CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

n arid coastal zones, groundwater is usually brackish and littoral ridges are often locations where freshwater lenses are generated. Based on the hydrogeological and geoelectric study of the coastal area between Bahía Bustamante and Camarones, this research analyzed the feasibility of freshwater lens reservoirs in littoral ridges existing in that zone. The study also included a regional survey of water sources (electrical conductivity and phreatic level). Vertical electrical soundings, soil description, and infiltration tests were conducted on Pleistocene and Holocene littoral ridges. The study indicates that Holocene litoral ridges exhibit more favorable hydro-logical conditions compared to Pleistocene litoral ridges for the infiltration of rainfall and the formation of freshwater lenses. However, the presence of freshwater lenses has not been identified in any of the explored littoral ridges. The development of soils with argillic and calcic horizons is likely the primary reason why the Pleistocene ridges do not serve as preferential recharge zones. While the Ho-locene ridges exhibit favorable characteristics for hosting freshwater lenses, their limited areal extent may be a limiting factor for their development. The obtained results highlight the necessity for further detailed hydrogeological studies to verify the geohydrological processes in the area.

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