Use of environmental isotopes of water and geochemistry to determine nitrate sources in south of Cuernavaca aquifer
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24850/j-tyca-2024-03-05Keywords:
Cuernavaca aquifer, nitrate, sewage water, geochemistry, environmental isotopes of water, arsenic, uranium, meteoric water line of Cuernavaca aquiferAbstract
The Cuernavaca aquifer is the main source of permanent fresh water that supports economic development and supply to the population of the capital of the state of Morelos. During the last thirty years in the south of the Cuernavaca aquifer nitrates have increased degrading groundwater quality. The identification of the origin of the nitrate is essential to implement public policies that minimize the contamination. Taking into account the characteristics of the region such as soil type and geology, population growth, economic activities such as agriculture, and recreational activities including golf, four possible sources of nitrate are proposed in the study area: 1) Natural sources (soil organic nitrogen), 2) infiltration of wastewater, 3) infiltration of agricultural water, and 4) infiltration of water used in the irrigation of golf courses. In the southern portion of the Cuernavaca aquifer, the geochemistry and environmental isotopes of water (δ18O, δ2H, δ3H) indicate that the main nitrate contaminant source is sewage disposal. The data also indicate that the arsenic detected in the wells comes from the deepest strata of the aquifer. The results also show correlation between nitrate and uranium concentration. The data obtained allowed to determine the meteoric water line of the Cuernavaca Aquifer.
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