Caracterización hidrológica y vulnerabilidad de la laguna del Acebuche (El Abalario, Huelva) / Hydrological characterization and vulnerability of Acebuche pond (El Abalario, Huelva)

Abstract

In this work, a hydro-morphological characterization of Acebuche pond (El Abalario, Huelva) has been carried out. The results of the study show a pond with a semi-permanent hydroperiod from 1984 to 2002 and a seasonal hydroperiod from 2002 to the present, deduced from Landsat image analysis. The information analysed indicates that the hydrology of the pond has been managed since before 1984, through the supply to the wetland of groundwater pumped from the aquifer. Without these contributions, the hydroperiod of this pond would be sporadic and the water regime would be as a recharge pond. The current artificial management model is considered acceptable, provided that the levels in the aquifer do not fall unsustainably in the pond area, in which case, its management should be rethought. Finally, a new supply well, located several kilometres from the pond, is not expected to seriously affect this system, which already has an artificial hydrological functioning, and its water regime has been altered for 40 years. It is considered necessary to monitor the piezometric levels in the surroundings and in the pond basin itself by means of the construction of a piezometer.