Analysis of the effect of impermeability of urban soils on the infiltration of rainwater in the city of Recife, PE

Marco Aurelio Calixto Ribeiro De Holanda,Willames De Albuquerque Soares

doi:10.4136/ambi-agua.2386

Marco Aurelio Calixto Ribeiro De Holanda, Willames De Albuquerque Soares

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4136/ambi-agua.2386

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Abstract

The process of urbanization interferes in the elements of the hydrological cycle, altering the infiltration, flow, and evaporation of rainwater. Several methods and tests exist for analyzing this hydrological cycle that aim to hydrodynamically characterize the soil of a locality. However, the collection and field trials can be expensive and time consuming. Because of these high costs, it is important to look for methods that save time and money. One such method is to perform simulations of water flow in the soil, using computational models such as Hydrus 1-D, in order to explain the water balance of a region. The results of these simulations showed that 355.18 mm.m-2 of the total 385.02 mm.m-2 of precipitation was able to infiltrate, indicating that the soil of the region has a high infiltration capacity, due to its high sand content. However, of the 228,000 m2 studied, only 38,760 m2 are unpaved soil. This shows that the soil at the location studied would be able to infiltrate most rainwater without the occurrence of flooding, if more than only 17% of the land area were permeable soil. This conclusion can be extrapolated to other areas surrounding this neighborhood and to other large urban centers, which have similar characteristics.

Highlights

Water is a natural resource of great relevance to anthropic activities in many areas
The processes that make up the hydrological cycle, from infiltration to evapotranspiration to surface runoff, are dependent on the physical environment in which they are found (Tucci, 2007)
The urbanization process interferes with the elements of this hydrological cycle, modifying the environment through deforestation, degradation of natural areas, as well as other damages, such as impermeabilization of the soil, lack of an ideal urban drainage system, and pollution of the catchment and outflow network, all related to the growth of population (Corte, 2015)

Summary

Introduction

Water is a natural resource of great relevance to anthropic activities in many areas. The urbanization process interferes with the elements of this hydrological cycle, modifying the environment through deforestation, degradation of natural areas, as well as other damages, such as impermeabilization of the soil, lack of an ideal urban drainage system, and pollution of the catchment and outflow network, all related to the growth of population (Corte, 2015). Soil is a vital part of the environment It influences the distribution of plant species and provides a habitat for a large number of organisms. It functions as a filtration system between the atmosphere and the earth for surface water and chemicals. Soil is relevant to the destiny of society because of the goods, resources, and services that it provides to humanity (Soares, 2018)

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