- 1Posgrado en Ciencias de la Tierra, Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, CP: 04510, Ciudad de México, México
- 2Departamento de Dinámica Terrestre Superficial, Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CP: 04510, Ciudad de México, México
- 3Escuela Nacional De Estudios Superiores, Unidad Mérida, CP: 97357, Yucatán, México
- 4Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología
The study area is located within the Yucatán Flow System in the south of Mexico, a coastal karstic system characterized by rapid infiltration of rainwater into the subsurface. Groundwater flow in this system can be considered laminar and/or turbulent, with limited contaminant retention in the soil.
In Yucatan, groundwater is the sole source of water supply for human use and ecosystems. It is essential to manage its use through studies that enhance our understanding dynamics of flow systems. This study aims to develop a coupled flow model with the hydrogeochemistry of the groundwater flow system to identify transport and hydrogeochemical processes.
For the hydrogeochemical analysis, physicochemical parameters were measured, and groundwater samples were collected in May 2023 for analysis of major ions and trace elements. A conceptual model was developed based on sample classification concerning chemical quality, hydrogeochemical diagrams, and a flow network created using field measurements of static water level depth and bibliographic information. The coupled flow and hydrogeochemistry model will be developed using PHAST software (PHREEQC and HST3D), which simulates groundwater flow, solute transport, and geochemical reactions.
Preliminary results identified three components of the flow system:
The local component is the shallowest and is influenced by the current climate.
The intermediate component is located along of a fault zone; its more evolved nature suggests that the fault acts as a preferential conduit for groundwater flow.
The regional component is primarily located along the coastline.
Groundwater flow generally moves from south to north, but two geomorphological features alter this flow direction: the Ticul Fault and the Cenote Ring, both of which serve as preferential conduits for groundwater.
The Yucatán Flow System is a complex system due to its karstic nature and its discharge into the sea. Therefore, addressing its geomorphological, hydrogeochemical, and flow complexities is crucial to achieving reliable results that can inform effective groundwater management in Yucatán.
How to cite: Castro Zarate, M. E., Olea Olea, S., Morales Casique, E., Neri Flores, I., Salas Barrena, C., and Mariño Tapia, I. D. J.: Flow and hydrogeochemical model of the Yucatán groundwater flow system, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-2913, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-2913, 2025.
