A qualidade da água utilizada para irrigação é fator primordial na produção agrícola, principalmente no cultivo de hortaliças, como a berinjela, que podem ter seu crescimento e produção comprometidos pela salinidade. Com isso, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o desenvolvimento e a produção de berinjela irrigada com águas de diferentes salinidades. O estudo foi realizado na área experimental do Departamento de Ciências Ambientais e Tecnológicas da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), em Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por quatro níveis de salinidade (0,5; 2,0; 4,0 e 6,0 dS m-1). O efeito da salinidade sobre a cultura foi analisado por meio das seguintes variáveis: diâmetro de caule, altura, número de folhas, área foliar, acúmulo de massa seca (caule, folhas, frutos e da parte aérea) e produção de frutos. O aumento da salinidade da água de irrigação afetou negativamente o desenvolvimento e a capacidade de produção da cultura da berinjela. O uso de água com salinidade acima de 0,5 dS m-1 afeta negativamente o desenvolvimento da planta e a produção de frutos de berinjela. Para as condições ambientais em que foi desenvolvido o estudo, a berinjela foi classificada como sensível à salinidade; para cada aumento unitário da salinidade há perda de 13,5% na produção de frutos. = The quality of water used for irrigation is a main factor for agricultural productivity, mainly in the cropping of vegetables, like eggplant, which growth and yield can be impaired by salinity. Thus, this work had as objective evaluating growth and yield off eggplant irrigated with water of different salinity levels. The trial was carried out at the experimental area of the Environmental and Technological Sciences Department of Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The experimental design was an entirely randomized with four treatments and four replications. Treatments consisted of four water salinity levels (0.5, 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 dS m-1). Salinity effect on the crop was analyzed through the following variables: stem diameter, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, dry mass accumulation (stem, leaves, fruits and shoots) and fruit yield. The increase in irrigation water salinity affected negatively growth and production ability of eggplant crop. The use of water with salinity higher than 0.5 dS m-1 affected negatively plant growth and fruit yield of eggplant. For the environmental conditions faced by eggplant in the trial, this plant was classified as sensitive to salinity. Each unitary increase in salinity corresponded to a 13.5% loss in fruit yield.

The rocket (Euruca sativa) is an important vegetable in human´s feed and one of the most nutritious, rich in minerals such as potassium, sulfur and iron, and vitamins A and C. Since the late 90’s the rocket is gaining more market, with an increase in quantity sold, and its area planted. The aim for this study is to assess the effect of potassium on the yield characteristics, SPAD reading and efficiency in water use by plants of rocket. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse during May-June 2011. The experimental plot consisted of vase built by PET 2.5 liter bottle with a capacity of 1 dm-3 of soil, using a wool wick for irrigation by capillary. The experimental design was completely randomized and its treatments consisted of six doses ofK2O: 0; 50; 100; 150; 200 and 250 mg dm-3 and using as source KCl and six replications. The variables analyzed were SPAD readings, leaf number, fresh mass, dry mass, root dry mass and water use efficiency. The potassium fertilization increases the SPAD reading and water use efficiency by rocket plants in potassium doses of 156.4 and 200 mg dm-3, respectively. Variables fresh and dry mass of plants are influenced by potassium fertilization with adjust of linear regression model. Variables number of leaves and root dry weight are not influenced by potassium fertilization.ResumoA rúcula (Euruca sativa) é uma hortaliça relevante na alimentação humana sendo uma das mais nutritivas, ricas emminerais como potássio, enxofre e ferro, além das vitaminas A e C. Desde o final da década de 90 a rúcula vem conquistandomercado com um aumento na quantidade comercializada e na sua área de plantio. Objetivou-se pelo presente estudo avaliaro efeito de doses de potássio nas características produtivas, leitura SPAD e eficiência no uso da água por plantas de rúcula.O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação no período de maio a junho de 2011. A parcela experimental consistiu devaso construído por garrafa PET de 2,5 litros, com capacidade para 1 dm-3 de solo, utilizando-se pavio de lã para irrigação porcapilaridade. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado cujos tratamentos consistiram de seis doses de K2O: 0;50; 100; 150; 200 e 250 mg dm-3 utilizando-se como fonte o KCl e seis repetições. As variáveis analisadas foram leitura SPAD,número de folhas, massa fresca e massa seca da parte aérea, massa seca da raiz e eficiência no uso da água. A adubação compotássio aumenta a leitura SPAD e a eficiência no uso de água por plantas de rúcula nas doses de potássio de 156,4 e 200 mg dm-3,respectivamente. As variáveis massas fresca e seca de plantas são influenciadas pela adubação potássica com ajuste a modelolinear de regressão. As variáveis número de folhas e massa seca de raiz não são influenciadas pela adubação potássica.

The study was conducted during the summer of 2002. The treatments were monocropping and intercropping the common bean Canario 107, Bayomex (determinate type), Michoacan (indeterminate type), and sunflower cv. Victoria. Sowing took place on May 25, 2002 at a population density of 4.2 (bean) and 8.3 (sunflower) plants m(-2), respectively, in a clay texture soil, with a pH of 7.8 and was fertilized with 100-100-00 of NPK. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four replications. In neither of the crops the phenology, heat units nor evapotranspiration were affected by the sowing system. The heat units (HU) and evapotranspiration (ETc) of de sown crops at physiological maturity were 1521 HU and 279.6 mm for cv. Victoria, 658 HU and 201.3 mm for Canario 107, 811 HU and 213.7 for Bayomex, and 1041 HU and 241.7 mm for Michoacan. The combined agrosystem of sunflower and bean was more efficient in the use of resources in agricultural production. The combination of the Victoria sunflower and the Michoacan bean showed higher efficiency in the use of water and in the use of radiation and, as a result, greater production of biomass and yield. The land equivalent ratio for seed yield obtained with the combination of Victoria plus Canario 107, Victoria plus Michoacan, and Victoria plus Bayomex was 1.6, 1.9, and 3.0, respectively. This shows an advantage for the yield of combined crops over monocrops by 60, 90, and 200%, respectively.

This work presents the analysis of turbidity removal in water from a natural source, via coagulation/flocculation using plantain starch. A random factorial experimental design was formulated with four variable factors: pH, coagulant dose, rapid mixing speed and slow mixing speed. The jar test was carried out in order to determine the optimal values of such factors. The plantain starch is proper as flocculation aid, although its sedimentation is slow. The best turbidity removal corresponds to: pH of 5, a 50:50 weigh percent for the alum sulfate/plantain starch combination, fast mixing speed of 150rpm and slow mixing speed of 20rpm.

Las sequías prolongadas y el cambio climático exacerbado han intensificado las limitaciones en el acceso al agua en la Reserva Natural de la Sociedad Civil Puerta de Chontales ubicada en la vereda La Bolsa, en Paipa, Boyacá. Esta situación ha impactado negativamente en la salud humana y economía de las familias campesinas locales, además de representar una amenaza para el equilibrio hídrico del ecosistema. En respuesta a esta situación, el presente proyecto propone el desarrollo de un prototipo biomimético de sistema atrapanieblas inspirado en la estructura morfológica de las bromelias epífitas, con la capacidad de hacer un aprovechamiento de la precipitación horizontal como fuente alternativa de agua. El proyecto se desarrolló a partir del diagnóstico de la zona de estudio, seguido por las fases de diseño de producto y finalizó con la implementación y pruebas del prototipo, con las cuales se logró evidenciar un incremento en la capacidad de captación de agua en comparación con los sistemas bidimensionales tradicionales puestos a prueba, superando sus limitaciones al incorporar múltiples capas y aprovechar las diferentes direcciones del viento. Se comprobó que el agua capturada es apta para riego, ganadería y usos domésticos no potables, permitiendo mejorar el acceso a este recurso esencial y a su vez, fortalecer la gobernanza ambiental, considerando que este enfoque generó gran interés en la comunidad, promoviendo la gestión local del agua y el desarrollo comunitario, y sentando las bases para convertirse en una alternativa rentable y escalable en regiones afectadas por la escasez de agua. | Fog water company Sas | Red Tecnoparque Colombia | Bioingeniero | Pregrado | Prolonged droughts and climate change have intensified the limitations in access to water in the Nature Reserve Puerta de Chontales located in La Bolsa trail, in Paipa, Boyacá (Colombia). This situation has negatively impacted human health and the economy of local families, in addition to represent a threat to the water balance of the ecosystem. Due to this situation, this project proposes the development of a biomimetic prototype of a fog-catching system inspired by the morphological structure of epiphytic bromeliads, with the capacity to use the horizontal precipitation as an alternative source of water. The development of this project started from the diagnosis of the study area, followed by the product design phases and ended with the implementation and testing of the prototype, which showed an increase in its capacity to capture water, compared to the traditional two-dimensional systems tested, overcoming their limitations by incorporating multiple layers and fog harvesting from different wind directions. The captured water was found to be suitable for irrigation, livestock and non-potable domestic uses, which allows a better access to this essential resource and, in turn, the strengthening of environmental governance. This approach generated great interest in the community, promoted the management of local water and community development and set the basic principles to become a profitable and scalable alternative in regions affected by water scarcity.

El presente proyecto de grado se enfoca en el desarrollo de un método in vitro de bioacumulación de hierro (Fe (III)) para disminuir su contenido mediante el uso de Bacillus subtilis en muestras de agua del río Chicú, aprovechando las características propias de este microorganismo que le permiten incorporar metales como el hierro debido a su afinidad con este elemento. En torno a este objetivo, la metodología planteada se enfoca en corroborar el potencial de reducción en la concentración de hierro trivalente (Fe (III)) por parte del microorganismo Bacillus subtilis, según lo reportado en la literatura, así como constatar que existe una reducción significativa de este elemento, de igual manera mediante el uso del microorganismo anteriormente mencionado, en muestras de agua del río Chicú, bajo sus condiciones físico-químicas particulares. Lo anterior, con el fin de establecer las distintas condiciones de la metodología propuesta. En primer lugar, se llevó a cabo una contextualización del problema, junto a una revisión bibliográfica de los antecedentes en cuanto al potencial de B. subtilis para la reducción en la concentración de Fe (III). Luego, se procedió a determinar los parámetros físico-químicos en muestras de agua tomadas directamente de la fuente hídrica en cuestión, a la altura del sector “el Chacal” en el municipio de Tenjo, Cundinamarca. A partir de las muestras recolectadas se determinó: pH, sólidos disueltos totales (TDS), concentración inicial de hierro (Fe (III)), DBO y DQO. Más adelante, se precisó la pureza de la cepa de Bacillus subtilis obtenida, la cual fue donada por el laboratorio de Ingeniería Ambiental de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Medellín. Posteriormente, se propuso un diseño experimental factorial, para ratificar la capacidad del microorganismo para reducir la concentración de Fe (III) en medios químicamente definidos, de acuerdo con lo reportado en la literatura; estableciendo dicha reducción como variable de interés. Para este diseño, se relacionaron dos factores a evaluar con respecto a la variable de salida, cada uno de los cuales dispone de tres niveles: el pH (3.5, 5 y 7) y la concentración inicial de hierro (Fe (III)) (1 mg/L, 5 mg/L y 9 mg/L), obteniendo un total de 9 tratamientos experimentales. Una vez definidos los tratamientos, se prepararon medios de cultivo químicamente definidos de acuerdo con las características especificadas en el diseño experimental. Tras la inoculación del microorganismo durante un periodo de 7 días a 28 °C con agitación constante a 100 rpm, se determinó la concentración final de hierro tanto en los controles negativos como en cada una de las réplicas, verificando el crecimiento del microorganismo y cuantificando la biomasa por peso seco. Seguidamente, se repitió el proceso de inoculación en muestras de agua provenientes del río Chicú para evaluar el porcentaje de bioacumulación y consecuente reducción en la concentración de Fe (III) en este medio, determinando nuevamente la concentración final del elemento y la biomasa. Por último, se plantearon los análisis estadísticos pertinentes: un análisis de varianza ANOVA con un nivel de significancia de 0.05 y una diferencia mínima significativa (LSD) de Fisher, con un nivel del 95% de confiabilidad. El valor de pH encontrado en las muestras de agua de río fue de 6.87 en promedio, el cual se encuentra dentro del rango usual de pH para cuerpos de agua superficiales, según lo establecido por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Adicionalmente, se estableció que la concentración de hierro (Fe (III)) fue de 0.94 mg/L, la cual supera en más de un 100% el límite establecido por la norma. Se reportó una DBO de 109 mg/L y una DQO de 696 mg/L, valores que exceden el límite máximo permisible descrito por la normativa correspondiente (50 mg/L para DBO5 y 150 mg/L para DQO). En cuanto al diseño experimental, en general se obtuvieron porcentajes de reducción de Fe (III) mayores al 50%, encontrando que los valores de pH entre 5 y 7 favorecen el crecimiento del microorganismo. De igual manera, se relacionó una mayor concentración inicial de Fe (III) con una cantidad reducida más elevada. La mayor cantidad de hierro (Fe (III)) reducida fue de 8.78 mg/L, o bien un porcentaje de 97.56% de reducción, el cual se dio en condiciones de concentración inicial de Fe (III) de 9 mg/L y pH 7. En el caso particular del agua del río, la cantidad promedio de Fe (III) reducida, fue de 0.83 mg/L, que representa un porcentaje de reducción de hierro de 88.3%. Se verificó la viabilidad en el crecimiento del microorganismo en agar nutritivo luego de ser sometido al medio con concentraciones de hierro diferentes. Adicionalmente, la determinación de la biomasa por peso seco indicó que la mayor cantidad obtenida fue 0.36 ± 0.04 g/ml, en condiciones de concentración de Fe (III) de 1mg/L y ph7. En general, los resultados indican el potencial de B. subtilis para la reducción de diferentes concentraciones de Fe (III) en medios de cultivo específicamente definidos para el microorganismo, así como en muestras de agua del río Chicú, las cuales poseen características físico-químicas propias. | Bioingeniero | Pregrado | The present degree project focuses on the development of an in vitro method of bioaccumulation of iron (Fe (III)) to reduce its content through the use of Bacillus subtilis in water samples from the Chicú River, taking advantage of the characteristics of this microorganism, that allow it to incorporate metals such as iron due to its affinity with this element. Around this objective, the proposed methodology focuses on corroborating the potential for reduction in the concentration of trivalent iron (Fe (III)) by the microorganism Bacillus subtilis, as reported in the literature, as well as verifying that there is a significant reduction of this element, through the use of the aforementioned microorganism, in water samples from the Chicú River, under its particular physical-chemical conditions. The foregoing, in order to establish the different conditions of the proposed methodology. First, a contextualization of the problem was carried out, together with a bibliographic review of the antecedents regarding the potential of B. subtilis for the reduction in the concentration of Fe (III). Then, we proceeded to determine the physicochemical parameters in water samples taken directly from the water source in question, by the “El Chacal” sector in the municipality of Tenjo, Cundinamarca. From the collected samples, the following were determined: pH, TDS, initial concentration of iron (Fe (III)), BOD and COD. Later, the purity of the Bacillus subtilis strain obtained was specified, which was donated by the Environmental Engineering Laboratory of the National University of Colombia, on Medellín. Subsequently, a factorial experimental design was proposed to ratify the ability of the microorganism to reduce the concentration of Fe (III) in chemically defined media, according to what was reported in the literature; establishing said reduction as a variable of interest. For this design, two factors to evaluate with respect to the output variable were related, each of which has three levels: pH (3.5, 5 and 7) and the initial concentration of iron (Fe (III)) (1 mg/L, 5 mg/L and 9 mg/L), obtaining a total of 9 experimental treatments. Once the treatments were defined, chemically defined culture media were prepared according to the characteristics specified in the experimental design. After inoculation of the microorganism for a period of 7 days at 28 °C with constant stirring at 100 rpm, the final iron concentration was determined both in the negative controls and in each of the replicates, verifying the growth of the microorganism and quantifying the biomass by dry weight. Then, the inoculation process was repeated in water samples from the Chicú river to evaluate the percentage of bioaccumulation and consequent reduction in the concentration of Fe (III) in this medium, again determining the final concentration of the element and the biomass. Finally, the relevant statistical analyzes were proposed: an ANOVA analysis of variance with a significance level of 0.05 and a Fisher's least significant difference (LSD), with a 95% level of reliability. The pH value found in the river water samples was 6.87 on average, which is within the usual pH range for surface water bodies, as established by the World Health Organization. Additionally, it was established that the concentration of iron (Fe (III)) was 0.94 mg/L, which exceeds the limit established by the standard by more than 100%. A BOD of 109 mg/L and a COD of 696 mg/L were reported, values that exceed the maximum permissible limit described by the corresponding regulations (50 mg/L for BOD5 and 150 mg/L for COD). Regarding the experimental design, in general, Fe (III) reduction percentages greater than 50% were obtained, finding that pH values between 5 and 7 favor the growth of the microorganism. Similarly, a higher initial concentration of Fe (III) was related to a higher reduced amount. The highest amount of iron (Fe (III)) reduced was 8.78 mg/L, or a percentage of 97.56% reduction, which occurred under conditions of initial Fe (III) concentration of 9 mg/L and pH 7. In the particular case of river water, the average amount of reduced Fe (III) was 0.83 mg/L, which represents a percentage of iron reduction of 88.3%. The viability in the growth of the microorganism in nutrient agar was verified after being subjected to the medium with different iron concentrations. Additionally, the determination of biomass by dry weight indicated that the highest quantity obtained was 0.36 ± 0.04 g/ml, under conditions of Fe (III) concentration of 1mg/L and ph7. In general, the results indicate the potential of B. subtilis for the reduction of different concentrations of Fe (III) in culture media specifically defined for the microorganism, as well as in water samples from the Chicú River, which have their own physicochemical characteristics.

Optimization methods have been used in groundwater modeling as well as for the planning and management of groundwater systems. This paper reviews and evaluates the various optimization methods that have been used for solving the inverse problem of parameter identification (estimation), experimental design, and groundwater planning and management. Various model selection criteria are discussed, as well as criteria used for model discrimination. The inverse problem of parameter identification concerns the optimal determination of model parameters using water-level observations. In general, the optimal experimental design seeks to find sampling strategies for the purpose of estimating the unknown model parameters. A typical objective of optimal conjunctive-use planning of surface water and groundwater is to minimize the operational costs of meeting water demand. The optimization methods include mathematical programming techniques such as linear programming, quadratic programming, dynamic programming, stochastic programming, nonlinear programming, and the global search algorithms such as genetic algorithms, simulated annealing, and tabu search. Emphasis is placed on groundwater flow problems as opposed to contaminant transport problems. A typical two-dimensional groundwater flow problem is used to explain the basic formulations and algorithms that have been used to solve the formulated optimization problems.