Potential of aquifer contamination in the Gouveia stream basin, São Paulo

Abstract

In the current scenario of increasing environmental awareness and seeking for methods to protect the environment, the preservation of both surface and underground water has gained prominence in the media and science. This research aimed to generate a chart of aquifers’ contamination potential of the Gouveia stream basin, located in the municipality of Brotas, São Paulo, for the year 2017, based on multicriteria analysis and systematized by Fuzzy logic. The chart considered the relationship between the geological, geomorphological, pedological, and declivity processes with the local land -. Results showed that 96% of the basin area present medium, high or very high potential for contamination of aquifers, suggesting that the relationship between the natural dynamics of the physical environment and the current pattern of anthropic occupation is unfavorable to the maintenance of the quality of groundwater resources. The methodology applied can support territorial planning decisions and sustainable management of the Guarani aquifer system once it is possible to spatialize areas that need more conservation and others where the occupation would be more favourable.