Hydrogeochemical Characterization of Groundwater at the Boundaries of Three Aquifers in Central México

Abstract

This study investigates the natural hydrogeochemical mechanisms that govern groundwater chemistry at the margins of the Silao-Romita, Valle de León, and La Muralla aquifers in Mexico’s “Bajío Guanajuatense”. The wells of the La Muralla aquifer have temperatures ranging from 25 to 45 °C, while in the valleys, the temperatures range from 25 to 29 °C. In the Sierra de Guanajuato recharge zone, the thermal spring registers 95 °C. High Na concentrations (125 to 178 mg/L) are measured due to thermalism. One sample includes 316 mg/L of SO4, which is related to a potential gypsum zone. Three hydrogeochemical facies are identified (Ca-Mg HCO3, Na-Ca-HCO3, and Na-HCO3). The hydrogeochemical characterization and processes imply hydraulic linkage via regional thermal flows enhanced by faults and the mixing of local flow waters with intermediate flows. The isotopic results indicate that part of the groundwater volume has been exposed to local evaporation processes due to the presence of surface water bodies and irrigation returns. The highest isotopic enrichment is observed near or in the recharge regions. In contrast, the most depleted zones are in the valleys, where there is a more significant interaction with the rock and a longer residence time, implying a mixture of local water flows with deeper or intermediate flows, which, when combined with water geochemistry, indicates a connection between the aquifers studied. The Kruskal–Wallis variance tests, used to compare the differences between aquifers, show that the Valle de León aquifer has more significant differences with respect to the Silao-Romita and La Muralla aquifers. This study’s findings are essential for one of central Mexico’s most populous and economically active areas.