Hydrogeochemical baseline in a human-altered landscape of the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
Environ Geochem Health
; 42(9): 2685-2701, 2020 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31912340
ABSTRACT
Groundwater pollution in tropical and human-altered coastal landscapes is receiving novel attention due to decreasing in annual recharge as a consequence of recurrent droughts and overexploitation, whereby saline intrusion, point and diffuse source contamination, and water conflicts are common denominators. This study presents a detailed groundwater evaluation in a coastal aquifer within the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Three sampling campaigns including major ions, heavy metals, and fecal coliform analyses were conducted between July 2013 and March 2014 across 17 wells within the alluvial and fissured units of the Jacó aquifer. The groundwater system is classified as mixed HCO3--Ca2+-Mg2+ type. Coliforms presence was found in two wells, nearby Mona Creek headwaters and near the coastal line. Heavy metal concentrations were below quantification limits in most of the wells; however, chromium concentrations up to 6.56 µg/L were quantified within the coastal line and central portion of the alluvial aquifer in 20 out of the 48 samples. The spatial distribution of major ions (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, and HCO3-) exhibited an increasing trend towards the central portion of the alluvial aquifer, which may be potentially associated with the large unregulated urban expansion, invoking a need of a continuous water quality monitoring program in this touristic hot spot. This study provides useful information for other similar coastal aquifers in Central America, whereby increasing population growth and unregulated touristic, industrial, and agricultural activities are posing a truly challenge to ensure water security and sustainability parallel to the economic development in a changing climate.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Poluentes Químicos da Água
/
Água Subterrânea
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
America central
/
Costa rica
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Environ Geochem Health
Assunto da revista:
QUIMICA
/
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Costa Rica