A blue/green water-based accounting framework for assessment of water security

Autor(es)

Rodrigues, Dulce B. B. ^[1] ; Gupta, Hoshin V. ^[2] ; Mendiondo, Eduardo M. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Hydraul & Sanit Engn, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Arizona, Dept Hydrol & Water Resources, Tucson, AZ 85721 - USA

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH; v. 50, n. 9, p. 7187-7205, SEP 2014.
• Citações Web of Science: 21

Resumo

A comprehensive assessment of water security can incorporate several water-related concepts, while accounting for Blue and Green Water (BW and GW) types defined in accordance with the hydrological processes involved. Here we demonstrate how a quantitative analysis of provision probability and use of BW and GW can be conducted, so as to provide indicators of water scarcity and vulnerability at the basin level. To illustrate the approach, we use the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to model the hydrology of an agricultural basin (291 km(2)) within the Cantareira Water Supply System in Brazil. To provide a more comprehensive basis for decision making, we analyze the BW and GW-Footprint components against probabilistic levels (50th and 30th percentile) of freshwater availability for human activities, during a 23 year period. Several contrasting situations of BW provision are distinguished, using different hydrological-based methodologies for specifying monthly Environmental Flow Requirements (EFRs), and the risk of natural EFR violation is evaluated by use of a freshwater provision index. Our results reveal clear spatial and temporal patterns of water scarcity and vulnerability levels within the basin. Taking into account conservation targets for the basin, it appears that the more restrictive EFR methods are more appropriate than the method currently employed at the study basin. The blue/green water-based accounting framework developed here provides a useful integration of hydrologic, ecosystem and human needs information on a monthly basis, thereby improving our understanding of how and where water-related threats to human and aquatic ecosystem security can arise. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 12/05515-6 - Análise de sensibilidade e incertezas na aplicação da pegada hídrica (water footprint) e suas projeções em bacias hidrográficas
• Beneficiário: Dulce Buchala Bicca Rodrigues
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Exterior - Estágio de Pesquisa - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 08/58161-1 - Assessment of impacts and vulnerability to climate change in Brazil and strategies for adaptation option
• Beneficiário: Jose Antonio Marengo Orsini
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa de Pesquisa sobre Mudanças Climáticas Globais - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 11/11653-0 - Novo modelo de gestão da demanda hídrica em bacias hidrográficas: Bases metodológicas para avaliação e mitigação da pegada hídrica(Water Footprint)
• Beneficiário: Dulce Buchala Bicca Rodrigues
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado