Modelo conceptual hidrogeológico preliminar y calidad de agua subterránea en la terraza de Chunchi, Provincia de Chimborazo.

Abstract

The present work locates its study area in the terraces of the Chunchi canton, located in the Province of Chimborazo. This study shows a description of the elaboration of a subsoil resistivity profile using the Audio Magnetotelluric geophysical method in order to confirm the presence of aquifers in the area, determine their location and approximate size. The resistivity profile that crosses the city of Chunchi and the Picay River in S-N direction allowed identifying two levels of aquifers, being L1 the most superficial level characterized by the presence of a semi-confined aquifer which is thinner to the north, and L2 the second level that comprises a group of aquitards. According to its geology, the area of interest is located in the domains of the Cisaran Formation. Through the results of the granulometric analysis carried out on the 25 soil samples taken in the surrounding area, it was possible to identify a domain of coarse-grained material (gravels, coarse sands with little fine sand and silts) towards the south of the profile and a tendency to decrease the grain size (silts and clays, fine sand and little gravel) towards the north of the profile. The field work carried out together with the resistivity profile allowed the elaboration of a preliminary conceptual hydrogeological model where recharge, discharge and water flow direction zones were identified.