Groundwater flow components and environmental problems in a groundwater flow system, center-west Mexico

The Cuitzeo groundwater flow system in central Mexico is facing challenges due to intensive groundwater extraction, nitrate pollution, and a decline in groundwater levels. To understand the processes underlying these environmental impacts, we used compiled data from 2013 and employed cluster analysis to identify distinct groups. Four groups were identified based on flow trajectories, incorporating geological information, structural features, and hydrochemical diagrams such as Piper, Gibbs, and Mifflin. The determined flow trajectories or components consist of local, intermediate, and two regional components. The spatial distribution of these flow components is associated with recharge areas and structural features, displaying a non-sequential evolution to groundwater flow direction. This work presents preliminary findings from the analysis of environmental problems such as nitrates and a decrease in groundwater levels, contributing to an enhanced understanding of the origins of these impacts and offering insights for future solutions.