Patricia González Hernández

Agricultural use and water quality at karstic Cuban western plain

In the paper some results of studies on the karstic aquifers of the western plain of Cuba are presented and discussed. The intensive exploitation of these aquifers for agriculture use and drinking water supply induces an increase of marine water intrusion, water salinisation and a progressive increase of chemical corrosion with a greater dissolution of carbonates. During the period of study (1983-1998) a trend in the deterioration of water quality was observed by means of a chronological series of hydrochloride content.

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of peloids from main Cuban spas

Peloids from some Cuban spas (San Diego, Elguea, Santa Lucía, Cajío and Colony) have been studied using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). Concentrations of 35 major, minor and trace elements in the peloids are reported, including an important group of rare earth elements (REE). Elemental concentrations are compared with to other worldwide reported peloids, consensus based Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQG) and the concentration limits established by the U.S. Pharmacopeia. The measured REE contents are of the same order of magnitude as worldwide reported peloids. However, the behaviour of the Upper Continental Crust-normalized REE content shows different patterns and Ce- and Eu-related anomalies for peloids matured with marine and fresh waters, respectively.