Groundwater flow evaluation and hydrological connections with surface waters in Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station surroundings.

• Grant number: 24/13466-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences
• Principal Investigator: Juliana Gardenalli de Freitas
• Grantee: Júlia Taliari Corrêa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Climate change is as a major concern for the 21st century. Despite posing a global-level risk, climate change has a significant impact on Antarctica, an area considered high vulnerability to global warming. In this scenario, the impact of global warming in the hydrological cycle is highlighted, directly affecting interactions between surface water and groundwater. Considering the connections between hydrological compartments, groundwater stands out as a potential source of discharge for surface water, capable of interfering with the continental water system, such as lakes. Despite being essential for the hydrological cycle, groundwater flow is often underestimated, with studies focused on the Antarctic continent being even scarcer. The following project aims to enable the characterization of groundwater flows and their interaction with surface water - mainly lakes - in an area around the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station (EACF) based on existing data, data to be obtained in fiedl studies and laboratory analyses. As part of the final diagnosis, a conceptual model will be produced to encompass all data collected throughout the study.