Aguas Subterrneas el la Cordillera Blanca, Peru

Jeffrey McKenzie (McGill University) Daniel Chavez (McGill University) Ryan Gordon (Syracuse University) Laura Maharaj (McGill University) Michel Baraer (cole de technologie suprieure) Bryan Mark (The Ohio State University)

Laura Lautz (Syracuse University)

Importance of Groundwater in the Proglacial Zone

Baseflow to Rivers and Streams, Sustaining Dry Season Flows Temporal Storage and Release of Water Potential Impacts on Water Quality Water for Ecological Systems, such as wetlands

Groundwater Questions
1) After peak-water, is groundwater contribution to water resources significant? 2) What is the source and flow paths of groundwater? 3) Can we assess the groundwater residence time? 4) Is groundwater vulnerable?

Pampas An Important Landform for groundwater in the Cordillera Blanca?

Quilcayhuanca

Yanamarey

(Knox, 2009)

Downstream Confluence Hydrochemical mixing models

Non- glacierized
Q1

Glacierized
YAN

Q2

Glacier
YAN YAN Q3 Q2 Q1

Mix
Q3

line mixi ng
Q3 Q1

Q2

No Glacier

1999 Mix (Q3) = 70% Non-Glacier Water 2004 Mix (Q3) = 50% Non-Glacier Water

Mark et al., 2004

Hydrochemical Basin Characterization Method

(HBCM; Baraer et al., 2007)
Yanamarey Watershed

HBCM Dry Season Groundwater in Other Valleys

(1) Llanganuco

(2) Quilcay

(3) Querococha

(4) Pachacoto
Baraer et al., 2009

Rain Fed Groundwater Systems

GPR Results

Talus

Glaciolacustrine

Bedrock
Chavez et al., 2012

Mixed-Source Groundwater Systems

Llanganuco Upper Pampa, Viewed from Laguna 69

Llanganuco Upper Pampa

Lag. Broggi Laguna 69

Moraines

Debris Fan

Meadow Talus

Discharge and net changes

METHOD - Double-slug dilution gauging method which provides:

Outflow from Lag. Broggi 35.8 L/s Outflow from Lag. 69 21.8 L/s

discharge (Q) net change in discharge (Q) gross gains and losses (Qgain and Qloss )

Flow from Moraine 5.2 L/s Flow from fan 22.8 L/s total Big spring 82.1 L/s

Outlet 115 L/s

Laura Lautz & Ryan Gordon Syracuse University

Groundwater Travel Time

Geochemical Results Travel time is ~ 1.5 to 3 years Darcy Velocity Calculations Groundwater velocity through talus is ~ 3 mm/d Minimum travel time is greater than 1 year

Threats to Groundwater

Receding glaciers may impact groundwater recharge in mixed-sourced aquifers Changes in precipitation regime due to climate change will affect recharge Human contamination of groundwater Very Difficult to Fix

Increased ET due to warmer temperatures

Conclusions

RECHARGE Groundwater is recharged from precipitation and glacier melt

STORAGE Groundwater is stored over years in coarse grained aquifers

RESOURCE Groundwater is an important contributor to dry season flows

THREATS Groundwater is Vulnerable to Climate Change and Contamination

jeffrey.mckenzie@mcgill.ca