Natural vulnerability of aquifer in the hydrographic basin of Rio Pardo - RS

Abstract

The growing demand for water resulting from the population increase has increased the pressure for the exploration of groundwater. Potentially polluting activities when located in regions vulnerable to contamination can accelerate the degradation process of these sources. In this sense, the present study aimed to assess the natural vulnerability to aquifer contamination in the hydrographic basin of Rio Pardo, Rio Grande do Sul. To assess the natural vulnerability to aquifer contamination, the GOD methodology was used. Hydrogeological information from 203 wells registered in the CPRM’s Groundwater Information System (SIAGAS) was used to spatialize the variables G, O, D in the ArcGIS software and generate the map of natural vulnerability to aquifer contamination for the Rio Pardo Basin. The region of greatest vulnerability was found in the south of the basin, and the region of least vulnerability in the north. It was found that the closer to the exutory the higher the level of vulnerability in the basin.