The contamination of groundwater in the aquifer of the La Llagosta basin (Besòs river basin) due to waste disposal in quarries
formerly used for the extraction of dry raw materials has led to the cessation of groundwater extraction for public water
supply. The mobilization of pollutants was largely caused by fluctuations in piezometric levels, which led to the washing
of buried waste. The hydrogeochemical processes associated with uncontrolled waste disposal in these landfilled areas of the
La Llagosta basin aquifer were studied along a flow path that crosses the contaminated area. The PHREEQC code was used to
establish the reactions associated with the different mineral phases through inverse modeling. This transport code, ionic
exchange phenomena, surface reactions and balance (mineral phase) reactions were used to simulate the dilution phenomenon
associated with the pollution after the potential removal of the sources of contamination. One-dimensional advective–dispersive
modeling indicates a substantial reduction in Ca, Mg, Na and SO
42− within one year and stabilization within four years.
Keywords Contamination - Groundwater - Hydrogeochemistry - Inverse modeling - Flow path