Assessment of Groundwater Favorability in the Aquifers of the Sergipe-Alagoas Basin, Sergipe, Brazil

Abstract

For decades, water resources have been driving elements in the development of urban and industrial centers worldwide. However, this dependency has led to indiscriminate degradation, rendering many rivers inaccessible in terms of quality and quantity. In response, the United Nations launched the 2030 Agenda, which includes access to potable water and sustainable cities as central goals. This study, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 6, focuses on identifying the most favorable aquifers for groundwater exploitation in the municipality of Nossa Senhora do Socorro, Sergipe, Brazil. Using a Geographic Information System, vector and raster data were processed with QGIS, ENVI, OpenStereo, and CorelDraw. The study identified 296 surface water resources, totaling 698,330 linear meters, with patterns ranging from dendritic to rectangular and a preferred flow direction of northeast-southwest (0-15°), occupying the dissected relief of Tertiary to Quaternary geological formations. From the Digital Elevation Model, 230 lineaments were extracted, totaling 244,902 linear meters, with a preferred northeast-southwest direction (60°-75°). By correlating the lineaments with hydrographic, lithostratigraphic, and yield data obtained from tubular wells, it was determined that fractured limestone layers, when associated with unconfined sedimentary aquifers, are the most favorable areas, highlighting the Cotinguiba (K2cs) and Calumbi (K2ca) formations. Identifying areas with higher hydrogeological favorability can guide public policies and investments, promoting sustainable groundwater use. This underscores the importance of integrating remote sensing and geoprocessing techniques in hydrogeological studies to enhance the understanding and management of water resources.