Loading...
7 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
- 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.
- GIS-based site selection for agricultural irrigation with reclaimed waterPublication . Sardinha, Natália; Albuquerque, António; Silva, Flora; Scalize, PauloMost of the treated wastewater produced in the Cova da Beira region (Portugal) is discharged into streams. It is believed this reclaimed water could be reused for agricultural irrigation since it is a sector with high water demand. However, it is necessary evaluating if its quality is suitable for irrigation. From flow rate data and physical-chemical analyses produced in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011, and from a supplementary monitoring campaign carried out in 2012, it was observed that the reclaimed water could be used for agricultural irrigation if the pathogenic load could be controlled. Based on 5 thematic maps and environmental and technical criteria, a Suitability Map was generated for the application of reclaimed water in 47.5 ha of corn, olive grove, orchard and vineyard, using GIS tools. This analysis involved the overlapping of exclusion and inclusion areas of thematic maps using algebraic operations (multicriteria analysis). The average volume of reclaimed water generated in the years between 2009 and 2011 would be sufficient to irrigate all the existent agricultural parcels in each year, after removing the areas with technical or environmental restrictions.
- 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].
- 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.
- 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.
- Analysis of reclaimed water application for irrigation using multi-criteria analysisPublication . Albuquerque, António; Marecos do Monte, Helena; Silva, Flora; Cavaleiro, Victor; Carvalho, AntónioApproximately 60% of the population of the Cova da Beira region (Portugal) lives in rural communities with less than 2,000 inhabitants and the wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in the region are mainly septic tanks, constructed wetlands and trickling filters. The daily reclaimed water discharged into streams could be mainly reused for landscape irrigation of public parks and lawns and golf courses, which often means offsetting potable water for nonpotable purposes. However, those applications may require a polishing treatment to remove mainly pathogens, and trace elements. A one-year monitoring campaign was carried out in a biological aerated filter that treats the sewage of 4,000 inhabitants. The research included the measurement of the flow-rate and its characteristics in terms of pH, temperature, conductivity, BOD5, COD, TSS, TN, NH4, NO2, NO3, TP, Na, Mg, Ca, K, Cl, B, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn, total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC), E. Coli and helminths eggs (HE). Results show that the effluent concentrations of BOD5, COD, TN, TP, K, Ca and phytotoxic elements (Na, B and Cl) are compatible with the international guidelines for irrigation reuse (crop irrigation). Values of conductivity are not a risk to soil salinity, but TC, FC and E. Coli values are not compatible with the reuse guidelines and, therefore, a final disinfection must be implemented to decrease the pathogenic content. The low nitrate concentrations (<5 mg L-1) are suitable for irrigation and constitute a very low risk for groundwater contamination. GIS-based multi-criteria analysis was performed combining reclaimed water characteristics, the type and needs of the dominant crop production and environmental, technical and economic criteria. The results showed that approximately 170,000 m3 of reclaimed water annually discharged in the local stream could be reused for irrigation of 30.53 ha fruits trees, corn, olive trees and vine, located at a distance of about 1.8 km from the WWTP. The use of reclaimed wastewater in rural areas brings other advantages such as the reduction of the residual pollution load discharged in water streams and the reduction of water abstraction volumes for irrigation, which are important environmental and economics benefits, especially in periods of water shortage.
- Contribuição para o conhecimento dos recursos hídricos no concelho do SabugalPublication . Cavaleiro, Victor; Carvalho, António; Silva, Flora; Albuquerque, AntónioO abastecimento de água ao concelho do Sabugal, desde a sua origem até ao presente, é um tema que desperta o interesse, devido à sua complexidade e à existência de um vastíssimo património hidráulico. No passado, o abastecimento de água incluía a sua captação em nascentes e poços, posteriormente conduzidas em cascata para fontes, chafarizes, tanques, entre outros. Para além dessas captações, também o rio Côa e as ribeiras eram usadas para satisfazer necessidades domésticas, agrícolas e industriais. Com a construção da Barragem do Sabugal, inaugurada nos anos 2000, as freguesias do concelho têm vindo a substituir o abastecimento a partir de furos e nascentes pelo das águas da albufeira. Com o presente trabalho pretende-se fazer uma avaliação da pertinência dessa substituição e as implicações para o abastecimento público.