(Vulnerabilidad Del Acuifero Guarany Uruguay) 2730-5066-Agr-26-Nspe1-E507
(Vulnerabilidad Del Acuifero Guarany Uruguay) 2730-5066-Agr-26-Nspe1-E507
DOI: 10.31285/AGRO.26.507
ISSN 2730-5066
Collazo, P. 1
1
Universidad de la República, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Ciencias Geológicas, Montevideo, Uruguay
Antonella Celio
Universidad de la República, Facultad de
Agronomía, Montevideo, Uruguay
Claudio Gaucher
Universidad de la República, Facultad de
Ciencias, Montevideo, Uruguay
Abstract
The piezometric, water table and vulnerability baseline of the outcropping Guaraní Aquifer System (GAS) in the depart-
ments of Rivera and Tacuarembó (Uruguay) is presented. The flow network and chemical composition are essential to
understanding underground dynamics and identifying recharge and discharge zones, preferential flow directions, and de-
termining hydraulic gradients. It is essential to analyze its evolution in time and space from the baseline, for the manage-
ment and protection of the resource. Vulnerability was determined by applying the GOD and EKv methods, obtaining
similar results, with areas of high and moderate vulnerability in most of the studied area. The risk of groundwater contam-
ination was determined using the method of Foster & Hirata(34), obtaining high risk for potentially polluting loads from lack
of sanitation, solid household waste, irregular settlements, and gas stations, in areas of moderate and high vulnerability.
Industrial and mining activity and a cemetery represent a moderate risk in most cases. Having maps of vulnerability and
risk of groundwater contamination is essential to identify the most vulnerable areas and implement detailed study, control,
and protection tools aimed at conserving and mitigating impacts on GAS.
Keywords: baseline, Guaraní Aquifer System, vulnerability, contamination risk
Collazo P. Baseline of the outcropping Guarani Aquifer System in Rivera and Tacuarembó,
Uruguay: Piezometry and Vulnerability. Agrociencia Uruguay [Internet]. 2022 [cited dd mmm
yyyy];26(NE1):e507. doi:10.31285/AGRO.26.507.
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Resumen
Se presenta la línea de base piezométrica, freática y de vulnerabilidad del Sistema Acuífero Guaraní aflorante (SAGa) en
los departamentos de Rivera y Tacuarembó, Uruguay. La red de flujo y la composición química son esenciales para
comprender la dinámica subterránea e identificar zonas de recarga y descarga, direcciones de flujo preferenciales y de-
terminar gradientes hidráulicos. Analizar su evolución en el tiempo y en el espacio a partir de la línea de base es esencial
para la gestión y la protección del recurso. La vulnerabilidad se determinó aplicando los métodos GOD y EKv, obteniendo
resultados similares, con áreas de vulnerabilidad alta y moderada en la mayor parte del área estudiada. El riesgo a la
contaminación del agua subterránea se determinó utilizando el método de Foster & Hirata(34), obteniéndose riesgo alto
para cargas potencialmente contaminantes provenientes de falta de saneamiento, residuos sólidos domiciliarios, asenta-
mientos irregulares y estaciones de servicio, en zonas de vulnerabilidad moderada y alta. La actividad industrial y minera
y el cementerio representan un riesgo moderado en la mayoría de los casos. Disponer de mapas de vulnerabilidad y
riesgo de contaminación del agua subterránea es imprescindible para identificar las zonas más vulnerables e implementar
herramientas de estudio detallado, control y protección que tiendan a la conservación y la mitigación de impactos en el
SAGa.
Palabras clave: línea de base, Sistema Acuífero Guaraní, vulnerabilidad, riesgo de contaminación
Resumo
É apresentada a linha de base piezométrica, do lençol freático e de vulnerabilidade do Sistema Aquífero Guarani aflorante
(SAGa) nos departamentos de Rivera e Tacuarembó, Uruguai. A rede de fluxo e a composição química são essenciais
para entender a dinâmica subterrânea e identificar zonas de recarga e descarga, direções preferenciais de fluxo e deter-
minar gradientes hidráulicos. Analisar sua evolução no tempo e no espaço a partir da linha de base é essencial para o
gerenciamento e proteção do recurso. A vulnerabilidade foi determinada aplicando-se os métodos GOD e EKv, obtendo-
se resultados semelhantes, com áreas de vulnerabilidade alta e moderada na maior parte da área estudada. O risco de
contaminação dos lençóis freáticos foi determinado pelo método de Foster & Hirata(34), obtendo-se alto risco para cargas
potencialmente poluidoras por falta de saneamento, resíduos sólidos domiciliares, assentamentos irregulares e postos de
serviços, em áreas de vulnerabilidade moderada e alta. A atividade industrial e de mineração e o cemitério representam
um risco moderado na maioria dos casos. Ter mapas de vulnerabilidade e risco de contaminação de lençóis freáticos é
essencial para identificar as áreas mais vulneráveis e implementar estudos detalhados, ferramentas de controle e prote-
ção destinadas a conservar e mitigar impactos no SAGa.
Palavras-chave: linha de base, Systema Aqüífero Guarani, vulnerabilidade, risco de contaminação
obtained in the groundwater catchments of the Tac- aquifers of the eastern sector of the country (Vulner-
uarembó aquifer unit. Currently, approximately 14 ability of fractured carbonate aquifers(12)).
million m3/year are extracted from the Guaraní Aq- There is no doubt that the GAS must be managed
uifer System in Uruguay and from the outcropping and, in this regard and in search of efficient plan-
area alone. About 10 million m3/year are used for ning, the Integrated Management Plan of the Gua-
drinking water in urban areas and small towns, while rani Aquifer is currently being prepared, which in-
about 4 million m3/year are used for human con- cludes programs of the National Water Plan and
sumption and irrigation in rural areas. These num- possible projects to develop aiming to manage, pre-
bers show the importance of this system in the hu- serve and mitigate possible impacts that deteriorate
man development of the region, being essential, and contaminate groundwater in the outcropping
therefore, to have specific management and protec- area or recharge area and the confined area of the
tion plans in the outcropping area, where the system GAS.
is more vulnerable and presents the greatest risks
of contamination. Assessing vulnerability is there- It is essential to have a baseline in the Integrated
fore essential to determine the contamination risk Management Plan that is being developed. For
and establish land uses that tend to preserve the re- these reasons, this research aims to present the first
source. In Uruguay, examples of vulnerability maps results that constitute the baseline of the outcrop-
that tend to conserve the underground water re- ping GAS, in terms of piezometry, water table depth
source were made for the Raigón Aquifer (Vulnera- and vulnerability, as well as the risk of groundwater
bility chart of the Raigón Aquifer(8-9)), for the Mer- contamination. The location of the study area is
cedes Aquifer (Vulnerability of the Mercedes aqui- shown in Fig.1 and corresponds to the geological
fer(10)), for the Chuy Aquifer (Vulnerability of the map of the GAS outcropping area in Uruguay.
Chuy Aquifer(11)) and the fractured carbonate
Figure 1. Geological Map of the outcropping area of the Guarani Aquifer System in the departments of Rivera
and Tacuarembó, Uruguay
Figure 2. Well location map of the outcropping area of the Guarani Aquifer System in the departments of Ri-
vera and Tacuarembó, Uruguay
The chemical composition of groundwater, which acronym and definition are: G: Groundwater occur-
was analyzed together with piezometry, was deter- rence, O: Overall Aquifer Class, D: Depth to
mined in the laboratory of the National Directorate Groundwater Table or Strike. The three indices are
of Nuclear Technology (DINATEN by its Spanish multiplied, resulting in a value that can vary between
acronym), belonging to the Ministry of Industry, En- 0 and 1 and will determine the vulnerability of the
ergy and Mining. The physico-chemical parameters aquifer. The vulnerability classification ends by en-
were measured in situ, using pH and conductivity tering this last number in the output of the method
probe (Horiba). Chemical data analysis was per- ranging from: 0 to 0.1 minimum vulnerability, 0.1 to
formed using Waterloo Hydrogeologic's AquaChem 0.3 low vulnerability, 0.3 to 0.5 moderate vulnerabil-
software. ity, 0.5 to 0.7 high vulnerability, and 0.7 to 1 extreme
vulnerability (Fig. 5). The Ekv method(33) is the only
The selected methods to determine vulnerability
existing method developed exclusively for free to
and based on aquifer characteristics were the GOD
semi-confined aquifers; the methodology considers
method(32) and the method for free aquifers EKv(33)
a classification based on the water table depth (E)
(Fig. 5 and 6). GOD bases its method on the assign-
and the vertical permeability of the subsaturated
ment of indices (0 to 1) to three variables, whose
Agrociencia Uruguay 2022 26(NE1) 5
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zone (Kv). Each of the variables is assigned an in- sand, fine sand, and medium to coarse sand). Index
dex ranging from 1 (least vulnerable) to 5 (most vul- 3, vertical permeabilities (Kv) from 0.01 to 1 m/day
nerable), which together represent the vulnerability (silt and sandy silt). Index 2, vertical permeabilities
index with extremes of 2 and 10. Fig. 6 shows the (Kv) of 1.10-3 at 0.01 m/day (silt and clayey silt). In-
mechanism for calculating the different indices, the dex 1, vertical permeabilities (Kv) < 0.001 m/day
index for the water table depth (E), and the index for (clay and silty clay). The vulnerability diagram is re-
the vertical permeability of the subsaturated zone produced at the end and it is the sum of the 2 varia-
(Kv). The latter considers the following lithologies: bles considered, E + Kv, being categorized as: low
Index 5 corresponds to vertical permeabilities (Kv) vulnerability between 2 and 4, medium vulnerability
of 50 to 500 m/day (medium and coarse sand, between 5 and 7, and high vulnerability between 8
sandy gravel, and gravel). Index 4, vertical permea- and 10.
bilities (Kv) from 1 to 50 m/day (very fine to silty
Figure 3. Piezometric map. “Base Line” of the outcropping Guarani Aquifer System in the departments of Ri-
vera and Tacuarembó, Uruguay
Figure 4. Water Table Depth “Base Line” of the outcropping Guarani Aquifer System in the departments of Ri-
vera and Tacuarembó, Uruguay
This study also considers the risk of groundwater loads and weight them according to the type of con-
contamination, taking Foster & Hirata's risk con- tamination, persistence, duration, disposition, etc.
cept(34), as the interaction between the natural aqui- In this way, the risk map will be able to contain areas
fer vulnerability and the potentially polluting load ap- that vary from very low risk to extreme risk of
plied to the soil or surface. The pollutant load refers groundwater contamination, according to the inter-
to human activity that could generate pollution and action between the Vulnerability Index and the Pol-
thus alter the quality of groundwater; it is associated lutant Load. Fig. 7 reproduces the step diagram in
with the risk and does not indicate that the activity is the determination of the risk and the pollutant
causing damage to a given aquifer. The risk method transport profile(35), while Fig. 8 shows the concep-
does not refer to contamination through surface wa- tual scheme of the risk of groundwater contamina-
ter, nor to overexploitation of aquifers. tion(35).
To apply the method it is necessary to know the aq-
uifer vulnerability, identify the potentially polluting
Figure 7. Conceptual scheme for the determination of the Risk of Groundwater Pollution(34)
Figure 8. Conceptual Scheme for the Risk of correspond to the depth of the water table, the pie-
Groundwater Pollution modified from(34) zometric map, the composition of the groundwater,
the GOD and EKv vulnerability maps that currently
constitute the baseline of the outcropping GAS in
Uruguay and that will allow analyzing the aquifer be-
havior and establish actions that tend to its conser-
vation, protection and sustainability. In turn, a risk
analysis is presented, evaluating groundwater con-
tamination and interaction between vulnerability and
potentially polluting loads.
3.1 Water Table Depth
The depth of the water table is an extremely im-
portant variable regarding the hydrogeological be-
havior of a region. It is the most important variable
when determining aquifer vulnerability. The greater
the depth, the thicker the unsaturated area and,
consequently, the greater the storage capacity. On
the contrary, if it is shallow, this capacity is reduced
or canceled in areas where the water table
emerges. In addition, in areas with no sewage ser-
vices, shallower surfaces or groundwater outcrop-
3. Results and discussion pings cause a high risk of contamination for the pop-
ulation. With regard to exploitation, if the water table
The results of the first studies in the outcropping is deep, more powerful pumping equipment, higher
area of the GAS are presented below and energy consumption and, therefore, higher
Agrociencia Uruguay 2022 26(NE1) 9
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extraction costs are needed. Fig. 4 reproduces the Locally, the following are identified:
water table map, corresponding to shallow permea- North Sector
ble levels of the Rivera-Tacuarembó aquifer unit,
and shows that values lower than 5 m are located in Subzone A: Groundwater in Rivera is of great im-
the center-west of the area, coinciding with the dis- portance since it supplies 80% of the population.
charge area. The depth increases towards the E This area is, therefore, the most exploited, present-
and NE with depths greater than 20 m, and towards ing the OSE wells, in addition to the specific bore-
the SW, where depths greater than 25 m are ob- holes intended for irrigation and other uses. For this
served. For the city of Rivera and its surroundings, reason, the piezometry in this area tends to a de-
the highest values are observed in the SE of the city, pression cone, evidencing a local underground flow
with more than 30 m, where the piezometric surface behavior implied by the equipotential of 190 m. The
tends to a depression cone. Considering the totality detail of the flow network in and around the city of
of the studied area, the most frequent depth of the Rivera is also depicted in Fig. 3. As mentioned, a
water table is between 10 and 20 m. The greater depression cone is hinted to the SE of the city of
depths coincide with the division of surface and Rivera, associated with a decrease in gradient and
groundwater, with correspondence between high speed. Piezometry in this area shows a predomi-
topographic and hydraulic values with greater water nant flow direction to the NE, with a mean gradient
table depths, and low topographic and hydraulic between the isopieces of 190 and 185 m of 2.1x10-3,
with lower water table depths. This relationship is and another to the SE with a mean gradient be-
typical of areas where the water balance presents tween the same isopieces of 6 x10-3. Effective
notorious excess, as happens in the studied area. speeds are 11.9 m/year to the NE and 34 m/year
towards NW - SE.
3.2 Piezometry
Piezometric values are higher in the SW of the city
The piezometric baseline presented is fundamental of Rivera, with a hyperbolic piezometric surface.
for the analysis of the hydrogeological behavior of The main flow direction is to the NE, with mean gra-
the area. Fig. 3 reproduces the piezometric map, dient between isopieces 205 and 210 m of 1x10-2
where a different piezometric behavior is observed and mean speed of 56.7 m/year. Towards the S and
in the north sector compared to the south. The limit SE, other flow directions are observed with average
between the two coincides approximately with the S gradient between the isopieces 205 and 220 m of
end of the equipotential 160 m, which encloses the 2.3x10-3 and speed of 13 m/year to the SE, and av-
underground discharge area, coinciding with the erage gradient of 1.3x10-2 and average speed of
Tacuarembó River. The main groundwater division 73.8 m/year to the S, showing an increase in the hy-
in the N sector nearly coincides with the surface di- draulic gradient to the NE and S of this sector. Be-
vision, since the latter acts as a preferential re- tween the 205 and 190 m isopieces, there is an in-
charge area. termediate sector to the S of the city of Rivera,
The dominant orientation of the underground divi- where there is another increase in the hydraulic gra-
sion is N-S with a deviation towards S-SW in its mid- dient that derives from a speed increase of the un-
dle section. The dominant flow direction goes to- derground runoff. The mean gradient between the
wards SE with subordinate components to the NE, isopieces 200 and 205 m is 1x102.
where the hydraulic gradient notoriously increases, Subzone B: The piezometry in this sector shows two
and to the W-NW towards the natural discharge groundwater divisons with preferential direction N-
zone. The natural discharge area, whose lowest S, with a slight deviation to the S-SO in the middle
equipotential is 150 m, is located to the W of the section of that located to the N. The dominant flow
aforementioned division and is controlled in most of direction is towards the SE. The first has a parabolic
its extension by the Tacuarembó River (effluent). It piezometric surface between 210 m and 170 m to
has a subparallel orientation to the main groundwa- the east. The mean gradient at the isopiece 200 m
ter division, with a dominant centripetal flow. The S is 1.7x10-3 with extremes of 1.4x10-3 and 1x10-2.
sector has two underground divisions oriented NW- The average effective speed is 9.6 m/year, with ex-
SE, with greater displacement with respect to the tremes of 7.9 m/year and 56.7 m/year. Towards the
superficial divisions than the N sector. The domi- W-NW, heading to the natural discharge zone, the
nant flow directions are towards NE and SW. In the piezometric surface becomes planar, with a mean
vicinity of Tacuarembó city, a natural discharge area gradient at the isopiece 200 m of 7.6x10-3 and a
with NW-SE orientation begins to develop; its axis speed of 43.1 m/year. The division located at the S
approximately coincides with the Tranqueras is shorter. The piezometric surface becomes
stream.
10 Agrociencia Uruguay 2022 26(NE1)
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hyperbolic in the direction of the S flow. The mean isopiece, with a speed of 56.7 m/year and de-
gradient at the isopiece 180 m is 1.5x10-3 and the creases to 3x10-3 in the 120 m isopiece, with a
speed is 8.5 m/year. speed of 17 m/year.
Subzone C: The main area of natural discharge is 3.3 Relationship between chemical composition
located to the W of the aforementioned division, with and underground flow
150 m as its lowest equipotential. This area is con- The analysis of the chemical results of the ground-
trolled for most of its extension by the Tacuarembó water (Tables 1 and 2 in complementary material)
River (effluent). It has a subparallel orientation to the allows classifying the groundwater of the Tac-
main groundwater division, with a dominant centrip- uarembó Aquifer Unit as calcium bicarbonate
etal flow. The mean gradient is 2x10-3 at the iso- (86%), magnesium bicarbonate (7%), calcium and
piece 160 m and the speed is 11.3 m/year. The pie- sodium chloride (3.5%), and sodium bicarbonate
zometric surface between 180 m and 160 m is pla- corresponding to the underlying Buena Vista aquifer
nar. (3.5%).
Subzone D: The flow is oriented to the NE and SE, Within the samples classified as calcium bicar-
discharging in the Cuñapirú stream; the piezometric bonates, two groups were differentiated, one with
surface is hyperbolic between the 170 m and 190 m dissolved total solids (DTS) lower than 150 mg/l,
isopieces, and the mean gradient in the 180 m iso- with frequent conductivities between 0 and 80
piece acquires a value of 1x10-2 with extremes of
S/cm, not exceeding 150 S/cm and pH lower
9x10-3 and 1.3x10-2; the average speed is 56.7
than 6; and a second group with DTS greater than
m/year, with a maximum of 73.8 m/year and a mini-
150 mg/l, conductivities greater than 150 S/cm
mum of 51.1 m/year, with a discharge flow of 0.7
hm3/year, to the Cuñapirú stream. and pH values above 6.
South Sector The results obtained with piezometry reveal that the
samples of the first group, characterized by their low
Subzone A: It corresponds to a recharge area, the salinity, with similar values to rainwater, are located
groundwater division has NW-SE orientation. The in recharge zones, in the N sector (subzone B) and
dominant direction of flow is to NE and SW. The the S sector (subzone A), generally coinciding with
western sector has a piezometric surface with a hy- the highest piezometric levels. The samples of the
perbolic tendency, the average gradient in the 160 second group, characterized by having greater sa-
m isopiece is 1.7x10-2 with extremes of 7.5x10-3 and linity, are located in the S sector (subzone B), in a
2.6x10-2. The average speed is 96.5 m/year, with a dominant flow area of NW–SE orientation and
maximum of 147.6 m/year and a minimum of 42.5 where the piezometric levels are lower (located
m/year. The piezometric surface to the S manifests mainly between the 110 and 140 m isopieces).
a dominant flow towards the S and an average gra-
dient of 2.6 x10-3, the speed is notoriously lower The samples classified as magnesium bicarbonates
(14.7 m/year). have pH lower than 6 and conductivities lower than
100 S/cm; these are mainly located in the N sector
Subzone B: It corresponds to a dominant flow area (subzone B), coinciding with the 190 m isopiece, to-
of NW-SE and NS orientation, roughly coinciding wards the W-NW in the direction of the natural dis-
with the Tres Cruces stream. This area presents charge zone (Tacuarembó River) and where the pi-
planar piezometric surface between the 160 m and ezometric surface becomes planar.
140 m isopieces; the mean gradient in the 150 m
isopieces is 4.8 x10-3 and the speed is 27.2 m/year. The samples classified as calcium chloride and so-
Following the NW-SE flow direction, the surface be- dium chloride are located below the 170 m isopiece,
comes hyperbolic between the 150 m and 130 m in discharge zones (Cuñapirú stream, Tacuarembó
isopieces with an average gradient of 3x10-3 and a River). The samples that were classified as sodium
speed of 17 m/year. bicarbonates have the highest DTS values (518 and
643 mg/l) and the highest conductivity values (600
Subzone C: Corresponds to a recharge area with and 750 S/cm), and are located in the city of Tac-
the same orientation as subzone A. The dominant uarembó, in the S sector (subzone B), where the
flow directions are towards the NE and SW; the sur- Tacuarembó Formation is the shallowest (approxi-
face is hyperbolic towards the NE. The mean gradi- mately 35 m). For these reasons, they are not in-
ent in the western sector is 8.8x10-3 in the 140 m cluded in the Tacuarembó Unit; it is estimated that
isopiece and the speed is 49.9 m/year; towards the both samples belong to the Buena Vista deep aqui-
east, the average gradient is 1x10-2 in the 140 m fer.
Agrociencia Uruguay 2022 26(NE1) 11
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Based on these maps (GOD and EKv), in high vul- polluting enterprises. In areas of moderate and low
nerability areas, the activity should be preceded by vulnerability it will depend on the type of installation
detailed studies and, if necessary, the prohibition of and the local use of groundwater.
Figure 10. Vulnerability Map (GOD Method). “Base Line” of the outcropping Guarani Aquifer System in the de-
partments of Rivera and Tacuarembó, Uruguay
Figure 11. Vulnerability Map (EKv Method). “Base Line” of the outcropping Guarani Aquifer System in the de-
partments of Rivera and Tacuarembó, Uruguay
3.6 Risk of groundwater contamination in the determine the risk, the main activities that could
city of Rivera generate groundwater contamination were identi-
fied, separating them into punctual and diffuse. Ta-
The risk study focused specifically on the city of Ri-
vera and surrounding areas, where a high to mod- ble 5 indicates the risk of groundwater contamina-
tion from the interaction between the potentially pol-
erate vulnerability was mapped (Fig. 12). In terms of
luting load surveyed and vulnerability. The location
the pollutant load, the low percentage of coverage
of potentially polluting loads and vulnerability is
of the sanitation system and the irregular human
shown in Fig. 12.
settlements generate significant pollutant loads. To
Guarani Aquifer occurs directly by infiltration of me- The use of the EKv method resulted in high vulner-
teoric water. The Buena Vista-Yaguarí Unit is un- ability for water levels lower than 5 m deep and a
derlying this and is part of the GAS, but in confine- medium vulnerability for higher levels. Both meth-
ment conditions. ods produce similar vulnerability maps, mapping
high vulnerability in the center-west of the area.
The piezometry of the Tacuarembó Unit shows two
However, the EKv method classifies as high vulner-
different sectors, the N and the S. In the northern
ability, areas where water levels are lower than 5m,
sector, the main groundwater division nearly coin-
thus increasing high vulnerability areas. It is con-
cides with the surface division, being the dominant
cluded that both methods were correctly adjusted to
orientation N-S. The main flow direction is towards
the study area, producing reliable maps.
the SE with subordinate components towards the
NE, where the hydraulic gradient is notoriously in- The water table depth is the most important variable
creased, and towards the W-NW in the direction of to determine the vulnerability classification (Tables
the natural discharge zone. The natural discharge 3 and 4, and Figs. 10 and 11). As indicated by Fos-
area is located to the W and is controlled in most of ter and others(36), it is misguided to believe that us-
its extension by the Tacuarembó River (effluent). ing more complex methods that consider a greater
The S sector has two underground divisions ori- number of variables produces more reliable maps
ented NW-SE, with greater displacement with re- and closer to the system reality. In this specific case
spect to the superficial divisions than the N sector. of the outcropping Guarani Aquifer, the use of other
The dominant flow directions are towards NE and complex methods would not improve the vulnerabil-
SW. ity mapping, since the area does not present im-
portant changes in the topography, in the recharge
Total groundwater extraction in the region amounts
of the system or the types of soil, being the depth of
to 10.5 hm3/a. Human supply in the urban area re-
the water table and the vertical permeability the
quires the largest extraction volume, 67% of the to-
most important variables to study in detail and lo-
tal. In rural areas, irrigation, domestic and livestock
cally, according to the use of the soil and the poten-
use stand out with a consumption of 25%, and to a
tially polluting load.
lesser extent, an 8% is used to cover industrial de-
mand. Regarding the risk of groundwater contamination,
vulnerability and potentially polluting load were con-
Regarding the chemical composition, there is a
sidered, resulting in high risk due to lack of sanita-
marked similarity between the Rivera and Tac-
tion, solid household waste, irregular settlements
uarembó units, as a consequence of the hydraulic
and gas stations. Industrial activity, cemeteries and
communication. In both, calcium bicarbonate waters
mining represent moderate risk in most cases.
(80%) predominate over magnesium bicarbonates
(20%), with saline contents of 60 mg/l and 152 mg/l. It is essential for these areas, where the risk of con-
Within the bicarbonate calcium waters of the Tac- tamination is high, to have resources for confirma-
uarembó Unit, two groups are differentiated, one tory and detailed research that tends to the preser-
with DTS content below 150 mg/l and pH below 6, vation of the groundwater resource and allows bet-
and a second group with DTS above 150 mg/l and ter decision making, in terms of territorial planning,
pH above 6. This difference occurred since the sam- avoiding its deterioration.
ples of the first group are located in recharge zones,
N sector (subzone B) and S sector (subzone A),
generally coinciding with the highest piezometric Author contribution statement
levels, and the samples of the second group are lo- Collazo P. conceived, designed and performed the
cated in the S sector (subzone B), where a dominant analysis, and wrote the manuscript.
flow area of NW-SE orientation is highlighted and
the piezometric levels are lower (located mainly be-
tween the 110 and 140 m isopieces).
References
In 26 samples from both units, the pH is lower than
1. Montaño J, Tujchneider O, Auge M, Fili M, Paris
6, with the mean value for the Rivera Unit being 5.7.
M, D’Élia M, Pérez M, Nagy MI, Collazo P, Decoud
Regarding vulnerability, and applying the GOD P. Acuíferos regionales en América Latina:
method, a high vulnerability is obtained for water Sistema Acuífero Guaraní: Capítulo argentino-
levels lower than 10 m, located in the central-west uruguayo. Santa Fe: Universidad Nacional del
sector mainly, to the S and NE, and a medium or Litoral; 1998. 217p.
moderate vulnerability for levels higher than this.
16 Agrociencia Uruguay 2022 26(NE1)
Collazo P
24. Servicio Geográfico Militar (UY). Hoja Masoller 31. Custodio E, Llamas E. Hidrogeología
J8 (1:50.000). In: Plan Cartográfico Nacional: Subterránea. Vol. 1. Barcelona: Omega; 1983.
escala 1:50.000. Montevideo: Servicio Geográfico 1157p.
Militar; 1994. 32. Foster S. Fundamental concepts in aquifer
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Nacional: escala 1:50.000. Montevideo: Servicio editors. Vulnerability of Soil and Groundwater to
Geográfico Militar; 1994. Pollutants. The Hague: Committee on Hydrological
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Nacional: escala 1:50.000. Montevideo: Servicio contaminación de aguas subterráneas. Lima:
Geográfico Militar; 1994. CEPIS; 1991. 79p.
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escala 1:50.000. Montevideo: Servicio Geográfico
Militar; 1985.
Complementary material
Table 1. Wells registered in the outcropping GAS area in the departments of Rivera and Tacuarembó, Uru-
guay
Coord. Coord. Coord. Well SP Well GT SP
ID GT (m) ID Coord. X Coord. Y Coord. Z
X Y Z Depth. acot.(m) Depth. (m) (m)
SAGr-1 512.80 6510.65 140 82.0 8.0 132.0 SAGt-1 480.85 6441.95 110 7.5 7.0 103.0
SAGr-2 512.85 6516.65 160 11.4 2.5 157.5 SAGt-2 487.43 6440.42 140 54.0 19.7 120.3
SAGr-3 506.85 6517.40 195 37.0 22.3 172.7 SAGt-3 488.96 6493.18 170 36.0 18.5 151.5
SAGr-4 526.05 6574.90 200 55.0 23.7 176.3 SAGt-4 493.50 6506.00 180 17.0 11.2 160.8
SAGr-5 518.80 6581.25 215 15.0 6.2 208.8 SAGt-5 494.10 6506.80 170 38.0 9.3 160.8
SAGr-6 529.35 6573.05 179 64.0 0 179.0 SAGt-6 482.15 6495.67 164 18.0 9.8 154.2
SAGr-7 506.06 6544.85 170 18.0 15.4 154.6 SAGt-7 477.60 6508.60 200 65.4 25.3 174.8
SAGr-8 524.73 6578.60 208 61.0 19.0 189.0 SAGt-8 477.15 6492.60 150 34.0 10.0 140.0
SAGr-9 524.11 6577.88 230 53.8 25.2 204.9 SAGt-9 475.15 6495.00 160 42.0 12.7 147.3
SAGr-10 523.64 6579.40 220 23.0 9.5 210.6 SAGt-10 474.85 6497.10 140 40.0 8.3 131.8
SAGr-11 525.60 6578.20 210 60.5 11.5 198.5 SAGt-11 475.05 6494.39 161 27.0 5.5 155.5
SAGr-12 526.13 6571.79 213 56.0 13.5 199.5 SAGt-12 485.90 6460.95 160 57.0 37.0 123
SAGr-13 523.88 6573.20 233 50.0 23.2 209.8 SAGt-13 479.08 6469.09 140 45.0 25.0 115.0
SAGr-14 524.00 6573.27 233 66.0 14.1 218.9 SAGt-14 482.40 6488.35 140 32.0 16.5 123.5
SAGr-15 526.00 6571.97 210 70.0 13.2 196.8 SAGt-15 483.25 6486.10 155 46.0 12.2 142.9
SAGr-16 520.47 6572.42 211 28.0 14.8 196.3 SAGt-16 482.40 6478.35 140 42.0 13.6 126.4
SAGr-17 520.26 6570.32 230 84.0 42.0 188.0 SAGt-17 482.70 6478.30 140 46.5 13.8 126.2
SAGr-18 517.79 6561.80 220 74.0 37.9 182.1 SAGt-18 480.60 6474.80 190 47.0 25.7 164.4
SAGr-19 519.65 6573.26 214 86.0 12.9 201.2 SAGt-19 473.50 6486.65 170 42.0 20.0 150.0
SAGr-20 511.10 6566.92 210 30.0 15.9 194.1 SAGt-20 465.96 6481.57 179 20.0 5.8 173.2
SAGr-21 510.78 6560.65 165 30.0 5.1 159.9 SAGt-21 477,8 6488,22 150 76.0 31.0 119.0
SAGr-22 513.93 6557.75 200 40.0 21.4 178.6 SAGt-22 488.50 6493.35 175 44.0 14.6 160.4
SAGr-23 516.00 6556.91 220 42.0 30.6 189.4 SAGt-23 510.45 6484.0 140 15.5 124.5
SAGr-24 526.53 6543.62 160 34.0 4.2 155.8 SAGt-24 504.05 6484.0 120 34.5 16.5 123.5
SAGr-25 520.64 6561.50 220 18.0 13.1 206.9 SAGt-25 473.40 6513.20 140 34.5 16.5 123.5
SAGr-26 533.90 6562.90 215 50.0 15.0 200.0 SAGt-26 473.75 6520.70 190 24.2 12.9 177.1
SAGr-27 534.30 6562.60 210 40.0 12.9 197.1 SAGt-27 482.55 6523.90 220 29.3 13.4 206.6
SAGr-28 538.62 6554.84 215 10.4 204.6 SAGt-28 482.30 6524.20 180 47.5 12.3 167.7
SAGr-29 533.60 6547.12 195 50.0 13.2 181.8 SAGt-29 492.75 6530.70 140 42.0 1.1 139.0
SAGr-30 534.25 6540.61 185 22.7 162.3 SAGt-30 485.20 6496.80 185 37.5 147.5
SAGr-31 509.37 6528.60 215 20.0 15.4 199.6 SAGt-31 483.66 6490.29 140 54.4 8.0 132.0
SAGr-32 490.20 6536.00 170 45.0 13.0 157.0 SAGt-32 502.82 6503.62 190 30.0 22.7 167.3
SAGr-33 511.75 6533.70 195 37.0 18.5 176.5 SAGt-33 487.55 6466.74 135 35.0 17.0 118.0
SAGr-34 525.24 6581.47 225 44.0 13.0 212.0 SAGt-34 479.90 6473.3 130 46.0 21.1 108.9
SAGr-35 521.63 6580.27 215 36.0 11.0 204.0 SAGt-37 509.61 6484.64 144 57.0 7.0 137.0
SAGr-36 521.54 6580.05 225 60.0 15.9 209.1 SAGt-38 485.51 6512.58 142 30.0 11.4 130.6
SAGr-38 524.40 6582.35 205 36.0 11.0 194.0 SAGt-39 513.04 6543.41 204 10.0 2.0 202.0
SAGr-39 520.89 6577.23 240 42.5 10.6 229.5 SAGt-40 483.17 6492.45 140 80 28 112.0
SAGr-40 520.59 6575.93 225 17.0 7.6 217.4 SAGt-42 500.50 6496.0 150 46.0 14.0 136.0
SAGr-41 519.09 6574.38 235 72.0 19.1 215.9 SAGt-43 481.90 6502.30 160 41.0 8.8 151.2
SAGr-42 526.76 6580.93 205 49.0 23.0 182.0 SAGt-44 512.86 6570.56 233 21.0 18.0 215.0
SAGr-43 528.80 6578.28 205 60.0 15.7 189.3 SAGt-45 489.20 6486.68 130 42.0 5.0 125.0
SAGr-44 528.71 6578.37 199 41.0 14.0 185.0 SAGt-46 489.20 6486.68 130 42.0 5.0 125.0
(ID: Identification, Coord: Coordinates, GT: Groundwater table, SP: Piezometric Surface.)
Table 1. Continuation of wells registered in the outcropping GAS area in the departments of Rivera and Tacuarembó,
Uruguay
Well Well
Coord. Coord. Coord. GT SP GT SP
ID Depth. ID Coord. X Coord. Y Coord. Z Depth.
X Y Z (m) (m) (m) (m)
(m) (m)
SAGr-50 515.39 6545.45 215 5.5 209.6 SAGr-76 521.18 6584.74 210.0 120.00 15.6 194.4
SAGr-51 517.65 6541.35 205 45.0 23.2 181.8 SAGr-78 525.20 6581.80 240.0 128.00 64.0 176.0
SAGr-52 496.92 6547.24 175 4.0 171.0 SAGr-79 523.22 6585.00 210.0 130.30 30.0 180.0
SAGr-53 493.83 6549.73 165 9.0 8.2 156.9 SAGr-81 518.40 6586.00 215.2 133.00 11.6 203.6
SAGr-54 492.58 6552.68 165 42.0 5.3 159.7 SAGr-82 524.04 6581.30 190.0 134.00 3.5 186.5
SAGr-55 520.28 6570.57 235 48.0 17.4 217.6 SAGr-84 524.08 6578.00 230.0 50.00 22.7 207.3
SAGr-56 520.25 6570.55 235 14.7 220.4 SAGr-85 523.38 6583.00 210.0 147.00 12.3 197.7
SAGr-57 522.12 6570.02 225 96.0 29.0 196.0 SAGr-86 524.06 6579.00 230.0 50.60 19.0 211.0
SAGr-58 518.82 6566.19 235 7.6 227.4 SAGr-87 518.58 6586.00 210.0 81.00 9.0 201.0
SAGr-59 519.38 6554.64 225 30.0 11.2 213.8 SAGr-88 518.96 6585.53 213.0 65.00 4.6 208.6
SAGr-60 511.79 6537.63 195 14.5 7.3 187.7 SAGr-89 519.26 6585.34 213.0 62.00 5.6 207.4
SAGr-61 504.98 6539.87 185 48.0 19.6 165.5 SAGr-90 526.38 6581.00 196.0 68.00 21.3 174.7
SAGr-62 505.09 6539.81 185 15.0 5.3 179.7 SAGr-91 523.24 6580.00 220.0 78.00 10.0 210.0
SAGr-63 525.72 6561.61 215 0 215.0 SAGr-92 521.28 6579.00 200.0 56.30 19.8 180.2
SAGr-64 525.74 6568.69 215 41.0 19.0 196.0 SAGr-93 526.94 6581.00 210.0 70.50 11.6 198.4
SAGr-65 518.65 6563.94 225 30.0 11.0 214.0 SAGr-94 519.26 6586.00 210.0 55.00 13.0 197.0
SAGr-66 514.24 6527.31 185 50.0 18.7 166.3 SAGr-96 523.12 6579.00 210.0 87.00 7.0 203.0
SAGr-67 507.75 6534.02 235 60.5 37.0 198.0 SAGr-98 523.44 6585.20 260.0 163.50 86.7 173.3
SAGr-68 519.80 6567.90 235 40.0 20.2 214.9 SAGr-100 524.90 6579.35 195.0 53.00 7.4 187.6
SAGr-69 520.70 6580.30 210 15.5 7.7 202.3 SAGr-103 525.48 6581.54 220.0 71.00 20.3 199.7
SAGr-70 513.70 6520.41 198 40.0 20.0 178.0 SAGr-104 524.04 6585.34 210.0 68.00 26.3 183.7
SAGr-72 507.62 6522.06 188 51.0 25.0 163.0 SAGr-105 476.72 6492.66 160.0 62.00 5.7 154.3
SAGr-107 523.18 6584.30 202.0 93.00 10.0 192.0 SAGr-106 481.88 6474.19 200.0 128.00 45.2 154.8
(ID: Identification, Coord: Coordinates, GT: Groundwater table, SP: Piezometric Surface.)
Table 2. Results of chemical composition of groundwater, GAS outcropping area in the departments of Rivera
and Tacuarembó, Uruguay
NO3 SO4
Cond. Temp. HCO3 Ca Mg K Na Fe Cl (mg/l STD Hardness
ID pH (mg/l (mg/l
(µS/cm) (ºC) (mg/l) (mg/Ca) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) Cl) (mg/l) (mg/l)
NO3) SO4)
SAGr-6 6.24 130 19.8 68.75 16.58 3.24 3.50 3.70 <0,1 1.70 0.72 0.40 99.99 54.75
SAGr-8 5.90 149 20.0 58.01 38.86 0.00 1.60 3.90 <0,1 22.10 7.89 2.00 137.36 97.05
SAGr-13 5.40 76 19.0 8.19 7.37 2.25 2.00 0.80 <0,1 11.10 2.15 0.00 34.86 27.67
SAGr-15 5.35 75 20.0 16.38 6.63 1.45 1.50 0.70 <0,1 0.81 11.00 0.20 39.86 22.53
SAGr-16 5.18 72 19.0 10.74 8.84 1.90 1.60 0.80 <0,1 10.50 2.63 2.10 42.21 29.90
SAGr-17 5.33 59 19.0 14.02 6.44 2.12 1.80 0.60 <0,1 5.31 0.00 3.90 39.08 24.81
SAGr-18 6.08 103 20.0 41.33 10.31 5.13 2.50 1.10 <0,1 2.57 2.15 15.60 97.32 46.87
SAGr-19 5.53 36 20.0 15.96 3.13 3.57 1.90 0.50 <0,1 1.52 0.00 12.70 52.96 22.52
SAGr-20 5.57 54 19.0 13.60 5.34 4.35 0.30 0.10 <0,1 3.10 0.00 11.80 51.39 31.25
SAGr-21 5.26 185 19.0 17.20 8.28 5.25 2.10 16.30 <0,1 10.82 17.93 17.20 113.26 42.30
SAGr-22 5.50 51 20.0 13.88 6.63 2.23 1.80 1.70 <0,1 4.34 5.50 11.80 60.64 25.74
SAGr-23 5.90 63 20.0 11.51 3.68 4.13 1.15 0.20 <0,1 4.25 3.11 0.30 29.68 26.20
SAGr-26 5.68 77 20.0 25.40 3.68 4.80 0.90 4.10 <0,1 3.03 1.43 14.30 72.91 28.96
SAGr-28 5.96 47 19.0 15.29 5.16 2.12 1.30 2.10 <0,1 2.20 0.60 0.20 30.17 21.62
SAGr-29 5.21 379 20.0 25.81 27.44 9.47 5.70 10.90 <0,1 20.06 32.76 26.70 186.58 107.53
SAGr-39 6.93 188 20.0 111.56 36.11 1.34 0.10 5.20 <0,1 1.85 1.67 0.20 159.28 95.70
SAGr-44 5.70 65 19.0 15.68 3.50 4.35 1.80 0.50 <0,1 3.72 3.11 0.30 34.24 26.65
SAGr-51 5.74 65 20.0 22.48 7.37 2.90 1.90 2.10 <0,1 1.66 0.84 2.70 45.69 30.35
SAGr-52 7.29 195 20.0 73.99 27.22 8.75 1.70 6.90 <0,1 4.01 13.75 13.80 164.91 104.01
SAGr-54 6.89 217 19.0 138.96 38.02 8.87 0.70 5.20 <0,1 0.00 1.08 3.00 199.83 131.48
SAGr-64 5.70 35 18.0 11.52 4.60 2.57 1.00 0.10 <0,1 2.40 0.48 1.60 26.87 22.07
SAGr-66 5.56 85 20.0 18.56 8.48 5.13 2.60 2.80 <0,1 6.20 6.46 3.30 57.83 42.30
SAGt-2 7.18 630 19.0 284.91 104.19 10.79 1.70 16.40 <0,1 31.25 23.50 3.80 481.39 304.64
SAGt-3 6.37 195 18.0 102.94 32.54 6.98 2.10 3.30 <0,1 2.79 3.83 4.30 164.09 110.01
SAGt-5 6.31 101 21.0 33.61 11.21 9.00 2.50 0.90 <0,1 6.10 5.70 6.90 83.82 65.06
SAGt-13 5.98 228 20.5 125.39 32.02 3.40 0.40 5.90 <0,1 2.20 4.54 15.60 206.05 93.97
SAGt-21 7.58 335 18.0 218.60 39.42 17.51 2.60 20.70 0.28 0.00 3.83 3.30 306.24 170.55
SAGt-23 7.48 488 18.0 302.35 63.21 10.11 4.60 39.00 <0,1 7.97 8.13 0.40 437.20 199.49
SAGt-24 6.95 439 19.0 265.50 55.43 18.12 3.00 22.00 <0,1 6.36 8.25 6.20 392.10 213.05
SAGt-25 6.75 186 19.0 74.57 27.22 9.00 0.90 5.70 <0,1 7.20 9.40 6.80 148.59 105.04
SAGt-29 7.98 360 19.0 239.68 42.64 16.52 2.30 30.20 <0,1 1.69 4.66 3.20 345.10 174.52
SAGt-31 8.35 600 20.0 314.05 21.61 11.43 1.70 112.20 <0,1 3.88 21.76 15.20 518.05 101.04
SAGt-33 7.83 262 19.0 260.19 50.86 14.09 2.20 2.51 <0,1 6.93 13.30 6.70 364.45 185.04
SAGt-34 5.02 102 20.0 43.77 16.01 5.59 2.20 6.10 <0,1 5.60 4.90 5.70 96.57 63.00
SAGt-38 7.59 363 18.0 258.13 47.23 26.38 0.40 6.90 <0,1 0.53 2.15 0.30 343.29 226.59
SAGt-44 7,7 50 19.0 29.50 11.60 4.77 0.90 0.00 <0,1 1.15 0.00 6.90 62.77 48.61
SAGt-45 _ _ _ 477.00 81.00 13.00 1.70 45.00 <0,1 1.80 8.00 2.00 _ 256.65
SAGt-46 _ _ _ 354.00 49.00 11.00 2.40 39.00 <0,1 1.80 11.00 5.00 _ 168.50
SAGt-47 _ _ _ 54.00 3.90 6.20 1.60 8.20 <0,1 5.40 3.00 8.00 _ 35.50
SAGt-67 _ 80 18.85 8.60 5.68 1.60 2.40 <0.1 7.57 4.06 3.20 56.19 44.87
SAGr-11 5.60 39 20.0 11.39 5.90 2.68 1.20 0.20 <0,1 2.50 1.32 14.10 54.39 25.77
SAGr-42 5.30 76 19.0 16.93 8.29 2.79 2.80 0.80 <0,1 4.11 5.74 2.90 48.25 32.19
SAGr-46 5.05 148 19.0 42.19 9.95 7.14 5.70 1.50 <0,1 3.05 11.96 12.40 107.34 54.25
SAGr-60 5.50 35 20.0 16.10 4.79 3.35 1.40 0.80 <0,1 1.06 0.00 2.40 33.34 25.76
SAGr-65 5.60 26 20.0 12.93 2.95 4.91 1.90 0.30 <0,1 1.30 0.00 4.80 34.89 27.59
SAGr-68 5.54 39 19.0 13.46 5.89 1.56 1.90 0.70 <0,1 3.45 0.00 0.90 29.81 21.13
SAGr-71 * 41 19.0 24.36 4.49 5.57 1.50 0.30 <0,1 1.15 0.48 12.90 64.70 34.15
SAGt-27 6.84 88 18.7 49.14 9.20 11.67 1.50 1.60 <0,1 0.90 1.91 15.20 107.32 71.03
SAGr-69 6.43 222 19.0 120.30 21.18 16.25 2.90 19.50 <0,1 7.90 11.30 13.90 228.13 119.81
SAGr-70 5.53 161 20.0 9.14 14.36 6.02 2.60 3.00 <0,1 18.93 19.25 1.60 77.47 60.65
SAGr-30 6.58 236 22.0 108.46 26.90 1.12 2.30 20.40 <0,1 3.32 8.85 5.80 183.93 71.79