Earth Sciences Seminar Series
Friday October 9th
12:30PM
Beach Hall 233
Lucas Fennell
Lecturer at the University of Buenos Aires and
CONICET Associate Researcher at the Institute of Geochronology and Isotopic Geology (INGEIS, UBA, CONICET).
Title:
Unraveling the Plumbing System of the Andean Water Towers.
Abtract:
The highest Andes of Argentina feature breathtaking landscapes, stunning glaciers, and extreme mountainous terrain. Situated in an arid environment, the headwaters of the rivers originating in these high mountains are vital for supplying water to adjacent urban and agricultural regions. However, the exact sources of recharge and subsurface flow paths remain poorly constrained—a critical knowledge gap in the face of climate change and intensifying water demand. As glaciers retreat, groundwater increasingly acts as the primary buffer and source of baseflow in these mountain systems. In this talk, we will explore the fundamental architecture ("plumbing system") connecting these Andean water towers to major river networks. Using an integrated approach that combines structural geology, surface geological mapping, and spring chemistry, we characterize subsurface flow pathways and rock-water interactions. Furthermore, by coupling stable isotope geochemistry from modern waters with numerical modeling, we delineate recharge zones and identify moisture sources, which are critical to assessing long-term resource sustainability. While questions remain, these new datasets provide key insights for regional water security—supporting high-altitude tourism, local communities, and industrial requirements (mining, energy, and agriculture). Ultimately, future work in this direction will have major implications for natural hazard prevention and mitigation, as well as infrastructure planning and development in these fragile high-mountain arid environments.
For more information, contact: Earth Sciences at earth@uconn.edu