Comparative study of standard and modified groundwater vulnerability methods in the gold and iron mining regions of Western Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Brazil

IF 3.5 3区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Journal of contaminant hydrology Pub Date : 2025-02-06 DOI:10.1016/j.jconhyd.2025.104516

Alice Zupo , Rodrigo S. de Paula , Jarbas L.D. Sampaio , Jorge G.R. Júnior , Marília C. Melo

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the intrinsic vulnerability of the Moeda Syncline, located in the western portion of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This region stands out for hosting important gold and iron ore mines and is the target of geological studies due to its structural complexity and economic importance. The Moeda Syncline is responsible for feeding springs and important tributaries in the hydrographic basins of the Velhas and Paraopeba rivers, thus contributing with a great part of the water consumed by the population of the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte (RMBH). The main threats to the sustainable use of water in the Moeda Syncline are urban expansion and mining enterprises. From the mapping of vulnerability to contamination it is possible to identify the areas that need to receive priority treatment. To assess the vulnerability of aquifers, four methods were selected according to the types of aquifers, namely: DRASTIC, SINTACS, GOD and EPIK. The DRASTIC method was developed to be used in any type of aquifer, the SINTACS method was developed for fissural aquifers, the GOD method for porous aquifers and the EPIK method for karst aquifers. In addition to the application of the proposed methods, modifications were made in order to adapt the method to the physical characteristics of the region, considering the less efficient parameters. From the results obtained, it was found that the most appropriate method to assess the vulnerability of the study area are those specific to each type of aquifer, considering that the proposed adaptations proved to be more efficient than the original methods. In addition, it was observed that the DRASTIC method, developed for all types of aquifers, demonstrates efficacy by indicating that the main aquifers susceptible to contamination are those of the cover layers, Cauê and Gandarela.

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来源期刊

Journal of contaminant hydrology 环境科学-地球科学综合

CiteScore

6.80

自引率

2.80%

发文量

129

审稿时长

68 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Contaminant Hydrology is an international journal publishing scientific articles pertaining to the contamination of subsurface water resources. Emphasis is placed on investigations of the physical, chemical, and biological processes influencing the behavior and fate of organic and inorganic contaminants in the unsaturated (vadose) and saturated (groundwater) zones, as well as at groundwater-surface water interfaces. The ecological impacts of contaminants transported both from and to aquifers are of interest. Articles on contamination of surface water only, without a link to groundwater, are out of the scope. Broad latitude is allowed in identifying contaminants of interest, and include legacy and emerging pollutants, nutrients, nanoparticles, pathogenic microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses, protozoa), microplastics, and various constituents associated with energy production (e.g., methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide). The journal''s scope embraces a wide range of topics including: experimental investigations of contaminant sorption, diffusion, transformation, volatilization and transport in the surface and subsurface; characterization of soil and aquifer properties only as they influence contaminant behavior; development and testing of mathematical models of contaminant behaviour; innovative techniques for restoration of contaminated sites; development of new tools or techniques for monitoring the extent of soil and groundwater contamination; transformation of contaminants in the hyporheic zone; effects of contaminants traversing the hyporheic zone on surface water and groundwater ecosystems; subsurface carbon sequestration and/or turnover; and migration of fluids associated with energy production into groundwater.