HYDROGEOPHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE MARIZAL–SÃO SEBASTIÃO AQUIFER SYSTEM IN THE SURROUNDINGS OF THE LIMPEC SANITARY LANDFILL, CAMAÇARI, BAHIA, BRAZIL

Abstract

A detailed hydrogeophysical survey was conducted using the geoelectrical method in the surroundings of the LIMPEC sanitary landfill, municipality of Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil. Twenty-six vertical electrical soundings (VESs) were done, configured according to the Schlumberger electrode array and spaced up to 400 m between current electrodes. Hydrogeological quali-quantitative information was obtained by integrating geoelectrical results to data from wells and local geology information, namely: (i) an apparent resistivity map showed the occurrence of a conductivity anomaly, possibly attributed to the contamination plume, dispersed within the saturated zone, and presenting a SSE convection direction; (ii) one-dimensional inversions allowed to interpret the stratigraphic pattern, identify static level depth and the occurrence of possible contamination plumes, and indicate the direction of the groundwater flow, which was also towards SSE; (iii) two-dimensional inversions produced inverted geoelectrical profiles, with a mean error below 2%, and confirmed the occurrence of possible contamination plumes disseminated within the unsaturated zone and dispersed within the saturated one. The geoelectrical facies with the highest resistivity values (> 600 ohm.m) were related to the São Sebastião Formation. Facies with intermediate values (100 to 800 ohm.m) regarded the Marizal Formation. In turn, those with the lowest values (< 100 ohm.m) were related to contamination plumes and/or eventual occurrences of silt/clay; (iv) the parameters of porosity, hydraulic conductivity, and transmissivity were estimated between 19.2 and 34.2%, 0.11 and 3.37 x10-3 cm/s, and 4.7 and 145.6 m²/d, respectively; and (v) local free aquifer vulnerability was classified as high, according to the evaluation using the GOD method.