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Contributions of boron isotopes to understanding the hydrogeochemistry of the coastal detritic aquifer of Castellón Plain, Spain

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Abstract

The Castellón Plain alluvial aquifer, Spain, is intensively exploited to meet the demand for agricultural irrigation and industrial water supply. The geochemistry of its groundwater shows complex salinization in the northern and southern parts of the aquifer, with significant pollution from human origin in the central portion. Boron content and B isotope geochemistry are useful for distinguishing between various sources of pollution and their relative importance in different parts of this aquifer. Boron concentrations in the groundwater vary between 0.01 and 0.85 mg/L. In the more saline groundwaters, found at the northern and southern ends of the study area, the presence of B is linked to inputs from seawater and water with a calcium-magnesium sulphate facies, which feed the aquifer and clearly influence the chemistry of its waters. Evidence of B adsorption processes in some samples is shown by the low B/Cl ratios and the high values of δ11B. In the central portion of the aquifer, the high B/Cl ratios and the strongly negative δ11B are related to pollution of human origin.

Résumé

L’aquifère alluvial de la plaine de Castellon en Espagne, est exploité intensivement afin de répondre aux besoins en eau de l’irrigation agricole et de l’industrie. La géochimie des eaux souterraines montre une salinization complexe au niveau des parties nord et sud de l’aquifère, ainsi qu’une pollution d’origine humaine importante dans la partie centrale de l’aquifère. La teneur en bore et la géochimie isotopique du bore sont utiles pour distinguer les différentes sources de pollution et leur importance relative dans les différentes zones de cet aquifère. Les concentrations en bore de l’eau souterraine varient entre 0.01 et 0.85 mg/L. Dans les eaux souterraines les plus salées, situées dans les parties nord et sud de la zone d’étude, la présence du bore est liée à des entrées d’eau de mer et d’eau ayant un faciès chimique de type sulphaté-calco-magnésique qui alimentent l’aquifère et influencent clairement la chimie de l’eau. Le processus d’adsorption du bore est mis en évidence dans certains échantillons par des rapports B/Cl faibles et des valeurs de δ11B élevées. Dans la partie centrale de l’aquifère, les rapports B/Cl élevés et une valeur de δ11B très négative indiquent une pollution d’origine humaine.

Resumen

El acuífero aluvial de la Plana de Castellón (España) es explotado de forma intensiva para satisfacer la demanda de riego agrícola y el abastecimiento industrial. La geoquímica de sus aguas subterráneas muestra un tipo de salinización complejo en los sectores norte y sur del acuífero, y una contaminación de origen antrópico especialmente importante en el área central. El contenido de boro y el comportamiento geoquímico de los isótopos de boro han ayudado a distinguir entre varias fuentes de contaminación y establecer su importancia relativa en las diferentes partes del acuífero. Las concentraciones de boro en las aguas subterráneas varían entre 0.01 y 0.85 mg/L. En las aguas más salinas la presencia de boro se relaciona con aportes desde el agua de mar y aguas de facies sulfatada cálcica, que alimentan el acuífero e influyen notablemente sobre el quimismo de sus aguas. En algunas de estas aguas parece identificarse procesos de adsorción de boro que provocan un descenso en el valor de la relación B/Cl y un aumento de los valores de δ11B. En el área central los altos valores de la relación B/Cl y los valores fuertemente negativos de δ11B se relacionan con una contaminación de origen antrópico.

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Acknowledgements

This article was financed by the CICYT (Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología, Interministerial Commission of Science and Technology) within the framework of project HID1999–0597-C01–02. The authors are also grateful to Eduard Hoehn and an anonymous reviewer, for their comments and suggestions on the manuscript.

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  1. Technological Departmental Area, Catholic University of Avila, 05005, Avila, Spain

    Elena Giménez Forcada

  2. School of Technology and Experimental Sciences, Jaume I University, 12071, Castellón, Spain

    Ignacio Morell Evangelista

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Correspondence to Elena Giménez Forcada.

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Giménez Forcada, E., Morell Evangelista, I. Contributions of boron isotopes to understanding the hydrogeochemistry of the coastal detritic aquifer of Castellón Plain, Spain. Hydrogeol J 16, 547–557 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-008-0290-5

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