Located in the valleys of the Ribeira de Iguape and Paranapanema Rivers, where karst features and a large number of caves can be found, the Intervales State Park and its buffer zone lie within an area of Proterozoic carbonate rocks that are of great interest to the mining industry. Based on geomorphological and geological studies, the characterization of the karst was performed in order to develop a management plan for the Intervales State Park and its buffer zone. With this, it was possible to define the degree of vulnerability of the karst aquifer to contamination. The areas of greatest vulnerability are those that facilitate injection of contaminants directly into the aquifer, being characterized by such karst features as caves and sinks. In regions where recharge occurs exclusively via diffuse infiltration, and runoff convergence with surface watercourses, the degree of vulnerability is lower. Considering this analysis, areas with the greatest impact potential were identified and recommendations made regarding management of the park and its buffer zone.
Karst; vulnerability; management Plan; Intervales State Park; buffer zone
