ABSTRACT Name: Guadalupe Velazquez Oliman Department: Geology and Environmental Geosciences Title: Geochemical and Hydrodynamic characterization of the groundwater system of Puebla Valley, Mexico Major: Geology Degree: Doctor o f Philosophy Approved by: Date: 2 . o / z - v o } Dissertation Director lu NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT This project examined major and trace elements, isotopic measurements of 180 , 2H, 13C, 34S, and 3He/4He ratios that assisted in the geochemical and hydrodynamic characterization of the aquifer system of Puebla Valley, and the adjacent Atlixco-Izucar de Matamoros area. The study area covers approximately 4000 km 2 within a semi-arid region in the south central part o f the Trans Mexican Volcanic Belt. Puebla City, the major urban center within the study area, is threatened by volcanic activity and challenged in its development by relatively low availability of groundwater. Water samples were collected from production wells, including artesian wells, springs, and intermittent streams; these represent at least two hydro-stratigraphic units with distinctive chemical composition in the study area. A noteworthy contribution of the project was the preliminary examination of the chemical evolution of groundwater of the Puebla confined aquifer unit, whose chemical characteristics have previously been attributed to the influx o f magmatic volatiles from Mt Popocatepetl. The confined aquifer is rich in sulfur species and further characterized by high dissolved CO 2 and high alkalinity; ratios o f major ions, trace elements, analysis for sulfur reducing bacteria (SRB), and 5 34S, indicate that evaporites, probably o f Middle Cretaceous age are an important rock source responsible for its high sulfate content. Molecular analyses and SRB tests indicate that Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. there are at least two bacteria species present in the system: Desulfovibrio- Desulfomicrobiunv, these are probably partially responsible for the production of H 2S. Within the upper aquifer is a group of wells, circumscribed within an area of t 'y approximately 10 km , and labeled for this project as the Cholula-Atlixcayotl subgroup. Groundwater from these wells is similar to the water in the confined aquifer, with respect to its high C 0 2 and alkalinity content; however, it differs from it by lacking sulfide. 8 13C and 3He/ 4He ratios in water of this subgroup indicate a contribution from a mantle-derived gas emanation. This information, together with tectonic reports about the area, suggests that gas o f magmatic/mantle origin is emerging to the surface through faults. Recharge elevations were estimated based on S180 and 8 D analyses of groundwater. These results produced four groups of samples associated with distinctive elevation and geochemical characteristics. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY GEOCHEMICAL AND HYDRODYNAMIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THE GROUNDWATER SYSTEM OF PUEBLA VALLEY, MEXICO A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN PARTIAL FULLFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCES BY GUADALUPE VELAZQUEZ OLIMAN ©Guadalupe Velazquez Oliman DEKALB, ILLINOIS DECEMBER 2007 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 3301652 INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. ® UMI UMI Microform 3301652 Copyright 2008 by ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 E. Eisenhower Parkway PO Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Certification: In accordance with departmental and Graduate School policies, this dissertation is accepted in partial fulfillment o f degree requirements Dissertation Director Date ANY USE OF MATERIAL CONTAINED HEREIN M UST BE DULY ACKNOWLEDGED. THE AUTHOR'S PERMISSION MUST BE OBTAINED IF ANY PORTION IS TO BE PUBLISHED OR INCLUDED IN A PUBLICATION. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I thank Dr. Eugene Perry for the mentoring to conduct this project. I appreciate the advisory comments of Dr. J Walker and Colin Booth, members of the committee. I appreciate the support through grants and fellowships provided to conduct this research from the Geological Society of America, The Center for Latinos and Latin American Studies, the Sigma Xi chapter at NIU, the Graduate School, and the Geology and Environmental Geosciences Department at NIU. I thank Rick Socki at Lindon Space Center for the hydrogen Analysis. I thank Drs. Lisa Pratt and Edward M. Ripley, Steve Studley and Jon Fong at the University o f Indiana in Bloomington for their facilities and help in processing sulfur and hydrogen isotope. Thanks to Dr. Gary Landis at USGS for the first analysis of helium isotopes, and thanks to Dr. Dave Hilton at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD for the second part o f Helium Isotopes. Thanks to the staff and faculty members of the various buildings at NIU with whom I worked or took classes; they were always willing, friendly and helpful in my professional formation as well as dealing with administrative issues. Specially, I want to thank Nina Slack for all the patience and support in the process of this project. Thanks to the physics workshop, the glass blower (Edward), and all those involved in the making of valves for gas collection! Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. iv I thank family and friends for their moral support to start, continue, and finish this project. One of the most important figures in this game is Rosi, who has expended part o f her life caring, loving, and sharing space and time that has made possible this and a life project. Gene and Joan, who were the foundation of this experience, I greatly appreciate their care during the first steps in this venture, which allowed the blossom of this project. The Russell Family was a wonderful host family providing care and moral support all the time; I greatly appreciate the space and time shared! Thanks to Susi and Elisio, who lighted our lives by giving us the honor of being Rebeca’s godmothers; for their confidence, love and the opportunity to become a family! I greatly appreciate Susi’s effort to maintain communication to defeat distance (comadre, ustedes estan grabados en nuestro Corazon). To the Anderson family for their love and confidence; and to Sandra Cardenas for the friendship and all the time shared! To all friends and roommates that through the shared experiences we created memories that would last forever in my heart and make my life happier. With all my love, I dedicate this work to each member of my family, in Mexico as well as in US, who gave me hope, and provided love and moral support to conclude this project. Specially, to the babies that were bom during the process of this academic step in my life, also to the kids that evolved to teenagers and adults during this time. I hope that when Paul, Rebeca, Emilio, Adrian, Sofia, Abraham, Ivan, Fabian, and Daniela are able to read or skim through the pages of this “book” they Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. confirm their self-confidence in their capacity to accomplish whatever goals they have for their life, and the decision to contribute to the advancement of science, technology or the welfare o f humankind. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... xi Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................. 1 2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA.................................................. 10 2.1 Location................................................................................................ 10 2.2 Physiography ....................................................................................... 10 2.2.1. Regional Physiography ................................................... 10 2.2.2. Local Physiography ......................................................... 12 2.3. Surface Hydrology ............................................................................ 15 2.4. Groundwater