Coupling hydro-geo-chemical and isotopic approaches to assess the main factors controlling karst development in a fissure-dominated carbonate aquifer system (s-Spain)

Abstract

Sierra Tejeda, Almijara and Albuñuelas mountains comprise a large outcrop (750 km² ca) of Triassic marbles in between of Málaga and Granada provinces in S Spain. They constitute a large entity carbonate aquifer system providing strategic groundwater resources for drinking water supply in sparse urban settlements and crops irrigation. The present research aims to refine the current hydrogeological knowledge of large-scale fissure-dominated carbonate aquifers regarding flow mechanisms and geochemical processes defining observed groundwater quality. To this, a two-year monitoring program of aquifer dynamics have been conducted in three selected discharge points (Fájara, Cijancos and Maro springs) showing characteristic spring responses. A combined approach based on the analysis of spring discharge and time series of selected hydrochemical and isotopic tracers (Na+, Ca+2, Mg+2, TA, TOC, Cl-, SO4-2 and δ13CTDIC) and on the geochemical calculations from the chemical signature of spring waters have been followed. The results indicate that the more bicarbonate enriched waters and the lowest hydrochemical variability of Cijancos spring, practically in all analyzed solutes, denotes a fissure type dominant flow system, while the larger variations in meteoric/soil tracers (Cl- and TOC) observed in Fajara spring chemograph as consequence of rainfall inputs characterize a karst drainage from a better hierarchized fracture-enlarged flow system. Maro spring waters are rich in Na+, Ca+2, Cl- and SO4-2, have higher δ13CTDIC amplitude and the temporal variations of major ions display marked dilutions after rainfall events followed by rapid recoveries of pre-event concentrations, evidence a complex flow system and variable groundwater source contribution. The chemical reactions deduced from the molar ratios of spring water chemistry are commonly CO2 dissolution and calcite dissolution, but also salt evapoconcentration in soil layer and gypsum dissolution in the case of Maro spring.