Análise hidrológica em bacias climaticamente complexas - transição semiárido-úmido no nordeste brasileiro - estudo de caso no Rio Paraíba

Abstract

The Northeast region of Brazil exhibits significant diversity, with complex interactions between geology, vegetation, climate, soil, and other elements. The river basins that shape these landscapes have distinct hydrological regimes due to these interactions. The Paraíba River Basin (BRP) experiences a transition between semi-arid and sub-humid environments, making it essential to understand the dynamics between precipitation and river flow to analyze changes that have occurred along the river, given its importance to Paraíba. Data from the National Water and Sanitation Agency (ANA) were used for two variables: precipitation and river flow. Precipitation was analyzed through four statistical metrics: total rainy days per year, rainy days, annual maximum, and annual cumulative precipitation. For river flow, the analysis considered annual cumulative flow and annual average flow. This approach allowed for identifying drier and wetter years, understanding the interaction between precipitation and flow throughout the BRP, and identifying extreme events based on station data. Additionally, it provided insight into how human actions, such as the São Francisco River Integration Project (PISF), impact the Paraíba River.