157 Exploring Groundwater Recharge and Management: Managed Aquifer Recharge and Other Innovative Tools for Water Supply Development and Operations

Growing demand for water has highlighted the need to understand aquifer recharge to improve groundwater management and production methods. This session explores groundwater recharge and innovative water supplies and infrastructure. Topics include evapotranspiration, vadose zone processes, brackish groundwater desalination, managed aquifer recharge, stormwater management, and others.

Tuesday, 21 October 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
HBGCC, 209

A Geospatial Assessment of Groundwater salinization patterns in Durango, Mexico

Paper number: 157-7
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:45 AM – 10:00 AM

Authors

Abstract

Groundwater salinization poses a critical environmental and public health concern in arid and semi-arid regions, exacerbated by increased groundwater extraction and reduced infiltration attributable to climate change. This study investigates the spatial variability and correlation of groundwater salinity in Durango, Mexico, using Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), and nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) as key indicators. A total of 340 wells were selected from a larger dataset of over 4000 samples provided by CONAGUA (Comisión Nacional del Agua), a Mexican water agency. All parameters were standardized to meq/L and evaluated using an error balance (EB%) threshold of <10% to ensure analytical reliability. Spatial distribution patterns were modeled through kriging interpolation in ArcGIS Pro, revealing elevated salinity concentrations in regions influenced by intensive agriculture, urbanization, and endorheic basin conditions. A Statistical analysis using Spearman’s rank correlation indicated moderate positive correlations between TDS and both SAR and NO3-N, suggesting a relationship between natural salinity processes and anthropogenic inputs. These findings highlight the importance of integrating geospatial tools and quality control methods to monitor salinity trends and support sustainable groundwater management in vulnerable regions. The same spatial analytical methodology will be applied to another study in northwest Arkansas, assessing the water quality in several springs while focusing on key water quality indicators. This research will offer critical insight into the health and sustainability of local groundwater resources, support regional ecosystem management, and contribute to existing limited data available for the Springfield Plateau Aquifer.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-414843

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