Risk Analysis Due to the Variation of Chemical Parameters Induced by Lithology. Fiambalá, Chaschuil River, Catamarca, Argentina

Abstract

The water bodies represent a fundamental resource for the growth and development of a region, which must be well studied and managed so as not to limit its availability. In predominantly semiarid environments, such as the town of Fiambalá, the water resource directly impacts on the socio-economic development of the region. The demand of the resource increases its vulnerability and it can produce a deterioration in quality and quantity due to different environmental and anthropic factors. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out studies that improve the knowledge of water resources and help a more efficient planning in the management of these resources for the development and the general welfare of the population. The Abaucán River is mainly supplied by the Fiambalá and Chaschuil rivers, the latter being the most important tributary. Lithology affects the location and exploitation of aquifers; therefore, it is necessary to analyze the fluvial contributions of the area, the Quaternary deposits, and the physical-chemical quality of the water that flows over them. For its study, samples were obtained for physical-chemical analysis considering the different lithology that the channel crosses, in order to determine the incidence of these deposits in the chemical conditions of the water. To understand the geochemical processes, piper plot has been used for the study. From the analysis carried out, it is concluded that the geochemical alteration due to the lithological influence is almost negligible, which is why it presents strong performance in the agricultural development of the region.