Bruno Ballesteros - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Uploads

Papers by Bruno Ballesteros

Research paper thumbnail of Datación por racemización de aminoácidos de depósitos costeros de la ribera mediterránea

Research paper thumbnail of A long and continuous Pleistocene record from the marshland of Pego-Oliva (Alicante-Valencia, Spain)

Research paper thumbnail of Methodological study of submarine groundwater discharge from a karstic aquifer in the Western Mediterranean Sea

Journal of Hydrology, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Quantifying groundwater discharge from different sources into a Mediterranean wetland by using 222Rn and Ra isotopes

Journal of Hydrology, 2012

ABSTRACT Groundwater discharge constitutes the main water inflow of many coastal wetlands. Despit... more ABSTRACT Groundwater discharge constitutes the main water inflow of many coastal wetlands. Despite the potential of Ra isotopes and Rn-222 as tracers of groundwater discharge, the use of these radionuclides to quantify the groundwater inflow in coastal wetlands has been only scarcely addressed in the literature. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the use of Rn-222 and Ra isotopes to estimate the contribution of distinct groundwater sources into a Mediterranean coastal wetland (the Peniscola marsh, Castello, Spain). The Peniscola marsh is a small shallow wetland nourished by groundwater coming from four different flowpaths: (i) a deep flow from the regional carbonate aquifer of El Maestrat, (ii) a shallow flow and (iii) an intermediate flow, both from the Irta Range and the detritic Vinaros-Peniscola aquifer, and (iv) seawater intrusion. Data on Ra-226, Rn-222 and salinity obtained in summer 2007 revealed that the deep groundwater contribution was 15% of the total water inflow, whereas the shallow and intermediate flow paths represented 32% and 48%, respectively. Seawater accounted only for the remaining 5% inputs to the wetland. Ra isotopes also allowed estimating the marsh water age in 1.2 days. Both the groundwater contributions derived from Rn-222 measurements and the Ra-derived marsh water age agreed well with the direct measurements obtained using propeller flow meters, evidencing the effectiveness of the used methods. An interannual comparison between the estimated groundwater inflow and the precipitation revealed that shallow groundwater flows respond to local precipitation, whereas the deep groundwater flow from the carbonate aquifer is dominated by a constant baseflow.

Research paper thumbnail of The long Pleistocene record from the Pego-Oliva marshland (Alicante-Valencia, Spain)

Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 2013

Seven borehole cores were analysed to reconstruct the Pleistocene evolution of the Pego-Oliva Bas... more Seven borehole cores were analysed to reconstruct the Pleistocene evolution of the Pego-Oliva Basin (Mediterranean coast, Iberian Peninsula). A total of 295 samples were recovered for amino acid racemization (AAR) dating, and 77 samples for sedimentological, palaeontological and biomarker determination, with two objectives: (1) to establish a chronological framework (especially for Middle Pleistocene); and (2) to obtain data on the palaeoenvironment.AAR proved that the record covers approximately 650 ka in which no important hiatuses occurred, although minor ones cannot be discarded. AAR provided valuable information on differential subsidence rates, and Marine Isotope Stages (MISs) 15–1 were identified.Litho- and biofacies allowed the identification of distinct palaeoenvironments through time, with the constant presence of a marsh/lagoonal environment with brackish or saline water with continental or marine influence. Remains of marine molluscs allowed the determination of periods ...

Research paper thumbnail of Methodology of hydrogeological characterization of deep carbonate aquifers as potential reservoirs of groundwater. Case of study: the Jurassic aquifer of El Maestrazgo (Castellón, Spain)

Environmental Geology, 2007

A methodology for the characterization of deep carbonate aquifers has been developed and applied ... more A methodology for the characterization of deep carbonate aquifers has been developed and applied to El Maestrazgo Jurassic aquifer in Castellón, Spain. Characterization of these aquifer formations, located at more than 300 m deep, consisted of a previous phase of compilation, analysis and synthesis of the existing information about the area, followed by a coordinated combination of different speciality studies: geology, stratigraphy, structural analysis, hydrogeology, hydrochemistry, geophysics and remote sensing. Geological studies included geological mapping, definition of stratigraphical units and facies and structural analysis. The aim of the hydrogeology study was to define aquifer formations, recharge area, aquifer points inventory and groundwater flow directions for the establishment of piezometric and water quality observation nets. Special techniques were applied, like thermal infrared aerial images and the evaluation of submarine groundwater discharge by means of natural radium isotopes. Hydrochemical techniques, including majority elements characterization and stable isotopes (18 O, 2 H and 3 H) determination, allowed classifying hydrochemical facies and establishing a renewal pattern for water within the system. Geophysics was useful in determining the aquifer geometry, the features of the basement and the petrophysical characteristics of the geological formations. Preliminary results show an important tectonic complexity and the possibilities for groundwater uses in the area of study. Keywords Deep aquifer characterization methodology Á El Maestrazgo Á Radium isotopes Á Submarine groundwater discharge Á Spain Á Mediterranean

Research paper thumbnail of Groundwater and nutrient discharge through karstic coastal springs (<i>Castelló</i>, Spain)

Biogeosciences, 2010

Discharge of groundwater and associated chemical compounds into coastal karstic regions, which ar... more Discharge of groundwater and associated chemical compounds into coastal karstic regions, which are abundant in the Mediterranean basin, is envisaged to be significant. In this study, we evaluate the groundwater discharge and its nutrient load to the open karstic site of Badum (Castelló, East Spain). Salinity profiles evidenced that groundwater discharge from coastal brackish springs causes a buoyant fresher layer, as identified with thermal infrared images. Chemical tracers (radium isotopes, dissolved inorganic silicate and seawater major elements) have been used to determine a brackish groundwater proportion in coastal waters of 36% in October 2006 and 44% in June 2007. Based on a radium-derived residence time of 2.7 days in October 2006 and 2.0 days in June 2007, total SGD fluxes have been estimated in 71 500 and 187 000 m 3 d −1 , respectively, with fresh-SGD contributions representing 71% and 85%. The calculated SGD-associated nutrient fluxes, most likely of natural origin, were 1500 and 8300 µmol m −2 d −1 of DIN and 19 and 40 µmol m −2 d −1 of DIP in October 2006 and June 2007, respectively. These inputs may actually lead to or enhance P limitation, thereby altering the structure of biological communities in the area.

Research paper thumbnail of Communication of Groundwater Realities Based on Assessment and Monitoring Data

Groundwater Monitoring

Page 1. 7.3 Communication of Groundwater Realities Based on Assessment and Monitoring Data Juan G... more Page 1. 7.3 Communication of Groundwater Realities Based on Assessment and Monitoring Data Juan Grima1, Enrique Chacón2, Bruno Ballesteros3, Ramiro Rodrıguez4 and Juan ´Angel Mejıa5 1,3 Instituto Geológico y Minero ...

Research paper thumbnail of Datación por racemización de aminoácidos de depósitos costeros de la ribera mediterránea

Research paper thumbnail of A long and continuous Pleistocene record from the marshland of Pego-Oliva (Alicante-Valencia, Spain)

Research paper thumbnail of Methodological study of submarine groundwater discharge from a karstic aquifer in the Western Mediterranean Sea

Journal of Hydrology, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Quantifying groundwater discharge from different sources into a Mediterranean wetland by using 222Rn and Ra isotopes

Journal of Hydrology, 2012

ABSTRACT Groundwater discharge constitutes the main water inflow of many coastal wetlands. Despit... more ABSTRACT Groundwater discharge constitutes the main water inflow of many coastal wetlands. Despite the potential of Ra isotopes and Rn-222 as tracers of groundwater discharge, the use of these radionuclides to quantify the groundwater inflow in coastal wetlands has been only scarcely addressed in the literature. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the use of Rn-222 and Ra isotopes to estimate the contribution of distinct groundwater sources into a Mediterranean coastal wetland (the Peniscola marsh, Castello, Spain). The Peniscola marsh is a small shallow wetland nourished by groundwater coming from four different flowpaths: (i) a deep flow from the regional carbonate aquifer of El Maestrat, (ii) a shallow flow and (iii) an intermediate flow, both from the Irta Range and the detritic Vinaros-Peniscola aquifer, and (iv) seawater intrusion. Data on Ra-226, Rn-222 and salinity obtained in summer 2007 revealed that the deep groundwater contribution was 15% of the total water inflow, whereas the shallow and intermediate flow paths represented 32% and 48%, respectively. Seawater accounted only for the remaining 5% inputs to the wetland. Ra isotopes also allowed estimating the marsh water age in 1.2 days. Both the groundwater contributions derived from Rn-222 measurements and the Ra-derived marsh water age agreed well with the direct measurements obtained using propeller flow meters, evidencing the effectiveness of the used methods. An interannual comparison between the estimated groundwater inflow and the precipitation revealed that shallow groundwater flows respond to local precipitation, whereas the deep groundwater flow from the carbonate aquifer is dominated by a constant baseflow.

Research paper thumbnail of The long Pleistocene record from the Pego-Oliva marshland (Alicante-Valencia, Spain)

Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 2013

Seven borehole cores were analysed to reconstruct the Pleistocene evolution of the Pego-Oliva Bas... more Seven borehole cores were analysed to reconstruct the Pleistocene evolution of the Pego-Oliva Basin (Mediterranean coast, Iberian Peninsula). A total of 295 samples were recovered for amino acid racemization (AAR) dating, and 77 samples for sedimentological, palaeontological and biomarker determination, with two objectives: (1) to establish a chronological framework (especially for Middle Pleistocene); and (2) to obtain data on the palaeoenvironment.AAR proved that the record covers approximately 650 ka in which no important hiatuses occurred, although minor ones cannot be discarded. AAR provided valuable information on differential subsidence rates, and Marine Isotope Stages (MISs) 15–1 were identified.Litho- and biofacies allowed the identification of distinct palaeoenvironments through time, with the constant presence of a marsh/lagoonal environment with brackish or saline water with continental or marine influence. Remains of marine molluscs allowed the determination of periods ...

Research paper thumbnail of Methodology of hydrogeological characterization of deep carbonate aquifers as potential reservoirs of groundwater. Case of study: the Jurassic aquifer of El Maestrazgo (Castellón, Spain)

Environmental Geology, 2007

A methodology for the characterization of deep carbonate aquifers has been developed and applied ... more A methodology for the characterization of deep carbonate aquifers has been developed and applied to El Maestrazgo Jurassic aquifer in Castellón, Spain. Characterization of these aquifer formations, located at more than 300 m deep, consisted of a previous phase of compilation, analysis and synthesis of the existing information about the area, followed by a coordinated combination of different speciality studies: geology, stratigraphy, structural analysis, hydrogeology, hydrochemistry, geophysics and remote sensing. Geological studies included geological mapping, definition of stratigraphical units and facies and structural analysis. The aim of the hydrogeology study was to define aquifer formations, recharge area, aquifer points inventory and groundwater flow directions for the establishment of piezometric and water quality observation nets. Special techniques were applied, like thermal infrared aerial images and the evaluation of submarine groundwater discharge by means of natural radium isotopes. Hydrochemical techniques, including majority elements characterization and stable isotopes (18 O, 2 H and 3 H) determination, allowed classifying hydrochemical facies and establishing a renewal pattern for water within the system. Geophysics was useful in determining the aquifer geometry, the features of the basement and the petrophysical characteristics of the geological formations. Preliminary results show an important tectonic complexity and the possibilities for groundwater uses in the area of study. Keywords Deep aquifer characterization methodology Á El Maestrazgo Á Radium isotopes Á Submarine groundwater discharge Á Spain Á Mediterranean

Research paper thumbnail of Groundwater and nutrient discharge through karstic coastal springs (<i>Castelló</i>, Spain)

Biogeosciences, 2010

Discharge of groundwater and associated chemical compounds into coastal karstic regions, which ar... more Discharge of groundwater and associated chemical compounds into coastal karstic regions, which are abundant in the Mediterranean basin, is envisaged to be significant. In this study, we evaluate the groundwater discharge and its nutrient load to the open karstic site of Badum (Castelló, East Spain). Salinity profiles evidenced that groundwater discharge from coastal brackish springs causes a buoyant fresher layer, as identified with thermal infrared images. Chemical tracers (radium isotopes, dissolved inorganic silicate and seawater major elements) have been used to determine a brackish groundwater proportion in coastal waters of 36% in October 2006 and 44% in June 2007. Based on a radium-derived residence time of 2.7 days in October 2006 and 2.0 days in June 2007, total SGD fluxes have been estimated in 71 500 and 187 000 m 3 d −1 , respectively, with fresh-SGD contributions representing 71% and 85%. The calculated SGD-associated nutrient fluxes, most likely of natural origin, were 1500 and 8300 µmol m −2 d −1 of DIN and 19 and 40 µmol m −2 d −1 of DIP in October 2006 and June 2007, respectively. These inputs may actually lead to or enhance P limitation, thereby altering the structure of biological communities in the area.

Research paper thumbnail of Communication of Groundwater Realities Based on Assessment and Monitoring Data

Groundwater Monitoring

Page 1. 7.3 Communication of Groundwater Realities Based on Assessment and Monitoring Data Juan G... more Page 1. 7.3 Communication of Groundwater Realities Based on Assessment and Monitoring Data Juan Grima1, Enrique Chacón2, Bruno Ballesteros3, Ramiro Rodrıguez4 and Juan ´Angel Mejıa5 1,3 Instituto Geológico y Minero ...