Abstract

CARRETERO, Silvina  and  KRUSE, Eduardo. Modifications to the phreatic aquifer recharge areas at the coastal dunes of San Clemente del Tuyú. Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent. [online]. 2010, vol.66, n.4, pp.466-474. ISSN 0004-4822.

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effects of the anthropogenic modifications on the aquifer recharge in coastal dunes zones. The study area is San Clemente del Tuyú, at the marine littoral of the province of Buenos Aires, where the land use has generated significant modifications in the hydrological cycle. Three areas with different types of land use were defined, isophreatic maps were elaborated for the years 1976, 1987, 2006 and the groundwater volume for each survey was estimated. This information was integrated to a Geographic Information System (GIS). The obtained results show that there is a direct relationship between land use evolution and the amount of groundwater stored. The dune zone has reduced its areal distribution in detriment of urbanized areas, that behavior is related to the decrease of fresh water volumes stored in that area. In conclusion, the modifications in land use through the time are reflecting in the phreatic aquifer behavior. Recent detail studies demonstrate that the urbanization brings about the decrease of the water excesses infiltration possibilities, restricting the aquifer natural recharge areas and consequently, the available fresh water reserves. Therefore, for sustainable groundwater management it is necessary to develop a rational plan for land use by preservation of sectors without urbanization or establishing protected areas to facilitate the aquifer recharge.

Keywords : Land use; Urbanization; Groundwater; Recharge; Coastal dunes.

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