Estimating aquifer recharge rates by using 3H/3He apparent ages in groundwater levels in the southeast of the Buenos Aires province, Argentina.

QUIROZ LONDOÑO, M.; MARTINEZ D.E.; FOURRE E.; GRONDONA S.; JEAN-BAPTISTE, P.; DAPOIGNY, A.; GLOK GALLI, M.

Viena, austria

Simposio; International Symposium on Isotope Hydrology: Revisiting Foundations and Exploring Frontiers.; 2015

International Atomic Energy Agency.

Groundwater recharge can be understood as the process where rainwater infiltrates into the soil, travelling through the unsaturated zone and reaching the aquifer. Identification and quantification of this parameter is of vital importance for planning and managing water resources. In order to calculate the recharge rate in the Pampean aquifer, groundwater samples taken at three different depths has been used, determining through 3H/3He measurements their transit time. Values of recharge were estimated by using interface method. The results were compared with the values obtained by using water table fluctuation methodology. The calculated recharge values range from 10 to 23 % of the total rainfall with a mean value of 14%. These values were coincident with recharge values previously obtained in the area of study applying other methodologies.