Methodology for rapid assessment of aquifer recharge areas

Abstract

The environmental tools of local appliance, such as surveillance and permits of deforestations and water use, environmental impact assessments of local scale, and delimitation of preservation areas, demand customized methodologies to deal with hydrogeological issues. In this study, a structured one for rapid environmental assessment aiming at recharge of aquifers safety was presented. This comprises qualitative and quantitative evaluations by means of textual and cartographical descriptions, complemented by weighted spreadsheets for rapid assessment. Applications in case studies took place in sites selected in the Paracatu River Basin. The results showed a positive potential for knowledge and protection of aquifers in micro-watersheds.Keywords: Hydrogeology; Rapid assessment; Aquifers; Environment; Recharge. ResumoOs instrumentos ambientais de aplicação local, tais como fiscalização, autorizações de desmate e de uso da água, estudos de impacto ambiental, de impacto local e averbações de reserva legal, demandam metodologias customizadas para o tratamento de questões hidrogeológicas. Neste estudo, apresentou-se um método estruturado para o diagnóstico ambiental expedito visando à segurança da recarga de aquíferos. Este constitui-se de avaliações qualitativas e quantitativas por meio de descrições textuais e cartográficas, complementadas por planilhas ponderadas para análise rápida. Aplicações em estudos de caso foram realizadas em locais selecionados na Bacia do Rio Paracatu. Os resultados mostraram potencial positivo para o conhecimento e a proteção de aquíferos em microbacias.

What maintains the waters flowing in our rivers?

“…The decrease in the infiltration of groundwater due to certain changes in the soil cover also decreases the aquifer flow in rivers, at times even reversing the flow; i.e., the river could start losing more water to the aquifer to balance the water deficit in the latter. Although any surface that is not impermeable can contribute to the recharge of subsurface and groundwater flows, there are certain areas with special environmental characteristics that are more important for the recharge of aquifers, such as flatter areas, sandy and deep soils, areas over porous aquifers and areas with less soil compaction, among others (Vasconcelos 2013b). From a watershed perspective, aquifer recharge processes predominate in more elevated areas, whereas in the areas near springs and rivers, the recharge processes predominate.…”

Rapid Environmental Planning Methodology: Developing Strategies for the Planners’ Education

“…The Australian aquatic ecosystem assessment programme (Parsons et al, 2002) made it possible to involve students and the local population, who learned about ecosystems and their environmental impacts and then collaborated in monitoring these environments. More recently, these rapid diagnostic methodologies have been adapted for other contexts, such as wetland delimitation and conservation (Fennessy et al, 2007), coral reefs (Lang et al, 2010), aquifer recharge areas (Vasconcelos et al, 2013), caves (Donato et al, 2014) and the valuation of ecosystem services (Neugarten et al, 2016). The use of standardized field checklists also has a long history in the identification and characterization of hazards (Carvalho et al, 2007) and the need for humanitarian assistance (OCHA, 2013) in the context of disaster risk management tools.…”