Suburban areas in developing countries and their relacionship to groundwater pollution

MASSONE, HÉCTOR E; DANIEL EMILIO MARTINEZ; CIONCHI, JOSÉ L; BOCANEGRA, EMILIA M

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

SPRINGER

Año: 1998 vol. 22 p. 245 - 254

0364-152X

Human activities carried out in suburban areas in many developing countries are directly related to groundwater pollution. The main objective of this paper is to analyze  the relationship between land use and groundwater pollution in the suburban area of Mar del Plata (Argentina). We identified three elements that are endangering the quality of groundwater: horticultural activity, urban solid waste disposal sites, and sewage disposal on land. Fifty wells in an area of 175 km2 were sampled in order to verify the impact of these problems on groundwater. All samples were analyzed for major ions, and about 30 of them for fecal coliforms and heavy metals. Nineteen samples were selected for pesticide analyses. The average nitrate content was 80 mg/liter, eight times the regional background value. Fecal coliforms were detected in 60% of the analyzed samples. Zinc content and a high Cl2/HCO3 2 ratio were observed in the surroundings of the solid waste disposal area. Moreover, lindane and heptaclor pesticides were detected in ten samples.2 were sampled in order to verify the impact of these problems on groundwater. All samples were analyzed for major ions, and about 30 of them for fecal coliforms and heavy metals. Nineteen samples were selected for pesticide analyses. The average nitrate content was 80 mg/liter, eight times the regional background value. Fecal coliforms were detected in 60% of the analyzed samples. Zinc content and a high Cl2/HCO3 2 ratio were observed in the surroundings of the solid waste disposal area. Moreover, lindane and heptaclor pesticides were detected in ten samples.