Assessment of Social Vulnerability in Argentina Using GIS. Development of a Local Index

Social vulnerability assessment is a central part of mitigation and adaptation to risks. Social vulnerability maps can be used to improve land use management and economic development. This paper presents a methodological proposal for elaborating a social vulnerability index at local level, using the statistical technique of principal component analysis in a geographic information system. As an advantage, this technique facilitates the weighting of indicators by decreasing the subjectivity of the process. The Argentine Republic was analyzed as an application case. Based on the variables included in the national census, 19 descriptive indicators were constructed, which were summarized in a single index that allowed the entire territory to be categorized at the level of census radio. The classification used was useful in discriminating against census stations with extreme conditions of social vulnerability. With some exceptions, greater social vulnerability was observed in the western and northern sectors of the country. In contrast, the Pampean and Patagonian region and the capital city of the country had the lowest rates

Estudio de la Vulnerabilidad Social en Argentina Mediante el Uso de SIG. Construcción de un Índice de Aplicación Local

El diagnóstico de la vulnerabilidad social es una parte central en los procesos de mitigación y adaptación del riesgo. Los mapas de vulnerabilidad social pueden ser utilizados para mejorar la gestión territorial y la planificación del desarrollo. En base a esto, en este trabajo se presenta una metodología para la construcción de un índice de vulnerabilidad social a escala local, utilizando la técnica estadística de análisis de componentes principales en un sistema de información geográfica. Como ventaja, esta técnica facilita la ponderación de los indicadores disminuyendo la subjetividad del proceso. Como caso de aplicación se analizó la República Argentina. A partir de las variables incluidas en el censo nacional, se construyeron 19 indicadores descriptivos, los cuales se sintetizaron en un único índice que permitió categorizar todo el territorio a nivel de radio censal. La clasificación empleada resultó útil para discriminar los radios censales con condiciones extremas de vulnerabilidad social. Con algunas excepciones, se observó una mayor vulnerabilidad social en el sector oeste y norte del país. En contraposición, la región pampeana, patagónica y la capital del país presentaron los índices más bajos

Evaluación de las imágenes satelitales del sensor TROPOMI para el análisis de los niveles de metano en la provincia de Neuquén

La teledetección ofrece una gran ventaja para el monitoreo de metano en zonas de difícil acceso, como son los pozos de producción petrolera. El satélite Sentinel-5P, recientemente lanzado por la Agencia Espacial Europea, cuenta con un nuevo sensor de alta resolución diseñado para la detección de gases en la columna atmosférica. En este trabajo se evaluó el uso de las imágenes del sensor TROPOMI para estudiar la distribución de las concentraciones de metano en el área de la cuenca neuquina. Si bien este es un estudio preliminar, se pudo observar con claridad una mayor concentración en las zonas de extracción. A su vez, se observó una relación directa entre los meses de mayores concentraciones y los de mayor producción de petróleo.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativ

Assessment of social vulnerability in Argentina using GIS: Development of a local index

El diagnóstico de la vulnerabilidad social es una parte central en los procesos de mitigación y adaptación del riesgo. Los mapas de vulnerabilidad social pueden ser utilizados para mejorar la gestión territorial y la planificación del desarrollo. En base a esto, en este trabajo se presenta una metodología para la construcción de un índice de vulnerabilidad social a escala local, utilizando la técnica estadística de análisis de componentes principales en un sistema de información geográfica. Como ventaja, esta técnica facilita la ponderación de los indicadores disminuyendo la subjetividad del proceso. Como caso de aplicación se analizó la República Argentina. A partir de las variables incluidas en el censo nacional, se construyeron 19 indicadores descriptivos, los cuales se sintetizaron en un único índice que permitió categorizar todo el territorio a nivel de radio censal. La clasificación empleada resultó útil para discriminar los radios censales con condiciones extremas de vulnerabilidad social. Con algunas excepciones, se observó una mayor vulnerabilidad social en el sector oeste y norte del país. En contraposición, la región pampeana, patagónica y la capital del país presentaron los índices más bajos.Social vulnerability assessment is a central part of mitigation and adaptation to risks. Social vulnerability maps can be used to improve land use management and economic development. This paper presents a methodological proposal for elaborating a social vulnerability index at local level, using the statistical technique of principal component analysis in a geographic information system. As an advantage, this technique facilitates the weighting of indicators by decreasing the subjectivity of the process. The Argentine Republic was analyzed as an application case. Based on the variables included in the national census, 19 descriptive indicators were constructed, which were summarized in a single index that allowed the entire territory to be categorized at the level of census radio. The classification used was useful in discriminating against census stations with extreme conditions of social vulnerability. With some exceptions, greater social vulnerability was observed in the western and northern sectors of the country. In contrast, the Pampean and Patagonian region and the capital city of the country had the lowest rates.Centro de Investigaciones del Medioambient

Assessment of social vulnerability in Argentina using GIS: Development of a local index

El diagnóstico de la vulnerabilidad social es una parte central en los procesos de mitigación y adaptación del riesgo. Los mapas de vulnerabilidad social pueden ser utilizados para mejorar la gestión territorial y la planificación del desarrollo. En base a esto, en este trabajo se presenta una metodología para la construcción de un índice de vulnerabilidad social a escala local, utilizando la técnica estadística de análisis de componentes principales en un sistema de información geográfica. Como ventaja, esta técnica facilita la ponderación de los indicadores disminuyendo la subjetividad del proceso. Como caso de aplicación se analizó la República Argentina. A partir de las variables incluidas en el censo nacional, se construyeron 19 indicadores descriptivos, los cuales se sintetizaron en un único índice que permitió categorizar todo el territorio a nivel de radio censal. La clasificación empleada resultó útil para discriminar los radios censales con condiciones extremas de vulnerabilidad social. Con algunas excepciones, se observó una mayor vulnerabilidad social en el sector oeste y norte del país. En contraposición, la región pampeana, patagónica y la capital del país presentaron los índices más bajos.Social vulnerability assessment is a central part of mitigation and adaptation to risks. Social vulnerability maps can be used to improve land use management and economic development. This paper presents a methodological proposal for elaborating a social vulnerability index at local level, using the statistical technique of principal component analysis in a geographic information system. As an advantage, this technique facilitates the weighting of indicators by decreasing the subjectivity of the process. The Argentine Republic was analyzed as an application case. Based on the variables included in the national census, 19 descriptive indicators were constructed, which were summarized in a single index that allowed the entire territory to be categorized at the level of census radio. The classification used was useful in discriminating against census stations with extreme conditions of social vulnerability. With some exceptions, greater social vulnerability was observed in the western and northern sectors of the country. In contrast, the Pampean and Patagonian region and the capital city of the country had the lowest rates.Centro de Investigaciones del Medioambient

Assessment of social vulnerability in Argentina using GIS: Development of a local index

El diagnóstico de la vulnerabilidad social es una parte central en los procesos de mitigación y adaptación del riesgo. Los mapas de vulnerabilidad social pueden ser utilizados para mejorar la gestión territorial y la planificación del desarrollo. En base a esto, en este trabajo se presenta una metodología para la construcción de un índice de vulnerabilidad social a escala local, utilizando la técnica estadística de análisis de componentes principales en un sistema de información geográfica. Como ventaja, esta técnica facilita la ponderación de los indicadores disminuyendo la subjetividad del proceso. Como caso de aplicación se analizó la República Argentina. A partir de las variables incluidas en el censo nacional, se construyeron 19 indicadores descriptivos, los cuales se sintetizaron en un único índice que permitió categorizar todo el territorio a nivel de radio censal. La clasificación empleada resultó útil para discriminar los radios censales con condiciones extremas de vulnerabilidad social. Con algunas excepciones, se observó una mayor vulnerabilidad social en el sector oeste y norte del país. En contraposición, la región pampeana, patagónica y la capital del país presentaron los índices más bajos.Social vulnerability assessment is a central part of mitigation and adaptation to risks. Social vulnerability maps can be used to improve land use management and economic development. This paper presents a methodological proposal for elaborating a social vulnerability index at local level, using the statistical technique of principal component analysis in a geographic information system. As an advantage, this technique facilitates the weighting of indicators by decreasing the subjectivity of the process. The Argentine Republic was analyzed as an application case. Based on the variables included in the national census, 19 descriptive indicators were constructed, which were summarized in a single index that allowed the entire territory to be categorized at the level of census radio. The classification used was useful in discriminating against census stations with extreme conditions of social vulnerability. With some exceptions, greater social vulnerability was observed in the western and northern sectors of the country. In contrast, the Pampean and Patagonian region and the capital city of the country had the lowest rates.Centro de Investigaciones del Medioambient

Climate Justice Charter

The latest news from our planet is threatening: climate change, pollution, forest loss, species extinctions. All these words are frightening and there is no sign of improvement. Simple logic leads to the conclusion that humanity has to react, for its own survival. But at the scale of a human being, it is less obvious. Organizing one’s daily life in order to preserve the environment implies self-questioning, changing habits, sacrificing some comfort. In one word, it is an effort. Then, what justifies such an effort? The personal choice to act in order to preserve our environment is often made by simple altruism. This choice is based on our love for other human beings: our love for the others grounds our effort. Our moral values, our ethical reflections and our religious beliefs are the deep core of these choices. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15.12 NRSV). This Charter shows the moral and religious values that can help us react regarding the current environmental crisis and it should empower us to transcend the ideas of effort and sacrifice in order to consider the respect of the shared house, in a prophetic fulfillment of the being

Data Mining Paradigm in the Study of Air Quality

Air pollution is a serious global problem that threatens human life and health, as well as the environment. The most important aspect of a successful air quality management strategy is the measurement analysis, air quality forecasting, and reporting system. A complete insight, an accurate prediction, and a rapid response may provide valuable information for society’s decision-making. The data mining paradigm can assist in the study of air quality by providing a structured work methodology that simplifies data analysis. This study presents a systematic review of the literature from 2014 to 2018 on the use of data mining in the analysis of air pollutant measurements. For this review, a data mining approach to air quality analysis was proposed that was consistent with the 748 articles consulted. The most frequent sources of data have been the measurements of monitoring networks, and other technologies such as remote sensing, low-cost sensors, and social networks which are gaining importance in recent years. Among the topics studied in the literature were the redundancy of the information collected in the monitoring networks, the forecasting of pollutant levels or days of excessive regulation, and the identification of meteorological or land use parameters that have the most substantial impact on air quality. As methods to visualise and present the results, we recovered graphic design, air quality index development, heat mapping, and geographic information systems. We hope that this study will provide anchoring of theoretical-practical development in the field and that it will provide inputs for air quality planning and management.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Daily Concentrations of PM2.5 in the Valencian Community Using Random Forest for the Period 2008–2018

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a global problem that affects the population health and contributes to climate change. Remote sensing provides useful information for the development of air quality models. This work aims to obtain a daily model of PM2.5 levels in the Valencian Community with a resolution of 1 km for the period 2008–2018. MODIS-MAIAC images, meteorological parameters of the MERRA-2 project, land cover information and ground level measurements of PM2.5 levels were analysed with Random Forest. The verification of the model was carried out using cross-validation repeated ten times, and an evaluation of a test set with 20% of the collected information. The final model was used to generate maps of the daily concentrations of PM2.5 for the area of the Valencian Community throughout the study period.Centro de Investigaciones del Medioambient

Use of speciation modelling of heavy metals in Los Patos lagoon, Argentina, to improve waterbody management

Levels established in water quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life are based on the total concentrations of heavy metals regardless of speciation. However, there are numerous studies that show the importance of determining both the physicochemical characterisation of water body and the total concentration of heavy metals in them, including its chemical speciation, given its specific correlation with the bioavailability. In this regard, the objective of this study is to quantify concentrations of heavy metals in Los Patos lagoon, Argentina, and to show the utility of estimating with Visual MINTEQ software the fractions in which these metals are forming aqueous inorganic species or complexed with organic matter. The results demonstrate the relevance of using speciation calculations of metal cations, particularly when their concentrations are in the order of guide levels.Centro de Investigaciones del Medioambient