The author has identified the following significant results. Satellite imagery in combination with ground investigations allows identification and delineation of differences in the conditions of the near surface ground water (depth to ground water, salinity). The degree of precision achieved is greater than that obtainable by conventional ground survey methods alone

Bannert, D.

Bender, H.

Kruck, W.

Lago, J. J.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Z 5-'042%
 
SR No. 330 
INVESTIGATIONS INHYDROGEOLOGICAL
:Mad e U THE PAMPA OF ARGENTINAft aeiallefaUnder NAS 
SIthe interest of early and Wide di. 
Srhination Of Earth Rerces Surwy
 
Dr. Dieter BANNERT
'Program informatIon and wit 
Bundesanstalt ffir Bodenforschung 
(Federal Geological Survey) 
3 Hannover 23 , 
Stilleweg 2,Postfach 23 01 53 
Fed. Rep. of Germany 
ueECEIVED 
RASA SI FACILITYNovember 1974 
ACQ. B,.,&d. 
Type III Report SEP03 1975 
Bundesanstalt ffir Bodenforschung 
3Hannover 23 
Stilieweg 2, Postfach 23 01 53 
NV S-TG---NS.­
'--1-1122) HYDROGEOLOGICAI 

Final Report,
AMPA OF ARGENTIN4A
IN 'TBE 
 1974 (Federal Geological 0811.2 

survey), 24 p Hc $3.25 CSCG/08004
 
Dec. 1973 - Nov. G3/li3CSC :
 
RECEIVED
 
APR 21 1975
 
SIS/902.6
 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19750025404 2020-03-22T18:59:25+00:00Z
SR No. 330 
HYDROGEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN 
THE PAMPA OF ARGENTINA 
Dr. Dieter BANNERT 
Bundesanstalt ffir Bodenforschung 
(Federal Geological Survey) 
3 Hannover- 23 
Stilleweg 2, Postfach 23 01 53 
Fed°.Rep. of Germany 
November 1974 
Type III Report 
Bundesanstalt fir Bodenforschung 
3 Hannover 23 
Stilleweg 2, Postfach 23 01 53 
Original photography may be purcfaset f= 
EROS Data Center 
10 h and Dakota Avenue 
Sioux Falls, SD 57198 
-I 	 ­
l. 	 SR No. 2. Type of Report 3. Recipient's Catalog No.
 
330 III
 
4. 	 Title 5. Report Date 
Hydrogeological Investigations November 1974
 
in the Pampa of Argentina 6. Period Covered
 
Dec. 1973 - Nov. 1974 
7. 	 Principal Investigator 8° No of Pages
 
Dr. Dieter Bannert
 
9. 	 Name and Address of Principal 10. Principal Investiga. Rept. No. 
Investigators Organization 1 
110 	 GSFC Technical MonitorGeorge MnnorBundesanstalt fir Bodenforschung 

George Ensor
(Federal Geological Survey) 
12. 	 Sponsoring Agency and Address 13. Key Words (Selected by 
Bundesanstalt ffIr Bodenforschung Principal Investigator) 
3 Hannover 23,- Stilleweg 2 Hydrogeology, ground water 
Postfach 23 01 53 salinity, hydrology, land use 
14. 	 Supplementary Notes 
Co-Investigators:
 
Dr. H. Bender, Federal Geological Survey 
Dr. W. Kruck, Federal Geological Survey 
Lic. J.J. Lago, Section of the Subsecretary of Water Resources of the 
Argentine Republic 
The coordinator in Argentina was Lic. Carlos Schroeder, Section of the 
Subsecretary of Water Resources of the Argentine Republic 
The analysis was mainly carried out by Dr. W. Kruck. Parts of the results 
have been presented at the following meetings: 
3rd ERTS-1 Symposium, Washington, Dec. 1973 
Commitee on Space Research (COSPAR),. Sao Paulo, June 1974 
15. 	 Abstract 
The correlation between thematic maps of the German Hydrogeological 
Mission and ERTS imagery of the Pampa plain made itpossible to improve 
the accuracy of ground water quality maps. 
Use of ERTS imagery in future -expansion of hydrogeological investigation 
into neighbouring areas will result in considerable reduction of field costs. 
Table of Contents:
 
List of Illustrations III
 
i. 	 PREFACE *1 
2. 	 INTRODUCTION 1
 
3. 	 DATA HANDLING AND ANALYSIS 3
 
4._JaYDROGEOLOGICAL 	 CONDITIONS OF THE PAMPA
 
AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS ON ERTS-1 IMAGES 4
 
4.1 Areas ,with varying ground.water-salinity 	 4
 
4.2 	"Bajos" 6
 
4.3 Sand duneson the terraces-of the Rio Paranl 7
 
5.-HYDROLOGY
 
,5.-1 	 The river systemnof the Rio Paran4 and its
 
affluents 8
 
5.2 'The Central Pampa 	 8
 
5.3 The Western Pampa 	 8
 
6. 	 PHOTOLINEATIONS (TECTONICAL PATTERN) 9
 
7. COST SAVING BY THE USE Olt ERTS DATA 9
 
.8.- CONCLUSIONS 
 10 
-'References 	 .10
 
List of Illustrations 
Fig. 1 ERTS-1 mosaic of the project area. 
Key to.photo illustrations 
Fig. 2 Areas of differing ground water salinity 
75 km SW of;Santa F6 
Fig.. 3 Isolines of depth to ground water-after field measurements and 
ERTS imagery 
Fig. 4 Simplified cross section of a 
geo-electrical profiles) 
"Bajo" (with the aid of 
Fig. 5 Rio Paran6,, NE of Santa F6 
Fig. 6 :Region SE of Cordobi 
-Fig°. 7 Project area of the Hydrogeological b/fission in Argentina. 
Tectonic sketch map from ERTS-1 imagery. 
1. PREFACE:
 
The multispectral investigation of ERTS-1 imagery has added detailed
 
knowledge -to the results of ground water investigations achieved by
 
conventional ground survey in the Argentine Pampa. A number of natural 
features and units of the earth s surface have been identified and delineated 
on the imagery. These features are closely related to conditions in the near 
surface ground water bodies, It can be demonstrated: 
-	 that the outlining of different ground water areas, e.g-: differences in
 
depth to ground water and salinity can be effected more precisely by
 
combining ground survey with the use of ERTS-1 imagery.
 
- that the different ground water areas can probably -be detected and
 
outlined oh'ERTS imagery at any time during the year.
 
- that it is possible toproduce maps showing depth to ground water in
 
areas with similar geological and hydrogeological conditions.
 
It can be' assumed that the rest of the Pampa, can now be surveyed with a
 
75, % reduction of ground survey observation:points.
 
2. INTRODUCTION
 
Increasing demand for potable ground water in addition to stock watering led
 
to a large scale hydrogeological investigation of about 50. 000-sqkrms of the
 
Argentine Pampa. The area is situated between the Sierra de C6rdoba in the
 
West and the Rio Parang in the East.(fig. 1 and fig., 7).
 
•A 	 team of hydrogeologists and technicians from the Federal Geological Survey 
of Germany,. known as.the Deutsche Hydrogeologische lvissioh (DHGM), under 
a Technical Aid Program, conducted hydrogeological 'investigations in 
cooperation -with Argentinian, Organizations (Subsecretarfa do Recursos 
Hrdricos) during the years 1969 - 1973. 
THE ARGENTINE PAMPA
 
0-&Ld2
1040-1330 

ERTS-1 MOSAIC OF THE PROJECT AREA 
."4 )' ~KEY TO PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS 
i m Fig .I
 tu 
1 38-13215 
-2-

Their main task was to establish a ground water survey to monitor run-off, 
infiltration and exploitation of ground water. In addition to outline potential 
ground water reserves for future use. The area of investigation lies roughly 
between 30040 ' to 320S and 60°to 64'30-W (fig. 1 4nditig. 7). 
To complement the ground survey ERTS-A seemed to meet 2 important 
requirements: 
- As a method to gain a synoptic overlook from the project area as 
rapidly as possible. 
- The possibility to extract ground water related features from the 
imagery. 
When setting up the ERTS-A proposal entitled: "Hydrogeological Investigation 
in the Pampa of Argentina" it was assumed that the vegetation should show 
differences due to the different depth to ground water and different ground 
water salinity. As an example the evaluation of Apollo 9 SO 65 experiment 
photographs from the Mississippi Valley (AS 9 - 26A - 3741 A through D) 
led to the assumption that multispectral investigation of the vegetational 
pattern in a comparable region could be successful in identifying areas of 
different ground water conditions. Also it seemed to be desirable to have 
repetitive coverage over the test site to monitor the vegetation growth 
during an annual cycle to delineate stressed vegetation against nutriated 
vegetation. As the following investigation demonstrates a onetime coverage 
furnished adequate results. 
Over the whole area about 7500 dug wells and bore holes have been observed 
and measured. With the assistance of topographic maps ground water level 
maps were compiled, showing the depth to ground water. Electrical 
conductance readings and chemical analysis led to the delineation of areas 
with fresh and saline ground water. However the accuracy of isolines (e.G.: 
Depth to ground water, salinity of ground water) is determined by the 
distances of observation points, 
-3-
Since 1973 it has been possible to complement the ground survey by
 
evaluation of ERTS-1 imagery.
 
ERTS-1 proposal SR 330 has been submitted to obtain data which have to
 
meet the following constraints:
 
- cloudfree overpasses,
 
- full coverage of the test site during one cycle,
 
- repetitive coverage during different periods of the year,
 
- rapid acces to the data.
 
ERTS-1 imaged the test site in three passes on the following days:
 
30.8.1972 Eastern sector 
31.8.1972 Central sector 
1.9. 1972 Western sector 
The data have been shipped to the P.I. in December 1973. 
3. DATA HANDLING AND ANALYSIS 
ERTS-1 imagery was available in paper print form and also as positive 
transparencies. The 9" X 9" positives were converted to negatives from 
which 18" X 18" positive paper prints, with a scale of 1 : 500 000, were 
produced. These enlargements provided the basic data for the investigation. 
Overlays of the results were then converted to maps. The comparison of 
these "space" data maps with the hydrogeological maps derived from 
conventional observations showed that significant improvements could be 
achieved. Classification of the units outlined on the images could be done 
confidently as they were supported by knowledge obtained from the results 
of the previous field work. 
The quality of the imagery is excellent. From the coverage period 30. 8. 1972 ­
1.9.1972 the whole test site except the extreme NW is available. Additional 
coverage of parts of the site were acquired on 1.3. 1973, 19.3.1973 and 
26.3.1973. The investigations were carried out with the 30.8. - 1.9.1972 data. 
Additional control was established by cross checking the repetitive coverage. 
-4-

Due to the delay during data processing and shipment and the termination of
 
the hydrogeological team field survey, a direct feed back of the results into
 
the field teams could not be established.
 
4. HYDROGEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE PAMPA AND THEIR
 
CHARACTERISTICS ON ETS-i IMAGES
 
4. 1 Areas with varying ground water salinity
 
The water level of an upper ground water body is situated within quaternary
 
loess sediments between 0 and 25 m below the surface. The ground survey
 
revealed a relationship between morphology, depth to ground water and
 
salinity of ground water. This relationship is reflected by a number of
 
features and units at the earth s surface, and can therefore be observed on
 
<ERTS-i imagery. 
Regions with different grey tones on the imagery represent different types 
and density of vegetation. This is closely related to the depth to ground water. 
Generally, ground water mineralisation and the salt content in the soil, 
increases due to the influence of evapotransporation with decreasing depth 
to ground water. High ground water salinity and soil salinity lead to 
unfavourable growth conditions for plants with high chlorophyll content. 
These regions appear dark in channel 7 and light in channel 5 (fig. 2). 
The best growth conditions prevail in regions where the ground water leve. 
is situated below the area of influence of evapotranspiration (about 10 m or 
deeper). They appear predominantly light in channel 7 and dark in channel 5 
indicating a dense coverage of vegetation with a high chlorophyll content. 
The identification of different units was carried out using-channel 5 image.
 
which provided the best contrast for this type of interpretation (fig. 2),
 
K% 
1039-27373-5 
Areas of differing ground water salinity 
75km SW of Santa Fe' 
UI- UrT show different salinity of ground water 
b Bajos 
S0 25km 
L. A 
....
.FA ...  
F.Image i Wdicaton: w d.t fedPAtterLb
condttouot goud watr 
condit'i'o to grOwd waterup to abaImgXdcain- Dar tareas with distinct field~pte 
engruwtr.,Vegtt~~salinitP ofW 
4.4 
between the observation points ( 1 km and more) in fig. S C could be compe 
sated by the use of ERTS-1 imagery. 
4.2 "Bajost 
The most important resources of fresh ground water in the Central Pampa 
are situated below ttnajostt 
'
tBajo" is an Argontinian term to describe elongated flat depressions with 
little or no surface drainage. In space imagery they appear as sharply 
defined strips (b in fig. 2). They run more or less straight in an SNE-WW 
direction, are between 100 and 200 m wide and are spaced at relatively even 
distances of approximately 2 km apart. 
The consistent pattern of the Eajos throughout the Pampa region suggests 
a tectonic origin, probably due to fractures in the deeper crystalline 
bedrock. 
ies ofn dept to ground W''ter of ter field measurerfnts dnd
 
Ctomoel 7 1 373 
- . 
..... 
/ /A 
... 
4. 
.. 
:' 
. .. 
. .k 
^ - .- -\- I. 
17 
-' 
1r­
lsolines by computer print of tor field Isohnes reconstructed from coiputet pt
measurements in conjunction with ERTS image chants 
Observation poits, Depth to ground water more 
Simplified cross section of a "Baja" 1H
 
with the aid of geo-electrical profiles H
 
Earth's surface 
-Ground water I 
1000m 
-4 	 Isolines of apparent resistivity (Ohm mn 
Fresh ground water 7 Ohm.m 
7 Ohm-m - 1 g/l salt content 
4 " 1.8 
2 3.5 HH 
17 
-7-
After heavy rainfall water collects in the Bajos where more water 
infiltrates than in the surrounding area. As a result, under the Bajo, fresh 
water lenses are formed in the saline ground water body, thereby offering 
water supply possibilities for rural needs (fig. 4). 
Geophysical research and pumping tests revealed that for the calculation of 
fresh water (salt content lower than 1 g/l) a medium thickness of 20 m can 
be interpolated. The volume of the fresh water impregnated sediment 
therefore can be calculated from space imagery by tsngthe formula: 
V = WxLxT 
V = Volume of the fresh-Watq,4raurated sediment 
W = Width of the Bajo 
L = Length of the Bajo 
T = Known medium thickness of the fresh water filled sediment 
About 10 % of the Volume is assumed to be the total quantity of extractable 
fresh ground water. 
4.3 Sand dunes on the terraces of the Rio Paranf 
On the Eastern edge of the mainly dark colored upper terrace of the Rio 
Parand is situated a sand dune field that appears as a white stripe in the 
imagery (fig. 5). 
The depth to ground water in the terrace bed extends to about 1 m, in the 
sand dunes up to 5 m. The salt content of the ground water differs 
considerably. In the sand dunes, ground water with a salt content of about 
0.3 g/1 was found,whereas in the remaining terrace area the salt content 
exceeds in some cases 6 g/l. 
The relationship between depth to ground water and ground water salinity 
is also most evident in this area, but the lower range of the capillary fringe 
in the sandy sediments permits the existence of fresh ground water at more 
shallow depths. 
-8
 
5. HYDROLOGY 
From a hydrological point of view the area can be subdivided into three parts 
which are clearly visible on ERTS-1 imagery. 
5.1 The river system of the Rio Parand and its affluents 
The East of the imaged area is dominated by the Rio Parant and its terraces. 
The upper and lower terrace can be distinctly delineated (fig. 5, UT and LT). 
The lower terrace appears darker than the upper terrace due to a more 
intense soil moisture. The terraces are partly covered by open waters and 
meandering streams. Dark grey patches on the image stretching from North 
to Southto the West of the upper terrac, could be identified as swamp (S 
in fig. 5). Probably they represent the location of another older terrace. 
5.2 The Central Pampa 
The Central Pampa is almost completely flat. The imagery reveals that this 
part of the Pampa has no surface run-off, because no drainage pattern can be 
observed. 
5d 3 The Western Pampa 
The Western part of the investigated area is intersected by three rivers, the 
Rio Primero, Rio Segundo and Rio Tercero flowing down from the Sierra de 
C6rdoba. 
At the moment of imaging both the Rio Primero and the Rio Segundo 
contained water but only in their upper courses. On the other hand the Rio 
Tercero oontained water throughout its length as shown in the imaged scene 
of fig. 6. In channel 7 the water filled sections appear dark grey whereas 
the dry lower courses appear light grey (fig. 6). The sides of the rivers 
show dry beds of ancient rivers appearing as light grey stripes. 
Rio NE of Santa F6LT r Terrace
 
UT er Terrace
 
CUpper Terrace I
 
.....
. 

AFF01
.W.1 hp
 
H Mi.
 
fly a 
F 
NEI 
w riii~~i~~~~~~!iiii~ ~~i!~~~~~
iiiiiiiiiii
 
i !Hiiii~ii Siriiiiiiiiiiiiiii!
~~i iiiiiiiiiii
 
F. 
-9­
6. PHOTOLINEATIONS (TECTONICAL PATTERN) 
Apart from the "Bajos", for which a reasonable tectonic origin has been put 
forward, other long photolneations also possibly of tectonic-origin could be 
-observed on'ERTS-i imagery (fig. 7). Their relationship to hydrogeology 
has not yet been examined.- Possibly they allow interaction between different 
overlying aquifers.- However a-more detailed ground water -observation and 
hydrochemical survey, of humerous-perforations in the vicinity of major 
lineations, would have -to take -place to prove whether an interaction of 
different ground water-bodies takes:place -along these lineations. 
A number of North-South striking lineations inthe Western Pampa accord 
to the directionof the Sierra de Cdrdoba. The NNW-SSE striking long 
lineations in th6 Eastern Pampa are-possibly the continuation of faults 
causing the Rio de -la Plata delta. 
The "Bajos" and other lineations cannot be connected to-wellknown 
-tectonical units. 
7. COST SAVING BY THE USE OF ERTS DATA 
For -conventional reconnaissance mapping of depth to ground water and 
.salinity in the Pampa about 20 observation points.at available wells -are 
-needed per 100 sqkm. 
Large scale mapping for water supply purposes was carried out using
 
about 80 well points:per 100 sqkm.
 
The survey costs-per well can be assessed at 30 US 4.
 
-With the aid of ERTS imagery in the future the number-of observation points 
for reconnaissance mapping can be reduced by up-to 50 0 and for large -scale 
mapping by up to 75%. This equates to-a reductionof field costs from 600 
to 300-V (reconnaissance mapping),or respectively, from2400 4 to 600- per 
sqkm (large scale mapping). 
- 10 ­
8.- CONCLUSIONS 
Satellite imagery-in combination with ground investigations allows ,the
 
identification and. delineation-of differences in the conditions of the near
 
surface ground water (depth to ground water, salinity). The degree of
 
- precision achieved is greater than-that obtainable by conventional ground 
survey methods" alone. 
In future-it will be possible toproduce hydrogeological maps, cheaply and 
more quickly,, of areas with similar climatological and hydrogeological 
conditions. 
- References 
Bundesanstalt fAr Bodenforsehung, unpublished report of the- "Deutsche 
Hydrogeologischei'Mission in'Argentinien-(DHCM": Recursos de-agua 
y su aprovechanmientoen la ilanura-pampeana yen la valle del 
ConlaraTomo -2,, llanura.pampeana, - Hydrogeologia. -
Bundesanstalt fir Bodenforschung, -Hannover 1973 
-RANGO, A.-& ANDERSON,- A.T., 1973: ERTS-1 Flood hazard-Studiesin 
the Mississippi River Basin, Goddard-Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, 
'Maryland, p.p. I - 39 


Hydrogeological investigations in the Pampa of Argentina

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