10-1 Salinity of Groundwater – Stream Water in an Agricultural Semiarid Area in Northern Mexico

Session: Geomorphological, Hydrologic, and Geothermal investigations of basin aquifers in Baja California Sur (BCS), Mexico (Posters)

Poster Booth No.: 38

Presenting Author:

Melida Gutierrez

Authors:

Gutierrez, Melida¹, Mickus, Kevin Lee², Morales-deAvila, Heriberto³

(1) School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, USA, (2) School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability, Missouri State Univ Geology, Springfield, MO, USA, (3) Ingenieria Electrica, Autonomous University of Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico,

Abstract:

The increasing demand for groundwater poses a challenge to the availability of the resource. This problem exacerbates in areas with semiarid climates and intensive agriculture. The Meoqui-Delicias aquifer of northern Mexico is an example. In the past, groundwater was used sparsely for irrigation in this area; however, the shortage of surface water has steadily increased the groundwater portion in irrigation water, causing depletion of the aquifer. Groundwater quality is also at stake because of the increase in salinity (TDS, NO₃-N) from infiltration of agricultural wastes and from the fluoride (F^-) and arsenic (As) naturally present in local groundwater. Two rivers, Conchos and San Pedro, cross the area and merge at a downstream location by the northern edge of the aquifer. Available water quality data (2014-2020) of three stream segments and their nearest wells were used to construct a baseline of groundwater-stream water salinity in this aquifer. The increase in salinity in each segment was analyzed and a spatial pattern of salinization identified. The resulting baseline values can be used as a reference to future studies to e.g., compute salinization rates as a function of climate, groundwater extraction rates, and apportionment of surface and groundwater in irrigation water.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 3, 2026

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026CD-11826

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