Artículos (Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos)

URI permanente para esta colecciónhttps://hdl.handle.net/11441/11332

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Nutrients' distribution during fertigation of a felt-based living wall
(Springer, 2023) Suárez Cáceres, Gina Patricia; Recena Garrido, Ramiro; García López, Ana M.; Delgado García, Antonio; Pérez Urrestarazu, Luis; Agronomía; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos
The lack of space in cities has favoured the development of vertical gardens in indoor and outdoor environments. For an adequate development and appearance of the plants in these living walls, it is necessary to provide nutrients (usually by means of fertigation). One of the main limitations is the difficulty in obtaining a uniform distribution of nutrients, especially in felt systems. The objective of this research was to identify whether the distribution of nutrients (particularly iron and phosphorous) applied by fertigation in a felt living wall depended on the species used and the location of the plants in height. Three modules of a Fytotextile® felt-based living wall were used, each module containing three columns of different species: Soleirolia soleirolii, Philodendron hederaceum, and Nephrolepis exaltata. Fertigation was applied using a Hoagland–Arnon solution for 4 months. Measurements of leaf area, normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), chlorophyll meter readings (CMR), fresh and dry weight, and P and Fe concentration were carried out for each of the plants. Comparing variables within the same species at different heights showed no significant differences in the variables. This means that the distribution of nutrients along the living wall (especially in height) was uniform. It is important to note that these results could vary for other types of living walls or for other configurations of the fertigation system.
Establishment and development of ornamental grasses on green roofs and living walls
(Springer, 2023) Suárez Cáceres, Gina Patricia; Mejía-Sampedro, Diana Karen; Fernández Cañero, Rafael; Loges, Vivian; Pérez Urrestarazu, Luis; Agronomía; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos
Ornamental grasses are often used in gardens to improve biodiversity and as additional aesthetical resources. However, their use in green roofs (GR) and living walls (LW) is not so widespread and it has not been studied extensively. The aim of this work is to assess the performance of seven grass species (Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’, Acorus gramineus, Stipa tenuis sima ‘Pony Fails’, Carex flagellifera ‘Bronzita’, Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’, Uncinia rubra ‘Everflame’ and Miscanthus sinensis) for their use in GR and LW. The growth of the plants was evaluated (i.e. biomass production, dimensions), as well as their visual quality and survival. C. flagellifera and C. oshimensis showed coverage levels greater than 75% and good visual quality, while A. gramineus reached 55–60%. I. cylindrica and M. sinensis showed coverages slightly below 50% in the LW, however, both performed well in the GR, though with a lower visual quality. U. rubra did not develop well, reaching the lowest coverage (below 45%) but maintaining a high visual quality. S. tenuissima also attained low coverage in the LW and presented high mortality, especially in the GR. In LW, C. oshimensis stood out in flowering, while S. tenuissima showed the highest flowering rate in GR. The species should be selected considering their characteristics and performance in order to achieve a correct appearance and development. Interspecific interactions are especially important in LW, as species with upward growth should be placed above species with fallen leaves, not below.
Removal of volatile organic compounds by means of a felt-based living wall using different plant species
(MDPI, 2021) Suárez Cáceres, Gina Patricia; Pérez Urrestarazu, Luis; Agronomía; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos
Poor indoor quality affects people’s health and well-being. Phytoremediation is one way in which this problem can be tackled, with living walls being a viable option for places with limited space. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of five plant species in a living wall to remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and to identify whether the type of pollutant has any influence. An enclosed chamber was used to add the contaminants n-hexane and formaldehyde independently. Total VOCs were measured for three days in two scenarios: (1) empty chamber, and (2) chamber with living wall. Five living walls were prepared, each with three plants of the same species: Spathiphyllum wallisii, Philodendron hederaceum, Ficus pumila, Tradescantia pallida, and Chlorophytum comosum. There was no correlation between leaf area/fresh weight/dry weight and the contaminant reduction. In general, all five species were more efficient in reducing TVOCs when exposed to formaldehyde than to n-hexane. Chlorophytum comosum was the most efficient species in reducing the concentration of TVOCs for both contaminants, Spathiphyllum wallisii being the least efficient by far.
WEFE nexus unveiled: a comprehensive review of monitoring and modelling methods in the water-energy-food-ecosystems nexus
(IOP Publishing, 2025-10) Vrachioli, Maria; Mellios, Nikos; Alp, Emre; Borchard, Nils; Sousa Coutinho Calheiros, Cristina; Pineda-Martos, Rocío; Laspidou, Chrysi; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos; European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST); European Union (UE)
Sustainable resource management in the face of climate change is a pressing challenge for our society. This paper delves into the water-energy-food-ecosystems (WEFE) nexus, a scientific framework that supports the integrated assessment and management of the interconnected resources. Shifting from sectoral to cross-sectoral and transdisciplinary perspectives, the WEFE nexus addresses interdependencies and interactions among water, energy, food, ecosystems, and climate. This paper focuses on the extended nexus, incorporating ecosystems as a fourth pillar, underscoring the importance of considering ecosystems on an equal footing with water, energy, and food sectors. In addition, the paper emphasizes the significance of monitoring and modelling techniques, laying the foundations for understanding the nexus complexities and assessing uncertainty. The paper offers an overview of integrated nexus modelling, system analysis and socio-economic modelling, bridging the gap between nexus science and practice. It highlights the role of multifaceted stakeholder engagement methods, policy assessment, and institutional analysis in nexus models. Quantifying the nexus through indicators, and its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, EU Green Deal, and EU Blue Deal are also key focal points. Finally, the last part of the paper addresses challenges in existing nexus modelling attempts, advocates for the integration of transdisciplinary information, and presents lessons learned. The paper concludes with recommendations for the future of the WEFE nexus, emphasizing its potential in fostering transformative change toward sustainable resource management and inclusive policymaking.
Event-triggered boundary estimation for 2 × 2 hyperbolic PDEs with disturbance
(Elsevier, 2026) Zhao, Yan; Vázquez Valenzuela, Rafael; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España
This paper addresses the event-triggered boundary estimation problem for 2 × 2 linear hyperbolic partial differential equations (PDEs) subject to disturbances. These disturbances enter the PDEs through the boundary and are represented as an ordinary differential equation (ODE). The scenario considered involves transmitting boundary measurements to the observer only when necessary, as determined by a dynamic event-triggering condition. This approach aims to conserve communication and computational resources. The event-triggered observer is designed using the backstepping method, and an event-triggering condition is proposed to determine the time instants when sampled measurements should be transmitted. Under this event-triggered estimation mechanism, a minimal dwell-time between consecutive triggering time instants is guaranteed. Furthermore, the well-posedness of the solutions and the exponential convergence of the estimation error are ensured. Finally, the obtained results are applied to the Saint-Venant equations to demonstrate the effectiveness of the event-triggered estimation method.
Backstepping for partial differential equations: A survey
(Elsevier, 2026) Vázquez Valenzuela, Rafael; Auriol, Jean; Bribiesca Argomedo, Federico; Krstic, Miroslav; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España
Systems modeled by partial differential equations (PDEs) are at least as ubiquitous as those by nature finite-dimensional and modeled by ordinary differential equations (ODEs). And yet, systematic and readily usable methodologies, for such a significant portion of real systems, have been historically scarce. Around the year 2000, the backstepping approach to PDE control began to offer not only a less abstract alternative to PDE control techniques replicating optimal and spectrum assignment techniques of the 1960s, but also enabled the methodologies of adaptive and nonlinear control, matured in the 1980s and 1990s, to be extended from ODEs to PDEs, allowing feedback synthesis for systems that are uncertain, nonlinear, and infinite-dimensional. The PDE backstepping literature has since grown to hundreds of papers and nearly a dozen books. This survey aims to facilitate the entry into this thriving area of overwhelming size and topical diversity. Designs of controllers and observers, for parabolic, hyperbolic, and other classes of PDEs, in one or more dimensions, with nonlinear, adaptive, sampled-data, and event-triggered extensions, are covered in the survey. The lifeblood of control are technology and physics. The survey places a particular emphasis on applications that have motivated the development of the theory and which have benefited from the theory and designs: flows, flexible structures, materials, thermal and chemically reacting dynamics, energy (from oil drilling to batteries and magnetic confinement fusion), and vehicles.
Approach to similarity in the pinch-off of a viscous liquid thread
(Cambridge University Press, 2025) Corpart, Marie; Herrada Gutiérrez, Miguel Ángel; Deblais, Antoine; Bonn, Daniel; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos; Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad (MINECO). España
The breakup of viscous liquid threads is governed by a complex interplay of inertial, viscous and capillary stresses. Theoretical predictions near the point of breakup suggest the emergence of a finite-time singularity, leading to universal power laws describing the breakup, characterised by a universal prefactor. Recent stability analyses indicate that, due to the presence of complex eigenvalues, achieving similarity may only be possible through time-damped oscillations, making it unclear when and how self-similar regimes are reached for both visco-inertial and viscous regimes. In this paper, we combine experiments with unprecedented spatio-temporal resolution and highly resolved numerical simulations to investigate the evolution of the liquid free surface during the pinching of a viscous capillary bridge. We experimentally show for the first time that, for viscous fluids the approach to the self-similar solution is composed of a large overshoot of the instantaneous shrinking speed before the system converges to the nonlinear pinch-off similarity solution. In the visco-inertial case, the convergence to the stable solution is oscillatory, whereas in the viscous case, the approach to singularity is monotonic. While our experimental and numerical results are in good agreement in the viscous regime, systematic differences emerge in the visco-inertial regime, potentially because of effects such as polymer polydispersity, which are not incorporated into our numerical model.
Feasibility of an aquaponic system composed of a living wall coupled with an ornamental pond with fish in real-life conditions
(Wiley-VCH, 2025) Fernández Cabanás, Víctor Manuel; Martínez Millán, Leonardo; Suárez Cáceres, Gina Patricia; Fernández Cañero, Rafael; Rossini Oliva, Sabina; Fernández Espinosa, Antonio José; Franco Salas, Antonio; Pérez Urrestarazu, Luis; Agronomía; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos; Química Analítica
Green and blue infrastructures are often combined to create pleasant urban landscapes and provide new ecosystems in the built environment. New techniques for building integrated vegetation systems, such as vertical greening, are becoming common. In this work, we evaluate a case study of a combined aquaponic system composed of a living wall (LW) coupled to an ornamental pond with fish. The system allows the metabolic waste of fish and the unconsumed feed to be converted by a bacterial population into mineral nutrients that are used by the plants in the LW. For this purpose, the pond water was recirculated through a 7.2 m2 LW planted with 11 different ornamental plant species. The objectives of the study were (1) assessing the performance of LW vegetation irrigated with water from a pond and (2) monitoring the pond water quality with the LW used as a biofilter. The evolution of vegetation growth was monitored for 1 year by image analysis, and the concentration of some nutrients in the water was determined pre- and post-coupling. Vegetation cover increased from 30% to almost 100% after 1 year. Iron, magnesium, and nitrogen content increased in the LW plants after coupling with the pond. Electrical conductivity increased slightly with time, keeping below 500 µS cm−1. Nitrates, nitrites, and phosphates in the water were significantly reduced after the pond was coupled with the LW. Overall, the combination of both systems proved to be successful, optimizing the use of water and fertilizers with a circular economy focus.
Hybrid Powerplant Design and Energy Management for UAVs: Enhancing Autonomy and Reducing Operational Costs
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025) Quintana, Javier A.; Bordons Alba, Carlos; Esteban Roncero, Sergio; Delgado, Julián; Ingeniería de Sistemas y Automática; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España
This study presents the design of a hybrid powerplant for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), improving its autonomy compared to power systems based solely on batteries. The powerplant is designed for the Mugin EV-350 aircraft. Using experimental data from electric motors in a wind tunnel and fuel cells, a comparative analysis of different energy management strategies, such as fuzzy logic and passive, is conducted to reduce the operational and maintenance costs. A Python-based software program is developed and utilized for the real-time implementation and simulation of energy management strategies, with data collected in databases. This study integrates experimental data (wind tunnel and fuel cells) with real-time EMS strategies, and simulation-based predictions indicate practical improvements in endurance and cost reduction, as well as an increase in flight autonomy of 50%.
End-of-life of renewable energy technologies in urban environments. A state-of-the-art on installation trends, materials, and best practices in the EU
(2025-10) De Simone, Marilena; Campagna, Daniele; Cabeza, Luisa F.; Pineda-Martos, Rocío; Santos, Paulo; Turk, Janez; Ungureanu, Viorel; Zsembinszki, Gabriel; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España; European Union
The European Commission is promoting the production of thermal energy and electricity from renewable sources, coupled with storage systems, to decarbonize the built environment. However, these technologies use prevalently virgin raw materials, and end-of-life (EoL) circular frameworks are still difficult to be implemented due to technical, regulatory, and market barriers. This paper aims to present a state-of-the-art on the trends in installation, materials, EoL strategies, and companies active in renewable energy systems recycling. Solar, wind, and geothermal sources are examples of technologies easily incorporated into cities. The purpose is to provide information to stakeholders that should design technical solutions according to circularity criteria. The information, from both scientific and grey literature, showed that solar technologies represent the most widespread type of systems, with a considerable number of best practices and companies specialized in recycling. Wind technology follows in installation trends and activity of reuse-oriented companies. Geothermal, on the other hand, offers a reduced number of reference examples. Furthermore, this review provides an overview of the installation and potential EoL scenarios of electrical and thermal energy storage systems, highlighting significant differences in the implementation of circularity strategies. The study closes with considerations and suggestions for practical applications.
Relative Estimation and Control for Loyal Wingman MUM-T
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025) Martín Sánchez, Jesús; Esteban Roncero, Sergio; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos; TEP945: Ingeniería Aeroespacial
The gradual integration of Manned–Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) is gaining increasing significance. An intriguing feature is the ability to do relative estimation solely through the use of the INS/GPS system. However, in certain environments, such as GNSS-denied areas, this method may lack the necessary accuracy and reliability to successfully execute autonomous formation flight. In order to achieve autonomous formation flight, we are conducting an initial investigation into the development of a relative estimator and control laws for MUM-T. Our proposal involves the use of a quaternion-based relative state estimator to combine GPS and INS sensor data from each UAV with vision pose estimation of the remote carrier obtained from the fighter. The technique has been validated through simulated findings, which paved the way for the experiments explained in the paper.
ROS-Based Multi-Domain Swarm Framework for Fast Prototyping
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025) Martín Sánchez, Jesús; Esteban Roncero, Sergio; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos; TEP945: Ingeniería Aeroespacial
The integration of diverse robotic platforms with varying payload capacities is a critical challenge in swarm robotics and autonomous systems. This paper presents a robust, modular framework designed to manage and coordinate heterogeneous swarms of autonomous vehicles, including terrestrial, aerial, and aquatic platforms. Built on the Robot Operating System (ROS) and integrated with C++ and ArduPilot, the framework enables real-time communication, autonomous decision-making, and mission execution across multi-domain environments. Its modular design supports seamless scalability and interoperability, making it adaptable to a wide range of applications. The proposed framework was evaluated through simulations and real-world experiments, demonstrating its capabilities in collision avoidance, dynamic mission planning, and autonomous target reallocation. Experimental results highlight the framework’s robustness in managing UAV swarms, achieving 100% collision avoidance success and significant operator workload reduction, in the tested scenarios. These findings underscore the framework’s potential for practical deployment in applications such as disaster response, reconnaissance, and search-and-rescue operations. This research advances the field of swarm robotics by offering a scalable and adaptable solution for managing heterogeneous autonomous systems in complex environments.
Segmented Analysis for the Performance Optimization of a Tilt-Rotor RPAS: ProVANT-EMERGENTIa Project
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025-07) Martínez Blanco, Álvaro; Franco Espín, Antonio; Esteban Roncero, Sergio; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; TEP945: Ingeniería Aeroespacial
This paper aims to analyze the performance of a tilt-rotor fixed-wing RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) using a segmented approach, focusing on a nominal mission for SAR (Search and Rescue) applications. The study employs optimization techniques tailored to each segment to meet power consumption requirements, and the results highlight the accuracy of the physical characterization, which incorporates nonlinear propulsive and aerodynamic models derived from wind tunnel test campaigns. Critical segments for this nominal mission, such as the vertical take off or the transition from vertical to horizontal flight regimes, are addressed to fully understand the performance response of the aircraft. The proposed framework integrates experimental models into trajectory optimization procedures for each segment, enabling a realistic and modular analysis of energy use and aerodynamic performance. This approach provides valuable insights for both flight control design and future sizing iterations of convertible UAVs (Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles).
Monitoring intertidal ecosystems: Assessing spatio–temporal variability with Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8
(Elsevier, 2025) Zarzuelo Romero, Carmen; López-Ruiz, Alejandro; Bermúdez, María; Ortega-Sánchez, Miguel; Caballero, Isabel; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; European Union (UE)
Intertidal zones are home to critical ecosystems that provide a wide range of ecological, social and economic benefits, but are increasingly vulnerable to climate change and anthropogenic pressures. This study aims to develop a robust methodology for mapping and analysing these areas using satellite imagery, focusing on the creation of a new spectral index specifically designed for zoning marsh ecosystems. The methodology involves selecting optimal satellite data, correcting for solar reflectance, identifying intertidal pixels using the Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI) and classifying these zones into categories such as seagrass beds, mudflats, low marsh and high marsh. By comparing the effectiveness of Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 datasets, the research addresses common challenges in land cover mapping of intertidal environments — such as cloud cover, reflectance variability and tidal influences. The Bay of Cádiz (south-west Spain), with its extensive intertidal areas characterised by diverse habitats such as mudflats, marshes and seagrass beds, serves as an ideal case study for understanding coastal dynamics driven by tidal cycles. The results highlight the usefulness of the proposed spectral index in assessing changes in intertidal habitats over time, achieving classification accuracies of up to 93.6%, and supporting long-term monitoring efforts that are crucial for coastal conservation strategies. By refining intertidal mapping techniques and improving the detection of specific land cover classes, this research addresses existing methodological gaps and provides valuable insights for local coastal management. In future work, the methodology could be adapted to other intertidal systems and integrated with additional data sources to simulate future scenarios under sea level rise or extreme events. These improvements will help guide effective, data-driven strategies for conserving intertidal ecosystems in the face of accelerating environmental change.
Dermal Exposure of Operators, Bystanders and Residents Derived from Unmanned Aerial Spraying Systems (UASS) in Vineyard
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025) Sánchez-Fernández, Luis; Díaz García, Francisco; Pérez Ruiz, Manuel; Sandin España, Pilar; Alonso Prados, José Luis; Mateo Miranda, Miguelina; Martínez Guanter, Jorge; García Montero, Esther; Márquez, María del Carmen; Abril Muñoz, Isaac; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos; European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)
The increasing adoption of unmanned aerial spraying services presents a transformative opportunity for precision agriculture, enabling targeted and efficient application of plant protection products. However, ensuring their safe and regulated integration into European farming requires a comprehensive understanding of exposure risks for operators, bystanders, and residents. Expanding scientific knowledge in this domain is crucial for establishing a dedicated risk assessment framework for unmanned aerial spraying applications. This study evaluates dermal exposure levels among operators, residents, and bystanders, comparing unmanned aerial spraying applications with conventional vehicle-based and manual handheld spraying methods based on existing risk assessment and exposure models. Results suggest that unmanned aerial sprayers reduce dermal exposure for pilots, residents, and bystanders due to their remote operation and reduced drift compared to conventional spraying methods. However, critical exposure points arise during mixing, loading, and auxiliary tasks, where dermal exposure levels exceed model estimates. These elevated exposure levels are attributed to the higher frequency and concentrated handling of plant protection products in unmanned aerial spraying operations compared to traditional spraying methods. These findings highlight the need for targeted risk mitigation strategies to enhance operator safety, such as implementing closed transfer systems, optimized handling protocols, and specialized protective equipment.
Short-term space occupancy and conjunction filter
(Elsevier, 2025) Sánchez Rivero, Ana; Bombardelli, Claudio; Vázquez Valenzuela, Rafael; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad (MINECO). España; European Union (UE)
Conjunction analysis (CA) for resident space objects (RSOs) is essential for preventing collisions in an increasingly crowded orbital environment and preserving the operational integrity of satellites. A first and fundamental step in the CA process is to estimate the range of altitudes that each object can occupy throughout an operational screening time of, typically, a few days. In this paper, a method is proposed to analytically evaluate such range of altitudes in a zonal problem model and for a time horizon of generic duration thereby generalizing the concept of space occupancy (SO) introduced in a recent work. The proposed method is exploited to construct a new conjunction filter that considerably improves the classical apogee-perigee filter routinely employed in CA. The effectiveness of the new filter is assessed in a low-Earth orbit (LEO) scenario using a high-fidelity perturbation model across a broad spectrum of orbits and conjunction geometries.
Stability of finite-length collapsible channel flow to spanwise perturbations
(AIP Publishing, 2024-12) González Herrer, Emiliano; Herrada Gutiérrez, Miguel Ángel; Gañán-Calvo, Alfonso M.; Stewart, Peter S.; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK); TEP219: Física de Fluidos y Microfluídica
We consider flow through a finite-length flexible-walled channel formed by removing a portion from one wall of a wide rigid channel and replacing by a pre-tensioned hyperelastic sheet of finite thickness. The flow is driven by a prescribed upstream flow rate which is uniform along the channel inlet, and so with periodic boundary conditions in the transverse direction the system admits a steady state with a wall profile which is deformed in the streamwise direction but spatially uniform in the spanwise direction. Identical to the planar case, this system exhibits two stable static configurations: an upper branch where the flexible wall is mostly inflated and a lower branch where the wall is highly collapsed. We consider the stability of these steady states to spanwise perturbations, showing that both can become unstable to distinct families of self-excited oscillations. In particular, for large spanwise wavenumbers, these steady states are unstable to oscillatory normal modes where the perturbation wall profile has a single oscillating hump in the streamwise direction, not previously seen in collapsible channel flows driven by fixed upstream flux. Furthermore, for sufficiently large wavenumbers and no wall pre-tension in the spanwise direction, this system is always unstable to a new spanwise non-uniform static configuration, which arises due to the merging of a pair of unstable oscillatory normal modes. However, with non-zero spanwise wall pre-tension, there is always a region of parameter space where the spanwise uniform steady state is stable for all wavenumbers.
Beyond Macronutrients Supply: The Effect of Bio-Based Fertilizers on Iron and Zinc Biofortification of Crops
(MDPI, 2025) Nieto Cantero, Juan; García López, Ana M.; Recena Garrido, Ramiro; Quintero Ariza, José Manuel; Delgado García, Antonio; Agronomía; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos
Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) deficiencies in crops pose indirect problems for human health. The risk of these deficiencies increases with high doses of phosphate fertilizers. Fertilizers obtained through recycling—so-called bio-based fertilizers (BBFs)—can contain significant amounts of Fe and Zn, which can contribute to crop biofortification. Although the use of some organic BBFs has been shown to improve biofortification, an in-depth study on this effect and on the effect of P on Fe and Zn nutrition with the use of different kinds of bio-based P fertilizers is still lacking. A pot experiment with 11 different BBFs was conducted using two soils with different physicochemical properties that affect P, Fe, and Zn dynamics (one rich in CaCO3 and the other rich in Fe oxides) to assess their biofortification effects on wheat and sunflower. Although some BBFs increased Fe concentration in the edible parts, the overall trend was towards an increased P:Fe ratio (up to 62%), which decreased Fe digestibility. On the other hand, all BBFs led to Zn biofortification, with a 27% decrease in the P:Zn ratio in the CaCO3-rich soil, while in the Fe oxide-rich soil, the decrease was up to 61%. The supply of Zn and organic C, as well as the dominant P forms in BBFs, were the main factors explaining Zn biofortification. Bio-based fertilizers also decreased the antagonism between P and Zn and between Fe and Zn. The results demonstrated that the inclusion of BBFs in agrosystems management can contribute to improving the quality of human diets, at least with regard to Zn intake, while also contributing to more sustainable fertilization practices.
Innovation ARIMA models application to predict pressure variations in water supply networks with open-loop control. Case study in Noja (Cantabria, Spain)
(Elsevier, 2025) Muñoz Rodríguez, David; González Ortega, Manuel Jesús; Aguilera Ureña, María Jesús; Ortega Ballesteros, Andrés; Perea Moreno, Alberto Jesús; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos
Water utilities are increasingly concerned about losses, leaks, and illegal connections in their distribution networks. Pressure control is typically managed through pressure reducing valves (PRVs) with electrically controlled actuators based on predefined tables according to the pressure at the critical point control (CPC). This open-loop control method lacks direct feedback between the PRV and CPC, making it challenging to distinguish whether pressure variations originate from normal head losses or abnormal network conditions. Unlike traditional applications of ARIMA focused on water demand forecasting, this study explores its novel use in pressure management within distribution networks, aiming to predict P3 (CPC) pressure based on head losses across a defined hydraulic sector. To achieve this objective, a predictive model based on the Box-Jenkins methodology and its variations is implemented to analyse time series data. An action path is established to determine the optimal model—ARIMA, ARMA, ARMAX, etc.—which is subsequently validated using real operational data from Noja, a coastal town in northern Spain characterized by significant seasonal population fluctuations. By accurately forecasting CPC pressure, this system enhances the detection of anomalous patterns, enabling more efficient network pressure management. The study demonstrates the potential of advanced modelling techniques in optimizing water distribution networks, providing valuable insights to improve system efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in urban environments.
On the assessment of channel deepening impacts in micro-meso tidal estuaries: A systematic analysis
(Elsevier, 2025-07) Martín Llanes, Guillermo; López-Ruiz, Alejandro; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades. Junta de Andalucía
The need for efficient maritime transportation in estuaries has led to the development of diverse dredging strategies to accommodate vessels with deep drafts. Most recent studies assessing the environmental impacts of channel deepening use advanced, tailored models to simulate the long-term response to historical bathymetric changes in estuaries worldwide. However, these models are often time-consuming and highly specific to local conditions, limiting the broader applicability of their results. In addition, a common limitation is the significant time gap between the bathymetric data used, often exceeding 100 years. This makes it challenging to quantify the effects of isolated deepening operations, which is essential for understanding the influence of human intervention on estuarine dynamics. To overcome this limitation while ensuring efficient and adaptable modelling, this paper presents a three-dimensional idealised model (Delft3D) to quantify the short-term, e.g., weeks, hydrodynamic and salinity response to dredging operations in micro-meso tidal, well-mixed estuaries. Implications on channel operativity are also discussed. The numerical experiments examine variations in both channel depth and dredging length. Key findings suggest that dredging length is critical in the estuarine response. Specifically, dredging length has a greater influence on tidal amplification than channel depth. Changes in the flow structure are primarily driven by changes in the barotropic pressure gradient and bed shear forces, which vary spatially along the estuary, defining three distinct regions of behaviour. In addition, salt intrusion increases linearly with channel depth and becomes particularly sensitive to dredging length in shorter operations. Regarding basin management, results reveal that landward operativity is compromised by dredging in the lower river.

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