Abstract
Through the implementation of geographic information systems (GIS) and images of the study area obtained by remote sensors, the curve number method (NC) was implemented in this research, in order to determine potential recharge zones in two micro-basins in the aquifer region called Zona Bananera, located in the department of Magdalena in Northern Colombia. Potential infiltration of the area was estimated and the hydrological response for precipitation events with different return periods was evaluated. The predominant hydrological soil groups were found to be A and B, with 77.4% (84115.2 ha) in the Sevilla River micro-basin and 81.6% (7466.1 ha) in La Aguja micro-basin. The Sevilla River micro-basin showed both the best water regulation and enhancement of the infiltration process, evidenced by the existence of low as well as medium values of curve number and potential surface runoff. The highest values of potential runoff were in the middle and lower part of the micro-basins, where there are extensive areas covered with banana crops; indicating that anthropic intervention is a determining factor in the area’s hydrological response. Under current conditions, the micro-basins show a minimal risk of erosive processes for rainfall with return periods of less than 5 years, due to runoff occurrence of less than 100 mm. Within the study area, it was found that approximately 3380 hectares show favorable conditions to contribute to the recharge of the Zona Bananera aquifer, making it a strategic conservation area.
Highlights
Aquifers are territories which store and transmit water through their pores and/or fissures
Pasture cover does not favor the initial rain abstraction processes, generating a poor hydrological response in the area as high values of runoff occur; which corresponds to the research reported by [7, 8, 20]
Cover type is a determining factor in the value of the curve number; even when the textural conditions of the area favor infiltration, a better hydrological response is obtained by a dense forest cover than a pasture cover, since the initial abstraction is favored and the contact time between the water and the surface increases, decreasing the runoff
Summary
Aquifers are territories which store and transmit water through their pores and/or fissures. The municipality of Zona Bananera is located on the aquifer region of the same name, where large volumes of water are extracted annually, mainly for irrigation of Banana crops, and for public and domestic supply through deep wells and cisterns. This intensive use has caused a continuous decrease in the dynamic levels of the piezometric surfaces in this area [1]. The regulation of the hydrological cycle in hydrographic basins depends on climatic factors, type of soils, geomorphology of the area, and vegetation These characteristics determine the amount of water that runs off the surface after precipitation and the amount that infiltrates and subsequently contributes to groundwater recharge [2]. This can be estimated using equation (1) [4]
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