Submitted by Mario BC (mario@bc.ufrpe.br) on 2016-07-05T13:55:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rafaela Pereira Souza de Araujo.pdf: 684938 bytes, checksum: 1821eb46b80b10737e0fd55c576a0aae (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-05T13:55:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rafaela Pereira Souza de Araujo.pdf: 684938 bytes, checksum: 1821eb46b80b10737e0fd55c576a0aae (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-23 / One of the consequences of environmental degradation is soil salinization. In this context, it is estimated that in Brazil, of the 4.5 million hectares that are compromised by salinization, most located in the northeastern semi-arid region. A strategy to recover these degraded areas would be the insertion and proper handling of plant species such as Jatropha. Keeping in view the potential Jatropha, this study aimed to evaluate the physiological responses of seeds and Jatropha curcas L. seedlings subjected to salt stress. Two tests were performed at the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, using seeds provided by Embrapa Agroenergy. In the test I the seeds were put in germistest paper and moistened with solutions 0, 50, 75 and 100 mM NaCl and placed in germinator. We evaluated the germination percentage, germination speed index, average germination time, shoot length, root and totality, fresh and dry weight of shoot, root and analysis of organic solutes. Already for the test II after germination in washed sand, plantlets were transferred to vessels containing 12 kg of washed sand. During the acclimation period they were watered with nutrient solution ½ strength Hoagland and Arnon and water. The experimental design was composed by the imposition of the same salt solutions than those used in the test I and two evaluation periods (15 and 30 days after differentiation of treatments). We analyzed the growth, gas exchange, water relations, the content of photosynthetic pigments and organic solutes. A reduction in the emergency speed index, initial growth and carbohydrates and proline of the jatropha root. The average time of germination is increased and also the organic solutes present in the shoot at the level of 75 mM NaCl. Salinity affects the germination performance of Jatropha seeds. In general, the variables related to growth, decreased from the level of 50 mM NaCl after 15 and 30 days of salt stress. Regarding gas exchange, Stomatal closure was was observed for the same level of salinity, being more pronounced in seedlings subjected to treatments of 75 and 100 mM NaCl, from 15 days of salt stress. For water relations, there are reductions in the TRA with increasing salinity in the two times of evaluation (4 and 12h). Similarly, after 30 days of salt stress, it was found reductions in photosynthetic pigments and chlorophyll content in all evaluated saline treatments. Regarding organic solutes, the levels of carbohydrates and amino acids in the leaves and roots were affected by salinity mainly in the levels of 75 and 100 mM NaCl, since proline was not indicative of stress for the species under study. Jatropha plants when subjected to salinity up to 100 mM NaCl has committed its initial development, but the species does not paralyze their growth. / Uma das consequências resultantes do processo de degradação ambiental é a salinização do solo. Nesse contexto, estima-se que no Brasil, dos 4,5 milhões de hectares que estejam comprometidos pela salinização, a maioria localiza-se na região do semiárido nordestino. Uma estratégia para recuperação dessas áreas degradadas seria a inserção e manejo adequado de espécies vegetais, tais como o pinhão manso. Tendo em vista as potencialidades do pinhão manso, a presente pesquisa objetivou avaliar as respostas fisiológicas em sementes e mudas de Jatropha curcas L. submetidas ao estresse salino. Dois ensaios foram realizados na Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, utilizando sementes fornecidas pela Embrapa Agroenergia. No ensaio I as sementes foram postas em papel germistest e umedecida com soluções de 0, 50, 75 e 100 mM de NaCl e acondicionadas em germinador. Avaliou-se a porcentagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, tempo médio de germinação, comprimento da parte aérea, da raiz e total, matéria fresca e seca da parte aérea, raiz e análises dos solutos orgânicos. Já para o ensaio II, após a germinação em areia lavada, as plântulas foram transferidas para vasos contendo 12 Kg de areia lavada. Durante o período de aclimatação estas foram regadas com solução nutritiva a ½ força de Hoagland e Arnon e com água. O delineamento experimental foi composto pela imposição das mesmas soluções salinas que as utilizadas no ensaio I e dois períodos de avaliação (15 e 30 dias após a diferenciação dos tratamentos). Analisou-se o crescimento, as trocas gasosas, as relações hídricas, os teores de pigmentos fotossintéticos e os solutos orgânicos. Verificou-se redução no índice de velocidade de emergência, no crescimento inicial e nos carboidratos e prolina da raiz de pinhão manso. Já o tempo médio de germinação é aumentado e também os solutos orgânicos presentes na parte aérea no nível de 75 mM de NaCl. A salinidade compromete o desempenho germinativo de sementes de pinhão manso. De forma geral, as variáveis relacionadas ao crescimento, apresentaram redução a partir do nível de 50 mM de NaCl após 15 e 30 dias de estresse salino. Em relação às trocas gasosas, o fechamento estomático foi constatado para este mesmo nível de salinidade, sendo mais acentuado nas mudas submetidas aos tratamentos de 75 e 100 mM de NaCl, a partir de 15 dias de estresse salino. Para as relações hídricas, verificam-se reduções no TRA com o aumento da salinidade nos dois horários de avaliação (4 e 12h). Da mesma forma, após 30 dias de estresse salino, constatouse reduções nos pigmentos fotossintéticos e no índice de clorofila em todos os tratamentos salinos avaliados. Com relação aos solutos orgânicos, os teores de carboidratos e aminoácidos nas folhas e raízes foram afetados pela salinidade principalmente nos níveis de 75 e 100 mM de NaCl, já a prolina não foi um indicativo de estresse para a espécie em estudo. Plantas de pinhão manso quando submetidas à salinidade de até 100 mM de NaCl tem seu desenvolvimento inicial comprometido, entretanto a referida espécie não paralisa seu crescimento.

Submitted by (lucia.rodrigues@ufrpe.br) on 2016-08-17T12:15:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcio Flequisson Alves Miranda.pdf: 1217281 bytes, checksum: bd45c2f7f20927f1da595dfd05965a6a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-17T12:15:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcio Flequisson Alves Miranda.pdf: 1217281 bytes, checksum: bd45c2f7f20927f1da595dfd05965a6a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-20 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / In Northeastern Brazil, in recent decades, with the increase of irrigation using in irrigated perimeters, often with inadequate management to local conditions, the soil salinization and sodification processes have intensified, promoting degradation and abandonment of large areas previously productive. Thus, we carried out a field survey to investigate the soil degradation in irrigated perimeter situated in the municipality of Custodia, semiarid region in Pernambuco, Brazil. Firstly were identified areas with degraded soils by salts excess, and also was done the experiment assembly with the intent to recover those areas through the application of organic and chemicals compounds, besides the technique of phytoremediation with Atriplex nummularia. For that, soil samples were taken in all 55 plots that make up the perimeter in the 0-10, 10-30 and 30-60 cm layers for the soils physical and chemical characterization, and chemical analyzes of the water used on the perimeter during periods of July/2009, January/2010, July/2010 and January/2011. After the selection of the degraded area into the irrigated perimeter, was mounted an experiment to recover the degraded soil by the evaluation of the treatments: 1) planting of Atriplex nummularia Lindl, 2) application of bovine manure, 3) sheep manure, 4) polymer, 5) gypsum and 6) control (witness). Four samples were taken, the first being at the same time of the experiment assembly (October 2009). After that, three more samples were taken, at six (April 2010), twelve (October 2010) and eighteen months (April 2011) after experiment assembly. Soil samples were collected at 0-10, 10-30 and 30-60 cm depth for the chemical analyzes. To evaluate the physical properties, soil samples were collected in the first (October 2009) and in the last (April 2011) collection at 0-10 and 10-30 cm layers. Were monitored the soil attributes in relation to treatment application with respect to time. The soils of the irrigated perimeter from Custódia are in the process of degradation and need to have their properties monitored over time to prevent its development. Among the cations evaluated, soluble and exchangeable Na+ was what was in higher concentrations, followed by the Cl- and by the RAS variable, besides increasing the PST in depth. The phytoremediation technique was effective in improving the soils quality and the application of sheep manure and polyacrylamide based polymer also acted positively in improving the quality of soil chemistry and physics. / Na Região Nordeste do Brasil, nas últimas décadas, com o incremento da irrigação em perímetros irrigados, muitas vezes com manejo inadequado às condições locais, os processos de salinização e sodificação de solos têm se intensificado, promovendo a degradação e abandono de extensas áreas anteriormente produtivas. Assim, realizou-se o levantamento da situação de degradação do Perímetro Irrigado de Custódia, no Sertão de Pernambuco, onde foram identificadas áreas com problemas de excesso de sais, seguindo-se de montagem de experimento para recuperação de uma dessas áreas, através da aplicação de compostos orgânicos e químicos, além da técnica da fitorremediação com Atriplex nummularia. Para isso, foram realizadas amostragens de solos em todos os 55 lotes que compõem o perímetro nas profundidades de 0-10, 10-30 e 30-60 cm para a caracterização física e química dos solos, além das análises químicas das águas utilizadas no perímetro nos períodos de Julho/2009, Janeiro/2010, Julho/2010 e Janeiro/2011. Após seleção de área degradada do perímetro, foi montado experimento de recuperação do solo testando-se os tratamentos: 1) plantio de Atriplex nummularia Lindl, 2) aplicação de esterco bovino, 3) esterco ovino, 4) polímero, 5) gesso e 6) controle (testemunha). Foram realizadas quatro amostragens, sendo a primeira no momento da montagem do experimento (Outubro de 2009), aos seis (Abril de 2010), aos doze (Outubro de 2010) e aos dezoito meses (Abril de 2011). As amostras de solo foram coletadas nas camadas de 0-10, 10-30 e 30-60 cm de profundidade para realização das análises químicas. Para a realização das análises físicas do solo coletaram-se amostras de solo na primeira coleta (Outubro de 2009) e na ultima (Abril de 2011) nas profundidades de 0-10 cm e 10-30 cm. Foram monitorados os atributos do solo com a aplicação dos tratamentos em função do tempo. Os solos do Perímetro Irrigado de Custódia encontram-se em processo de degradação e precisam ter suas propriedades monitoradas ao longo do tempo para evitar sua evolução. Entre os cátions avaliados, o Na+ solúvel e trocável foi o que esteve em concentrações mais elevadas, seguido pelo Cl- e pela variável RAS, além do aumento da PST em profundidade. A técnica da fitorremediação foi efetiva na melhoria da qualidade dos solos estudados e a aplicação do esterco ovino e do polímero a base de poliacrilamida também atuaram positivamente na melhoria da qualidade química e física do solo.

Les eaux souterraines représentent environ 98% des eaux douces potentiellement disponibles pour l'homme sur notre planète, en faisant donc une ressource fondamentale de nos sociétés. Du fait du changement climatique et du fort lien existant entre le climat et le cycle de l'eau, une préoccupation légitime est née concernant l'impact potentiel de ce changement climatique sur les ressources en eau. À ce jour, des évidences de plus en plus nombreuses appuient le fait que les modifications des conditions climatiques se répercutent sur le cycle hydrologique. L'identification de la sensibilité des eaux souterraines aux variations climatiques est donc devenue indispensable. Or, le climat est un système hautement complexe dont les variations, contrôlées par de nombreux facteurs à la fois naturels et anthropiques s'effectuent sur toutes les échelles de temps. Les modifications climatiques ne sont donc pas un phénomène nouveau, les eaux souterraines ont par conséquent subi dans le passé les effets de ces variations climatiques, elles en subissent actuellement les changements et subiront celles à venir. Les travaux développés dans cette thèse ont abordé cette problématique visant à caractériser la sensibilité de la ressource en souterraine face aux variations climatiques. À l'aide de l'analyse de traceurs environnementaux à l'échelle régionale, les impacts d'évènements climatiques majeurs intervenus sur les derniers millions d'années (transgression marine et période glaciaire) sont mis en évidence au sein du système hydrogéologique actuel. Puis, à l'aide de modélisation hydrogéologique, l'impact du changement climatique est étudié à travers les relations particulières existantes entre l'eau souterraine et les compartiments de surface et l'océan. Toutes ces études mettent en avant la sensibilité de la ressource en eau souterraine aux variations climatiques en termes de qualité (salinisation) et de quantité (baisse des niveaux d'eau). Les ressources hydrogéologiques sont particulièrement sensibles aux variations climatiques et hydrologiques (modifications de recharge, intrusions eau de mer…) ainsi qu'aux facteurs non climatiques (activités humaines). La gestion de cette ressource nécessite donc de considérer à la fois les risques climatiques et non climatiques ainsi que de prendre en compte l'adaptation à long terme de ces systèmes. / Groundwater resources represent approximately 98% of global freshwater resources available for humans on our planet; therefore groundwater is fundamental resource of our societies. Due to climate change and strong link between climate and the cycle of water, an understandable concern is appeared about the potential impacts of climate change on water resources. Nowadays, growing body of evidence supports the fact that changes in climatic conditions (temperature, precipitation, evaporation…) impact the hydrologic cycle and consequently groundwater resources. The identification of groundwater sensibility to climate variations has become essential. The climate is a highly complex system where its variations drive by many factors both natural and human occurs on all time scales. Climatic changes are not a new phenomenon, groundwater resources have already been impacted by effects of climatic variations, are impacting presently and will be in the future. The work carried out under this thesis covered this problematic to characterize the groundwater resources sensibility to climate variations. With the help of environmental tracers analyzed at the regional scale, impacts of major climate events occurred since the last millions years (marine transgression and glacial period) have been identified in the current hydrogeologic system. Then, support by hydrogeological modeling the impact of climate change has been studied through the specific relationships between groundwater and surface water bodies and ocean. All these studies highlight the important sensibility of groundwater resources to climate variations in terms of quality (salinization) and quantity (lower water levels). Hydrogeological resources are particularly sensitive to climate and hydrological variations (recharge changes, seawater intrusion…), as well as to non-climatic factors (human activities). Thus groundwater resources management needs to consider both climatic and non-climatic risks and the long-term adaptation of these systems.

Increased salinity in freshwater systems – also called the Freshwater Salinization Syndrome (FSS) – can have far-ranging implications for the natural and built environment, agriculture, and public health at large. Such risks are clearly on display in the Occoquan Reservoir – a drinking water source for roughly one million people in the northern Virginia/ National Capital Region. Sodium concentrations in the Occoquan Reservoir are approaching levels that can affect taste and health. The Reservoir is also noteworthy as a flagship example of indirect potable reuse, which further adds complexity to understanding the sources of rising levels of sodium and other types of salinity. To help understand the role residential discharges might play in salinization of the Occoquan Reservoir, a suite of laundry detergent products was identified based upon survey data collected in the northern Virginia region. The ionic compositions of these products were then characterized using ion chromatography and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry to quantify select ionic and elemental analytes. Sodium, chloride, and sulfate were consistently found in appreciable amounts. To comparatively characterize the laundry detergents, principal component analysis was employed to identify clusters of similar products. The physical formulation of the products was identified as a marker for their content, with dry formulations (free-flowing and encapsulated powders) being more enriched in sodium and sulfate. This result was corroborated by comparing nonparametric bootstrap intervals for individual analytes. The study's findings suggest an opportunity wherein consumer choice can play a role in mediating residential salt inputs in receiving bodies such as the Occoquan Reservoir. / Master of Science / Many streams, rivers, and other freshwater systems have become increasingly salty in recent decades. A rise in salinity can be problematic, stressing aquatic life, corroding pipes, and even enhancing the release of more pollutants into the water. This phenomenon, called Freshwater Salinization Syndrome, can threaten such systems' ability to serve as sources of drinking water, as is the case for the Occoquan Reservoir in northern Virginia. Serving roughly one million people, the Reservoir is notable for being one of the first in the country to purposely incorporate highly treated wastewater upstream of a drinking water supply. Despite the Reservoir's prominence, the reasons behind its rising salt levels are not well understood. This study sought to understand the role that individual residences could play when household products travel down the drain and are ultimately discharged into the watershed. Laundry detergents are potentially high-salt products. A survey of northern Virginian's laundry habits was conducted to understand local tastes and preferences. Informed by the survey, a suite of laundry detergents was chemically characterized to measure salt and element concentrations. The detergents were found to have notable amounts of sodium, chloride, and sulfate in particular, with sodium being the most abundant analyte in every detergent. However, not all detergents were equally salty; statistical tools revealed that dry formulations (such as powdered and powder-filled pak detergents) contributed more sodium and sulfate, among other things. This study's findings suggest that laundry detergents could be contributing to Freshwater Salinization Syndrome in the Occoquan Reservoir, and that local consumers' choice of detergents could make a difference.

The Kat River is an agricultural catchment that drains salt rich geology. Potential salinity impacts on ecological condition of the river were investigated. Monthly salt concentrations and flow discharges were monitored at ten sites along the Kat River below the Kat Dam. Monthly salt loads were computed to relate salinity to land use and ionic data used to assess the toxicity of major salts using the TIMS model. Concentration duration curves for sodium chloride were derived from flow concentration relationships, representing sodium chloride concentrations to which the aquatic ecosystem had been exposed. The ecological condition was assessed at nineteen sites using SASS5 biotic index over four seasons. Finally, the modelled instream salt concentrations and bioasessments were evaluated in terms of the modelled level of species protection afforded at different salt concentrations. Species Sensitivity Distributions (SSDs) were used for this exercise. There was a general downstream increase in salinity with the minimum concentrations recorded at the Fairbain tributary (84 mg/L) and maximum levels at the sewage outfall in Fort Beaufort (1222 mg/L). There was evidence that citrus irrigation upstream of Fort Beaufort increased salinisation. Sodium chloride, and to a lesser extent magnesium sulphate, were the dominant salts in the Kat River catchment, with the latter being more toxic. However these had little or no impact on the aquatic ecosystem. Flow-derived sodium chloride concentrations showed that both the Balfour and Blinkwater tributaries were in a fair/ poor condition. However with regard to ecological condition, it was demonstrated that the river is generally in a good state except for the Blinkwater River and the lower catchment. Degraded habitat condition at the Blinkwater was responsible for poor ecological condition. Integrating SSD derived classes, sodium chloride classes and ecological condition indicated that sodium chloride is a driver of ecological condition at the sewage treatment works and the subsequent site (only two of nineteen biomonitoring sites).

Vertisols cover a hydrologically very significant area of semi-arid regions, and thus understanding of water flow and solute accumulation is very relevant to agricultural activity and water resources management. Previous works suggest a conceptual model of desiccation-crack-induced salinization where salinization of sediment in deep section of the vadose zone (up to 4 m) is induced by subsurface evaporation due to convective air flow in desiccation cracks. This thesis presents a conceptual model of water flow and solute transport in vertisols, and its numerical implementation. The model uses a single-porosity material but unconventionally prescribes a boundary condition representing a deep crack in soil and uses the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity as one of the fitting parameters. The numerical model is bound to one location close to a dairy farm waste pond, but the application of the suggested conceptual model could be possibly extended to all semi-arid regions with vertisols. Simulations were conducted using several modelling approaches with an ultimate goal of fitting the simulation results to the controlling variables measured in the field: water content, and chloride salinity of pore water. The development of the model was engineered in numerous steps; all computed as forward solutions by...

A field-based project was undertaken to develop and test a mechanism which would allow for the correlation of the health of vegetation surrounding playa lakes in south-west Australia with the natural variation in salinity and waterlogging that occurs spatially and temporally in natural systems. The study was designed to determine threshold ranges of vegetation communities using moderately extensive data over short temporal periods which will guide the design of potential engineering solutions that manipulate hydrological regimes to ultimately conserve and protect native vegetation. A pair of playa lake ecosystems, surrounded by primary production land, was modelled with hydro-geological data collected from March 2006 to March 2007. The data was used to determine the hydroperiods of vegetation communities fringing playa lakes and provide insight into the areas and species that are most affected by extreme rainfall events which are hypothesised to have a significant, rapid deleterious effect on the ecosystems. The methodology was multi-faceted and included; a detailed topographical survey; vegetation surveys; hydrological and hydro-geological monitoring over a 12 month period. 4 The hydro-geological data and vegetation data was linked with the topographical survey at a high resolution for spatial analysis in a Geographic Information System (GIS) to determine the degree of waterlogging experienced by vegetation communities over the monitoring period. The study has found that the spatial and temporal variability of hydroperiods has been reduced by rising groundwater levels, a result of extensive clearing of native vegetation. Consequently populations are becoming extinct locally resulting in a shift in community composition. Extreme summer rainfall events also have a significant impact on the health of vegetation communities by increasing the duration of waterlogging over an annual cycle and in some areas expanding the littoral zone. Vegetation is most degraded at lower positions in the landscape where communities are becoming less diverse and dominated by salt tolerant halophytic species as a result of altered hydrological regimes. Some species appear to be able to tolerate groundwater depths of less than 2.0 m from the surface, however there are thresholds related to the duration at which groundwater is maintained at this depth. Potential engineering solutions include groundwater pumping and diverting water through drains to maintain sustainable hydroperiods for vegetation in areas with conservation value. The effectiveness and efficiency of the engineering solutions can be maximised by quantifying thresholds for vegetation that include sustainable durations of waterlogging. The study has quantified tolerance ranges to salinity and waterlogging with data collected over 12 months but species may be experiencing a transition period where they have 5 sustained irreversible damage that will result in their eventual mortality. With long-term monitoring, the methodology developed and tested in the study can be used to quantify the long-term tolerance ranges that are important for the application of conservation approaches that include engineering solutions.

Title page, table of contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / Transient salinity in soils is characterised by high concentrations of salts in the subsoil. Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. Var. durum) is less tolerant of transient salinity than locally developed bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties, and this results in reliable durum production being restricted to relatively unaffected soils. Field trials were conducted to assess the relative impact of transient salinity, boron toxicity and bicarbonate on crop production and highlighted the importance of combining tolerance to all three subsoil constraints into varieties intended for widespread adoption; and if the area of durum production is to be expanded. The Na exclusion locus from the landrace Na49 was found to improve the adaptation of durum to sites affected by transient salinity and is now being intogressed into a wide range of breeding material. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1152134 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture and Wine, 2005

Alternative grazing systems and pasture types for wool production in the south west of Western Australia were analysed using bio-economic modelling techniques in order to determine their relative productivity and profitability. After reviewing the experimental and modelling literature on perennial pastures and grazing systems, seven case studies of farmers were conducted in order to investigate the practical application of innovative grazing systems and use of perennial pastures. Together these case studies provided information for identifying relevant variables and for calibrating the modelling work which followed. The core of the work lies in a bio-economic model for investigating the comparative value of the three grazing systems and two pasture families mentioned above. A baseline scenario using currently available and reliable scientific data provides baseline results, after which a number of sensitivity analyses provide further insights using variations of four key parameters: persistence, heterogeneity, water soluble carbohydrates, and increased losses. Results show that perennial pastures are in the studied region more profitable than annual pastures. Under current baseline conditions, continuous grazing with perennial pastures is the most profitable enterprise, but this superiority is not robust under parameter variations defined by other scenarios. The more robust solution in terms of enterprise profitability is cell grazing with perennial pastures. The results indicate that intensive grazing systems such as cell grazing have the potential to substantially increase the profitability of grazing operations on perennial pasture. This result is an encouraging one in light of its implications for water uptake and salinity control. It means that economics and land care can go hand in hand, rather than be competitive. It is to be noted that it is the choice of the grazing system in combination with the pasture species, rather then the pasture species itself, that allows for such complementarity between economics and sustainable land use. This research shows that if farmers adopt practices such as cell grazing they may be able to increase the area that they can profitably plant to perennial pasture thus reducing the impacts of dryland salinity. This finding is consistent with the findings of the case studies where the farmers perceived that, provided grazing was planned, increasing the intensity of their grazing management and the perenniallity of their pastures would result in an increase in the profitability of their grazing operation. As a result this research helps to bridge a gap which has existed in this area of research, between the results of scientific research and those reported in practice.

[Truncated abstract] The Collie River drainage basin is an important water resource catchment in southwestern Australia. Salinisation of a major water supply within the catchment, the Wellington Reservoir, has arisen due to changes in the water and salt balance in response to land clearing over saprolite aquifers. Paired catchment studies, the Collie Experimental Catchments (CECs), established in the early 1970’s in high and low rainfall areas increased our understanding of water and salt (predominantly chloride) movement in these aquifers through the collection and analysis of high resolution spatio-temporal data. However, the conceptual models developed from this work take little account of landscape heterogeneity, and this has caused problems in subsequent modelling studies, where success in calibrating stream flow has been countered by difficulties in predicting salt loads. The challenge remains to better describe variability in the Collie landscape and understand the influence of climate, vegetation, geology and geomorphology on observed water and salt fluxes. The release of salt from the lower saprolite aquifer and the role of the surficial aquifer in buffering groundwater discharge were investigated. The acquisition, analysis and interpretation of new regolith and geophysical data in 2001-2003 from the CECs, together with data from a high resolution digital elevation model, and existing drilling information, were used to construct a geologicalgeomorphological compartment framework, to observe changes in aquifer behaviour ... Significant differences in the salt flux from compartments have been noted at a range of scales, with implications for both water resource and land management. The approach developed to identify compartments and assess their efficiency could be simplified, using catchment critical parameters determined from geological and geomorphological characteristics. As a consequence, the implementation of a compartment framework in catchments with saprolite aquifers should allow for more informed decisions to be made in the selection of sites for revegetation strategies or the development of engineering works. This is particularly important in the Collie Catchment where reclamation scenarios are currently being discussed. Consideration of the catchment as a compartmentalised system would help manage salt loads in the Collie River and return the Wellington Reservoir to a functional water resource.