El agua es un elemento de vital importancia para las personas, por ende el presente trabajo de investigación, tiene como objeto principal evaluar la calidad de agua del manantial, que abastece el consumo de la población del sector las Flores, mediante la investigación cuantitativo, empírica y no experimental seleccionando 3 puntos de muestreo como captación, reservorio y red domiciliaria en épocas de lluvia y estiaje, a las que se identificó y evaluó los parámetros físicos químicos, biológicos, como determinar el índice de calidad de agua (ICA-PE), las muestras fueron trasladadas al laboratorio regional del agua- Gobierno regional de Cajamarca. Los resultados obtenidos del Laboratorio Regional del Agua, se determinaron las concentraciones de Parámetros Físicos, Químicos Y Biológicos del Manantial, lo cuales fueron comparados con los estándares de calidad ambiental (Decreto Supremo N° 004-2017 Ministerio del Ambiente) y los límites máximos permisibles (Decreto Supremo Nº 031-2010 SA del Reglamento de calidad de agua para consumo humano del Ministerio de salud), siendo las concentraciones tanto en época de lluvia como estiaje como: aluminio (0,023 a 0,031mg/l), bario (0,009 mg/l), sodio (1,297 a 1,572 mg/l), Conductividad (Cond.) (23,6 a 25,1 uS/cm), Oxígeno disuelto (6,2 a 6,6 mg O2/l), Coliformes termotolerantes (1,1 a 1,8 NMP/100ml), Coliformes Totales (1,1 a 5,5 NMP/100ml), Cloruro (0,416 a 0,908 Cl- mg/l), Nitrato (NO3) (3,159 a 3,784 mg/l), Sulfato SO42- (2,432 a 3,571 mg/l), encontrándose dentro del rango de la categoría 1 A1. Sin embargo, para las concentraciones del pH va entre un rango de 5,26 a 5,72 tanto en época de lluvia como estiaje encontrándose en la categoría 1 A2. En conclusión, la calidad de agua del sector las Flores se encuentra dentro de los valores establecidos por los decretos antes mencionados, estando esta como apta para consumo humano.

Las tejas vidriadas elaboradas en talleres artesanales presentan, en muchas ocasiones, valores deficientes de absorción de agua y resistencia a la flexión. Estos parámetros son importantes pues definen la calidad de la teja. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo mejorar la absorción de agua de las tejas cerámicas vidriadas de un taller artesanal del sector Racar a temperaturas de cocción inferiores a 1000°C, buscando el cumplimiento del valor requerido en la norma INEN 990. Para ello, se realizó la caracterización de las materias primas y la pasta, se estudió la influencia de la reducción de tamaño en los parámetros de plasticidad y contracción, y se formularon mezclas variando la dosificación con el fin de obtener los parámetros óptimos que permitan reducir la absorción de agua. Además, se analizó las temperaturas de cocción del vidriado de 850°C, 900°C y 950°C con el fin de definir una temperatura idónea para la elaboración de tejas. La temperatura de cocción del vidriado que proporcionó mejores resultados fue de 950°C y la mezcla óptima encontrada corresponde a x1=30%; x2=20%; x3=50%; a partir de la cual se obtuvieron tejas curvas vidriadas que presentan valores de 81,40 kg/cm2 para la resistencia a la flexión y 14,19% para la absorción de agua, y tejas planas vidriadas con valores de 74,90 kg/cm2 para la resistencia mecánica y 15,22% para la absorción de agua. Con ello, se logró una mejoría respecto a los valores obtenidos con la dosificación de los artesanos en tejas curvas y planas vidriadas de 20,3% para la resistencia a la flexión y 19,08% para la absorción de agua (en tejas curvas); y de 23% para la resistencia a la flexión y 16% para la absorción de agua (en tejas planas); lo que conlleva un acercamiento a la norma INEN 990. | Glazed tiles made in artisan workshops often have poor water absorption and bending resistance values. These parameters are important as they define the quality of the tile. This research aims to improve the water absorption of glazed ceramic tiles from a craft workshop in the Racar sector at firing temperatures below 1000°C, seeking compliance with the value required in the INEN 990 standard. To this end, the characterization of the raw materials and the paste, the influence of grinding on the plasticity and contraction parameters was studied, and mixtures were formulated by varying the dosage in order to obtain the optimal parameters that allow reducing water absorption. In addition, the glaze firing temperatures of 850°C, 900°C and 950°C were analyzed in order to define an ideal temperature for the production of tiles. The glaze firing temperature that provided the best results was 950°C and the optimal mixture found corresponds to x1=30%; x2=20%; x3=50%; from which curved glazed tiles were obtained that have values of 81.40 kg/cm2 for flexural resistance and 14.19% for water absorption, and flat glazed tiles with values of 74.90 kg/cm2 for mechanical resistance and 15.22% for water absorption. With this, an improvement was achieved with respect to the values obtained with the artisans' dosage in curved and flat glazed tiles of 20.3% for bending resistance and 19.08% for water absorption (in curved tiles); and 23% for flexural resistance and 16% for water absorption (in flat tiles); which entails an approach to the INEN 990 standard. | 0000-0002-1054-4605

La presente investigación se centra en la captación de agua mediante la utilización de neblinómetros empleando un material denominado Sarán Sombra 80%, el lugar de estudio se centró en la parroquia de Natabuela provincia de Imbabura. El objetivo principal del estudio fue determinar la cantidad de agua proveniente de neblina de cuatro sitios diferentes, diferenciando el tipo de suelo donde iban a ser colocados, fundamentándose en los principios físicos de la formación de la neblina. Se evaluó la distribución en tiempo y espacio de las variables meteorológicas: precipitación, temperatura, humedad relativa, viento y evapotranspiración con el fin de caracterizar el entorno donde estuvieron colocados los aparatos desde el punto de vista climático y con esto deducir aspectos predominantes en la formación de neblina. El mayor volumen de agua obtenido fue de 4,34 mm/mes en el Área de Estudio 1, caracterizado por su suelo cubierto de vegetación arbustiva, especies perennes, frutales, por la presencia de estos aspectos se veía que se obtenía un mayor volumen en relación a las otras Áreas de Estudio mientras que el menor valor fue de 0,55 mm/mes para el Área de Estudio 3, cuya superficie era de pavimento, ya que se localizada a la altura de la panamericana E35, lo que provoca que se diera un transporte de las gotas de agua que se condensaban provocando una disminución en la captación de agua de neblina. Para considerar la viabilidad que llegarían a tener los neblinómetros, la investigación se basa en el método de Hargreaves para el cálculo de la evapotranspiración potencial con el objeto de conocer el volumen de agua de retorno que podría llegar a tener el neblinómetro en el mejor de los escenarios y para poder cubrir el requerimiento hídrico de una planta, como un ejemplo se utilizó el aguacate, llegando a la conclusión que sería necesario utilizar 37 neblinómetros para el Área de Estudio 1, y 292 para el Área de Estudio 3. | The present research focuses on the capture of water through the use of neblinometers using a material called Saran Shade 80%, the study site was focused on the parish of Natabuela province of Imbabura. The main objective of the study was to determine the amount of water coming from fog from four different sites, differentiating the type of soil where they were to be placed, based on the physical principles of mist formation. The distribution in time and space of the meteorological variables was evaluated: precipitation, temperature, relative humidity, wind and evapotranspiration in order to characterize the environment where the devices were placed from the climatic point of view and with this to deduce aspects predominant in the formation of haze. The largest volume of water obtained was 4,34 mm / month in Study Area 1, characterized by its soil covered with shrub vegetation, perennial species, fruit trees, due to the presence of these aspects it was seen that a greater volume was obtained in in relation to the other Study Areas, while the lowest value was 0,55 mm / month for Study Area 3, whose surface area was pavement, since it was located at the height of Pan American E35, which causes gave a transport of water droplets that condensed causing a decrease in the capture of mist water. To consider the feasibility of the nebulinometers, the research is based on the Hargreaves method for calculating potential evapotranspiration in order to know the volume of return water that the nebulinometer could have at the best of the scenarios and to be able to cover the water requirement of a plant, as an example the avocado was used, reaching the conclusion that it would be necessary to use 37 neblinometers for Study Area 1, and 292 for Study Area 3. | The present research focuses on the capture of water through the use of neblinometers using a material called Saran Shade 80%, the study site was focused on the parish of Natabuela province of Imbabura. The main objective of the study was to determine the amount of water coming from fog from four different sites, differentiating the type of soil where they were to be placed, based on the physical principles of mist formation. The distribution in time and space of the meteorological variables was evaluated: precipitation, temperature, relative humidity, wind and evapotranspiration in order to characterize the environment where the devices were placed from the climatic point of view and with this to deduce aspects predominant in the formation of haze. The largest volume of water obtained was 4,34 mm / month in Study Area 1, characterized by its soil covered with shrub vegetation, perennial species, fruit trees, due to the presence of these aspects it was seen that a greater volume was obtained in in relation to the other Study Areas, while the lowest value was 0,55 mm / month for Study Area 3, whose surface area was pavement, since it was located at the height of Pan American E35, which causes gave a transport of water droplets that condensed causing a decrease in the capture of mist water. To consider the feasibility of the nebulinometers, the research is based on the Hargreaves method for calculating potential evapotranspiration in order to know the volume of return water that the nebulinometer could have at the best of the scenarios and to be able to cover the water requirement of a plant, as an example the avocado was used, reaching the conclusion that it would be necessary to use 37 neblinometers for Study Area 1, and 292 for Study Area 3.

The Água Clara Cave System was previously recognized as a prominent hotspot of subterranean biodiversity in South America, harboring 31 cave-restricted species. However, a recent expedition conducted in September 2023, coinciding with an exceptionally dry period in the region, provided access to previously unexplored areas. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate the cave-restricted invertebrate species, extending the findings from a previous article on the Agua Clara Cave System published in June 2023, and emphasizing the significance of this system as one of the most crucial tropical biodiversity hotspots. This survey unveiled an additional 10 species, raising the count of cave-restricted species within the system to an impressive 41. This remarkable diversity not only solidifies the Água Clara Cave System’s position as a paramount hotspot of subterranean biodiversity in the tropics but also serves as a stark warning about the imminent risks faced by these species. The escalating human-induced alterations in the region, notably deforestation, pose a significant risk to the survival of many of these unique and endemic species.

Many studies have shown that human-induced pressures are causing species loss across many trophic groups, with potential negative effects ability of ecosystems to maintain functions and provide services to human well-being. However, evidence for this prediction is still lacking in freshwater ecosystems. In this document, we report the results of four studies that investigated the effects of human-induced disturbance on (i) biodiversity, (ii) ecosystem functioning, and (iii) biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships. These studies were conducted in different freshwater ecosystems and encompassed multiple spatial and temporal scales. In the first study, we used a 12-year data set from a shallow lake displaying shifts between three alternative states (clear, turbid and shaded). We investigated how the biodiversity (taxonomic and functional) of fish and zooplankton, ecosystem multifunctionality (provision of multiple ecosystems functions simultaneously) and their relationships were affected by shifts between alternative states. Biodiversity of fish and zooplankton and multifunctionality enhanced during clear-water state, but decreased during turbid and shaded states. The relationship between biodiversity and multifunctionality was strongly positive during the clear state, but weakened after the lake shifted to turbid and shaded states. In the second study, we used a dataset of 72 lakes from four large Brazil wetlands to examine how increased human pressure (human footprint) affected the relationship between the biodiversity (taxonomic and functional) of seven groups of aquatic organisms and multifunctionality. The biodiversity of most organismal groups was positively associated with multifunctionality. However, increased human pressure has weakened these relationships, and for some groups these relationships have become negative. In the third study, we used a dataset of 61 streams from two Neotropical biomes (Amazonian rainforest, Uruguayan grasslands) to investigated how increased cover human land-uses (agriculture, pasture, urbanization and afforestation) affected the biodiversity (taxonomic and functional) of fish, arthropods and macrophytes, and the consequences of this for animal biomass production. In both biomes, the biodiversity of animal and plant assemblages decreased with increasing cover of land-uses. Land-uses reduced animal biomass through direct and indirect pathways mediated by declines in biodiversity. In the fourth study, we investigate how increasing human pressure affects fish diversity and the consequences of this for energy flux in fish food webs over 17 years in a subtropical river (Uruguay River). Human pressure was associated with temporal declines in diversity and energy flux in all fish trophic compartments, and the relationship between diversity and energy flux weakened over time. Collectively, these studies reveal that human-induced disturbances reduce the biodiversity of various groups of organisms in different types of aquatic ecosystems. The decline in biodiversity, in turn, reduces the ability of these ecosystems to sustain multiple functions. | Muitos estudos demonstraram que as pressões induzidas pelo homem estão causando a perda de espécies em muitos grupos tróficos, com potenciais efeitos negativos na capacidade dos ecossistemas de manter funções e prestar serviços para o bem-estar humano. No entanto, ainda faltam evidências consistentes para esta previsão nos ecossistemas de água doce. Reportou-se os resultados de quatro estudos que investigaram os efeitos da perturbação induzida pelo homem sobre (i) a biodiversidade, (ii) o funcionamento dos ecossistemas e (iii) as relações entre biodiversidade e funcionamento dos ecossistemas. Estes estudos foram conduzidos em diferentes ecossistemas de água doce e abrangeram múltiplas escalas espaciais e temporais. Utilizou-se um conjunto de dados de 12 anos de um lago raso exibindo mudanças entre três estados alternativos (claro, túrbido e sombreado). Investigou-se como a biodiversidade (taxonômica e funcional) de peixes e zooplâncton, a multifuncionalidade do ecossistema (provisão de múltiplas funções ecossistêmicas simultaneamente) e suas relações foram afetadas por mudanças entre estados alternativos. A biodiversidade de peixes e zooplâncton e a multifuncionalidade aumentaram durante o estado de águas claras, mas diminuíram durante os estados turvos e sombreados. A relação entre biodiversidade e multifuncionalidade foi fortemente positiva durante o estado de águas claras, mas enfraqueceu após a mudança do lago para estados turvos e sombreados. Empregou-se um conjunto de dados de 72 lagos de quatro grandes planícies do Brasil para examinar como o aumento da pressão humana (pegada humana) afetou a relação entre a biodiversidade (taxonômica e funcional) de sete grupos de organismos aquáticos e a multifuncionalidade. A biodiversidade da maioria dos grupos de organismos foi positivamente associada à multifuncionalidade. Entretanto, o aumento da pressão humana enfraqueceu estas relações, e para alguns grupos estas relações se tornaram negativas. Utilizou-se também um conjunto de dados de 61 córregos de dois biomas neotropicais (floresta amazônica, pastagens uruguaias) para investigar como o aumento da cobertura do uso do solo humano (agricultura, pastagem, urbanização e florestamento) afetou a biodiversidade (taxonômica e funcional) de peixes, artrópodes e macrófitas, e as consequências disso para a produção de biomassa animal. Em ambos os biomas, a biodiversidade dos conjuntos de animais e plantas diminuiu com o aumento da cobertura de uso do solo. Os usos do solo reduziram a biomassa animal através de caminhos diretos e indiretos mediados por declínios na biodiversidade. Por fim, investigou-se como a crescente pressão humana afeta a diversidade dos peixes e as consequências disso para o fluxo de energia nas teias de alimento de peixes durante 17 anos em um rio subtropical (rio Uruguay). A pressão humana foi associada a declínios temporais na diversidade e no fluxo de energia em todos os compartimentos tróficos de peixes, e a relação entre diversidade e fluxo de energia enfraqueceu com o tempo. Coletivamente, estes estudos demonstram, de maneira consistente, que as perturbações induzidas pelo homem reduzem a biodiversidade de vários grupos de organismos em diferentes tipos de ecossistemas aquáticos. O declínio da biodiversidade, por sua vez, reduz a capacidade desses ecossistemas de sustentar múltiplas funções. | PhD

Durante años, las embarcaciones transoceánicas han encontrado en el agua de mar, estuarios, ríos y lagos un elemento abundante, económico y de fácil manipulación para ser utilizados como lastre, brindado estabilidad, seguridad e integridad estructural durante la navegación. Este proceso de deslastre ha recobrado especial atención en las últimas décadas, ya que investigaciones realizadas en diferentes partes del mundo, han demostrado que una gran cantidad de organismos de diversas regiones están presentes en el agua de lastre y sedimentos, considerándose, así como un importante vector de introducción y transferencia de especies en áreas diferentes a su lugar de origen. A nivel mundial, se estima que anualmente se transfieren cerca de 10 millones de toneladas de agua de lastre, descargando diariamente 7000 especies diferentes. Alrededor del mundo son muchos los casos de introducción de especies que se han registrado vía agua de lastre, ejemplo de ello es la introducción de la bacteria Vibrio chalaras a muchos lugares del mundo. Algunos brotes de cólera detectados en el Golfo de México se han atribuido a las aguas de lastre de buques e incluso se han detectado otros patógenos como Escherichia cok Clostridium perfringins, diversas especies de Salmonella y enterovirus. Teniendo en cuenta esta actividad portuaria importante para la economía nacional, en el país no existe una normativa, legislación o planes de manejo en los puertos en lo referente al control de las descargas de las aguas de lastre, convirtiéndose la región de Santa Marta. " Destacando la falta de información sobre esta problemática a nivel regional y nacional, con el presente estudio se busca generar información base sobre la composición del zooplancton y las variables fisicoquímicas en el agua de lastre de las embarcaciones internacionales que arriban al Puerto de Santa Marta, el cual forma parte del macroproyecto "Impacto de las aguas de lastre en la Bahía de Santa Marta

Tras la erupción del volcán de Tajogaite en La Palma, la producción de plátano ha disminuido. Además, se ha comenzado a utilizar agua desalada para el riego en las zonas afectadas. Se realizó un estudio en invernadero donde se establecieron cuatro tratamientos diferentes, que combinaron la presencia o ausencia de ceniza en el suelo y el tipo de agua de riego utilizada (del Canal del Norte de Tenerife o desalada). Los resultados demostraron que ni la ceniza volcánica ni el agua tuvieron efectos negativos significativos en la fertilidad química y física del suelo. Además, el hierro fue absorbido por las plantas en los tratamientos con ceniza. Las plantas regadas con agua desalada mostraron un menor desarrollo en comparación con las regadas con agua proveniente del Canal. Estos hallazgos pueden servir como base para futuras investigaciones y para optimizar las prácticas agrícolas en regiones con condiciones similares | After the eruption of the Tajogaite volcano in La Palma, banana production decreased. In addition, desalinated water started to be used for irrigation in the affected areas. A greenhouse study was conducted, establishing four different treatments that combined the presence or absence of volcanic ash in the soil and the type of irrigation water used (fresh or desalinated water). The results showed that neither volcanic ash nor water had significant negative effects on the chemical and physical fertility of the soil. Furthermore, iron was absorbed by plants in the treatments with ash. Plants irrigated with desalinated water exhibited lower development compared to those irrigated with fresh water. These findings can serve as a base for future research and for optimizing agricultural practices in regions with similar conditions.