Jorge Espinha Marques

Conceptualizing a mountain hydrogeologic system by using an integrated groundwater assessment (Serra da Estrela, Central Portugal): a review

Mountains are often considered as the world’s water towers. This paper presents a critical review on the research concerning the integrated assessment of groundwater resources of the mountain hydrogeologic system of Serra da Estrela Natural Park (central Portugal). The study area is the Zêzere river basin upstream of Manteigas village located at the Serra da Estrela Mountain in Central Portugal. It provides the source of strategic water resources for the Portuguese mainland, including normal groundwaters, thermomineral waters and surface waters. An integrated approach has been used to formulate a conceptual model for this complex mountain hydrogeological system by integrating the geological, morphotectonic, hydroclimatic, unsaturated soil zone, hydrogeological, hydrogeophysical, hydrogeochemical and isotopic data. This model has been useful to: i) evaluate the water resources; ii) provide the basis for a sustainable management of water resources, iii) design measures for groundwater exploitation and contamination control; and iv) set up land-use policies.

A groundwater system in a mountain environment (Serra da Estrela, Portugal)

Mountains are often recognized as the “world’s water towers”, due to their exceptional ability to generate water resources of good quality and, frequently, of considerable economic value (e.g. UNESCO IHP-VI Programme: http://www.unesco.org, Aureli 2002).

Assessing Groundwater Vulnerability to Pollution through the DRASTIC Method

Groundwater pollution is a constant concern. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) provide useful tools to manipulate the variables that can be used prevent/minimize these issues. This article presents the development of a tool to produce maps under a GIS open source environment. The application was developed through Quantum GIS (QGIS) software. The tool is developed based on DRASTIC method and incorporates some procedures under a plugin. The Drastic method comprises several steps and several maps: Depth to groundwater (D), Net Recharge (R), Aquifer media (A), Soil media (S), Topography (T), Impact of Vadose Zone (I) and Hydraulic Conductivity (C). These maps are produced according to indexes defined by Aller et al (1987), [2]. One of the main advantage of this application is the easiness to use. The user can generate the maps according to his perception regarding field conditions. The application is free for the institution or user and presents a great contribution to predict the intrinsic vulnerability pollution through GIS open source.

Results from Geospatial Analysis of Resistivity to Delineate Contamination Anomalies: A Case Study of a Controlled Dump ‐ North Portugal

The assessment of contaminant dispersion in Controlled Dumps (CD) of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is possible through the combination of geophysical, geochemical and statistical methods. The methodology applied in this study will contribute to evaluate the environmental consequences of the Matosinhos CD (N Portugal), which is set in a granitic crystalline geological context with a permeability controlled by differential weathering which, in turn, is associated with fracturing. The statistical methods that we will describe are usually used in geochemical anomaly determination and were adapted to be used with resistivity data obtained from twenty-two 2D profiles performed around the CD. The data set was inverted and the results were processed and visualized by a 3D software application that we are currently developing. Groundwater samples were also collected in piezometers, upstream and downstream of the CD, with the aim of directly confirming the presence of contaminants indirectly detected by the geophysical and geostatistical methods described before. The combination of these different approaches allows, in our opinion, an improved approach towards the detection and delineation of contaminant plumes from these deposits.