ISOTOPE HYDROLOGY APPLICATION IN CUBA FOR ASSESSMENT OF WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN THE MOST IMPORTANT BASIN OF HAVANA CITY

PERALTA VITAL, J. L.; GIL CASTILLO, R.; MOLERIO LEON, L.; LEYVA BOMBUSE, D.; CARRANZA GONZALEZ, J. A.; DAPEÑA, C.; PANARELLO, H.O.; VERA, M. DEL C.; IBARRA, E.

Advances in Isotope Hydrology and its Role in Sustainable Water Resources Management (IHS-2007)

INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY

Lugar: Viena, Austria; Año: 2007; p. 245 - 253

Abstract The paper shows the results obtained during the investigations carried out in two research and development projects; a national project (2002–2005) and an international collaboration project jointly carried out between Cuba and Argentina (2005–2006). Isotope hydrology tools are applied to the assessment the “Almendares-Vento” karstic basin, which is the main water supply system to the Cuban capital. The basin is affected by the overexploitation of its water resources and discharges of industrial and urban wastewaters. Additionally, an extensive period of drought, justify the necessity of carrying out an integral characterization of the basin for a better management. Using a monitoring network of groundwater and surface waters, a preliminary isotopic study 3H, 2H,18O) including rainfall analysis in the basin was accomplished. Also, a detailed geochemistry characterization, including the integral geologic study, the determination of the major anions and cations (HCO3 , Cl, SO4   Ca, Mg, Na, K. and physico-chemical parameters (electrical conductivity, pH, TDS) was achieved. The isotope composition indicates their meteoric origin. Groundwater and surface water fit on an evaporation line, but not all samples follow an evaporation pattern. The isotope variations respond to rocesses such as selective infiltration or direct infiltration through preferential channels through the karst. The used models show good water mixing andthe aquifer receives fresh recharge annually, but not in the whole extension. The aquifer is overexploited in the main water extraction point of the basin. The vulnerable zones associated to the contamination by saline water intrusion and the human activities in the urban areas are observed in the basin west side. Also were clarified some geologic and hydrogeology uncertainties of the basin. The utility of the isotope hydrology to assess the water resources management was established.