The physical environment and geo-environmental changes in the river basin of the barrinha stream in the CEPTA area, Pirassununga - SP

• Grant number: 22/01276-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2022
• End date: March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: Denise Balestrero Menezes
• Grantee: Clara Bianchi Bahia
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Water bodies suffer damage from human actions that cause deforestation of the riparian forest, water pollution or degrade the soil. Surface processes that occur naturally can be aggravated under the effect of human actions, generating greater erosion of soils and silting of rivers. Changes in vegetation cover expose the soil, allowing greater surface runoff of rainwater and carrying particles into watercourses, increasing sedimentation and modifying its compositional characteristics. Degradation signs, such as these, make it possible to assess the health of the environment. Local studies make it possible to establish geoindicators that reflect changes in abiotic components by natural processes and that help in their recovery. The objective of this research is to identify the environmental quality and geoenvironmental changes of the watershed of the córrego da Barrinha, in Pirassununga - SP, in the area of CEPTA - ICMBio, through a set of maps and environmental data that will serve as a basis for environmental assessments. Through the analysis of changes in land uses over time and the physical environment of the watershed, with identification of erosion points, silting and study of stream sediments, the current state of preservation and/or degradation of the site will be evaluated and geoindicators of anthropic activities will be sought. The results will be integrated into a research project that is being developed in the CEPTA Area, seeking to show how the quality of the physical environment interferes with biodiversity, especially in the local ichthyofauna. (AU)