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State of knowledge of coastal aquifer management in South America

Etat des connaissances sur la gestion des aquifères côtiers en Amérique du Sud

Estado de conocimiento de la gestión de los acuíferos costeros en Sudamérica

Estado do conhecimento da gestão de aquíferos costeiros na América do Sul

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Abstract

A comparative analysis of the existing hydrogeological and management information from 15 coastal aquifers in South America was performed in order to obtain insight into common features of the sub-continent coastal zones. Some knowledge from other areas has been incorporated. There is a very variable degree of knowledge and management practice, ranging from almost no data and no action (the most common case), to sound conceptual models about aquifer behaviour and comprehensive management actions such as relocation of abstractions, pumping brackish groundwater, and aquifer vulnerability mapping. Some common features are: intensive groundwater exploitation; lack of characterization studies to support resource planning and management; lack of monitoring networks; and the need for raising awareness within society and its involvement in resource planning and management action programmes. Quality and quantity problems arising in heavily populated areas associated with coastal aquifers in South America point to unsustainable groundwater development. The sustainable use of those aquifers must rely on adequate evaluation of aquifer characteristics and monitoring.

Résumé

Une analyse comparative des informations hydrogéologiques et de gestion provenant de 15 aquifères côtiers en Amérique du Sud a été réalisée afin d’obtenir un aperçu des caractéristiques communes des zones côtières du sub-continent. Quelques connaissances provenant d’autres régions ont été incorporées. Il y a un degré de connaissance et de pratiques de gestion très variable, allant d’une quasi absence de données et d’action (le cas le plus courant), aux modèles conceptuels fiables concernant le comportement des aquifères et les actions de gestion exhaustive, telles que la réimplantation des prélèvements, le pompage d’eau saumâtre, et la cartographie de la vulnérabilité de l’aquifère. Quelques traits communs sont: l’exploitation intensive de l’eau souterraine; le manque d’études des caractéristiques pour étayer la planification et la gestion de la ressource; le manque de réseaux d’observation; et le besoin de développer la prise de conscience au sein de la société et son implication dans la planification de la ressource et les programmes d’action de gestion. Les problèmes de qualité et de quantité apparaissant dans des régions fortement peuplées associées aux aquifères côtiers en Amérique du Sud font ressortir une exploitation de l’eau souterraine non durable. L’utilisation durable de ces aquifères doit s’appuyer sur une évaluation adéquates des caractéristiques et de l’observation de l’aquifère.

Resumen

Se ha realizado un estudio comparativo de la información existente de 15 acuíferos costeros de Sudamérica, para conocer los rasgos comunes de las áreas costeras del subcontinente. Se ha incorporado también lo que se conoce sobre otras áreas. El grado de conocimiento y de prácticas de gestión es variable, desde casi ninguna información (la situación más común) hasta modelos conceptuales bien establecidos en lo que se refiere al conocimiento del acuífero y a las actuaciones apropiadas de gestión, tales como la reubicación de extracciones, el bombeo de agua subterránea salobre y la cartografía de la vulnerabilidad del acuífero. Algunos de los rasgos comunes son: explotación intensiva del agua subterránea, falta de estudios de caracterízación que apoyen la planificación y gestión de los recursos, falta de redes de observación y la necesidad de crear una conciencia sobre la cuestión en la sociedad y su implicación en la planificación del recurso y en los programas de actuaciones de gestión. Los problemas de calidad y cantidad que aparecen en áreas altamente pobladas que están asociadas a acuíferos costeros sudamericanos, indican un desarrollo no sustentable de las aguas subterráneas. El uso sustentable de esos acuíferos debe basarse en la adecuada evaluación de las características de los acuíferos y en la observación.

Resumo

Realizou-se um estudo comparativo da informação existente sobre 15 aquíferos costeiros da América do Sul, para conhecer as características comuns das áreas costeiras desse subcontinente, incorporando-se também o conhecimento sobre outras áreas. O grau de conhecimento e de práticas de gestão são variáveis, desde quase nenhuma informação (a situação mais comum) até modelos conceituais bem estabelecidos quanto ao conhecimento do aquífero e quanto a atuações apropriadas de gestão. Tais atuações de gestão compreenderiam a relocação de pontos de bombeamento, extrações de água subterrânea salobra e a cartografia de vulnerabilidade de aquíferos. Alguns dos rasgos comuns a todos os aquíferos são: explotação intensiva de água subterrânea, falta de estudos de caracterização que suportem a planificação e gestão dos recursos, falta de redes de observação e a necessidade de criar uma consciência sobre a questão na sociedade e sua implicação na planificação do recurso e nos programas de atuações de gestão. Os problemas de qualidade e quantidade que aparecem em áreas altamente povoadas que estão associadas a aquíferos costeiros sul-americanos indicam um desenvolvimento não sustentável das águas subterrâneas. O uso sustentável desses aquíferos deve basear-se na avaliação adequada das características dos aquíferos e em seu monitoramento.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the contributions from the reviewers. The financial support from UNESCO (IGCP-519 project) is greatly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Geología de Costas y del Cuaternario, National University of Mar del Plata (UNMDP), Casilla de Correo 722, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Emilia Bocanegra

  2. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rua Brig. Trompowski s/n. 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

    Gerson Cardoso Da Silva Jr.

  3. Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D2, 08034, Barcelona, Spain

    Emilio Custodio

  4. Technical University of Cartagena (UPCT), P de Alfonso XIII 52, 30203, Cartagena, Spain

    Marisol Manzano

  5. Federal University of Pernambuco (UFP), Av. Acad. Hélio Ramos, s/n. CEP 50.740-530, 1235, Recife, PE, Brazil

    Suzana Montenegro

Authors
  1. Emilia Bocanegra
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  2. Gerson Cardoso Da Silva Jr.
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  3. Emilio Custodio
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  4. Marisol Manzano
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  5. Suzana Montenegro
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Correspondence to Emilia Bocanegra.

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Bocanegra, E., Da Silva, G.C., Custodio, E. et al. State of knowledge of coastal aquifer management in South America. Hydrogeol J 18, 261–267 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-009-0520-5

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