Compilation of water-quality data for the north coast limestone aquifers, Puerto Rico, 1951 to 1987

Roman-Mas, Angel; Ramos-Gines, Orlando

doi:10.3133/ofr87533

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Concentrations of common constituents, trace metals, and nutrients in the upper and lower aquifers were within the normal range for the geologic formations penetrated as reported by Roman-Mas and Ramos-Gines (1988) in their compilation of waterquality data for the north coast limestone aquifers. Nevertheless, the sample obtained at a depth of 1,780 feet contained anomalous concentrations of the following constituents: lead, 20 ^ig/L (normal < 10 ug/L); molybdenum, 30 ug/L (normal < 10 ug/L); total ammonia nitrogen as N, 1.5 mg/L (normal < 0.2 mg/L as N); and total nitrite and nitrate as N, 1.3 mg/L (normal < 0.1 mg/L as N).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 73%

Hydrogeological data collected from a test well in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico

Conde-Costas¹

1998

Open-File Report

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 73%

Hydrogeological data collected from a test well in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico

Conde-Costas¹

1998

Open-File Report

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“…The historical data on specific conductance of the springs on the north coast of Puerto Rico are limited to that published by Giusti (1978) and Guzman-Rfos (1988), and later compiled by Roman-Mas and Ramos-Gines (1988). Comparison of the data collected for this study with that published by these authors indicates that, in general, long-term changes in specific conductance have been minimal.…”

Section: Springflowmentioning

confidence: 76%

“…A specific conductance of 2,500 jiS/cm was measured on one occasion at the Ojo Claro spring in Camuy (47), but at the time of sampling the outlet of this spring was inundated by a high tide. Except where a connection is "suspected" between rivers and springs this range closely resembles that of the freshwater and transition zones of the upper aquifer (Roman-Mas and Ramos-Gines, 1988). In general, the specific conductance of springs increases coastward as both the freshwatersaltwater transition zone and the saltwater zones of the upper aquifer become closer to the land surface as the fresh ground-water flow zone gradually thins out.…”

Section: Springflowmentioning

confidence: 89%

Characterization of springflow in the north coast limestone of Puerto Rico using physical, chemical, and stable isotopic methods

Rodrı́guez-Martı́nez¹

1997

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The carbonate sequence of middle Tertiary age of the north coast of Puerto Rico is characterized by the presence of numerous springs in the coastal areas. In order to advance the understanding of the hydrologic role of the springs in the north coast limestone aquifer system of Puerto Rico, a 4-year study was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority. As part of this study, data were collected on the chemical, physical, bacteriological, oxygen-18, and deuterium composition of water from springs in the Dorado to Rincon area, in northwestern Puerto Rico. A group of springs in the Dorado to Arecibo area was selected for more detailed monitoring. Oxygen-18 and deuterium composition was also determined for water wells and monthly rainfall composites at a series of sites in the study area. Springs are associated with all the carbonate units of the middle Tertiary sequence of the northern karst belt of Puerto Rico, except the Camuy and San Sebastian Formations. These springs mostly drain the unconfined parts of the upper and lower aquifers in the north coast limestone aquifer system. There are no first and second order springs in the north coast limestone and of those present fifth and sixth order springs are the most numerous type. Springflow at the springs measured during the study ranged from less than 0.1 to 61 cubic feet per second. Springs in the north coast limestone can also be classified by their response to rainfall. There is little or no short-term response to rainfall at springs such as Ojo de Agua in Vega Baja, Mameyes in Manati, and Mackovic in Vega Alta. These springs are known as diffuse-type springs. Other springs such as Maguayo in Dorado, Ojo de Guillo in Manati, and San Pedro in Arecibo exhibit a strong short-term response to rainfall and are known as conduit-type springs. Spring water temperature, during the study, ranged from 22.5 to 28 °C and resembled air temperature. Specific conductance ranged from 289 to about 4,000 microsiemens per centimeter, and pH ranged from 6.9 to 7.8. Calcium, sodium, bicarbonate, and chloride are the main ionic species in water from the springs sampled during the study. The main water type is calcium-bicarbonate and secondary water types are calcium-bicarbonate-chloride and sodium-bicarbonate-chloride. A seasonal and short-term transient relation exists, particularly in conduit-type springs, between springflow, physical properties, and water quality. Temporal and spatial variations in the oxygen-18 and deuterium composition of modern precipitation are significantly larger than those of springs and ground water in the study area. Regional flow in the upper aquifer appears to attenuate or average the variations in isotopic composition of rainfall. There is, however, a regional gradient in the deuterium composition of water from the upper aquifer in the north coast limestone, with isotopically heavier water occurring further north. It was possible to determine the source of water contributing to springs at some...

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“…Prior to large-scale development of ground-water resources in the upper aquifer, the available historical data on the quality of ground water indicate that it is reasonable to assume dissolved-solids concentrations generally ranged from 250 to 350 mg/L in wells drilled during the 1960s (Román-Más and Ramos-Ginés, 1988). As ground-water development lowered the water table, the freshwater lens thinned, leading to the upward and landward displacement of the freshwater-saltwater interface.…”

Section: Deterioration Of Ground-water Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of the change in freshwater volume in the North Coast Limestone upper aquifer of Puerto Rico in the Rio Grande de Manati-Rio de la Plata area between 1960 and 1990 and Implications on public-supply water availability

Gómez-Gómez¹

2008

Scientific Investigations Report

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The lost supply would have to be compensated from surface-water sources because the part of the North Coast Limestone aquifer system south of latitude 18º25', although less vulnerable to saline-water encroachment, is not as productive. Estimation of the Change in Freshwater Volume in the North Coast Limestone Upper Aquifer of Puerto Rico Effects of Fresh GroundWater Volume Depletion in the Upper Aquifer

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Compilation of water-quality data for the north coast limestone aquifers, Puerto Rico, 1951 to 1987

Cited by 5 publications

References 16 publications

Hydrogeological data collected from a test well in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico

Hydrogeological data collected from a test well in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico

Characterization of springflow in the north coast limestone of Puerto Rico using physical, chemical, and stable isotopic methods

Estimation of the change in freshwater volume in the North Coast Limestone upper aquifer of Puerto Rico in the Rio Grande de Manati-Rio de la Plata area between 1960 and 1990 and Implications on public-supply water availability

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