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Publications

Publications by Ana Cristina Pires

2010

Environmental issues in urban groundwater systems: a multidisciplinary study of the Paranhos and Salgueiros spring waters, Porto (NW Portugal)

Authors
Afonso, MJ; Chamine, HI; Marques, JM; Carreira, PM; Guimaraes, L; Guilhermino, L; Gomes, A; Fonseca, PE; Pires, A; Rocha, F;

Publication
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES

Abstract
This study presents the results of a multidisciplinary approach, using hydrogeochemical, isotopic and ecotoxicological analyses, performed to assess the nature and suitability for use of Paranhos and Salgueiros spring waters (Porto city, NW Portugal). Based on the surface activities located along the course of the springs, 23 water samples were collected. All the samples were analysed for major element concentrations. The isotopic techniques employed included delta(2)H, delta(18)O and (3)H. Standard acute bioassays with Daphnia magna were also performed. The hydrogeochemical analyses showed a nitrate and sulphate-enriched composition for these groundwaters, resulting mainly from urban drainage and sewer leakage. In the ecotoxicological analyses, no significant mortality was observed in any of the tests performed. The results obtained in this study suggest that Porto urban groundwater could be suitable for irrigation uses.

2010

Urban speleology applied to groundwater and geo-engineering studies: underground topographic surveying of the ancient Arca D'Agua galleries catchworks (Porto, NW Portugal)

Authors
Chamine, HI; Afonso, MJ; Robalo, PM; Rodrigues, P; Cortez, C; Santos, FAM; Plancha, JP; Fonseca, PE; Gomes, A; Devy Vareta, NF; Marques, JM; Lopes, ME; Fontes, G; Pires, A; Rocha, F;

Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPELEOLOGY

Abstract
The Porto settlement (Northwest Portugal, Iberian Peninsula) was originally built in the twelfth century and has been developed on granitic hill slopes of the Douro riverside, being one of the oldest cities in Europe. In the urban area of Porto, the second most important city of the Portuguese mainland, there is a population of about 216,000 inhabitants. This study highlights the importance of urban speleological mapping applied to groundwater and geo-engineering studies. All the water that flows from the so-called Paranhos or Arca D'Agua springs is captured by catchwork galleries and their utilization date back around 1120 AD. Paranhos spring galleries catchworks (c. 3,3 km extension and a -21m below ground level) was one of the main water supplies to Porto City for more than six centuries and, nowadays, these waters are still appropriate for irrigation uses. Topographical, geological, geophysical and hydrogeological data were collected and interpreted, allowing the definition of a hydrogeotechnical zoning. All these features were mapped and overlaid using GIS mapping techniques. This multidisciplinary approach offers a good potential for reliable urban speleological and geo-engineering studies of Arca D'Agua site.

2023

Hardness Tester for Analog Planetary Rocks: A Preliminary Assessment in Microgravity Flight

Authors
Pires, A; Costa, C; Moura, R; Persad, H; Reimuller, J; Gowanlock, D; Alavi, S; Beatty, HW; Almeida, J; Almeida, F; Silva, E; Pérez Alberti, A; Chaminé, I;

Publication
Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation

Abstract

2023

Geotechnics, Georesources and Natural Hazards: Impacts in Marine Technology and Oceanic Engineering

Authors
Pires, A; Chaminé, HI;

Publication
Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation

Abstract
This essay addresses the importance of geotechnics and marine georesources in developing technologies. The study proposes a coastal and marine geoengineering approach that focuses on five domains (5G’s): georesources, geology, geotechnics, geomechanics and geotechnologies. These domains are considered in several engineering projects related to coastal, hydraulic, marine, and maritime applications. The reality of a world in rapid, continuous evolution has put into perspective a multidisciplinary approach combining different practices and coastal strategies. That is the main driving force that should be considered when dealing with geoengineering projects in general. Moreover, geological resources and the potential exploitation of mineral and rock raw materials boost innovative techniques and upscaling geo-robotic systems. Finally, the essay unravels new trends in challenging and extreme environments and natural hazards, highlighting emerging fields such as deep-sea mining, geo-exploration, offshore, coastal, harbour and marine geotechnics. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

2023

Engineering geosciences, geotechnics and functional geomaterials: new trends on GIS mapping, geotechnologies and design with geohazards

Authors
Chamine, HI; Pires, A; Fernandes, I; Prikryl, R; Tugrul, A; Duzgun, HS; de Vallejo, LIG;

Publication
SN APPLIED SCIENCES

Abstract

2023

GeoTec: A System for 3D Reconstruction in Underground Environment (Aveleiras Mine, Monastery of Tibães, NW Portugal)

Authors
Pires A.; Dias A.; Rodrigues P.; Silva P.; Santos T.; Oliveira A.; Ferreira A.; Almeida J.; Martins A.; Chaminé H.I.; Silva E.;

Publication
Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation

Abstract
This work addresses reconstructing an ancient mining site in three-dimensional (3D) modelling with robotic systems, processing the information from two visible spectrum cameras. The developed solution, GeoTec System, was validated in an underground environment in the Monastery of Tibães (Braga, NW Portugal). This study was developed under the MineHeritage project's scope, aiming to attain society on the importance of raw materials across a historical approach. The outputs acquired from the datasets developed in a successful 3D reconstruction of the main gallery and secondary tunnels of the Aveleiras mine in Tibães. However, the investigation is still ongoing to contribute to applying 3D reconstruction technologies, GIS-based mapping and geovisualization techniques in the underground heritage environment.

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