Laboratory of Water Resources and Environmental Isotopes
NEWS
LARHIA researchers carry out internships at US universities
07/02/2025
Three LARHIA researchers, linked to Unesp, carried out periods of research at institutions in the United States, with support from FAPESP.
Doctoral student Carolina Stager Quaggio spent a period of research at Washington State University (WSU), with Prof. Dr. Jan Boll, in the project “Artificial intelligence technological solutions based on complex adaptive systems in the integrated management of water resources” (FAPESP Process: 23/13079-6). Student Rafaela Rodrigues Gomes was at the University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington), under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Ricardo Sanchez Murillo, in the project “Climate controls on rain isotopic variability in the Central Amazon”.
Student Bruno Valdambrini continues his research period at WSU, under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Sasha Richey Mclarty, in the project “Exploring the Hydrological Past of the Pantanal: An Artificial Intelligence Approach for EWH Modeling using In Situ Flow Data” (FAPESP Process: 24/03093-4).
After these activities abroad, LARHIA researchers will return to Brazil, incorporating the new techniques and results acquired at American universities into their ongoing research.
LARHIA researchers publish a study on the connectivity between surface and groundwater in the São Francisco basin
01/01/2025
The most recent article led by doctoral student Marcela Aragão presents an analysis of the chemical and isotopic composition of the waters of a sub-basin of the São Francisco River, located in the headwaters region. The study reveals the influence of rock-water interactions and seasonality on water quality, highlighting the connectivity between surface and groundwater, especially intensified during the rainy season.
The results indicate that groundwater is the main source of river flow, contributing between 60% and 85% of the total volume. The research also identified seasonal patterns in isotopic signatures, highlighting the gradual recharge of the aquifer. The full article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177971.
LARHIA researchers present studies at the largest world conference on Earth and space sciences - AGU
12/12/2024
Master's student Rafaela Rodrigues Gomes and doctoral student Carolina Stager Quaggio represented LARHIA at AGU's Annual Meeting, the largest world conference on Earth and space sciences, held in Washington, D.C., USA.
Rafaela presented her research on climate controls on rainfall isotopic variability in the Central Amazon, contributing to the understanding of hydrological processes in the region. Carolina, in turn, exposed advances in the use of Artificial Intelligence based on Complex Adaptive Systems for the integrated management of water resources.
LARHIA coordinator teaches hydrochemistry course at event in Ceará
23/11/2024
Between the 21st and 23rd of November, Prof. Dr. Didier Gastmans, coordinator of LARHIA, taught a hydrochemistry course at the Cearense Foundation for Meteorology and Water Resources (FUNCEME).
The course brought together technicians from FUNCEME, the Water Resources Management Company (COGERH) and the Geological Survey of Brazil, covering fundamental concepts and applications of hydrochemistry in the management of water resources.
XV PPG Meeting in Geosciences and Environment has international participation and organization with LARHIA researchers
08/11/2024
In its fifteenth edition, the Meeting of the Postgraduate Program in Geosciences and the Environment brought together students and teachers to exchange knowledge and discuss research at different stages of development. The event promoted academic integration and enabled the presentation of dissertations and theses, as well as lectures with prominent researchers in the field.
The event's organizing committee included the participation of program coordinator Prof. Dr. Didier Gastmans, who also coordinates LARHIA and LARHIA master's students, Amanda Rodrigues Soares and Bruno Valdambrini. Among the highlights of the event, Prof. Sasha Richey McLarty, from Washington State University, who gave a lecture and a short course on the application of data from the GRACE satellite in water resources management, reinforcing the importance of internationalizing the research carried out in the Program.
LARHIA researchers participate in international event in Uruguay on groundwater and wetlands
01/11/2024
On October 31st and November 1st, researchers Prof. Dr. Didier Gastmans and Dr. Vinícius dos Santos participated in the "Taller sobre Agua Subterráneas y Humedales en la Cuenca del Plata", held in Montevideo, Uruguay. The event was organized by the Centro Regional para la Gestión de Aguas Subterráneas en América Latina y el Caribe (CeReGAS), a UNESCO category II research center, in partnership with the Geological Survey of Brazil (SGB).
The meeting brought together experts in the field of water resources and aimed to promote the exchange of knowledge and experiences on the management of groundwater and wetlands in the Prata Basin region.
LARHIA research is highlighted in the Revista da FAPESP, Jornal Nacional and other media: "Rains cannot replace all the water consumed from the Guarani Aquifer"
01/11/2024
Marcelo Sacchi's master's thesis was featured in the FAPESP Magazine, Jornal Nacional and other media. The study, published in Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies, reveals that rainfall is not enough to replace all the water extracted from the Guarani Aquifer, which supplies the Alto Jacaré-Pepira sub-basin, in Brotas (SP).
The research, carried out between 2013 and 2021, showed that 80% of the water in the region's springs comes from the aquifer, while only 20% comes from rain. This imbalance, worsened by the lack of precipitation, compromises local water sustainability and reinforces the need for adequate monitoring and management of water resources.
Check out the article at DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10256016.2024.2397469.
Studies on the Amazon are presented at the ATTO Workshop
05/10/2024
Between the 2nd and 4th of October, the ATTO Workshop took place in Manaus, an event that brings together professionals whose research is related to the Amazon. LARHIA was represented by doctors Vinicius and Zayra, who carry out studies on the isotopic composition of rain and micrometeorology, using data from ATTO. In addition to them, the event also featured the participation of German student Finn, who contributes to research in the same area.
WELCOME NEW LARHIA MEMBERS!
August 2020
We were pleased to welcome hydrogeologist Roberto Eduardo Kirchheim to the research group. He works as a hydrogeologist at the National Geological Service (CPRM) and as an associate researcher at LARHIA.
LARHIA PARTNERSHIP | AUTONOMOUS DEPARTMENT OF SEWAGE AND WATER (DAAE) | ARARAQUARA CITY HALL
July 2020
"Daae received material containing information about the geological features that make up the landscape of the Basalto Municipal Park from representatives of the Geography course at Unesp in Rio Claro, on June 2nd.
The art and information for the plaque were created by professor Dr. Didier Gastmans (UNESP/RioClaro) and student Graziele Beatriz de Lima, who were present at the municipality to deliver the material to the superintendent, Donizete Simioni and to the Director of Environmental Management (DGA), Katia de Castro de Matteo.
The information will be used to create one of the educational signs that will be available along the park trail. The inputs for the material were collected during a technical visit carried out on site with the DGA team, on June 15, 2020.
The material will inform visitors, in a didactic way, a little about the history of the Santo Antônio quarry, the destination of the rocks extracted from the quarry, the age and characteristics of the basalt rocks, the difference between lava and magma, among other information. The server Rafael Carvalho Alves de Mello, from the Environmental Inspection and Licensing Management, also participated in the delivery." (DAAE Araraquara)
WELCOME NEW LARHIA MEMBERS!
SCIENTIFIC INITIATION STUDENTS
With great pleasure we welcomed graduate students Graziele Beatriz de Lima, Thais Naomi Matsui, Lucas Pontani França, Pedro de Medeiros Correia and Rafaela Rodrigues Gomes to the research group!
WELCOME NEW LARHIA MEMBERS!
June 3, 2019
We were pleased to welcome geologists Andréa Segura, Camila de Lima and Lia Nogueira to the research group! Approved in the selection process of the Postgraduate Program in Geosciences and Environment at UNESP Rio Claro in the 2nd Semester/2019.
International Symposium on Isotope Hydrology
April 3, 2019
LARHIA researchers present their project at the International Symposium on Isotope Hydrology organized by IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) in Vienna (Austria) on May 20th to 24th/2019. The event aimed to deepen the understanding of the processes involved in the hydrological cycle.
DATATUB 2 JOINT RESEARCH
May 31, 2019
Joint research with the Geological Institute of the State (SP) of São Paulo carries out a campaign to collect Krypton (Kr) for dating groundwater from the Tubarão Aquifer System, in an international cooperation project with the IAEA.
INTERNATIONAL WATER DAY
March 22, 2019
LARHIA researchers point out important variations in the rainfall regime in the Southeast Region throughout the year based on the analysis of stable isotopes in rainwater. The application of isotopic techniques allowed the definition of the paths taken by water until it turns into rain. The results reinforce the relevance of the role of the Amazon Forest in water recirculation.
Main climatic features acting over South America and the distribution of rainfall volumes (on the left, the dry season, and on the right, the rainy season). ITCZ: Intertropical Convergence Zone; ZCAS: South Atlantic Convergence Zone; FF: Cold Fronts; mPa: Atlantic Polar Mass; mEc: Continental Equatorial Mass. (© Graphics/ SANTOS & GASTMANS)
THE ROLE OF THE AMAZON IN THE RAINFALL REGIME
February 1, 2019
LARHIA researchers point out important variations in the rainfall regime in the Southeast Region throughout the year based on the analysis of stable isotopes in rainwater. The application of isotopic techniques allowed the definition of the paths taken by water until it turns into rain. The results reinforce the relevance of the role of the Amazon Forest in water recirculation.