Characterization of Surface Evidence of Groundwater Flow Systems in Continental Mexico

Abstract

The dynamics of the underground part of the water cycle greatly influence the features and characteristics of the Earth’s surface. Using Tóth’s theory of groundwater flow systems, surface indicators in Mexico were analyzed to understand the systemic connection between groundwater and the geological framework, relief, soil, water bodies, vegetation, and climate. Recharge and discharge zones of regional groundwater flow systems were identified from evidence on the ground surface. A systematic hydrogeological analysis was made of regional surface indicators, published in official, freely accessible cartographic information at scales of 1:250,000 and 1:1,000,000. From this analysis, six maps of Mexico were generated, titled “Permanent water on the surface”, “Groundwater depth”, “Hydrogeological association of soils”, “Hydrogeological association of vegetation and land use”, “Hydrogeological association of topoforms”, and “Superficial evidence of the presence of groundwater flow systems”. Mexico’s hydrogeological features were produced. The results show that 30% of Mexico is considered to be discharge zones of groundwater flow systems (regional, intermediate, and recharge). Natural recharge processes occur naturally in 57% of the country. This work is the first holistic analysis of groundwater in Mexico carried out at a national–regional scale using only the official information available to the public. These results can be used as the basis for more detailed studies on groundwater and its interaction with the environment, as well as for the development of integrative planning tools to ensure the sustainability of ecosystems and satisfy human needs.

Land Subsidence and Aquifer‐System Storage Loss in Central Mexico: A Quasi‐Continental Investigation With Sentinel‐1 InSAR

“…Here, yearly availability of renewable freshwater (that can be sustainably exploited) ranges between ∼140 and ∼8,900 m 3 /inhabitant (CONAGUA, 2022b). The area encloses large discharge zones of regional groundwater flow systems (Kachadourian‐Marras et al., 2020), and groundwater footprints of its aquifers are 9.1 ± 2.6 times their area (Gleeson et al., 2012). Licensed extractions amount to ∼17,500 hm 3 /year in total (CONAGUA, 2022b), and regional depletion rates reach 0.1 m/year (Wada et al., 2010).…”

Transboundary groundwater in the Mexico-Guatemala-Belize border: opportunities for shared management using indirect methods

“…Following Kachadourian-Marras, et al (2020), surface water, topography, edaphology, vegetation and land use data were retrieved from Guatemala and Belize, as spatial variables that were analyzed to determine the regional zones (polygons) of groundwater discharge and recharge. Due to the nature of the methodology, that is, it involves various quantitative and qualitative variables that correspond to natural elements, the resulting polygons are interpreted as environmental zones.…”

“…The study of the water cycle has traditionally been fragmented, where surface and groundwater are examined as separate elements; with methodologies that do not analyze the environmental implications of water circulation (Kachadourian-Marras, et al 2020).…”

Mapping the structure of mixed seagrass meadows in the Mexican Caribbean

“…Surface rivers are absent (Ortıź Peŕez and de la Lanza Espino, 2006) and precipitation flows to the sea through underground rivers that discharge into the sea through submarine springs (Kachadourian-Marras et al, 2020), meaning that the seawater tends to be clear, facilitating the use of satellite images for mapping the bottom of the reef lagoon.…”