Resumen de Reconocimiento hidrogeológico de la Sierra de la Almijara meridional (Málaga)
Antonio Castillo Martín, J. Carmona
The southern part of the Almijara range (in the province of Málaga) is mainly composed of marbles of the Alpujárride Complex (Internal Zone of the Betic Range). There is significant tectonic complexity and the area is traversed by a large inverse fault ("escama de Calixto"), which causes the sector to be divided into two partially interconnected hydrogeologic subunits,the Almijara and the Alberquillas.With 140 km2 of carbonated outcrops, groundwater resources have been estimated at around 40hmVy. The water is moderately saline (400-700 microS/cm) with calcic-magnesic bicarbonatefacies. Current levels of exploitation only represent 50% of the evaluated water resources. Such under exploitation is exceptional in the context of the coastal regions of the eastern Mediterranean. A sharp increase in water extraction is forecast for the near future. This kind of exploitation should respect a series of criteria in order to satisfy consumers interests with out harming the environment. Specifically, pumping activities should be divided between the existing water catchment areas and be concentrated in the southern boundaries, with extraction to the north of "escama de Calixto" being severely limited
