Recharge sources and hydraulic communication of karst aquifer, São Miguel watershed, MG, Brazil.

Abstract

The main public water supply in the São Miguel watershed (MG, Brazil) comes from a well-developed karst region, where information about hydraulic communications between caves entrances, sinkholes, recharge and discharge areas are still unknown. The study aims to identify regional hydrogeological processes describing groundwater hydrochemical evolution, interactions between meteoric, surface and ground waters, recharge and discharge sources, and possible hydraulic communications for proper management of water resources. Geophysical data were analyzed and water samples (meteoric, surface, and groundwater) throughout the watershed were collected for stable isotopes (18O and 2 H) and major ions analyzes. Results indicated strong influences of regional geological structures in the karst water flow directions; high concentrations of major ions in the central region of the watershed are common; karstification processes and aquifer recharge are more active during the rainy season, while in the dry season the watershed is supplied by groundwater.