An Evaluation of the Brine Flow in the Upper Part of the Halite Nucleus of the Salar de Atacama (Chile) through an Isotopic Study of δ18O and δ2H

IF 3 3区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Water Pub Date : 2024-09-18 DOI:10.3390/w16182651

Christian Herrera, Javier Urrutia, Linda Godfrey, Jorge Jódar, Mario Pereira, Constanza Villarroel, Camila Durán, Ivan Soto, Elizabeth J. Lam, Luis Gómez

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Abstract

A hydrogeological study of the shallowest part of the halite nucleus of the Salar de Atacama is presented, focusing on the isotopic variability in δ18O and δ2H (SMOW) in the brine. It is observed that intensive brine extraction has induced upward vertical flows from the lower aquifer, which presents with a lighter isotopic composition (δ18O: −0.87‰ to −2.49‰; δ2H: −26.04‰ to −33.25‰), toward the upper aquifer, which has more variable and enriched isotopic values. Among the possible explanations for the lighter isotopic composition of the lower aquifer waters is the influence of paleolakes formed during the wetter periods of the Late Pleistocene and Holocene that recharged the underlying aquifers. The geological structure of the Salar, including faults and the distribution of low-permeability layers, has played a determining role in the system’s hydrodynamics. This study emphasizes the need for continuous and detailed monitoring of the isotopic composition to assess the sustainability of the water resource in response to brine extraction and future climate changes. Additionally, it suggests applying this methodology to other salt flats in the region for a better understanding of hydrogeological processes in arid zones. The research provides an integrative view of the relationship between resource extraction, water management, and ecosystem conservation in one of the most important salars in the world.

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通过对 δ18O 和 δ2H 的同位素研究评估（智利）阿塔卡马盐湖海绿石核上部的盐水流

本文介绍了对阿塔卡马盐湖卤核最浅部分的水文地质研究，重点是盐水中 δ18O和δ2H（SMOW）的同位素变化。据观察，大量抽取盐水导致盐水从下部含水层向上部含水层垂直流动，而下部含水层的同位素组成较浅（δ18O：-0.87‰至-2.49‰；δ2H：-26.04‰至-33.25‰）。下部含水层水的同位素组成较轻的可能原因之一是，晚更新世和全新世较湿润时期形成的古湖泊对下部含水层产生了补给影响。盐湖的地质结构，包括断层和低渗透层的分布，对该系统的水动力起着决定性作用。这项研究强调，有必要对同位素组成进行持续、详细的监测，以评估水资源在应对盐水开采和未来气候变化时的可持续性。此外，研究还建议将这种方法应用于该地区的其他盐滩，以更好地了解干旱地区的水文地质过程。这项研究为世界上最重要的盐湖之一的资源开采、水资源管理和生态系统保护之间的关系提供了一个综合视角。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Water WATER RESOURCES-

CiteScore

5.80

自引率

14.70%

发文量

3491

审稿时长

19.85 days

期刊介绍： Water (ISSN 2073-4441) is an international and cross-disciplinary scholarly journal covering all aspects of water including water science and technology, and the hydrology, ecology and management of water resources. It publishes regular research papers, critical reviews and short communications, and there is no restriction on the length of the papers. Our aim is to encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical research in as much detail as possible. Full experimental and/or methodical details must be provided for research articles. Computed data or files regarding the full details of the experimental procedure, if unable to be published in a normal way, can be deposited as supplementary material.