Facteurs de variabilité spatiale des caractéristiques des débits minimums annuels des rivières wallonnes (Belgique)

in Revue des Sciences de l'Eau = Journal of Water Science (2011), 24(3), 311-327

The goal of this study was to determine which environmental factors affect the spatial variability of annual minimum streamflow characteristics for 34 rivers in Wallonia (Belgium) using two complementary ... [more ▼]

The goal of this study was to determine which environmental factors affect the spatial variability of annual minimum streamflow characteristics for 34 rivers in Wallonia (Belgium) using two complementary methods: theascending hierarchical classification method and the linear correlation method. Both methods were applied after principal component analysis transformation was applied to the data. The ascending hierarchical classification method (Ward’s method) identified the effect of lithology and anthropogenic activity (groundwater pumping) on the fundamental characteristics of annual minimum flows. Rivers that drain a relatively permeable substrate are characterized by very high flow volumes with low interannual variability, high interannual variability of the period of occurrence, and small asymmetry coefficients. Rivers that drain low permeability or impermeable substrates show the opposite patterns. Rivers in which flow is subjected to artificial influences are characterized by greater variability of the magnitude and of the period of occurrence of annual minimum flows than natural rivers. Analysis of linear correlations between streamflow characteristics and environmental factors highlighted a correlation between the form of the distribution curves of annual minimum flows and several environmental factors (climate, land use, location and physiographic characteristics of the watersheds). [less ▲]

Modélisation des échanges thermiques et de la circulation d'air dans un lit bactérien

in Revue des Sciences de l'Eau = Journal of Water Science (1990), 3(3), 303-324

The temperature is one of the main parameters governing the biological reactions in a trickling filter. The present model proposes a set of equations applicable for the determination of a temperature ... [more ▼]

The temperature is one of the main parameters governing the biological reactions in a trickling filter. The present model proposes a set of equations applicable for the determination of a temperature profile, and therefore of an average temperature, inside the trickling filter, when the flowrate and the temperature at entry of the liquid, the ambient air conditions (temperature and humidity) and the thermal exchange coefficients of the tower are known. Moreover, the airflow induced by natural draft is also computed when the head loss coefficients in the media and at entry are known. Beside this formulation, the first results of modal fitting on pilot plants are discussed. With few further developments, the method could be useful for the optimization of the operating temperature in a trickling filter which guarantees a sufficient airflow rate in the tower. [less ▲]