Groundwater recharge behavior based on surface runoff hydrographs in two basins of the Minas Gerais State

  • Matheus Fonseca Durães Universidade Federal de Lavras
  • Carlos Rogério de Mello Universidade Federal de Lavras
Keywords: Barne’s method, recharge, precipitation

Abstract

The interaction between the surface and groundwater occurs in a dynamic and interconnected way allowing the use of direct and indirect methods for hydro-geological characterization and its contribution to the surface flow. The recession rates and the groundwater flow can be obtained by using the Barnes’ Method. Precipitation is the main component associated with the aquifer recharge process and may also be expressed as a Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI). This work presents recharge data sets based on the separation of the surface hydrograph for the Paraopeba and Sapucaí river basins, in Minas Gerais State. The effect of precipitation on groundwater recharge in the Sapucaí basin is more significant than that of the Paraopeba basin due to predominant land-use and its water and climatic regimes. The contribution of the base flow to total runoff in the Sapucaí basin could exceed 70% in some sub-basins, especially those near the Mantiqueira Range, demonstrating that even in areas with high rainfall concentration the influence of the Atlantic Forest in this process is highly significant.

Author Biographies

Matheus Fonseca Durães, Universidade Federal de Lavras
Departamento de Engenharia, Núcleo de Água e Solo
Carlos Rogério de Mello, Universidade Federal de Lavras
Departamento de Engenharia, Núcleo de Água e Solo
Published
27/08/2013
Section
Papers