A hydro-economic modeling framework for optimal management of groundwater nitrate pollution from agriculture

La contaminación difusa por nitratos de las aguas subterráneas, la cual es principalmente originada por la agricultura, es una creciente preocupación en casi cualquier parte del mundo. Esto ha provocado el desarrollado de normativas; en Europa, en 1991 se estableció la Directiva de Nitratos y el año 2000 la Directiva Europea Marco del Agua (DMA). La DMA establece que las masas de agua deben alcanzar el buen estado en el año 2015, además reconoce el rol que la economía puede tener en alcanzar los objetivos ecológicos y ambientales. En este trabajo se presenta un modelo hidro-económico que sugiere la gestión óptima de fertilizantes para controlar la contaminación por nitratos de las agua subterráneas. El modelo holístico de optimización determina la distribución espacio-temporal de la tasa de aplicación de fertilizantes que maximiza los beneficios netos en la agricultura, limitada por los requerimientos de calidad en el agua subterránea en diferentes puntos de control. El modelo relaciona la aplicación de fertilizantes con las concentraciones de nitratos en el agua subterránea mediante el uso de modelos agronómicos, de simulación del flujo y transporte en el agua subterránea, con los cuales se generan soluciones unitarias que son integradas en matrices de respuesta (RM). Las RM dentro del modelo de gestión permiten simular la evolución de la concentración de nitratos en el agua subterránea mediante superposición en diferentes puntos de control a largo del tiempo, debido a la emisión de contaminantes en diferentes zonas distribuidas en el espacio y variables en el tiempo. Los beneficios de la agricultura se determinan a través de funciones de producción y el precio de los cultivos. El modelo desarrollado se aplicó a un acuífero sintético. Se obtuvo la aplicación óptima de fertilizantes para problemas con diferentes condiciones iniciales, horizontes de planeación y tiempos de recuperación.Peña Haro, S. (2010). A hydro-economic modeling framework for optimal management of groundwater nitrate pollution from agriculture [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/7483Palanci

Analysis of the environmental impact of an agricultural robot for data capture and comparison with the alternative of using fixed sensors

El treball ha estat dissenyat per comparar l’impacte ambiental que tenen un robot agrícola autònom i el seu equivalent amb sensors fixes, intentant demostrar que l’alternativa del robot és més viable a nivell ambiental. Amb un primer pas de recerca d’informació sobre la situació actual, la informació proporcionada per l’equip del CDEI sobre el robot i buscant informació addicional sobre sensors fixes i les seves característiques, s’han elaborat dos Anàlisis del Cicle de Vida amb el software obert OpenLCA, un pel robot i l’altre pels sensors. Aquests dos resultats s’ha comparat mitjançant gràfics per veure si la implementació del robot és ambientalment viable o no. Finalment, s’ha conclòs que la solució proposada del robot agrícola autònom és millor enfront dels sensors fixes, recomanant l’ús daquests en projectes similarsEl trabajo ha sido diseñado para comparar el impacto ambiental que tienen un robot agrícola autónomo y su equivalente con sensores fijos, intentando demostrar que la alternativa del robot es más viable a nivel ambiental. Con un primer paso de investigación sobre la situación actual, la información proporcionada por el equipo del CDEI sobre el robot y buscando información adicional sobre sensores fijos y sus características, se han elaborado dos Análisis del Ciclo de Vida con el software abierto OpenLCA, uno para el robot y el otro para los sensores. Estos dos resultados se han comparado mediante gráficos para ver si la implementación del robot es ambientalmente viable o no. Finalmente, se ha concluido que la solución propuesta del robot agrícola autónomo es mejor enfrente de los sensores fijos, recomendando el uso de este en proyectos similaresThe project has been designed to compare the environmental impact of an au tonomous agricultural robot and its equivalent with fixed sensors, aiming to demonstrate that the robot alternative is more environmentally viable. With an initial research step on the current situation, information provided by the CDEI team about the robot, and seeking additional information about fixed sensors and their characteristics, two Life Cycle Analysis have been developed using the open -source software OpenLCA, one for the robot and the other for the sensors. These two results have been compared using graphics to prove if the implementation of the robot is environmentally viable or not. Finally, it has been concluded that the proposed solution of the autonomous agricultural robot is better compared to the alternative of fixed sensors, recommending its use in similar project

Stochastic hydro-economic modeling for optimal management of agricultural groundwater nitrate pollution under hydraulic conductivity uncertainty

[EN] In decision-making processes, reliability and risk aversion play a decisive role. This paper presents a framework for stochastic optimization of control strategies for groundwater nitrate pollution from agriculture under hydraulic conductivity uncertainty. The main goal is to analyze the influence of uncertainty in the physical parameters of a heterogeneous groundwater diffuse pollution problem on the results of management strategies, and to introduce methods that integrate uncertainty and reliability in order to obtain strategies of spatial allocation of fertilizer use in agriculture. A hydro-economic modeling approach is used for obtaining the allocation of fertilizer reduction that complies with the maximum permissible concentration in groundwater while minimizes agricultural income losses. The model is based upon nonlinear programming and groundwater flow and mass transport numerical simulation, condensed on a pollutant concentration response matrix. The effects of the hydraulic conductivity uncertainty on the allocation of nitrogen reduction among agriculture pollution sources are analyzed using four formulations: Monte Carlo simulation with pre-assumed parameter field, Monte Carlo optimization, stacking management, and mixed-integer stochastic model with predefined reliability. The formulations were tested in an illustrative example for 100 hydraulic conductivity realizations with different variance. The results show a high probability of not meeting the groundwater quality standards when deriving a policy from just a deterministic analysis. To increase the reliability several realizations can be optimized at the same time. By using a mixed-integer stochastic formulation, the desired reliability level of the strategy can be fixed in advance. The approach allows deriving the trade-offs between the reliability of meeting the standard and the net benefits from agricultural production. In a risk-averse decision making, not only the reliability of meeting the standards counts, but also the probability distribution of the maximum pollutant concentrations. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to assess the influence of the variance of the hydraulic conductivity fields on the strategies. The results show that the larger the variance, the greater the range of maximum nitrate concentrations and the worst case (or maximum value) that could be reached for the same level of reliability. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.The study has been partially supported by the European Community 7th Framework Project GENESIS (226536) on groundwater systems and from the Plan Nacional I+D+I 2008-2011 of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (subprojects CGL2009-13238-C02-01 and CGL2009-13238-C02-02). The authors thank the anonymous reviewers for their suggestions for improving the paper.Peña Haro, S.; Pulido-Velazquez, M.; Llopis Albert, C. (2011). Stochastic hydro-economic modeling for optimal management of agricultural groundwater nitrate pollution under hydraulic conductivity uncertainty. Environmental Modelling and Software. 26(8):999-1008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2011.02.010S999100826

Stochastic hydro-economic model for groundwater quality management using Bayesian networks

A strong normative development in Europe, including the Nitrate Directive (1991) and the Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000), has been promulgated. The WFD states that all water bodies have to reach a good quantitative and chemical status by 2015. It is necessary to consider different objectives, often in conflict, for tackling a suitable assessment of the impacts generated by water policies aimed to reduce nitrate pollution in groundwater. For that, an annual lumped probabilistic model based on Bayesian networks (BNs) has been designed for hydro-economic modelling of groundwater quality control under uncertain conditions. The information introduced in the BN model comes from different sources such as previous groundwater flow and mass transport simulations, hydro-economic models, stakeholders and expert opinion, etc. The methodology was applied to the El Salobral-Los Llanos aquifer unit within the 'Easter Mancha' groundwater body, which is one of the largest aquifers in Spain (7,400 km(2)), included in the Júcar River Basin. Over the past 30 years, socioeconomic development within the region has been mainly depending on intensive use of groundwater resources for irrigating crops. This has provoked a continuous groundwater level fall in the last two decades and significant streamflow depletion in the connected Júcar River. This BN model has proved to be a robust Decision Support System for helping water managers in the decision making process.The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the following people and organizations. The study has been partially supported by the European Community 7th Framework Project GENESIS (226536) on groundwater systems and from the subprogram Juan de la Cierva (2010, 2011) of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation as well as from the Plan Nacional I + D + i 2008-2011 of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (subprojects CGL2009-13238-C02-01 and CGL2009-13238-C02-02). Finally, thanks to the Jucar River Basin Authority (CHJ), IDR of Univ. of Castilla-La Mancha, the Junta Central de Regantes de la Mancha Oriental, and all the different stakeholders who have collaborated on the data and information provided in this research.Molina, J.; Pulido-Velazquez, M.; Llopis Albert, C.; Peña Haro, S. (2013). Stochastic hydro-economic model for groundwater quality management using Bayesian networks. Water Science and Technology. 67(3):579-586. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2012.598S57958667

Facile kinetics of Li-ion intake causes superior rate capability in multiwalled carbon nanotube@TiO2 nanocomposite battery anodes

Nanotechnology produces hybrids with superior properties than its individual constituents. Here MWCNT@TiO2 composites have been synthesized by controlled hydrolysis of titanium isopropoxide over MWCNT, to be incorporated into Li-ion battery electrodes. Outstanding rate capability of the coated nanotubes is observed in comparison to pristine TiO2. Specific storage capacity as high as 250 mAh g−1 is achieved for the nanocomposite electrode which doubles that encountered for TiO2-based anodes. The mechanism explaining the enhancement in power performance has been revealed by means of electrochemical impedance methods. Although both pristine TiO2 and MWCNT@TiO2 would potentially exhibit comparable specific capacity, the charge transfer resistance for the latter is reduced by a factor 10, implying a key role of MWCNTs to favor the interfacial Li+ ion intake from the electrolyte. MWCNT efficiently provides electrons to the nanostructure through the Ti–C bond which assists the Li+ ion incorporation. These findings provide access to the detailed lithiation kinetics of a broad class of nanocomposites for battery applications

Eficacia de un taller educativo en el nivel de conocimiento y uso de técnicas de lactancia materna en gestantes adolescentes. Centro de salud materno infantil el bosque 2013

Con el objetivo de determinar la eficacia de un taller educativo en el nivel de conocimiento y uso de técnicas de lactancia materna en gestantes adolescentes del Centro de Salud El Bosque se realizó una investigación cuasi-experimental, con diseño pretest y postest, en una muestra de 88 gestantes divididas en grupo experimental y control. Al grupo experimental se realizó la intervención de un taller educativo con 4 sesiones. Se encontró antes de la intervención, en los grupos experimental y control, un nivel de conocimiento de regular 65.9% y 68.2%, y malo 31.8%; después de la intervención en el grupo experimental el nivel de conocimiento fue bueno 31.8% y regular 68.2% y en el grupo control fue regular 86.3% y 13.7% malo. En relación al uso de técnicas de lactancia materna, el grupo experimental cumplió con las técnicas de lactancia en un 68.2%, y del grupo control el 38.6%. La eficacia del taller educativo fue demostrado estadísticamente con el aumento del conocimiento y uso de técnicas (p<0.001). Concluyendo que existió eficacia del taller educativo en el nivel de conocimiento y uso de técnicas de lactancia materna.With the objective to determine the efficacy of an educational workshop on the level of knowledge and use of breastfeeding techniques in pregnant women of the El Bosque Health Center was carried out a quasi experimental investigation, with pretest and posttest design, in a sample of 88 pregnant women divided into experimental and control group. The experimental group was realized an educational workshop with 4 sessions. It was found that before the intervention, in the groups of experimental and control was regular level 65.9% and 68.2%, and bad 31.8%; after the intervention the level of knowledge in the experimental group was good 31.8% and regular 68.2% and in the control group was regular 86.3% and 13.7% bad. Regarding the use of breastfeeding techniques, the experimental group complied with breastfeeding techniques in 68.2%, and in the control group 38.6%. The efficacy of the educational workshop was statistically demonstrated with increased knowledge and use of techniques (p <0.001). Concluding that, there was efficacy of the educational workshop in the level of knowledge and use of breastfeeding techniques

A hydro-economic modelling framework for optimal management of groundwater nitrate pollution from agriculture

A hydro-economic modelling framework is developed for determining optimal management of groundwater nitrate pollution from agriculture. A holistic optimization model determines the spatial and temporal fertilizer application rate that maximizes the net benefits in agriculture constrained by the quality requirements in groundwater at various control sites. Since emissions (nitrogen loading rates) are what can be controlled, but the concentrations are the policy targets, we need to relate both. Agronomic simulations are used to obtain the nitrate leached, while numerical groundwater flow and solute transport simulation models were used to develop unit source solutions that were assembled into a pollutant concentration response matrix. The integration of the response matrix in the constraints of the management model allows simulating by superposition the evolution of groundwater nitrate concentration over time at different points of interest throughout the aquifer resulting from multiple pollutant sources distributed over time and space. In this way, the modelling framework relates the fertilizer loads with the nitrate concentration at the control sites. The benefits in agriculture were determined through crop prices and crop production functions. This research aims to contribute to the ongoing policy process in the Europe Union (the Water Framework Directive) providing a tool for analyzing the opportunity cost of measures for reducing nitrogen loadings and assessing their effectiveness for maintaining groundwater nitrate concentration within the target levels. The management model was applied to a hypothetical groundwater system. Optimal solutions of fertilizer use to problems with different initial conditions, planning horizons, and recovery times were determined. The illustrative example shows the importance of the location of the pollution sources in relation to the control sites, and how both the selected planning horizon and the target recovery time can strongly influence the limitation of fertilizer use and the economic opportunity cost for meeting the environmental standards. There is clearly a trade-off between the time horizon to reach the standards (recovery time) and the economic losses from nitrogen use reductions. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.The authors thank the Editor, Geoff Syme, and two anonymous reviewers for their detailed and helpful comments on improving the paper. Support for this research was provided by the Mexican Ministry of Science and Technology (CONACyT).Peña Haro, S.; Pulido-Velazquez, M.; Sahuquillo Herráiz, A. (2009). A hydro-economic modelling framework for optimal management of groundwater nitrate pollution from agriculture. Journal of Hydrology. 373(1-2):193-203. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2009.04.024S1932033731-

Influence of soil and climate heterogeneity on the performance of economic instruments for reducing nitrate leaching from agriculture

Economic instruments can be used to control groundwater nitrate pollution due to the intensive use of fertilizers in agriculture. In order to test their efficiency on the reduction of nitrate leaching, we propose an approach based on the combined use of production and pollution functions to derive the impacts on the expected farmer response of these instruments. Some of the most important factors influencing nitrate leaching and crop yield are the type of soil and the climatic conditions. Crop yield and nitrate leaching responses to different soil and climaticconditions were classified by means of a cluster analysis, and crops located in different areas but with similar response were grouped for the analysis. We use a spatial economic optimization model to evaluate the potential of taxes on nitrogen fertilizers, water prices, and taxes on nitrate emissions to reduce nitrate pollution, as well as their economic impact in terms of social welfare and farmers' net benefits. Themethod was applied to theMancha Oriental System(MOS) in Spain, a large area with different soil types and climatic conditions.We divided the study area into zones of homogeneous crop production and nitrate leaching properties. Results how spatially different responses of crop growth and nitrate leaching, proving howthe cost-effectiveness of pollution control instruments is contingent upon the spatial heterogeneities of the problem.The study has been supported by the European Community 7th Framework Project GENESIS (226536) on groundwater.Peña Haro, S.; García Prats, A.; Pulido-Velazquez, M. (2014). Influence of soil and climate heterogeneity on the performance of economic instruments for reducing nitrate leaching from agriculture. Science of the Total Environment. 499:510-519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.07.029S51051949

A coupled stochastic inverse-management framework for dealing with nonpoint agriculture pollution under groundwater parameter uncertainty

In this paper a methodology for the stochastic management of groundwater quality problems is presented, which can be used to provide agricultural advisory services. A stochastic algorithm to solve the coupled flow and mass transport inverse problem is combined with a stochastic management approach to develop methods for integrating uncertainty; thus obtaining more reliable policies on groundwater nitrate pollution control from agriculture. The stochastic inverse model allows identifying non-Gaussian parameters and reducing uncertainty in heterogeneous aquifers by constraining stochastic simulations to data. The management model determines the spatial and temporal distribution of fertilizer application rates that maximizes net benefits in agriculture constrained by quality requirements in groundwater at various control sites. The quality constraints can be taken, for instance, by those given by water laws such as the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). Furthermore, the methodology allows providing the trade-off between higher economic returns and reliability in meeting the environmental standards. Therefore, this new technology can help stakeholders in the decision-making process under an uncertainty environment. The methodology has been successfully applied to a 2D synthetic aquifer, where an uncertainty assessment has been carried out by means of Monte Carlo simulation techniques. (c) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Llopis Albert, C.; Palacios Marqués, D.; Merigó, JM. (2014). A coupled stochastic inverse-management framework for dealing with nonpoint agriculture pollution under groundwater parameter uncertainty. Journal of Hydrology. 511:10-16. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.01.021S101651