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- Site selection for reclaimed water infiltration using GIS toolsPublication . Silva, Flora; Albuquerque, António; Marecos do Monte, Helena; Cavaleiro, Victor; Carvalho, AntónioIn the Beira Interior region (Portugal) some sources of water do not present characteristics suitable for some uses due to pollution (namely associated to the discharge of point and nonpoint effluents) or are over-exploited (namely the aquifers). However, the water demand will grow in this region to meet socio-economic activities under development (e.g. the Cova da Beira irrigation plan, irrigation of golf courses and green areas and SPAs, as well as for distribution for human and industrial consumption), which will lead to the search of alternative sources of water. The region is characterized by many disperse urban agglomerates with less than 2,000 inhabitants, where the wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are mainly ecological systems such as constructed wetlands (CW). In this context, the treated wastewater (reclaimed water) from these ecological treatment systems should be seen as a source of water to be used and not a waste to be eliminated. After a monitoring campaign of two years at the CW system of Vila Fernando (Guarda, Portugal), the characteristics of the final effluent suggest that it could be used for aquifer recharge, not only because it is an area that uses many groundwater resources, but because other uses seem to be not relevant and would require a polishing treatment for the effluent, which would increase the costs of both investment and operation. From 6 thematic maps and environmental, technical and economic criteria, it was selected a study area of 6687 ha. This area was analysed based on the manipulation of complex information using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which consisted on overlapping areas of exclusion and inclusion from each thematic map and the use of algebraic operations (multi-criteria analysis) to obtain a final Suitable Map that indicated an area of 6.4 ha located in anthrosols as the most favorable ones for the infiltration of reclaimed water.
- Heavy metals removal from reclaimed water in a laboratory column using a granitic residual soilPublication . Silva, Flora; Albuquerque, António; Cavaleiro, Victor; Carvalho, António; Scalize, PauloThe removal of five heavy metals was evaluated in vertical downflow column, with a granitic residual soil, operated in discontinuous and continuous mode. The results show higher removal rates of the five metals for the continuous mode, with highest values to Zn and Pb followed by Ni, Cu and Cr. The removal of all metals occurs mainly at the top 5 cm essentially through complexation and precipitation in the form of hydroxides.
- Heavy metals removal from reclaimed water in a laboratory column using a granitic residual soilPublication . Silva, Flora; Albuquerque, António; Cavaleiro, Victor; Carvalho, António; Scalize, Paulo1. Introduction – Heavy metals are one of the most relevant groups of chemical pollutants in the context of water reuse. Consequently, the practice of artificial aquifer recharge with reclaimed water should be strictly controlled and monitored. The porous media in a soil is a relevant factor for the evaluation of the pollutant reduction during water infiltration (through the called soil aquifer treatment - SAT) [1]. The purpose of this work was to show that the granitic residual soil from a site selected using GIS tools (Quinta de Gonçalo Martins, Guarda, Portugal) (Image 1-a), presents favourable characteristics for removing five heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) present in reclaimed water by using a soil laboratory column (Image 1-b). 2. Experimental – Before and after the column experiments the physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of the soil were determined. The column were operated in a fed-batch and continuous mode (for 35 days, 10 cycles of operation) with a synthetic solution of the five heavy metals. The theoretical concentration of each metal was 5 mg L-1 [2]. 3. Results and Discussion – The residual soil has about 4.94% of clay (≈ 60% of kaolinite). In the continuous column experiments, there were observed removal efficiencies of 54.85% for Cr, 75.93% for Cu, 92.42% for Ni, 98.53% for Pb and of 98.80% for Zn. The heavy-metals removal occurred by sorption with higher rates than the ones observed in fed-batch tests for the same soil [2]. 4. Conclusions - The soil has reactive properties that allows a good capability for removing Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn by sorption mechanisms, with much lower efficiencies for Cr, allowing it to act as a barrier to the contamination of groundwater during infiltration with reclaimed water. 5. References [1] H. Marecos do Monte y A. Albuquerque, Wastewater Reuse, Technical Guide no.14, ERSAR, Lisbon, Portugal, (2010) p. 339 (in Portuguese). [2] F. Silva, “Evaluation of the reactive capacity of residual soils used for the infiltration of treated wastewater”. PhD Thesis in Civil Engineering, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal, 2015, p. 490 (in Portuguese).
- Modeling and mitigation of noise on the A23 motorway using GISPublication . Carvalho, António; Cavaleiro, Victor; Albuquerque, António; Silva, Flora1. Introduction – Studies have shown that the European citizens of the European Community, in 2000, were exposed to noise from road traffic with a total equivalent sound pressure level (L) exceeding 55dBA in more than 44% of the population, i.e. around 210 million people [1], [2]. In fact, exposure to high noise levels can result not only in auditory consequences, but also in hearing loss, as well as non-auditory consequences, such as sleep disorders, mental illness, anxiety, problems with speech intelligibility, physical performance [3]. The present study aims to perform the modeling and characterization of environmental noise for the A23 motorway in the section between Castelo Branco and Alcains (Portugal) using commercial noise forecasting software in order to contribute to its mitigation. 2. Experimental - The method of calculating the model for indicators, and for road traffic noise, is the French calculation method NMPB-Routes-96 (French standard XPS 31-133, [4]). As regards the entry data concerning the issue, these documents refer to the Guide du bruit des transports terrestres, fascicule prévision des niveaux sonores, CETUR, 1980. 3. Results and Discussion - An example of the noise map model is shown in the Image 1, for the section between Castelo Branco and Alcains. After the creation of the model and the generation of the Noise Maps for different indicators, the model was validated with road measuremenst. Information on the population and land use in the study area was also compiled. Land uses of the non-sensitive buildings and sensitive buildings were identified, these being the residential or mixed buildings. 4. Conclusions - The model presented can displaying relevant and accurate information about the spatial distribution of noise around the infrastructures and can be used for supporting the municipal decision makers in the elaboration of their noise maps or for proving several activities which generates noise. 5. References [1] C. Schreyer, C. Schneider, M. Maibach, W. Rothengatter, C. Doll, and D. Schmedding, External Cost of Transport. Update study, 2004. [2] S. Banfi et al., External Costs of Transport, no. March, 2000. [3] L. U.-W. H. O. WHO, “Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19-22 June, 1946”, Geneva, Switzerland, p. 2. [4] CERTU, CSTB, LCPC, SETRA, “Bruit des infrastructures routières : méthode de calcul incluant les effets météorologiques, version expérimentale NMPB-Routes-96”, Journal Officiel du 10 mai 1995, Article 6º and in the French standard ‘XPS 31-133’, p. 98, 1997.
- Remoção de matéria orgânica e nutrientes de efluentes líquidos em diferentes condições hidráulicasPublication . Silva, Flora; Albuquerque, António; Cavaleiro, Victor; Carvalho, António; Scalize, Paulo; Tabalipa, Ney Lyzandro; Monte, Helena Marecos doA recarga artificial de aquíferos com águas residuais tratadas pode contribuir para a reposição de volumes de água no solo. Um solo residual da região da Beira Interior de Portugal, foi caracterizado e utilizado para avaliar a sua capacidade para remover poluentes residuais de efluentes de tratamento secundário. Utilizaram-se experiências em coluna laboratorial usando diferentes condições hidráulicas, tendo os resultados mostrado uma maior remoção de matéria orgânica nos ensaios com alimentação descontínua. A remoção de amónio, nitrato e fosfato ocorreram a valores elevados quer nos ensaios em contínuo quer nos ensaios em descontínuo. O solo utilizado é adequado para a remoção de cargas residuais de matéria orgânica e nutrientes, podendo ser utilizado para a infiltração de águas residuais tratadas.
- Evaluation of the groundwater quality in the Alcochete area using GISPublication . Cavaleiro, Victor; Casinhas, Cláudio; Albuquerque, António; Carvalho, António; Silva, FloraMost of the water needed for domestic, agricultural, recreational and industrial activities in the municipality of Alcochete (Portugal) comes from groundwater sources. However, doubts remain on the state of their quality and suitability for current uses. The study of the hydrogeochemistry allows establishing relations between the aqueous and geological environment, reflecting the influence of local geology and soil water quality. Given the amount and complex information that was necessary to collect, calculate, analyze and interpret the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was of great use to georeference data, create relational data bases and generate maps of suitability for use of groundwater [1].
- Site selection for reclaimed water infiltration using GIS toolsPublication . Silva, Flora; Albuquerque, António; Marecos do Monte, Helena; Cavaleiro, Victor; Carvalho, AntónioIn the region of the Beira Interior some sources of water do not present characteristics suitable for some uses due to the discharge of not well treated effluents or because are over-exploited (namely aquifers). However, the water demand will grow in this region to meet socio-economic activities under development (the Cova da Beira irrigation plan, irrigation of golf courses and green areas, spas and distribution for human and industrial consumption), which will lead to the search of alternative sources of water. In this context, the treated wastewater is beeing seen as a source of water to be used and not a waste to be eliminated. After a monitoring campaign of two years in the wastewater treatment plant of Vila Fernando (Guarda), which included a constructed wetland system, the characteristics of the final effluent suggest that it could be used for the recharge of aquifers, not only because it is an area that uses essentially groundwater sources, but because other uses seem to be not relevant and would require a polishing treatment for the secondary effluent, which would higher the costs of operation. From six thematic maps and economic, environmental and technical criteria, it was selected a study area of 6687.1 ha, and, after manipulation of complex information using GIS tools, based on the overlapping areas of exclusion and inclusion in each thematic maps and using algebra of maps operations, it was obtained a Suitable Map with a favorable area for infiltration of 6.4 ha (Figure 1). An area of 1 300 m2 would be enough to set up four infiltration basins (18x18 m each), that would work in alternating cycles of filling-infiltration-cleaning-filling.
- Modeling and mitigation of noise on the A23 motorway using GISPublication . Carvalho, António; Cavaleiro, Victor; Albuquerque, António; Silva, FloraRendering at the European Directive 2002/49/EC, all EU members have to draw up a strategic noise map for all agglomerations with more than 250,000 inhabitants and for all major airports, roads and railways. A study of environmental impact assessment on motorway A23 in the stretch between Castelo Branco–Alcains (Portugal), based in the impact of the environmental noise, allowed the modeling the noise variation, which can be useful for establishing mitigation measures. The results show that noise model can be a useful tool for the monitoring noise impact in surrounding of motorways.
- Estado da qualidade da água de origem subterrânea no concelho de Alcochete com utilização de ferramentas SIGPublication . Cavaleiro, Victor; Casinhas, Cláudio; Albuquerque, António; Carvalho, António; Silva, Flora; Sanderson, A.M. LeitãoA maior parte da água necessária para atividades domésticas, agrícolas, lúdicas e industriais no concelho de Alcochete (Portugal) provêm de origens subterrâneas. Contudo, subsistem dúvidas sobre o estado da sua qualidade e a sua apetência para as utilizações atuais. O estudo da hidrogeoquímica permite estabelecer relações entre o meio aquoso e o meio geológico, refletindo a influência da litologia local e dos solos na qualidade da água. Permite, ainda, determinar sentidos de escoamento, áreas de recarga e descarga e conhecer unidades aquíferas, bem como identificar focos de poluição e estabelecer medidas para a utilização sustentável da água. Foram recolhidas amostras em 67 captações utilizadas como origens de água para várias utilizações. Dada a quantidade e complexa informação que foi necessário recolher, manusear e interpretar, a utilização de Sistemas de Informação Geográfica (SIG) foi de grande utilidade para georreferenciar dados, criar bases de dados relacionais e gerar cartas de aptidão para a utilização das águas subterrâneas. As águas captadas em poço, essencialmente do tipo cloretadas cálcicas, na generalidade, não apresentam qualidade mínima para serem captadas para produção de água para consumo humano, enquanto que 70,7% das origens de águas oriundas de furos, essencialmente cloretadas sódicas, apresentam qualidade mínima para aquela utilização. Ambos os tipos de água apresentam qualidade para utilização na rega agrícola, mas poucas amostras cumprem os valores recomendados para esta utilização. Assim, é urgente a implementação de uma estratégia de gestão dos recursos hídricos no concelho, afim de melhor proteger estas origens de água.
- Evaluation of the groundwater quality in the Alcochete area using GISPublication . Cavaleiro, Victor; Casinhas, Cláudio; Albuquerque, António; Carvalho, António; Silva, FloraMost of the water needed for domestic, agricultural, recreational and industrial activities in the Alcochete municipality (Portugal) comes from groundwater sources. However, doubts remain on the state of its quality and attractiveness for the current uses. A monitoring campaign was set in 67 groundwater sources (26 wells and 41 boreholes) for the period of 4 months to evaluate the water quality status. In order to better analyse the large and complex available information it was necessary to setup a Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which allowed georeferencing data, creating relational databases and generating thematic and suitability maps for the use of groundwater. The results show that most of the water wells are chlorinated calcic type and have no minimum quality to be used for production of drinking water, but may be used for agricultural irrigation. Most o the water boreholes are chlorinated sodium type, and approximately 70.7% presents the minimum quality to be used for production of drinking water and all of the sources can be used for agricultural irrigation. Nitrate is the most important contaminant, but chlorides and iron are also of concern. The results of this study will allow establishing relationship between water, geological environment and anthropogenic fluxes, which have been influencing changes in water quality, as well as determining flow directions, recharge and discharge areas. This information, which was aggregated in a database using GIS is very useful for the further establishment of sustainable water management measures.