Tempo de concentração de pequenas bacias hidrográficas: análise comparativa dos diferentes métodos de uso de traçadores radioativos

Abstract

The majority of the small hydrographic basins, in Brazil, are not equipped with measuring stations and therefore there is no data available in this respect. The estimation of floods is being achieved by various methods, in all of which the "time of concentration" is a fundamental parameter, normally calculated by means of empiric formulae. This because more precise methods require a reasonable number of data and hydrograms which in this case do not exist. This lack of data, because of the lack of resources, of personnel and material, and also of a minimum number of years to identify the pattern, shall continue for dozens of years. This paper presents the study and analysis of the main formulae. A new method is introduced in Brazil - the use of tracers - for future selection, correlation or even development of new formulae, more suitable to the local conditions. The dispersion of the tracer in the water stream, the quantities to be injected during the tests (between a minimum, for the detection, and a maximum permitted by the standards), the types of injection and detection and the problems of chemical and radioactive safety are discussed here. Among the radioisotopes, the 110 Ag was selected and tested with success in form of an anionic complex of high stability, ideal because of its long half-like of 253 days, for areas like Guanabara, where adequate storms may take a long time to occur. Among the dyes, Rodiamina WT is ideal in this case, because of its low losses during the circuit injection-detection, its low cost, high detectability and the fact that it does not offer great riscs to health. A technical-economical comparison is made between dyes and radioisotopes, indicating that probably the first ones present advantages over the latter, in this kind of work.