Coupling groundwater GIS mapping and geovisualisation techniques in urban hydrogeomorphology: focus on methodology

Abstract

The role of climate, geology, geomorphology, land use/cover, hydraulics and human activities are vital for the balanced and integrated assessment of water resources in urban areas. This approach addresses the key importance on ground field surveys at several scales, a representative hydrological inventory and an integrated groundwater mapping as useful tools to support urban groundwater systems conceptualisation. Lately, a new emphasis has arisen, addressing issues related to an integrated geovisualisation techniques and Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping studies on urban water supply systems, mainly in historical cities. Some key catchments in Porto urban area (NW Portugal) was selected to demonstrate this approach and to show the importance of groundwater GIS mapping for urban studies. The Porto city bedrock is dominated by an anisotropic and heterogeneous fissured media. An extensive field survey yielded data on hydroclimatology, hydrogeology, hydrogeomorphology, urban hydraulics and potential contamination sources. The Infiltration Potential Index in Urban Areas (IPI-Urban), Urban Recharge and Vulnerability Indexes was determined using GIS mapping techniques and hydrological inventory fieldwork. The integrated approach can be incorporated into an urban hydrological management system to support decision making on sustainable groundwater resources and in urban planning.