Recharge Estimation from Potiguar Basin Aquifers (CE-RN)

• Grant number: 24/03420-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: Didier Gastmans
• Grantee: Mariana de Miranda Moura
• Host Institution: Centro de Estudos Ambientais (CEA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The study area comprises the Açu Aquifer System in its continental portion of the Potiguar Basin, which is located in the northeastern region of Brazil, covering parts of the states of Rio Grande do Norte and Ceara. This aquifer has an extremely and relevant role in supplying water for human use, agricultural and industries in the region. The importance of aquifer has become even more evident in the face of climatic challenges that have resulted in droughts periods in the region. In response to this condition, it became necessary for municipalities to rely on groundwater as the main source of supply, leading to the possibility of overexploitation of the aquifer and a lot of problems of hydro balance and resource sustainability. In this context, generate knowledge about the aquifer recharge rates and their temporal variations became essential for a better understanding and management of water resources in the region. In this study, two main methods will be applied to quantify recharge: (i) the water level variation method (VNA); (ii) the water balance method using orbital sensors. The goal is to estimate the spatiotemporal variability of recharge rates in the Açu Aquifer