GROUNDWATER HYDROGEOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT FROM CHAPADA DO ARARIPE

• Grant number: 23/09354-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2023
• Status: Discontinued
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: Didier Gastmans
• Grantee: Nicolas Quintan Bernardo
• Host Institution: Centro de Estudos Ambientais (CEA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/01628-8 - CHAPADA DO ARARIPE GROUNDWATER HYDROGEOCHEMICAL MODELING, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

The Chapada do Araripe, located in the southern region of the state of Ceará, Brazil, is an area of great archaeological, ecological, geological, and paleontological relevance, arousing academic and scientific interest due to its unique characteristics. The region has a high population density and faces significant demands to sustain regional development. In this context, the use of groundwater emerges as a viable option to meet local water needs. However, comprehensive studies are crucial to determine the age and quality of the groundwater, ensuring its sustainable and conscious extraction while safeguarding the water security of the region and preventing contamination that could compromise its utilization. An undergraduate research project, conducted in partnership between UNESP and COGERH (CE), aims to collect and analyze groundwater samples from tubular wells, with the purpose of determining the age of these aquifers and obtaining relevant information for local managers and researchers interested in the region. Hydrogeochemical studies play a crucial role in this context, enabling the understanding of the interaction processes between groundwater and the aquifer rocks and playing a fundamental role in the proper management of water resources.