Groundwater Vulnerability of the Basaltic Aquifer in the UFMS Campus, at Campo Grande – MS

Abstract

The Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul Campus (UFMS) is located in Campo Grande in the basin of the Bandeira stream. It has its own water well supply system from the basalts of Serra Geral aquifer. Due to the importance of this water source for the Campus and the region, two methods of aquifer vulnerability assessment – DRASTIC and GOD – were applied. The methods are auxiliar tools for the decision process in issues such as urban planning and economic-ecological zoning which are the base for the integrated management of the natural resources. However, the methods do not substitute the field trips and the local monitoring. On the GOD method, it was observed three great and defined areas of low, medium and high vulnerability, while on the DRASTIC method it was obtained many degrees of vulnerability – from very low, low, moderate and high vulnerability. In this study, the GOD method is the most appropriate to be used because the area of the Campus is partially urbanized and the data used in the GOD method came from the not modified sub-surface. According to the chosen method, a better management plan could be developed and applied to other areas of the state, including the other aquifers. To the continuity of this project, it is necessary to intensify the data collection, and also settle a routine of sampling. It is also important that the government disciplines the activities developed around the Campus and also inside its area in order to protect the aquifer so that the users can always use it for many purposes.