No abstract

Since the middle of the last century through an inefficient water handling in several sites of the country different environmental impacts related to groundwater extraction have appeared. Thus, the National Protected Area of Xochimilco (ANP-X), located in the southeast area of the Basin of Mexico, has been affected by differential soil consolidation, and changes in the quality and amount of the groundwater extracted by boreholes. These boreholes partially supply Mexico City. In the present study an interdisciplinary approach to the water resources of Basin of Mexico was applied to achieve an understanding of the natural functioning of the flow systems through a flow system analysis. The main causes, effects and possible controls of environmental impacts due to intensive groundwater abstraction are discussed.