica para la estimación de la recarga en acuíferos carbonáticos [A methodology proposal for estimating carbonate aquifers recharge] [In Spanish]. Geol Min bull 115(2):177–186

    Google Scholar 

  • Antón-Pacheco C, Araguás L, Ballesteros B, Barnolas A, Casas A, Gil I, Gumiel JC, López-Gutiérrez J, Mejías M, Plata JL, Samsó JM, Jiménez I, Marina M, Mediato J, Núñez I (2005) Investigación sobre el comportamiento hidrogeológico de formaciones acuíferas profundas. Aplicación a la Unidad Hidrogeológica 08.07 (El Maestrazgo). Desarrollo metodológico. Recopilación y síntesis de la información. Informe preliminar [Hydrogeological behaviour research in deep aquifer formations. Application to the hydrogeological Unit 08.07 (El Maestrazgo). Methodology, compilation and synthesis. Preliminary report] [In Spanish]. Centre of documentation of IGME: H1-002-05

  • Aurell M, Robles S, Rosales I, Quesada S, Meléndez A, Bádenas B, García-Ramos JC (2003) Transgressive/regressive cycles and Jurassic paleography of northeast Iberia. Sedim Geol 162:239–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bádenas B, Salas R, Burell M (2004) Three orders of regional sea-level changes control facies and stracking patterns of shallow platform carbonates in the Maestrat Basin (Tithonian-Berriasian, NE Spain). Int J Earth Sci 93:144–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Canerot J (1974) Recherches géologiques aux confins des chaînes ibérique et catalane (Espagne) [Geological researches in the Iberian and Catalonian ranges (Spain)] [In French]. Doctoral thesis, Toulouse University, ENADIMSA 5(2):517

  • Dodds AR, Ivic D (1990) Integrated geophysical methods used for groundwater studies in the Murray Basin, South Australia. Geotechnical and environmental geophysics. Soc Exp Geophys 2:303–310

    Google Scholar 

  • García-Orellana J, García-Solsona E, Masqué P, Ballesteros B, López J, Mejías M, Marina M (2006) Evaluación de la descarga de un manantial costero mediante isótopos del radio: La Fuente de Alcossebre (Castellón) [Evaluation of the discharges in a costal spring by means of radium isotopes: Las Fuentes de Alcossebre (Castellón)] [In Spanish]. Groundwater in mediterranean countries. AQUAinMED-06 Málaga, Spain, 24–28 April 2006. Book of abstracts. Hydrogeol Ground Water Ser 17:301–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldman M (2000) Geophysical methods in studying fresh water salinization problems. Curr Geophys Tech Appl Hydrogeol Ed IGME-Madrid, pp 61–80

  • Gollonet J, Rubio JC, Martín C, González A, Peinado T (2002) Los acuíferos de la Loma de Úbeda, reserva estratégica para el Olivar [Loma of Úbeda aquifers, strategic reserve for the Olivar, Spain] [In Spanish]. IGME publication, IGME. Hydrogeol Ground Water Ser 7:379–383

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonfiantini R (1978) Standards for stable isotope measurements in natural compounds. Nature 271:534–536

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • González Asensio A, Domínguez Prats P, Franqueza Montes PA (2003) Sistema Costero de Sierra de Gádor. Observaciones sobre su funcionamiento y relaciones con los ríos Adra y Andarax, y con el mar [Coastal system Gádor mountains. Observations about its funcitioning and relations Adra and Andarax rivers and with the sea] [In Spanish]. Coastal aquifers intrusion technology Alicante I, Madrid, pp 423–435

  • Haq BH, Handerbol J, Vail PR (1987) Chronology of fluctuating sea levels since the Triassic. Science 235:1156–1167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IGME (1988) Estudio hidrogeológico para el abastecimiento a núcleos urbanos del Maestrazgo, Castellón [Hydrogeological study for urban supply in “El Maestrazgo” (Castellón] (In Spanish), vol I, Unpublished report. Documentation Center of IGME

  • ITGE (1989) Estudio Hidrogeológico del Maestrazgo, Castellón [Hydrogeological study of El Maestrazgo (Castellón)] [In Spanish]

  • Krest JM, Moore WS, Rama (1999) 226Ra and 228Ra in the mixing zones of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers: indicators of groundwater input. Mar Chem 64:129–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krivochieva S, Chouteau M (2003) Integrating TDEM and MT methods for characterization and delineation of the Santa Catarina aquifer (Chalco Sub-Basin, Mexico). J Appl Geophys 52:23–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martín-Chivelet J, Berástegui X, Rosales I, Vilas L, Vera JA, Caus E, Gräfe KU, Mas R, Puig C, Segura M, Robles S, Floquet M, Quesada S, Ruiz-Ortiz PA, Frenegal-Martínez MA, Salas R, Arias C, García A, Martín-Algarra A, Meléndez MN, Chacón B, Molina JM, Sanz JL, Castro JM, García-Hernández M, Carenas B, García Hidalgo J, Gil J, Ortega F (2002) Cretaceous in the Geology of Spain. In: Gibbons W, Moreno T (eds). Geol Soc Lond 255–293. ISBN 1-86-239-110-6

  • Mas R, Salas R (2002) Lower Cretaceous of the Iberian Basin. In: Gibbons W, Moreno T (eds) The geology of Spain. Geol Soc Lond 284–288. England, ISBN 1-86239-110-6

  • Mejías M, Plata JL, Ballesteros B, López J, Marina M (2006) Metodología de caracterización de formaciones acuíferas profundas. Aplicación al acuífero Jurásico del Maestrazgo, Castellón [Methodology for the characterization of deep aquifer formations. Application to the Jurassic aquifer of El Maestrazgo. Castellón] [In Spanish]. Groundwater in Mediterranean countries. AQUAinMED-06 Málaga, Spain, 24–28 April 2006. Hydrogeol Ground Water Ser 17:301–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore WS (1996) Large groundwater inputs to coastal waters revealed by 226Ra enrichments. Nature 380:612–614

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore WS (1999) The subterranean estuary: a reaction zone of ground water and sea water. Mar Chem 65:111–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pierce HA (2001) Structural control on groundwater conditions and estimated aquifer properties near Bill Williams mountain, Williams, Tucson, Arizona. Water-resources investigations report 01-4058. USGS

  • Plata JL (2000) Técnicas convencionales de Geofísica de superficie aplicadas en Hidrogeología. Actualidad de las Técnicas Geofísicas Aplicadas en Hidrogeología [Convencional techniques on surface geophysics applied to Hydrogeology] [In Spanish]. Curr Geophys Tech Appl Hydrogeol Ed IGME-Madrid, pp 21–32

  • Roselli A, Olivier R, Veronese G (1998) Gravity and seismic reflection applied to the hydrological research in a large alpine valley. In: Proceedings of the IV Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society 225:228

  • Rubio FM, Plata JL, Peláez A (2000) Determinación de la profundidad de un acuífero en Jaén mediante integración de datos sísmicos, eléctricos y de sondeos mecánicos [Determination of an aquifer depth located in Jaén by means of integration of seismic and electrical data as well as mechanical boreholes] [In Spanish]. Curr Geophys Tech Appl Hydrogeol Ed IGME-Madrid, pp 127–132

  • Salas R, Casas A (1993) Mesozoic extensional tectonics, stratigraphy and crustal evolution during the Alpine cycle of the eastern Iberian Basin. Techtonophysics 228:35–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salas R, Guimerà J, Mas R, Martín-Closas C, Meléndez A, Alonso A (2001) Evolution of the Mesozoic Central Iberian Rift System and its Cenozoic inversion (Iberian Chain). In: Cavazza W, Robertson AHF, Ziegler P, Crasquin-Soleau S (eds) Perytethyan Rift/Wrench Basins and Passive Margins. Mem Mus Nat Sci Nat Paris 186:145–185

  • Serrano Orts V, Roca Maurí A, Pérez Baviera A, Nieto Salvatierra M, Ortiz Pérez S, Capilla Romá J (1995) Estudio de investigación de las descargas de agua subterránea al mar por la Sierra de Irta (U.H. 08.07: Maestrazgo). Mancomunidad del Baix-Maestrat, Castellón [Research study of groundwater discharges to the sea through the Irta mountains (U.H. 08.07: Maestrazgo). Mancomunidad del Baix-Maestrat, Castellón] [In Spanish]. In: Proceedings of the 6th Hydrogeology Symposium in Seville, Spanish Association of Underground Hydrology, Book, Seville, XIX:679–697

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Survey of Spain, Ríos Rosas, 23, 28003, Madrid, Spain

    M. Mejías, J. L. Plata, M. Marina, B. Ballesteros, J. López & C. Fernández-Arrojo

  2. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals, Departament de Física, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain

    J. Garcia-Orellana, E. Garcia-Solsona & P. Masqué

Authors
  1. M. Mejías
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Garcia-Orellana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. L. Plata
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. Marina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. E. Garcia-Solsona
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. B. Ballesteros
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. P. Masqué
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. J. López
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. C. Fernández-Arrojo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Mejías.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mejías, M., Garcia-Orellana, J., Plata, J.L. et al. Methodology of hydrogeological characterization of deep carbonate aquifers as potential reservoirs of groundwater. Case of study: the Jurassic aquifer of El Maestrazgo (Castellón, Spain). Environ Geol 54, 521–536 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0845-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0845-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation