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Tracing Groundwater Flow Systems with Hydrogeochemistry in Contrasting Geological Environments

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Abstract

The importance of the chemical composition in evaluating groundwater flow is discussed. Two different geological environments, a felsic volcanic region around San Luis Potosí (SLPB), Mexico, and a sedimentary basin, part of the Pannonian Basin (PB), in Hungary, were chosen to explore the effect of local, intermediate and regional groundwater flows on the chemical evolution of water in different geological circumstances. In the study areas contrasting stable isotopes and groundwater temperature values, as well as the chemical composition of groundwater were convenient tools to propose groundwater flow direction and to study contamination processes in the different groundwater flow systems. Results indicate that regardless of the geological framework variability of the chemical composition of the shallow (<100 m) groundwater is significant; at depth the chemical content of groundwater becomes homogeneous, and the concentrations are smaller than at shallow depths. The Cl– and NO– 3 concentrations indicate mainly up- and downward vertical flow directions suggesting local flow systems in the shallow layers. The linear regression between Cl– and Na+ suggests that evaporation processes are the main control of the Cl– concentration. Deviations from the regression line suggest processes such as pollution at shallow depths in both study areas. Based on the distribution of Ca+2, Mg+2 and Na+, a lateral flow can be traced. The large dimensions of the geological units involved with the regional flow systems implies a long groundwater flow path, also these flows remain isolated from anthropogenic contamination, then groundwater has not been altered by human influence, although in the SLPB a communication between the local and intermediate flows has been found. Recharge areas of the local and intermediate flow systems are more vulnerable to contamination processes than the discharge areas, where the expected low dissolved oxygen content of ascending water could play a control. Differences in the lithology between the PB (sedimentary basin) and the SLPB (felsic volcanic basin) explain the contrasting saturation indices calculated for chalcedony and calcite and the lack of the expected development of HCO– 3, SO–2 4 Cl– facies and contrasting aerobic/oxidizing conditions.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by the Scientific Research Fund (Hungary); grant numbers are T 037269 and K 60751. The Academia Mexicana de Ciencias also supported travel to carry out related discussions among the scientists involved. We also recognize the collaboration of the Earth Sciences Water and Soil Chemistry Laboratory staff of Facultad de Ingeniería-UASLP, in performing the water chemical analyses for samples collected for the San Luis Potosi study case; the Earth Sciences GIS lab provided help for the management of geographic information needed for the interpretation. The finantial support from CONACyT-SEMARNAT (Project 2002-C01-0719) is also appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Geografía, UNAM, CU, Coyoacán, DF, 04510, Mexico

    J. Joel Carrillo-Rivera

  2. Department of Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Petrology, University of Szeged, 6701, Szeged, P.O.Box 651, Hungary

    Irén Varsányi

  3. Hungarian Geological Survey, 1440, Budapest, P.O.Box 17, Hungary

    Lajos Ó. Kovács

  4. Ciencias de La Tierra, Facultad de Ingeniería, UASLP, Av. Manuel Nava No. 8, Zona Universitaria, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., 78290, Mexico

    Antonio Cardona

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  1. J. Joel Carrillo-Rivera
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  2. Irén Varsányi
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  3. Lajos Ó. Kovács
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  4. Antonio Cardona
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Correspondence to Antonio Cardona.

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Carrillo-Rivera, J.J., Varsányi, I., Kovács, L.Ó. et al. Tracing Groundwater Flow Systems with Hydrogeochemistry in Contrasting Geological Environments. Water Air Soil Pollut 184, 77–103 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-007-9400-6

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