Effects of capping on microbial populations and contaminant immobilization in an old unlined landfill.

This research aimed at evaluating the effects of capping on the mitigation of impacts generated by a closed unlined landfill in São Carlos, SP, Brazil. Physicochemical and microbiological analyses (16S rRNA sequencing) of buried solid waste samples were performed, in capped and uncapped areas. Even though leachate pockets could still be encountered in capped areas, the capping construction reduced oxygen availability and created more reducing conditions, propitiating the development of sulfate-reducing bacteria and possibly contributing to the precipitation of the metals Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, As, and Zn as metal sulfides, causing their immobilization. The microbial populations adapted to the anaerobic conditions created under capped zones belonged to the phyla Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, and Euryarchaeota and the genera Methanosaeta, Hydrogenispora, Smithella, and Gelria. Differently, the phyla Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were more abundant in samples from the uncapped zones, in which the abundance of different genera varied homogeneously. Methanogenic activity was not impaired by the intervention measure, as assessed by the specific methanogenic activity (SMA). Capping of old unlined landfills brings benefits to the immobilization of metals and does not impair microbial degradation, being effective for the mitigation of impacts on soils and water resources.

Experimental Study on Potential Influence of the Invasive Hedychium coronarium J. König on the Evapotranspiration of Riparian Plant Community.

The balance between precipitation and evapotranspiration (ET) has direct effect on vegetation, and any change in its structure and composition can influence it. The aim of this study is to determine experimentally the daily evapotranspiration (ET) of the invasive species, Hedychium coronarium, and to compare with a group of four native species of the riparian forest. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with three different treatments: (1) only the invasive species; (2) only native species; and (3) a mixture of invasive and native species. In each lysimeter, pressure transducers recorded the water level at every 15 min along 14 months. Daily ET was calculated by the method of Gribovszki et al. (2008) and varied according to the treatment, indicating that different species (invasive or native) use the water differently. The maximum accumulated daily ET occurred for mixture treatment (2540.16 mm), while the treatment with the invasive plant presented the lowest value (2172.53 mm). H. coronarium, in monodominant stands, can reduce evapotranspiration on invaded areas and increase it when immersed in the riparian forest.

Automated Low-Cost Soil Moisture Sensors: Trade-Off between Cost and Accuracy.

Automated soil moisture systems are commonly used in precision agriculture. Using low-cost sensors, the spatial extension can be maximized, but the accuracy might be reduced. In this paper, we address the trade-off between cost and accuracy comparing low-cost and commercial soil moisture sensors. The analysis is based on the capacitive sensor SKU:SEN0193 tested under lab and field conditions. In addition to individual calibration, two simplified calibration techniques are proposed: universal calibration, based on all 63 sensors, and a single-point calibration using the sensor response in dry soil. During the second stage of testing, the sensors were coupled to a low-cost monitoring station and installed in the field. The sensors were capable of measuring daily and seasonal oscillations in soil moisture resulting from solar radiation and precipitation. The low-cost sensor performance was compared to commercial sensors based on five variables: (1) cost, (2) accuracy, (3) qualified labor demand, (4) sample volume, and (5) life expectancy. Commercial sensors provide single-point information with high reliability but at a high acquisition cost, while low-cost sensors can be acquired in larger numbers at a lower cost, allowing for more detailed spatial and temporal observations, but with medium accuracy. The use of SKU sensors is then indicated for short-term and limited-budget projects in which high accuracy of the collected data is not required.

Isotopes of nitrate and gadolinium fingerprints to assay human inputs in Guarani Aquifer System.

The use of environmental tracers brings comprehensive benefits to the management of water resources since it helps to prevent their pollution, minimize public health risks, and thus reduce the impact of urbanization. In Brazil, the Guarani Aquifer System (GAS) has strategic and environmental importance, making its preservation and sustainable exploitation mandatory. The present study aimed at evaluating sources of contamination in the GAS using the combination of geochemical data and two environmental tracers: nitrate isotopes (15NNO3 and 18ONO3) and one rare earth element (Gadolinium-Gd). For that, five wells-four exploiting the GAS and one the Bauru Aquifer System (BAS)-were selected to discuss the human inputs in groundwater used for public supply in an urban area. Traditional physicochemical analyses were conducted for six campaign samplings and nitrate monitoring for this period was evaluated on a time scale, also considering the accumulated rainfall. Besides that, the double isotopic method (DIM), e.g., δ18ONO3 e δ15NNO3, was applied to identify the fractionation and enable the distinction of the nitrate contamination source. In addition, the determination of anomalies of Gd, a wastewater-derived contaminant, was also performed to verify recent human inputs in groundwater. The results show that the local existence of nitrate in the GAS and BAS-even at low concentrations (values from 0.26 to 6.68 mg L-1)-originated from anthropogenic inputs (septic waste), as indicates the typical isotopic signals ratio in the isotopic approach. Associated with that, the evaluation of Gd permitted the separation of groundwater samples into older or more recent leakages. The use of environmental tracers to assess anthropogenic inputs in groundwater reiterates the importance of adopting more effective protection strategies for water resources management systems, in order to prevent contamination.

CLIMBra - Climate Change Dataset for Brazil.

General Circulation and Earth System Models are the most advanced tools for investigating climate responses to future scenarios of greenhouse gas emissions, playing the role of projecting the climate throughout the century. Nevertheless, climate projections are model-dependent and may show systematic biases, requiring a bias correction for any further application. Here, we provide a dataset based on an ensemble of 19 bias-corrected CMIP6 climate models projections for the Brazilian territory based on the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. We used the Quantile Delta Mapping approach to bias-correct daily time-series of precipitation, maximum and minimum temperature, solar net radiation, near-surface wind speed, and relative humidity. The bias-corrected dataset is available for both historical (1980-2013) and future (2015-2100) simulations at a 0.25° × 0.25° spatial resolution. Besides the gridded product, we provide area-averaged projections for 735 catchments included in the Catchments Attributes for Brazil (CABra) dataset. The dataset provides important variables commonly used in environmental and hydroclimatological studies, paving the way for the development of high-quality research on climate change impacts in Brazil.

Pollution threat to water and soil quality by dumpsites and non-sanitary landfills in Brazil: A review.

This work presents an overview of environmental studies performed in areas affected by dumpsites and non-sanitary landfills in Brazil, focusing on physicochemical analysis of surface water, groundwater, and soils, as well as geophysical surveys. The objective was to identify the main contaminants found in these areas and to assess their environmental impact, guiding possible intervention measures, indicating the priority areas, and showing whether post-closure activities are mandatory. The results should support governmental actions, especially considering the recent approval of Brazil's new sanitation framework. The present review assessed 162 publications, which described 104 different municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal sites. The physicochemical parameters of analyzed surface water, groundwater, and soil samples were above Brazilian legislation levels in 74%, 70%, and 24% of the studies, respectively. The parameters more frequently above permissible levels were coliforms, biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, and phosphorus for surface water; lead, coliforms, and iron for groundwater; copper, cadmium, lead, and zinc for soil. The results indicated that Brazilian dumpsites are causing negative impacts in surrounding soils and water resources, posing ecological and public health risks that persist even after the site's closure. Considering that this study provides only a reduced scenario, the dimension of this environmental problem in Brazil is noteworthy. Therefore, it is suggested that not only inadequate disposal is prohibited, but also efficient enforcement methods are adopted and aftercare is appropriately regulated in the country, making it obligatory to establish monitoring plans and implement mitigation techniques to avoid abandoning potentially contaminated areas.

Caracterização hidrogeoquímica de águas subterrâneas utilizadas para abastecimento público na porção nordeste do Sistema Aquífero Guarani / Hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater for public supply in the Northeastern portion of the Guarani Aquifer System

RESUMO O Sistema Aquífero Guarani (SAG) compreende um dos mais importantes aquíferos do mundo, tanto pela grande reserva quanto pela qualidade de suas águas subterrâneas. Entretanto, nem todas as regiões, nas quais o SAG é utilizado no abastecimento público, possuem estudos a respeito do quimismo de suas águas e de sua associação com a geologia. Este trabalho apresenta a caracterização hidrogeoquímica das águas subterrâneas do SAG utilizadas no abastecimento público em São Carlos, São Paulo, região nordeste do SAG, por meio de amostras provenientes de 27 poços tubulares profundos. A captação de água subterrânea é proveniente principalmente do SAG. Entretanto, também é possível verificar a presença das formações Botucatu, Piramboia, Serra Geral, Itaqueri, Adamantina e sedimentos cenozoicos. Apesar de pouco mineralizadas, verifica-se variabilidade iônica na composição das águas subterrâneas, evidenciada na distribuição espacial da condutividade elétrica na área de estudo. Os resultados hidroquímicos apontam para a existência de quatro fácies hidroquímicas: bicarbonatadas mistas, bicarbonatadas cálcicas, bicarbonatadas sódicas e sódica fluoretada, em ordem decrescente de representatividade. A heterogeneidade geológica interfere na concentração de íons na água, por meio da dissolução mineral, e possibilita a mistura das águas subterrâneas. A análise de componentes principais constatou que 62,7% da variabilidade total do conjunto amostral é explicada, principalmente, por dois fatores. O primeiro grupo de variáveis representa 38,7% da variabilidade, atribuída principalmente aos íons provenientes da dissolução de minerais (HCO3−, Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+) e aos parâmetros relacionados a esse processo (pH e condutividade elétrica). O segundo revelou 24% da variabilidade total, que pode estar associado a origens antrópicas, como a presença dos íons Cl−, N-NO3−, SO42-, F− e K+.

ABSTRACT The Guarani Aquifer System (GAS) comprises one of the most important aquifers in the world due to its large water reserve and its groundwater quality. However, some regions that comprise the GAS groundwater for human supply are not thoroughly characterized on water chemistry and its relation with the local geology. This work presents the hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater from the northeast region of the GAS used for human public supply in São Carlos (São Paulo, Brazil) based on samples from 27 deep boreholes. The groundwater exploration occurs mainly from GAS. However, it is also possible to verify the presence of the Botucatu, Piramboia, Serra Geral, Itaqueri, Adamantina, and Cenozoic sediments. Although little mineralized, there is a large ionic variability in the groundwater composition, also evidenced by spatial distribution of the electrical conductivity in the research area. These results explain four hydrochemical water types: mixed bicarbonate; calcium bicarbonate; sodium bicarbonate; and sodium fluoride, in decreasing order of representativeness. The concentration of ions in groundwater reflects the geological heterogeneity, through mineral dissolution and possible groundwater mixing. A Principal Component Analysis demonstrated that 62.7% of the total sample set variability is explained by two main factors. The first one represents 38.7% of the variability; mainly attributed to ions from minerals dissolution (HCO3−, Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+) and parameters related to this process (pH and electrical conductivity). The second group showed 24.0% of the total variability, which may be associated with anthropic activities origins, such as the presence of Cl−, N-NO3−, SO42-, F−, and K+.

Microbial structure and diversity in non-sanitary landfills and association with physicochemical parameters.

This study assessed the bacterial populations in a non-sanitary landfill around Guarani Aquifer recharge zone in Brazil. Samples from two different positions (sites 1 and 2) at three different depths were evaluated, totaling six solid waste samples; two samples from an impacted stream were also collected. 16S rRNA sequencing was performed using the Ion S5TM XL platform; 3113 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and 52 phyla were identified. Proteobacteria (37%) and Firmicutes (28%) were the most abundant phyla in the landfill, whereas Proteobacteria (~ 50%) and Bacteroidetes (~ 10%) were more profuse in surface water samples. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) enabled us to clearly separate the samples according to their spatial location (site 1 or 2) or environmental matrix (surface water or solid waste samples), showing that microbiological populations are strongly associated with site-specific conditions and the kind of environmental matrix they come from. Environmental factors that mostly influenced the microbial communities were organic matter, oxidation-reduction potential, moisture, alkalinity, nitrogen (TKN), sodium, potassium, and zinc. Exiguobacterium (phylum Firmicutes) was overwhelmingly dominant at site 1 and was associated with higher concentrations of organic matter and potassium. Differently, site 2 did not present such dominant genera and was more diverse having lower concentrations of organic matter and nutrients. Distinct environments co-exist inside the same waste deposit, including zones which are representative of active and closed landfills and the occurrence of considerable physicochemical and microbiological shifts within short distances. Those shifts indicate that microbial populations are well adapted to the heterogeneity typical of urban solid waste, which is possibly beneficial to contaminant degradation. Graphical abstract.

Persistent impacts of an abandoned non-sanitary landfill in its surroundings.

The inadequate disposal of solid waste, a common practice in developing countries, can represent an important pollution source since the closure of these deposits typically does not include the adoption of monitoring, isolation, or remediation techniques. Even so, several disposal areas are abandoned, without performing long-term monitoring in order to evaluate the depletion of contaminants' concentrations. This research aimed at comparing current and historical physicochemical data of water resources surrounding a non-sanitary landfill situated in a Guarani Aquifer recharge zone. The primary objective was to recognize whether significant changes in contaminants concentrations occurred, as well as if the area still poses a significant threat to the environment, 20 years after ending disposing activities. Samples from eight monitoring wells and three surface water points (upstream and downstream to the deposit) were evaluated in the periods of 1996-1997 and 2016-2019. The parameters pH, electrical conductivity (EC), alkalinity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), chloride, nitrate, iron, manganese, calcium, and magnesium were investigated. Contamination has been detected in the landfill surroundings since the ending of the waste disposal (1996-1997), even though its intensity reduced within short distances from the waste mass. Nevertheless, no statistical variation occurred in 20 years' time considering COD, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and ORP. Moreover, increases of EC, pH, alkalinity, iron, and manganese concentrations were observed for the years of 2016-2019. The results indicate that the evaluated contaminants do not suffer depletion in the surroundings of non-sanitary landfills in sandy aquifers, considering a time span of 20 years. This study also suggests that those areas need to be adequately remediated to permit other future land uses.

Long-term geophysical monitoring of an abandoned dumpsite area in a Guarani Aquifer recharge zone.

Even though attenuation processes in the subsurface are known to reduce the impacts of contaminant plumes, their importance is significantly dependent on geological and climatic characteristics, as well as on the leachate quality. The knowledge of attenuation processes linked to different geological formations is therefore fundamental in predicting the impacts of waste disposal areas. Geophysical methods are useful tools for assessing and delineating contaminant plumes, as well as their changes with time, which enables their lower-cost monitoring and association with geological and environmental properties. This paper shows the results of geophysical surveys conducted in the years of 1996, 2005 and 2018 in a waste disposal area located at a Guarani Aquifer recharge zone in Brazil. The objective of this study was to show the evolution of the contamination plume, as well as discuss some possible transport and attenuation processes that the contaminants may undergo in similar areas. Five geophysical sections surveyed within a time span of 20 years were compared, and the information was integrated with physicochemical data from monitoring wells. The results show a horizontal plume spreading, reaching about 200 m from the deposit and about 60 m of depth, 20 years after the ending of disposal activities. The measured resistivities in 2018 are similar to the ones found in 1996 and 2005 in the same surveyed areas, showing that a significant temporal attenuation did not occur. Moreover, samples collected close to anomaly zones and within a distance of 200 m from the deposit presented concentrations of some heavy metals above the screening values according to the Brazilian legislation, showing a metals mobility higher than previously expected, which can be possibly explained by the aquifer's acidic conditions. The estimated plume velocity was about 7 m/yr, a plume deepening was observed until about 50 m and changes in water flow direction and/or diffusion processes made the plume spread to areas previously regarded as upgradient. Therefore, the present paper shows that the rehabilitation of sites neighboring waste disposal sites (less than 200 m from it) did not seem to be feasible through natural attenuation in sandy soils and that the plume spreading is significant in this geological formation. Thus, abandoned disposal areas, constantly considered to be closed after the ending of disposal activities in developing countries, generate plumes which move silently and may reach areas of concern in the future.

Land use and climate change impacts on runoff and soil erosion at the hillslope scale in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Land use and climate change can influence runoff and soil erosion, threatening soil and water conservation in the Cerrado biome in Brazil. The adoption of a process-based model was necessary due to the lack of long-term observed data. Our goals were to calibrate the WEPP (Water Erosion Prediction Project) model for different land uses under subtropical conditions in the Cerrado biome; predict runoff and soil erosion for these different land uses; and simulate runoff and soil erosion considering climate change. We performed the model calibration using a 5-year dataset (2012-2016) of observed runoff and soil loss in four different land uses (wooded Cerrado, tilled fallow without plant cover, pasture, and sugarcane) in experimental plots. Selected soil and management parameters were optimized for each land use during the WEPP model calibration with the existing field data. The simulations were conducted using the calibrated WEPP model components with a 100-year climate dataset created with CLIGEN (weather generator) based on regional climate statistics. We obtained downscaled General Circulation Model (GCM) projections, and runoff and soil loss were predicted with WEPP using future climate scenarios for 2030, 2060, and 2090 considering different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). The WEPP model had an acceptable performance for the subtropical conditions. Land use can influence runoff and soil loss rates in a significant way. Potential climate changes, which indicate the increase of rainfall intensities and depths, may increase the variability and rates of runoff and soil erosion. However, projected climate changes did not significantly affect the runoff and soil erosion for the four analyzed land uses at our location. Finally, the runoff behavior was distinct for each land use, but for soil loss we found similarities between pasture and wooded Cerrado, suggesting that the soil may attain a sustainable level when the land management follows conservation principles.

Shallow aquifer response to climate change scenarios in a small catchment in the Guarani Aquifer outcrop zone.

Water availability restrictions are already a reality in several countries. This issue is likely to worsen due to climate change, predicted for the upcoming decades. This study aims to estimate the impacts of climate change on groundwater system in the Guarani Aquifer outcrop zone. Global Climate Models (GCM) outputs were used as inputs to a water balance model, which produced recharge estimates for the groundwater model. Recharge was estimated across different land use types considering a control period from 2004 to 2014, and a future period from 2081 to 2099. Major changes in monthly rainfall means are expected to take place in dry seasons. Most of the analysed scenarios predict increase of more than 2 ºC in monthly mean temperatures. Comparing the control and future runs, our results showed a mean recharge change among scenarios that ranged from ~-80 to ~+60%, depending on the land use type. As a result of such decrease in recharge rates, the response given by the groundwater model indicates a lowering of the water table under most scenarios.

Shallow aquifer response to climate change scenarios in a small catchment in the Guarani Aquifer outcrop zone

ABSTRACT Water availability restrictions are already a reality in several countries. This issue is likely to worsen due to climate change, predicted for the upcoming decades. This study aims to estimate the impacts of climate change on groundwater system in the Guarani Aquifer outcrop zone. Global Climate Models (GCM) outputs were used as inputs to a water balance model, which produced recharge estimates for the groundwater model. Recharge was estimated across different land use types considering a control period from 2004 to 2014, and a future period from 2081 to 2099. Major changes in monthly rainfall means are expected to take place in dry seasons. Most of the analysed scenarios predict increase of more than 2 ºC in monthly mean temperatures. Comparing the control and future runs, our results showed a mean recharge change among scenarios that ranged from ~-80 to ~+60%, depending on the land use type. As a result of such decrease in recharge rates, the response given by the groundwater model indicates a lowering of the water table under most scenarios.

Avaliação do modelo J2000/JAMS para modelagem hidrológica em bacias hidrográficas brasileiras / J2000/JAMS model evaluation for Brazilian watersheds hydrological simulation

RESUMO: A gestão de recursos hídricos no Brasil é prejudicada pela carência de informações hidrológicas, que pode ser suprida pelos modelos hidrológicos que simulam o comportamento das bacias hidrográficas. Entretanto, muitos modelos não geram bons resultados quando executados fora da área de estudo onde foram criados. Por isso, devido à sua adaptabilidade, o modelo J2000 inserido no framework Jena Adaptable Modelling System (JAMS) foi avaliado para simulação de duas bacias hidrográficas inseridas na zona de afloramento do Sistema Aquífero Guarani, a Bacia Hidrográfica do Ribeirão da Onça (BRO) e a Microbacia do Córrego Cavalheiro (BCC), nos municípios de Brotas e Analândia, respectivamente, no estado de São Paulo. O framework JAMS apresentou-se como um sistema simplificado para uso, flexível diante das adaptações necessárias para compatibilização com as características climatológicas e hidrológicas das áreas de estudo. O modelo J2000 mostrou-se eficiente na predição da resposta hidrológica das bacias hidrográficas, apresentando um coeficiente de Nash-Sutcliffe (NSE) de 0,76 e 0,81, para os períodos de calibração e validação da BRO; e 0,76 e 0,56, para os períodos de calibração e validação da BCC, respectivamente. O erro absoluto, calculado pelo valor da raiz do erro quadrático médio, foi considerado baixo por apresentar valores de 0,14 e 0,18 m³.s-1 para os períodos de calibração e validação da BRO; e 0,02 e 0,03 m³s-1 para os períodos de calibração e validação da BCC, respectivamente. Portanto, o J2000/JAMS mostrou-se como um candidato potencial para modelagem hidrológica de bacias hidrográficas do estado de São Paulo, podendo ser utilizado para estudos sobre as relações entre a localização do uso do solo na bacia hidrográfica e a geração de escoamento.

ABSTRACT: The water resources management in Brazil is affected by the lack of hydrological information, which can be filled by hydrological models that simulate the behavior of watersheds. However, it was noticed that many models do not generate good results when performed outside of the study area where they were created. Therefore, due to its adaptability, the J2000 model linked into the Jena Adaptable Modelling System (JAMS) framework was evaluated for simulating two basins at the outcrop zone of the Guarani Aquifer System, the Ribeirão da Onça watershed (BRO) and the Córrego Cavalheiro watershed (BCC), located at Brotas and Analândia cities, respectively, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The JAMS framework was presented as a flexible and easy to use system, admitting all the necessary adaptations for compliance with the climatological and hydrological characteristics of the study areas. The J2000 model proved to be effective in predicting the hydrological response of watersheds, with a Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient of 0.76 and 0.81, for periods of calibration and validation of the BRO; and 0.76 and 0.56, for periods of calibration and validation of the BCC, respectively. The absolute error, calculated with the root of mean square error value, was considered low by the present values ​​of 0.14 and 0.18 m³.s- 1, for periods of calibration and validation of the BRO; and 0.02 and 0.03 m³.s- 1, for periods of calibration and validation of the BCC, respectively. Therefore, the J2000/JAMS showed up as a potential candidate for hydrological modeling of watersheds in São Paulo, and may be used for studies on the relationship between the location of land use in the watershed and the generation flow.

Recharge contribution to the Guarani Aquifer System estimated from the water balance method in a representative watershed.

The contribution of recharge to regional groundwater flow systems is essential information required to establish sustainable water resources management. The objective of this work was to determine the groundwater outflow in the Ribeirão da Onça Basin using a water balance model of the saturated soil zone. The basin is located in the outcrop region of the Guarani Aquifer System (GAS). The water balance method involved the determination of direct recharge values, groundwater storage variation and base flow. The direct recharge was determined by the water table fluctuation method (WTF). The base flow was calculated by the hydrograph separation method, which was generated by a rain-flow model supported by biweekly streamflow measurements in the control section. Undisturbed soil samples were collected at depths corresponding to the variation zone of the groundwater level to determine the specific yield of the soil (drainable porosity). Water balances were performed in the saturated zone for the hydrological years from February 2004 to January 2007. The direct recharge ranged from 14.0% to 38.0%, and groundwater outflow from 0.4% to 2.4% of the respective rainfall during the same period.