Hydrogeology of the lacustrine system of the eastern margin of the Salar the Atacama (Chile)

J. Salas; J. Guimerà; O. Cornellà; R. Aravena; E. Guzmán; C. Tore; W. von Igel; R. Moreno

doi:10.21701/bolgeomin.121.4.002

Authors

J. Salas Amphos 21, S.L.
J. Guimerà Amphos 21, S.L.
O. Cornellà Amphos 21, S.L.
R. Aravena Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo
E. Guzmán SQM, Salar, S.A.
C. Tore SQM, Salar, S.A.
W. von Igel Amphos 21 Chile Ltda.
R. Moreno Amphos 21, S.L.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.121.4.002

Keywords:

brine, environmental isotopes, evaporite, groundwater, Salar de Atacama

Abstract

A hydrogeological conceptual model of the Eastern margin of the Salar de Atacama (Chile) is proposed taking into account climatic, geological, geomorphological, piezometric, chemical and isotopic data. The study establishes the processes that explain the hydrochemical evolution of waters from salty groundwater in the alluvial aquifer located in eastern part of basin until brines at the saline aquifer of the Salar. The main processes associated with this hydrochemical evolution are evaporation and mixing, but water-crust interaction in the discharge areas of the alluvial aquifer associated with the saline wedge also modifies groundwater composition, and plays a role in the dynamics of the evaporitic crusts in the Salar. The existence of low permeability materials near the surface explains the existence of the permanent surface water bodies in the study area. Based on the data collected in the study three different mechanisms are proposed regarding the main sources of water to the lagoons: (1) discharge of saline groundwater from the detrital and volcanic aquifers of the E margin, (2) discharge of surface waters associated to the N area (Burro Muerto channel), and (3) a combination of both previous mechanisms.

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