RT journal article
T1 Towards a Sustainable and Adaptive Groundwater Management: Lessons from the Benalup Aquifer (Southern Spain)
A1 Vélez Nicolás, María de las Mercedes
A1 García López, Santiago
A1 Ruiz Ortiz, Verónica
A1 Sánchez Bellón, Ángel
A2 Ciencias de la Tierra
A2 Ingeniería Industrial e Ingeniería Civil
K1 aquifer management
K1 water governance
K1 irrigation
K1 unauthorized use
K1 barbate river basin
K1 biocalcarenites
K1 remote sensing
K1 citizen surveys
K1 groundwater
AB Reversing the chemical and quantitative impacts derived from human activity on aquifers demands a multidisciplinary approach. This requires, firstly, to update the hydrogeological knowledge of the groundwater systems, which is pivotal for the sustainable use of this resource, and secondly, to integrate the social, economic and administrative reality of the region. The present work focuses on the Benalup aquifer, whose exploitation plays a major role in the economy of the area, based mainly on irrigated agriculture. This activity has had negative consequences for the aquifer in quantitative and chemical terms, leading to its declaration as in poor condition. The study presented here shows the results obtained from the application of hydrogeological techniques, remote sensing and citizen participation tools, which have allowed us to deepen and improve the current knowledge of the system's hydrogeological, geometric, administrative and social aspects. Additionally, the lessons learned from this case study are analyzed. The deficiencies detected are discussed, and alternatives aimed at the sustainable use of groundwater are proposed, such as the possibility of a joint use of surface and groundwater resources, the creation of a Water User Association responsible for the management of groundwater and the need for greater efforts aimed at educating and raising awareness of water conservation among citizens.
PB MDPI
SN 2071-1050
YR 2020
FD 2020-06
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/23609
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/23609
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 06-nov-2026