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Using non-conservative tracers to characterise karstification processes in the Merinos-Colorado-Carrasco carbonate aquifer system (southern Spain)

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Abstract

The systematic sampling of the chemical composition of the groundwater from five karst springs (including an overflow spring) and one outflowing borehole have permitted to determine distinctive chemical changes in the waters that reflect the geochemical processes occurring in a carbonate aquifer system from southern Spain. The analysis of the dissolution parameters revealed that geochemical evolution of the karst waters basically depends on the availability of the minerals forming aquifer rocks and the residence time within the aquifers. In the three proposed scenarios in the aquifers, which include the preferential flow routines, the more important geochemical processes taking place during the groundwater flow from the recharge to the discharge zones are: CO2 dissolution and exsolution (outgassing), calcite net dissolution, calcite and dolomite sequential dissolution, gypsum/anhydrite and halite dissolution, de-dolomitization and calcite precipitation. A detailed analysis of the hydrochemical data set, saturation indices of the minerals and partial pressure of CO2 in the waters joined to the application of geochemical modelling methods allowed the elaboration of a hydrogeochemical model of the studied aquifers. The developed approach contributes to a better understanding of the karstification processes and the hydrogeological functioning of carbonate aquifers, the latter being a crucial aspect for the suitable management of the water resources.

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Acknowledgments

This work is a contribution to the projects P06-RNM 2161 of Junta de Andalucía, CGL2008-06158 BTE and CGL2012-32590 of DGICYT, Integrated Actions HP2008-047 and GE2009-0060, and to the Research Group RNM-308 of the Junta de Andalucía.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Centre of Hydrogeology of the University of Málaga (CEHIUMA), Málaga, Spain

    J. A. Barberá & B. Andreo

  2. CREMINER, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    C. Almeida

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  1. J. A. Barberá
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  2. B. Andreo
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  3. C. Almeida
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Correspondence to J. A. Barberá.

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Barberá, J.A., Andreo, B. & Almeida, C. Using non-conservative tracers to characterise karstification processes in the Merinos-Colorado-Carrasco carbonate aquifer system (southern Spain). Environ Earth Sci 71, 585–599 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2754-8

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