Global climate change and impacts on water availability in the Bauru Aquifer System in the State of São Paulo | MUCHAS

• Grant number: 24/01717-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo César Aoki Hirata
• Grantee: Israel Daniel Carranco Andino
• Host Institution: Instituto de Geociências (IGC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/15434-0 - SACRE: integrated water solutions for resilient cities, AP.TEM

Abstract

In response to the growing dependence on groundwater resources in São Paulo state, this project aims to address the lack of a regional system to assess groundwater availability in the Bauru Aquifer System (SAB). The absence of studies on the impact of climate change on aquifer recharge underscores the urgency of this research. Through a recent collaboration between IGc-USP (Instituto de Geociências) and DAEE (Departamento de Águas e Energia Elétrica), privileged access to state piezometric network data will enable the interpretation of these data to support groundwater extraction concession. The sustainability of the SAB requires a direct recharge assessment, but inherent uncertainty of the phenomenon and a lack of historical data affect these estimates. This master's study aims to quantify the water availability of the SAB, developing a robust aquifer recharge method for regional quantification based on the integration of water table fluctuation and water-soil balance techniques. Expected outcomes include projections based on climate scenarios, analysis of the existing monitoring network, and development of an automated system for collecting and organizing well-monitoring data and establishing recharge-rain equations in a specific geographical context and maps. Ultimately, this study aspires to provide a fundamental tool for water management in São Paulo, contributing to scientific advancement and addressing emerging challenges in the context of global climate change.