Fernanda Helfer

Bridging the Water Supply–demand Gap in Australia: Coupling Water Demand Efficiency with Rain-independent Desalination Supply

Water supply in Australia mainly relies on precipitation and, therefore, is highly dependent on climate variability and change. Coupled with reduced rainfall reliability, population and economic growth and increasing competition for water resources augment the concern over the existing water resources and put a strain on future water security. In fact, the upward trend of water demand has already been escalating the pressure on water resources. Clearly, the anticipation of decline in water supply requires the identification of more reliable, rainfall-independent supply alternatives. With this in mind, this paper discusses the role and value of desalination in water grids. For this purpose, we present a modelling framework using System Dynamics approach to incorporate a range of factors into a simulation of future water demand and supply in Queensland, Australia; and examine desalination schemes as long-term water security option in the portfolio of supply sources. In particular, the model is used to explore the sensitivity of long term planning of water resources with respect to two specific assumptions, the discount rate and the degree of water security. The proposed approach would help decision makers to develop sustainable water supply and efficient infrastructure strategies, and thus respond to water scarcity in a timely manner.

Utilização de P-Index em uma bacia hidrográfica através de técnicas de geoprocessamento

Due to problems caused by eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs, the identification of phosphorus source areas is important for planning the control of agriculture-related water pollution. This study applied a method designed to identify these phosphorus source areas, called P-Index, which is based on combining data layers related to soil phosphorus availability and phosphorus transport processes. The method was used for studying the Salto Reservoir waterbasin, in Sao Francisco de Paula, in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data related to phosphorus availability, intensity of transport processes, and distance to waterways were combined to yield a map of phosphorus contribution classes, which showed that almost the entire study area was considered to have low phosphorus contribution potential. A few small areas, corresponding to potato and garlic fields that received heavy chemical fertilization, were classified as having high phosphorus contribution potentials.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Air-Bubble Plume Aeration in Reducing Evaporation from Farm Dams in Australia Using Modelling

This paper aims to assess the effectiveness of artificial destratification by air-bubble plumes in reducing evaporation from farm dams in Australia. A one-dimensional model was applied to simulate the change in water temperature and evaporation rates of a real farm dam in Queensland under aeration conditions. Results show that destratification systems can reduce surface temperature, but the highest reduction in evaporation for the studied reservoir would be only 2.5%. The main conclusion is that it is unlikely that the technique will be feasible for small farm dams, given the high costs involved with the operation of an aeration system and the small quantity of water saved through evaporation reduction. The results also indicate that the technique may be effective for reservoirs that experience long periods of accentuated thermal stratification, such as large, deep dams, in which the mixing process would lead to higher reductions in surface temperature and, consequently, in evaporation rates.

Implications of the Paris Climate Change Agreement for Adaptation Research and Universities

The recent Paris climate change agreement has resulted in a consensus between 196 countries on the need for action, including a stated aim to try to limit warming to 1.5 °C. Despite its weaknesses, it will provide the policy basis for climate change action and research within signature countries. Scientific research is highlighted in the agreement as having a key role to play, and higher education institutions will be expected to lead the way in this research. Much of the focus will be on mitigation but the agreement places substantial emphasis on climate change adaptation. The purpose of this article is to discuss what the agreement might mean for climate change adaptation research, and how it might impact upon research agendas in higher education institutions. In considering how the agreement might impact upon different areas of adaptation research, the paper highlights how effective interdisciplinary collaboration and research is going to be needed to support the lofty aims of the Paris agreement. It discusses the challenges of this research approach and how universities might be able to support the Paris agreement.