Pour de nombreux pays, la sécurité alimentaire est le défi majeur que l’agriculture doit relever, tout en assurant la durabilité environnementale. L’intensification durable de la production et la prévention des pertes de récoltes sont des éléments clés pour augmenter les productions et garantir leur régularité, l’utilisation massive d’intrants (Engrais, pesticides) est le plus souvent la solution la plus facile et la sure à court terme. Ces pratiques d’intensification entrainant des consommations parfois excessives d’engrais et de produits phytosanitaires ont un impact négatif sur l’environnement et la santé, ce qui pose aujourd’hui le problème de la durabilité de ces modes de production. Assurer la sécurité alimentaire par des processus d’intensification et la durabilité environnementale semblent être alors en opposition. Les conséquences sur l’environnement et la santé humaine de l’intensification des pratiques agricoles avec l’utilisation croissante de produits chimiques ont amené la société civile, et les pouvoirs publics à s’interroger sur la pérennité de ce système de développement et à interroger le monde scientifique pour proposer d’autres modes de production permettant un développement durable. Comment mettre en place des systèmes de production agricole durables dans les territoires, tout en répondant aux objectifs d’accroissement de la production pour assurer un niveau acceptable de sécurité alimentaire. Cette question aujourd’hui, s’inscrivant dans un contexte de changement climatique est devenue centrale pour les responsables des politiques. L’agriculture est associée à la notion de territoire, la durabilité environnementale à une problématique collective, ce qui modifie les paramètres de formulation des actions de politiques publiques. Il faut aujourd’hui construire des démarches de gestion intégrées et collectives de l’agriculture dans ses territoires, en prenant en compte les acteurs locaux et les potentialités et les spécificités de l’environnement physique. Pour construire un projet collectif, il est donc nécessaire de comprendre les représentations que les usagers et parties prenantes dans la gestion et l’utilisation de l’écosystème se font de sa dynamique et des interactions entre règles d’usages et comportements des acteurs locaux. Quels outils et méthodes doivent mettre en place les décideurs dans les territoires pour répondre à ces objectifs ? Le cadre de travail se situe à l’interface de différents champs scientifiques ; agronomie, géographie et économie. Une modélisation du fonctionnement du territoire comme instrument de support au dialogue semble être appropriée pour une telle démarche ; devant permettre de simuler différentes alternatives et de permettre des regards croisés. La première partie de la thèse va s’attacher à une revue de littérature des instruments et méthodes existant dans ce domaine, notamment en termes d’indicateurs de caractérisation et de solutions alternatives en terme de production. Le choix en terme de méthode générique s’oriente pour l’instant vers l’élaboration d’outils de simulation spatialisés, collectifs et interactifs. L’objectif est de pouvoir construire une méthode d’élaboration de plans stratégiques agricoles permettant de poser les fondements d’une politique publique territorialisée. Le terrain d’application sera la région de la Bekaa au Liban , qui est une zone d’intensification agricole au Liban, et contribuant de manière très importante à la production agricole du Liban. / For many countries, food security is the biggest challenge facing agriculture, while ensuring environmental sustainability. Sustainable intensification of production and preventing crop losses are key element to increase production and ensure their consistency, massive inputs (fertilizers, pesticides) use is most often the easiest and the safe solution in the short term. These intensification practices resulting sometimes in increasing excessive consumption of fertilizers and pesticides have a negative impact in both environment and human health, which today pose the problem of the sustainability of these production methods. Ensuring food security through process intensification and environmental sustainability seem to be in opposition. The impact on the environment and human health from the intensification of agricultural practices with the increase in using chemicals has carry civil society and governments to query the sustainability of this development system and to question the scientific community to provide other types of production for sustainable development. How to build sustainable systems of agricultural production in the territories, while responding to the objectives of increased production to ensure an acceptable level of food security. This question as part of climate change today has become central to policy makers. Agriculture is associated to the concept of territory, environmental sustainability to a collective problem; modify the parameters for the formulation of public policy actions. We must now build integrated management approaches and collective agriculture in these territories, taking into consideration the local stakeholders, the potentialities and the specifications of the physical environment. To build a collective project, it is crucial to understand the representations that users and stakeholders in the management and the ecosystem uses should be done in dynamics and interactions between rules of practice and behavior of local actors. What tools and methods must implement policy-makers in the territories to meet these goals? The framework is at the interface of different scientific fields; agronomy, geography and economics. A model of the operation planning as an instrument of support for the dialogue seems to be appropriate for such approach; possible to simulate different alternatives and allow viewpoints. The first part of the thesis will focus on a literature review of existing instruments and methods in this area, particularly in terms of indicators of characterization and alternative solutions in terms of production. The choice in terms of generic method is oriented on elaborating of tools in spatially, collective and interactive simulation. The goal is to build a method for developing an agricultural strategic planning to allow the basis of a territorial public policy. The field of application will be the Bekaa region in Lebanon, which is an intensive farming area in Lebanon, and contributing very significantly to agricultural production in Lebanon.

As águas superficiais vêm sofrendo impactos em diversas cidades e o escoamento superficial tem sido uma das causas primárias de degradação dos recursos hídricos devido à poluição difusa, além das fontes pontuais, como efluentes domésticos e industriais. A Concentração Média do Evento (CME) tem sido muito utilizada para caracterizar a poluição difusa gerada no escoamento superficial durante o evento de precipitação, além de ser empregada como parâmetro de entrada na estimativa de carga de origem difusa por meio de modelos hidrológicos. Este estudo se dedicou especialmente à avaliação de como a CME influencia a estimativa de cargas difusas quando parâmetro de entrada para modelos hidrológicos. Para isso, além de atividades de campo visando à confecção de modelos de previsão da CME com base em dados reais de uma bacia hidrográfica urbana (Mineirinho, São Carlos, SP) em resposta a eventos chuvosos, buscou-se ajustar, à realidade brasileira, um modelo consagrado para estimativa de cargas difusas e aplicado principalmente em países com clima temperado. Os resultados desta pesquisa mostraram que, em geral, os valores de CME observados são de 2 a 12 vezes maiores que os encontrados na literatura internacional. Em comparação com estudos nacionais, observou-se uma variação nos dados encontrados dependendo das características da bacia hidrográfica monitorada. Além disso, ao adequar o modelo hidrológico L-THIA às características locais, verificou-se um aumento na estimativa da carga de origem difusa quando se utilizavam dados locais. Por fim, com base nas análises realizadas neste estudo, foi possível verificar que os valores de CME que melhor representam as características da bacia hidrográfica do Mineirinho são: nitrogênio total Kjeldahl 6,19 mg.L-1, fósforo total 1,00 mg.L-1, sólidos suspensos totais 870 mg.L-1, chumbo 0,78 mg.L-1, cobre 0,09 mg.L-1 e zinco 0,34 mg.L-1. Reforça-se, portanto, a necessidade de estudos locais para análise da poluição difusa para o planejamento de ações de mitigação de poluição difusa no Brasil. / Surface water has been impacted in several cities and surface runoff has been one of the primary causes of degradation of this resource due to nonpoint source pollution besides the point sources, like domestic effluents and industries. The Event Mean Concentration (EMC) has been widely used to characterize the diffuse pollution generated in the surface runoff during the precipitation event, and it is still used as input parameter in hydrological models that seek to estimate diffuse load. This study focused particularly on the evaluation of how the EMC influences the estimation of diffuse loads as input parameter for hydrological models. To that end, in addition to field activities for the preparation of EMC forecast models based on real data from a river basin in response to rainy events, we attempted to adjust to the Brazilian reality a well-established model for estimating diffuse loads and mainly applied in countries with temperate climate. The results of this research showed that, overall, the EMC observed values are from 2 to 12 times higher than those found in the international literature. Compared with national studies, a variation was observed in the data found depending on the characteristics of the monitored watershed. In addition, when adapting the L-THIA hydrological model to local characteristics, there was an increase in the diffuse source load estimate when using local data. Finally, based on the analyzes carried out in this study, it was possible to verify that the EMC values which best represent the characteristics of the Mineirinho river basin are: Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen 6.19 mg.L-1, Total Phosphorous 1.00 mg.L-1, Total Suspended Solids 870 mg.L-1, Lead 0.78 mg.L-1, Copper 0.09 mg.L-1 and Zinc 0.34 mg.L-1. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out local studies to analyze diffuse pollution in order to create a more solid basis for the planning of mitigation actions to control diffuse pollution in Brazil.

Sewage misconnections currently pose severe threats to water quality especially in urban areas in the UK. These misconnections lead to the discharge of untreated wastewater into receiving watercourses via surface water outfalls. Regular discharges from this source could lead to these watercourses failing to meet standards set by the Water Framework Directives. Despite the impacts resulting from this urban diffuse pollutant source, research into this area is limited. The study area is the River Lee, which is known to experience issues with water quality especially within the heavily urbanized lower Lee section. Misconnections are one of the major contributors to the poor water quality status of the River. In this study, the Lee was investigated using several parameters. The approach involved the monitoring of coliform bacteria to detect outfalls where misconnections were likely, then biofilm samples below selected outfalls were used for both clean and polluted sites to look for community types. Results showed severe pollution within some sections of the River particularly within the lower Lee. Pymmes Brook was used as a case study, both coliform bacteria and biofilm communities below outfalls were further investigated for clean and polluted sites. Results from the Pymmes Brook study also showed that this watercourse was experiencing severe issues with water quality, with elevated levels of coliform bacteria identified below polluted outfalls. Biofilm community data obtained during the pilot and experimental phases of study were analyzed using a range of multivariate techniques. Results of the analysis showed consistent x patterns in community structure within sites with similar water quality, with indicator species identified. Communities below polluted outfalls were composed mainly of species tolerant of organic pollution thus indicating a response of communities to misconnection discharges. Currently, the identification of misconnections are carried out through trackbacks, a process which is expensive and time consuming. During this study an inexpensive and rapid approach is proposed for assessing misconnections within a catchment. Using this method, misconnection hotspots are mapped out using coliform bacteria and biofilm communities. Using catchment data and predicted coliform bacteria from enumerated counts, misconnections within these hotspots are assessed. Having tested this approach on Pymmes Brook, a tributary of the River Lee, the results obtained were promising. Pending further verification, this system provides an economical and rapid tool for the assessment of misconnections within a catchment.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:00:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6130.pdf: 2869136 bytes, checksum: 7b897b70a9098d8c22f48d18aeb83c6a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-06-09 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / A math model was applied to describe the removal of particulate matter in lawn canal built in real scale. For this purpose different initial concentrations (Co) of particulate matter were investigated, as following: 65; 131; 196; 262 and 327 mg/L. The investigated rains, containing suspended solids, were discharged on the channel which has 100 m in length and slope of 2 %. Measurements were made of particulate material through the analysis of turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS) in 26 locations along the length of the channel. The experimental data were fit to the model using nonlinear regression parameter (kd) and (C*), which correspond to the decay kinetics constant and minimum limiting values the curve removal, respectively. Fractions removed and mathematical adjustment were assessed and performed for each isolated event and also for the result set. On average, the magnitude of the relative error ranged from 0.83% to 5.11%, with the highest average value obtained for the lowest concentration of particulate matter (65 mg L- 1). Regarding the values obtained for the decay constants (kd ), which represent the frequency of removal of particulate matter, it is noted that the same trends to a minimum value for the higher initial concentrations of particles (Co) . This fact indicates that the higher the initial concentration of particulate matter (Co), the greater the extent of travel required for its removal, with a maximum observed at around 80 m, for concentrations above 196 mg.L-1. / Neste trabalho, buscou-se avaliar e modelar matematicamente, por meio de modelo fenomenológico, a remoção de material particulado em canal gramado construído em escala real. Para tal, foram investigadas diferentes concentrações iniciais (Co) de material particulado: 65; 131; 196; 262 e 327 mg/L, os quais foram descarregados por meio de chuvas simuladas em canal de 100 m de extensão e declividade de 2%. As medidas de material particulado foram feitas por meio da turbidez e da análise de sólidos suspensos totais (SST), em 26 posições ao longo do comprimento do canal. Os dados experimentais foram ajustados ao modelo por meio de regressão não linear dos parâmetros (k) e (C*), os quais correspondem à constante cinética de decaimento e ao valor mínimo assintótico a curva de remoção, respectivamente. As frações removidas e o ajuste matemático foram avaliados e realizados para cada evento isolado e, também, para o conjunto de resultados. Em termos médios, o módulo do erro relativo variou entre 0,83% e 5,11%, sendo o maior valor médio obtido para a menor concentração de material particulado investigado (65 mg.L-1). Em relação aos valores obtidos para as constantes de decaimento (kd), as quais representam a frequência de remoção de material particulado, verifica-se que a mesma tende a um valor mínimo para as maiores concentrações iniciais de material particulado (Co). Tal fato indica que, quanto maior a concentração inicial de material particulado (Co), maior a extensão de percurso requerida para sua remoção, com limite máximo observado em torno de 80 m, para concentrações acima de 196 mg.L-1.

The point and nonpoint source pollution released in rivers are the main responsible for the deterioration of the surface water quality. This study aimed to evaluate the water quality of the Vacacai – Vacacai Mirim watershed, in sub-basins located in the city of Santa Maria – RS. In the Vacacai Mirim River, the quality of the water and surface runoff were evaluated through the monitoring of five precipitation events in Joao Goulart sub-basin. The surface runoff negatively influenced the water quality of this water body. The EMC for the analysed parameters, as well as for the transported pollutants masses varied considerably among events. The average EMC for the BOD variable (51.3 mg∙L-1) stands out. The limit established for this variable for class 2 of CONAMA Resolution 357/2005 is only 5 mg∙L-1. Furthermore, the variability of the nonpoint source pollution in Vacacai Mirim River was evaluated in five sub-basins: João Goulart, Rancho do Amaral, Alto da Colina, Menino Deus II, and Menino Deus IV through cluster and principal components analysis using data from current and previous monitoring performed in this watershed. The five sub-basins were grouped according to the water quality and predominant land use and occupation. The BOD variable was essential in the water quality characterization of all sub-basins, and for the majority of them the total coliforms, E. coli, total solids, nitrogen and phosphorus variables were also essentials. In the Vacacai and Vacacai Mirim Rivers the presence of pharmaceutical and hormonal residues was studied in two urban sub-basins with large percentage of impermeable area. In Cancela-Tamandai sub-basin, the hormone etisterone and ibuprofen and paracetamol drugs were detected. The equivalent of 30 tablets of ibuprofen and 15 of paracetamol were released in this water body, on average per day. In the João Goulart sub-basin only the drugs ibuprofen and paracetamol were detected, hence the equivalent daily average load released in this water body is 52 tablets of ibuprofen and 14.5 of paracetamol. The hormones 17β-estradiol, estriol, estrone and megestrol acetate were not detected in the studied watersheds. Therefore, there is the necessity of investments to ensure the improvement of the sewage networks and treatment of domestic effluents, as well as the solid waste collection services. Together these sources contribute to the poor water quality confirmed in this study. / As fontes de poluição pontuais e difusas lançadas nos rios são as principais responsáveis pela degradação da qualidade da água superficial. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade da água da bacia hidrográfica Vacacaí – Vacacaí Mirim, em sub-bacias localizadas no município de Santa Maria, RS. No rio Vacacaí Mirim, foi avaliada a qualidade da água e do escoamento superficial através do monitoramento de cinco eventos de precipitação na sub-bacia denominada João Goulart. O escoamento superficial impactou negativamente a qualidade da água desse corpo hídrico. As concentrações médias dos parâmetros analisados variaram consideravelmente entre os eventos, assim como as massas poluentes transportadas no curso hídrico. Destaca-se a concentração média do evento para a variável DBO, que foi 51,3 mg∙L-1, sendo que o limite estabelecido para a classe 2 da Resolução CONAMA 357/2005 é de apenas 5 mg∙L-1. Ainda no rio Vacacaí Mirim, foi avaliada a variabilidade da poluição difusa em cinco sub-bacias: João Goulart, Rancho do Amaral, Alto da Colina, Menino Deus II e Menino Deus IV por meio das análises estatísticas de agrupamento e componentes principais utilizando dados de monitoramento atual e realizados anteriormente nesta bacia. As cinco sub-bacias foram agrupadas conforme a qualidade da água e o uso e ocupação do solo predominante. A variável DBO foi importante na caracterização da qualidade da água de todas as sub-bacias, e para a maioria delas, as variáveis CT, E.coli, ST, nitrogênio e fósforo também foram importantes, pois são variáveis que descrevem a qualidade da água com elevada significância. Nos rios Vacacaí e Vacacaí Mirim foi investigada a presença de resíduos farmacêuticos e hormonais em duas sub-bacias urbanas e com grande porcentagem de área impermeável. Na sub-bacia Cancela-Tamandaí foram detectados o hormônio etisterona e os fármacos ibuprofeno e paracetamol. A partir das concentrações analisadas, estima-se que foi lançado nesse corpo hídrico, em média por dia, o equivalente a 30 comprimidos de ibuprofeno e 15 de paracetamol. Na sub-bacia João Goulart foram detectados apenas os fármacos ibuprofeno e paracetamol, sendo lançada a carga média diária equivalente a 52 comprimidos de ibuprofeno e 14,5 comprimidos de paracetamol nesse curso hídrico. Os hormônios 17 β-estradiol, estriol, estrona e acetato de megestrol nunca foram detectados nas bacias estudadas. Diante do exposto, verifica-se a necessidade de investimentos na melhoria de redes de coletas e tratamentos de efluentes domésticos, assim como os serviços de coleta de resíduos sólidos. Juntamente, essas fontes contribuem para má qualidade da água verificada nesse estudo.

As águas superficiais vêm sofrendo impactos em diversas cidades e o escoamento superficial tem sido uma das causas primárias de degradação dos recursos hídricos devido à poluição difusa, além das fontes pontuais, como efluentes domésticos e industriais. A Concentração Média do Evento (CME) tem sido muito utilizada para caracterizar a poluição difusa gerada no escoamento superficial durante o evento de precipitação, além de ser empregada como parâmetro de entrada na estimativa de carga de origem difusa por meio de modelos hidrológicos. Este estudo se dedicou especialmente à avaliação de como a CME influencia a estimativa de cargas difusas quando parâmetro de entrada para modelos hidrológicos. Para isso, além de atividades de campo visando à confecção de modelos de previsão da CME com base em dados reais de uma bacia hidrográfica urbana (Mineirinho, São Carlos, SP) em resposta a eventos chuvosos, buscou-se ajustar, à realidade brasileira, um modelo consagrado para estimativa de cargas difusas e aplicado principalmente em países com clima temperado. Os resultados desta pesquisa mostraram que, em geral, os valores de CME observados são de 2 a 12 vezes maiores que os encontrados na literatura internacional. Em comparação com estudos nacionais, observou-se uma variação nos dados encontrados dependendo das características da bacia hidrográfica monitorada. Além disso, ao adequar o modelo hidrológico L-THIA às características locais, verificou-se um aumento na estimativa da carga de origem difusa quando se utilizavam dados locais. Por fim, com base nas análises realizadas neste estudo, foi possível verificar que os valores de CME que melhor representam as características da bacia hidrográfica do Mineirinho são: nitrogênio total Kjeldahl 6,19 mg.L-1, fósforo total 1,00 mg.L-1, sólidos suspensos totais 870 mg.L-1, chumbo 0,78 mg.L-1, cobre 0,09 mg.L-1 e zinco 0,34 mg.L-1. Reforça-se, portanto, a necessidade de estudos locais para análise da poluição difusa para o planejamento de ações de mitigação de poluição difusa no Brasil. / Surface water has been impacted in several cities and surface runoff has been one of the primary causes of degradation of this resource due to nonpoint source pollution besides the point sources, like domestic effluents and industries. The Event Mean Concentration (EMC) has been widely used to characterize the diffuse pollution generated in the surface runoff during the precipitation event, and it is still used as input parameter in hydrological models that seek to estimate diffuse load. This study focused particularly on the evaluation of how the EMC influences the estimation of diffuse loads as input parameter for hydrological models. To that end, in addition to field activities for the preparation of EMC forecast models based on real data from a river basin in response to rainy events, we attempted to adjust to the Brazilian reality a well-established model for estimating diffuse loads and mainly applied in countries with temperate climate. The results of this research showed that, overall, the EMC observed values are from 2 to 12 times higher than those found in the international literature. Compared with national studies, a variation was observed in the data found depending on the characteristics of the monitored watershed. In addition, when adapting the L-THIA hydrological model to local characteristics, there was an increase in the diffuse source load estimate when using local data. Finally, based on the analyzes carried out in this study, it was possible to verify that the EMC values which best represent the characteristics of the Mineirinho river basin are: Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen 6.19 mg.L-1, Total Phosphorous 1.00 mg.L-1, Total Suspended Solids 870 mg.L-1, Lead 0.78 mg.L-1, Copper 0.09 mg.L-1 and Zinc 0.34 mg.L-1. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out local studies to analyze diffuse pollution in order to create a more solid basis for the planning of mitigation actions to control diffuse pollution in Brazil.

L'objectif général de cette thèse est axé sur l’amélioration de modèles agro-hydrologique spatialement distribués pour l’analyse d'agro-hydrosystèmes, sous contrainte de changements climatiques et anthropiques. Cette thèse est structurée autour de trois questions de recherche liées à : i) la représentation de la dynamique spatio-temporelle des systèmes de cultures pour leur utilisation en entrée de modèles agro-hydrologiques distribués ; ii) la représentation du niveau exploitation agricole et des décisions des agriculteurs dans les modèles agro-hydrologiques distribués ; iii) la capacité de ces modèles à simuler des changements climatiques et anthropiquesDes éléments de réponse à ces questions sont apportés par des approches de modélisation réalisées dans différents contextes et à différentes échelles d’espace et de temps. Ces différentes approches sont discutées en les comparant notamment avec d’autres travaux réalisés. Ces différentes études soulèvent la nécessité de développer des méthodologies permettant i) d’une part l’acquisition de données et leur intégration dans les modèles agro-hydrologiques distribués ii) et d’autre part l’amélioration de l’exploitation des simulations, notamment pour les transformer en informations pertinentes et accessibles pour les parties prenantes au niveau d’un territoire. Des perspectives, portant à la fois sur la prise en compte des incertitudes des simulations des modèles agro-hydrologiques et l’analyse de la robustesse de ces modèles, sont également considérées. / The general objective of this thesis is to improve spatially distributed agro-hydrological models for agro-hydrosystems analysis, under climatic and anthropogenic changes, in order to contribute to the identification of levers of action to mitigate effects of non-point source agricultural pollution. This thesis is structured around three research questions related to: i) the representation of spatio-temporal dynamics of cropping systems for their use as input in distributed agro-hydrological models; ii) the representation of farm level and decisions of farmers in distributed agro-hydrological models; and iii) the ability of these models to simulate climate and anthropogenic changes.Elements of response to these questions are provided by modeling approaches carried out in different contexts and at different scales of space and time. These approaches are discussed by comparing them with other works carried out. These different studies raise the need to develop methodologies allowing (i) the acquisition of data and their integration in distributed agro-hydrological models (ii) and, the improvement of the use of simulations results, in particular to transform them into relevant and accessible information for stakeholders at territorial level. Perspectives, covering both uncertainties of the simulations of the agro-hydrological models and the analysis of the robustness of these models, are also considered

La connaissance des principales sources diffuses de sédiments permettrait d'améliorer l'utilisation des ressources publiques investies dans les stratégies de gestion des sols. Les méthodes de traçage (fingerprinting) conventionnelles basées sur la composition géochimique sont laborieuses et nécessitent une préparation importante des échantillons. Cette étude visait à rechercher les sources de sédiments dans des bassins versants agricoles du Rio Grande do Sul (sud du Brésil) et d'évaluer l'utilisation des outils spectroscopiques comme technique alternative. La superficie des bassins versants étudiés est comprise entre 0,80 et 2027 km². Les sources de sédiments correspondent aux terres cultivées, aux prairies, aux chemins agricoles et aux berges des cours d'eau. L'échantillonnage des sédiments est basé sur des préleveurs automatiques pour un suivi temporel, des prélèvements de sédiments fins du lit de la rivière, et lors d'événements de pluvieux. La concentration totale des traceurs géochimiques a été mesurée dans les échantillons de sédiments et de sols. Les mesures spectrales ont été faites dans la gamme ultraviolet-visible, proche infrarouge et infrarouge moyen pour le bassin versant d'Arvorezinha. Les deux méthodes, classiques et spectroscopiques, permettent de discriminer et de fournir la contribution des sources de sédiments. L'information spectrale peut être aussi précise que les traceurs géochimiques. En outre, la combinaison de paramètres de couleur dérivés du spectre dans le visible avec traceurs géochimiques était une façon rapide et peu coûteuse pour améliorer la discrimination entre les sources et la précision des prédictions. La contribution des sources de sédiments démontrent que d'autres facteurs que proportion de l'utilisation des terres, comme la distribution de terres agricoles, les forêts et les chemins agricoles dans le paysage, jouent un rôle important dans la production de sédiments. Forêt riparienne semble être un facteur clé de l'érosion des berges des cours d'eau. L'érosion due aux chemins agricoles semble être fortement liée échelle d'observation et dépend du nombre de points ou les routes traversent le réseau hydrographique. Les terres cultivées, même lorsque cultivées sans labour (semis direct), sont encore la principale source de sédiments dans les bassins versants agricoles dans le sud du Brésil. La quantité de sédiment produite par les terres cultivées et par unité de surface qui atteint efficacement le réseau de drainage variait de 0,06 à 3,95 tonnes ha-1 an-1. Ces variations sont partiellement liées au relief et à la pente, mais elles sont essentiellement influencées par l'utilisation des terres et la gestion des sols. La quantité de sédiments provenant des terres cultivées est encore trop élevée pour des zones de faible érosivité et cultivées sans labour du sol, comme le bassin versant de Conceição (1, tonnes ha-1 an-1). Ceci, indique que des efforts supplémentaires sont encore nécessaires pour réduire l'érosion du sol. Par conséquent, il est urgent de mieux planifier l'utilisation et l'occupation des terres dans ces bassins versants, dans la mesure où les systèmes de gestion des sols utilisés par les agriculteurs sont encore inefficaces pour réduire le ruissellement et l'érosion dans les zones cultivées dans le sud du Brésil. / The knowledge of the main diffuse sources of sediment production can enhance efficiency in the use of public resources invested in management strategies that seek to mitigate sediment transfer. Conventional fingerprinting methods based on geochemical composition are timeconsuming and require critical preliminary sample preparation. In this sense, spectroscopic methods can be less labor-intensive, cheap, and viable alternative for this purpose. The present study aimed to evaluate the sediment sources in agricultural catchments from Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, and to evaluate the potential use of spectroscopy measurements as a low cost and easy alternative to fingerprinting sediment sources. The total area of the study includes five catchments as Arvorezinha, Júlio de Castilhos 1, Júlio de Castilhos 2, Conceição, and Guaporé with areas of 1.19, 0.80, 1.43, 804.3, and 2,027.2 km², respectively. Sediment sources evaluated were crop fields, grasslands, unpaved roads, and stream channels. Sediment sampling strategy included time-integrated samplers, fine-bed sediments, and storm-event sediments. The total concentrations of several geochemical tracers were estimated in sediment and source samples. Spectral measurements were made for ultraviolet-visible, near-infrared, and mid-infrared ranges only for the Arvorezinha catchment. Source ascriptions obtained by alternative methods based on spectroscopy analysis were in agreement with ascriptions from classical fingerprinting method based on geochemical composition. Spectral information can be as precise as the geochemical tracers. Besides, combining visible-based-colour to geochemical tracers was a rapid and inexpensive way to enhance discrimination between source types and to improve precision of sediment sources apportionment. Findings of sediment source apportionment demonstrate that other factors than proportion of land use, such as distribution of croplands, forests, and unpaved roads in the landscape; play an important role in sediment production. Riparian forests seems to be a key factor for stream channel erosion. Unpaved roads seems to be strongly scale-related and dependent upon the number of points were roads across directly the stream network. The crop fields, even when cultivated with no-tillage, are still the main source of sediment in agricultural catchments in southern Brazil. The amount of sediment yielded from crop fields per unit of area that actually reaches the stream outlet ranged from 0.06 to 3.95 ton ha-1 yr-1. These variations are attributed partly to the relief and slope, but land use and soil management mostly influences them. The amount of sediment originated from crop fields are still too high for low susceptible areas with no-till, as Conceição catchment (1.30 ton ha-1 yr-1), indicating that further efforts are still necessary to further reduce soil erosion. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better plan land use and occupation in these catchments, inasmuch as the soil management systems used by farmers are still inefficient to reduce runoff and erosion in areas with crops in southern Brazil. / O conhecimento das principais fontes difusas de sedimentos pode aumentar a eficiência de utilização dos recursos investidos em estratégias de gestão que visem mitigar a transferência de sedimentos aos cursos d'água. Métodos convencionais baseados na composição geoquímica ainda tem alto custo, são onerosos e demandam preparação preliminar crítica das amostras. Dessa forma, métodos espectroscópicos podem ser uma alternativa menos trabalhosa, mais rápida e viável para esse propósito. Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar a contribuição das fontes de sedimentos em bacias hidrográficas agrícolas do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, e avaliar o potencial uso da espectroscopia como uma alternativa para traçar a origem dos sedimentos. As áreas de estudo são representativas dos principais impactos da agricultura nos recursos hídricos no estado. A área total das bacias hidrográficas de Arvorezinha, Júlio de Castilhos 1, Júlio de Castilhos 2, Conceição e Guaporé é de 1,19, 0,80, 1,43, 804,3 e 2.031 km², respectivamente. As fontes de sedimento avaliadas foram lavouras, pastagens, estradas e canais da rede de drenagem. A estratégia de amostragem de sedimentos incluiu coleta com amostradores do tipo integrador no tempo, sedimento de fundo e sedimento coletado durante eventos pluviométricos. A concentração de vários traçadores geoquímicos foram estimados nas amostras de sedimento e das fontes. Análises espectroscópicas foram realizadas na região do ultravioleta-visível, infravermelho próximo e infravermelho médio na bacia hidrográfica de Arvorezinha. A contribuição das fontes estimadas pelos métodos espectroscópicos foram similares às obtidas com traçadores geoquímicos. Além disso, a combinação de parâmetros de cor derivados da faixa espectral do visível pode ser uma alternativa rápida e de baixo custo para melhorar a discriminação das fontes e aumentar a precisão das predições. Os resultados demonstram que outros fatores além da proporção do uso do solo são importantes na produção do sedimento, como a distribuição das lavouras, florestas e estradas na paisagem. As florestas ripárias exercem um fator chave na erosão dos canais de drenagem. As estradas parecem ser fortemente dependentes da escala e do número de pontos em que cruzam os canais de drenagem. As lavouras, mesmo cultivadas sob plantio direto, ainda são as principais fontes de sedimentos nas bacias hidrográficas rurais do sul do Brasil. A quantidade de sedimento produzida nas lavouras que atinge a rede fluvial variou de 0.06 a 3.95 ton ha-1 ano-1. Essa variação é devida em parte às condições naturais intrínsecas de relevo e fortemente influenciada pelo uso e manejo do solo. A quantidade de sedimento erodida das lavouras ainda são muito elevadas para áreas de baixa susceptibilidade à erosão manejadas sob plantio direto, como na bacia hidrográfica do Conceição (1.30 ton ha-1 ano-1), indicando que maiores esforços ainda são necessários para reduzir a erosão do solo. Existe uma necessidade urgente de planejar a utilização e ocupação da terra nessas bacias, uma vez que os sistemas de manejo do solo utilizados pelos agricultores ainda são ineficientes para reduzir a erosão nas lavouras no sul do Brasil.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] La contaminación del agua representa un desafío ambiental crítico a nivel global y en la Unión Europea (UE), particularmente en la región mediterránea de España. El crecimiento poblacional, la demanda creciente de alimentos y combustibles, junto con el cambio climático, intensifican la contaminación por nutrientes en los cuerpos de agua. Esta contaminación amenaza la calidad del agua y los ecosistemas acuáticos, así como la salud humana. La complejidad de las vías de transporte de nutrientes hace que su monitoreo y mitigación sean complicados. Se requieren modelos integrales que vinculen procesos y relaciones de causa y efecto para controlar eficazmente la contaminación. En la región mediterránea, como la Demarcación Hidrográfica del Júcar (DHJ), la interacción entre agua superficial y subterránea es clave, pero los modelos tradicionales presentan limitaciones. Esta tesis aborda estos desafíos al caracterizar la contribución de nutrientes a las masas de agua superficiales de la DHJ, evaluar medidas de reducción de la contaminación, considerando el cambio climático a largo plazo y aplicar técnicas de aprendizaje supervisado para predecir la concentración de nitratos. El acoplamiento de modelos hidrológicos y de calidad del agua, junto con el aprendizaje automático, ofrece una comprensión profunda y valiosa de los factores detrás de la contaminación por nutrientes y proporciona una base sólida para la toma de decisiones y la gestión sostenible del agua en la DHJ y regiones similares. Esta tesis fue estructurada como un compendio de tres artículos que abarcan estos desafíos. El primer artículo profundiza en la compleja interacción entre las aguas superficiales y las subterráneas en las cuencas de la DHJ, centrándose en la dinámica de la contaminación por nitratos. Los resultados muestran una correlación directa entre las concentraciones de nitratos en ríos y acuíferos a lo largo del eje principal de los ríos Júcar y Turia, lo cual destaca el papel fundamental de las aportaciones de agua subterránea en la contribución a los niveles de nitratos de los ríos. Además, el estudio identifica regiones aguas abajo con actividades agrícolas y urbanas intensificadas como focos de contaminación por nitratos. El segundo artículo aborda la vulnerabilidad de la calidad de las aguas superficiales al cambio climático y escenarios de reducción de la contaminación difusa y puntual en las cuencas de la DHJ a largo plazo. Los resultados indican que, en los escenarios de cambio climático, se espera que aumenten significativamente las masas de agua con un mal estado de amonio, fósforo y DBO5, y en menor proporción las masas en mal estado de nitratos. En concreto, las concentraciones medias de amonio y fósforo podrían duplicarse durante los meses de bajo caudal. Para mantener la calidad actual del agua, se requieren reducciones sustanciales de al menos el 25% de la contaminación difusa por nitratos y del 50% de las cargas puntuales de amonio, fósforo y DBO5. El tercer artículo presenta un enfoque innovador para simular la concentración de nitratos en masas de agua superficiales mediante modelos de aprendizaje automático. Aprovechando los métodos de selección de características y los algoritmos random forest (RF) y eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), el estudio logró una gran precisión en la predicción de la concentración de nitratos. Estos modelos analizaron 19 variables de entrada, que abarcan factores ecológicos, hidrológicos y ambientales, junto con datos de concentración de nitratos procedentes de estaciones de aforo de la calidad de las aguas superficiales. En particular, la investigación destaco que la localización desempeña un papel dominante, explicando el 87% de la variabilidad de los nitratos en relación con la concentración de nitrógeno y fósforo. Esta investigación destaco el potencial del aprendizaje automático en la predicción de la calidad del agua y la evaluación de riesgos. / [CA] La contaminació de l'aigua representa un desafiament ambiental crític a nivell global i a la Unió Europea (UE), particularment a la regió mediterrània d'Espanya. El creixement poblacional, la demanda creixent d'aliments i combustibles, juntament amb el canvi climàtic, intensifiquen la contaminació per nutrients en els cossos d'aigua. Aquesta contaminació amenaça la qualitat de l'aigua i els ecosistemes aquàtics, així com la salut humana. La complexitat de les vies de transport de nutrients fa que el seu monitoratge i mitigació siguin complicats. Es requereixen models integrals que vinculin processos i relacions de causa i efecte per a controlar eficaçment la contaminació. A la regió mediterrània, com la Demarcació Hidrogràfica del Xúquer (DHJ), la interacció entre aigua superficial i subterrània és clau, però els models tradicionals presenten limitacions. Aquesta tesi aborda aquests desafiaments en caracteritzar la contribució de nutrients a les masses d'aigua superficials de la DHJ, avaluar mesures de reducció de la contaminació, considerant el canvi climàtic a llarg termini i aplicar tècniques d'aprenentatge supervisat per a predir la concentració de nitrats. L'acoblament de models hidrològics i de qualitat de l'aigua, juntament amb l'aprenentatge automàtic, ofereix una comprensió profunda i valuosa dels factors darrere de la contaminació per nutrients i proporciona una base sòlida per a la presa de decisions i la gestió sostenible de l'aigua en la DHJ i regions similars. Aquesta tesi va ser estructurada com un compendi de tres articles que abasten aquests desafiaments. El primer article aprofundeix en la complexa interacció entre les aigües superficials i les subterrànies en les conques de la DHJ, centrant-se en la dinàmica de la contaminació per nitrats. Els resultats mostren una correlació directa entre les concentracions de nitrats en rius i aqüífers al llarg de l'eix principal dels rius Xúquer i Túria, la qual cosa destaca el paper fonamental de les aportacions d'aigua subterrània en la contribució als nivells de nitrats dels rius. A més, l'estudi identifica regions aigües avall amb activitats agrícoles i urbanes intensificades com a focus de contaminació per nitrats. El segon article aborda la vulnerabilitat de la qualitat de les aigües superficials al canvi climàtic i escenaris de reducció de la contaminació difusa i puntual en les conques de la DHJ a llarg termini. Els resultats indiquen que, en els escenaris de canvi climàtic, s'espera que augmentin significativament les masses d'aigua amb un mal estat d'amoni, fòsfor i DBO5, i en menor proporció les masses en mal estat de nitrats. En concret, les concentracions mitjanes d'amoni i fòsfor podrien duplicar-se durant els mesos de baix cabal. Per a mantenir la qualitat actual de l'aigua, es requereixen reduccions substancials d'almenys el 25% de la contaminació difusa per nitrats i del 50% de les càrregues puntuals d'amoni, fòsfor i DBO5. El tercer article presenta un enfocament innovador per a simular la concentració de nitrats en masses d'aigua superficials mitjançant models d'aprenentatge automàtic. Aprofitant els mètodes de selecció de característiques i els algorismes random forest (RF) i extremi Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), l'estudi va aconseguir una gran precisió en la predicció de la concentració de nitrats. Aquests models van analitzar 19 variables d'entrada, que abasten factors ecològics, hidrològics i ambientals, juntament amb dades de concentració de nitrats procedents d'estacions d'aforament de la qualitat de les aigües superficials. En particular, la recerca destaco que la localització exerceix un paper dominant, explicant el 87% de la variabilitat dels nitrats en relació amb la concentració de nitrogen i fòsfor. Aquesta recerca destaco el potencial de l'aprenentatge automàtic en la predicció de la qualitat de l'aigua i l'avaluació de riscos. / [EN] Water pollution poses a critical environmental challenge globally and in the European Union (EU), particularly in the Mediterranean region of Spain. Population growth, increasing demand for food and fuels, coupled with climate change, intensify nutrient pollution in water bodies. This pollution threatens water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and human health. The complexity of nutrient transport pathways makes monitoring and mitigation challenging. Comprehensive models that link processes and cause-and-effect relationships are required to effectively control pollution. In the Mediterranean region, such as the Júcar River Basin District (RBD), the interaction between surface and groundwater is crucial, but traditional models have limitations. This thesis addresses these challenges by characterising the contribution of nutrients to surface waters in the Júcar RBD, evaluating pollution reduction measures considering long-term climate change, and applying supervised learning techniques to predict nitrate concentrations. The coupling of hydrological and water quality models, along with machine learning, provides a deep and valuable understanding of the factors behind nutrient pollution and establishes a solid foundation for decision-making and sustainable water management in the Júcar RBD and similar regions. This thesis is structured as a compendium of three articles that encompass these challenges. The first article delves into the complex interaction between surface and groundwater in the Júcar RBD basins, focusing on nitrate pollution dynamics.The results reveal a direct linear correlation between nitrate concentrations in rivers and aquifers along the main axes of the Júcar and Turia rivers, highlighting the fundamental role of groundwater contributions to river nitrate levels. Additionally, the study identifies downstream regions with intensified agricultural and urban activities as nitrate pollution hotspots. This research not only identifies pollution sources but also offers a means to predict nitrate concentrations and assess the effectiveness of pollution prevention measures. The second article addresses the vulnerability of surface water quality to climate change and long-term diffuse and point source pollution reduction scenarios in the Júcar RBD basins. In a region where nutrient concentrations are of particular concern, the study investigates how changing climatic conditions, including rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, affect nitrate, ammonium, phosphorus, and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) levels. The results indicate that under climate change scenarios, significantly more water bodies are expected to be in poor condition for ammonium, phosphorus, and BOD5, and to a lesser extent, nitrate. Specifically, average concentrations of ammonium and phosphorus could double during low-flow months. To maintain current water quality, substantial reductions of at least 25% in diffuse nitrate pollution and 50% in point source loads of ammonium, phosphorus, and BOD5 are required. This research underscores the importance of water quality management strategies. The third article introduces an innovative approach to simulate nitrate concentrations in surface water bodies using machine learning models. Leveraging feature selection methods and artificial intelligence algorithms, including random forest (RF) and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), the study achieved high precision in predicting nitrate concentrations. These models analysed 19 input variables spanning ecological, hydrological, and environmental factors, along with nitrate concentration data from surface water quality gauging stations. In particular, the research highlighted the dominant role of location, explaining 87% of nitrate variability in relation to nitrogen and phosphorus concentration. This research showcased the potential of machine learning in water quality prediction and risk assessment. / We appreciate the help provided by the Júcar River Basin District Authority (CHJ), who gathered field data. The first author’s research was partially funded by a PhD scholarship from the food research stream of the programme “Colombia Científica—Pasaporte a la Ciencia”, granted by the Colombian Institute for Educational Technical Studies Abroad (Instituto Colombiano de Crédito Educativo y Estudios Técnicos en el Exterior, ICETEX). The authors thank the Spanish Research Agency (AEI) for the financial support to RESPHIRA project (PID2019-106322RB- 100)/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. The contributors gratefully acknowledge funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Politècnica de València / Dorado Guerra, DY. (2024). Modelización integrada con aprendizaje automático para evaluar la contaminación por nutrientes en las masas de agua actual y bajo el efecto del cambio climático. Aplicación a la Demarcación Hidrográfica del Júcar [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/202898 / Compendio

In recent years there has been an increasing awareness of the detrimental influence of diffuse sources of pollution on aquatic systems and of the integral role played by sediment in the mobilisation and transport of pollutants. The recognition of the environmental, societal and economic importance of the ecological health of aquatic environments has led to a change in emphasis regarding agricultural and environmental policy. To implement successful delivery of emerging policy requirements, there is a current need to have an enhanced understanding of the relationship between different forms of land use and sources of diffuse pollution, particularly sources of fine sediment. To understand the potential impacts of future land use changes, including environmental conservation measures on sources of sediment, it is useful to consider them within a longer-term context. This study has successfully applied the sediment source fingerprinting technique to floodplain overbank sediment cores in a retrospective study of six diverse UK river catchments with identified sediment problems. The varying estimates of relative sediment contributions from differing sources have been compared to known land use change in the study catchments over concurrent time periods, to explore any associations which might be apparent. Over the last 40 years, the increased cultivation of high erosion risk crops, such as those which are harvested late in the season (e.g. maize) and those which are sown in the autumn (e.g. winter wheat), has contributed disproportionately to the total sediment load relative to the area of land occupied by such cultivation. Increased stocking densities have resulted in increased relative sediment contributions from grassland sources, particularly intensively managed temporary grassland, but can have an even greater impact on sediment contributions derived from channel bank sources. The installation and maintenance of drainage for agriculture or for flood risk management has resulted in increased relative sediment loads from channel bank and associated sub-surface sources. Through the further development of such research, the efficacy of mitigation measures can be tested against evidence-based historic trends and those management approaches which provide identifiable improvements can be developed as best practice options for future land management targeted at reducing the negative impacts of excessive sediment ingress to river systems. The design of the source fingerprinting methodology used in this work was based on an established successful approach and this was developed further through the incorporation of a number of refinements designed to improve the robustness of the technique and expedite its implementation.