A Seismic Monitoring Tool for Tidal-Forced Aquifer Level Changes in the Río de la Plata Coastal Plain, Argentina

Luciano Galone (), Francesco Panzera, Emanuele Colica, Enrique Fucks, Eleonora Carol, Francisco Cellone, Lluís Rivero, Matthew R. Agius and Sebastiano D’Amico
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Luciano Galone: Department of Geosciences, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta
Francesco Panzera: Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences Department, University of Catania, 95129 Catania, Italy
Emanuele Colica: Department of Geosciences, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta
Enrique Fucks: Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, National University of La Plata, La Plata 1900, Argentina
Eleonora Carol: Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, National University of La Plata, La Plata 1900, Argentina
Francisco Cellone: Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, National University of La Plata, La Plata 1900, Argentina
Lluís Rivero: Mineralogy, Petrology and Applied Geology, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Matthew R. Agius: Department of Geosciences, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta
Sebastiano D’Amico: Department of Geosciences, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-15

Abstract: Ambient seismic noise has gained extensive applications in seismology and plays a pivotal role in environmental seismic studies. This study focuses on the Río de la Plata Coastal Plain, employing the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method on ambient seismic noise records to analyze subsurface dynamics. The region’s hydrogeology is complex, featuring partially interconnected coastal aquifers. The HVSR analysis reveals two peaks, with P 0 associated with the sediment-basement interface and P 1 linked to a shallower stratigraphic discontinuity. Temporal analysis of P 1 highlights cyclical patterns correlated with estuarine levels, suggesting a relationship between variations in seismic velocities and tidal dynamics. Comparisons with aquifer data support the hypothesis that tidal variations influence subsurface mechanical properties, impacting the HVSR function. The study hints at the potential of ambient seismic noise analysis as a non-invasive and cost-effective method for studying coastal aquifers and understanding groundwater dynamics. Ongoing research aims to further explore these relationships for enhanced groundwater resource management.

Keywords: ambient seismic noise; aquifer level; horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio variability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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