Groundwater evaluation in thick aquifer units: theory and practice in Mexico

Instituto de Geografía, UNAMJ JOEL CARRILLO R

Groundwater evaluation in thick aquifer units: theory and practice in Mexico

General Content,

Introduction

Thick aquifer units in Mexico

Groundwater theory

Practice in Mexico

Concluding remarks

Groundwater evaluation in thick aquifer units: theory and practice in Mexico

Introduction

After: GPTE, CFE

o Thermal Spring

Groundwater evaluation in thick aquifer units: theory and practice in Mexico

+ 2,000 m, mainly fractured

Sierra Madre Occidental

Mexican Trans-volcanic Belt

Regions at Baja California

Central Aluvial Basins

Groundwater evaluation in thick aquifer units: theory and practice in Mexico

Major concerns may be incorporated as follows:

• Potentiometric surface response (standard modelling procedures)

• Pumping test data analyses (analytical solutions)

• Geochemical response (water quality definition, contaminat issues)

Groundwater evaluation in thick aquifer units: theory and practice in Mexico

Potentiometric surface response (standard modelling procedures)

Groundwater evaluation in thick aquifer units: theory and practice in Mexico

Pumping test data analyses(analytical solutions)

Confinedresponse

Semi-confinedresponse

Thickaquifer unitresponse

Groundwater evaluation in thick aquifer units: theory and practice in Mexico

Geochemical response (water quality definition, contamination issues)

Groundwater evaluation in thick aquifer units: theory and practice in Mexico

Boundary conditions:Lateral boundariesUpper, potentiometric surfaceBottom, hydrogeologic basement rock

Aguascalientes Basin

Basin ofMexico

CurrentCurrent studystudy areaarea ofof interestinterest in in groundwatergroundwater studiesstudies

LATERAL FLOW

RECHARGEEVAPOTRANPIRATION

PUMPING

BASEMENT ROCK

±

After Tóth, 1963, 1995

Need to include:

* Actual hydraulic head* Meaning of geologicalframework* Observed chemical andphysical response* Impact on ecosystem* Social, economic issues

Groundwater temperature rise at different periods in an observationborehole some 30 m distance from the pumping site

7 0

7 5

8 0

8 5

9 0

9 5

1 0 0

1 0 5

1 1 0

1 1 5

1 2 02 1 2 2 2 3 2 4 2 5 2 6 2 7 2 8 2 9

T E M P E R A T U R A (°C )

PRO

FUN

DID

AD

(m) 2 8 /0 3 /9 8 - 1 0 :4 0

2 8 /0 3 /9 8 - 1 4 :3 5

2 8 /0 3 /9 8 - 1 5 :5 0

2 9 /0 3 /9 8 - 0 5 :0 0

2 9 /0 3 /9 8 - 1 0 :0 0

3 0 /0 3 /9 8 - 1 1 :0 0

3 0 /0 3 /9 8 - 1 3 :1 0

2 9 /0 3 /9 8 - 1 7 :3 0

After: Carrillo-Rivera, JJ, Cardona A & Hergt T (2001) ALHSUD Bul No 1

Aguascalentes

95

100

105

110

115 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

TIME SINCE PUMPING STARTED (minutes)

PUM

PIN

G W

ATE

R L

EVEL

(m)

32

34

36

38

40

42

44

TEMPER

ATU

RE (°C

)

temp.

24.2

31.1

34.0

44.2

46.4

37.0

28.0

18.0

52.3

24.2 - YIELD (l/s)

WATER TABLE = 93 m

PUMPING WL

TEMPERATURE

Water level response to induced vertical flow of thermal water

After: Carrillo-Rivera, JJ, Cardona A & Hergt T (2001) ALHSUD Bul. No 1

Aguascalentes

After, Hergt & Carrillo-Rivera (2004) Proceedings Joint Congress XXXIII-IAH & 7o-ALHSUD

Drawdown correction to induced thermal water in an abstraction borehole, Numerical Modelling

Aguascalentes

After Edmunds, Carrillo-Rivera & Cardona (2002) Journal of Hydrology

81-51 pmcMODERN

12-2 pmc> 6,000 years

Basement?

0 2.5 5 kmHorizontal scale:

EXPLANATION FLOW SYSTEM

(Sierra de la Cruces) (Sierra Rio Frío)

Local Flow

Intermediate Flow

Regional Flow (Source)

5, QUATERNARY/RECENT ALLUVIAL(AQUITARD)

4, PLIOCENE/QUATERNARY BASALTIC-ANDESITES

3, LOWER PLIOCENE LACUSTRINE AND PYROCLASTICS

2, MIDDLE TERTIARY VOLCANICS BASALTS & RHYOLITES

1, CRETACEOUS LIMESTONE

44 oC Cl, 650 mg/l18 oC Cl, 5 mg/l

MEXICO BASIN

0.01 0.1 1 10 100S04 (meq)

20

30

40

T o C

Cuenca de Sabinas

Cuenca de México

Yucatán

LEYENDA

0.1 1 10 100Cl+SO4

0.1

1

10

100

Na+

K0.1 1 10 100

0.1

1

10

100

Flujo Local

Flujo Intermedio

Flujo Regional

6 7 8 9 10

pH

0

10

20

30

40

T o C

Cuencade México

Cuenca de Sabinas

Planicie deYucatán

Groundwater evaluation in thick aquifer units: theory and practice in Mexico

After, Angeles-Serrano et al (2004) Proceedings Joint Congress XXXIII-IAH & 7o-ALHSUD

Mostly, local flows are used, regional flows are induced by pumping, which suggests an expected change in future abstracted waterquality and overall environmental conditions.

Groundwater evaluation in thick aquifer units: theory and practice in Mexico

Concluding remarks

The gelogical framework awaits to be fully incorporated in GW flowanalysis

Hydraulic properties of aquifer material and GW flow directionwithout temperature correction could bear little significance toreal conditions

GW quality control requires further understanding of GW flowconditions

If so, based proposed correction measures will not, definitely, proveto be adequate