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Groundwater Flow Processes and Human Impact along the Arid US-Mexican Border, Evidenced by Environmental Tracers: The Case of Tecate, Baja California

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  • Jürgen Mahlknecht

    (Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Av. Eugenio Garza Sada Sur No. 2501, Monterrey CP 64849, Nuevo León, Mexico)

  • Luis Walter Daessle

    (Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Carretera Transpeninsular Tijuana-Ensenada No. 3917, Fraccionamiento Playitas, Ensenada CP 22860, Baja California, Mexico)

  • Maria Vicenta Esteller

    (Centro Interamericano de Recursos del Agua (CIRA), Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Cerro de Coatepec, Ciudad Universitaria, Toluca CP 50110, Estado de México, Mexico)

  • Juan Antonio Torres-Martinez

    (Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Av. Eugenio Garza Sada Sur No. 2501, Monterrey CP 64849, Nuevo León, Mexico)

  • Abrahan Mora

    (Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Av. Eugenio Garza Sada Sur No. 2501, Monterrey CP 64849, Nuevo León, Mexico)

Abstract

With the increasing population, urbanization and industry in the arid area of Tecate, there is a concomitant increase in contaminants being introduced into the Tecate River and its aquifer. This contamination is damaging the usable groundwater supply and making local residents and commercial enterprises increasingly dependent on imported water from the Colorado River basin. In this study we apply a suite of chemical and isotopic tracers in order to evaluate groundwater flow and assess contamination trends. Groundwater recharge occurs through mountain-block and mountain-front recharge at higher elevations of the ranges. Groundwater from the unconfined, alluvial aquifer indicates recent recharge and little evolution. The increase in salinity along the flow path is due to interaction with weathering rock-forming silicate minerals and anthropogenic sources such as urban wastewater, residual solids and agricultural runoff from fertilizers, livestock manure and/or septic tanks and latrines. A spatial analysis shows local differences and the impact of the infiltration of imported waters from the Colorado River basin. The general trend of impaired water quality has scarcely been documented in the last decades, but it is expected to continue. Since the groundwater system is highly vulnerable, it is necessary to protect groundwater sources.

Suggested Citation

  • Jürgen Mahlknecht & Luis Walter Daessle & Maria Vicenta Esteller & Juan Antonio Torres-Martinez & Abrahan Mora, 2018. "Groundwater Flow Processes and Human Impact along the Arid US-Mexican Border, Evidenced by Environmental Tracers: The Case of Tecate, Baja California," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-20, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:5:p:887-:d:143872
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vicente Sanchez & Alfonso A. Cortez-Lara, 2015. "Minute 319 of the International Boundary and Water Commission between the US and Mexico: Colorado River binational water management implications," International Journal of Water Resources Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(1), pages 17-27, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiangnan Li & Baisha Weng & Denghua Yan & Tianling Qin & Kun Wang & Wuxia Bi & Zhilei Yu & Batsuren Dorjsuren, 2019. "Anthropogenic Effects on Hydrogen and Oxygen Isotopes of River Water in Cities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Walter M. Warren-Vega & Armando Campos-Rodríguez & Ana I. Zárate-Guzmán & Luis A. Romero-Cano, 2023. "A Current Review of Water Pollutants in American Continent: Trends and Perspectives in Detection, Health Risks, and Treatment Technologies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-18, March.

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