Water, Landfills, and Environmental Impacts: Resource Analysis
Water Resources and Availability
Water resources are not fully exploitable in a watershed. Some rainwater flows to the sea or is lost through evaporation or infiltration into hard-to-reach aquifers. Total water resources are the volume of water a basin receives annually. Available water resources are the amount that can be used for industrial, agricultural, etc. purposes.
The relationship between total and available water varies by basin, mainly due to weather. Northern basins generally have more water than southern ones.
The use of water resources is particularly high in the Ebro and Segura basins due to reservoir construction. To improve the proportion of available resources in basins with lower availability, dams can be built.
Landfill Management
Tasca02 Landfills: An uncontrolled landfill in a permeable subsoil area has been regulated for future use. Transformations include:
- Respirator: Methane emissions converted into biogas for energy.
- Waterproof Layer: Covering the landfill with waterproof material and soil, potentially creating a green area.
- Rainwater Diversion: Preventing rainwater from entering the landfill to avoid leachate contamination.
- Leachate Network: A pond for collecting liquid residues.
- Waterproof Layer: Preventing leachate infiltration into groundwater.
Environmental Impact of Irrigation
ENVIRONMENTAL irrigation: Causal chains can be represented in a chart. For example: Excess irrigation (+) -> infiltration (+) -> dissolved salts (+) -> contribution to the river (+) -> irrigation water laden with salts (+) -> more excess irrigation. This system has positive feedback because increased salts decrease plant assimilation, leading to more irrigation.
Industrial Rocks
What are Industrial Rocks?
Industrial rocks are minerals used in industrial processes based on their physical and chemical properties, not their extractable substances or energy. Examples include construction rocks, binders, aggregates, and ceramic products.
In Catalonia, natural aggregates include fluvial, wind, and slope deposits. Crushed aggregates come from quarries in carbonate rocks, sandstone, quartzite, and granite.
Granulometric Analysis
A granulometric analysis of alluvial materials shows a high content of fine particles (over 85%), making them unsuitable for concrete aggregate, as regulations limit particles smaller than 0.08 mm to 15%.
Mineral Resources (Non-Energy)
MINERAL RESOURCES non-energy: Ornamental rocks are valued for their aesthetic qualities (color, brightness, texture) and mechanical characteristics. Granite, limestone, marble, and gneiss are common examples.
Future Energy
Energy future: The balance of CO2 contribution from plant biomass combustion is zero because the emitted CO2 was recently absorbed during photosynthesis. As long as biomass burning doesn’t exceed biomass generation, the balance is zero.
Increased nitrogen oxide emissions, under sunlight, favor ozone formation in the troposphere. Intense sunlight and atmospheric stability increase the risk of ozone pollution.
Noise Pollution in Cities
Noisy cities: City A has more noise pollution due to a motorway near homes and industries. City B has a parkland belt that dampens noise. Measures to avoid noise pollution include using soundproofing materials, minimizing noise emissions, educating inhabitants, and establishing regulations.
Reservoirs and Dams
EMBASAMENTS: Reservoir surface reduction is due to silting from sediment carried by the river. Sedimentation is greater at the beginning of the reservoir due to decreased river speed.
Impacts of Dams
Positive Impacts:
- Greater control of river flow.
- Increased water availability.
- Potential for energy generation.
- Recreational opportunities.
Negative Impacts:
- Flooding of areas, displacing populations and ecosystems.
- Loss of sediment downstream.
- Riverbed changes.