Ferramentas de geoprocessamento para análise da vulnerabilidade natural das águas sub-superficiais à poluição, área urbana e seu entorno, município de São Carlos - SP

Abstract

Nearly 97% of all fresh water available to humankind lies beneath the soil, as underground water, which makes scientists increasingly worried about its pollution. Important studies carried out in several regions of the world show that many fresh water resources have already been impacted by potentially pollution sources, especially by residues of agricultural, industrial and/or domestic origin. As a result, the UN has warned that by 2025 approximately 2.7 billion people worldwide will face serious shortage. What is more, protection of groundwater cannot be postponed since it is difficult and impractical to remove pollutants from local sources (wells) and very costly to decontaminate vast reservoirs. In consideration of this, the objective of this study was to elaborate a thematic, guiding cartographic document that qualitatively focused on natural vulnerability to pollutants of groundwater within the perimeter and urban areas of São Carlos, SP, Brazil, by means of GOD methodology and SPRING 4.2 - Inpe geoprocessing software. This document was also intended to assist the city administration in future planning and establishment of public policies aimed at protecting its groundwater resources.