GEO12-O8
INTRODUCTION
Water resources are vitally important for the future of mankind. Growing population and economic development, needs water for cities, industries and agriculture. Intensifying pressure on water resources and leading to tensions and conflicts among users. At global level, Karst water resources satisfy almost 25 % of water demand (Zwahlen, 2003). In Cuba Karst terrains represents the 66% of the territory by surface and contains 80% of its groundwater resources (Molerio Leon and Parise, 2007), that fulfill 31% of Cubas water demand (CITMA, 2001). Karst aquifers due to its characteristics could be extremely vulnerable to pollution and once polluted quality restoration is difficult often impossible, and may have negative social and/or economic consequences. As in most of the Caribbean economy in Cuba was based traditionally in agriculture, however in the last decades light industry, oil exploration, mining and tourism are rising in importance. At the same time a phenomenon of population concentration in the countrys capital and main cities is observed since the 1960s. As a result of the changes in economy and human geography, new and old threatens to drinking water resources are developing. Just to mention some of them: Farm waste, domestic sewage, uncontrolled domestic and industrial waste dumps, oil pipelines, fertilizer and biocides, saline intrusion due to overexploitation in coastal areas. Geological, geographical and economic framework of the country defines, the environmental problems that should be managed for an adequate protection of groundwater quality (Molerio Leon and Parise, 2007). Assessing the intrinsic vulnerability of groundwater resources is then a key aspect to manage them in a sustainable manner.
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The study area is located accross La Habana Province (figure 1) southeast form La Habana city. According with Gutierrez and Rivero ( 1999), geographically speaking, belongs to Bejucal - Madruga Coliseo heights and the Habana Matanzas Red Plain also called Habana Matanzas Southern Plain. Two structural levels have been recognized in Habana Province according with studies from several authors (De Albear e Iturralde 1985a, 1985b, Iturralde, 1996 y Garca et al. 2001), The folded belt and the Neogenic Platform. In the study area the folded belt is constituted by lifted blocks corresponding to El Cangre unit, Capdevila, Ail and La Charca formations, that constitute the hilly areas. The Neogenic platform instead form Miocene, is represented by Colon Fm constituted by organogenic limestones with 80 meters thickness, Cojimar fm, constituted by marns, occasionally calcareous, organogenic, clayish with a thickness of 100 meters and Guines fm constituted by several limestones types, from organogenic to detritic with a thickness of 240 meters. Formations for from the Neogenic Platform represent the most important outcrops by surface in the study area. On the basis of water management needs, considered in the Master Plan from Provincia de La Habana, several hydrogeological basins, shown in figure 5, were established (DPPF, 1986). Some of the identified basins are partially included by the study area: Melena Nueva Paz basin (HS-5), Mamposton Basin (HMJ-1), Bataban basin (HS-4), Artemisa Quivican Basin (HS-3), Aiguanabo Basin (HAV-1), Vento Basin (HAV-2), Jaruco Basin (HMJ-2).
CUARTA CONVENCIN CUBANA DE CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA, GEOCIENCIAS2011. Memorias en CD-Rom, La Habana, 4 al 8 de abril de 2011. ISBN 978-959-7117-30-8
GEO12-O8
CUARTA CONVENCIN CUBANA DE CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA, GEOCIENCIAS2011. Memorias en CD-Rom, La Habana, 4 al 8 de abril de 2011. ISBN 978-959-7117-30-8
GEO12-O8
Table I assumed values for each parameter according with the geological context. (SAEFL, 1998, Doerfligher, et. Al., 1999).
E1,1 E2, 3
Caves Swallow holes, dolines, karren fields, ruine like relief, cuestas Intermediate zones along doline alignements, uvalas, dry valleys, canyons, poljes Rest of the catchment
E3, 4
A) Soil resting directly on limestone formations Protective cover absent P1, 1 0 20 cm of soil
P2, 2 P3, 3
20 100 cm of soil and low hydraulic cond. formation > 1 m of soil and low hydraulic cond. Formation >8 m of low hydraulic cond formation or
Perennial or temporary swallow hole banks and beds of temporary or permanent stream supplying swallow hole, infiltrating surficial flow areas of the water course catchments containing artificial drainage Areas of a water course catchment which are not artificially drained and where the slope is greater than 10% for ploughed (cultivated) areas and greater than 25% for meadows and pastures Areas of a water course catchment which are not artificially drained and where the slope is less than 10% for ploughed (cultivated) areas and less than 25% for meadows and pastures
I2, 2
I3, 3 Outside the catchment of a surface water course: bases of slopes and steep slopes (greater than 10% for ploughed (cultivated) areas and greater than 25% for meadows and pastures) where runoff water infiltrates Diffuse infiltration I4, 4 Rest of the catchment
K1, 1
Well developed karstic network with decimeter to metre sized conduits with little fill and well interconnected
Poorly network
developed
karstic K2, 2
Poorly developed karstic network, poorly interconnected or infilled drains or conduits, or conduits of decimetre or smaller size.
K3, 3
Porous media discharghe zone with a possible protective influence fissured non-kartic aquifer
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GEO12-O8
Once obtained the value for each single parameter a Protection Index (F) is calculated by using the following equation: (1)
Low parameters values gives low F values indicating more vulnerable situations. Table 2 illustrates the equivalence among protection index values, vulnerability degree.
Table II equivalence between protection index values, vulnerability degree (SAEFL, 1998, Doerfligher, et. Al., 1999).
Protection index value 9 to 19 High 20 to 25 Greater than 25 Greater than 25 with the presence of P4 + (I3- 3) categories
Applying the EPIK method, implies handling a large number of spatial data from different sources and often at different scales. For this work, we used aerial imagery, topographic and geologic maps, digital terrain model (DTM). The operation is significantly simplified if a geographical information system (GIS) is used. For this work the information concerning the parameters mapping was integrated in a GIS and layers for all them created. Successively raster images were derived, where each pixel takes the value of the parameter. finally by using raster calculation tools, F parameter was calculated and, from table II vulnerability assessed.
RESULTS
Epikarst - E Among karst features present in the area, dolines are the most common and associated mainly to Guines and Cojimar formations. They are often placed along, or near mapped faults indicating that structural control on their development may be present. In some cases dolines showed a vegetal cover of trees making the identification on the basis of aerial imagery difficult, however the DTM provided the necessary complementary information to recognize them. The presence of Cuesta like relief was identified along the road from San Jose de las Lajas to Guines. In the same area, there are several active and abandoned quarries for rock extraction. although quarries are not natural features, they constitute areas where the limestone is exposed, and according with the method should be considered as having developed epikarst. Check on the field allowed us to confirm the mapped features, and therefore to all previous cited areas were assigned to E1. From previous studies from Molerio Leon (1975) the Almendares Vento basin was classified as a polje, by analogy the Mamposton river basin included in the study area was also considered as a polje, and both basins
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recognized as E2 according with the method. The rest of the study area lacking of karst features was classified as E3. Figure 2 shows values distribution for the E parameter in the study area.
Figure 2. E parameter values distribution
Protective cover - P Ferralic and Cambisol soils are predominant in the area, developed from limestone under tropical climate conditions. Soil depth ranges from 0.5 to 1 meter, and more than 75% of soil material is constituted by caolinic clay. In most of the area the soil cover is relatively thin (less than 1m) and laying directly on the limestone, especially in the hilly areas and in the southern plain. Only locally soil cover present thickness above 1 meter, figure 3 shows the distribution values for the P parameter in the area, obtained by classifying the layer containing the soil depth.
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Figure 3. P parameter values distribution
Infiltration conditions - I Geomorphology of the area is characterized by large flatlands and gently hills. Slope derived from the DTM shows high values only in a limited portion of the study area, generally in correspondence with outcrops from non karst geological formations. Concerning land use, hilly areas are covered by forest (palm trees and other species) and meadows, while, in flatlands, intensive agriculture under irrigation prevails. The combination of land-use and geomorphology, results in large areas where diffuse recharge occurs (I2, I3). Concerning concentrated infiltration areas, I1 value was assigned to rivers in Southern Plain because all were considered loosing streams. An I1 value was also assigned to swallow holes, dolines and associated streams that were identified on the basis of aerial imagery, as well as, to areas subject to flooding identified by Campos (2004), since water accumulates on them until infiltration. Rivers within the Almendares Vento basin were considered concentrated infiltration points, since the Ejercito Rebelde Dam, placed within the basin has been recognized as a recharge point (Peralta, 2005). Figure 4 shows the values assumed by I parameter within the study area.
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GEO12-O8
Figure 4. I parameter values distribution
Karst network development K Whithin the study area up to 10 distinct cave levels have been recognized. Karst processes evidenced by large development of caves, dolines presence and terrain collapse, have been identified (Campos 2004). Those phenomena are mainly associated with Guines formation that shows more developed karst features. However all calcareous formations present important degree of karsification. K parameter was consequently globally estimated for the area and a K1 value was assigned as shown in figure 5.
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GEO12-O8
By using the produced maps for each parameter, the protection factor index was calculated with formula (1) for the analyzed area. Then values were reclassified according with table II to obtain the vulnerability map as shown in figure 6.
DISCUSSION
According with the results, large part of the analyzed area shows very high and high vulnerability, with limited areas having moderate vulnerability (figure 6). In we refer the results to specific hydrogeological basins differences in distribution of vulnerability may be noted: in Almendares - Vento and Mamposton basins high vulnerability areas prevail constituted mainly by the poljes bottom with moderate soil cover. Very high vulnerability areas are represented by fractured outcrops, Cuesta relief and quarries along the road from Guines to San Jose de las Lajas, as well as doline fields within Mamposton river basin. Only limited very high vulnerability areas are linked to rivers and related alluvial plains, since just those within Almendares Vento Basin were considered loosing streams. Moderate vulnerability areas are little represented only by zones lacking of any karst features, and characterized by diffuse infiltration through thick soil cover. In Habana Southern Basin, instead, very high vulnerability areas are linked largely to infiltrating rivers and associated alluvial plains, and to the
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presence of karst features like dolines fields placed southern of San Felipe. High vulnerability areas are associated with zones lacking of karst characteristics and moderate soil cover (0.20 to 1 m). As in Almendares vento basin, moderate vulnerability areas are associated with the lack of karst characteristics, and diffuse infiltration through thick soil. No low vulnerability areas were identified.
Figure 6. Groundwater vulenrability map
CONCLUSIONS
Vulnerability maps are an essential tool in groundwater management and protection. The EPIK method for intrinsic groundwater vulnerability mapping, was originally developed to protect catchments intended for drinking water, according with the Swiss Water Protection Act. However it has proven to be efficient and fully applicable also to Cuban context, since is based on parameters defining the transport process common to all karst aquifers, independently of the geographic framework. The method is straightforward, and vulnerability can be assessed economically through measurement of simple and clear parameters. By using geographic information systems, the vulnerability assessment process can be facilitated and improved as new information is acquired. On the basis of produced information, policy makers can emanate directives, restrictions and eventually plan land-use in order to minimize negative impacts on groundwater.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
CITMA, 2001. Situacin ambiental cubana 2001. ISBN 959 246 039 6. Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba. Campos, M., M. Guerra, E. Jaimez, y J. Olivera 2004. Caracterzacin gelogo - ambiental de las provincias habaneras. Informe Final, Proyecto Evaluacin gelogo ambiental de las provincias habaneras Cdigo 30302, Instituto de Geofsica y Astronoma, Ciudad de La Habana. De Albear, J. F., Iturralde Vinent, M. A. 1985a. Estratigrafa de las provincias de La Habana. En Contribucin a la Geologa de las provincias de La Habana y Ciudad de La Habana, Editorial Cientfico Tcnica, La Habana, pp. 12 -54. De Albear, J. F., Iturralde, M. A. 1985b. Pisos estructurales en el territorio de las provincias de La Habana. En Contribucin a la Geologa de las provincias de La Habana y Ciudad de La Habana, Editorial Cientfico Tcnica, La Habana, pp. 77 - 86. Direccion Provincial de la Planificacion Fisica DPPF, 1986. Plan director de la Provincia de La Habana Doerfliger N., Jeannin, P. Y., Zwahlen, F. 1999. Water vulnerability assessment in karst environments: a new method of defining protection areas using a multi attribute approach and GIS tools (EPIK method). Environmental Geology 39, issue 2, 165-176,1999 Garca D. et al., 2001. Informe proyecto generalizacin y actualizacin geolgica de la regin Habana Matanzas, escala 1. 100 000. Fondo Geolgico Nacional. Molerio Leon, L. F., 1975. Aplicacion del metodo de recesion al estudio hidrodinamico de las fuentes del Rio Mayabeque. Simposium XXXV. Aniversario Sociedad Espeleologica. Cuba, La Habana 67. Molerio Leon, L. F. and Parise M., 2007. Managing environmental problems in Cuban karst aquifers. Paneque, j., Fuentes, E., Mesa, A., Echemenda, A., 1991. El mapa nacional de suelos escala 1:25000. Memorias del XI Congreso Latinoamericano y II Congreso Cubano de la Ciencia del Suelo, La Habana Memorias, D. R. Villegas, D. Ponce de Leon, editores. Peralta Vital, J. L., Gil Castillo, R., Leyva Bombuse, D., Molerio Leon, L., Pin, M., 2005. Uso de tcnicas nucleares en la evaluacin de la cuenca Almedares Vento para la gestin sostenible de sus recursos idricos. SAEFL, (1998). Guide pratiche Cartographie de la vulnerabilit en rgions karsiques (EPIK) 20 pp. Zwahlen, F. 2003. Cost Action 620. Vulnerability and Risk mapping for the protection of Carbonate (Karst) Aquifers. Final report: http://www1.unine.ch/chyn/pdf/FinalReportCOST620.pdf
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