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The uncontrolled disposal of olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) is hazardous for the health of water and soil, since this wastewater shows low pH and high contents of organic matter and polyphenols (PP). Lagooning is one of the most common treatment systems for agro-industrial wastewater (such as OMW), due to its low cost and easy management. Aeration allows reducing the low depuration time, which is a constraint for this system. Despite this potential feasibility, literature about OMW lagooning is not abundant. Moreover, the effects of the aeration rates, concentration of polyphenols and nitrogen shortage on depuration performance of lagoons treating OMW have not been properly explored. This study analyzes the removal rates of COD and PP, and variations of pH in OMW treated in aerated tanks at the laboratory scale simulating lagooning systems. Compared to the non-aerated tanks, aeration of OMW increased the removal rates from 61% to 90% (for COD) and from 52% to 64% (for PP). Permanent aeration was more advisable compared to intermittent flow rates. Increasing concentrations of PP noticeably reduced the COD removal rates, which were halved at a 4-fold PP concentration. In contrast, the PP removal rate was constant at every concentration experimented. Compared to the COD:N value suggested by literature for aerobic processes (100:5), a shortage in nitrogen availability reduced both COD (by about 20–25%) and PP removal rates (by 25%), the latter only when COD:N was higher 400:5. The pH was less influenced by the variations in aeration rates, PP concentration and COD:N ratio compared to COD and PP removal. This investigation provides indications about the most suitable operation parameters (airflow rates, inhibiting PP concentration, and optimal COD:N) in aerated lagooning of OMW towards environmentally sound treatments of highly polluting wastewater.
Serafina Andiloro; Giuseppe Bombino; Pietro Denisi; Adele Folino; Demetrio Zema; Santo Zimbone. Depuration Performance of Aerated Tanks Simulating Lagoons to Treat Olive Oil Mill Wastewater under Different Airflow Rates, and Concentrations of Polyphenols and Nitrogen. Environments 2021, 8, 70 .
AMA StyleSerafina Andiloro, Giuseppe Bombino, Pietro Denisi, Adele Folino, Demetrio Zema, Santo Zimbone. Depuration Performance of Aerated Tanks Simulating Lagoons to Treat Olive Oil Mill Wastewater under Different Airflow Rates, and Concentrations of Polyphenols and Nitrogen. Environments. 2021; 8 (8):70.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSerafina Andiloro; Giuseppe Bombino; Pietro Denisi; Adele Folino; Demetrio Zema; Santo Zimbone. 2021. "Depuration Performance of Aerated Tanks Simulating Lagoons to Treat Olive Oil Mill Wastewater under Different Airflow Rates, and Concentrations of Polyphenols and Nitrogen." Environments 8, no. 8: 70.
Prescribed fire is commonly used to reduce the wildfire risk in Mediterranean forests, but the soil’s hydrological response after fire is contrasting in literature experiences. The mulch treatment can limit the increases in runoff and erosion in the short term after a fire. The use of fern is preferable to straw, due its large availability in forests. However, no experiences of post-fire treatment with fern mulch have been found in the literature and therefore the mulching effectiveness has not been evaluated. This study has measured water infiltration rate (IR) and water repellency (SWR) using a rainfall simulator in three Mediterranean forest stands (pine, oak and chestnut) of Calabria (Southern Italy) after a prescribed fire and mulching treatment with fern in comparison to unburned soil. Prescribed fire reduced water infiltration in all forests in the short term compared to the unburned conditions, and increased SWR in pine and oak forests. These reductions in IR in the time window of disturbance after fire increased the runoff generation capacity in all soils, but had a lower effect on peak flows. However, soil mulching with fern limited the runoff rates and peak flows compared to the burned soils, but this treatment was less effective in pine forest. One year after fire, IR increased in burned soils (treated or not) over time, and SWR disappeared. The effects of mulching have disappeared after some months from fire. The study confirms the usefulness of mulching in broadleaves forest in the short term, in order to control the hydrological effects of prescribed fire in Mediterranean forests. Both post-fire management techniques should be instead adopted with caution in conifer forests.
Bruno Carrà; Giuseppe Bombino; Pietro Denisi; Pedro Plaza-Àlvarez; Manuel Lucas-Borja; Demetrio Zema. Water Infiltration after Prescribed Fire and Soil Mulching with Fern in Mediterranean Forests. Hydrology 2021, 8, 95 .
AMA StyleBruno Carrà, Giuseppe Bombino, Pietro Denisi, Pedro Plaza-Àlvarez, Manuel Lucas-Borja, Demetrio Zema. Water Infiltration after Prescribed Fire and Soil Mulching with Fern in Mediterranean Forests. Hydrology. 2021; 8 (3):95.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBruno Carrà; Giuseppe Bombino; Pietro Denisi; Pedro Plaza-Àlvarez; Manuel Lucas-Borja; Demetrio Zema. 2021. "Water Infiltration after Prescribed Fire and Soil Mulching with Fern in Mediterranean Forests." Hydrology 8, no. 3: 95.
This study has evaluated the runoff and erosion rates in torrents of Southern Italy, two forested headwaters with very similar climatic, hydrological and geomorphological characteristics; in one headwater, 15 check dams were installed in the mid-1950s, while the other is not regulated with engineering works. To this aim, the hydrological variables have been modeled over 15 years after check dam installation using the HEC-HMS (Hydrologic Engineering Center-Hydrologic Modeling System) model coupled to the MUSLE (Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation) equation. The model simulations have shown that check dams have not played a significant role in reducing the surface runoff compared to the unregulated torrent; in both catchments, the well-developed forest cover determined very low runoff coefficients (lower than 0.3%) with a scarce runoff generation capacity. Additionally, the reduction in peak flow due to the check dams was not significant, on average −7.4% compared to the unregulated headwater. Check dams have retained sediments for about 8–10 years after their installation, reducing erosion by about 35%, although soil loss was much lower than the tolerance limit in both catchments. After the sediment retention capacity of the dam sediment wedge was depleted, the sediment yield in the regulated torrent was even higher (by about 20%) compared to the unregulated catchment. Overall, the study has shown that the use of check dams as a catchment management strategy of forested headwaters under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions should be considered with caution, since the structures could be ineffective to reduce water and sediment flows during floods or, in some cases, check dams may increase erosion rates.
Giuseppe Bombino; Pedro Pérez-Cutillas; Daniela D’Agostino; Pietro Denisi; Antonino Labate; Alberto Martínez-Salvador; Demetrio Zema; Santo Zimbone; Carmelo Conesa-García. Comparing the Hydrological Response of Forested Headwaters (Unregulated and Regulated with Check Dams) under Mediterranean Semi-Arid Conditions. Water 2021, 13, 1275 .
AMA StyleGiuseppe Bombino, Pedro Pérez-Cutillas, Daniela D’Agostino, Pietro Denisi, Antonino Labate, Alberto Martínez-Salvador, Demetrio Zema, Santo Zimbone, Carmelo Conesa-García. Comparing the Hydrological Response of Forested Headwaters (Unregulated and Regulated with Check Dams) under Mediterranean Semi-Arid Conditions. Water. 2021; 13 (9):1275.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Bombino; Pedro Pérez-Cutillas; Daniela D’Agostino; Pietro Denisi; Antonino Labate; Alberto Martínez-Salvador; Demetrio Zema; Santo Zimbone; Carmelo Conesa-García. 2021. "Comparing the Hydrological Response of Forested Headwaters (Unregulated and Regulated with Check Dams) under Mediterranean Semi-Arid Conditions." Water 13, no. 9: 1275.
In the Mediterranean semi-arid environment (e.g., in Southern Italy and Spain), headwaters are characterized by local factors, such as steep slopes, low drainage areas and heavy and short-duration rainstorms, which make the torrents prone to flash floods, soil erosion and landslides. The construction of check dams has contributed to mitigate the runoff and erosion rates, but the effectiveness of these structures has been rarely assessed. In these contexts, the availability of studies monitoring the mitigation effect of check dams on the hydrological response of torrents at the watershed scale over a long time could help developing new management strategies. To this aim, this study proposes an assessment of the multi-decadal runoff and erosion rates in two headwaters of torrents in Southern Italy, using a modeling approach. The first torrent (Vacale, 12.5 sq. km) is regulated by check dams built in ‘1950-1960, while the second torrent (Serra, 13.7 sq. km) is not regulated. Both catchments experienced an increase in forest cover up to the 70%, while the agricultural land decreased by about 30% of the total area after the construction of the control works until now. The hydrological response of the two headwaters has been simulated using the widely applied Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) model for runoff and peak flow, coupled with the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) to model sediment yield. To this purpose, 10 heavy rainfall-runoff events occurred between 1956 and 1971 were modeled. The peak flows and sediment yields of the regulated watershed were compared with the corresponding simulations at the undisturbed torrent. To summarize the results of this modeling experience, the changes in land cover resulted in a noticeable decrease in flood peak discharge (on average -53%) in both torrents, while the torrent with check dams showed a significant reduction of eroded sediment for each event (on average -9%) compared to the unregulated headwater. These findings help supporting a better understanding on the impact of control works and land use changes on the hydrological responses of Mediterranean torrents, indicating the most effective strategy to mitigate flash flood hazards and heavy erosion risks in similar environmental contexts.
Acknowledgement: This research was funded by ERDF/Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities-State Research Agency (AEI) /Project CGL2017-84625-C2-1-R; State Program for Research, Development and Innovation Focused on the Challenges of Society.
Giuseppe Bombino; Daniela D'Agostino; Pietro Denisi; Antonino Labate; Pedro Perez Cutillas; Alberto Martinez Salvador; Demetrio Antonio Zema; Santo Marcello Zimbone; Carmelo Conesa Garcia. Comparing the hydrological response of regulated vs. not regulated mountain torrents in the Mediterranean semi-arid environment: a case study in Southern Italy. 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleGiuseppe Bombino, Daniela D'Agostino, Pietro Denisi, Antonino Labate, Pedro Perez Cutillas, Alberto Martinez Salvador, Demetrio Antonio Zema, Santo Marcello Zimbone, Carmelo Conesa Garcia. Comparing the hydrological response of regulated vs. not regulated mountain torrents in the Mediterranean semi-arid environment: a case study in Southern Italy. . 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Bombino; Daniela D'Agostino; Pietro Denisi; Antonino Labate; Pedro Perez Cutillas; Alberto Martinez Salvador; Demetrio Antonio Zema; Santo Marcello Zimbone; Carmelo Conesa Garcia. 2021. "Comparing the hydrological response of regulated vs. not regulated mountain torrents in the Mediterranean semi-arid environment: a case study in Southern Italy." , no. : 1.
The ephemeral streams, which drain steep and metamorphic catchments, experience rapid and torrential runoff with high sediment loads. These processes cause important morphological changes in the channels. This work proposes a methodological approach to verify the change patterns in the magnitude and frequency of the hydrological events that geomorphologically model this type of channels. A gravel-bed ephemeral stream, the Rambla de la Azohía, located in the coastal area of the Betic Mountains (southeastern Spain), has been chosen as a study case for the method validation. This approach focuses first on relationships between peak discharges and sediment budgets measured at checkpoints for specific events from 2018 to 2020 and then runoff data and sediment yields obtained using the GeoWEPP model for the same cases after calibration/validation. Water depths and concentrations of suspended sediment recorded during the events of 2018 and 2019 were used for model calibration and validation, respectively. For the calibration stage, a sensitivity analysis was carried out in order to detect the parameters that most influence the model output and are, therefore, suitable for calibration. Finally, the results obtained in the calibration and validation periods were evaluated using the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NS) and percent bias (PBIAS). Values of NS and PBIAS equal to 0.86 and 7.81%, respectively, were found in the calibration period, while these indices were 0.81 and -4.1% in the validation period. All these values confirm the model’s capacity to simulate peak flow and erosion in the experimental conditions. Topographical variations and sediment budgets, verified combining high-resolution digital terrain models (HRDTMs) with ortophotographs and point clouds dated in 2018, 2019 and 2020, and ground-based surveys, were analyzed in relation to changes in discharge in order to determine geomorphic flow thresholds. According to these thresholds, three classes of morphological adjustments were defined: 1. global changes caused by discharges over the bankfull depth; 2. large alterations at the bankfull stage driven by a noticeable vertical bed accretion and lateral erosion; 3. moderate adjustments during sub-bankfull flows that are able to modify alluvial bars; and 4. minor events, in which the accretion of these bars ceases and shallow scouring and washing actions prevail. These geomorphic thresholds were then applied to the complete series of discharges simulated using GeoWEPP at the event scale during the period 1997-2019. The results revealed a significant increase in the number of events that are capable to produce bed aggradation and bank erosion. This research was funded by FEDER / Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities - State Research Agency (AEI) / Projects CGL2017-84625- C2-1-R and CGL2017-84625-C2-2-R; State Program for Research, Development and Innovation Focused on the Challenges of Society.
Carmelo Conesa-García; Alberto Martínez-Salvador; Francisco Martínez-Capel; Carlos Puig-Mengual; Pedro Pérez-Cutillas; Demetrio A. Zema; Giuseppe Bombino. Using GeoWEPP model, high-resolution 3D models and ground-based survey to detect sedimentation changes and morphological adjustments in an ephemeral stream. 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleCarmelo Conesa-García, Alberto Martínez-Salvador, Francisco Martínez-Capel, Carlos Puig-Mengual, Pedro Pérez-Cutillas, Demetrio A. Zema, Giuseppe Bombino. Using GeoWEPP model, high-resolution 3D models and ground-based survey to detect sedimentation changes and morphological adjustments in an ephemeral stream. . 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarmelo Conesa-García; Alberto Martínez-Salvador; Francisco Martínez-Capel; Carlos Puig-Mengual; Pedro Pérez-Cutillas; Demetrio A. Zema; Giuseppe Bombino. 2021. "Using GeoWEPP model, high-resolution 3D models and ground-based survey to detect sedimentation changes and morphological adjustments in an ephemeral stream." , no. : 1.
Surface runoff rates in torrents are driven by land use and climate changes. Moreover, the effects of control works, such as the check dams, can modify these rates. In the Mediterranean semi-arid watersheds (e.g., in Southern Italy and Spain), this forcing may sum to local factors, such as steep slopes, small drainage areas and heavy and short-duration rainstorms. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the hydrological effects of each action (presence of check dam, land use changes and future climate forcing), in order to control flash floods, soil erosion and landslides at the watershed scale. To this aim, this study evaluates the annual runoff rates in two headwaters of Southern Italy, mainly forested and agricultural, using a modeling approach. More specifically, the well-known Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model is applied to Vacale (12.5 sq. km) torrent, regulated by check dams built in ‘1950-1960, and Serra torrent (13.7 sq. km), not regulated. Both sub-watersheds experienced an increase in forest cover up to 70%, while the agricultural land decreased by about 30% of the total area in the period after the construction of the control works until now. Previously, the model was calibrated in a third torrent (Duverso, 12.5 sq. km, gauged for runoff measurements), with the same climatic and geomorphological characteristics, using the automatic calibration by the SWATCUP program. After calibration, SWAT simulated the hydrological response under different land uses (forest, pasture and bare soil, the latter simulating total deforestation) and climate change scenarios (applying a Global Circulation Model, under 2.6 and 8.5 Representative Concentration Pathways) throughout the next 80 years. The results of this modeling experience showed that: (i) the presence of check dams noticeably reduced the hydrological response of the regulated headwater compared to the torrent without check dams; (ii) the vegetal cover of the forestland has been the most important factor in mitigating the surface runoff rate in comparison to the other land uses; (iii) under the future climate change scenarios, the surface runoff will increase with increasing mean temperatures and precipitation intensity. The model outputs help supporting a better understanding on the impacts of control works as well as land use and climate changes on the runoff generation capacity in Mediterranean torrents. These indications are useful to watershed managers in the adoption of the most effective strategy to mitigate flash flood hazards and heavy erosion risks in similar environmental contexts.
Acknowledgement: This research was funded by ERDF/Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities-State Research Agency (AEI) /Project CGL2017-84625-C2-1-R; State Program for Research, Development and Innovation Focused on the Challenges of Society.
Demetrio Antonio Zema; Giuseppe Bombino; Bruno Gianmarco Carrà; Daniela D'Agostino; Pietro Denisi; Antonino Labate; Antonio Alberto Martinez Salvador; Pedro Perez Cutillas; Santo Marcello Zimbone; Carmelo Conesa Garcia. Hydrological effects of climate and land use changes in regulated vs. unregulated headwaters of Southern Calabria . 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleDemetrio Antonio Zema, Giuseppe Bombino, Bruno Gianmarco Carrà, Daniela D'Agostino, Pietro Denisi, Antonino Labate, Antonio Alberto Martinez Salvador, Pedro Perez Cutillas, Santo Marcello Zimbone, Carmelo Conesa Garcia. Hydrological effects of climate and land use changes in regulated vs. unregulated headwaters of Southern Calabria . . 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDemetrio Antonio Zema; Giuseppe Bombino; Bruno Gianmarco Carrà; Daniela D'Agostino; Pietro Denisi; Antonino Labate; Antonio Alberto Martinez Salvador; Pedro Perez Cutillas; Santo Marcello Zimbone; Carmelo Conesa Garcia. 2021. "Hydrological effects of climate and land use changes in regulated vs. unregulated headwaters of Southern Calabria ." , no. : 1.
The use of the Soil Conservation Service-curve number (SCS-CN) model for runoff predictions after rainstorms in fire-affected forests in the Mediterranean climate is quite scarce and limited to the watershed scale. To validate the applicability of this model in this environment, this study has evaluated the runoff prediction capacity of the SCS-CN model after storms at the plot scale in two pine forests of Central-Eastern Spain, affected by wildfire (with or without straw mulching) or prescribed fire and in unburned soils. The model performance has been compared to the predictions of linear regression equations between rainfall depth and runoff volume. The runoff volume was simulated with reliability by the linear regression only for the unburned soil (coefficient of Nash and Sutcliffe E = 0.73–0.89). Conversely, the SCS-CN model was more accurate for burned soils (E = 0.81–0.97), also when mulching was applied (E = 0.96). The performance of this model was very satisfactory in predicting the maximum runoff. Very low values of CNs and initial abstraction were required to predict the particular hydrology of the experimental areas. Moreover, the post-fire hydrological “window-of-disturbance” could be reproduced only by increasing the CN for the storms immediately after the wildfire. This study indicates that, in Mediterranean forests subject to the fire risk, the simple linear equations are feasible to predict runoff after low-intensity storms, while the SCS-CN model is advisable when runoff predictions are needed to control the flooding risk.
Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja; Giuseppe Bombino; Bruno Gianmarco Carrà; Daniela D’Agostino; Pietro Denisi; Antonino Labate; Pedro Antonio Plaza-Alvarez; Demetrio Antonio Zema. Modeling the Soil Response to Rainstorms after Wildfire and Prescribed Fire in Mediterranean Forests. Climate 2020, 8, 150 .
AMA StyleManuel Esteban Lucas-Borja, Giuseppe Bombino, Bruno Gianmarco Carrà, Daniela D’Agostino, Pietro Denisi, Antonino Labate, Pedro Antonio Plaza-Alvarez, Demetrio Antonio Zema. Modeling the Soil Response to Rainstorms after Wildfire and Prescribed Fire in Mediterranean Forests. Climate. 2020; 8 (12):150.
Chicago/Turabian StyleManuel Esteban Lucas-Borja; Giuseppe Bombino; Bruno Gianmarco Carrà; Daniela D’Agostino; Pietro Denisi; Antonino Labate; Pedro Antonio Plaza-Alvarez; Demetrio Antonio Zema. 2020. "Modeling the Soil Response to Rainstorms after Wildfire and Prescribed Fire in Mediterranean Forests." Climate 8, no. 12: 150.
In order to predict and control the impacts of floods in torrents, it is important to verify the simulation accuracy of the most used hydrological models. The performance verification is particularly needed for applications in watersheds with peculiar climatic and geomorphological characteristics, such as the Mediterranean torrents. Moreover, in addition to the accuracy, other factors affect the choice of software by stakeholders (users, modellers, researchers, etc.). This study introduces a “performance matrix”, consisting of several evaluation parameters weighted by stakeholders’ opinions. The aim is to evaluate the accuracy of the flood prediction which is achieved by different models, as well as the pros and cons of software user experience. To this aim, the performances and requisites of four physical-based and conceptual models (HEC-HMS, SWMM, MIKE11 NAM and WEC-FLOOD) have been evaluated, by predicting floods in a midsized Mediterranean watershed (Mèsima torrent, Calabria, Southern Italy). In the case study, HEC-HMS and MIKE 11 NAM were the best computer models (with a weighted score of 4.45 and 4.43, respectively), thanks to their low complexity and computation effort, as well as good user interface and prediction accuracy. However, MIKE11 NAM is not free of charge. SWMM showed a lower prediction accuracy, which put the model in third place of the four models. The performance of WEC-FLOOD, although not being as good as for the other tested models, can be considered overall acceptable in comparison to the other well-consolidated models, considering that WEC-FLOOD is in the early stage of development. Overall, the proposal of the performance matrix for hydrological models may represent a first step in building a more complete evaluation framework of the hydrological and hydraulic commercial models, in order to give indications to allow potential users to make an optimal choice.
Pasquale Filianoti; Luana Gurnari; Demetrio Zema; Giuseppe Bombino; Marco Sinagra; Tullio Tucciarelli. An Evaluation Matrix to Compare Computer Hydrological Models for Flood Predictions. Hydrology 2020, 7, 42 .
AMA StylePasquale Filianoti, Luana Gurnari, Demetrio Zema, Giuseppe Bombino, Marco Sinagra, Tullio Tucciarelli. An Evaluation Matrix to Compare Computer Hydrological Models for Flood Predictions. Hydrology. 2020; 7 (3):42.
Chicago/Turabian StylePasquale Filianoti; Luana Gurnari; Demetrio Zema; Giuseppe Bombino; Marco Sinagra; Tullio Tucciarelli. 2020. "An Evaluation Matrix to Compare Computer Hydrological Models for Flood Predictions." Hydrology 7, no. 3: 42.
In Mediterranean environments, where soil erosion rates are often not tolerable, sediment connectivity at the watershed scale needs accurate evaluation tools. Quiñonero-Rubio et al. (2013) proposed the Catchment Connectivity Index (CCI) to describe hydrological and geomorphological factors. It requires the combination of considerable skills to data sources and demanding field surveys. In order to improve the index and to simplify its application, in this study we propose a modified version of the CCI, the mCCI, that produces a more efficient description of the hydrological and geomorphological parameters composing CCI and, thanks to the large use of GIS software, making easier its applicability for operators with less field experience.
The mCCI is applied in a torrent of Calabria (Southern Italy) to evaluate the sediment connectivity at the catchment scale, by comparing four scenarios: a combination of check dam presence or not and land use or not, in 1955 and in 2012. This case study has shown how and by what extent the natural and human impacts (climate and land-use changes and check dam installation) have affected the geomorphic processes influencing sediment circulation in the studied basin throughout six decades. From 1955 to 2012, a general decrease in sediment connectivity has been caught by the mCCI, as a result of the combined effects of greening-up processes of the catchment (due to both natural afforestation and human-induced reforestation) and the installation of check dams, which have decreased the catchment potential to circulating sediments. Overall, the mCCI can be used as an analytical tool to evaluate the influence of past or future changes in natural and human-induced changes in land use and climate actions to give support to land planners in watershed management tasks.
Giuseppe Bombino; Carolina Boix-Fayos; Bruno Gianmarco Carrà; Maria Francesca Cataldo; Daniela D'agostino; Pietro Denisi; Joris De Vente; Antonino Labate; Antonella Nucera; Demetrio Antonio Zema. A modified index to evaluate the sediment connectivity at the catchment scale in Mediterranean torrents. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleGiuseppe Bombino, Carolina Boix-Fayos, Bruno Gianmarco Carrà, Maria Francesca Cataldo, Daniela D'agostino, Pietro Denisi, Joris De Vente, Antonino Labate, Antonella Nucera, Demetrio Antonio Zema. A modified index to evaluate the sediment connectivity at the catchment scale in Mediterranean torrents. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Bombino; Carolina Boix-Fayos; Bruno Gianmarco Carrà; Maria Francesca Cataldo; Daniela D'agostino; Pietro Denisi; Joris De Vente; Antonino Labate; Antonella Nucera; Demetrio Antonio Zema. 2020. "A modified index to evaluate the sediment connectivity at the catchment scale in Mediterranean torrents." , no. : 1.
Several frameworks to evaluate the sediment connectivity—the physical linkage of sediment through the channel system—in a catchment have been proposed and verified in several environmental contexts. A simple but effective index (“catchment connectivity index”, CCI), considering the geomorphological characteristics of the channels and the connectivity between hillslopes and channels was proposed for estimating the sediment connectivity in Spanish rivers. The procedure to calculate the CCI is improved in this study, which suggest a modified index (“mCCI”) to make simpler and more realistic the hydrological and geomorphological description of the landscape elements influencing the sediment connectivity. The new procedure to calculate the mCCI reduces the need of many field surveys (whose output is often affected by errors when carried out by low-experience operators) and makes quicker the CCI application on a catchment scale (thanks to the large use of GIS).
Giuseppe Bombino; Carolina Boix-Fayos; Maria Francesca Cataldo; Daniela D’Agostino; Pietro Denisi; Joris de Vente; Antonino Labate; Demetrio Antonio Zema. A Theoretical Approach to Improve the Applicability of the Catchment Connectivity Index. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering 2020, 141 -149.
AMA StyleGiuseppe Bombino, Carolina Boix-Fayos, Maria Francesca Cataldo, Daniela D’Agostino, Pietro Denisi, Joris de Vente, Antonino Labate, Demetrio Antonio Zema. A Theoretical Approach to Improve the Applicability of the Catchment Connectivity Index. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering. 2020; ():141-149.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Bombino; Carolina Boix-Fayos; Maria Francesca Cataldo; Daniela D’Agostino; Pietro Denisi; Joris de Vente; Antonino Labate; Demetrio Antonio Zema. 2020. "A Theoretical Approach to Improve the Applicability of the Catchment Connectivity Index." Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering , no. : 141-149.
The importance of sediment connectivity for watershed management needs accurate quantification tools, particularly in Mediterranean torrents, where soil erosion and sediment transport are often not tolerable. This study proposes a modified version (mCCI) of the Catchment Connectivity Index (CCI), theorized by Quiñonero‐Rubio, Boix‐Fayos, and de Vente (2013). The modified index improves the calculation procedure, providing a more efficient description of the hydrological and geomorphological factors of CCI and making easier its applicability for the operators with less field experience. The mCCI is applied to evaluate the sediment connectivity at the catchment scale in a torrent of Calabria (Southern Italy). This case study has shown how and by what extent the natural (climate changes) and human impacts (land‐use changes and check dam installation) have influenced the geomorphic processes influencing sediment circulation in the studied basin throughout six decades. From 1955 to 2012, a general decrease in sediment connectivity has been caught by mCCI. This was the combined effects of greening‐up processes of the catchment (due to both natural afforestation and human‐induced reforestation) and the installation of check dams, which have decreased the catchment potential to circulating sediments. Overall, the mCCI can be used as an analytical tool to evaluate the influence of past or future changes in natural and human‐induced changes in land use and climate actions by comparing scenarios of torrent connectivity.
Giuseppe Bombino; Carolina Boix‐Fayos; Maria Francesca Cataldo; Daniela D'agostino; Pietro Denisi; Joris De Vente; Antonino Labate; Demetrio Antonio Zema. A modified Catchment Connectivity Index for applications in semi‐arid torrents of the Mediterranean environment. River Research and Applications 2020, 36, 735 -748.
AMA StyleGiuseppe Bombino, Carolina Boix‐Fayos, Maria Francesca Cataldo, Daniela D'agostino, Pietro Denisi, Joris De Vente, Antonino Labate, Demetrio Antonio Zema. A modified Catchment Connectivity Index for applications in semi‐arid torrents of the Mediterranean environment. River Research and Applications. 2020; 36 (5):735-748.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Bombino; Carolina Boix‐Fayos; Maria Francesca Cataldo; Daniela D'agostino; Pietro Denisi; Joris De Vente; Antonino Labate; Demetrio Antonio Zema. 2020. "A modified Catchment Connectivity Index for applications in semi‐arid torrents of the Mediterranean environment." River Research and Applications 36, no. 5: 735-748.
In small mountain catchments of the Mediterranean basin, heavy and intense rainfalls produce frequent flash floods that can cause economic damage and even fatalities in the often densely populated valley areas. To reduce future damage of such events, the application of mitigation strategies aimed at hydrological control and disaster risk reduction is essential. However, to reach this goal, flash flood frequency and magnitude need to be characterized in space and time. This task is highly challenging in areas where existing records are either lacking, short or highly incomplete. In poorly or completely ungauged catchments, tree-ring based flash flood reconstruction has proven useful to overcome this limitation and is now considered a valuable, alternative approach to extend flow records back in time. Tree-ring based reconstructions of past flash floods have been employed widely in many different geographic contexts worldwide, but were less frequently used in Mediterranean torrents, and not at all in Southern Italy so far. Here, we present a regional flash flood reconstruction from five poorly gauged mountain catchments in Calabria (southern Italy) to reconstruct both the timing and the magnitude of five extreme flash flood events of the last 60 years. We show that the return periods of these events ranged between 5 and 30 years based on hydraulic (Manning’s equation) and hydrological (rational formula) approaches. Validation of the reconstructed discharge values was done by using direct water depth measurements (obtained from a gauging station). Our results suggest that the combination of different methods allows a reliable reconstruction of extreme hydrological events by easy-to-survey parameters in ungauged torrents of Mediterranean environments. We also demonstrate that tree-ring approaches have the potential to be applied in ungauged (or poorly gauged) Mediterranean mountain catchments as well so as to improve records of the frequency and magnitude of past flash flood activity.
Juan Antonio Ballesteros-Canovas; Giuseppe Bombino; Daniela D'Agostino; Pietro Denisi; Antonino Labate; Markus Stoffel; Demetrio Antonio Zema; Santo Marcello Zimbone. Tree-ring based, regional-scale reconstruction of flash floods in Mediterranean mountain torrents. CATENA 2020, 189, 104481 .
AMA StyleJuan Antonio Ballesteros-Canovas, Giuseppe Bombino, Daniela D'Agostino, Pietro Denisi, Antonino Labate, Markus Stoffel, Demetrio Antonio Zema, Santo Marcello Zimbone. Tree-ring based, regional-scale reconstruction of flash floods in Mediterranean mountain torrents. CATENA. 2020; 189 ():104481.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJuan Antonio Ballesteros-Canovas; Giuseppe Bombino; Daniela D'Agostino; Pietro Denisi; Antonino Labate; Markus Stoffel; Demetrio Antonio Zema; Santo Marcello Zimbone. 2020. "Tree-ring based, regional-scale reconstruction of flash floods in Mediterranean mountain torrents." CATENA 189, no. : 104481.
When olive groves are cultivated on clayey soils with steep gradients, as in many Mediterranean areas, reducing the runoff and soil erosion rates by adopting proper soil management practices is imperative. A soil cover by pruning residues may represent an alternative to the commonly adopted mechanical tillage. This study evaluates the water infiltration rates and surface runoff volumes in a steep and clayey olive grove of Southern Italy. These hydrological variables are measured at the plot scale under four soil management practices (mechanical tillage, total artificial protection of soil and soil cover with two different rates of vegetal residues). The measurements have been carried out using a rainfall simulator under dry (undisturbed) and wet (that is, on soils disturbed by intense rainfall) conditions. The mechanical tillage leads to lower water infiltration rates and higher runoff production. The retention of a soil cover by vegetal residues (in the range 3.5–17.5 tons/ha of dry matter) reduces the runoff rate on average by 30%, mainly because of the increased soil infiltration rates (over 100%, compared to mechanical tillage). After soil disturbance due to antecedent rainfall, the runoff generation capacity of a soil disturbed by a heavy precipitation significantly increased compared to undisturbed soils because of the decrease in soil infiltration rates. Overall, the retention of vegetal residues over the soil may be advisable to reduce surface runoff generation rates, particularly for saturated soils.
Giuseppe Bombino; Pietro Denisi; Josè Alfonso Gómez; Demetrio Antonio Zema. Water Infiltration and Surface Runoff in Steep Clayey Soils of Olive Groves under Different Management Practices. Water 2019, 11, 240 .
AMA StyleGiuseppe Bombino, Pietro Denisi, Josè Alfonso Gómez, Demetrio Antonio Zema. Water Infiltration and Surface Runoff in Steep Clayey Soils of Olive Groves under Different Management Practices. Water. 2019; 11 (2):240.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Bombino; Pietro Denisi; Josè Alfonso Gómez; Demetrio Antonio Zema. 2019. "Water Infiltration and Surface Runoff in Steep Clayey Soils of Olive Groves under Different Management Practices." Water 11, no. 2: 240.
In mountain streams possible negative impacts of check dams on soil, water and riparian vegetation due to check dam installation can be noticed. In spite of the ample literature on the qualitative effects of engineering works on channel hydrology, morphology, sedimentary effects and riparian vegetation characteristics, quantitative evaluations of the changes induced by check dams on headwater characteristics are rare. In order to fill this gap, this study has evaluated the effects of check dams located in headwaters of Calabria (Southern Italy) on hydrological and geomorphological processes and on the response of riparian vegetation to these actions. The analysis has compared physical and vegetation indicators in transects identified around check dams (upstream and downstream) and far from their direct influence (control transects). Check dams were found to influence significantly unit discharge, surface and subsurface sediments (both upstream and downstream), channel shape and transverse distribution of riparian vegetation (upstream) as well as cover and structure of riparian complexes (downstream). The actions of the structures on torrent longitudinal slope and biodiversity of vegetation were less significant. The differences on bed profile slope were significant only between upstream and downstream transects. The results of the Agglomerative Hierarchical Cluster analysis confirmed the substantial similarity between upstream and control transects, thus highlighting that the construction of check dams, needed to mitigate the hydro-geological risks, has not strongly influenced the torrent functioning and ecology before check dam construction. Moreover, simple and quantitative linkages between torrent hydraulics, geomorphology and vegetation characteristics exist in the analysed headwaters; these relationships among physical adjustments of channels and most of the resulting characteristics of the riparian vegetation are specific for the transect locations with respect of check dams. Conversely, the biodiversity of the riparian vegetation basically eludes any quantitative relations with the physical and other vegetal characteristics of the torrent transects.
Demetrio Antonio Zema; Giuseppe Bombino; Pietro Denisi; Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja; Santo Marcello Zimbone. Evaluating the effects of check dams on channel geometry, bed sediment size and riparian vegetation in Mediterranean mountain torrents. Science of The Total Environment 2018, 642, 327 -340.
AMA StyleDemetrio Antonio Zema, Giuseppe Bombino, Pietro Denisi, Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja, Santo Marcello Zimbone. Evaluating the effects of check dams on channel geometry, bed sediment size and riparian vegetation in Mediterranean mountain torrents. Science of The Total Environment. 2018; 642 ():327-340.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDemetrio Antonio Zema; Giuseppe Bombino; Pietro Denisi; Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja; Santo Marcello Zimbone. 2018. "Evaluating the effects of check dams on channel geometry, bed sediment size and riparian vegetation in Mediterranean mountain torrents." Science of The Total Environment 642, no. : 327-340.
In Mediterranean semi‐arid conditions, the availability of studies monitoring channel adjustments as a response to reforestation and check dams over representative observation periods, could help develop new management strategies. This investigation is an integrated approach assessing the adjustments of channel morphology in a typical torrent of southern Italy after land‐use changes and check dam construction across a period of about 60 years. A statistical analysis of historical rainfall records, an analysis of land‐use changes in the catchment area and a geomorphological mapping of channel adjustments were carried out and combined with field surveys of bed surface grain‐size over a 5‐km reach including 14 check dams. The analysis of the historical rainfall records showed a slight decrease in the amount and erosivity of precipitation. Mapping of land‐use changes highlighted a general increase of vegetal coverage on the slopes adjacent to the monitored reaches. Together with the check dam network installation, this increase could have induced a reduction in water and sediment supply. The different erosional and depositional forms and adjustments showed a general narrowing between consecutive check dams together with local modifications detected upstream (bed aggradation and cross‐section expansion together with low‐flow realignments) and downstream (local incision) of the installed check dams. Changes in the torrent bends were also detected as a response to erosional and depositional processes with different intensities. The study highlighted: the efficiency of check dams against the disrupting power of intense floods by stabilizing the active channel and the influence of reforestation in increasing hillslope protection from erosion and disconnectivity of water and sediment flows towards the active channel. Only slight management interventions (for instance, the conversion of the existing check dams into open structures) are suggested, in order to mobilize the residual sediment avoiding further generalized incision of the active channel and coast line erosion. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diego Fortugno; Carolina Boix-Fayos; Giuseppe Bombino; Pietro Denisi; Juan Manuel Quiñonero Rubio; Vincenzo Tamburino; Demetrio Antonio Zema. Adjustments in channel morphology due to land-use changes and check dam installation in mountain torrents of Calabria (southern Italy). Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 2017, 42, 2469 -2483.
AMA StyleDiego Fortugno, Carolina Boix-Fayos, Giuseppe Bombino, Pietro Denisi, Juan Manuel Quiñonero Rubio, Vincenzo Tamburino, Demetrio Antonio Zema. Adjustments in channel morphology due to land-use changes and check dam installation in mountain torrents of Calabria (southern Italy). Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 2017; 42 (14):2469-2483.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDiego Fortugno; Carolina Boix-Fayos; Giuseppe Bombino; Pietro Denisi; Juan Manuel Quiñonero Rubio; Vincenzo Tamburino; Demetrio Antonio Zema. 2017. "Adjustments in channel morphology due to land-use changes and check dam installation in mountain torrents of Calabria (southern Italy)." Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 42, no. 14: 2469-2483.
The increased sensitivity for the preservation of the riparian ecosystems equilibrium has guided the attention of researchers and planners towards river restoration interventions, to give a higher naturalness to watercourses. Interventions of ecological river restoration in urbanized areas require specific preliminary studies and surveys on the hydraulic compatibility of materials (both living and nonliving) and works, in order to verify the effects induced by the new fluvial settlements on the hydraulic safety of riverbed reaches and its surroundings. In this work three contexts will be identified: three representative contexts in an urban environment, and, for each of them, possible ecological river restoration interventions will be proposed
Giuseppe Bombino; Pietro Denisi; Celestina Fazia; Diego Fortugno; Francesca Moraci. Proposals for Restoration of Mediterranean Watercourses in Urban Context. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 2016, 223, 739 -744.
AMA StyleGiuseppe Bombino, Pietro Denisi, Celestina Fazia, Diego Fortugno, Francesca Moraci. Proposals for Restoration of Mediterranean Watercourses in Urban Context. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2016; 223 ():739-744.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Bombino; Pietro Denisi; Celestina Fazia; Diego Fortugno; Francesca Moraci. 2016. "Proposals for Restoration of Mediterranean Watercourses in Urban Context." Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 223, no. : 739-744.
Giuseppe Bombino; Pietro Denisi; Diego Fortugno; Pasquale A. Marziliano. Hydrogeological Risk and Coastal Protection in the Metropolitan Area of Reggio Calabria: A GIS to Manage Engineering Control Works. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 2016, 223, 733 -738.
AMA StyleGiuseppe Bombino, Pietro Denisi, Diego Fortugno, Pasquale A. Marziliano. Hydrogeological Risk and Coastal Protection in the Metropolitan Area of Reggio Calabria: A GIS to Manage Engineering Control Works. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2016; 223 ():733-738.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Bombino; Pietro Denisi; Diego Fortugno; Pasquale A. Marziliano. 2016. "Hydrogeological Risk and Coastal Protection in the Metropolitan Area of Reggio Calabria: A GIS to Manage Engineering Control Works." Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 223, no. : 733-738.
The distributed parameter and continuous simulation Annualized Agricultural Non-Point Source (AnnAGNPS) model was implemented in the watershed Anzur (Spain) covered by olive groves, to assess its prediction capability of surface runoff at the large watershed scale in semi-arid conditions. A 5-year database reporting hydrological, geomorphological and land use characteristics of the watershed allowed model implementation. Almost 180 surface runoff events were modelled by AnnAGNPS and compared with the corresponding observations through statistical indexes and grouping the runoff events in order to evaluate the model at different temporal scales (event, monthly and seasonal). AnnAGNPS evaluation showed that, in general, runoff was estimated by the default model with low accuracy at all the investigated time scales, likely, as a result of a simple representation of spatial variability. Calibration (by reducing initial curve numbers (CN) of the olive groves) provided more accurate and satisfactory predictions of event, monthly and seasonal runoff volumes with a low effort in the parameterisation approach. The best model performance was achieved at the event scale. The runoff prediction reliability may be attributable to the AnnAGNPS inaccuracy in adjusting CN values during the continuous simulation of the soil moisture conditions, because estimations of daily evapotranspiration values are quite realistic. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Peer reviewe
Demetrio Antonio Zema; Pietro Denisi; Encarnación V. Taguas Ruiz; José Alfonso Gómez; Giuseppe Bombino; Diego Fortugno. Evaluation of Surface Runoff Prediction by A nn AGNPS Model in a Large Mediterranean Watershed Covered by Olive Groves. Land Degradation & Development 2015, 27, 811 -822.
AMA StyleDemetrio Antonio Zema, Pietro Denisi, Encarnación V. Taguas Ruiz, José Alfonso Gómez, Giuseppe Bombino, Diego Fortugno. Evaluation of Surface Runoff Prediction by A nn AGNPS Model in a Large Mediterranean Watershed Covered by Olive Groves. Land Degradation & Development. 2015; 27 (3):811-822.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDemetrio Antonio Zema; Pietro Denisi; Encarnación V. Taguas Ruiz; José Alfonso Gómez; Giuseppe Bombino; Diego Fortugno. 2015. "Evaluation of Surface Runoff Prediction by A nn AGNPS Model in a Large Mediterranean Watershed Covered by Olive Groves." Land Degradation & Development 27, no. 3: 811-822.
The effectiveness of check dams on channel morphology of managed torrents is rarely assessed. Therefore, there is a need for studies that focus on the impacts of existing engineering check dams on the planoaltimetric characteristics of the torrent, particularly in Mediterranean areas, where the hydrological regime of ephemeral channels is dynamically unsteady. The quantitative evaluation of the effects of the check dams on channel morphology after many years (i.e., at least four or five decades) helps introduce innovations to the usual analysis of check dam efficacy which have often been limited to qualitative observations for only a few years after installation. As a contribution to make up these shortcomings, this paper investigates the geomorphologic asset of a torrent in southern Italy containing 10 check dams (installed in the 1950s to 1960s) and analyzes the dynamics of the scouring and sedimentation processes upstream and downstream of selected check dams after 8 rainfall events; moreover, the capability of the model by Castillo (2007) to predict scouring/sedimentation in proximity to these check dams is assessed. Sediment stored upstream of each check dam (where lower channel gradients and wider channel sections formed very long and wide sedimentary wedges) is more than one order of magnitude higher compared to scouring downstream. The morphological analysis revealed that the check dams installed in the headwater reach play a function of bed stabilization (due to the longitudinal slope reduction) and flood lamination (because of the wider channel section) rather than a role of sediment collectors as their sediment storage capacity has already been completed. Scouring/sedimentation dynamics depend mainly on the channel slope and width in proximity to the check dams rather than on structure height. Finally, Castillo's model showed an acceptable performance in predicting scouring/sedimentation in the channel bed close to check dams after the monitored rainfall events, the model efficiency being satisfactory and the differences between the mean observed and simulated values low. This investigation improves the understanding about morphological effects of check dams in Mediterranean torrents based on field observations and quantitative analysis.
Demetrio Antonio Zema; Giuseppe Bombino; Carolina Boix-Fayos; Vincenzo Tamburino; Santo Marcello Zimbone; Diego Fortugno. Evaluation and modeling of scouring and sedimentation around check dams in a Mediterranean torrent in Calabria, Italy. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 2014, 69, 316 -329.
AMA StyleDemetrio Antonio Zema, Giuseppe Bombino, Carolina Boix-Fayos, Vincenzo Tamburino, Santo Marcello Zimbone, Diego Fortugno. Evaluation and modeling of scouring and sedimentation around check dams in a Mediterranean torrent in Calabria, Italy. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 2014; 69 (4):316-329.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDemetrio Antonio Zema; Giuseppe Bombino; Carolina Boix-Fayos; Vincenzo Tamburino; Santo Marcello Zimbone; Diego Fortugno. 2014. "Evaluation and modeling of scouring and sedimentation around check dams in a Mediterranean torrent in Calabria, Italy." Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 69, no. 4: 316-329.
Intensive depuration plants have often shown low reliability and economic sustainability, when utilised for agro-industrial wastewater treatment, due to the particular wastewater properties: high organic load and essential oil concentrations, acidity, nutrient scarcity and qualitative-quantitative variability of effluents. Aerated lagooning systems represent a suitable alternative, because they are able to assure good reliability and low energy requirements, avoiding the drawbacks shown by the intensive depuration plants. In order to optimize performance of the lagooning systems, particularly in terms of energy requirements, depuration processes of aerobic-anaerobic aerated lagoons were investigated, both at full- and laboratory-scale. Citrus processing wastewater were subject to bubble aeration with low flow rates and limited time; the removal rate of organic load was evaluated and energy requirements of different depuration schemes were compared. The experimental investigations in full-scale aerated lagoons showed a low energy supply (0.21-0.59 kWh per kg of COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) removed with an average value of 0.45 kWh kgCOD –1), an adequate equalisation capability and constantly good depurative performance also with high concentrations of essential oil (500-1000 ppm). The experimental investigations in lab-scale aerated tanks under controlled conditions indicated the possibility of decreasing energy requirements (down to 0.16 kWh kgCOD –1) by reducing aeration power (down to 0.6 W m–3) and limiting aeration time to night 12 hours only, when energy price is lower. In spite of the low aeration, the COD removal rates were on the average six-fold higher compared to the anaerobic tank. Other outcomes indicated an ability of the spontaneous microflora to adapt to high concentrations of essential oils, which however did not provide an increase of the removal rate of the organic load in the experimented scheme.
Serafina Andiloro; Giuseppe Bombino; Vincenzo Tamburino; Demetrio Antonio Zema; Santo Marcello Zimbone. Aerated lagooning of agro-industrial wastewater: depuration performance and energy requirements. Journal of Agricultural Engineering 2013, 44, 1 .
AMA StyleSerafina Andiloro, Giuseppe Bombino, Vincenzo Tamburino, Demetrio Antonio Zema, Santo Marcello Zimbone. Aerated lagooning of agro-industrial wastewater: depuration performance and energy requirements. Journal of Agricultural Engineering. 2013; 44 (2s):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSerafina Andiloro; Giuseppe Bombino; Vincenzo Tamburino; Demetrio Antonio Zema; Santo Marcello Zimbone. 2013. "Aerated lagooning of agro-industrial wastewater: depuration performance and energy requirements." Journal of Agricultural Engineering 44, no. 2s: 1.