A variety of environmental problems occurs due to the inadequate disposition of residues. Applied geophysics methodologies to environmental studies show great results in the investigation of contaminating. GPR is a practical and fast geophysical method in such investigations, because the electromagnetic signal assists in the delimitation of the contaminating, addressing direct techniques of investigation (boreholes and wells). This study was developed in an old disposition area to residues lubricants oils (dense nonaqueous phase liquids - DNAPL) in the municipal district of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State. This area is situated in the geological domains of the basaltic floods of the Serra Geral Formation and sandstones of the Botucatu Formation. GPR acquisition was carried out inside and next to 4 ditches of residues disposition, with 100 MHz unshielded antennas, enabling a maximum investigation depth of 7 meters. The limits and of the ditches base can be identify in the GPR sections, except in the ditch 1, which the base is not delineated by GPR. The results show that GPR signal is much attenuated below ditches. This fact could be result of a bacteriological activity in the residue or increase of dissolved salts in the soil caused by acid pH of the residue.
GPR; DNAPL; residues of lubricants oils; contamination; Ribeirão Preto
