A groundwater security model based on hydraulic turnover times and flow compartments.

Starting with a log-linear relationship between groundwater discharge per unit drainage area (Q/A b), hydraulic turnover time (t) and aquifer mobile storage (z), this study builds a groundwater security method at catchment scale. The method embeds previously published approaches to calculate Q/A b, t and z, and relies solely on stream flow discharges and watershed areas. The ability to build a method on a couple of variables is remarkable. The method recasts the calculated variables as aquifer security indicators (S Q, S t and S z), relating S Q with yield capacity, S t with self-depuration capacity and S z with resilience. Groundwater security is the weighted product of S Q, S t and S z. The method is validated with stream flow discharges and drainage areas concerning 294 hydrometric stations and their watersheds, located in continental Portugal. The results revealed a majority of moderately to highly secure watersheds, especially as regards S t (> 62%), while 7-10% were classified as very highly secured in general (S Q-S t-S z). The least secured basins are located in the more arid regions of continental Portugal (Northeast and south regions), as expected. The method can be easily transposed to any other region worldwide, with the necessary adaptions to regional climate, geological and topographic settings. • Compile stream flow discharge data and organize them as natural logarithms and logarithmic variations as function of time, to estimate Q, t and z; • Recast the Q, t and z values as S Q, S t and S z ratings, respectively, using the appropriate reclassification scales, and estimate watershed security levels, namely average security or customized (weighted) securities that highlight the contributions of Q/A b (watershed yield), t (aquifer's self-depuration capacity) or z (aquifer's resilience); • Use the results to draw illustrative diagrams and spatial distribution maps.

Modelling the seasonal impacts of a wastewater treatment plant on water quality in a Mediterranean stream using microbial indicators.

Faecal pollution modelling is a valuable tool to evaluate and improve water management strategies, especially in a context of water scarcity. The reduction dynamics of five faecal indicator organisms (E. coli, spores of sulphite-reducing clostridia, somatic coliphages, GA17 bacteriophages and a human-specific Bifidobacterium molecular marker) were assessed in an intermittent Mediterranean stream affected by a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Using Bayesian inverse modelling, the decay rates of each indicator were correlated with two environmental drivers (temperature and streamflow downstream of the WWTP) and the generated model was used to evaluate the self-depuration distance (SDD) of the stream. A consistent increase of 1-2 log10 in the concentration of all indicators was detected after the discharge of the WWTP effluent. The decay rates showed seasonal variation, reaching a maximum in the dry season, when SDDs were also shorter and the stream had a higher capacity to self-depurate. High seasonality was observed for all faecal indicators except for the spores of sulphite-reducing clostridia. The maximum SDD ranged from 3 km for the spores of sulphite-reducing clostridia during the dry season and 15 km for the human-specific Bifidobacterium molecular marker during the wet season. The SDD provides a single standardized metric that integrates and compares different contamination indicators. It could be extended to other Mediterranean drainage basins and has the potential to integrate changes in land use and catchment water balance, a feature that will be especially useful in the transient climate conditions expected in the coming years.

Biofilm phosphorus uptake capacity as a tool for the assessment of pollutant effects in river ecosystems.

Biofilms are a key component in the nutrient removal from the water column. However, nutrient uptake by biofilms may be hampered by the occurrence of pollutants or other stressors. This study aimed: (i) to investigate the biofilm phosphorus (P) uptake capacity as a relevant process for the maintenance of fluvial water quality and (ii) to explore the sensitivity of this process to different chemical and environmental stressors. We conducted chamber experiments to test for the relevance of biofilm P uptake capacity (PUC) as a tool to detect effects of pollutants on river self-depuration. PUC was calculated by measuring P temporal decay after performing controlled P-spikes in chambers with biofilm-colonized tiles. Four different experiments were conducted to evaluate the response of PUC to: (a) several river waters from increasing polluted sites; (b) the effect of the bactericide triclosan (TCS); (c) the combined effect of TCS and grazers; and (d) the effect of TCS after a drought episode that affected the biofilms. These experiments showed that biofilms decreased their PUC along the pollution gradient. The biofilm PUC was significantly reduced after receiving high TCS concentrations, though lower TCS concentrations also affected the biofilm when this was submitted to grazing pressure. PUC decrease was induced by flow interruption which further enhanced the TCS negative effects. Overall, PUC was sensitive to the effects of pollutants like TCS as well as to the action of biological (grazing) and environmental (drought) factors. The study also showed that multiple stressors enhance the negative effects of pollutants on the PUC of biofilms. Our study values the use of biofilms' PUC as a sensitive ecological-based tool to assess the effects of chemicals on freshwater communities and their derived functioning in river ecosystems.

Ecological impact and recovery of a Mediterranean river after receiving the effluent from a textile dyeing industry.

The textile industry is one of the largest sectors globally, representing up to 20% of industrial water pollution. However, there is limited insight into how fluvial ecosystems respond and recover from this impact. From summer 2012 to spring 2013, we examined water quality and ecological status upstream and 1.5km downstream the input of a textile industry wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Ripoll River, NE Spain. The ecological status was determined via diversity measures and 10 biotic indices based on diatoms, macrophytes, macroinvertebrates and fish. Our results showed that the WWTP severely deteriorated water quality and biological communities at the discharge site, but that they improved at 1.5km downstream. Severity also varied across taxa and seasons, being fish the most affected taxa and spring the season with the best ecological status. The strong correlation amongst water quality variables and many biotic indices across taxa indicated that this is a chronic pollution event affecting multiple trophic levels. Thus, this study suggests that there is an urgent need to invest in wastewater treatment in this industry to preserve the ecological integrity of Ripoll River and especially its fish fauna. Likewise, it illustrates the diagnostic power of biotic indices based on diatoms, macroinvertebrates and fish, as driven by the European Water Framework Directive.

Estudo da autodepuração do rio Jordão, localizado na bacia hidrográfica do rio Dourados / Self-depuration study of Jordão river, located in Dourados river basin

O presente artigo avaliou a capacidade de autodepuração do Rio Jordão, considerando as contribuições reais do córrego Brejo Alegre em período de estiagem e os dois cenários que levam em conta as cargas poluidoras estimadas da estação de tratamento de esgoto e a baixa capacidade de diluição do rio para a vazão crítica Q7,10, por meio do modelo QUAL-UFMG. A simulação na estiagem apresentou aceitável calibração, tendo em vista a otimização dos coeficientes, evidenciando a prevalência da desoxigenação por demanda carbonácea sobre a nitrificação e a importância da reaeração natural no processo de autodepuração. Apenas o parâmetro 'demanda bioquímica de oxigênio' (DBO5) não respeitou os limites preconizados pela Resolução do Ministério do Meio Ambiente 357:2005, tendo ficado em toda a extensão do rio fora da regulamentação devido ao recebimento de cargas poluidoras do córrego Brejo Alegre. Quanto às simulações dos cenários, as cargas poluidoras de uma população de 13.300 habitantes para o Cenário 1 e 20.500 para o 2 garantiriam a capacidade de autodepuração, considerando-se uma vazão crítica 3,2 vezes inferior à menor vazão medida no período de estiagem.

The present article assessed the self-depuration capacity of Jordão River, considering the real contributions of Brejo Alegre stream in a drought period and two scenarios regarding the estimated polluting loads of a waste treatment plant and the low dilution capacity of the river for the Q7,10 critical flow by using the QUAL-UFMG model. The simulation for the drought period presented acceptable calibration by adjusting coefficients, evidencing the deoxygenation by carbon demand over nitrification and the importance of natural re-aeration in the self-depuration process. Only the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) parameter did not respect the limits recommended by the CONAMA Resolution 357:2005, in which all the river extension was outside the regulations due to the pollution loads received from Brejo Alegre stream. For the simulated scenarios, polluting loads of a population of 13.300 people for scenario 1 and 20.500 for 2 guaranteed the self-depuration capacity, considering a critical flow 3.2 times lower than the lowest flow measured in the drought period.

Influence of domestic sewage on the limnological characteristics of the Camandocaia river, Piracicaba river basin, São Paulo State - doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v34i2.6708 / Influência do despejo de esgoto doméstico nas características limnológicas do rio Camandocaia, bacia hidrográfica do rio Piracicaba, Estado de São Paulo - doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v34i2.6708

The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of domestic sewage on the water along the Camandocaia River. The limnological variables analyzed were: pH, turbidity, color, manganese, iron, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen and total phosphorus. The data are discussed in terms of average values, and the Principal Component Analysis was employed. At no point were the oxygen saturation values below 70%, with the exception of point 9 (38.8%). The lowest nitrogen values were detected in points 1 to 3 (0.18 to 0.21 mg L-1) and the highest in points 9 and 10 (1.29 and 1.79 mg L-1); the highest phosphorus value was detected in point 9 (345.5 µg L-1). All variables correlate positively to the principal component 1, with the exception of oxygen saturation. The sum of the two principal components explains 86.6% of total variation found. The water of the river was little impacted by domestic sewage until Amparo. The highest levels of pollution were detected at the end of that city, and the trend was partial self-depuration until confluence with the Jaguary River. Nevertheless, the most polluted point of the river, when compared to other polluted rivers, presented lower pollution levels.

Investigar a influência do esgoto orgânico na água do rio Camandocaia. Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis limnológicas: pH, turbidez, cor, manganês, ferro, oxigênio dissolvido, nitrogênio e fósforo totais. Os dados são discutidos em termos de valores médios e foi aplicada a Análise de Componentes Principais. Em nenhum dos 12 pontos estudados, os valores de saturação de oxigênio estiveram abaixo de 70%, com exceção do Ponto 9 (38,8%). Os menores valores de nitrogênio foram detectados nos Pontos 1 a 3 (0,18 a 0,21 mg L-1) e os valores mais elevados nos Pontos 9 e 10 (1,29 e 1,79 mg L-1); o valor mais elevado de fósforo foi detectado no Ponto 9 (345,5 µg L-1). Todas as variáveis correlacionam-se positivamente ao componente principal 1, com exceção da saturação de oxigênio. Os dois componentes principais somados explicam 86,6% do total da variação encontrada. A água do Camandocaia foi pouco impactada pelos esgotos até Amparo. No final dessa cidade foram detectados os níveis mais elevados de poluição, e a tendência foi a depuração parcial do esgoto até a confluência com o rio Jaguari. Entretanto, o local mais poluído do rio, quando comparado a outros rios poluídos, apresentou níveis de poluição inferiores.

Influência do despejo de esgoto doméstico nas características limnológicas do rio Camandocaia, bacia hidrográfica do rio Piracicaba, Estado de São Paulo / Influence of domestic sewage on the limnological characteristics of the Camandocaia river, Piracicaba river basin, São Paulo State

Investigar a influência do esgoto orgânico na água do rio Camandocaia. Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis limnológicas: pH, turbidez, cor, manganês, ferro, oxigênio dissolvido, nitrogênio e fósforo totais. Os dados são discutidos em termos de valores médios e foi aplicada a Análise de Componentes Principais. Em nenhum dos 12 pontos estudados, os valores de saturação de oxigênio estiveram abaixo de 70%, com exceção do Ponto 9 (38,8%). Os menores valores de nitrogênio foram detectados nos Pontos 1 a 3 (0,18 a 0,21 mg L-1) e os valores mais elevados nos Pontos 9 e 10 (1,29 e 1,79 mg L-1); o valor mais elevado de fósforo foi detectado no Ponto 9 (345,5 µg L-1). Todas as variáveis correlacionam-se positivamente ao componente principal 1, com exceção da saturação de oxigênio. Os dois componentes principais somados explicam 86,6% do total da variação encontrada. A água do Camandocaia foi pouco impactada pelos esgotos até Amparo. No final dessa cidade foram detectados os níveis mais elevados de poluição, e a tendência foi a depuração parcial do esgoto até a confluência com o rio Jaguari. Entretanto, o local mais poluído do rio, quando comparado a outros rios poluídos, apresentou níveis de poluição inferiores.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of domestic sewage on the water along the Camandocaia River. The limnological variables analyzed were: pH, turbidity, color, manganese, iron, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen and total phosphorus. The data are discussed in terms of average values, and the Principal Component Analysis was employed. At no point were the oxygen saturation values below 70%, with the exception of point 9 (38.8%). The lowest nitrogen values were detected in points 1 to 3 (0.18 to 0.21 mg L-1) and the highest in points 9 and 10 (1.29 and 1.79 mg L-1); the highest phosphorus value was detected in point 9 (345.5 µg L-1). All variables correlate positively to the principal component 1, with the exception of oxygen saturation. The sum of the two principal components explains 86.6% of total variation found. The water of the river was little impacted by domestic sewage until Amparo. The highest levels of pollution were detected at the end of that city, and the trend was partial self-depuration until confluence with the Jaguary River. Nevertheless, the most polluted point of the river, when compared to other polluted rivers, presented lower pollution levels.

Caracterização da biota de protozoários e sua função depurativa na lagoa de estabilização da estação de tratamento de esgoto de Bandeirantes – PR / Characterization of the protozoan biota and its depurating function in the stabilization pond of the Bandeirantes water treatment plant, Paraná State

Os protozoários são, usualmente, maiores que as bactérias e podem se alimentar das mesmas. Isto faz com que os protozoários constituam-se em importantes degraus na pirâmide alimentar, possibilitando que organismos maiores se alimentem indiretamente das bactérias que, de outra forma, seriam um alimento inacessível (VON SPERLING, 1996). Este estudo objetivou a caracterização físico-química e microbiológica da lagoa de estabilização da ETE Bandeirantes - PR, analisando sua inter-relação e nível de estratificação, relacionando os parâmetros físico-químicos e microbiológicos, a variação populacional dos protozoários frente a valores de matéria orgânica e microbióta bacteriana do esgoto e dos vários estratos da lagoa anaeróbia. A identificação de protozoários foi feita conforme metodologia empregada por Pace e Orcutt (1981) e Foissnere Berger (1996). As análises físico-químicas foram realizadas conforme metodologia padronizada por Clesceri et al. (2000); e as análises microbiológicas foram realizadas por metodologia padronizada conforme CETESB, (NT.L5.214), 1992; CETESB, (NT. L5.201), 1986; CETESB, (NT.L5.221), 1984. As coletas e análises foram realizadas em triplicata, no mês de outubro de 2003. A análise qualitativa do zooplâncton revelou a presença de onze gêneros de ciliados e organismos da classe nematoda distribuídos em diferentes pontos e estratos. A distribuição aleatória do zooplâncton está relacionada com parâmetros físico-químicos e valores quantitativos de bactérias eterotróficas, coliformes totais e fecais. O gênero Chilodontopsis foi o protozoário mais encontrado e estava presente em pontos com altos valores de contagem de bactérias, o que denota sua característica ecológica de preferência alimentar por bactérias, conforme Foissner e Berger (1996).

The protozoans are usually bigger than the bacteria and can feed themselves of the same ones. This consequence is that the protozoan consists in an important step in the alimentary pyramid, making possible that bigger organisms feeds the bacteria it self indirectly which, in the other hand, would be an in accessible food form (VON SPERLING, 1996). This study aim characterize microbiological physicist-chemistry profile in a lagoon of stabilization of the Sewer Plant Bandeirantes - PR, analyzing its interrelation and level of stratification, relating the parameters microbiological physicistchemistries and the protozoa’s population variation front the values of bacterial and organic substance of the sewer, and some stratus of the anaerobic lagoon. The identification of protozoan was made in agreement the methodology used for Pace and Orcutt (1981) and Foissner and Berger (1996). The physicist-chemistries analysis had been carried through in agreement standardized methodology for Clesceri et al. (2000); e the microbiological analysis had been carried through by standardized methodology, as CETESB (NT.L5.214), 1992; CETESB, (NT L5.201), 1986; CETESB,(NT.L5.221), 1984. The samplings and analysis were realized intriplicate in October of 2003. The qualitative analysis of zooplankton disclosed to the presence of eleven kinds of ciliates organisms and Nematoda class organisms distributed in different points and stratus. The random distribution of zooplankton is related with physicistchemistries parameters and quantitative values of heterotrophic bacteria, total and fecal coliformes. The Chilodontopsis sort was the greater found and was present in points with high values of counting of bacteria, what it denotes its ecological characteristic of alimentary preference for bacteria, as referenced by Foissner and Berger (1996).