Browsing by Author "Huysmans, Marijke"

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    Determination of the natural potential groundwater recharge in the Valle Alto basin, Bolivia, through a soil water balance
    (Universidad Católica Boliviana "San Pablo"- CReA - VLIR-UOS., 2022-10-12) Apaza Coria, Cristian J.; Rodriguez-Levy, Inti E.; Delfin Soruco, Mirko; Huysmans, Marijke
    The Valle Alto basin in Bolivia is of national importance as an agricultural area and its water resources are essential for the subsistence of the local population and vital for the economic development of the country. Guaranteeing groundwater availability in this basin is crucial, considering that aquifers are the main source of water for irrigation and human consumption. In order to manage these resources sustainably, it is necessary to know the location and extent of the groundwater recharge. Thus, a soil water balance was performed using the Schosinsky method, in order to calculate the recharge rate and delimit the potential groundwater recharge areas in the Valle Alto basin. Rainfall was considered as the main input source for the model and 24 biophysical variables were characterized. This characterization included the evaluation of global circulation models, the geospatial delimitation of soil units and the analysis of 212 soil profiles. Based on the monthly balance, an annual recharge rate of 65.68 mm was estimated for the 2006–2020 period, corresponding to 121.11 × 106 m3 of recharged water. Of this volume, 80% is produced during the wet season (from December to March) and, spatially, the northeast region of the basin has the greatest potential for groundwater recharge. The obtained results from this research constitute an initial but important milestone, as they are the first of this nature for the Valle Alto basin on a regional level. Spanish: En Bolivia, la cuenca del Valle Alto es de gran importancia nacional como área agrícola y sus recursos hídricos son esenciales para la subsistencia de la población local y vitales para el desarrollo económico del país. Garantizar la disponibilidad de agua subterránea en esta cuenca es crucial, considerando que sus acuíferos son la principal fuente de agua para riego y consumo humano. Para gestionar estos recursos de forma sostenible, es necesario conocer la ubicación y la capacidad de las zonas recarga del agua subterránea. En tal sentido, para esta investigación se calculó un balance hídrico del suelo mediante el método propuesto por Schosinsky, con el fin de calcular la tasa de recarga y delimitar las áreas potenciales de recarga hídrica en la cuenca del Valle Alto. Se consideró la lluvia como la principal fuente de entrada del modelo y se caracterizaron 24 variables biofísicas. Esta caracterización incluyó la evaluación de modelos de circulación global, la delimitación geoespacial de unidades de suelo y el análisis de 212 perfiles de suelo. Con base en el balance mensual, se estimó una tasa de recarga anual de 65.68 mm para el período 2006–2020, correspondiente a 121.11 × 106 m3 de agua recargada. De este volumen, el 80% se produce durante la estación húmeda (de diciembre a marzo). Por otro lado, se determinó que la región noreste de la cuenca tiene el mayor potencial de recarga de aguas subterráneas. Los resultados obtenidos de esta investigación constituyen un hito inicial pero importante, ya que son los primeros de esta naturaleza para la cuenca del Valle Alto a nivel regional.
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    Development and Application of a Methodology for the Identification of Potential Groundwater Recharge Zones: A Case Study in the Virvini Micro-Basin, Tiraque, Bolivia
    (Universidad Católica Boliviana "San Pablo"- CReA - VLIR-UOS., 2023-03-23) Rodríguez-Levy, Inti E.; Centellas-Levy, Miguel A.; Ferreira, Wanderley J.; Touhidul Mustafa, Syed Md; Rivera-Rodriguez, Lilian; Gonzales Amaya, Andres; Huysmans, Marijke
    Groundwater plays a vital role in human consumption and irrigation in many parts of Bolivia; yet, the absence of policies to regulate its extraction and protect groundwater recharge areas has led to a decline in water tables and threatened food security. Some municipal initiatives have been implemented to develop regulations, but the lack of reliable hydrogeological data (such as aquifer geometry, groundwater level data, location of potential groundwater recharge zones, and flow dynamics) hinders their effective implementation. The case study presented herein focuses on a municipal policy in Tiraque, Bolivia, aimed at protecting groundwater recharge zones, in addition to the need for a reliable methodology for their technical identification. The EARLI approach (an acronym for “Enhanced Algorithm for Recharge based on the Rainfall and Land cover Inclusion”) is suggested as a participatory-simplified multi-criteria decision method to address the absence of hydrogeological data. This approach was adjusted to the basin’s specific conditions, including local vegetation communities and their influence on infiltration, and was applied as a pilot study in the Virvini micro-basin. The EARLI model emphasizes the spatial distribution of rainfall as an input indicator for potential recharge in addition to the biophysical characteristics of the catchment area. The methodology successfully mapped the degree of groundwater recharge potential and was validated by traditional hydrogeological models, field infiltration measurements, and the local community’s application of the tool. Therefore, the results of this study provide the necessary technical bases for groundwater-integrated management in Tiraque.
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    Estimating The Effect Of Wildfires On Groundwater Recharge Rates Through Soil Water Balance Models
    (2021) Guzmán, Mónica; D’Abzac, Paul; Huysmans, Marijke
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    Impacts of Wildfires on Groundwater Recharge: A Comprehensive Analysis of Processes, Methodological Challenges, and Research Opportunities
    (2024) Guzmán Rojo, Mónica; Fernandez, Jeanne; D’Abzac, Paul; Huysmans, Marijke; Department of Water and Climate, Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University; Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Exactas e Ingenierías, Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo, Cochabamba, Bolivia; Centro de Investigación para el Desarrollo Sostenible del Oriente Boliviano, Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo. Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
    ncreasing wildfire activity has led to complex ecosystem consequences, with direct effects on the subsystems that affect the presence and movement of water. Although studies have inves- tigated the cascading effects of wildfires on the water balance, our understanding of broad-scale groundwater modifications post fire remains unclear. This review aims to elucidate fire-induced shifts in the water balance, their causal factors, and their potential effects on groundwater recharge. By scrutinizing prior research examples that modeled post-fire recharge scenarios, the review highlights persistent knowledge gaps. The challenge of quantifying and integrating fire-induced alterations in precipitation, wind, and land temperature patterns into recharge projection models is specifically addressed. Despite these gaps, post-fire values of hydrologically meaningful parameters such as leaf area index (LAI), curve number (CN), and near-surface saturated hydraulic conductivity (KST) have been identified. Simulating post-fire recharge via the extrapolation of these values requires the consideration of site-specific conditions, vegetation recovery, and ash removal. It frequently results in a reduced interception and increased surface runoff, while evapotranspiration remains dependent on site-specific factors and often dictates groundwater recharge estimates. Although post-fire recharge simulations are inherently complex and imprecise, their growing application can guide land-use alterations and support policy implementation that considers fire-induced water availability changes
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    Transdisciplinary Learning Communities to Involve Vulnerable Social Groups in Solving Complex Water-Related Problems in Bolivia
    (2019-02-22) Agramont, Afnan; Craps, Marc; Balderrama, Melina; Huysmans, Marijke
    Bolivia has influenced the international water arenas as a pioneer of the Human Water RightsDeclarationbeforetheUnitedNationsGeneralCouncil. However,despiteapositivebutrather ideologicalevolution,thecountryisstillfacingseveralwaterchallengesinpractice. Watergovernance is extremely complex due to intricate social structures, important spatial and temporal differences in the availability of water resources, ecological fragility, and weak institutions. A Transdisciplinary Learning Community approach has been adopted by the Universidad Católica Boliviana to take into account the complexity of the water problems caused by social, hydrological, and ecological system imbalances. In this approach, researchers and non-academic actors work closely together to integrate different ways of conceiving, using, valuing, and deciding on water issues. The approach aims at co-creating resilient solutions by recovering and restoring not only the ecological system, but also the social system in which all actors are aware of their role and responsibility. We explain the challenges and concerns raised by this approach in a case study of the Katari River Basin (KRB), whichisimpactedbyahighdegreeofcontaminationthatismainlycausedwhilecrossingElAltocity, leading to dramatic consequences for the Lake Titicaca ecosystem and its surrounding communities.