Hydrogeological and hydrochemical features of an area polluted by heavy metals in central Nicaragua
نویسندگان
چکیده
Geophysical and hydrochemical surveys were used to investigate the hydrogeological conditions in one of the Rı́o Sucio microbasins, in central Nicaragua. Zones of vertical structures (i.e. fractures and quartz veins) and weathering were mapped using Continuous Vertical Electrical Soundings (CVES), as such zones are of major importance for groundwater transport. Water from the springs was analysed to determine concentrations of major ions and heavy metals. Low ion concentrations and 18O analyses indicate that the springs occur close to their recharge areas and there is a relatively rapid groundwater circulation. Mercury (Hg) content in the springs was low, while comparatively high amounts of lead (Pb) were found. The results presented here demonstrate the important function of weathering and tectonics in the occurrence of groundwater systems in the basin. Hg and Pb found in the springs’ water reveal the existence of an increase in pollution sources Received: 8 March 2005 / Accepted: 25 April 2005 Published online: 30 August 2006 C © Springer-Verlag 2006 The online version of the original article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10040-005-0462-5 J. A. Mendoza ( ) Centro de Investigaciones Geocientı́ficas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua (CIGEO, UNAN-Managua), Col. Miguel Bonilla #165, Apartado Postal, A-131, Managua, Nicaragua e-mail: [email protected] Tel.: +(505)-277-0621 Fax: +(505)-277-0613 T. Dahlin · G. Barmen Department of Engineering Geology, Lund University, Box 118, S-221 00 Lund, Sweden disseminating in the area. More than 100 years of using mercury in the gold-mining industry and releasing wastes into rivers has affected water quality and ecosystems. Further investigations are needed in this area to determine the groundwater vulnerability to this pollution as this resource may be needed in the future. Résumé L’article présente les résultats des prospections géophysiques et géochimiques qui ont investigué les conditions hydrogéologiques dans un des micro bassins de Rio Suci, situé dans la part centrale de Nicaragua. Par la méthode du sondage électrique vertical (SEV) on a cartographié des structures verticales, comme des fractures et des veines de quartz, ainsi que des zones de désagrégation. On a analysé les eaux des sources afin de déterminer la teneur en ions majeurs et en métaux lourdes. Les faibles teneurs en 18O montrent que les sources sont toutes prés de leurs aires de recharge et qu’il s’agit d’une circulation rapide de l’eau. La concentration en mercure est faible par rapport á la concentration en plomb. Les résultats montrent l’importance de la tectonique et des zones de désagrégation dans l’écoulement des eaux souterraines. La présence du mercure et du plomb montre l’existence d’une source de pollution dans la zone. Plus de cent ans d’industrie mineure qui a déchargé les déchets résiduelles dans les rivières ont beaucoup affecté la qualité des eaux et des écosystèmes en général. Des investigations supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour déterminer la vulnérabilité des eaux aux ces polluants dans les conditions d’utilisation de cette ressource dans un proche avenir. Resumen Este trabajo presenta resultados de estudios geofı́sicos e hidroquı́micos utilizados para investigar las condiciones hidrogeológicas en una de las microcuencas del Rı́o Sucio, en Nicaragua central. Zonas de estructura vertical (i.e. fracturas y vetas de cuarzo) y meteorización fueron delimitadas usando Sondeos Eléctricos Verticales Continuos (SEVC), dado que tales zonas son de importancia mayor para el transporte de agua subterránea. Agua de manantiales fue analizada para determinar concentraciones iónicas y de metales pesados. Las bajas concentraciones iónicas y análisis de 18O indican que los manantiales se forman próximo a sus áreas de recarga y que hay una circulación relativamente rápida de agua subterránea. El contenido de mercurio (Hg) en los manantiales fue relativamente bajo mientras se encontraron comparativamente Hydrogeology Journal (2006) 14: 1052–1059 DOI 10.1007/s10040-006-0098-0
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تاریخ انتشار 2017