Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Weathering, Biomass Production and Groundwater Chemistry in an Area of Dominant Anthropogenic Influence, the Chaves-Vila Pouca de Aguiar Region, North of Portugal

  • Published:
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Using a combination of a grouping algorithm and a geochemical mole balance algorithm, we could identify and quantify the contributions made by water-rock and water-biomass interactions to the composition of shallow groundwaters in northern Portugal, in an area with a sizable anthropogenic input (the Chaves-Vila Pouca de Aguiar region). The first algorithm, based on the mathematical concept of equivalent relations, allows for the grouping of water samples with similar chemistries. The second algorithm, which uses the stoichiometries and mole/charge balances in weathering reactions and biological processes, provides the possibility to relate the average chemistry of each identified group to water-mineral and water-biomass interactions. This algorithm hinges on ratios of dissolved silica and bicarbonate, constituents considered to be derived only from chemical weathering and biomass production. Background information on the petrology, mineralogy and chemistry of bedrocks and soils, on climatic differences, on the history of deforestation and reforestation of the study area, and on the application and composition of fertilizers and manure, was used to identify the most realistic weathering reactions and biological processes which contribute to the water chemistry. The concentrations of chloride, sulphate and nitrate were considered to represent sources other than chemical weathering or biomass changes, like cyclic salts, fertilizers and manure. Despite the high background concentrations derived from such sources, we were able to quantify the contributions of the identified weathering reactions and botanical uptake to the groundwater composition. The spatial distributions of the various groundwater groups shows a good correlation with the geology, land use and climatic differences in the area.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agroconsultores and Coba: 1991, Carta de solos, carta do uso actual da terra e carta de aptidão da terra do nordeste de Portugal, Technical report, Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro University, Vila Real, 311 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Appelo, C. A. J. and Postma, D.: 1993, Groundwater, Geochemistry and Pollution, A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam, 536 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brough, N.: 1990, Peraluminous Granite Magmatism in Central Northern Portugal, Ph. D. Thesis, The Open University, 434 p.

  • Carvalho, M.: 1988, PROCALFER: um programa fracassado?, v. 5 — Impacto do PROCALFER no uso do calcário nas regiões entre Douro e Minho, Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Beira Litoral, Technical Report, Ministério da Agricultura, Pescas e Alimentação; Ministério das Finanças e do Plano; Agência Internacional para a Desenvolvimento, 40 p.

  • Claverol, M. G., Luke, C. and Suarez, V.: 1988, El lineamento tectonico Nazaré (W de Portugal) — Luarca (NW de España) y su implicacion metalogenetica (Macizo Hesperico). In: libro de homenaje a L. C. Garcia de Figuerola, geologia de los granitoides y rocas associadas del Macizo Hesperico, Rueda, Madrid, pp. 447–455.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cleaves, E. T., Godfrey, A. E. and Bricker, O.P.: 1970, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 81, 3015.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coutinho, J. F.: 1989, Acidez do solo e toxicidade do aluminio: calibração de métodos de availiação da necessodade em cal, Ph. D. Thesis, Trás-os-Montes e Alto Doura University, Vila Real, 709, p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deer, W. A., Howie, R. A. and Zussmann, J.: 1962, Rock-Forming Minerals, Longmans, v. I–V.

  • Dixon, J. B. and Weed, S. B.: 1989, Minerals in Soils Environments, Soil Science Society of America, Madison, Wisconsin, 1344 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eggenkamp, H., Saager, P. and Wijland, R.: 1986, Hydrochemical Study of the Chaves-Vila Pouca Area, Student report, Utrecht University, Institute of Earth Sciences, Department of Geochemistry, 101 p.

  • Figueiredo, M. A. N.: 1997, Evolução do diâmetro de árvores dominantes em povoamentos de pinheiro bravo, Degree Thesis, Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro University, Vila Real, 56 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrels, R. M.P: 1967, ‘Genesis of Some Ground Waters from Igneous Rocks’, in P. H. Abelson (ed.), Researches in Geochemistry, Wiley, New York, v. 2, pp. 405–420.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrels, R. M. and Mackenzie, F. T.: 1967, ‘Origin of the Chemical Compositions of Some Springs and Lakes’, in W. Stumm (ed.), Equilibrium, Concepts in Natural Water Systems, Am. Chem. Soc. pp. 222–242.

  • Martins, A. A. A.: 1992, Génese e evolução de solos derivados de granitos, Ph. D. Thesis, Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro University, Vila real, 576 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martins, A. A. A., Madeira, M. V. and Refega, A. A. G.: 1995, Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation 9, 353.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martins, H. C. B.: 1989, Contribuição para o conhecimento dos granitóides biotíticos da região de Vila Pouca de Aguiar, M. Sc. Thesis, Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro University, Vila Real, 94 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Melillo, J. M. and Gosz, J. R.: 1983, ‘Interactions of Biogeochemical Cycles in Forest Ecosystems’, in B. Bolin and R. B. Cook (eds.), The major Biogeochemical Cycles and their Interactions, SCOPE, Wiley, New York, pp. 177–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira, A. M. C.: 1985, Tabela de produção geral para o pinheiro bravo das regiões montanas e sub-montanas, Technical report, Direcção Geral das Florestas, Centro de Estudos Florestais, I.N.U.C., Lisboa, 37 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pačes, T.: 1983, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 47, 1855.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pacheco, F. A. L.: 1998, Computers and Geosciences 24, 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pacheco, F. A. L. and Van der Weijden, C. H.: 1996, Water Resources Research 32, 3553.

    Google Scholar 

  • Portela, E. A. C.: 1994, ‘Manuring in Barroso: A Crucial Farming Practice’, in J. D. Van der Ploeg and A. Long (eds.), Born from within: Practice and Perspectives of Endogenous Rural Development, Van Gorcum, Assen, pp. 59–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Portela, E. A. C., Lopes, H. and Cardoso, C.: 1993, A estrumação no sistema de agricultura de montanha do Barroso, v. 2 — Estrumes e seu valor fertilizante, Technical report (estudos camar 6), Departmento de Economia e Sociologia, Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro University, Vila Real, 39 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Portugal Ferreira, M. R., Sousa Oliveira, A. and Trota, A. N.: 1991, Chaves Geothermal Pole, Technical Report, Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro University, Vila Real.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press, W. H., Flannery, B. P., Teukolsky, S. A. and Vetterling, W. T.: 1989, Numerical Recipes in Pascal, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 759 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quideau, S. A., Chadwick, O. A., Graham, R. C. and Wood, H. B.: 1996, Biogeochemistry 35, 377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sousa, L. M. O.: 1995, O granito de Pedras Salgadas como recurso: contribuição para a sua valorização gestão integrada, M. Sc. Thesis, Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro University, Vila real, 202 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sousa Oliveira, A.: 1995, Hidrogeologia da região de Pedras Salgadas, M. Sc. Thesis, Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro University, Vila Real, 230 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sousa Oliveira, A. and Portugal Ferreira, M. R.: 1996, A estruturação do sistema Graben/Horst cruzado da região de Pedras Salgadas-Vidago (Norte de Portugal): enquadramento das emergências hidrominerais associadas, in 3° Congresso de Água/VII Silubesa, APRH/ABES, Lisboa, v. III, pp. 123–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sverdrup, H. U. and Warfvinge, P.: 1988, Water, Air and Soil Pollut. 38, 387.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, A. B. and Velbel, M. A.: 1991, Geoderma 51, 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich, B., Benecke, P., Harris, W. F., Khanna, P. K. and Mayer, R.: 1981, ‘Soil Processes’, in D. E. Reichle (ed.), Dynamic Properties of Forest Ecosystems, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 265–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • van der Weijden, C. H., Oosterom, M. G., Bril, J., Waklen, C. G., Vriend, S. P. and Zuurdeeg, B. W.: 1983, Geochemical controls of transport and deposition of uranium from solution. Case study: Fundão, Portugal, Technical Report, Utrecht University, Institute of Earth Sciences, Department of Geochemistry, 67 p.

  • Velbel, M. A.: 1985, Am. J. Sci. 285, 904.

    Google Scholar 

  • Velbel, M. A.: 1988, ‘Weathering and Soil-Forming Processes’, in W. T. Swank and D. A. Crossley Jr. (eds.), Forest Hydrology and Ecology at Coweeta, Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 93–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Velbel, M. A.: 1995, ‘Interaction of Ecosystem Processes and Weathering Processes’, in S. T. Trudqill (ed.), Solute Modeling in Catchment Systems, Wiley and Sons, Chichester, pp. 193–209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vilela de Matos, A.: 1991, A geologia da região de Vila Real, Ph. D. Thesis, Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro University, Vila Real, 312 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vilela de Matos, A. and Portugal Ferreira, M. R.: 1989, A geologia dos granitos pós-cinemáticos de Vila Real (Trás-os-Montes, NE de Portugal): uma perspectiva sobre a sua implantação, Memórias e Noticias, v. 108.

  • Vitousek, P. M.: 1983 ‘The effects of Deforestation on Air, Soil, and Water’, in B. Bolin and R. B. Cook (eds.), The Major Biogeochemical Cycles and their Interactions, SCOPE, Wiley, New York, pp. 223–245.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro University, 5000, Vila Real, Portugal (author for correspondence, e-mail

    F. A. L. Pacheco & A. Sousa Oliveira

  2. Department of Geochemistry, Institute of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.021, 3508 TA, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    A. J. Van der Weijden & C. H. Van der Weijden

Authors
  1. F. A. L. Pacheco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Sousa Oliveira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. J. Van der Weijden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. C. H. Van der Weijden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. A. L. Pacheco.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pacheco, F.A.L., Sousa Oliveira, A., Van der Weijden, A.J. et al. Weathering, Biomass Production and Groundwater Chemistry in an Area of Dominant Anthropogenic Influence, the Chaves-Vila Pouca de Aguiar Region, North of Portugal. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 115, 481–512 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005119121666

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005119121666

Search

Navigation