CHARACTERIZATION OF THE HYDROLOGICAL REGIME OF THE RIVER BASIN XINGU WITH THE APPLICATION OF SPATIAL ALTIMETRY

Abstract

The Amazon region has an extensive territory and a complex hydrographic network, with technical and logistical challenges in monitoring the hydrological regime of rivers due to the inaccessibility of some regions. The use of spatial altimetry by altimetric satellites makes it possible to monitor the levels of water bodies in areas of difficult access, helping in the collection and quality of hydrological information from the National Hydrometeorological Network. The present work aims to apply spatial altimetry technique to characterize the spatial and seasonal variability of the hydrological regime of the Xingu River and to correlate the cognitive anomalies of water levels, using altimetric data of water level in the period from 2008 to 2023 received by virtual stations, using the Jason-2, Jason-3 and Jason CS/Sentinel 6 satellites. The generated quotagrams show the spatial and seasonal variability of the hydrological regime, having two well-defined hydrological periods. Its hydrological regime is characterized as modal, with slow increase and recession. The flood occurs between the months of October to March, with the maximum levels in March. The ebb begins in April and extends until September, the month that presents the minimum levels. Such results certify the possibility of using altimetric data as a means of measuring and monitoring the seasonality of the quotas of the large rivers in the Amazon region, serving as a basis for future hydrological studies.