Groundwater Flow Processes and Human Impact along the Arid US-Mexican Border, Evidenced by Environmental Tracers: The Case of Tecate, Baja California

dc.creatorMAHLKNECHT, JURGEN; 120939
dc.creatorDAESSLE HEUSER, LUIS WALTER; 20286
dc.creatorESTELLER ALBERICH, MARIA VICENTA; 19385
dc.creatorTORRES MARTINEZ, JUAN ANTONIO; 661793
dc.creatorMORA POLANCO, ABRAHAN RAFAEL; 733847
dc.creatorMAHLKNECHT, JURGEN
dc.creatorDAESSLE HEUSER, LUIS WALTER
dc.creatorESTELLER ALBERICH, MARIA VICENTA
dc.creatorTORRES MARTINEZ, JUAN ANTONIO
dc.creatorMORA POLANCO, ABRAHAN RAFAEL
dc.date2019-03-11T23:24:33Z
dc.date2019-03-11T23:24:33Z
dc.date2018-04-30
dc.identifier1660-4601;
dc.identifier1660-4601
dc.identifierhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11799/99549
dc.descriptionWith the increasing population, urbanization and industry in the arid area of Tecate, there is a concomitant increase in contaminants being introduced into the Tecate River and its aquifer. This contamination is damaging the usable groundwater supply and making local residents and commercial enterprises increasingly dependent on imported water from the Colorado River basin. In this study we apply a suite of chemical and isotopic tracers in order to evaluate groundwater flow and assess contamination trends. Groundwater recharge occurs through mountain-block and mountain-front recharge at higher elevations of the ranges. Groundwater from the unconfined, alluvial aquifer indicates recent recharge and little evolution. The increase in salinity along the flow path is due to interaction with weathering rock-forming silicate minerals and anthropogenic sources such as urban wastewater, residual solids and agricultural runoff from fertilizers, livestock manure and/or septic tanks and latrines. A spatial analysis shows local differences and the impact of the infiltration of imported waters from the Colorado River basin. The general trend of impaired water quality has scarcely been documented in the last decades, but it is expected to continue. Since the groundwater system is highly vulnerable, it is necessary to protect groundwater sources.
dc.descriptionEngineering and Science School of Tecnológico de Monterrey viaWater Science and Technology research group.
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
dc.rightsopenAccess
dc.rightshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
dc.subjectgroundwater geochemistry
dc.subjectenvironmental isotopes
dc.subjectgroundwater contamination
dc.subjectCIENCIAS SOCIALES
dc.titleGroundwater Flow Processes and Human Impact along the Arid US-Mexican Border, Evidenced by Environmental Tracers: The Case of Tecate, Baja California
dc.typeArtículo
dc.typearticle


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