Author(s): Ana Vilchez; Ramon Montero
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Hydrogeochemistry; Groundwater; Water quality; Waterwell; Margarita Island
Abstract: Groundwater on Margarita Island, Venezuela, is a vital resource for domestic use, livestock, and agriculture, supporting the island's economy. Over the past few decades, academic and government institutions have conducted studies to chemically characterize groundwater across different basins on the island. The "Hydrogeochemical and Groundwater Quality Map of Margarita Island, Venezuela" consolidates data from 167 groundwater samples across nine basins into a single tool for effective management and monitoring. This research identified five hydrogeochemical facies: Mg2⁺-HCO3⁻, Mg2⁺-Cl⁻, Na⁺-Cl⁻, Na⁺-HCO3⁻, and Na⁺-SO42⁻. Key processes affecting the concentrations of Mg2⁺, Na⁺, NO3⁻, and salinity, which influence water quality, include chemical weathering of the local lithology, cation exchange, saline intrusion, and human activity. Most groundwater falls under Quality Class 4 (Decree 883, Official Gazette 5.021,1995), where direct use may pose risks to human and animal health, as well as soil quality.
Year: 2024