Adapting a geographical information system-based water resource management to the needs of the Romanian water authorities

Background, aim, and scope

The need for global and integrated approaches to water resources management, both from the quantitative and the qualitative point of view, has long been recognized. Water quality management is a major issue for sustainable development and a mandatory task with respect to the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive as well as the Swiss legislation. However, data modelling to develop relational databases and subsequent geographic information system (GIS)-based water management instruments are a rather recent and not that widespread trend. The publication of overall guidelines for data modelling along with the EU Water Framework Directive is an important milestone in this area. Improving overall water quality requires better and more easily accessible data, but also the possibility to link data to simulation models. Models are to be used to derive indicators that will in turn support decision-making processes. For this whole chain to become effective at a river basin scale, all its components have to become part of the current daily practice of the local water administration. Any system, tool, or instrument that is not designed to meet, first of all, the fundamental needs of its primary end-users has almost no chance to be successful in the longer term.

Materials and methods

Although based on a pre-existing water resources management system developed in Switzerland, the methodological approach applied to develop a GIS-based water quality management system adapted to the Romanian context followed a set of well-defined steps: the first and very important step is the assessment of needs (on the basis of a careful analysis of the various activities and missions of the water administration and other relevant stakeholders in water management related issues). On that basis, a conceptual data model (CDM) can be developed, to be later on turned into a physical database. Finally, the specifically requested additional functionalities (i.e. functionalities not provided by classical commercial GIS software), also identified during the assessment of needs, are developed. This methodology was applied, on an experimental basin, in the Ialomita River basin.

Results

The results obtained from this action-research project consist of a set of tangible elements, among which (1) a conceptual data model adapted to the Romanian specificities regarding water resources management (needs, data availability, etc.), (2) a related spatial relational database (objects and attributes in tables, links, etc.), that can be used to store the data collected, among others, by the water administration, and later on exploited with geographical information systems, (3) a toolbar (in the ESRI environment) offering the requested data processing and visualizing functionalities. Lessons learned from this whole process can be considered as additional, although less tangible, results.

Discussion

The applied methodology is fairly classical and did not come up with revolutionary results. Actually, the interesting aspects of this work are, on the one hand, and obviously, the fact that it produced tools matching the needs of the local (if not national) water administration (i.e. with a good chance of being effectively used in the day-to-day practice), and, on the other hand, the adaptations and adjustments that were needed both at the staff level and in technical terms.

Conclusions

This research showed that a GIS-based water management system needs to be backed by some basic data management tools that form the necessary support upon which a GIS can be deployed. The main lesson gained is that technology transfer has to pay much attention to the differences in existing situations and backgrounds in general, and therefore must be able to show much flexibility. The fact that the original objectives could be adapted to meet the real needs of the local end-users is considered as a major aspect in achieving a successful adaptation and development of water resources management tools. Time needed to setup things in real life was probably the most underestimated aspect in this technology transfer process.

Recommendations and perspectives

The whole material produced (conceptual data model, database and GIS tools) was disseminated among all river basin authorities in Romania on the behalf of the national water administration (ANAR). The fact that further developments, for example, to address water quantity issues more precisely, as envisaged by ANAR, can be seen as an indication that this project succeeded in providing an appropriate input to improve water quality in Romania on the long term.

     

Leaching behavior of some demolition wastes

Demolition wastes may be used in different civil engineering applications as road constructions, concrete, and embankments or landfill. Regardless its application, leaching tests of the waste should be carried out to assess concentrations of pollutants. Concrete, brick and mixture of concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics wastes were subject to percolation test—CEN/TS 14405, and batch test—SR EN 12457. The leachates were analyzed with respect to concentration of inorganic elements—arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, lead, selenium, zinc, fluoride, chloride and sulfate, and organic compounds (phenol index). The concentrations of elements in leachates were compared with the limit values of European regulation for the acceptance of inert wastes at landfills. Generally, the releases of inorganic species in leachates were below limits values. Some waste leachates obtained by percolation and batch test had high values for phenol index.     

Release dynamic process identification for a cement based material in various leaching conditions. Part I. Influence of leaching conditions on the release amount

In this paper we investigate at laboratory scale the influence of the liquid/solid leaching conditions on the release of different chemical species from a reference porous material obtained by solidification of PbO and CdO with Portland cement. The pH influence on the dissolution of pollutants and the initial pore solution composition (target elements: Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Pb(2+), Cd(2+), SO(4)(2-)) were assessed by applying a methodology consisting of two equilibrium leaching tests, the Acid Neutralization Capacity (ANC) and the Pore Water (PW) tests and geochemical modelling. Samples of the same material were submitted in parallel to four different dynamic leaching tests in order to determine the influence of the sample shape (monolithic or granular) and eluate hydrodynamics (instantaneous L/S ratio, eluate renewal) on the leaching of the target elements. The comparison criteria were the eluate saturation state, the cumulative release and the released flux. Generally, the eluates obtained in the tests applied on granular material were more concentrated, even saturated for the eluate pH value with respect to Ca(2+), Pb(2+) and SO(4)(2-). The consequence of the eluate saturation is the slowing down effect on the dynamic release. The highest released flux was observed for the Monolith Leaching Test (MLT) involving the highest instantaneous L/S ratio and the lowest solid/liquid exchange surface and for which no saturation was observed, except Pb(2+) and SO(4)(2-) in some eluates. The maximum cumulative released-mass was obtained for the Column Leaching Test (CLT) applied on granular material having the highest exchange surface, the lowest instantaneous L/S and a continuous input flow of the leachant. The experimental results demonstrate the significance of the liquid/solid contact type which is also a scenario specific parameter.     

Physiochemical properties influencing biomass abundance and primary production in Lake Hoare, Antarctica

The perennially ice-covered, closed basin lakes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys respond rapidly to environmental changes, especially climate. For the past 15 years, the McMurdo Dry Valleys Long-Term Ecological Research (MCM-LTER) program has monitored the physical, chemical and biological properties of the lakes in Taylor Valley. In order to better assess the physiochemical controls on the biological process within one of these lakes (Lake Hoare), we have used vertical profile data to estimate depth-dependent correlations between various lake properties. Our analyses reveal the following results. Primary production rates (PPR) are strongly correlated to light (PAR) at 12-15 m and to soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) at 8-22 m. Chlorophyll-a (CHL) is also positively correlated to PAR at 14 m and greater depths, and SRP from 15 m and greater. This preliminary statistical analysis supports previous observations that both PAR and SRP play significant roles in driving plant growth in Lake Hoare. The lack of a strong relationship between bacterial production (BP) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is an intriguing result of the analysis.     

A Simple Assay for Monitoring Cellulose in Paper-Spiked Soil

We describe a simple method for measuring cellulose in soil. We used this method to measure the recovery of shredded office paper and pure medium fiber cellulose added to a Helvetia silt loam clay soil. This method consists of solvating cellulose from soil with 77% H₂SO₄ and analysis of the cellulose recovered by the phenol-sulfuric acid carbohydrate assay. Unlike previous related methods the modifications we propose allow good recovery of cellulose (~99%) and eliminate the need to autoclave the samples. We verified this method on soil spiked with up to 12% cellulose and found a good linear relationship between the amounts of cellulose added relative to that recovered. With proper fragmentation and dilution of the acid-treated soil samples, higher concentrations can be easily measured. We propose this technique as a robust and high throughput means to monitor the degradation of cellulose in paper spiked soil.     

Optimization of uranium soil decontamination in alkaline washing using mechanical stirring and ultrasound field

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The ex situ decontamination of uranium polluted soils was performed by alkaline washing using mechanical agitation and ultrasound field. Two types of...     

Adapting a geographical information system-based water resource management to the needs of the Romanian water authorities

Background, aim, and scope

The need for global and integrated approaches to water resources management, both from the quantitative and the qualitative point of view, has long been recognized. Water quality management is a major issue for sustainable development and a mandatory task with respect to the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive as well as the Swiss legislation. However, data modelling to develop relational databases and subsequent geographic information system (GIS)-based water management instruments are a rather recent and not that widespread trend. The publication of overall guidelines for data modelling along with the EU Water Framework Directive is an important milestone in this area. Improving overall water quality requires better and more easily accessible data, but also the possibility to link data to simulation models. Models are to be used to derive indicators that will in turn support decision-making processes. For this whole chain to become effective at a river basin scale, all its components have to become part of the current daily practice of the local water administration. Any system, tool, or instrument that is not designed to meet, first of all, the fundamental needs of its primary end-users has almost no chance to be successful in the longer term.

Materials and methods

Although based on a pre-existing water resources management system developed in Switzerland, the methodological approach applied to develop a GIS-based water quality management system adapted to the Romanian context followed a set of well-defined steps: the first and very important step is the assessment of needs (on the basis of a careful analysis of the various activities and missions of the water administration and other relevant stakeholders in water management related issues). On that basis, a conceptual data model (CDM) can be developed, to be later on turned into a physical database. Finally, the specifically requested additional functionalities (i.e. functionalities not provided by classical commercial GIS software), also identified during the assessment of needs, are developed. This methodology was applied, on an experimental basin, in the Ialomita River basin.

Results

The results obtained from this action-research project consist of a set of tangible elements, among which (1) a conceptual data model adapted to the Romanian specificities regarding water resources management (needs, data availability, etc.), (2) a related spatial relational database (objects and attributes in tables, links, etc.), that can be used to store the data collected, among others, by the water administration, and later on exploited with geographical information systems, (3) a toolbar (in the ESRI environment) offering the requested data processing and visualizing functionalities. Lessons learned from this whole process can be considered as additional, although less tangible, results.

Discussion

The applied methodology is fairly classical and did not come up with revolutionary results. Actually, the interesting aspects of this work are, on the one hand, and obviously, the fact that it produced tools matching the needs of the local (if not national) water administration (i.e. with a good chance of being effectively used in the day-to-day practice), and, on the other hand, the adaptations and adjustments that were needed both at the staff level and in technical terms.

Conclusions

This research showed that a GIS-based water management system needs to be backed by some basic data management tools that form the necessary support upon which a GIS can be deployed. The main lesson gained is that technology transfer has to pay much attention to the differences in existing situations and backgrounds in general, and therefore must be able to show much flexibility. The fact that the original objectives could be adapted to meet the real needs of the local end-users is considered as a major aspect in achieving a successful adaptation and development of water resources management tools. Time needed to setup things in real life was probably the most underestimated aspect in this technology transfer process.

Recommendations and perspectives

The whole material produced (conceptual data model, database and GIS tools) was disseminated among all river basin authorities in Romania on the behalf of the national water administration (ANAR). The fact that further developments, for example, to address water quantity issues more precisely, as envisaged by ANAR, can be seen as an indication that this project succeeded in providing an appropriate input to improve water quality in Romania on the long term.

     

Numerical study of flow characteristics and pollutant dispersion using three RANS turbulence closure models

Environmental Fluid Mechanics - The flow characteristics and pollutant dispersion around building are investigated numerically using three RANS turbulence closure models, i.e. Standard...     

Novel Glycopolymers Based on d-Mannose and Methacrylates: Synthesis, Thermal Stability and Biodegradability Testing

This paper presents the synthesis, thermal stability and biodegradability of new d-mannose glycopolymers. These glycopolymers have been obtained by free radical bulk copolymerization of d-mannose based glycomonomer, 1-O-(2′-hydroxy-3′-methacryloyloxypropyl)-2,3:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-d-mannofuranose (Mm), and respectively d-mannose derived oligomer (Mo) with methyl methacrylate and respectively 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate. The chemical structures of Mm and Mo have been confirmed via FTIR, ¹H-NMR and HPLC–MS spectroscopy. The copolymerization process has been investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, which allowed calculating the activation energies by applying Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose method. The glycopolymers are thermally stable, fact assessed by TG analysis; their glass transition temperature exceeds 50 °C, so they are part of the glassy class of polymers. The biodegradability of these glycopolymers has been investigated in vitro, using pure cultures of Zymomonas mobilis and Trichoderma reesei. The glycopolymers lose up to 55 % weight in just 14 days of incubation as their surface and composition is altered by colonies of microorganisms that grow on/into them, fact demonstrated using SEM/EDX.