Abstract
In a multidisciplinary approach, geological, geomorphologic, structural, hydrogeochemical and isotopic surveys were conducted on the Serra da Estrela groundwater system (central Portugal) in order to establish/develop a conceptual circulation model of the Caldas de Manteigas thermomineral system. A detailed study of the isotopic and geochemical composition of surface waters (e.g. Zzere River), shallow groundwaters (cold dilute springs), and thermomineral waters was carried out to characterize the distribution of isotopes in waters of this mountainous region, and to determine the origin and possible recharge locations of the thermomineral system. Special attention was dedicated to isotopic tracers and their role in the definition of the thermomineral waters' conceptual model, considering: (1) the delta(18)O fractionation gradient; (2) the mean isotopic composition of the thermomineral waters in the region; and (3) the estimation of snowmelt contribution as a source of groundwater recharge at Serra da Estrela. The recharge of the thermomineral aquifer takes place on the more permeable zones of the granitic massif, associated with the main tectonic structures, whereas the recharge of the shallow aquifers seems to take place mostly in the plateaus, although another part of the recharge may occur in the slopes of the Zzere River valley.

Abstract
In the present moment, the sustainable water management is a major concern throughout the world. Mountain areas are more and more recognized as the world's water towers (UNESCO IHP-VI PROGRAMME). Since a large number of mountains are located at high altitude and are crossed by roads, deicing operations are inevitable. The use of deicing chemicals such as sodium chloride and calcium chloride to promote snow and ice melting in roads is an environmental problem of scientific, economic and social relevance. Due to its geological, geomorphological and climate characteristics, the Serra da Estrela mountain plays a strategic role in the water management in Portugal. This paper presents hydrogeochemical results that illustrate the process of groundwater contamination by road deicing salts in this mountain area. © 2012 LNEG.

Abstract
The main goal of this study is to assess the current environmental state of the Matosinhos Controlled Dump (CD) and its surroundings. Until the end of last century the Matosinhos CD was an open area where all the wastes produced in Matosinhos were deposited. The CD lies in a granitic crystalline geological context with fissure controlled type permeability, which is not common (Mota et al., 2004) in the Portuguese context. With our set of 2D resistivity profiles was possible to detect the presence of two resistivity anomalies indicative of contamination in the Matosinhos CD surrounding, with particular emphasis in the downstream area (unsealed part). The upstream anomaly, with resistivity values lower than 30 O.m, is vertically limited by a more resistive material, a few meters from the northern boundary of the CD. The other one, more extensive, is located in the southern part of the CD, with resistivity values lower than 7 O.m. It was possible to detect that both contamination anomalies were decreasing with the increasing distance of the CD. Comparing the conductivity measurements in water samples collected from upstream piezometers with the values of downstream piezometer the presence of a strong influence of contamination downstream of the CD was found and thus confirmed and correlated with the electrical resistivity data. © 2011 LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Geologia e Energia, IP.

Abstract
Mountain areas are the source of high quality and socioeconomic relevance water resources. The sustainable management of such regions is fundamental to maintain the water supply to populations in wide areas all over the planet. Serra da Estrela is the origin of water resources of strategic importance to Portugal. In the highest part of the mountain, especially above 1400 m a.s.l., the use of road de-icing chemicals (NaCl and, accessorily, CaCl) may affect both groundwater and surface water as well as soils and therefore is a major environmental concern that should be investigated. This article presents a multidisciplinary methodology meant to support the study of water pollution as a result of the use of road de-icing salts in a mountain environment. This methodology encompasses contributions from Hydrogeology, Hydrogeochemistry, Isotope Geochemistry, Hydrogeophysics, GIS supported geological mapping and mathematical modelling. The main purpose of the application of this methodology in Serra da Estrela is to prepare a hydrogeological conceptual model focused in the processes related to groundwater pollution by NaCl from road de-icing. Another objective is to improve the sustainability of water resources and to provide new guidelines for water exploration and exploitation in the region.

Abstract
The method of seismic refraction is widely used in many applied Geology fields and problems today. Although it has some limitations, in the case of detecting a lower velocity bounded layer, this method is well tailored to a crystalline environments where, more often, weathering degree is highest on the surface and gradually decreases in depth and thus can aid in associating the weathering degree to velocity. Some relationships have been made to establish a connection between velocities and the elastic properties of rocks. In recent years seismic refraction methods have evolved in terms of improved equipment, especially by means of better seismographs, but particularly due to better inversion techniques that consider the subsurface as a more heterogeneous environment. The later are commonly known as travel time tomography techniques. In crystalline environments this is useful due to the occasional heterogeneity of the near surface but also because of the gradual character of velocity change as opposed to sudden velocity breaks at boundaries that were associated with intercept time methods and even GRM. With this in mind we sought, over the years, to apply this method to projects throughout Portugal. In the northern part it is even more adequate due to the dominant granitic and schistose environments that we encounter. In the past few years High Speed railway networks have been planned to integrate with the European network, already existing in some countries namely Spain and France among others. The project requires detailed planning for excavation in hilly and mountainous terrain due to both engineering and environmental considerations. We had access to a seismic refraction dataset, acquired by a local geophysical company, comprising of around a 190 individual 60m profiles and we interpreted them with a travel time tomography technique. Each section easily permits the filtering of velocity domains and we considered the 800m/s as an empirical limit to separate geotechnical soil from soft rock. Afterwards, by georeferencing in GIS every test over the corresponding lithology, we were able to establish, through simple descriptive statistical parameters, defining characteristic relationships between each lithological group and the geophysical results. These relationships could surely be useful for the sustainable development of the project in this highly variable geologic environment.

Abstract
The growing concern for the preservation of heritage in face of natural hazards led to the appearance of the Regional Framework Operation (OQR) NOE - Heritage and Prevention of Natural Hazards under the Community Initiative INTERREG III C. The OQR NOE, led by the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur (PACA, France) region, together with the Northern Portuguese regional coordination agency (CCDR-N), Molise and Sicily regions (Italy) and eastern region of Attica (Greece) aimed at developing preventive measures to safeguard the cultural heritage due to occurrence of natural hazards. The main aims, were to undertake an evaluation of existing practices through a strategy of inter-regional cooperation among the partners NOE and develop concrete actions in the field including strategies for prevention, early warning and intervention adapted to the heritage, awareness and accountability of officials and local decision makers, implementation of trans European experience, development of new technologies, cooperation and support for Euro innovative operations. In this context arised the subproject (SP) GEORISK, that joined an inter-regional cooperation of the City Council Port (CMP), the Bureau de Recherches et Geologiques Mini (BRGM), the Department of Geology, Faculty of Science of the University of Porto (DGFCUP) and the Portuguese Institute of Architectural Heritage (IPPAR), now called the Institute for Management Architectural and Archaeological Heritage (IGESPAR). For the implementation of the SP four main lines of action were defined: (i) Know the methods of assessment of geological hazards in France and Portugal and to foster the exchange of experiences, (ii) identify the specific level of management in relation to heritage geological risks; (iii) define the relevant actions to develop from local and regional decision makers, and (iv) Prepare a "Map of Geological Hazards in Historic Area of Porto (ZHP), to then therefore define a set of management measures, prevention, protection and intervention that can be generalized to other similar cases and to preserve the existing assets and then outline a plan for sustainable recovery. With these objectives in mind we sought map and integrate in GIS all the available information in order to assess the main geologic hazards of Porto: slope stability and seismic hazard