The morphostructural units of Formoso river hydrographic basin, Bonito - Mato Grosso do Sul - Brazil: analyzing a karst system

Abstract

The morphostructural units of the Formoso River hydrographic basin (Bonito – Brazil) are unique in Brazil and configure the karst landscapes of Serra da Bodoquena. The present research aims to identify and spatialize the karst units inside a semi-detail scale and analyze their correlation with the regional landscape. Thus, the database is based on: 1) technical information offered by The Geological Survey of Brazil; 2) data offered by the Radam/Brasil Project; 3) altimetric charts of the study area; 4) field trip data to develop and verify the regional karst landscape. The authors observed a major presence of carbonated rocks in the study area (64.93%) and a minor but significant presence of terrigenous rock extension (35.07%). The main geological formations of the study area are the Cuiabá Group (terrigenous rocks) and Corumba Group (carbonated rocks). The regional landscape conditions of the Formoso River Hydrographic basin directly influence superficial water characteristics creating translucent water. The karst area presents classical characteristics with caves, mogotes, dolines, and river sinks. In addition, the area presents significant pedological variation and complexity that influence the local canopy cover with human activity all over the study area, affecting the landscape and threatening the karst scenario.