Vinasse has been widely replacing chemical fertilizers in sugar cane plantations as a source of nutrients, mainly potassium. Despite its value as a fertilizer, which has already been shown, there are very few publications about the mobility of its constituents as well as their effect on groundwater quality.
In a sugar cane plantation located on the Botucatu aquifer recharge area, a research project has been developed to determine the dynamics of the constituents of vinasse through the unsaturated and saturated zones, aiming at defining the agronomic rate of vinasse irrigation in order to preserve the groundwater quality.
Geological and hydrogeological surveys were carried out utilizing data from geophysical methods (electromagnetism and electroresistivity), boring and piezometers.
The area wasdivided into three plots where vinasse was applied at rates of 150 and 300 m3/hectare.
A monitoring net was installed after the hydrogeological characterization of the site, consisting of monitoring wells, multilevel piezometers, tensiometers, suction and pan lysimeters, which allow the evaluation of the water flow and solute transportation through the unsaturated and saturated zones.
This paper shows the preliminary results of the monitoring and the methodology used.
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