The isotope hydrology of the groundwaters of central Mexico

A. Issar, J. L. Quijano, J. R. Gat, M. Castro

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The environmental isotope (18O, D = 2H) composition of the groundwaters of central Mexico divides these into three distinctive groups: (1) groundwaters whose isotope composition fits the contemporary meteoric-water line with d = 10‰; these are from shallow aquifers, mainly in volcanic and alluvial rocks; (2) waters whose isotope data plot to the right of the meteoric-water line, describing a new meteoric-water line of d = 5-7‰; this group is made up of waters from the confined limestone aquifers which are of regional dimensions; (3) groundwaters with marked oxygen excess which emerge in regions of recent/subrecent volcanic activity and are geothermal in nature. The second group is considered to be of greater age, the isotopic composition being that of paleowaters. The third group's isotope composition reflects water-rock interactions and isotope fractionation which accompanies steam separation. In spite of some local peculiarities, it is shown that the water sources of central Mexico can be fitted to a general hydrogeological model, which is presented.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)201-224
Number of pages24
JournalJournal of Hydrology
Volume71
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - 25 Mar 1984
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Water Science and Technology

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