Στην παρούσα μεταπτυχιακή εργασία παρουσιάζονται τα αποτελέσματα της διερεύνησης της επίδρασης της ιλύος βιολογικού καθαρισμού Καλαμάτας (Β.Κ.Κ.) στην ανάπτυξη του σπανακιού (Spinacia Oleracea) καθώς και στην απαορρόφηση N, P, K, Ca, Mg, ιχοστοιχείων Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, βαρέων μετάλλων Pb, Ni, Cd και Cο από τα διάφορα μέρη του φυτού. Επιπλέον, η εργασία αυτή αποτελεί μια μελέτη της επίδρασης της συγκεκριμένης ιλύος και σε ορισμένους δείκτες ποιότητας των μιγμάτων ιλύος-εδάφους, όπως pH, αλατότητα, οργανική ουσία, ολικό ανθρακικό ασβέστιο, αλλά και σε ποσοτικούς δείκτες όπως η περιεκτικότητα σε ολικό άζωτο (Ν%), διαθέσιμο φωσφόρο (Ρ κατά Olsen), ανταλλάξιμα κατιόντα K, Ca, Mg, και συγκέντρωση ολικών, διαθέσιμων και ανταλλάξιμων ιχνοστοιχείων Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, "βαρέων μετάλλων" Pb, Ni, Cd, Cr, Co. Τα αποτελέσματα προέρχονται μετά από πειραματική μελέτη που έγινε σε φυτά σπανακιού, αναπτυσσόμενα σε υποστρώματα που προέκυψαν από ανάμιξη εδάφους και ιλύος σε διάφορες αναλογίες, σε υπαίθριο προστατευμένο χώρο. Σκοπός της πειραματικής αυτής μελέτης είναι να ελεγχθούν και να αξιολογηθούν οι ιδιότητες που αποκτούν τα υπό εξέταση υποστρώματα από την προσθήκη ιλύος στο έδαφος ταυτόχρονα με την επίδραση στην ανάπτυξη του σπανακιού. Έτσι σε αδρές γραμμές μπορούμε να συμπεράνουμε ότι τα αποτελέσματα και η αξιολόγησή τους κατατείνουν στο ότι η ιλύς της μονάδας βιολογικού καθαρισμού της Καλαμάτας μπορεί να αξιοποιηθεί ως λίπασμα σε μικρές αναλογίες ιλύος/εδάφους και φαίνεται ότι η διάθεσή της στο έδαφος για γεωργικούς σκοπούς αποτελεί μια πολύ καλή μέθοδο διάθεσης, που πρέπει να εξετάζεται κατά προτεραιότητα. Ταυτόχρονα, επιβάλλεται η συνέχιση και επέκταση της σχετικής έρευνας, για αξιοποίηση και οικολογική διαχείριση της εν λόγω ιλύος. / This study investigates the effects of the sewage sludge of Kalamata Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) both in the development of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and the absorption of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd and Co from various spinach plant parts. Parameters of soil - sludge mixtures are also considered during this study. Especially the effect of sludge on parameters such as pH, salinity, organic matter, total CaCO3, total nitrogen content (N%), available phosphorus, exchangeable K, Ca, Mg, and concentration of total, available and exchangeable Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd, Cr, Co. The experiments where conducted in Messinia and the results showed that sludge improves soil fertility. The application of sludge does not cause environmental problems in small proportions of sludge – soil mixture. In large quantities the addition of sludge is associated with potential toxicities and increased salinity in the soil as well as potential environmental problems from over-concentration of phosphorus but also heavy metals such as Pb, Ni and Cr. Special attention is need for Cd, not because of high concentration, but because of the special mobility it presents. Finally this study confirms the presence of a large number of interactions between nutrients, heavy metals and soil properties in soil and spinach. The evaluation of these interactions are of great importance because they help us to quantify elemental contribution of soil and plants, helps in understanding the problems of nutrition in preventing the occurrence of toxic problems at the expense of consumer health, the environment and ultimately to effective use of sludge. Finally, the sludge of Kalamata WWTP can be used as fertilizer in small proportions of sludge / soil mixtures and it seems that the disposal of sludge in soils for agricultural purposes is a very good method of disposal that must be considered.

Foi pesquisada a aplicação de métodos, em nível de laboratório, através dos quais é possível otimizar, tratar e dispor resíduos de lavagem de filtros de estações de tratamento de água (Caso ETA do rio Descoberto - ETA-RD Brasília). Na clarificação da água de lavagem dos filtros, observou-se o efeito favorável da adição de polímero para melhorar a separação líquido-sólido é, portanto, as eficiências de remoção de turbidez, cor aparente, sólidos suspensos e coliformes totais. Observou-se melhor sedimentabilidade do lodo a ser desaguado. Os ensaios de centrifugação, em escala de bancada, mostraram que o método aplicado auxilia na determinação da dosagem a ser usada numa centrífuga em escala real. Foram avaliados três métodos de disposição do lodo adensado da ETA-RD em ETE: 1) sedimentação com esgoto sanitário e posterior digestão anaeróbia do lodo; 2) Digestão anaeróbia e 3) digestão aeróbia. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos com a digestão anaeróbia. Os estudos realizados mostraram que há diversas alternativas de tratamento e disposição desses resíduos, mas é necessário, sempre que possível, a avaliação das diferentes alternativas para selecionar a(s) mais apropriada(s) a cada caso em particular, pois fatores como custos e disponibilidade de de sistemas ou equipamentos, definirão a aplicabilidade ou não de determinado método. / It was researched the application of methods on laboratory bench scale to optimize the reuse, treatment and disposal of wastes from filter backwash of Water Treatment Plant - WTP (WTP-RD Descoberto River, Brasília case). In the clarification process of this waste, favorable effect of addition of polymer for best liquid-solid separation and, thus, better removal efficiencies of turbidity, apparent color, suspended solids and total coliforms was observed. Better sedimentability of the sludge occurred. The centrifugation tests showed that the applied method help on determination of dosagem to be used in full scale. Three methods to dispose thickened sludge of WTP-RD on wastewater treatment Plants - WWTP were evaluated: 1) Sedimentation with domestic sewage and anaerobic digestion of sludge; 2) Anaerobic digestion and 3) Aerobic digestion. Best results were obtained with anaerobic digestion. The results showed that there are alternatives of treatment and disposal of wastes of WTP, but is necessary, if possible, to make the evaluation of this alternatives to select the most appropriate(s) in each case because factors as costs, systems or equipments availability, will define the applicability or not of a particular method.

Foi pesquisada a aplicação de métodos, em nível de laboratório, através dos quais é possível otimizar, tratar e dispor resíduos de lavagem de filtros de estações de tratamento de água (Caso ETA do rio Descoberto - ETA-RD Brasília). Na clarificação da água de lavagem dos filtros, observou-se o efeito favorável da adição de polímero para melhorar a separação líquido-sólido é, portanto, as eficiências de remoção de turbidez, cor aparente, sólidos suspensos e coliformes totais. Observou-se melhor sedimentabilidade do lodo a ser desaguado. Os ensaios de centrifugação, em escala de bancada, mostraram que o método aplicado auxilia na determinação da dosagem a ser usada numa centrífuga em escala real. Foram avaliados três métodos de disposição do lodo adensado da ETA-RD em ETE: 1) sedimentação com esgoto sanitário e posterior digestão anaeróbia do lodo; 2) Digestão anaeróbia e 3) digestão aeróbia. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos com a digestão anaeróbia. Os estudos realizados mostraram que há diversas alternativas de tratamento e disposição desses resíduos, mas é necessário, sempre que possível, a avaliação das diferentes alternativas para selecionar a(s) mais apropriada(s) a cada caso em particular, pois fatores como custos e disponibilidade de de sistemas ou equipamentos, definirão a aplicabilidade ou não de determinado método. / It was researched the application of methods on laboratory bench scale to optimize the reuse, treatment and disposal of wastes from filter backwash of Water Treatment Plant - WTP (WTP-RD Descoberto River, Brasília case). In the clarification process of this waste, favorable effect of addition of polymer for best liquid-solid separation and, thus, better removal efficiencies of turbidity, apparent color, suspended solids and total coliforms was observed. Better sedimentability of the sludge occurred. The centrifugation tests showed that the applied method help on determination of dosagem to be used in full scale. Three methods to dispose thickened sludge of WTP-RD on wastewater treatment Plants - WWTP were evaluated: 1) Sedimentation with domestic sewage and anaerobic digestion of sludge; 2) Anaerobic digestion and 3) Aerobic digestion. Best results were obtained with anaerobic digestion. The results showed that there are alternatives of treatment and disposal of wastes of WTP, but is necessary, if possible, to make the evaluation of this alternatives to select the most appropriate(s) in each case because factors as costs, systems or equipments availability, will define the applicability or not of a particular method.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] The pursuit of sustainable development in urban areas is crucial due to their significance as the primary human habitat and resource consumer. Rapid urbanization poses significant challenges for city management, necessitating actions to ensure sustainability and mitigate resource depletion. The conservation of water resources turns out to be an important focus, particularly in society's development due to the number of factors that depend on this resource. Water resources are essential for, serving critical roles in human health, agriculture, and industry, while also facilitating economic activities, cultural values, and climate regulation. In this context, the sustainability of water systems encompasses social, environmental, economic, and asset dimensions. Nevertheless, the accelerated social growth, exacerbates the strain on water supplies, necessitating measures to ensure sustainability. Key considerations include ensuring equitable access to water services, minimizing environmental impact, implementing cost-effective policies, and enhancing infrastructure resilience. Adopting sustainable practices encounters obstacles, particularly in data measurement and analysis, hindered by the complexities of emerging technologies. Addressing these challenges requires leveraging indicators to assess progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) quantitatively. Despite significant strides, evaluating progress toward SDGs remains a complex task, particularly in urban water systems. Consequently, ongoing efforts are essential to advance sustainable development initiatives and ensure the long-term viability of urban water resources. Even though the SDGs have motivated several projects to advance sustainable development. However, it is complex to determine the progress made in fulfilling these goals, especially in particular cases like urban water systems. The development of a framework to measure sustainability in urban water systems contributes to the decision- making process to optimize system performance across the entire water cycle. These decision-making processes are crucial for various stakeholders, including governmental entities, the general population, and, of course, water resource managers. Considering the above, the main objective of this doctoral thesis consists of the development of a methodology to measure and categorize hydraulic systems according to their contribution to sustainability from their three dimensions. The methodology is based on the implementation of a series of indicators linked to each of the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals established by the UN. In this way and as a result of this work, it will be possible to categorize any type of urban water system with labels that indicate the level of contribution to achieving the SDGs and highlight the importance of water resources in meeting the SDGs. Also, another objective of the methodology's implementation is to validate by assessing the progress of the indicators if it is sufficient, or if acceleration and additional measures are required. This will serve as a benchmarking tool, as a support point for decision-making by the different actors involved in hydraulic management, thus achieving more sustainable water management. To achieve this objective, the doctoral thesis has been developed in three phases, the results of which have been published in 3 articles in indexed journals (JCR). The phases of work development are as follows: (i) Contextualization and development of the methodology (Publication I): an investigation was carried out on the concept of sustainability and what it encompassed, as well as the definition of the goals, their progress, and indicators currently used by both the UN and other entities for the evaluation of these. To complement this, case studies of urban hydraulic systems in which sustainability was evaluated were reviewed. Based on the information collected and as a result of the research, the evaluation methodolo / [CA] La cerca del desenvolupament sostenible en les zones urbanes és crucial a causa de la seua importància com a principal hàbitat humà i consumidor de recursos. La ràpida urbanització planteja desafiaments importants per a la gestió de la ciutat, la qual cosa requerix accions per a garantir la sostenibilitat i mitigar l'esgotament dels recursos. La conservació del recurs hídric resulta ser un focus important, particularment en el desenvolupament de la societat a causa de la quantitat de factors que depenen d'este recurs. Els recursos hídrics són essencials per a exercir funcions crítiques en la salut humana, l'agricultura i la indústria, al mateix temps que faciliten les activitats econòmiques, els valors culturals i la regulació del clima. En este context, la sostenibilitat dels sistemes hídrics abasta dimensions socials, ambientals, econòmiques i d'actius. No obstant això, el creixement social accelerat exacerba la pressió sobre el subministrament d'aigua, la qual cosa requerix mesures per a garantir la sostenibilitat. Les consideracions clau en este assumpte inclouen garantir l'accés equitatiu als servicis d'aigua, minimitzar l'impacte ambiental, implementar polítiques rendibles i millorar la resiliència de la infraestructura. L'adopció de pràctiques sostenibles troba obstacles, particularment en el mesurament i anàlisi de dades, obstaculitzats per les complexitats de les tecnologies emergents. Per a abordar estos desafiaments és necessari aprofitar els indicadors per a avaluar quantitativament el progrés cap als Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible (*ODS). Malgrat els importants avanços, avaluar el progrés cap als *ODS continua sent una tasca complexa, particularment en els sistemes d'aigua urbans. En conseqüència, els esforços continus són essencials per a promoure iniciatives de desenvolupament sostenible i garantir la viabilitat a llarg termini dels recursos hídrics urbans. Encara que els *ODS han motivat diversos projectes per a avançar en el desenvolupament sostenible. No obstant això, és complex determinar els avanços en el compliment d'estes metes, especialment en casos particulars com els sistemes d'aigua urbans. El desenvolupament d'un marc per a mesurar la sostenibilitat en els sistemes d'aigua urbans contribuïx al procés de presa de decisions per a optimitzar el rendiment del sistema al llarg de tot el cicle de l'aigua. Estos processos de presa de decisions són crucials per a diverses parts interessades, incloses entitats governamentals, la població en general i, per descomptat, els administradors de recursos hídrics. Considerant l'anterior, l'objectiu principal d'esta tesi doctoral consistix en el desenvolupament d'una metodologia per a mesurar i categoritzar els sistemes hidràulics segons la seua contribució a la sostenibilitat des de les seues tres dimensions. La metodologia es basa en la implementació d'una sèrie d'indicadors vinculats a cadascuna de les metes dels Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible establits per l'ONU. D'esta manera i com a resultat d'este treball, serà possible categoritzar qualsevol tipus de sistema d'aigua urbà amb etiquetes que indiquen el nivell de contribució a l'assoliment dels *ODS i ressalten la importància dels recursos hídrics en el compliment dels *ODS. Així mateix, un altre objectiu de la implementació de la metodologia és validar avaluant l'avanç dels indicadors si és suficient, o si es requerix acceleració i mesures addicionals. Això servirà com a ferramenta de benchmarking, com a punt de suport per a la presa de decisions dels diferents actors implicats en la gestió hidràulica, aconseguint així una gestió més sostenible de l'aigua. Per a aconseguir este objectiu, la tesi doctoral s'ha desenvolupat en tres fases, els resultats de les quals s'han publicat en 3 articles en revistes indexades (*JCR). Les fases del desenvolupament del treball són les següents: (i) Contextualització i desenvolupament de la metodologia (Publicació I): es va realitzar una investigació sobre e / [EN] The pursuit of sustainable development in urban areas is crucial due to their significance as the primary human habitat and resource consumer. Rapid urbanization poses significant challenges for city management, necessitating actions to ensure sustainability and mitigate resource depletion. The conservation of water resources turns out to be an important focus, particularly in society's development due to the number of factors that depend on this resource. Water resources are essential for, serving critical roles in human health, agriculture, and industry, while also facilitating economic activities, cultural values, and climate regulation. In this context, the sustainability of water systems encompasses social, environmental, economic, and asset dimensions. Nevertheless, the accelerated social growth, exacerbates the strain on water supplies, necessitating measures to ensure sustainability. Key considerations include ensuring equitable access to water services, minimizing environmental impact, implementing cost-effective policies, and enhancing infrastructure resilience. Adopting sustainable practices encounters obstacles, particularly in data measurement and analysis, hindered by the complexities of emerging technologies. Addressing these challenges requires leveraging indicators to assess progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) quantitatively. Despite significant strides, evaluating progress toward SDGs remains a complex task, particularly in urban water systems. Consequently, ongoing efforts are essential to advance sustainable development initiatives and ensure the long-term viability of urban water resources. Even though the SDGs have motivated several projects to advance sustainable development. However, it is complex to determine the progress made in fulfilling these goals, especially in particular cases like urban water systems. The development of a framework to measure sustainability in urban water systems contributes to the decision- making process to optimize system performance across the entire water cycle. These decision-making processes are crucial for various stakeholders, including governmental entities, the general population, and, of course, water resource managers. Considering the above, the main objective of this doctoral thesis consists of the development of a methodology to measure and categorize hydraulic systems according to their contribution to sustainability from their three dimensions. The methodology is based on the implementation of a series of indicators linked to each of the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals established by the UN. In this way and as a result of this work, it will be possible to categorize any type of urban water system with labels that indicate the level of contribution to achieving the SDGs and highlight the importance of water resources in meeting the SDGs. Also, another objective of the methodology's implementation is to validate by assessing the progress of the indicators if it is sufficient, or if acceleration and additional measures are required. This will serve as a benchmarking tool, as a support point for decision-making by the different actors involved in hydraulic management, thus achieving more sustainable water management. To achieve this objective, the doctoral thesis has been developed in three phases, the results of which have been published in 3 articles in indexed journals (JCR). The phases of work development are as follows: (i) Contextualization and development of the methodology (Publication I): an investigation was carried out on the concept of sustainability and what it encompassed, as well as the definition of the goals, their progress, and indicators currently used by both the UN and other entities for the evaluation of these. To complement this, case studies of urban hydraulic systems in which sustainability was evaluated were reviewed. Based on the information collected and as a result of the research, the evaluation methodolo / Garcia Rodriguez, CA. (2024). Development of a Methodology to Characterize Sustainability in Hidraulic Systems by Applying Indicators that Evaluate Goals Contained in the Sustainable Development Goals [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/213236 / Compendio