Reservoir In Northeastern Brazil Research Articles

Direct measurement of open-water evaporation: a newly developed sensor applied to a Brazilian tropical reservoir

ABSTRACT This study investigates the sensitivity and uncertainty of evaporation assessment in a tropical reservoir in northeastern Brazil. For this purpose, four approaches were used: Penman, a Dalton-modified equation, a pressure meter and a novel acoustic sensor. The main objective is to evaluate whether sensors can be employed to adequately assess lake evaporation. The sensors were installed in floating pans and the equations are based on variables collected from a raft. The wind-inducted waves in the reservoir often disturbed the measurements using both pressure (uncertainty of ± 0.6 mm) and acoustic (uncertainty of ± 0.1 mm) sensors, causing flaws and affecting continuous monitoring. The modified Dalton model, based on data collected with a floating station, estimated values over three-hour courses of evaporation similar to those measured by the pressure meter. These findings are important contributions to an accurate monitoring of water losses through evaporation and reservoir operation, particularly in dry regions.

Invasion of the dinoflagellate Ceratium furcoides (Levander) Langhans 1925 in South America: record of the pattern of expansion and persistence in tropical reservoirs in Northeastern Brazil

Invasion of the dinoflagellate Ceratium furcoides (Levander) Langhans 1925 in South America: record of the pattern of expansion and persistence in tropical reservoirs in Northeastern Brazil

Mapping regional surface water volume variation in reservoirs in northeastern Brazil during 2009–2017 using high-resolution satellite images

The multiple-year drought that started in 2011 and reached climax in 2015 was the most severe and prolonged one in the semiarid northeastern (NE) Brazil in recent decades. This study aimed to investigate the reservoir surface water volume (SWV) variation in NE Brazil from 2009 to 2017 in four representative regions covering a total area of approximately 10,000 km2 there and encompassing 2,140 reservoirs (areas range from 0.003 to 21 km2). High-resolution (10 m) digital elevation models (DEMs) were generated from the TanDEM-X data acquired during October–December 2015 to represent the reservoirs' bathymetric maps. The water extents in the reservoirs were delineated from high-resolution (6.5 m) RapidEye images acquired during 2009–2017. The combination of the aforementioned two variables yielded reservoir SWV with an accuracy of 0.64 × 106–1.06 × 106 m3, corresponding to 3.1%–5.6% of the maximum SWV in the reservoirs. The results showed that: 1) 81%–99% of the reservoirs in the four regions were from the groups with maximum water extent <50 ha and contributed 2%–59% of the regional reservoir SWV. In contrast, 0.6%–20% of the reservoirs were from the group of >50 ha and contributed 40%–98% to the regional SWV; 2) From 2009 to 2017, reservoir SWV in the four regions decreased at the rates of 2.3 × 106–17.8 × 106 m3/year; and 3) The SWV in the reservoirs responded differently to the regional terrestrial water budget, i.e. the differences between precipitation and evapotranspiration (P-ET). This study filled the data gap of bathymetric maps for the 2140 reservoirs, regardless of their sizes and macrophyte coverage. The SWV variations derived in those reservoirs over a period covering the recent drought can support better preparedness for drought in NE Brazil and better understanding of the regional hydrology in semi-arid regions.

Greenhouse gas emissions from a semi-arid tropical reservoir in northeastern Brazil

We estimated carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions by diffusion, ebullition, and degassing in turbines from a semi-arid hydropower reservoir in northeastern Brazil. Sampling sites were allocated within the littoral and deeper waters of one embayment, the main-stream, and at turbines. Annual carbon emissions were estimated at 2.3 × 105 ± 7.45 × 104 t C year−1, or in CO2-equivalents (CO2-eq) at 1.33 × 106 ± 4.5 × 105 t CO2-eq year−1. Diffusion across the water surface was the main pathway accounting for 96% of total carbon emissions. Ebullition was limited to littoral areas. A slight accumulation of CO2, but not of CH4, in bottom waters close to the turbines inlet led to degassing emissions about 8 × 103 t C year−1. Emissions in littoral areas were higher than in main-stream and contribute to 40% of the total carbon. Carbon (C) emissions per electricity generated, at 60% of installed capacity, is 0.05 t C-CO2-eq MWh−1. The ratio increases to 0.09 t C-CO2 MWh−1, equating 80% of the emissions from natural gas and 40% of diesel or coal power plants. Retention time and benthic metabolism were identified as main drivers for carbon emissions in littoral areas, while water column mixing and rapid water flow are important factors preventing CH4 accumulation and loss by degassing. Our results indicate that Itaparica Reservoir, located in the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil, acts as a source of GHGs. Management measurements are needed to prevent emissions to raise in the future.

Effects of the Lake Sobradinho Reservoir (Northeastern Brazil) on the Regional Climate

This study investigates the effects of Lake Sobradinho, a large reservoir in Northeastern Brazil, on the local near-surface atmospheric and boundary layer conditions. For this purpose, simulations with the regional climate model COSMO-CLM are compared for two different scenarios: (1) with the lake being replaced by the average normal native vegetation cover and (2) with the lake as it exists today, for two different two-month periods reflecting average and very dry conditions, respectively. The performance of the simulation is evaluated against data from surface meteorological stations as well as satellite data in order to ensure the model’s ability to capture atmospheric conditions in the vicinity of Lake Sobradinho. The obtained results demonstrate that the lake affects the near-surface air temperature of the surrounding area as well as its humidity and wind patterns. Specifically, Lake Sobradinho cools down the air during the day and warms it up during the night by up to several ∘ C depending on the large-scale meteorological conditions. Moreover, the humidity is significantly increased as a result of the lake’s presence and causes a lake breeze. The observed effects on humidity and air temperature also extend over areas relatively far away from the lake.

Interactions between different biological forms of aquatic macrophytes in a eutrophic tropical reservoir in Northeastern Brazil

The aquatic plants and biological processes have different interactions and their knowledge may contribute to the understanding of environmental dynamics in wetlands. The aim of this study was to report the type of interactions that different biological forms of macrophytes stand in the eutrophic tropical reservoir of Penha reservoir, Northeastern Brazil. Data collection was captured every two months from October 2009 to October 2010, considering the hydrological cycle in one-year period. For this, twelve perpendicular transects (separated by 10 m) at the reservoir’s water edge were defined; each transect had two plots of 625 cm² (25 x 25 cm, separated by one meter) from which samples were obtained. Plants were collected and transported in identified plastic bags for subsequent quantification of the dry weight biomass; additionally, pressed samples were made in the field for identification purposes. The relative interaction index (RII) was used to identify the existence of positive and/or negative interactions between the biomass of the biological forms of aquatic plants. Student’s t-tests were used to analyze variations in the abiotic data and biomass over time, and to determine differences between the dry and rainy seasons. Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to determine correlations between the biological forms and the biomass of the macrophytes, as well as environmental variables and RII. In the dry season, the environment was mainly composed of floating macrophytes (1 013.98 g/m²), with mats of submerged macrophytes (98.18 g/m²) that demonstrated a range of positive (RII= 1.0) to negative (RII= -0.2) interactions. The biomass of emergent macrophytes increased throughout the dry season (4.87 to 106.91 g/m²) due to the nurse plant effect that served as a substratum (RII= 1.0). During the rainy season the biomass of submerged macrophytes was reduced by 97 % due to direct and indirect relationships (RII= -1.0) to other macrophytes. Rainfall and emergent plants contributed to a reduction in the biomass of floating macrophytes (19.16 g/m²). The emergence of a third group of plants (emergent) lead floating plants to occupy other areas and excluded submerged plants. Overall, the interactions among plants within ecosystems were not definite due to stand composition and seasonality.

Simple simulation–optimisation vs SDP for reservoir operation

This paper assesses the suitability of two simple parameterisation–simulation–optimisation (PSO) models used to set up release policies for water supply reservoirs. Operations guided by the generated rules are compared against those defined via classic stochastic dynamic programming (SDP). One PSO model, PSO-SOP, is a variant of the reservoir standard operating policy (SOP) and the other, PSO-ZON, is based on reservoir zoning. Both models were applied to the operation of a reservoir in northeastern Brazil under several synthetic 100-year monthly inflow scenarios. Operations were also carried out by the original SOP and by deterministic optimisation based on perfect inflow forecast, the latter used as a benchmark. In the majority of the 100 scenarios utilised, the performance of both SPD and PSO-SOP was found to be superior to that of PSO-ZON and SOP. Furthermore, the uncomplicated PSO-SOP model performed even better than the more complex SDP.

Persistence and stability of phytoplankton communities in eutrophic reservoirs of northeastern Brazil

In this study, the structure of phytoplankton communities in reservoirs with constant cyanobacteria blooms was evaluated using stability, persistence and species richness analyses. Samples were collected monthly from three reservoirs in northeastern Brazil between February 2012 and January 2013. The phytoplankton taxa were quantified under an inverted microscope. Stability was measured using Spearman’s coefficient, based on the analysis of abundance rankings; persistence was measured using the inverse calculation for turnover; and richness was calculated using the number of species. Statistical analyses were used to determine the influence of abiotic variables on persistence and stability, and correlations were performed between persistence and stability and between species richness and stability. Cyanobacteria, particularly Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Woloszynska) Seenayya et Subba Raju, were observed in all samples. The results showed that stability and persistence were high, whereas species richness was low in the reservoir communities. The nutrients nitrate, nitrite and orthophosphate influenced persistence, whereas pH and ammonium explained stability. Persistence and stability were not significantly correlated, but a negative correlation was observed between species richness and stability.

Rotifer community structure in fish-farming systems associated with a Neotropical semiarid reservoir in north-eastern Brazil

The study was conducted to assess the community structure of planktonic rotifers and their relation to the environmental impact of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linaeus, 1758), aquaculture activities (ponds and net-tanks), associated with a Neotropical semiarid reservoir in Brazil. Our hypothesis was that the ecological attributes of the rotifer community were different when considering the influence of fish aquaculture activities. We identified 28 species, with 10 species from the Brachionidae family. The average density and diversity index of rotifers were higher in reservoir stations, with mean values in the ponds approximately 50% lower than those of the reservoir. The microphagous species dominated during all the time, while the raptorial species were accidental in all studied environments. The ponds were represented by four significant indicator species: Brachionus caudatus, B. leydigi, Dicranophoroides caudatus and Testudinella patina and the reservoir by three: B. falcatus, B. havanaensis and Conochilus dossuarius. In general, nine species were significantly associated with some categories of environmental conditions, such as high or low turbidity and low values of conductivity and TDS. Four of the five best bioindicator species belonged to the microphagous genus Brachionus. B. havanaensis indicated five environmental conditions (IndVal > 93.1%), and it appeared to be a key species in this Neotropical semiarid reservoir influenced by aquaculture activities. The dominance of microphagous rotifers suggests a functional redundancy of species in the studied environments. We found that these systems and their management affected the planktonic rotifer community in this region of Brazil by increasing the species richness.

The Fate of Cu, Zn and Mn in an Intensive Fish Aquaculture (Tilapia - Oreochromis niloticus) in an Artificial Reservoir in Northeastern Brazil

Emissions of Cu, Zn and Mn and their fate in a typical tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) cage farm in an artificial reservoir in northeastern Brazil were estimated through the analysis of their concentrations in the various compartments of the farm. Major source of Cu and Zn, but not of Mn, to the farm is from aquafeeds, with annual inputs of 3.83, 57.50 and 10.95 kg.ha−1, respectively. Notwithstanding, only a small fraction of the added Mn and Zn (0.13%, 2.61%, respectively) is incorporated into fish biomass, resulting in a larger proportion of the introduced metals to be exported to reservoir environment. For Cu, a much larger fraction (47.4%) is exported within the fish biomass. Once released, metals are incorporated into bottom sediments within the farm area, resulting in higher metal contents compared to sediments far from the farm area. However, the analysis of sediment cores and the respective enrichment factors showed that a significant fraction of the net input of Zn (70%) and of Cu (30%) is exported out to the open reservoir.

The impact of droughts on the mineralization of reservoirs in northeastern Brazil

The climatic features of northeastern Brazil result in the almost complete absence of river runoff during drought periods. The extreme irregularity of runoff in the reservoirs of the region leads to an increase in water salinity by the end of the drought. The degree of mineralization growth with respect to the reservoir volume at the beginning of the dry period and the amount of water abstraction from this reservoir during this period was estimated via the calculation of water mineralization for conditions in which there is no flow to reservoirs. These estimates are presented in the form of graphical calculation diagrams for three reservoirs of the Brazilian Ceara state.

Ecotoxicological evaluation of water and sediment of an urban and coastal water reservoir in northeastern Brazil

Ecotoxicological evaluation of water and sediment of an urban and coastal water reservoir in northeastern Brazil

Estimativa e incerteza de curvas cota-volume por meio de sensoriamento remoto

RESUMO Os reservatórios de regularização são os únicos mananciais confiáveis para atendimento à demanda de água em boa parte do semi-árido brasileiro. Além do conhecimento da hidrologia e clima locais, a disponibilidade hídrica destes mananciais depende fundamentalmente da informação sobre a geometria do reservatório, expressa usualmente por meio da curva cota-área-volume. Entretanto, na maior parte dos reservatórios do semi-árido, esta informação se encontra muito desatualizada ou inconsistente, seja por imprecisões nos levantamentos originais ou por assoreamento do manancial. Neste trabalho, propõe-se uma forma barata de cubar reservatórios de regularização, estimando-se sua curva cota-área-volume com base em uma sequência de imagens de satélite e nos dados de nível d’água. Dois métodos para quantificar o intervalo de confiança decorrente dessa estimativa são avaliados. Os resultados foram validados com base em um reservatório que dispõe de batimetria mais atualizada, e a metodologia foi usada para estimar o volume do reservatório do Bico da Pedra (MG), cuja capacidade é objeto de incertezas importantes.

Bathymetric survey of water reservoirs in north-eastern Brazil based on TanDEM-X satellite data

Water scarcity in the dry season is a vital problem in dryland regions such as northeastern Brazil. Water supplies in these areas often come from numerous reservoirs of various sizes. However, inventory data for these reservoirs is often limited due to the expense and time required for their acquisition via field surveys, particularly in remote areas. Remote sensing techniques provide a valuable alternative to conventional reservoir bathymetric surveys for water resource management.In this study single pass TanDEM-X data acquired in bistatic mode were used to generate digital elevation models (DEMs) in the Madalena catchment, northeastern Brazil. Validation with differential global positioning system (DGPS) data from field measurements indicated an absolute elevation accuracy of approximately 1m for the TanDEM-X derived DEMs (TDX DEMs). The DEMs derived from TanDEM-X data acquired at low water levels show significant advantages over bathymetric maps derived from field survey, particularly with regard to coverage, evenly distributed measurements and replication of reservoir shape. Furthermore, by mapping the dry reservoir bottoms with TanDEM-X data, TDX DEMs are free of emergent and submerged macrophytes, independent of water depth (e.g. >10m), water quality and even weather conditions. Thus, the method is superior to other existing bathymetric mapping approaches, particularly for inland water bodies. The proposed approach relies on (nearly) dry reservoir conditions at times of image acquisition and is thus restricted to areas that show considerable water levels variations. However, comparisons between TDX DEM and the bathymetric map derived from field surveys show that the amount of water retained during the dry phase has only marginal impact on the total water volume derivation from TDX DEM. Overall, DEMs generated from bistatic TanDEM-X data acquired in low water periods constitute a useful and efficient data source for deriving reservoir bathymetry and show great potential in large scale application.

&lt;b&gt;Cyanobacteria community in two tropical eutrophic reservoirs in northeastern Brazil

This study investigated the effect of seasonality on the Cyanobacteria community in two tropical eutrophic reservoirs in northeastern Brazil. Monthly samplings were conducted in the sub-surface of reservoirs. The following abiotic variables were analyzed: apparent color, turbidity, conductivity, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfate, total phosphorous, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, chlorides, total hardness and chlorophyll-a, according to APHA (2012). Cyanobacteria density was quantified through biomass. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Redundancy Analysis (RDA). Higher mean values of Cyanobacteria biomass occurred in the dry (9.9mm 3 L -1 ) and rainy (19.0mm 3 L -1 ) season in Jucazinho and Carpina reservoirs, respectively, especially Planktothrix agardhii, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and Geiterinema amphibium, which occurred in 100% of the samples. RDA analysis revealed that the variables nitrite, ammonia, conductivity, calcium, sulfate, chlorides and alkalinity influenced most the Cyanobacteria community in both reservoirs. High trophic state index was observed throughout the year. Seasonality affected both biotic and abiotic variables.

Seasonal changes of water quality in a tropical shallow and eutrophic reservoir in the metropolitan region of Recife (Pernambuco-Brazil).

This study investigated the water quality in an urban eutrophic reservoir in Northeastern Brazil, considering the influence of seasonality. Monthly, samples were collected in the sub-surface reservoir. The following abiotic variables were analyzed: temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, apparent color, turbidity, conductivity, fluoride, total nitrogen, chlorides, total dissolved solids, total hardness, iron, copper, manganese, aluminum, chlorophyll-a and phaeophytin. Total and thermotolerant coliforms were analyzed according to APHA (2012). Cyanobacteria density was quantified through its biomass. The data were analyzed using one- way ANOVA and Pearson correlation test. Higher values mean phytoplankton biomass (26.3mm3.L-1) occurred in the dry season, especially Planktothrix agardhii and Geiterinema amphibium, which occurred in 100% of samples. High trophic state index was detected throughout the year. Seasonality exerted some influence on both biotic and abiotc variables, leading to changes in water quality of the reservoir.

&lt;b&gt;Local ecological knowledge is not a useful source of information concerning impacts caused by non-native Nile tilapia on fishery stocks&lt;/b&gt; - doi 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v35i3.18418

Exotic freshwater fish can have deleterious effects on local biodiversity, although these impacts often only become apparent many years after the introduction. Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) may be a useful source of information in situations where formal technical studies are insufficient, but few works have examined the reliability of information generated through this approach. We examined the reliability of LEK by investigating the impacts of Nile tilapia on fishery stocks in an artificial reservoir in northeastern Brazil. We gathered LEK from 29 experienced fishermen and then confronted this information with official fishery statistics from the same site. Twenty-two fishermen stated that total catch in the Gargalheiras Reservoir had declined over the years, 68% (N=15) of them began fishing before 1976 (the year Nile tilapia was introduced into reservoir). Of those 15 fishermen, 87% (N=13) stated that tilapia has not negatively affected other species, which ran counter to analyses of fishery statistics. Our study suggests that the LEK of fishermen is not a useful source of information concerning the impacts caused by exotic tilapia. However, the LEK added an overfishing hypothesis of the decline in fishery stocks in the Gargalheiras reservoir.

Seasonal dynamics of cyanobacteria in a eutrophic reservoir (Arcoverde) in a semi-arid region of Brazil

Environmental conditions favor the predominance of dense populations of cyanobacteria in reservoirs in northeastern Brazil. The aim of this study was to understand cyanobacterial population dynamics in the rainy and dry seasons at two depths in the Arcoverde reservoir. Microalgae and cyanobacteria samples were collected during 24 hours with intervals of 4 hours (nycthemeral) at sub-surface and 10 m using a van Dorn bottle and a determined biomass. Physical and chemical variables were obtained and the data were analyzed using the principal component analysis (PCA). No nycthemeral variations in the taxonomic composition or distribution of the populations of cyanobacteria were found between the different times of day in either the rainy or dry season. In both seasons, the greatest biomass of the phytoplankton community was made up of cyanobacteria at two depths and all times of the day. Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Woloszynska) Seenayya et Subba Raju was dominant at all times of the day on both the surface and at the bottom. In the rainy season, the differences in cyanobacterial biomass between the surface and bottom were less significant than in the dry season. The differences in cyanobacterial biomass between surface and bottom were less pronounced than those found in the dry season. We concluded that a) physical variables better explain the alterations of species in the phytoplankton community in an environment dominated by cyanobacteria throughout the year; b) seasonal climatic factors associated to periods of stratification and de-stratification are important for alterations in the community and variations in biomass and, c) the turbidity caused by rainfall favored the emergence and establishment of other cyanobacteria, especially Planktothrix agardhii (Gomont) Anagnostidis & Komárek.

Study about Top-Down and Bottom-Up Controls in Regulating the Phytoplankton Biomass in a Eutrophic Reservoir in Northeastern Brazil

This study aims to analyze the effects of nutrients and predation by zooplankton on phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a) in a eutrophic reservoir in Brazil (Apipucos Reservoir, State of Pernambuco), through experiments in microcosms. For this, samples of water were placed in 1 L Erlenmeyer flasks and kept for seven days. Treatments included the addition of nutrients (nitrogen combined with phosphorus and isolated additions of nitrogen and phosphorus), with presence and absence of zooplankton and a control which contained the reservoir water without any manipulation. The addition of nutrients did not stimulate phytoplankton growth. However, zooplankton significantly decreased phytoplankton biomass in the treatments it was added to (p < 0.05). The results of this study showed that for the reservoir studied, predation by zooplankton is the most significant factor in the regulation of phytoplankton, contradicting several studies which show that phytoplankton biomass is more strongly controlled by nutrients (bottom-up control) than by predation (top-down control).

Dynamics of phytoplankton associations in three reservoirs in northeastern Brazil assessed using Reynolds’ theory

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of seasonality on the behavior of phytoplankton associations in eutrophic reservoirs with different depths in northeastern Brazil. Five collections were carried out at each of the reservoirs at two depths (0.1 m and near the sediment) at three-month intervals in each season (dry and rainy). The phytoplankton samples were preserved in Lugol's solution and quantified under an inverted microscope for the determination of density values, which were subsequently converted to biomass values based on cellular biovolume and classified in phytoplankton associations. The following abiotic variables were analyzed: water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, water transparency, total phosphorus, total dissolved phosphorus, orthophosphate and total nitrogen. The data were investigated using canonical correspondence analysis. The influence of seasonality on the dynamics of the phytoplankton community was lesser in the deeper reservoirs. Depth affected the behavior of the algal associations. Variation in light availability was a determinant of changes in the phytoplankton structure. Urosolenia and Anabaena associations were more abundant in shallow ecosystems with a larger eutrophic zone, whereas the Microcystis association was more related to deep ecosystems with adequate availability of nutrients. The distribution of Cyclotella, Geitlerinema, Planktothrix, Pseudanabaena and Cylindrospermopsis associations was different from that seen in subtropical regions and the substitution of these associations was related to a reduction in the eutrophic zone rather than the mixture zone.