Hydrogeophysical investigation for aquifer characterization in catchment basins

• Grant number: 23/11191-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: José Luiz Albuquerque Filho
• Grantee: André Campos Guaragna Kowalski
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas S/A (IPT). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/11762-5 - Centre for Water and Food Security in Critical Zones, AP.CCD

Abstract

This postdoctoral research line is part of the Hydrogeology axis of the Center for Water and Food Security in Critical Zones (FAPESP 2021/11762-5) project, which seeks to provide solutions to issues related to water and food security in the state of São Paulo. This research project seeks to understand how water interaction occurs between surface and underground aquifer systems in hydrographic basins from the point of view of Hydrogeophysics. Different Geophysical methods will be applied, such as electrical tomography, magnetic resonance sounding, well profiling (electrical, electromagnetic, among others), along with hydraulic tests in wells for geological characterization of the subsurface (layer geometry and their properties) and determination of the hydrodynamic parameters of aquifers, such as storage coefficients, transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity. In addition to the methods that will be used, this project will have the support of other research centers in Geophysics at IAG/USP (seismic and GPR) and Hydrogeology at IPT (hydrogeological modeling), allowing to obtain a complete database and integrating different areas in the proposed studies. The properties obtained by these methods are fundamental in the development of conceptual models used in hydrogeological modeling to better understand the functioning of water systems, allowing the development of solutions around the preservation of springs, better management of water resources in irrigation areas, development of projects for induced recharge, among other applications. The first year of the project foresees the study of springs in the Ribeirão das Posses basin near Extrema (MG) where there is a wide coverage of geophysical data, obtained in recent years during the PhD of the fellow, which will be complemented with new surveys by magnetic resonance soundings, seismic and GPR, in addition to tests in existing wells; later, in the second year, the project foresees the study around irrigation areas for agriculture in the Ribeirão Carrapatos basin (Alto Paranapanema - SP) with the idea of proposing a more efficient consumption of water resources for agriculture use; finally, in the third year of the project, the Rio Verde basin (Itobi - Vargem Grande / SP) will be investigated. Within the scope of the study of springs, the project will seek to understand the recharge and discharge system around the headwater basins that will allow collaborating in the elaboration of conceptual models to explain the origin and dynamics of these springs, developing a plan for preserving the flow as well as optimizing recharge systems. As for the studies around agricultural areas where irrigation occurs, the Hydrogeophysical surveys will allow to complement the elaboration of reliable conceptual models that will, through hydrogeological modeling, improve plans for decision-making in the planning of the management of reservoirs, so that a better use of water resources is possible. The development of research in a range of different areas will allow the evolution of knowledge in the area of Hydrogeophysics, through the elaboration of a protocol with methodologies to be replicated in studies of other water systems. The results obtained from these studies will be published in the form of articles and at national and international scientific events. (AU)