This publication provides guidance to water-sector decision makers and planners on how to deal with the quality dimension of groundwater resources management in the World Bank's client countries. There is growing evidence of increasing pollution threats to groundwater and some well-documented cases of irreversible damage to important aquifers. This guide has been produced in the belief that groundwater pollution hazard assessment must become an essential part of environmental best practice for water supply utilities. The guide is particularly relevant for the World Bank's Latin American and Caribbean Region, where many countries have initiated major changes to modernize their institutional and legal framework for water resources management, but may not yet have considered groundwater at the same level as surface water, because of lack of awareness and knowledge of groundwater issues and policy options.

Resumen: Las descargas de agua subterránea (DAS) aportan información para entender la hidrogeología local dentro de una región. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir de manera integral una DAS en la zona costera de Quintana Roo para contribuir al conocimiento del acuífero kárstico costero en Quintana Roo. La DAS es una cavidad ovalada con un área aproximada de 0.0507 m2 donde mensualmente se cuantificaron elementos mayores, silicatos, metales e isótopos estables del agua (δ2H y δ18O). Se calculó el aporte de la precipitación pluvial mensual acumulada (Qp) en el caudal de la descarga, se realizaron tomografías de resistividad eléctrica para identificar zonas saturadas y zonas de flujo. En lo general el Na, K, Ca, Mg y Cl tendieron a disminuir cuando Qp aumenta. SiO2, ORP y salinidad no tuvieron una relación evidente con Qp durante el tiempo de medición. El agua es de tipo clorurada sódico potásica; domina el aporte de agua subterránea, el agua de mar contribuyó entre 2 y 16% del caudal. El mayor aporte del agua de mar se observó cuando el caudal de la DAS es bajo. La contribución de Qp fue de entre y 15% y no se observó de manera inmediata. La geofísica apunta a un lente de agua dulce libre de aproximadamente 2.5 m de espesor y zonas de recarga, así como la existencia de pequeños canales de conducción por donde fluye el agua subterránea. Los resultados capturan eventos locales y regionales de recarga del acuífero. | Abstract: Groundwater discharges (GD) provide information for understanding the local hydrogeology of a region. This study comprehensively describes a GD in the coast of Quintana Roo, quantifying the volumetric discharge and describing the hydrochemistry and geophysics of the site in order to contribute to the knowledge of the coastal karst aquifer in Quintana Roo. The GD described is an oval opening with an approximate area of 0.0507 m2 where major elements, silicates, metals and stable isotopes of water (δ2H and δ18O) were quantified monthly. The contribution of the accumulated monthly rainfall (Qp) in the discharge flow was calculated; electrical resistivity tomography was performed to identify saturated zones and flow zones. In general, Na, K, Ca, Mg, and Cl tend to decrease as Qp increases. SiO2, ORP and salinity do not show clear relations with changes in Qp, only in some sampling events there was a positive relationship, while the rest of the time is negative or null. The water is sodium-potassium-chloride type. The contribution of groundwater dominates, seawater contributes between 2 and 16% of the flow. The greatest contribution of seawater is observed when the flow of the GD is low. The contribution of Qp is between 1 and 15% and is not measured immediately. Geophysics survey suggest the existence of a lens of free fresh water approximately 2.5 m thick and recharge zones, as well as the existence of small dissolution channels where groundwater flows. The results capture local and regional aquifer recharge events.

No Brasil, atualmente, as florestas plantadas com as mais diversas espécies e híbridos de eucalipto ocupam uma área aproximada de 4,5 Mha. Normalmente essas áreas são de baixa fertilidade natural e, portanto, necessitam de suplementação nutricional para que altas produtividades possam ser alcançadas. Em ambientes tropicais, onde a radiação não é limitante, a manutenção de fluxos satisfatórios de água e nutrientes são essenciais para da sustentabilidade florestal. A análise foliar, por refletir esses fluxos, é uma poderosa ferramenta para a correta recomendação de suplementação nutricional das florestas. Entretanto, nem sempre a interpretação dos resultados destas análises é fácil, sendo com grande frequência sujeita a erros de diagnósticos. O uso de métodos baseados no equilíbrio e balanço nutricional permite uma melhor interpretação dos resultados. Neste sentido, os métodos DRIS e Índice balanceados de Kenworthy tem-se destacado como ferramentas de monitoramento nutricional em florestas de eucalipto. O sucesso no uso dessas ferramentas depende principalmente da obtenção de normas confiáveis, que por sua vez são obtidas de populações de plantas que melhor refletem todo o potencial de crescimento de um determinado sítio florestal. Florestas onde a limitação nutricional é corrigida tendem a acumular maior quantidade de carbono em sua biomassa, seja ela de parte aérea ou de raízes. Esta última,devido a características químicas e por estar em contado direto com o solo, é a principal fonte de transferência de carbono da biomassa de plantas para frações estáveis da matéria orgânica do solo. Assim, os objetivos deste trabalho foram a obtenção de normas nutricionais para minicepas de eucalipto, cultivadas na fase de minijardim clonal em viveiro florestal, e para florestas jovens de eucalipto na região do Extremo Sul da Bahia, e verificar os efeitos da suplementação com água + nutrientes sobre os estoques de carbono no solo e planta em florestas de eucalipto. Conclui-se que: a) As normas DRIS e IBKW ajustadas para minicepas de eucalipto se mostraram sensíveis à estação no ano; b) O uso de normas específicas, que leva em consideração a estação do ano, se mostrou mais adequado que normas gerais; c) O uso de métodos diagnósticos além de permitir avaliar o equilíbrio e balanço nutricional de minicepas de eucalipto também é útil para indicar a necessidade de possíveis ajustes na solução nutritiva dos minijardins clonais; d) Em plantios jovens de eucalipto o uso de parcelas que apresentam crescimento próximo ao potencial é mais adequado para a composição da população de referência e como consequência das normas nutricionais; e) Os métodos diagnósticos permitiram detectar uma forte tendência de limitação por Ca nas florestas jovens de eucalipto; f) Quando há suplementação de água e nutrientes os estoques de carbono na biomassa florestal podem aumentar; g) Não foi observado efeito do aumento na disponibilidade de água sobre a produtividade florestal, entretanto há uma maior produção de biomassa de raízes finas e como consequência um aumento dos estoques de C no solo. h) Uma aplicação excessiva de nutrientes pode levar a redução nos teores de carbono no solo. | Currently,in Brazil, planted forests with different species and hybrids of Eucalyptus occupy an area of 4.5 Mha approximate. Normally, these areas have low fertility and therefore require nutritional supplementation for high yields. In tropical environments, where the radiation is not limiting, to maintain satisfactory flow of water and nutrients are essential for forest sustainability. Once leaf analysis reflect these flows it is a powerful tool for a correct recommendation of forests nutritional supplementation. However, not always the interpretation of results of these analyzes is easy, with very frequently subject to diagnostics error. The use of methods based on balance and nutrient equilibration allows a better results interpretation. In this sense, the DRIS index and balanced Kenworthy index has been highlighted as monitoring tools of nutritional eucalyptus forest. The successful use of these tools is dependent primarily on obtaining reliable norm, which in turn are obtained from populations which better reflect the potential for growth of a particular forest site. Forests with no nutrient limitation tend to accumulate higher amounts of carbon in their biomass, even above or belowground. The belowground biomass, due to chemical characteristics and be in direct contact with the soil, is the primary source of carbon for stable fractions of soil organic matter. The objectives of this study were to obtain nutritional norms for eucalypt ministumps, grown on clonal minigarden phase in a nursery, and for young eucalyptus forests in the extreme south of Bahia, and check the effects of supplementation with water + nutrients on carbon stocks in soil and eucalypt forests. We conclude that: a) The DRIS norms and IBKW adjusted for eucalypt ministumps were sensitive to the season in the year; b) the use of specific norms, which take into account the season, led to better results than general norm; c) The use of diagnostic methodsto evaluate the eucalypt ministumps equilibration and balance of nutrient is also useful to indicate the need for possible adjustments in the nutrient solution; d) In young eucalyptus plantations using plots that present growth close to potential is more suitable for the composition of the reference population and as a result of nutritional norms; e) The diagnostic methods have unearthed a strong tendency by limiting Ca in young eucalypt forests; f) When there is supplemental water and nutrients carbon stocks in forest biomass may increase; g) There was no effect of the increased availability of water on forest productivity, however there is a higher biomass of fine roots and as a result of an increase in soil C stocks; h) An excessive application of nutrients can lead to reduction in the content of carbon in the soil. | Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

En este trabajo se ha estudiado la influencia del portainjerto sobre la composicion isotopica del mosto de vid (Vitis vinifera, L.). Las plantas de Cabernet Sauvignon injertadas sobre 101-14, 420A y 41B fueron cultivadas al aire libre y sometidas a tres regimenes hidricos. El portainjerto modifico de forma estadisticamente significativa el contenido de oxigeno-18 en el agua del mosto. Se observo que el enriquecimiento en oxigeno-18 estaba correlacionado positivamente con la diferencia de temperatura entre la canopy y el aire. Probablemente, la reduccion del factor de fraccionamiento de equilibrio no fue suficiente para compensar el enriquecimiento a traves del aumento del factor de fraccionamiento cinetico, debido al aumento del VPD en condiciones de baja disponibilidad hidrica. El 41B indujo el mayor enriquecimiento a pesar de evidenciar la mas elevada transpiracion foliar. Las diferencias observadas en la composicion isotopica del mosto podrian ser debidas a la influencia del portainjerto sobre la conductancia estomatica foliar y sobre la transpiracion de las bayas. Los resultados obtenidos pueden contribuir a aclarar ciertos aspectos en los estudios sobre la caracterizacion y autenticacion de vinos y otros productos agroalimentarios.

El analisis de los isotopos naturales del agua son una potente herramienta para caracterizar y autenticar el origen de los productos agroaliemtarios en general. En este trabajo se ha estudiado la influencia del regimen hidrico del suelo sobre la composicion isotopica del mosto de vid (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon) en condiciones de campo.

A medium-term forecast of the challenges and needs of agriculture at global and regional levels shows that to achieve significant increases in agricultural productivity in the developing countries not only intensification, diversification and specialization of agricultural production systems will be needed but also sustainable use and conservation of the natural resources. In response to this situation, the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme through its Soil and Water Management & Crop Nutrition sub-program, promotes the development and adoption of integrated soil, water and nutrient management practices in well-defined agro-ecosystems and cropping systems through the use of nuclear and related techniques. In the Latin American region there is an operational IAEA Technical Co-operation Project carried out in the frame of the regional program ARCAL (Regional Co-operative Agreement for the Promotion of Nuclear Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean). The main features, activities and outputs/achievements of the project ARCAL XXII "Plant Nutrition, Soil and Water Management" are described. The results obtained in the regional network of field trials illustrate the use of nuclear techniques to generate technologies of integrated and efficient use of water, fertilizers, and alternative nutrient sources and their contribution to increasing agricultural productivity. A logical continuation of the ongoing project will be the formulation of a new one on sustainable management of agricultural production systems and conservation of land resources in Latin America.

The spatial and temporal controls on variability of the relative contributions of groundwater within and between flow systems to shallow lakes in the low-relief glaciated Boreal Plains of Canada were evaluated. Eleven lakes located in a coarse glacial outwash, of varying topographic positions and potential groundwater contributing areas, were sampled annually for stable O and H isotope ratios over the course of 8 years. It was demonstrated that landscape position is the dominant control over relative groundwater contributions to these lakes and the spatial pattern of the long-term isotopic compositions attributed to groundwater overrides interannual variability due to evaporative effects. Lakes at low landscape positions with large potential groundwater capture areas have relatively higher and more consistent groundwater contributions and low interannual variability of isotopic composition. Isolated lakes high in the landscape experience high interannual variability as they have little to no groundwater input to buffer the volumetric or isotopic changes caused by evaporation and precipitation. An alternative explanation that lake morphometry (area and volume) control long-term isotopic compositions is tested and subsequently refuted. Landscape position within coarse outwash is a strong predictor for relative groundwater input; however, surface-water connections can short circuit groundwater pathways and confound the signal. A hydrogeological case study for three of the study lakes is used to contextualize and further demonstrate these results.

Fil: Nittmann, Juan José. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Hídricas; Argentina. | Fil: Nittmann, Juan José. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Hídricas; Argentina. | The Guaraní Aquifer System- GAS is a transboundary aquifer shared by Brasil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina, extending for some 1100000 km2. The GAS is the third among the largest aquifers of the world, behind the Nubean sandstone aquifer in Africa (2500000 km2) and the Great Artesian Basin in Australia (1750000 km2). In Argentina it extends under Misiones and Corrientes Provinces, North of Entre Ríos Province, East of Chaco and Formosa provinces and Northeast of Santa Fe province. The current conceptual hydrogeologic model for the GAS has many uncertainties, particularly in the south. One of them is related to the definition of the aquifer border and the geologic model due to stratigraphic information scarcity. Doubts have been raised in relation to the existence of discharge/recharge zones in the Argentinean sector and their relationship with the surface water system. Besides, 14C measurements resulted in groundwater ages over 40000 years. The current numerical model is two-dimensional, under steady state flow regime without considering overlying/underlying formations. Taking into account the possible interaction between the GAS sandstones with confining units is keen to understand the effect of the hydraulic connections within the system and consequently the mixture of waters of different ages. In this manner, one could build a more reliable water balance in order to manage the aquifer under sustainable uses scenarios. | El Sistema Acuífero Guaraní (SAG) es un acuífero transfronterizo compartido entre Brasil, Paraguay, Uruguay y Argentina, que ocupa aproximadamente 1100000 km2. El SAG es el tercero entre los acuíferos más grandes del mundo, detrás de las areniscas de Nubia en África (2500000 km2) y la Gran Cuenca Artesiana en Australia (1750000 km2). En Argentina se extiende bajo las provincias de Misiones, Corrientes, norte de Entre Ríos, este de Chaco y Formosa y noreste de Santa Fe. El modelo hidrogeológico conceptual del SAG hoy disponible posee numerosas incertidumbres, en particular en el sector sur. Algunas de estas incertidumbres son el propio límite del SAG y el modelo geológico debido al escaso número de perforaciones disponibles. Respecto del flujo subterráneo y el balance de agua, se han planteado dudas acerca de la existencia de posibles zonas de recarga/descarga en el sector argentino y su vinculación con el sistema de drenaje superficial. Además, en base a mediciones de 14C se han detectado aguas cuya edad supera los 40000 años. El modelo numérico de flujo hoy disponible se basa en la simulación bidimensional, en régimen permanente sin incluir interacciones con formaciones infra-suprayacentes. Considerar la posible interacción entre el SAG y las unidades confinantes es fundamental para entender el efecto que la conexión hidráulica entre las formaciones podría tener en el sistema de flujo y las mezclas de aguas de diferentes edades. De esta manera se podría contar con un balance de agua más confiable y poder así gestionar este acuífero con escenarios de explotación sustentable. | Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas | Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica | Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires

The creation of artificial dunes for coastal protection may have important consequences for freshwater lenses in coastal aquifers. The objective of this study was to compare the recharge processes below such a young dune with scant vegetation to an older dune covered by grass and herbaceous vegetation. To this aim, soil and water samples were collected from the unsaturated zone at two sites on Langeoog Island in northern Germany, and the soil water was analysed for stable water isotopes and chloride. Recharge rates were calculated by using a new version of HYDRUS-1D, which was modified to simulate isotope fractionation during evaporation. Both the model outcomes and the data highlight the importance of fractionation, which is slightly more pronounced at the older, more vegetated dune. At the newly constructed dune, vegetation dieback seemingly reduces the importance of transpiration during summer. Recharge occurs year-round, albeit predominantly during the winter months. Calculated recharge rates are consistent with lysimeter measurements, but are significantly higher than previously reported rates based on groundwater age data, which is primarily attributed to the absence of dune shrub at the sites investigated here. More data are needed to establish the importance of soil-water repellency and overland flow. Based on the results, it is proposed that repeated isotope sampling can yield important insights into the dynamics of recharge processes, including their response to climate change.

The ability to detect hydrologic variation in large arctic river systems is of major importance in understanding and predicting effects of climate change in high-latitude environments. Monitoring uranium isotopes (234U and 238U) in river water of the Yukon River Basin of Alaska and northwestern Canada (2001–2005) has enhanced the ability to identify water sources to rivers, as well as detect flow changes that have occurred over the 5-year study. Uranium isotopic data for the Yukon River and major tributaries (the Porcupine and Tanana rivers) identify several sources that contribute to river flow, including: deep groundwater, seasonally frozen river-valley alluvium groundwater, and high-elevation glacial melt water. The main-stem Yukon River exhibits patterns of uranium isotopic variation at several locations that reflect input from ice melt and shallow groundwater in the spring, as well as a multi-year pattern of increased variability in timing and relative amount of water supplied from higher elevations within the basin. Results of this study demonstrate both the utility of uranium isotopes in revealing sources of water in large river systems and of incorporating uranium isotope analysis in long-term monitoring of arctic river systems that attempt to assess the effects of climate change.