Temporal variability in the thermal regime of the lower Ebro River (Spain) and alteration due to anthropogenic factors

Prats, Jordi; Val, Rafael; Armengol, Joan; Dolz, Josep

doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2010.04.002

Cited by 54 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…The most common human impacts on the river thermal continuum are defi nitely dam and weir operations [20], infl ows from wastewater treatment [21] and power plants [22], and land use changes [23]. The thermal continuum may also be disrupted by natural factors, such as tributary infl ows and groundwater inputs [24], as well as different degrees of shading [25].…”

Section: Factors Affecting Thermal Variabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Impact on Spatial Water Temperature Variability in Lowland Rivers: a Case Study from Central Poland

Łaszewski¹

2018

Pol. J. Environ. Stud.

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Section: Factors Affecting Thermal Variabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Impact on Spatial Water Temperature Variability in Lowland Rivers: a Case Study from Central Poland

Łaszewski¹

2018

Pol. J. Environ. Stud.

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“…Of particular interest are the effects of dams and other hydropower infrastructures on water temperature. Water bodies created by such infrastructures have a very high thermal inertia, which can lead to substantial changes in the thermal regime in the downstream reaches (Prats et al, 2010). For example, in Northern, temperate rivers, water released from a dam during summer months typically shows a lower temperature than that in the river upstream, while the opposite tendency may be observed during winter (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using equilibrium temperature to assess thermal disturbances in rivers

et al. 2015

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Flow regulation is widely known to modify the thermal regime of rivers. Here, we examine the sensitivity of an empirical approach, the Equilibrium Temperature Concept (ETC), to detect both the effects of hydraulic infrastructures on the annual thermal cycle and the recovery of the thermal equilibrium with the atmosphere. Analysis was undertaken in a Pyrenean river (the Noguera Pallaresa, Ebro basin) affected by a series of reservoirs and hydropower plants. Equilibrium temperature (Te) is defined as the water temperature (Tw) at which the sum of all heat fluxes is zero. Based on the assumption of a linear relationship between Te and Tw, we identified changes in the Te–Tw regression slope, used as an indicator of a thermal alteration in river flow. We also assessed the magnitude of the alteration by examining the regression slope and its statistical significance. Variations in the regression parameters were used as indicators of the influence of factors other than atmospheric conditions on water temperature. Observed Tw showed a linear relationship with Te at all river stations. However, the slopes of the Te–Tw relationship appeared to be lower in the reaches downstream from hydraulic infrastructures, particularly below large dams. A seasonal analysis indicated that Te–Tw relationships had higher slopes and lower p‐values during autumn, while no significant differences were found at other seasons. Although thermal characteristics did not strongly depend on atmospheric conditions downstream of hydraulic infrastructures, the river recovered to pre‐alteration conditions with distance downstream, indicating the natural tendency of water to attain thermal equilibrium with the atmosphere. Accepting associated uncertainties, mostly because of the quality of the data and the lack of consideration of other factors influencing the thermal regime (e.g. discharge), ETC appears to be a simple and effective method to identify thermal alterations in regulated rivers. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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“…Therefore, excessive discharges of heat into natural surface waters and subsequently increased temperatures have negative effects on water quality and are therefore often referred to as ''thermal pollution.'' In fact, even changes in water temperature of about 1 C may already interfere with ecological systems [Scheffer et al, 2001] and influence the structure of biotic communities [Prats et al, 2010].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Large lakes as sources and sinks of anthropogenic heat: Capacities and limits

Fink

Schmid

Wüest

2014

Water Resources Research

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The goal of reducing carbon fuel and thereby saving energy will increase the use of lake water for heating and cooling of riparian infrastructures. This raises the question of which heat use designs meet the ecological and technical requirements for lakes, particularly in regard to climate warming. Thus, this study explores heat use effects on the temperature and stratification of a large, deep, temperate lake by applying the one-dimensional k-epsilon model SIMSTRAT to various forcing scenarios. Several design parameters, such as extraction and discharge depth, and their effects were assessed. Additionally, 21st century climate projections were used to evaluate the effects of climate change relative to those of heat use. Generally, the study showed only minor effects for a realistic heat demand of 62 W m 22 quite independent of the heat extraction/discharge modes. Mean water temperature changed less than 60.2 C as long as there was no discharge into the deepest layers. Water extraction and discharge at the surface had the least thermal influence. To relate to climate change, heat use was scaled up to 185 W m 22 . Resultant simulations showed that such (unrealistic) anthropogenic, lake-based ''thermal pollution'' would have a comparable influence to that of climate change. Conversely, heat extraction could damp or even compensate climateinduced warming. The present study concludes that (i) there are minor effects on water temperatures, stratification, and seasonal mixing due to heat use of up to 62 W m 22 and (ii) those influences are insignificant relative to the expected climate change.

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Temporal variability in the thermal regime of the lower Ebro River (Spain) and alteration due to anthropogenic factors

Cited by 54 publications

References 38 publications

Human Impact on Spatial Water Temperature Variability in Lowland Rivers: a Case Study from Central Poland

Human Impact on Spatial Water Temperature Variability in Lowland Rivers: a Case Study from Central Poland

Using equilibrium temperature to assess thermal disturbances in rivers

Large lakes as sources and sinks of anthropogenic heat: Capacities and limits

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