Aplicación de Geofísica para la determinación de aguas subterráneas en la parte occidental de la cuenca de Loja

Abstract

Abstract: This study applies geological and geophysical methods to determine groundwater potential in the Qb. Eucalipto micro-watershed, located on the western side of the city of Loja. A lithological mapping, a water balance for the period 2011-2023, two vertical electrical soundings with Schlumberger configuration, and ten electrical resistivity tomography profiles with dipole-dipole and multiple gradient configurations were carried out. The geological survey identified seven lithologies, with the Tres Lagunas and Agoyan units predominating in the upper areas and sedimentary units in the middle-lower zone. The water balance determined a mean annual precipitation of 837.78 mm, with a potential recharge of 7.7%, concentrated between December and April. The integration of geology and geophysical results allowed the identification of the saturated sandstone of profile C-1, at elevations between 2280 and 2330 m.a.s.l., as the zone of greatest aquifer potential. However, the low estimated recharge, the predominance of clay materials, and the presence of landslide movements limit the conditions for groundwater exploitation.