Evaluation of the surface waters of the Claromecó River Basin for supplementary irrigation.

CARBONE MARÍA ELIZABETH, PÍCCOLO MARÍA CINTIA, PERILLO GERARDO M E

Revista Geografica

Lugar: DF Mexico; Año: 2005 p. 5 - 38

0252-9769

The water quality of the superficial courses of the Claromeco River basin, located in the southeast of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, was evaluated with the purpose of their possible employment for irrigation. Based on the results of electric conductivity and SAR (Sodium-adsorption-ratio), different sectors of the basin with similar water quality have been identified. The three courses that form the Claromeco River have good quality  water for irrigation and can be used for the majority of crops. The four basic criteria for evaluating water quality were: a) total soluble salt content  (salinity hazard); b) relative proportion of sodium cations (Na+) to other cations (sodium hazard), c) carbonate ( ) and bicarbonate ( ) anion concentration as related to calcium (Ca2+) plus magnesium (Mg2+) concentration, and d) concentration of a toxic element (boron).  The electric conductivity (ECw) in the courses of the basin varies between 0.57 and 1.41 dS m-1, and the maximun values of SAR are less than 10.4 . The courses of the middle basin have lower water quality for irrigation,  but allow irrigation of the main crops of the area such as Zea mays , Triticum , Helianthus annus, Glycine max, Sorghum and Medicago sativa. Key word:  irrigation – water quality – Claromeco River - Argentina