Environmental Risk in the Fluvio-Aeolian Plain of the Region Center of the General San Martín Department, Córdoba, Argentina

RODRÍGUEZ, M.J.; CONCI, E.; BECKER, A.; GRUMELLI, M.; LEDESMA M.M.; RANGONE A.; FORGIONI F.; BOUZA, P.J.

Advances in Geomorphology and Quaternary Studies in Argentina. Proceedings of the Seventh Argentine Geomorphology and Quaternary Studies Congress

Springer

Año: 2021; p. 244 - 284

Abstract. The natural environment affects and shapes the human activities, leading the environmental and socioeconomic evolution of a region. The advance of agriculture in fragile areas makes it necessary to evaluate environmental risks. In the central region of the General San Martín Department (i.e. county), Córdoba province, Argentina, the middle basin of the Ctalamochita River, the absence of integration of the soil-forming factor for the identification of environmental risks was detected. The climate is temperate sub-humid. The hydrogeological dynamics are controlled by the Rayo Cortado-Pampayasta-Alejandro tectonic line. The geomorphology is characterized by coalescent alluvial fans, dissected by ephemeral fluvial and alluvial systems that interdigitate with loessic aeolian deposits. Mollisols predominate and in a lesser proportion Alfisols and Entisols, with an actual mixed use and scarce fragments of Espinal forest, of the Algarrobo District. Through the integral analysis of the soil-forming factor, observation at the landscape level and interviews with social actors, environmental risks were identified. The main risks are flooding and waterlogging, influenced by relief and climate factors. The limiting factor is the use and management of soils due to ignorance of laws and poor territorial planning depending on the characteristics of the area