Geospatial technology applied to the identification of groundwater recharge areas in northeastern São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Groundwater resource information is crucial for the establishment of protective measures by police makers and local managers. This article presents the findings of a research based on the application of remote sensing technology and auxiliary data for the identification of groundwater recharge areas in the Paraíba do Sul river basin, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The objective of this study was to develop a series of georreferenced geologic information and a sequence of hydrogeologic analysis to determine the location and distribution of recharge areas for future conservation purposes. The results indicate the distribution of five categories of potential recharge areas based on lineament characteristics, fracture bundles, and fracture density analysis. The top three categories should be considered as having the higher percolation quality and infiltration capacity, therefore higher potential for groundwater recharge. Significantly different results were obtained for the two major portions of the study area, crystalline rocks and unconsolidated sedimentary material, this fact hampered the development of hydrogeologic correlations for the entire basin. Results may help policy makers and managers in the development and implementation of an aquifer protection zoning program and local community activities in environmental education and conservationist interventions.