Hydrochemical and Isotopic Characterization of the Waters of the Manglaralto River Basin (Ecuador) to Contribute to the Management of the Coastal Aquifer

Coastal aquifers are strategic and fundamental in the development of touristic areas. The coastal aquifer within Manglaralto River Basin Ecuador is essential, as it only source water supply for a large part northern Santa Elena province. It semi-arid region where high volumes pumped from aquifer, causing significant drawdown groundwater levels, thus affecting quality. This work aims to characterize characteristics using hydrochemistry stable isotopes propose hydrogeological conceptual model. methodology determining chemical isotopic follows following scheme: (i) studies ionic concentrations Piper diagram, (ii) assessment origin salinity through Cl/Br ratio, presence seawater intrusion Hydrochemical Facies Evolution Diagram HFE-D, (iii) characterization precipitation events (18O 2H), and, (iv) model study area. results indicate that basin there mixing processes existing with recharge water, direct cation exchange freshening process during recharge, evaporation unsaturated zone. A flow system built, based on mentioned processes. main conclusions are: present areas wells located closest coast, urban activity septic tanks quality rainfall highly relevant different hydrochemical operate basin.