The effects of water use on Tothian flow systems in the Mexico City conurbation determined from the geochemical and isotopic characteristics of groundwater

Abstract

Groundwater flow systems have been differentiated in the metropolitan zone of Mexico City based on their chemical composition and stable isotope contents. The existing hydrogeological framework for the region provided a reference for such differentiation. Local flows (Flow-system I) represent the youngest and shallowest groundwater flow identified in boreholes on the hills. Intermediate flows (Flow-system II) in boreholes on the plain represent a mixture of inflows travelling horizontally, and vertically upwards (Flow-system IV) and downwards (overlaying aquitard leakage) to extraction boreholes. Flow-system III identified in boreholes on the plain is an intermediate flow system which extends deeper than Flowsystem II. Flow-system IV, which is classified as a regional system, is related to a former thermal spring site. Groundwater travelling times, and their regional distribution and the thickness of related rock formations suggest extensive inflow supporting Flow-system IV. Future climate condition evolution (i.e. drought) will only have a limited impact on Flow-system IV as compared to Flowsystem I which have relatively rapid and short flow paths.The identification of the hierarchy of the flow systems is of paramount importance in achieving adequate groundwater management in any region where the aquifer units are several thousand metres thick.

Análisis de los sistemas de flujo en un acuífero perturbado por la extracción de aguas subterráneas. Caso de la zona Morelia-Capula, Michoacán

“…Para identificar los sistemas de flujo se consideraron tres parámetros, que incluyen la temperatura, los iones mayores y la profundidad del agua subterránea (nivel estático). Estos tres parámetros han sido señalados en diversos estudios donde se caracterizan los sistemas de flujo de agua subterránea (Carrillo-Rivera et al, 1996;Cardona, Carrillo-Rivera, 2006;Mahlknecht et al, 2006;Carrillo-Rivera et al, 2007;Fagundo-Castillo et al, 2014;Huizar-Alvarez et al, 2016). Tóth ilustra como los parámetros de temperatura, contenido de iones mayores y profundidad cambian en los sistemas de flujo conforme estos circulan y evolucionan en su naturaleza local, intermedia o regional (Tóth, 1999).…”

Characterization of Surface Evidence of Groundwater Flow Systems in Continental Mexico

“…Investigations into groundwater flow systems, as proposed by József Tóth [2][3][4][5][6], have been reported in several countries, e.g., Australia [12], Canada [13], China [14][15][16], Hungary [17,18], Japan [19]. In Mexico, local studies on the application of the groundwater flow systems have been carried out by Carrillo-Rivera et al [20,21], Huizar-Álvarez et al [22,23], Carrillo-Rivera et al [24][25][26], Cardona et al [27], and Ouysse et al [28].…”

Numerical Groundwater Flow Modeling of Dijil River Catchment, Debre Markos Area, Ethiopia

“…Groundwater models have been applied to four general types of problems: groundwater flow, solute transport, heat flow and aquifer deformation (Wang and Anderson, 1982;Trescott et al, 1976;McDonald and Harbaugh, 1988;Pinder and Gray, 1977;Konikow and Bredehoefet, 1978;Prickett and Lonquist, 1971). Over the last decade, the concern of modeling groundwater flow and transport systems has grown promptly (Zhou and Li, 2011;Huizar-Alvarez et al, 2016;Havril et al, 2017;Mussa et al, 2020). The application of numerical simulations in 2-and 3dimensional models to distinguish the various types of groundwater flow systems is becoming increasingly important for assessing potential groundwater management strategies and simulating under the steady condition and any changes in groundwater budget components in transient conditions in complex basins (Cardenas and Jiang, 2010;Bresciani et al, 2016;Mussa et al, 2020).…”