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Hydrogeochemical Characterization and Assessment of Contamination by Inorganic and Organic Matter in the Groundwater of a Volcano-Sedimentary Aquifer

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Abstract

The chemical composition of groundwater is a product of the evolution and transformation of major ions, which come from natural hydrogeochemical processes or from anthropogenic interference. The objective of this study was to identify the hydrogeochemical processes and the influence of anthropogenic activity on the variation of chemical composition in Toluca Valley groundwater. The type of water in the zone is fundamentally Mg–Ca–HCO3. Three groups with different evolutionary tendencies were identified: one within a local recharge zone and two others in an intermediate region with anthropic activity. The latter, which show contamination by inorganic matter (fertilizers) and organic matter (urban or industrial wastewater). The content of N–NO3− (0.024–0.219 mEq L−1), N–NH4+ (0–0.022 mEq L−1), Porg (0.03–1.02 mEq L−1) and PO43− (0.0–0.28 mEq L−1) indicated contamination coming from inorganic and organic matter. These chemical compounds were identified by way of a 3D fluorescence technique. The results of this study demonstrate that the main processes that affect and control the chemical composition of the water in the Toluca Valley aquifer are weathering of silicates, the ion exchange and a mixture process generated by a source of anthropic contamination.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thankfully acknowledge the support of the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, the Water and Sanitation Agency of Toluca for the permissions granted for the development of this project and Mexican Council of Science and Technology for the support given.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Interamericano de Tecnología y Ciencias del Agua (IITCA), Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Unidad San Cayetano, Km.14.5 carretera Toluca-Atlacomulco, C.P. 50200, Toluca, Estado de México, México

    Reyna María Guadalupe Fonseca-Montes de Oca

  2. Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, Camino a la Presa San José 2055. Col. Lomas 4ª sección, C.P.78216, San Luis Potosí, México

    José Alfredo Ramos-Leal

  3. CONACYT, UNAM, Instituto de Geofísica, UNAM, Ciudad Universitaria, 04150, Coyoacán, CDMX, Mexico

    Janete Morán-Ramírez

  4. CONACYT, Unidad Académica de Ciencias de La Tierra, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Exhacienda San Juan Bautista s/n, CP. 40323, Taxco el viejo, Guerrero, Mexico

    Juan Manuel Esquivel-Martínez

  5. Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Cerro de Coatepec s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, C.P. 50110, Toluca, Estado de México, México

    Carolina Álvarez-Bastida

  6. Facultad de Geografía, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Cerro de Coatepec s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, C.P. 50110, Toluca, Estado de México, México

    Rosa María Fuentes-Rivas

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  1. Reyna María Guadalupe Fonseca-Montes de Oca
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Correspondence to Rosa María Fuentes-Rivas.

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Fonseca-Montes de Oca, R.M.G., Ramos-Leal, J.A., Morán-Ramírez, J. et al. Hydrogeochemical Characterization and Assessment of Contamination by Inorganic and Organic Matter in the Groundwater of a Volcano-Sedimentary Aquifer. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 104, 520–531 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-020-02819-8

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