10 Geomorphological, Hydrologic, and Geothermal investigations of basin aquifers in Baja California Sur (BCS), Mexico (Posters)

The session will explore BCS basins, focusing on groundwater storage, evaporation, runoff and transport mechanisms, featuring experts on thermal and shallow groundwater interactions, soil mapping for hydrological planning, geomorphology, and human impacts on water balance.

Wednesday, 22 April 2026
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
LMH, 5th Floor Chapel

Salinity of Groundwater – Stream Water in an Agricultural Semiarid Area in Northern Mexico

Paper number: 10-0
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Authors

Abstract

The increasing demand for groundwater poses a challenge to the availability of the resource. This problem exacerbates in areas with semiarid climates and intensive agriculture. The Meoqui-Delicias aquifer of northern Mexico is an example. In the past, groundwater was used sparsely for irrigation in this area; however, the shortage of surface water has steadily increased the groundwater portion in irrigation water, causing depletion of the aquifer. Groundwater quality is also at stake because of the increase in salinity (TDS, NO3-N) from infiltration of agricultural wastes and from the fluoride (F-) and arsenic (As) naturally present in local groundwater. Two rivers, Conchos and San Pedro, cross the area and merge at a downstream location by the northern edge of the aquifer. Available water quality data (2014-2020) of three stream segments and their nearest wells were used to construct a baseline of groundwater-stream water salinity in this aquifer. The increase in salinity in each segment was analyzed and a spatial pattern of salinization identified. The resulting baseline values can be used as a reference to future studies to e.g., compute salinization rates as a function of climate, groundwater extraction rates, and apportionment of surface and groundwater in irrigation water.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 3

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026CD-410749

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