The geophysical investigation of a possible hydrocarbon-contaminated site in Belém, Pará, state of Brazil, as well as the development of a geophysical simulator for education are described in this work. Thirteen profiles have been done with the electromagnetic geophysical method of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). The geophysical results together with the preexisting results from boreholes, Volatile Organics Compounds (VOC) and Benzene-Tolueno-Etil-benzene-Xileno (BTEX) had identified zones of low reflection of the electromagnetic signal (attenuated zones) in areas with dominantly sand, which could indicate the presence of contamination. The GPR profiles were repeated in the rainy period. This showed a reduction of the attenuation in zones in sand, which could indicate the leaching of the organic acids derived from the biodegradation of the hydrocarbons, as well as an increase in the attenuation in clay-rich zones, due the high porosity of the clay and also, possibly due to the increase of the biodegradation of the hydrocarbons that are restrained in the clay. The result of this investigation is the first case used in the geophysical simulator, an experiment that allows one to show the use of different geophysical methods. The simulator has two computational screens, one for simulation of the selected subsurface model (for example the hydrocarbon-contaminated site), and a screen above the first one that shows the geophysical results obtained for the subsurface model when an optics unit is moved along the model transect. The simulator uses analog modeling with the help of computational aids that are not yet reported in the literature; one can show different studies that were done in the past and which are now parts of dissertations and theses. The simulator can be moved to companies, schools, universities and government agencies, that make or can make use of Geophysics. Additionally, it can be taken to parks and schools, in order to contribute to the dissemination of Geophysics as a tool in the management of contaminated areas. Finally, the simulator will be useful for calling the attention of the population to different types of problems, as well as to instruct them about these problems and their solutions.
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