Assessment of Saltwater Intrusion and Discharges to a Wetland with a 3D Transient Variable Density Flow Model: The Coastal Plane Oropesa-Torreblanca Aquifer, Spain

The proper characterization of coastal aquifers requires modeling variable density flow effects. However, most models estimate processes as saline intrusion based on 2D models with constant density and are rarely calibrated to honor salinity measurements. These facts limit the model predictions reliability, affecting the estimated hydrodynamic parameters, external stresses, and other model outputs that can be critical for planning or management decisions. This paper describes the re-assessment of a coastal aquifer model (Oropesa-Torreblanca, eastern Spain) subjected to moderate-to-high saline intrusion with a transient 3D variable density flow model. Previous models were based on 2D low-resolution grids without variable density effects. The new model honors the observed trends of both piezometric and salinity data. Results show the importance of the variable density effects having on critical outputs as sea intrusion and the discharges to a local wetland of high environmental value. The widespread intrusion process and its current stabilization are confirmed but, compared to previous models, the annual average intrusion is 156% higher, discharge to the wetland increases 30%, and the inflows from neighboring formations increase 22%. The more accurate aquifer models, as well as the new discharges and intrusion estimations, are important contributions for future water and environmental planning decisions in the area.

Quinoa Expansion in Peruvian Departments and Land Use Change before the Health Crisis

National and international policies have promoted quinoa consumption, influencing the expansion of the crop, and generating changes in land use. In this article, we analyzed the evolution of quinoa cultivation in Peru both at the national and departmental levels. Time series analysis vas used to. Between 1951 and 2019, the evolution of the quinoa-harvested areas in Peru has gone through various stages, first in regression until 1990, and then it has experienced a growth rate of 10%. Puno is still by far the department where the crop is most widespread. Taking into account the geographical and technological conditions, this highland area is less likely to maintain the rate of expansion than the Peruvian coast, which will imply great challenges for Andean farmers who have maintained the traditional crop throughout the period.

Introduction to the Microwave Photonics feature issue

Microwave photonics is a field that studies the interaction between microwave and optical waves for the generation,processing,control,and distribution of microwave signals by means of photonics.The key advantages of using photonics for microwave applications include wide bandwidth,low loss,and large tunability.In addition,the distribution of microwave signals over optical fibers can avoid a serious problem,electromagnetic interferences,especially in an electromagnetic-complex environment.The intention of this feature issue is to provide participants in the 2013 Asia Communications and Photonics Conference(ACP2013)with an opportunity to publish an account of their microwave photonics research as a peer-reviewed archival paper.