Calidad del agua subterránea y su relación con la actividad humana: Montánchez (España), un caso de estudio

Abstract

The setting of the town Montánchez (Caceres) presents geological features that make it particularly sensitive to surface water and groundwater pollution. Especially worth mentioning are the absence of soil, an aquifer developed on very fissured and surface altered granitic material, and shallow groundwater levels. Moreover the sewer trace is very old and there is scattered horticultural and livestock activity as well as intensive cultivation of olive trees. There is also a remarkable amount fountains and springs of traditional use which water is still used for human consumption with the subsequent risk. The influence of the population of Montánchez on the underlying groundwater system with special emphasis on the impact on the mentioned fountains is analyzed. The study includes hydrochemical analyses (19 points), water balance and fluorescent tracer test. There is evidence of nitrate anthropogenic pollution, although no direct connection to the sewer system for short transit times is observed. A naturally occurring health problem has also been detected due to the high concentration of arsenic in fountains with older waters. Numerous possibilities are open for further studies, especially those directed to locate the sources of contamination and determine groundwater transit times.