Inter‐ and Intra‐Annual Variability of Nitrogen Concentrations in the Headwaters of the Mero River

This study examines the inter‐ and intra‐annual variability of different forms of N [total nitrogen (TN), nitrate‐nitrogen (N‐NO3) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN)] in stream waters of a rural headwater catchment in Galicia (NW Spain) during a 5‐year period, covering 2004–2009 water years (October–September). Daily time series were used to verify the temporal variability and to characterize the nitrogen pollution. The TN concentrations were low, although the values constantly exceeded the critical range (0.5–1.0 mg L−1) over which potential risk of eutrophication of water systems exists. Nitrate was the predominant form of nitrogen in the river throughout the study period, accounting for 82–85% of the TN. Significant differences were found for different forms of N between water years and seasons, indicative of wide inter‐ and intra‐annual variability of nitrogen concentrations, mainly related to rainfall and flow oscillations. The seasonal pattern in the concentrations of TN, N‐NO3 and TKN in stream water was similar to many humid and temperate catchments, with higher concentrations in winter, when variability was also the highest in the period, and lower values in summer

Improving the Understanding of N Transport in a Rural Catchment Under Atlantic Climate Conditions From the Analysis of the Concentration–Discharge Relationship Derived From a High-Frequency Data Set

[Abstract] Understanding processes controlling stream nutrient dynamics over time is crucial for implementing effective management strategies to prevent water quality degradation. In this respect, the study of the nutrient concentration–discharge (C–Q) relationship during individual runoff events can be a valuable tool for extrapolating the hydrochemical processes controlling nutrient fluxes in streams. This study investigated nitrogen concentration dynamics during events by analyzing and interpreting the nitrogen C–Q relationship in a small Atlantic (NW Iberian Peninsula) rural catchment. To this end, nitrate (NO3-N) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) concentrations were monitored at a high temporal resolution during 102 runoff events over a 6-year period. For each of the selected runoff events, C–Q response was examined visually for the presence and direction of hysteresis loops and classified into three types of responses, namely clockwise, counterclockwise, and no hysteresis. Changes in concentration (ΔC) and the hysteresis direction (ΔR) were used to quantify nitrogen ( and TKN) patterns during the runoff events. The transport mechanisms varied between compounds. The most frequent hysteretic response for was counterclockwise with enrichment. On the contrary, the main TKN dynamic was enrichment with clockwise hysteresis. Event characteristics, such as rainfall amount, peak discharge (i.e., maximum discharge of the runoff event), and event magnitude relative to the initial baseflow (i.e., the difference between the maximum discharge of the runoff event and the initial baseflow divided by initial baseflow) provided a better explanation for hysteresis direction and magnitude for TKN than antecedent conditions (antecedent precipitation and baseflow at the beginning of the event). For hysteresis, the role of hydrometeorological conditions was more complex. The hysteresis magnitude was related to the magnitude of the event relative to the initial baseflow and the time elapsed since a preceding runoff event. These findings could be used as a reference for the development of N mitigation strategy in the region.This research has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (grant no. REN2003-08143) and Xunta of Galicia (grant nos. PGIDIT05RAG10303PR and 10MDS103031PR)Xunta of Galicia; PGIDIT05RAG10303PRXunta of Galicia; 10MDS103031P

Characteristics principals of soils of Holguín province (Cuba). Use and soils management

[Abstract] In this paper was performed an compilation of the main characteristic and degradation processes of soils Holguín province (Cuba) in order to stablish a proposal management leading to soil preservation. The main soils in the zone are of four types. According to the cuban classification system the major soils are Fersialitics, Vertisoils, Bruns and Ferritic, which are respectively equivalent to the Luvisols, Vertisols, Cambisols and Ferralsols of the FAO system (1998). About 70% of the agricultural soils of the Holguín province are affected by different erosion degree. About 17% of soils are affected by salinity and are associated mainly to the group of Vertisoils, that in the greater part are dedicated to the sugarcane cultivated and at grassland. Together with the erosion and salinity procceses others limiting factors of the soils are the sodicity, contents of gravels and stones, efective deepth, carbonates content and relief

Forming factors and properties of soils developed over limestone in Galicia

[Abstract] We describe the forming factors, properties, typology and distribution of soils developed over limestone in Galicia. According to the degree of development, three main tipes are distinguished. AR soils in high-erosion localities are decarbonated. AC soils formed by colluvial deposits of limestone material on, hillslopes have high carbonate levels, partly due to the greater solubility of unconsolidated material. ABR soils are found in relatively stable hillslope positions, in flat areas and cracks of rocks. Some are moderately well developed, with Bw horizons that have high carbonate content. Others are highly developed, with thick, totally decarbonated Bt horizons sometimes with low base saturation. The properties of all these soils depend on the degree of decarbonation

Caracterización de suelos con horizonte mólico formado sobre calizas en clima templado húmedo (Galicia, NW España)

[Abstract] Soils with a mollic horizon lying directly over limestone were characterized physicochemically, mineralogically and micromorphologically. The development of these soils involves dissolution of limestone and leaching of the released calcium carbonate under favourable climatic and topographic conditions, the incorporation of insoluble residues (chiefly by inheritance rather than transformation), and the action of efficient humification mechanism. They are classified as Lithic Haprendolls by Soil Taxonomy (1998) and as Rendzic Leptosols by the FAO classification (1998).

Linear programming of a slate quarry

[Abstract] A new exploitation of roofing slate has several possibilities of marketing depending on the sizes of the pieces that it makes. Three sizes has been chosen among aH the possibilities in base of the conditions and the production of the rock in the quarry, the marketing limitation and the final price of the producto We've procces aH these data to obtain the optimun output, with the simplex algorithm. The objective function (week invoicing) and the restrictions of the problem are created in canonical and standard formo Optimun solution has been obtained among aH the basic and practical ones, using the graphic and the analytic method. Sorne conclusions come from the algorithm matrix about the outputs for each marketing option

Improving the understanding of N transport in a rural catchment under Atlantic climate conditions from the analysis of the concentration–discharge relationship derived from a high-frequency data set

Understanding processes controlling stream nutrient dynamics over time is crucial for implementing effective management strategies to prevent water quality degradation. In this respect, the study of the nutrient concentration–discharge (C–Q) relationship during individual runoff events can be a valuable tool for extrapolating the hydrochemical processes controlling nutrient fluxes in streams. This study investigated nitrogen concentration dynamics during events by analyzing and interpreting the nitrogen C–Q relationship in a small Atlantic (NW Iberian Peninsula) rural catchment. To this end, nitrate (NO3-N) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) concentrations were monitored at a high temporal resolution during 102 runoff events over a 6-year period. For each of the selected runoff events, C–Q response was examined visually for the presence and direction of hysteresis loops and classified into three types of responses, namely clockwise, counterclockwise, and no hysteresis. Changes in concentration (ΔC) and the hysteresis direction (ΔR) were used to quantify nitrogen (NO3- and TKN) patterns during the runoff events. The transport mechanisms varied between compounds. The most frequent hysteretic response for NO3- was counterclockwise with enrichment. On the contrary, the main TKN dynamic was enrichment with clockwise hysteresis. Event characteristics, such as rainfall amount, peak discharge (i.e., maximum discharge of the runoff event), and event magnitude relative to the initial baseflow (i.e., the difference between the maximum discharge of the runoff event and the initial baseflow divided by initial baseflow) provided a better explanation for hysteresis direction and magnitude for TKN than antecedent conditions (antecedent precipitation and baseflow at the beginning of the event). For NO3- hysteresis, the role of hydrometeorological conditions was more complex. The NO3- hysteresis magnitude was related to the magnitude of the event relative to the initial baseflow and the time elapsed since a preceding runoff event. These findings could be used as a reference for the development of N mitigation strategy in the region.</p

Distribution and Origin of Iron Oxides in Soils over Limestone

[Resumen] Se pretende conocer la distribuci6n y el origen de los compuestos de hierro en suelos formados sobre calizas en Galicia. Predominan las formas minerales de hierro, encontrando en la fracción arena magnetita, goethita y/o hematites y excepcionalmente ilmenita, que se consideran heredadas del material de partida. En lámina delgada se observaron goethita y hematites como granos aislados, constituyendo nódulos e integrados en fragmentos de caliza. En la arcilla, trazas de goethita están presentes en casi todos los perfiles; s610 en uno de ellos la hematites es el único 6xido de hierro. La goethita puede haberse formado tanto por neoformaci6n como por microdivisi6n a partir de las fracciones gruesas, siendo este último fen6meno el que ha originado la hematites de la fracci6n arcilla. En dos perfiles la goethita va acompañada de magnetita y se discute la posible existencía y formaci6n de maghemita.[Abstract] Iron distribution in soils formed over limestone of Galicia is studied an the origin of the different iron forms is established. Organic iron is very scarce and mineral iron components dominate. Magnetite, goethite and / or hematite, less cornmonly ilmenite, are found in the sand fraction; they are considered as interited from the parent material. In polished sections goethite an hematite appear as single grains, nodules and il1corporated into limestone fragments. In the clay fraction, traces of goethite are present in aH except one of the profiles where only traces of hematite are indentified. Neoformation and microdivision from coarse fractions can act in the genesis of goethite; only microdivision is considered as the origin of hematite. Magnetite accompanies goethite in two profiles; the possible presence of maghemite and its origin is also discusse

The computer in a roofing slate quarry

[Resumen] Sencillas configuraciones informáticas en base a ordenadores personales con programas comerciales de modelización y diseño asistido por ordenador, facilitan el reiterativo trabajo de planificación minera de una explotación de pizarra a cielo abierto. Su utilización es aplicable a tres fases del proyecto minero: Modelización del yacimiento (investigación), proyecto de explotación (viabilidad) y labores mineras (ejecución).[Abstract] Simple integrated systems based on personal computers and cornmercial programmes about modelling and CAD, make easy the reiterative work on exploitation planning in roofing slate quarries. We can use this systems in the three phases of the mining project: bed modelling (Research), exploitation (Viability)wand mining (Performance)