Insight into the Katari-Lago Menor Basin aquifer, Lake Titicaca-Bolivia, inferred from geophysical (TDEM), hydrogeological and geochemical data

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2019.102479Get rights and content

Highlights

  • Performance of a groundwater basin-scale multidisciplinary study.

  • TDEM surveys were efficient to investigate the structure of a basin-scale aquifer.

  • Continuity of Quaternary layers behaving hydraulically as a single aquifer.

  • 3D schematic structure and dynamics of a major aquifer in the Bolivian Altiplano.

  • Basis for the development of a 3D numerical groundwater model.

Abstract

The increasing demand for water and irrigation in the semi-arid Bolivian Altiplano requires a better knowledge of the available resources, particularly groundwater. The aim of this study is to provide a first insight into the hydrogeological structure (0–200 m deep) and groundwater dynamics of the Katari-Lago Menor Basin aquifer located between the Eastern Cordillera and Lake Titicaca, Bolivia. This aquifer is studied using geophysical data (a total of 187 Time Domain Electromagnetic (TDEM) soundings), piezometric data (97 groundwater level measurements) and geochemical data (52 groundwater samples), combined with geological, lithological and topographical information.

The results allowed identifying stratigraphic models consistent with the Quaternary sediments being hydraulically connected and behaving as a single regional basin-aquifer. This basin-aquifer is delimited by the most ancient lake invasions towards the southern, western and northern sides and by the lower limit of rock glaciers towards the eastern side. A large portion of the aquifer presents an unconfined behaviour varying from 50 to 150 m while the confined portion varies from 100 to 150 m.

Groundwater flow within the Katari and Lago Menor Basin aquifer is composed of several interconnected groundwater flow systems. The main groundwater flow system starts in the high mountain ranges of the Eastern Cordillera, follows the topographic Piedmont gradient (NE to SW) and discharges in a series of wetlands.

This multidisciplinary approach proved to be an appropriate method to derive a consistent picture of the hydrogeological functioning of the Katari-Lago Menor Basin aquifer.

Introduction

Water quality degradation, climate variability and population growth are among the factors that constrain water availability in the semi-arid Bolivian Altiplano (Coudrain-Ribstein et al., 1995; Guérin et al., 2001; Garcia et al., 2010; Archundia et al., 2017a, Archundia et al., 2017b; Guédron et al., 2017; Quino et al., 2019; Gómez et al., 2019) and in the central parts of Bolivia (Gonzales Amaya et al., 2018b, Gonzales Amaya et al., 2018a), leading to an increasing exploitation of groundwater resources.

In the Katari and Lago Menor Basin (Fig. 1), one of the most populated and contaminated basins of the Bolivian Altiplano (BID, 2016; Agramont et al., 2019), melt water from the high peak glaciers of the Eastern Cordillera and groundwater withdrawals, are both important sources of water supply for domestic drinking, industry and irrigation purposes (M.M.A.yA, 2014; Soruco et al., 2015; Kinouchi et al., 2019). Recent research predicted that climate variability and population growth will most likely lead to a water shortage after the mid-2020s (Kinouchi et al., 2019) which could intensify groundwater exploitation in order to meet the growing demand.

To contribute to the sustainable management of groundwater resources within the Katari and Lago Menor Basin, the understanding of the main natural flow processes of the groundwater system at the basin scale is essential for developing numerical groundwater flow models, evaluating recharge, discharge, aquifer storage, and sustainable yield. Previous investigations on the site showed local-scale hydrogeological characterizations based on lithology, groundwater level measurements, hydrochemistry and stable isotopes of deuterium and oxygen 18 (M.M.A.yA, 2016; Quino et al., 2019). However, the lack of geophysical information did not allow the identification of vertical, lateral or spatial variation of the permeable Quaternary geologic media nor the bottom boundaries of the aquifer or aquifers (depth to bedrock).

Additionally, former geological studies showed profiles describing general geological formations to a depth of 1 km (Ballivian et al., 1978; GEOBOL & Swedish Geological AB, 1995). This vertical scale is not suitable for the assessment of shallow (0–200 m) groundwater investigations. Indeed, in this depth range, the thickness and lateral extent (geometry), hydraulic properties and hydrostratigraphic units of the aquifer are not known.

Moreover, little is known about the potential influence of sewage, waste disposal, farmland and mining activities on groundwater resources of the basin (Barroso, 2010; M.M.A.yA, 2016; Quino et al., 2019; Archundia et al., 2017b). Actually, most of the rural communities in the basin rely mainly on groundwater either from wells, springs or wetlands. However, they lack of adequate disposals of sewage and human waste (M.M.A.yA, 2014). A basin-scale groundwater investigation is necessary for understanding the main physical, chemical and biological processes.

The understanding of the main natural flow processes of the groundwater system requires the delimitation of the domain, the determination of the boundaries and initial conditions, and the physical characteristics of the porous media. A combination of tools is needed to adequately characterize the aquifers in this region. Previous research across the world, including South America, have shown that the application of multidisciplinary studies can contribute to the understanding of the functioning of complex hydrogeological systems (Guérin et al., 2001; Ramos Ramos, 2014; Mira et al., 2015; Gómez et al., 2016, 2019; Gonzales Amaya et al., 2018a, Gonzales Amaya et al., 2018b; Maldonado et al., 2018; Viguier et al., 2018).

The aim of this study is to provide a first characterization of the aquifer at the scale of the Katari and Lago Menor Basin. To achieve, this objective, we conducted a multidisciplinary study (geology, geophysics, geochemistry, and groundwater level measurements). The specific objectives were to determine: i) the spatial limits of the aquifer, ii) the vertical and lateral variation of the Quaternary geologic media, iii) the bottom boundaries of the aquifer (depth to the top of the Tertiary/Devonian bedrock), and to characterize iv) the groundwater flow dynamics at the scale of the Katari-Lago Menor Basin.

Finally, we propose a 3D conceptual model of the aquifer structure and its functioning as a basis for assessing the current knowledge of groundwater resources, possible development of numerical models and therefore development of future groundwater management strategies in the Bolivian Lake Titicaca region.

Section snippets

Background information on the study area

The study site is located within the Katari and Lago Menor Basin, in the semi-arid region of the Bolivian Northern Altiplano. The Katari and Lago Menor Basin is a sedimentary basin with an approximate area of 6350km2 and it is bounded by the high mountains of the Eastern Cordillera, the southeast of Lake Titicaca (Lago Menor or Lake Huiñamarca) and the outcropping rock formations towards the Tiwanaku, Comanche and Colquencha Cities (Fig. 1).

Previous studies have documented that Lake Titicaca

Materials and methods

In this study, the general methodology that facilitated the interpretation and compilation of hydrogeological results are deduced from the application of a multidisciplinary approach (geology, geophysics, geochemistry, and groundwater level measurements). This approach was proved to be useful in other groundwater systems in South America (Guérin et al., 2001; Ramos Ramos, 2014; Mira et al., 2015; Gómez et al., 2016, 2019; Gonzales Amaya et al., 2018b, Gonzales Amaya et al., 2018a; Maldonado et

Hydraulic head contour map and electrical conductivity variations

Fig. 3 displays hydraulic head contours and general flowpaths from the groundwater system. From this figure, five flow systems can be distinguished where recharge mainly comes from the upper Piedmont and from effective infiltration from precipitation.

In the first flow system groundwater moves to the SW and flows into Lake Titicaca (Puerto Pérez Bays) in the northwest (e.g. flowpath 1). In the second flow system groundwater moves into the Lacustrine plain through breaks or channels between the

Extension and physical properties of the aquifer

The aquifer extends from the Eastern Cordillera and is delimited by the most ancient lake invasion “Lake Mataro” towards the southern, western and northern sides of the Katari and Lago Menor Basin (Fig. 9). According to Lavenu (1992) the top of the Mataro deposits would be an ablation surface developed at a present-day altitude of 3950 m a.s.l around the paleo-basin (see Fig. 2). The limit of the aquifer towards the eastern side is delineated by the lower limit of rock glaciers defined to be at

Conclusions and final recommendations

This paper presents a multidisciplinary study using geology, geophysics (TDEM), geochemistry, and groundwater level measurements for the assessment of a large scale aquifer within the Katari and Lago Menor Basin, located in the semi-arid Altiplano, between the Eastern Cordillera and the south-east of Lake Titicaca. This study gives a first insight of the 3D geometry and the geochemical and hydrogeological functioning of the Katari-Lago Menor Basin aquifer. Some of the necessary information for

Acknowledgments

The present study was undertaken with the financial support of the Plurinational State of Bolivia provided through the Program “100 Scholarships for Postgraduate Education within the Framework of Technological and Scientific Sovereignty”, Supreme Decree 2100 (1 September 2014) and administered by the Ministry of Education (MINEDU, Bolivia). And partly funded by LABEX OSUG@2020, ANR grant no. ANR-10-LABX-56 (financed by the Future Investments programme launched by the French government and

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