Abstract

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Abstract

Abstract
Associated with the exploitation of metallic minerals in Europe during the 20th century, several mining areas were abandoned without adequate environmental intervention. Furthermore, these areas lack studies to characterize the impact of pollution on the hydrogeological system. The area surrounding the tungsten mine of Regoufe, in northern Portugal, is one such area exploited during the Second World War. The accumulation of sulfide-rich tailings may have caused an acid mine drainage (AMD), where the leaching processes caused by seepage water led to soil contamination, evidenced by its acid character and anomalous concentrations of some Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE) reported in previous studies. The present research proposes an innovative approach that seeks the integration of different geophysical techniques to characterize the impact of mining activity on the subsurface. Electrical resistivity (ER) and electromagnetic (EM) were used to measure subsurface electrical properties. In addition, seismic refraction and Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) were performed to characterize the geometry, depth, and geomechanical behavior of the soil and rock bodies. The integration of these techniques allowed the interpretation of hydrogeological sections and a 3D resistivity volume to gain insight into the distribution of potentially contaminating fluids and tailings material present in the mining valley.

Abstract
Batalha Abbey is a 14th century UNESCO world heritage site that shows signs of decay. During the last years, high resolution geophysical methods have been used to contribute to the knowledge of its construction characteristics and to an informed maintenance and rehabilitation project. Here in it is presented a multimethod high-resolution geophysical investigation of its main tower. A 3D resistivity survey was carried out on the surface around the tower to investigate the ground beneath it. A GPR survey was used on the tower walls surface to investigate its interior. Three frequencies, 250MHz, 500MHz and 800MHz, were used. Finally, a seismic tomography study was done around the tower with both geophones and sources on the tower walls to provide a 3D velocity image of the tower interior. 3D resistivity results give a clear image of the walls foundations and of the ground beneath the tower. GPR 250MHz data provide a complete GPR image across the tower, although of low resolution. Higher resolution GPR results provided clearer information on the constructive elements of the tower. Finally, the seismic tomography results gave, for the first time, a complete image of the tower interior and proved it a compact construction with no voids.

Abstract
Water from mountainous regions is a strategic natural resource. In Mediterranean mountainous regions, which, in many cases, correspond to protected areas, high-altitude roads are often the main threat to the sustainability of water resources. In these regions, the regular socioeconomic functioning requires frequent road de-icing operations which normally consist of spreading NaC1 and other chemicals, such as CaCl2, in pavements. The main purpose of this research is to assess the environmental impact of road de-icing on groundwater resources in a Mediterranean mountainous region and to describe it by means of a hydrogeological conceptual model. The research focused in a cross-sectional sector located in Serra da Estrela (Central Portugal), where a hydrogeological inventory was carried out, followed by hydrogeochemical and hydrogeophysical studies. The results clearly identify different hydrogeo-chemical signatures in polluted (Cl-Na facies and higher EC) and unpolluted (HCO3-Na, Cl-Na, and very low EC). The relation of hydrogeochemistry and altitude is complex and depends on both natural processes (namely, water-rock interaction) and anthropic processes (de-icing operations). The hydrogeophysical survey systematically identified the presence of a pollution plume migrating downstream from roads.