Identification and Mapping of the Edwards Stratigraphic Sequence in the State of Chihuahua Assisted by ten ArcMap Based Layers

HR: 15:15h
AN: H53G-06 [Abstracts]
TI: Identification and Mapping of the Edwards Stratigraphic Sequence in the State of Chihuahua Assisted by ten ArcMap Based Layers
AU: * Martinez-Pina, C
EM: martinez@geo.utep.edu
AF: Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, United States
AU: Granados, A
EM: granados@uacj.mx
AF: Centro de Informacion Geografica, Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez, Ave. del Charro 450, Ciudad Juarez, CHI 32310, Mexico
AU: Goodell, P
EM: goodell@geo.utep.edu
AF: Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, United States
AB: Edwards Formation is a reef limestone that hosts one of the largest aquifers of the State of Texas. In 2004 the United States and Mexico signed an agreement intended to characterize and identify the shared binational underground resources. Texas Water Development Board Report 360 established for the Edwards Aquifer an area of more than 31,000 km², half of which is in the State of Coahuila, Mexico (the agreement did not include the State of Chihuahua). This led to the idea that Chihuahua may also have hydrologic potential in the Edwards equivalent, where numerous large cavern systems are already recognized (Naica's Sword Cavern, and the Coyame, Nombre de Dios and Bocagrande Caverns). The objective of this study is to establish the existence, in the State of Chihuahua, of the stratigraphic sequence and geohydrologic properties such as faulting, sinkholes, and springs, within the Edwards equivalent. The Consejo de Recursos Minerales geologic map, INEGI's hydrologic study, petroleum, mining and hydrogeology studies of Chihuahua, and many others, constitute the database used. ArcMap is used to define the geologic framework and construct different thematic layers (structural, lithological, hydrological) that would aid in the identification of the stratigraphic sequence. The results show that all the Edwards Stratigraphic Sequence (ESS) exists in Chihuahua; that there are isolated areas of groundwater production in eastern Chihuahua possibly from ESS but this is not well established. Overall the ESS presents an unusual opportunity as a potentially productive aquifer in the State of Chihuahua.
DE: 1829 Groundwater hydrology
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly