Integrated monitoring of quantity and quality parameters of the available water in a Guarani Aquifer System recharge area

Abstract

The quantity and quality of water available in a specific region are an indissociable relation. Land use and the activities developed in the geographic space determinate the pressure imposed to the water resources and consequently the disturbances and pollution generated in the reservoirs. Groundwater monitoring gives information to planning and sustainable water use. Also, it allows detecting changes from anthropogenic activities to treat them in time not to turn into potential damages and risks in the water resources exploitation. The Guarani Aquifer System (GAS) is an important world groundwater reservoir. In Brazil it has large economical importance, with several cities located under its range. Recharge zones represent 10% of its total area. The aim of this project is to characterize the water resources of Ribeirão da Onça basin, municipality of Brotas/SP-Brazil, located in an outcrop and recharge are of GAS. The study proposes monitoring and mapping water quantitative and qualitative parameters, aiming to understand the relationship between seasonality and land use with aquifer recharge and groundwater characteristics. To understand the hydrological processes in a monitored basin in detailed scale will give methodological basis for studies in another direct recharge areas of the GAS, and will allow to advance knowledge of man, water, soil, plants and atmosphere interactions, and will contribute for a sustainable groundwater management, combining human consumption, agricultural production and environmental quality. (AU)