Potential Infiltration Determination in Areas of Influence of the Zona Bananera Aquifer in Northern Colombia/Determinacion de la infiltracion potencial en areas de influencia del acuifero Zona Bananera, Norte de Colombia/Determinacao da infiltracao potencial nas areas de influencia do aquifero Zona Bananera, Norte da Colombia

• Published in: Revista FI-UPTC Vol. 29; no. 54; p. 1
• Main Authors: Revueltas-Martinez, Jose-Eduardo, Mercado-Fernandez, Teobaldis, Aguirre-Forero, Sonia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Universidad Pedagogica y Tecnologica de Colombia. Facultad de Ingenieria 01.01.2020
• Subjects: Aquifers; Geographic information systems; Infiltration (Hydrology); Rain and rainfall; Sensors
• DOI: 10.19053/01211129.v29.n54.2020.11427
• ISSN: 0121-1129

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 microbasins, 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.