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Physico-chemical evolution of groundwater in tectonically active areas. Application to the Leana hot spring (Murcia Region, SE Spain)

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Abstract

Seismic events can affect the physico-chemical characteristics of groundwater. These anomalies are of a pre-seismic, co-seismic and post-seismic nature and correspond to pulse variations, sudden increases and decreases without return to initial values and upward or downward changes in trend. Continuous and in situ conductivity and temperature monitoring and periodic water sampling at a hot spring associated with neotectonic activity are of great interest for establishing predictive methods. This method is limited to the seismic activity affecting the fracturing system with which the hot spring is associated. The Region of Murcia and surroundings (southeast Spain) was selected as the study area for exploring the nature of these influences on groundwater. A hot spring in the Leana spa (Murcia) was equipped and monitored during the period 2006–2008, allowing for the in situ determination of conductivity and temperature as well as of major and minor constituents at the laboratory. Due to its proximity and related with fault network, we suggest that 86 % of earthquakes located between 0 and 10 km may affect in situ parameters of groundwater, and 75 % may affect laboratory determinations. This percentage drops in more distant zones. Of all earthquakes that seem to influence groundwater, 55 % of the in situ parameter anomalies and 53 % of laboratory were of a pre-seismic nature.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the management and technical staff of the Leana Spa Resort for facilitating the installation of equipment, access and logistical support during the sampling campaign. This study is part of the following projects conducted by Geological Survey of Spain (IGME): “Characterization and physico-chemical evolution of groundwater in tectonically active areas. Application to zones with historical and existing seismicity in the Murcia Region” (ref. IGME-424) and DORIS project funding from the European Community (EC) Seventh Framework Programe. The project was managed by the Research Executive Agency (REA). FP7/2007-2013-Grant Agreement N° 242212.

The constructive comments of anonymous reviewers contributed to the improvement of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Confederación Hidrográfica del Tajo, Avenida de Portugal 81, 28011, Madrid, Spain

    M. Martínez

  2. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Avenida Miguel de Cervantes 45, 30009, Murcia, Spain

    J. Hornero

  3. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Agricultura Sostenible, Campus Alameda del Obispo, Avenida Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004, Alameda del Obispo, Cordoba, Spain

    C. Trujillo

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  1. M. Martínez
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  3. C. Trujillo
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Correspondence to M. Martínez.

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Martínez, M., Hornero, J. & Trujillo, C. Physico-chemical evolution of groundwater in tectonically active areas. Application to the Leana hot spring (Murcia Region, SE Spain). J Seismol 21, 349–366 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10950-016-9605-5

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