Effect of structural discontinuity on the hydrogeochemistry of the Barreiras aquifer in northeastern Brazil

Published
2019-01-26
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14295/ras.v33i1.29225
Keywords: Barreiras aquifer. Structural discontinuity. Groundwater geochemistry. Water group. Aquífero Barreiras. Descontinuidade estrutural. Hidrogeoquímica. Grupo de águas.

    Authors

  • Paula Stein Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Campina Grande https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7305-3176
  • Natalina Maria Tinoco Cabral Fundação Nacional de Saúde
  • João Manoel Filho Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
  • Leandson Roberto Fernandes Lucena Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

Abstract

The Barreiras aquifer in the Boa Cica wells field, located in the Nísia Floresta Country/RN, is composed of siliciclastic rocks with a median thickness of 65 meters. The studied area it is over a Mesozoic carbonate aquitard. Both units, locally, are intercepted by fault system with NE-SW and NW-SE ditections. The objective of this study is to understand the interaction between the geological structuring of the area and the hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical variables. The faults yield discontinuities that causes a preferential flow path of groundwater interaction within the aquitard-aquifer, taking place in the depths by ascending vertical flow, This conclusion seems to be consistent with the fact that two distinct groups of groundwater have been observed: Group 1, of sodium-chloride type facies, typical of the Barreiras; Group 2, of calcium magnesium-bicarbonate type facies, typical of the carbonate aquitard.

How to Cite
Stein, P., Cabral, N. M. T., Manoel Filho, J., & Lucena, L. R. F. (2019). Effect of structural discontinuity on the hydrogeochemistry of the Barreiras aquifer in northeastern Brazil. Águas Subterrâneas, 33(1), 45–57. https://doi.org/10.14295/ras.v33i1.29225