Identification of the Dominant Factors in Groundwater Recharge Process, Using Multivariate Statistical Approaches in a Semi-Arid Region

José Luis Uc Castillo, José Alfredo Ramos Leal, Diego Armando Martínez Cruz, Adrián Cervantes Martínez and Ana Elizabeth Marín Celestino
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José Luis Uc Castillo: Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, A.C. División de Geociencias Aplicadas, Camino a la Presa San José 2055, Lomas 4a Sección, San Luis Potosí 78216, Mexico
José Alfredo Ramos Leal: Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, A.C. División de Geociencias Aplicadas, Camino a la Presa San José 2055, Lomas 4a Sección, San Luis Potosí 78216, Mexico
Diego Armando Martínez Cruz: CONACYT-Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados, S.C. Calle CIMAV 110, Ejido Arroyo Seco, Col. 15 de mayo (Tapias), Durango 34147, Mexico
Adrián Cervantes Martínez: Unidad Académica Cozumel, Universidad de Quintana Roo, Av. Andrés Quintana Roo, Calle 11 con calle 110 sur s/n, Cozumel 77600, Mexico
Ana Elizabeth Marín Celestino: CONACYT-Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, A.C. División de Geociencias Aplicadas, Camino a la Presa San José 2055, Col. Lomas 4ta Sección, San Luis Potosí 78216, Mexico

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 20, 1-21

Abstract: Identifying contributing factors of potential recharge zones is essential for sustainable groundwater resources management in arid regions. In this study, a data matrix with 66 observations of climatic, hydrogeological, morphological, and land use variables was analyzed. The dominant factors in groundwater recharge process and potential recharge zones were evaluated using K-means clustering, principal component analysis (PCA), and geostatistical analysis. The study highlights the importance of multivariate methods coupled with geospatial analysis to identify the main factors contributing to recharge processes and delineate potential groundwater recharge areas. Potential recharge zones were defined into cluster 1 and cluster 3; these were classified as low potential for recharge. Cluster 2 was classified with high potential for groundwater recharge. Cluster 1 is located on a flat land surface with nearby faults and it is mostly composed of ignimbrites and volcanic rocks of low hydraulic conductivity (K). Cluster 2 is located on a flat lowland agricultural area, and it is mainly composed of alluvium that contributes to a higher hydraulic conductivity. Cluster 3 is located on steep slopes with nearby faults and is formed of rhyolite and ignimbrite with interbedded layers of volcanic rocks of low hydraulic conductivity. PCA disclosed that groundwater recharge processes are controlled by geology, K, temperature, precipitation, potential evapotranspiration (PET), humidity, and land use. Infiltration processes are restricted by low hydraulic conductivity, as well as ignimbrites and volcanic rocks of low porosity. This study demonstrates that given the climatic and geological conditions found in the Sierra de San Miguelito Volcanic Complex (SSMVC), this region is not working optimally as a water recharge zone towards the deep aquifer of the San Luis Potosí Valley (SLPV). This methodology will be useful for water resource managers to develop strategies to identify and define priority recharge areas with greater certainty.

Keywords: groundwater recharge; infiltration; K-means clustering; PCA; Sierra de San Miguelito Volcanic Complex (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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