Groundwater favorability map using GIS multicriteria data analysis on crystalline terrain, São Paulo State, Brazil

• Published in: Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam) Vol. 357; no. 3; pp. 153 - 173
• Main Authors: Madrucci, Vanessa, Taioli, Fabio, de Araújo, Carlos César
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.08.2008; [Amsterdam; New York]: Elsevier; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: aquifers; bedrock; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Fractured-bedrock aquifer; geographic information systems; geomorphology; geophysics; Geoprocessing multicriteria analysis; GIS; groundwater; Groundwater favorability map; groundwater favorability mapping; groundwater favorability maps; Hydrogeology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Remote sensing; soil parent materials; water resources; Brazil; South America; Sao Paulo Brazil; Brazil, Sao Paulo; GIS; Groundwater favorability map; Fractured-bedrock aquifer; Geoprocessing multicriteria analysis; Remote sensing; terrains; ground water; geographic information systems; remote sensing; geomorphologic maps; aquifers; bedrock; productivity; interpretation
• ISSN: 0022-1694; 1879-2707
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2008.03.026

This paper presents the groundwater favorability mapping on a fractured terrain in the eastern portion of São Paulo State, Brazil. Remote sensing, airborne geophysical data, photogeologic interpretation, geologic and geomorphologic maps and geographic information system (GIS) techniques have been used. The results of cross-tabulation between these maps and well yield data allowed groundwater prospective parameters in a fractured-bedrock aquifer. These prospective parameters are the base for the favorability analysis whose principle is based on the knowledge-driven method. The multicriteria analysis (weighted linear combination) was carried out to give a groundwater favorability map, because the prospective parameters have different weights of importance and different classes of each parameter. The groundwater favorability map was tested by cross-tabulation with new well yield data and spring occurrence. The wells with the highest values of productivity, as well as all the springs occurrence are situated in the excellent and good favorability mapped areas. It shows good coherence between the prospective parameters and the well yield and the importance of GIS techniques for definition of target areas for detail study and wells location.