Evaluation of processes controlling Fe and Mn contamination in the San Pedro Sula porous aquifer (North Western Honduras)

Diego Di Curzio (a), William Palmucci (a), Sergio Rusi (a) & Patrizio Signanini (a)
(a) Engeenering and Geology Department, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Via dei Vestini, 30, 66013, Chieti, Italy. E-mail: diego.dicurzio@unich.it

A multidisciplinary approach has been used, integrating statistical multivariate analysis and hydrogeochemical modeling, in order to evaluate processes that cause high concentration of iron and manganese in drinking water wells exploiting the San Pedro Sula porous aquifer. The analyses carried out have allowed to individuate a close relationship between the heavy eutrophication conditions of surface water, due to uncorrect management of waste water and to land use impact, and redox processes diffusion in groundwater, that cause Fe and Mn mobilisation.

Iron, Manganese, Principal Component Analysis, Speciation, Eutrophication,Tropical area.