First conceptual hydrogeological model of two intermountain Andean basins based on isotopes and hydrochemistry.

Mountains arid environments are vulnerable under climate change scenarios. Variations in the recharge sources and the rising temperature can affect the water availability, threaten the socio-productive systems on local and regional scales. In this sense, two hydrological systems were studied in the Andes Range, Argentina, by hydrochemical and isotope techniques, with the purpose to understand the origin of water, the groundwater recharge, and to conceptualize the groundwater flow system. In the two sampling periods (winter and summer seasons) most of the waters were characterized by low mineralization and a HCO3-Ca type. The isotopic composition showed wide ranges of variation consistent with the altitudinal differences existing in the study systems. However, no significant isotope changes were observed between the samples collected in winter and summer periods. Therefore, little influence of liquid precipitation is inferred in the recharge source of both hydrological systems. This means that the western sector of the valley, where the ice bodies and permafrost are located, is the main recharge area for groundwater of both basins. This confirms the former hypothesis used for the hydrogeochemical conceptual model proposed, and highlights the importance of protecting these environments to ensure the provision of water in arid lands.

Retention of Cd, Zn and Co on hydroxyapatite filters.

This study qualifies and quantifies the immobilization of Cd, Zn and Co, (used as models of bivalent metal ions due to their relevant toxicity) in filters of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAP) [Ca5(PO4)3OH]. They were flushed with solutions containing Cd (1 x 10(-5)M), Zn and Co (1 x 10(-4)M) at constant pH (8.6) and ionic strength (0.01 M). The concentration of these metal ions in the outlet was measured by ICP-OEM spectroscopy. The software PHREEQC (version 2.4.2) was used to model sorption process and the potential effect of salinity (KCl), pH, alkalinity (NaHCO3) and hardness (CaCl2) over the efficiency of the treatment. Results showed an excellent retention capacity of HAP for Cd, Zn and Co. Sorption data were successfully described considering a mix model of surface complexation onto phosphate surface groups, ionic exchange in surface calcium sites and the precipitation of ZnO. Co exchange and surface complexation constants (Kex and Kc) were taken from previous experiments, while KexCd=0.32 and KcCd=0.63 were estimated from our modeling results. Predictive values of metal ion sorption show that: (a) an increase in hardness does not play a significant role in the retention capacity of these metals on HAP; (b) an increase in alkalinity promotes the precipitation of MeCO3 which could alter the hydrodynamic of the column; (c) a decrease in pH and an increase in salinity inhibit ZnO precipitation enhancing Zn and Cd adsorption and decreasing Co retention on HAP.

Water quality assessment using remote sensing techniques: Medrano Creek, Argentina.

Two spectral bands of the visible spectrum [0.45-0.52 microm (Blue), 0.52-0.60 microm (Green)] of satellite images obtained by LANDSAT 7 ETM+ have been used in this study to follow the contaminated waters of Medrano Creek when it flows into Río de la Plata River. The former is one of the five fresh watercourses going through the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where 13 million people live. Previous studies have shown that the water quality of Rio de la Plata at the outlet of Medrano Creek has decreased more than 50% as a source of water for human consumption. The non-treated effluents of the textile industry probably affect the water quality. We have developed a model that predicts the water quality index (WQI) of surface waters in the study area and uses linear regression analysis. The model has been validated using a data set of 12 physicochemical parameters obtained during the last 3 years. The potentiality of using satellite images was confirmed by the results: (a) to trace the organic contamination (associated with dyes) in freshwater systems and (b) as tools for decision making in the management of water resources.