En este trabajo se expone la ingeniería conceptual necesaria para implementar un sistema de monitoreo capaz de ver en tiempo real la medición de parámetros termodinámicos implicados en la producción de electricidad a base del vapor geotérmico antes de entrar a las turbinas de una planta de generación geotérmica, con el fin de mejorar la capacidad del proceso de medición y adquisición de datos que actualmente se podría estar realizando de forma esporádica y/o localmente

Irrigation is essential for achieving food security to the burgeoning global population but unplanned and injudicious expansion of irrigated areas causes waterlogging and salinization problems. Under this backdrop, groundwater resources management is a critical issue for fulfilling the increasing water demand for agricultural, industrial, and domestic uses. Various simulation and optimization approaches were used to solve the groundwater management problems. This paper presents a review of the individual and combined applications of simulation and optimization modeling for the management of groundwater-resource problems associated with irrigated agriculture. The study revealed that the combined use of simulation-optimization modeling is very suitable for achieving an optimal solution for groundwater-resource problems, even with a large number of variables. Independent model tools were used to solve the problems of uncertainty analysis and parameter estimation in groundwater modelling studies. Artificial neural networks were used to minimize the problem of computational complexity. The incorporation of socioeconomic aspects into the groundwater management modeling would be an important development in future studies.

Valida los métodos analíticos aplicados al agua potable utilizada en la elaboración de soluciones orales hidratantes, de acuerdo a la farmacopea USP XXV, y presenta un documento de apoyo que contiene el procedimiento maestro de aseguramiento de calidad, con el fin de mantener la calidad en los productos con el agua en mención.

Application of the gravity-driven regional groundwater flow (GDRGF) concept to the hydrogeologically complex thick carbonate system of the Transdanubian Range (TR), Hungary, is justified based on the principle of hydraulic continuity. The GDRGF concept informs about basin hydraulics and groundwater as a geologic agent. It became obvious that the effect of heterogeneity and anisotropy on the flow pattern could be derived from hydraulic reactions of the aquifer system. The topography and heat as driving forces were examined by numerical simulations of flow and heat transport. Evaluation of groups of springs, in terms of related discharge phenomena and regional chloride distribution, reveals the dominance of topography-driven flow when considering flow and related chemical and temperature patterns. Moreover, heat accumulation beneath the confined part of the system also influences these patterns. The presence of cold, lukewarm and thermal springs and related wetlands, creeks, mineral precipitates, and epigenic and hypogenic caves validates the existence of GDRGF in the system. Vice versa, groups of springs reflect rock–water interaction and advective heat transport and inform about basin hydraulics. Based on these findings, a generalized conceptual GDRGF model is proposed for an unconfined and confined carbonate region. An interface was revealed close to the margin of the unconfined and confined carbonates, determined by the GDRGF and freshwater and basinal fluids involved. The application of this model provides a background to interpret manifestations of flowing groundwater in thick carbonates generally, including porosity enlargement and hydrocarbon and heat accumulation.

Microorganisms play a key role in aquatic biogeochemical cycles and in the flow of matter and energy through planktonic food webs. The first two chapters of this thesis aimed to investigate the main factors affecting bacterial abundances in tropical freshwater environments, due to an apparent paradox which emerged from previous studies: despite the higher bacterial production in the tropics, the bacterial abundance found in those regions is lower, compared to temperate environments. This fact raised the hypothesis that bacterial abundance could be controlled by heterotrophic flagellates in the lower latitudes. By analyzing a large data set, we showed that both bacterial and heterotrophic flagellate abundances are consistently lower in tropical when compared to temperate regions, resulting in a similar coupling between those communities. A stronger top-down control on both microbial communities exerted by ciliates and cladocerans, may explain those patterns. The experimental approach allowed us to demonstrate that protists, mainly ciliates, are likely the main responsible for bacterial loss in a tropical lake and that predation pressure also influences bacterial community size-structure. In the third chapter, we aimed to comprehend the role of temporal and spatial scales in structuring the planktonic ciliate communities from Neotropical floodplains, through a metacommunity approach. Contrasting results have been reported in the literature: while some authors advocated that microorganisms have a cosmopolitan distribution, others argued that they displayed biogeographic patters similar to those found for larger sized organisms. Taking into account both spatial and temporal scales, our analysis allowed us to demonstrate a clear influence of the temporal variation in structuring the planktonic ciliate communities, and with the analysis of a great spatial extent, it was possible to verify that biogeographic patterns also occur for those small-sized organisms. | Os microrganismos são fundamentais nos ciclos biogeoquímicos e participam ativamente do fluxo de matéria e energia através das teias alimentares planctônicas. Investigou-se os principais fatores que afetam a abundância bacteriana em ambientes de água doce tropicais, uma vez que um aparente paradoxo surgiu de estudos prévios: apesar da maior produção bacteriana encontrada em regiões tropicais, quando comparada à das regiões temperadas, menores abundâncias bacterianas eram registradas. Esse fato levantou a hipótese de que a abundância bacteriana seria controlada por flagelados heterotróficos nos trópicos. Através da análise da base de dados de diversos ambientes tropicais, constatamos que tanto a abundância bacteriana quanto a de flagelados heterotróficos é consistentemente menor em regiões tropicais quando comparada à das regiões temperadas, resultando em um acoplamento similar entre essas comunidades. Um maior controle top-down exercido sobre ambas as comunidades microbianas por ciliados e cladóceros, pode explicar os padrões encontrados. A abordagem experimental demonstrou que os protistas, principalmente os ciliados, são provavelmente os principais responsáveis pela perda bacteriana em uma lagoa tropical, e que a pressão de predação também influencia a estrutura de tamanho da comunidade bacteriana. Investigaram-se também, na estruturação da comunidade de ciliados planctônicos de planícies de inundação Neotropicais, as escalas temporais e espaciais, através da abordagem de metacomunidades. Estudos acerca desse tema mostraram resultados contraditórios: enquanto para alguns os microrganismos apresentavam uma natureza cosmopolita, para outros, padrões biogeográficos seriam semelhantes àqueles encontrados em macrorganismos. Análise da escala espaço-temporal indicou a influência da variação temporal na estruturação da comunidade de ciliados. Conforme a análise de uma grande extensão espacial foi possível verificar que padrões biogeográficos também ocorrem para organismos de pequeno tamanho. | PhD

Introducing the time variable in groundwater vulnerability assessment is an innovative approach to study the evolution of contamination by non-point sources and to forecast future trends. This requires a determination of the relationship between temporal changes in groundwater contamination and in land use. Such effort will enable breakthrough advances in mapping hazardous areas, and in assessing the efficacy of land-use planning for groundwater protection. Through a Bayesian spatial statistical approach, time-dependent vulnerability maps are derived by using hydrogeological variables together with three different time-dependent datasets: population density, high-resolution urban survey, and satellite QuikSCAT (QSCAT) data processed with the innovative dense sampling method (DSM). This approach is demonstrated extensively over the Po Plain in Lombardy region (northern Italy). Calibrated and validated maps show physically consistent relations between the hydrogeological variables and nitrate trends. The results indicate that changes of urban nitrate sources are strongly related to groundwater deterioration. Among the different datasets, QSCAT-DSM is proven to be the most efficient dataset to represent urban nitrate sources of contamination, with major advantages: a worldwide coverage, a continuous decadal data collection, and an adequate resolution without spatial gaps. This study presents a successful approach that, for the first time, allows the inclusion of the time dimension in groundwater vulnerability assessment by using innovative satellite remote sensing data for quantitative statistical analyses of groundwater quality changes.

The purpose of this work is to supply information regarding to the experimental investigation carried out in a pilot scale system, located at Coffee Study Research Center (NECAF/UFLA). The research focused mainly on a Hybrid Anaerobic Reactor (HAR) operating with mini-filters filled with two types of physical support (expanded clay and pebble "round quartz stone"). The HAR used a three-phase-separator; and during the start-up, sludge from a full-scale UASB reactor treating domestic wastewater was utilized. The experimental results did not show great efficiency due to the removal of the organic matter in other treatment units located before the HAR, minimizing in this way the concentration of organic matter to be treated in the HAR. The HAR presented an average affluent concentration of: 484, 168, and 92 mg CODtot L-1, and an average effluent concentration of: 344, 159, and 90 mg CODtot L-1. The HAR also presented good balance in relation to the parameters measured, as well as good stability. | Conduziu-se este trabalho, com o objetivo de fornecer informações a respeito da investigação experimental realizada na estação piloto no Núcleo de Estudos em Cafeicultura (NECAF/UFLA), para tratamento de água residuária do café (ARC) especificamente, o monitoramento de um Reator Anaeróbio Híbrido (RAH), utilizando minifiltros preenchidos com dois tipos de meio suporte (argila expandida e seixo rolado). O RAH possuía fundo falso e foi utilizado como inóculo lodo anaeróbio de Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reator (reator anaeróbio de manta de lodo) - UASB (escala-plena), de esgoto doméstico. O sistema foi monitorado por meio de parâmetros operacionais e de análises químicas e físico-químicas. Foi constatado que a fase experimental em que se deu o experimento dificultou a eficiência do RAH por ter sido submetido a cargas inferiores às previstas, uma vez que o efluente passava por tratamento em outras unidades, minimizando assim, a concentração orgânica a ser tratada. O RAH apresentou concentrações afluentes médias de: 484; 168 e 92 mg DQOtot L-1 e concentrações efluentes médias de 344; 159 e 90 mg DQOtot L-1, para os tempos de detenção hidráulica (TDH) de 28,5; 23,7 e 18,0 horas, respectivamente. O RAH apresentou equilíbrio com relação aos parâmetros medidos e boa estabilidade. O efluente analisado não apresentou riscos de salinidade, uma vez que a CE ficou na faixa, entre 0,70 e 3,0 dS m-1 e os SDT, entre 450 a 2000 mg L-1. Quanto à sodificação, a Razão de Adsorção de Sódio (RAS) ficou entre 0 e 3 e a CE>0,7 dS m-1, podendo ser reutilizado para irrigação da maioria das culturas e solos.

Wetlands provide unique goods and services, as habitats of high biodiversity. Hydrology is the principal control on wetland functioning; hence, understanding the water source is fundamental. However, groundwater inflows may be discrete and easily missed. Research techniques are required with low cost and minimal impact in sensitive settings. In this study, the effectiveness of using a three-dimensional (3D) temperature model and botanical indicators to characterise groundwater discharge is explored at the CEH (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology) River Lambourn Observatory, Boxford, UK. This comprises a 10 ha lowland riparian wetland, designated for its scientific interest and conservation value. Temperature data were collected in winter at multiple depths down to 0.9 m over approximately 3.6 ha and transformed into a 3D model via ordinary kriging. Anomalous warm zones indicated distinct areas of groundwater upwelling which were concurrent with relic channel structures. Lateral heat propagation from the channels was minimal and restricted to within 5–10 m. Vertical temperature sections within the channels suggest varying degrees of groundwater discharge along their length. Hydrochemical analysis showed that warmer peat waters were akin to deeper aquifer waters, confirming the temperature anomalies as areas of groundwater discharge. Subsequently, a targeted vegetation survey identified Carex paniculata as an indicator of groundwater discharge. The upwelling groundwater contains high concentrations of nitrate which is considered to support the spatially restricted growth of Carex paniculata against a background of poor fen communities located in reducing higher-phosphate waters.

Press wheels were designed to improve soil-seed contact, thus promoting good seed germination and emergence of plantules. The present investigation was aimed at studying the influence of three models of press wheel, three sowing depths and three load levels on soil temperature and moisture contents. The experiment was carried out in Uberaba, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in split-plot desing, 27 treatments and four repetitions. Results have shown that press wheels with bigger soil contact area provide the highest values of average soil moisture an temperature. However, load level on the press has shown no effect on soil temperature and moisture contents. | As rodas compactadoras das semadoras-adubadoras têm como principal função, propiciar o bom contato entre o solo e a semente para garantir a germinação das sementes e a emergência das plântulas. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, estudar a influência de três modelos de rodas compactadoras, três profundidades de semeadura e três níveis de carga sobre a roda compactadora sob a temperatura e o teor de água do solo. O trabalho foi desenvolvido na pista de ensaios de semeadura, localiza em Uberaba, MG, em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, utilizando-se o delineamento experimental de parcelas sub-subdivididas, com 27 tratamentos e quatro repetições. As rodas com maior área de contato com o solo proporcionaram maiores valores do teor médio de água e da temperatura do solo. O nível de carga sobre a roda compactadora não afetou a temperatura e o teor de água do solo.

Se describen los problemas en tres actividades de cinco del saneamiento básicos, abastecimiento de agua, disposición de las aguas residuales, excretas y disposición de los desechos sólidos. Se hace un abordaje a nivel infraestructural del sistema de agua de la comunidad Cebadilla, dicha acción fue tomada durante el proceso de trabajo de campo al observar el nivel de deterioro que el sistema de agua presentó y ante ello se espera que la investigación sirva como referencia para futuras acciones que mejoren la calidad de infraestructura del sistema de agua. El documento cuenta con cinco capítulos donde se describe la situación problemática actual en la comunidad, el porqué de la investigación, los objetivos alcanzados por el diagnostico, un marco conceptual y teórico que sustenta la investigación como referencia técnica y la presentación de los resultados obtenidos a través de la implementación de una guía de entrevista y una de observación que fueron diseñadas en base a una serie de indicadores delimitados que sirvieron para describir el problema, cabe mencionar que se acompaña un apartado donde se colocan medios de verificación donde se refleja a través de fotografías algunos momentos del proceso de trabajo de campo, realizado en la comunidad.