ISEP - Departamento de Engenharia Geotécnica
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Browsing ISEP - Departamento de Engenharia Geotécnica by Author "Carvalho, José Martins"
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- Forecasting and Mass Transport Modelling of Nitrates in the Esposende–Vila Do Conde Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (Portugal)Publication . Zeferino, Joel; Carvalho, Maria Rosário; Ferreira, Tânia; Silva, Maria Catarina; Afonso, Maria José; Freitas, Liliana; Lopes, Ana Rita; Jesus, Rosário; Batista, Sofia; Chaminé, Helder I.; Carvalho, José MartinsEsposende–Vila do Conde, a nitrate-vulnerable zone, in the littoral north of Portugal, is contaminated by nitrates of an agricultural origin. Measures have been implemented to reduce that contamination. The effectiveness of the measures was evaluated, predicting the time required for the groundwater body reach the quality standard, i.e., less than 50 mg/L for dissolved nitrates. Two methodologies were used, groundwater flow and nitrates transport modelling, and predictive analysis of time series. The transient simulation of nitrate transport shows that the minimization measures imposed in the NVZ are being effective. However, the persistence of concentrations above 50 mg/L in some areas is notorious even in the next 24 years. The forecasting points out to a recovery period of ten years if current agricultural practices are maintained. The prediction of NO3 concentration based on forecasting methodology may not be applicable in the long run because it is a punctual analysis, not taking into consideration the contaminant dispersion dependent on the aquifer characteristics.
- From engineering geosciences mapping towards sustainable urban planningPublication . Chaminé, Helder I.; Teixeira, José; Freitas, Liliana; Pires, Ana; Silva, Rui S.; Pinho, Telma; Monteiro, Rosália; Costa, Ana Lúcia; Abreu, Tiago; Trigo, José Filinto; Afonso, Maria José; Carvalho, José MartinsMaps are of key topical importance in urban geoscience and engineering practice, mainly in field data synthesis and communication related to a number of fields, such as geomatic techniques, applied geology and geomorphology, engineering geology, soil and rock geotechnics, slope geotechnics, subsurface site geotechnical investigations, urban hydrology, hydraulics and sanitation, coastal zones management, urban geoarcheology and heritage, planning and land use. The value of preparing engineering geoscience maps and plans specificallyfor urban engineering purposes are still a challenging task, particularly to end-users and planners. Nowadays, the application of Geographic Information Systems to geosciences and engineering has become more common. This paper emphasises the importance of an accurate ground field survey and inventory at several scales, GIS mapping and databases, and integrated multidisciplinary urban studies as useful tools to support a sustainable land use planning. Some selected sites are highlighted to demonstrate the importance of urban mapping for land use planning. Thus, in this study the significance of a smart urban geoscience approach is stressed.
- Groundwater Favourable Infiltration Zones on Granitic Areas (Central Portugal)Publication . Carvalho, José Martins; Afonso, Maria José; Teixeira, José; Freitas, Liliana; Lopes, Ana Rita; Jesus, Rosário; Batista, Sofia; Carvalho, Rosário; Chaminé, Helder I.The Infiltration Potential Index (IPI) was used at Castelo Novo (Fundão, Central Portugal) to delineate favourable infiltration zones. The Infiltration Potential Index is a valuable tool to include in integrated water resources management in crystalline fractured rocks. An integrated approach combining hydrogeomorphology and GIS was developed applying multiple layers of information (tectonic lineaments, hydrogeological units, slope, drainage, land use, and precipitation). Different ranks were assigned to thematic layers and different weights were given to classes according to their contribution for groundwater using the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) methodology. Almost 80% of the area is covered by slightly to moderately weathered (W1–2–W3) granite, having slopes of 5–15° and 15–25°, tectonic lineaments densities of 6–12 km/km2 and 12–18 km/km2 and drainage densities of 6–9 km/km2 and >9 km/km2. Scrub and/or herbaceous vegetation associations and bare rocks dominate. A moderate to high Infiltration Potential Index (IPI) is dominant in the area.
- Groundwater Vulnerability Mapping and Ancestral Systems of Water Galleries (Porto Urban Area, NW Portugal): A Design on Nature-Based SolutionsPublication . Freitas, Liliana; Afonso, Maria José; Devy-Vareta, Nicole; Pereira, Alcides J. S. C.; Carvalho, José Martins; Chaminé, Helder I.Groundwater resources are crucial to the settlement of populations, and their quantity and quality are essential to the development of urban areas. In fact, nature-based solutions for water were considered in many places using ancestral systems of water galleries and springs to supply urban areas. That design based in natural solutions had proven during centuries to be much less demanding and resourceful. A multidisciplinary approach was applied in Porto urban area (NW Portugal), to assess the urban groundwater supply and ancestral network of water galleries and springs. The infiltration potential index in urban areas (IPI-Urban) is dependent on several parameters (e.g. lithology, structure, weathering grade, morphotectonics, land use, drainage, slope, rainfall, anthropogenic and urban hydraulic features, like the water supply, the sewer and the stormwater networks) which can be overlapped and cross-linked in a GIS environment. Moreover, several vulnerability indexes (DRASTIC, GODS, DRASTIC-Fm, SINTACS and SI) were outlined within a combined approach, and an evaluation of urban recharge was performed. All these permitted to improve the hydrogeological conceptual model for Porto urban area. Therefore, those old underground structures could be a positive asset as socio-economic, environmental and heritage drivers if are used nature-based solutions and good geoethical practices.
- On a dialogue between hard-rock aquifer mapping and hydrogeological conceptual models: insights into groundwater explorationPublication . Chaminé, Helder I.; Carvalho, José Martins; Afonso, Maria José; Teixeira, José; Freitas, LilianaGroundwater is a dynamic and renewable resource, but in hard-rock terrains its availability is rather limited compared to other types of aquifer formations. Groundwater systems require a comprehensive understanding of geology, morphotectonics and hydrology, which are controlled by ground characteristics like weathering grade, fracturing degree, permeability, slope, drainage pattern and density, land cover, and climate. GIS-based integrative cartography provides an accurate way to improve knowledge on water circulation models and on the global functioning of aquifer systems. The groundwater conceptual model based in Earth systems has proven its value in water resource studies. This approach highlights the importance of groundwater exploration mapping as a useful tool to support hydrogeological conceptualisation of fractured hard-rock terrains, contributing to the sustainability of water resources.
- Over Fifty Years of Hydrogeological Practice and Geoethics: An Intergenerational View of a Changing WorldPublication . Carvalho, José Martins; Chaminé, Helder I.The exercise of professional hydrogeology is a privilege that requires sound scientific and technical knowledge, field training and interpersonal skills. A skilled hydrogeologist is required to have ethics, deontology, integrity, eco-responsibility, leadership, and behaviour but also the acceptance of the high-standards and codes of ethics and boundaries to avoid discrimination and harassment. In addition, the hydrogeology practice must encompass the geoethical approach. Water supply and infrastructure design and construction for groundwater monitoring are not popular nowadays around the scientific and technical community. However, thousands and thousands of wells and boreholes are drilled worldwide annually, without appropriate hydrogeological support. A professional hydrogeologist cannot support, for example, policies of abandon of fieldwork, leaving the aquifer exploitation restrained to high levels of management and governance. Those practices must be developed through proper conceptual site modelling based on field and laboratory data, complemented by GIS mapping, geovisualization techniques, numerical tools to predict scenarios and climate change understanding. On the ethical point of view, this systematic methodology underpins personal scientific integrity but also a comprehensive understanding of the problem to solve. That includes the moral decisions to be made regarding the undertake of the pure and applied hydrogeology in the practice, as well as the professional appropriate use of the scientific advancements in groundwater science, technology, and management.
- Role of hydrogeological mapping in groundwater practice: back to basicsPublication . Chaminé, Helder I.; Carvalho, José Martins; Teixeira, José; Freitas, LilianaMaps are of key importance in groundwater professional practice and hydrogeology research, mainly in field data synthesis and communication related to a number of fields: regional hydrogeology, exploration hydrogeology, groundwater engineering, hydrogeophysics, hydrogeomorphology, urban groundwater, military geology/engineering, thermal water resources, planning, management and decision making on the water resources. This paper highlights the importance and necessity of accurate ground field surveys at several scales, water resources inventory and an integrated groundwater mapping as useful tools to support hydrogeological conceptualisation. Selected sites are highlighted to demonstrate the importance of groundwater mapping for assessment of water resources. Conceptualisation of groundwater systems must be grounded on Earth-based models and mathematical modelling to outline predicting scenarios. Thus, going back to basics is important to create a reliable conceptualization on groundwater systems established on cartographic reasoning.
- Site appraisal in fractured rock media: coupling engineering geological mapping and geotechnical modellingPublication . Chaminé, Helder I.; Afonso, Maria José; Trigo, José Filinto; Freitas, Liliana; Ramos, Luís; Carvalho, José MartinsGeotechnical surveys are based on collecting data from fieldwork and are a key element of rock-mass quality assessment in rock engineering. The lessons learned in several engineering projects underline the value of the accuracy of the basic geological and geotechnical data information related to the rock masses description and evaluation. An evaluation based on engineering geosciences, hydraulic and geotechnical features of rock masses involves combining parameters to derive quantitative geomechanical classifications for engineering design. In the present work, two selected sites are highlighted to demonstrate the importance of GIS mapping and models. Mapping and quantifying the on-site measurements’ information content and building a geo-database is vital for decision-making processes and risk assessment on sustainable engineering design with nature and hazards.