We produce factor of safety (FOS) and slope failure susceptibility index (SFSI) maps for a 4.4-km² study area in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in order to explore the sensitivity of the geotechnical and geohydraulic parameterization on the model outcomes. Thereby, we consider parameter spaces instead of combinations of discrete values. SFSI is defined as the fraction of tested parameter combinations within a given space yielding FOS <1. We repeat our physically based calculations for various parameter spaces, employing the infinite slope stability model and the sliding surface model of the software r.slope.stability for testing the geotechnical parameters and the Transient Rainfall Infiltration and Grid-Based Regional Slope-Stability Model (TRIGRS) for testing the geohydraulic parameters. Whilst the results vary considerably in terms of their conservativeness, the ability to reproduce the spatial patterns of the observed landslide release areas is relatively insensitive to the variation of the parameterization as long as there is sufficient pattern in the results. We conclude that landslide susceptibility maps yielded by catchment-scale physically based models should not be interpreted in absolute terms and suggest that efforts to develop better strategies for dealing with the uncertainties in the spatial variation of the key parameters should be given priority in future slope stability modelling efforts.

Similarities in both water and electric current flows allow the relation of hydraulic and geoelectric parameters of porous aquifers. Based on this assumption and the importance of the hydraulic parameters for groundwater analyses, this study aimed to estimate hydraulic conductivity (K) and transmissivity (T) with vertical electrical sounding (VES) in the porous aquifer at the experimental farm of the University of Brasilia, Brazil. VES is a geophysical technique that provides electrical resistivity (ρ, Ω m) and thickness (h) of the subsurface layers. The ρ and h aquifer data, associated with lithology, water table level (WTL), and groundwater electrical resistivity (ρ_w, Ω m), allowed the calculation of complementary geoelectric parameters (formation factor, F, and Dar Zarrouk parameters) and the relation with K and T, determined via slug test. VES data allowed the elaboration of geoelectric models, with mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) below 6% compared to field data, and the identification of the aquifer in each VES station. Significant exponential regression models (R² > 0.5 and p-value < 0.05) showed the possibility of using geoelectric parameters to estimate hydraulic parameters. This study allowed the verification of the applicability of consolidated models and the identification of appropriate empirical relationships for hydrogeological characterization in the Brazilian tropical porous aquifers. The results of this work, besides the rapid sampling and low cost of performing vertical electrical sounding (VES), may justify the use of this geophysical technique for preliminary porous aquifer characterization, especially in regions absent of or with insufficient monitoring wells.

Paranoá Lake is an urban lake and it is being used as a source for urban water supply since last year. Until 1990, algal blooms occurred and improvements on wastewater treatment plants carried out improved the water quality very rapidly due to phosphorus load reduction. Recently, water quality is deteriorating, which is probably due to diffuse pollution. In Brazil, we adopt separated pipe networks for sewage and stormwaters, although cross flows occur. The evaluation of urban drainage stormwaters entering the lake and proposition of technical alternatives is crucial in minimizing the impacts on lake water quality. Quantitative and qualitative behavior of urban stormwaters were analyzed by means of monitoring the runoff flows and pollutant concentrations. Mathematical modelling while using the Storm Water Management Model—SWMM was carried out, and good correlations were found for flow modelling. However, poor response was achieved for water quality simulations, affecting the simulated pollutant loads entering the lake. The simulation of 13 alternatives for detention ponds location was also evaluated, as well as their influences on flow damping capability. The detention ponds that were tested were placed in line in the drainage mains to study the effects of their location on the removal of pollutants. As expected, the results showed that ponds located near the outfall are more efficient in reducing flow peaks. However, this layout requires construction woks in areas that are more sensitive to environmental and urbanistic problems and with higher land commercial values. Alternatives with smaller volumes in public areas near the center of the catchment area can lead to the peak flow damping required by the existing drainage network to avoid overflows. In conclusion, detention ponds can be a good alternative for improving the stormwater quantity and quality, but also alternatives that promote increased infiltration, should also be considered for compensating the infiltration lost due to urbanization.

Evapotranspiration represents a significant part on the water balance and, thus, the correct evaluation of this hydrological parcel is relevant when modeling a watershed. The objective of this work is to evaluate the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model’s capability in adequately simulating evapotranspiration in a watershed with predominance of the Brazilian Cerrado biome. Hydrological modeling of the Gama watershed located in the Federal District, which has 57.5% of its total area covered by pristine Cerrado, was conducted. Hydrometeorological and turbulent flow variables have been monitored in weather station and Eddy Covariance (EC) tower, respectively. SWAT simulations were performed for potential evapotranspiration methods: Hargreaves (H), Priestley–Taylor (PT) and Penman–Monteith (PM). Modified versions of SWAT for estimating actual (ET) by Strauch and Volk (2013) (SV) and Arroio Junior (2016) (AR) were also tested. The calibration and verification of the SWAT model, in terms of daily flow, were carried out using a Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm, and fair results were obtained with all the methods evaluated. The actual evapotranspiration (ET) simulated with SWAT (ETsim) using the PM, PT, H, SV and AR methods for a Cerrado hydrological response unit (HRU) were evaluated and compared with the ET obtained using the turbulent flow (Eddy Covariance) method (ETobs). Comparing ETobs and ETsim results, the PM method showed the best fitness and the H and PT methods showed better fit for the dry and the rainy periods, respectively. Although representing an advance on ET modeling, the SV and AR modifications did not improve the response in terms of simulation of the studied area.

Urban stormwater runoff is an important source of pollution in receiving water bodies, mainly in cities in development. However, strategies to deal with the impacts caused by the runoff discharges, such as implementing a sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) with optimized management, need information usually obtained through monitoring studies. Brasília is a city that has one of the highest urban growth rates in Brazil, with significant impacts on urban water resources, including diffuse pollution, generated by new unregulated urban developments that initially start being built with precarious sanitation infrastructure. The Vicente Pires (VP) watershed is highly urbanized and comprises two areas that have been intensively occupied more recently, at a fast pace, and do not have yet basic sanitation systems fully implemented. Stormwater quality at the outlet of the VP watershed was analyzed by monitoring the rainfall, runoff flows, and pollutant concentration. Event Mean Concentration (EMC) and first-flush (FF) phenomenon were calculated, and hydrologic characteristics were compared for different events through correlation analysis. During dry periods the flow varied between 0.5 and 1.29 m³/s, while in flood periods the maximum value was 72.17 m³/s, forming floods with great volume. Nitrate during dry periods stands out with its high concentration; the maximum was 1.49 mg/L, while the maximum concentration during the flood events was 0.43 mg/L, probably due to dilution. Ammonia results showed very low values, probably because nitrification is occurring up to the collection point. The EMC values of solids in flood events were higher and can be attributed to river bed scour along the VP watershed. The EMC SS values for the VP watershed are also similar to areas in the initial stages of building development. The EMC values in the dry season indicate strong correlations between some water quality parameters such as NH⁺³-N and SS, TS and NO₋₃-N; NO₋₃-N, and COD. These correlations indicate that these pollutants are probably being generated by the same source, probably sewage discharges. During flood events, the correlation between pollutant loads and peak flow can be associated with the scouring during surface washing off, because greater concentrations of solids and organic matter occur in events with greater flow rates. For the first 30% of the initial runoff volume, about 29% of SS, 38% of NH⁺³-N, and 35% of reactive P were carried during flood events. It was verified that large values of maximum or mean rainfall intensity are related to the occurrence of First Flush (FF) for most pollutants. Antecedent dry days (ADD) did not influence build-up processes in this watershed; however, they are related to FF occurrence. Data indicate that the sewage and stormwater collection networks were being installed caused a high impact on observed water quality, with high concentrations of solids during flood events. On the other hand, the wastewater collection after the sewer network installation led to a decrease in COD concentrations over time. For sustainable management of diffuse pollution, the adoption of distributed SUDS to enhance runoff volume reduction is a recommended solution for the case.