Hydrogeology and groundwater pollution of Yaqui Valley, Sonora, Mexico

Abstract

We use the G.O.D. criteria to evaluate the vulnerability of the Yaqui Valley aquifer from drill hole data and water table maps. The pollutant loads are identified and quantified and the aquifer pollution risk was calculated from the aquifer vulnerability and the pollution load. The most vulnerable zones are in the West, and the most important contributions of pollutants are from industrial, agricultural, livestock and population centers. The highest aquifer pollution risk areas are Central, West and East.