Avaliação da vulnerabilidade intrínseca do aquífero cárstico da APA de Lagoa Santa, MG, utilizando o método COP

Abstract

This study addresses the intrinsic groundwater vulnerability by using the COP method index and GIS technology on the aquifer of the Lagoa Santa karst protection unit, located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This area has a great importance due to its rich paleontology, archeology and speleology. The region is groundwater dependent and it has been suffering pressure by economic development. Therefore, it is important to identify vulnerable areas which infiltration of contaminants is likely to happen. The main goal of this study was to create an intrinsic groundwater contamination vulnerability map (scale 1:50.000), which will be used to assist the implantation of groundwater monitoring net project in the area. The index vulnerability was evaluated by analyzing COP model parameters through geoprocessing techniques. However, in order to adapt the method to the studied area conditions, changes in frame and values of input parameters weights (Lithology and Slope/Vegetation) were necessary. The outcomes showed five categories of groundwater contamination vulnerable zones: very high (7,6%), high (3,2%), moderated (58,4%), low (16,2%) and very low (14,6%). Despite the low percentage of high to the highest vulnerably level area, they must be considered by environmental managers due to strong relationship between superficial and groundwater in the area.