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Hydrogeology of northern Sierra de Chiapas, Mexico: a conceptual model based on a geochemical characterization of sulfide-rich karst brackish springs

Hydrogéologie du nord de la Sierra du Chiapas, Mexique: un modèle conceptuel établi à partir de la caractérisation géochimique de sources karstiques saumâtres riches en sulfures

Hidrogeología de la parte norte de la Sierra de Chiapas, México: un modelo conceptual en base de la caracterización geoquímica de manantiales cársticos con agua salobre rica en sulfuros

墨西哥Sierra de Chiapas州北部水文地质状况:根据富硫化物微咸岩溶泉地球化学特征建立的概念模型

Hidrogeologia do norte da Serra de Chiapas, México: modelo concetual baseado na caraterização geoquímica de nascentes cársicas salobras ricas em sulfuretos

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Abstract

Conspicuous sulfide-rich karst springs flow from Cretaceous carbonates in northern Sierra de Chiapas, Mexico. This is a geologically complex, tropical karst area. The physical, geologic, hydrologic and chemical attributes of these springs were determined and integrated into a conceptual hydrogeologic model. A meteoric source and a recharge elevation below 1,500 m are estimated from the spring-water isotopic signature regardless of their chemical composition. Brackish spring water flows at a maximum depth of 2,000 m, as inferred from similar chemical attributes to the produced water from a nearby oil well. Oil reservoirs may be found at depths below 2,000 m. Three subsurface environments or aquifers are identified based on the B, Li+, K+ and SiO2 concentrations, spring water temperatures, and CO2 pressures. There is mixing between these aquifers. The aquifer designated Local is shallow and contains potable water vulnerable to pollution. The aquifer named Northern receives some brackish produced water. The composition of the Southern aquifer is influenced by halite dissolution enhanced at fault detachment surfaces. Epigenic speleogenesis is associated with the Local springs. In contrast, hypogenic speleogenesis is associated with the brackish sulfidic springs from the Northern and the Southern environments.

Résumé

De remarquables sources karstiques riches en sulfures émergent des carbonates du Crétacé dans le nord de la Sierra du Chiapas au Mexique. C’est une zone karstique tropical complexe du point de vue géologique. Les caractéristiques physiques, géologiques, hydrologiques et chimiques de ces sources ont été déterminées et intégrées dans un modèle conceptuel hydrogéologique. La source météorique et l’altitude de recharge située sous 1500 m ont été estimées à partir de la signature isotopique des eaux des sources, indépendamment de leur composition chimique. L’eau saumâtre des sources circule à une profondeur maximale de 2000 m, selon les caractéristiques chimiques similaires d’eau de production d’un forage pétrolier situé à proximité. Les réservoirs d’huile peuvent être situés à des profondeurs inférieures à 2000 m. Trois environnements souterrains ou aquifères sont identitifés sur la base des concentrations en B, Li+, K+ et SiO2, des températures de l’eau des sources et la pression en CO2. Il y a un mélange entre ces aquifères. L’aquifère nommé Local est peu profond et contient une eau potable vulnérable à la pollution. L’aquifère nommé du Nord est le receptacle d’une eau saumâtre. La composition de l’aquifère dit du Sud est influencé par la dissolution de l’halite renforcée au niveau des surfaces actives des failles. Une spéléogenèse épigénique est associé aux sources de l’aquifère dit Local. En revanche, la spéléogenèse hypogénique est associé aux sources saumâtres sulfurées des aquifères du Nord et du Sud.

Resumen

Notables manantiales cársticos sulfídicos fluyen de carbonatos cretácicos al norte de la Sierra de Chiapas, México. Esta es un área cárstica tropical con una geología compleja. Se determinaron los atributos físicos, geológicos, hidrológicos y químicos de estos manantiales integrándose en un modelo hidrogeológico conceptual. En base de su composición isotópica se infiere que el agua de estos manantiales tien un origen meteórico y un área de recarga a elevaciones menores de 1500 m, sin importar su composición química. El agua salobre de los manantiales circula a una profundidad máxima de 2000 m usando como referencia su similitud con el agua de producción de un pozo petrolero cercano. Además, es posible que existan reservas petroléras a profunidades mayores a 2000 m. Se identificaron tres ambientes subterráneos o acuíferos caracterizados por su concentración de B, Li+, K+, SiO2, la temperatura del agua y la presión de CO2. Existe evidencia de mezcla entre el agua de estos tres acuíferos. El acuífero designado como Local se encuentra a poca profundidad y contiene agua potable vulnerable a la contaminación. El acuífero del Norte recibe agua de producción salobre. La composición del acuífero del Sur está influenciada por disolución de halita la cual se incrementa en las superficies de despegue de las fallas. La espeleogénesis epigénica se asocia con los manantiales Locales. En contraste, la espeleogénesis hipogénica se asocia con los manantiales salobres sulfídicos de los ambientes del Norte y del Sur.

摘要

显著富含硫化物的岩溶泉源自墨西哥州北部的白垩纪碳酸盐地层。这个地层地质上非常复杂为热带岩溶区。确定了这些泉的物理、地质水文和化学属性并将其融入了水文地质概念模型。根据泉水同位素特征估算了海拔米以下的大气源和补给源而没有考虑其化学组成。微咸泉水最大流动深度为正如类似化学特征推断的那样来自附近油井产生出的水。在地表以下米可发现油储。依据、 和 含量、泉水温度和确认了三个这样的地表以下环境或含水层。这些含水层之间有混合。指定为当地的含水层是浅层含水层含容易遭受污染的饮用水。命名为北部的水层接收一些产生的微咸水。南部的含水层的组分受断层分离面处岩盐溶解的影响。外成洞穴形成过程与当地的泉有关。与此相反深成的洞穴形成过程与北部和南部环境中的微咸硫化物泉有关。

Resumo

Importantes nascentes cársicas ricas em sulfuretos drenam carbonatos cretácicos na Serra de Chiapas Norte, no México. Trata-se de uma área tropical cársica geologicamente complexa. As caraterísticas físicas, geológicas, hidrológicas e químicas destas nascentes foram determinadas e integradas num modelo hidrogeológico concetual. Assente apenas na assinatura isotópica da água das nascentes, sem se ter em conta a sua composição química, estima-se uma origem meteórica e uma altitude de recarga abaixo dos 1500 m. A partir das caraterísticas químicas semelhantes da água produzida num furo de petróleo localizado nas imediações, inferiu-se uma profundidade máxima de circulação da água salobra das nascentes de 2000 m. Os reservatórios de petróleo podem localizar-se abaixo dos 2000 m de profundidade. Com base nas concentrações de B, Li+, K+ e SiO2, na temperatura da água das nascentes e na pressão de CO2, foram identificados três ambientes subsuperficiais ou aquíferos. Há mistura entre estes aquíferos. O aquífero designado Local é subsuperficial e tem água potável vulnerável à poluição. O aquífero designado Norte recebe alguma água salobra produzida. A composição do aquífero Sul é influenciada pela dissolução de halite, que é potenciada pelas superfícies de desligamento das paredes das falhas. A espeleogénese epigénica está associada às nascentes do aquífero Local. Por outro lado, a espeleogénese hipogénica está associada às nascentes salobras sulfurosas dos ambientes Norte e Sul.

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Acknowledgements

The results in this report are part of the requirements to fulfill the first author’s PhD in Geology at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Support by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (scholarship to Laura Rosales-Lagarde) and by the National Cave and Karst Research Institute were indispensable to accomplish this investigation. Partial funding for this research was provided by the Matuszeski Grant, the Anita and Anton Budding Research Grant, and the Graduate Student Association Travel Grant from New Mexico Tech. National Geographic Society Research and Exploration Committee funded field research prior to 2005. This investigation was greatly facilitated by the support and information from PEMEX Exploración y Producción Zona Sur, Consejo Nacional del Agua Villahermosa, Instituto Nacional de Geografía e Historia Villahermosa and Secretaría de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado del Estado de Tabasco. Support from Dr. Javier Meneses Rocha was critical for the development of this project. Javier Baez provided useful information on the location of some springs. Authorities from the Tacotalpa and Teapa municipalities, from the local towns, and the region inhabitants provided permissions and greatly facilitated the realization of field work. Field assistance by Kevin W. Stafford and by Chris Moya was indispensable. Members of the Caves of Tabasco Project (National Speleological Society) provided invaluable information and support. Bonnie Frey and Dustin Baca’s assistance in the lab was crucial. The quality of this manuscript has improved considerably thanks to the comments of Simon H. Bottrell, Vincent Post, Martin Appold, Paul Burger and two anonymous reviewers. This report was enhanced by reviews from Maya El Hariri, Marty Frisbee, Dana Ulmer-Scholle, Peter Scholle, Amy Luther, Shasta Marrero, and Karen Karen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Earth and Environmental Science Department, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro, NM, 87801, USA

    Laura Rosales Lagarde, Penelope J. Boston, Andrew R. Campbell & Gary Axen

  2. National Cave and Karst Research Institute, 400-1 Cascades Avenue, Carlsbad, NM, 88220-6215, USA

    Laura Rosales Lagarde & Penelope J. Boston

  3. RPTS Department, Texas A&M University, 2261 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77546, USA

    Louise D. Hose

  4. Department of Geology, Stephen F. Austin State University, P.O. Box 13011, Nacogdoches, TX, 75962, USA

    Kevin W. Stafford

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  1. Laura Rosales Lagarde
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  2. Penelope J. Boston
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  3. Andrew R. Campbell
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  4. Louise D. Hose
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  5. Gary Axen
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  6. Kevin W. Stafford
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Correspondence to Laura Rosales Lagarde.

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Rosales Lagarde, L., Boston, P.J., Campbell, A.R. et al. Hydrogeology of northern Sierra de Chiapas, Mexico: a conceptual model based on a geochemical characterization of sulfide-rich karst brackish springs. Hydrogeol J 22, 1447–1467 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-014-1135-z

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