Challenges of an integrated water resource management for the Distrito Federal, Western Central Brazil: climate, land-use and water resources

Abstract

Land-use/cover change (LUCC) and climate change are major controlling factors for water resources in the Distrito Federal in Western Central Brazil. Dynamic LUCC in the region has severe impacts on water resources, while climate changes during the last three decades is thought to have only moderate effects. LUCC affects water quantity mostly during base flow conditions. River basins with substantial expansion of agriculture since the end 1970s show a dramatic decrease of base flow discharge by 40-70%, presumably due to irrigation. In contrast, the effects of urbanization on runoff are less distinct, since factors controlling runoff generation might be more variable. For water quality, we found urban areas to have a strong influence on the parameters CSB, NH 4 ? , and suspended solids. In addition, we assume emerging pollutants, e.g. organic (micro)pollutants, might play a major role in the future. The project IWAS-Á GUA DF focuses on creating the scientific base to face these problems in frame of an IWRM concept for the region. Results of our study will be a contribution to an IRWM concept for the Distrito Federal and will help to maintain high standards in water supply for the region.

Seasonal and Spatial Distribution of Caffeine, Atrazine, Atenolol and DEET in Surface and Drinking Waters from the Brazilian Federal District

“…[7][8][9][10] However, our data support that WWTP may be an important source of emerging contaminants if diffuse inputs and water circulation are considered. The latter aspect was also investigated by Goldscheider et al 32 in Geneva Lake (Switzerland) where contaminant transport does not occur by homogeneous mixing processes, but in the form of plumes with sharp boundaries, being not possible to draw an iso-concentration line between the measured concentrations.…”

“…Our results show that in this portion of the lake, caffeine concentration was higher in the sampling point immediately after the WWTP (PL3) and diminished at the subsequent sampling point (PL4) indicating a possible dilution and/or degradation. Lorz et al 7 showed that the concentration of organic micropollutants in Paranoá Lake decreases significantly as the distance to WWTPs becomes higher, probably due to the fast and efficient degradation processes triggered by high water temperatures and permanent UV irradiation. However, their conclusions were based on data collected from sampling points situated in different locations of the lake, i.e., one in each of the four branches and another nearby the dam at the eastside portion of the lake.…”

“…To alleviate the low humidity effects on the region, Paranoá Lake (37.5 km 2 and 498 × 10 6 m 3 ) was also planned during the city's conception and today receives urban storm waters and effluents from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in the southern and northern regions. 6,7 In addition, Paranoá Lake will be used in the coming years as a water source for the production of drinking water. Therefore, investigations on the presence of emerging contaminants can provide additional information considering the safe use of water.…”

Relacionamento Entre a Mudança Da Rede De Drenagem Devido À Construção De Estruturas Urbanas E O Surgimento De Voçorocas No Bairro Do Jardim Botânico No Distrito Federal

“…O adensamento populacional no Distrito Federal tem provocado importantes mudanças ambientais (LORZ et al, 2012). No Distrito Federal houve um processo desorganizado da ocupação do território por condomínios privados, onde muitos são irregulares ou ilegais ocupando áreas de preservação permanentes, como: nascentes, faixa marginal de rios e encostas de morros (PAVIANI, 2010).…”

Integrating three tools for the environmental assessment of the Pardo River, Brazil

“…Urbanization and intense activities of urban population as well as substantial expansion of agriculture areas and cattle are identified as the major causes of environmental problems in Brazil, including pollution of water resources (Tucci 2008;Lorz et al 2012;Da Silva et al 2013). The Pardo River is an important water body, which is being considered as a future water supply.…”