Aquifer vulnerability in the proximity of the municipal cemetery caçapava do Sul – Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

Considering the assessment of groundwater vulnerability to contamination in aquifers an important mechanism for management of groundwater resources, this research was developed. The objective of this study was to determine the natural vulnerability to groundwater contamination in the proximity of the Municipal Cemetery of Caçapava do Sul-RS, located in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul state. From geological and hydrological information of the site, vulnerability was determined using the GOD method, corresponding to G-hydraulic groundwater confinement; O-overlaying strata; D-depth to groundwater table (FOSTER et al., 2006). The results showed that this city has a large vulnerable area, which includes, besides the surroundings of the cemetery, the downtown, both one fractured aquifer, which provides water table level as semi outcropping to outcropping, the cemetery requires a structure to prevent a possible contamination. Based on this assumption, it reflects the need for a greater management in the implementation of cemeteries in urban centers.