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Journal of Environmental Hydrology |
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Electronic Journal of the International Association for
Environmental Hydrology
JEH Volume 11 (2003), Paper 16, December 2003 Posted
December 30, 2003
GROUNDWATER GEOINDICATORS FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES - PLANNING AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS, RIO CUARTO CITY, ARGENTINA M. Blarasin
A. Cabrera E. Matteoda Department of Geology, National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina ABSTRACT Geoindicators have been developed as tools for integrated assessments of natural environments and ecosystems, and tracking and reporting on the state of the environment. This paper examines groundwater geoindicators in Rio Cuarto city, Argentina, specifically piezometric levels and water quality indicator parameters. Since 1988, there has been a progressive rise of the water table caused by cesspool effluents and an increasing trend of rainfall excess in the water balance. In certain neighborhoods this has caused serious damage. Water quality indicators include nitrogen species, total dissolved solids (TDS) and chloride (Cl), which are good indicators of contamination due to sanitary systems. Nitrate (NO3) and dissolved iron were used to assess the redox state of groundwater. The neighborhoods under study present different contamination scenerios. Where oxidizing conditions prevail, NO3 was found in all the samples, and those with the highest values showed an increase in TDS and Cl. Where reducing conditions prevail, NO3 was not found. There was an increase in dissolved iron and in TDS and Cl in the most microbiologically contaminated samples. Taking into consideration that a great number of people are affected by these groundwater problems, the municipality has provided more than 500 families with piped running water and/or sewerage systems, or installed dewatering wells to control the high water table. Reference: Blarasin M., A. Cabrera and E. Matteoda; Groundwater Geoindicators for the Assessment of Environmental Changes - Planning and Policy Implications, Rio Cuarto City, Argentina, Journal of Environmental Hydrology, Vol. 11, Paper 16, December 2003. CONTACT: M. Blarasin Department of Geology National University of Río Cuarto Río Cuarto Argentina E-mail: mblarasin@exa.unrc.edu.ar |
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