ESTIMATES OF NATURAL VULNERABILITY SET FOR AQUIFER CONTAMINATION AT MUNICIPAL SCALE: A CASE STUDY IN PANAMBI (RIO GRANDE DO SUL STATE/BRAZIL)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21680/2447-3359.2020v6n2ID19111Abstract
Vulnerability assessment applied to aquifers is an important tool to assess contamination in this environment. Inappropriate soil tillage techniques and population growth cause severe environmental complications and account for the need of adopting correct management for surface water and groundwater resources. The aim of the current research is to assess natural vulnerability to contamination in the Serra Geral Aquifer System through the GOD methodology in Panambi County, Northwest Rio Grande do Sul State – Brazil. Results have shown that the aquifer presented vulnerability classes ranging from insignificant to low. However, there are activities with polluting potential in the area, such as intensive agriculture, in addition to the mechanical metal industries hub; these activities, which can change the quality of the underground environment in case environmental standards are neglected.