Person: Zapico Alonso, Ignacio
Loading...
First Name
Ignacio
Last Name
Zapico Alonso
Affiliation
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Faculty / Institute
Ciencias Geológicas
Department
Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y Paleontología
Area
Geodinámica Externa
Identifiers
18 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 18
Item Geomorphic reclamation for reestablishment of landform stability at a watershed scale in mined sites: The Alto Tajo Natural Park, Spain(Ecological Engineering, 2018) Zapico Alonso, Ignacio; Martín Duque, José Francisco; Bugosh, Bugosh; Laronne, Laronne; Ortega, Ana; Molina, Antonio; Martín Moreno, Cristina; Nicolau Ibarra, José Manuel; Sánchez Castillo, LázaroThis research describes a geomorphic-based process of mining reclamation carried out at the El Machorro mine (at the edge of the Alto Tajo Natural Park, East Central Spain) and its monitoring for five years (2012–2017). The GeoFluv™ method implemented by the Natural Regrade software has been used to design small watersheds as a mining reclamation topographical solution. The procedure included: (i) finding a suitable reference area with stable landforms and acquiring inputs from them; (ii) designing two first-order stream watersheds; (iii) building the planned landscape; and (iv) monitoring the hydrological and erosive – sedimentary response of the reclaimed watersheds. This process is in itself a contribution to global advancement of reclamation best practices, because there are very few geomorphic-based mining reclamation examples, and even fewer that include their multi-annual monitoring. Sediment yields were obtained comparing Digital Elevation Models (DEM) acquired by Total Station (TS), Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), differential Global Positioning System (GPS) and topographic reconstructions (interpretations). An H-flume with turbidity and water pressure sensors allowed quantifying runoff and suspended sediment. Sediment yield progressively decreased with time attaining a current low value (4.02 Mg ha−1 yr−1). Water discharge and suspended sediment concentration have also decreased with time. Initially, high sediment yield values were obtained. They are interpreted as being triggered by grading errors that deviated from the design, so that runoff adjusted construction irregularities during that period by erosion and sedimentation. After those adjustments, the reclamation surface became more reflective of the design and the resulting surface remained very ‘stable’. The deduction is that the geomorphic-based reclamation has re-established an approximate steady-state or dynamic equilibrium, where hydrological and erosive – sedimentary functionality operate now at rates comparable to the surrounding natural land. Although further research is required to confirm long-term stability, geomorphic reclamation appears as an efficient mining reclamation alternative solution to the traditional approach of gradient terraces and downdrains, which require frequent and costly maintenance, in the highly erodible setting of the Alto Tajo Natural Park surroundings, as well as in most open pit mines.- Project number: 72
Item Modelos a escala de ríos (Flumes), fotogrametría digital, técnicas LiDAR, e impresión 3D para el desarrollo de un manual docente de prácticas de laboratorio con el objetivo de dinamizar la enseñanza de los procesos ligados a la geomorfología fluvial(2022) Garrote Revilla, Julio; Uribelarrea Del Val, David; Sanz Santos, Miguel Ángel; Zapico Alonso, Ignacio; Martín Moreno, Cristina; Martín Duque, José Francisco; Fernández Esteban, David; Comas López, Nuria; Durán Cerrato, Daniel; Garcia Mendez, Alejandro; Gómez Garre, Daniel; Sarobe García, HéctorEste proyecto de innovación docente (Proyecto INNOVA-Docencia 2021/22 - Nº 72), continuación de los proyectos INNOVA-Docencia 2019/20 - Nº 38, e INNOVA-Docencia 2020/21 - Nº 301, tiene varios objetivos específicos: a) la actualización y mejora del modelo a escala de río para que el mismo pueda reproducir todos los tipos de cauces que encontramos en la naturaleza; b) enseñanza de formas y procesos geomorfológicos fluviales mediante el desarrollo de un manual de ejercicios prácticos; y c), la exposición pública a la comunidad educativa de los experimentos y logros alcanzados. Item Reconstrucción geomorfológica en la restauración minera de la cantera Los Quebraderos de la Serrana de Toledo(Energía & Minas, 2011) Zapico Alonso, Ignacio; Martín Duque, José Francisco; Bugosh, N; Balaguer Núñez, Luis; Campillo, J.V.; De Francisco, C.; García, J.; Hernando, N.; Nicolau, J.M.; Nyssen, S.; Oria, J.; Sanz Santos, Miguel Ángel; Tejedor, M.En este artículo se describen los aspectos fundamentales de un Plan de Restauración. Se explican las actuaciones realizadas en el caso concreto de la cantera los Quebraderos de la Serrana (Noez, Toledo). Primero se realiza una reconstrucción geomorfológica, para después proponer un diseño de explotación y restauración que compatibiliza la obtención de aglomerado asfáltico, con la conservación del águila imperial. Al final de este artículo se llega concluye que deberían realizarse este tipo de actuaciones frente a la mera corrección del impacto visual.Item A Somolinos quarry land stewardship history: From ancient and recent land degradation to sensitive geomorphic-ecological restoration and its monitoring(Ecological Engineering, 2021) Martín Duque, José Francisco; Zapico Alonso, Ignacio; Bugosh, N.; Tejedor, M.; Delgado, F.; Martín Moreno, Cristina; Nicolau Ibarra, José ManuelThis research documents the successful application of a novel holistic approach to return land degraded over thousands of years of use to full ecological function. The surroundings of the Somolinos hamlet in Central Spain illustrate a millennial history of land transformation and degradation by agrarian and extractive activities exacerbated at the second half of the 20th century by mechanized mining. This land stewardship history was culminated by a recent intervention of geomorphic-based ecological restoration and its monitoring. Historic anthropogenic processes which triggered gully erosion were intense deforestation for agriculture and grazing, and construction materials quarrying. From 1963 to 2006 mechanized quarrying operated over ancient extractive landforms. In 2007, a conventional rehabilitation mitigated risks but failed at controlling erosion and promoting soil and vegetation reestablishment. A geomorphic-based ecological restoration was accomplished since 2011. The GeoFluv-Natural Regrade CAD software was used for geomorphic landform design, and construction was completed with a carbonatic colluvium topdressing supplemented with a manure-amended soil, that was seeded with grasses. The whole process was a truly complete application of ecological engineering. One of the main purposes of this research was to carefully scrutinize the completed project, to evaluate its effectiveness and, if any deficiencies were found, to analyze their causes, so that they could be avoided in the future. Therefore, the landscape evolution and erosional behaviour of the restored area has been monitored from 2011 to 2020 through a time-lapse sequence of several oblique aerial photos, and by comparing topographies through Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of Difference (DoDs). Those topographies were surveyed with differential GPS (DGPS) and with Structure from Motion (SfM) combined with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). This monitoring revealed: (a) landscape healing and diversification of the vegetation community composition and structure, as a result of the environmental heterogeneity of the geomorphic design; and (b) absence of hillslope and channel erosion for 99.8% of the area with limited surface erosion zones in 0.2% of the restored area. Our analysis attributed those limited erosion zones to a combination of: (a) minor design oversights; (b) slight construction deviation from the design grade; and (c) excessive runoff entering the repaired area that exceeded the design discharge. These erosion zones started to stabilize five years after initial restoration and achieved steady-state stability at nine years. The main lesson learnt from these minor deficiencies is that such erosion zones can be avoided at the design phase within GeoFluv-Natural Regrade by checking proper convex-concave slopes and concave channel profiles and by carefully considering any adjacent runoff entering the designed areas, which influence the channel's tractive forces. The use of Landscape Evolution Models, such as SIBERIA, can also identify design anomalies subject to erosion. Then, after rigorously inspecting the design, it is imperative that the construction is completed true to the design by defining and following construction tolerances.Item Reconstrucción geomorfológica y de hábitats en la restauración minera de la cantera "Los Quebraderos de la Serrana" (Toledo, España)(2011) Zapico Alonso, Ignacio; Martín Duque, José Francisco; Bugosh, N; Balaguer Núñez, Luis; Campillo, J.V.; De Francisco, C.; García, J.; Hernando, N.; Nicolau, J.M.; Nyssen, S.; Oria, J.; Sanz Santos, Miguel Ángel; Tejedor, M.Item Baseline to evaluate off-sitesuspended sediment-related mining effects in the Alto Tajo Natural Park, Spain(Land Degradation and Development, 2017) Zapico Alonso, Ignacio; Laronne, Jonathan; Martín Moreno, Cristina; Martín Duque, José Francisco; Ortega, Ana; Sánchez Castillo,LázaroMining is a human activity with considerable environmental impact. To evaluate such impacts, international laws require undertaking local studies based on direct sampling to establish baseline conditions of parameters modified by human activities. Mining takes place near the Alto Tajo Natural Park, where a suspended sediment concentration (SSC) baseline is required to determine whether mining affects water quality. To this end, we have monitored the Tajo River and its tributary the Tajuelo following Before–After Control-Impact (BACI) techniques, recommended by Australian and New Zealand laws, requiring a specific method based on continuous monitoring and sampling to enable evaluation of SSCs. An SSC baseline has been defined at stations situated upstream of the mining area and compared with those downstream. The highest detected SSC upstream of the Tajuelo mines was 24 g l−1 whereas the highest simultaneous downstream value was 391 g l−1, more than one order of magnitude higher than the supposed baseline (24 g l−1). Additionally, this value is 1000 times more than the average concentration of 25 mg l−1, used by the European Union until 2015, to guarantee the quality of salmonid waters. Following a BACI approach, a statistically significant SSC impact has been identified. The mined areas are the only source that can explain this increase. This is the first instance that such an increase and baseline have been found using this method. BACI is a simple and reliable method recommended for studying degraded areas rather than an irrelevant, fixed standard as included in most international laws.Item The Ribagorda sand gully (east-central Spain): Sediment yield and human-induced origin(Geomorphology, 2014) Martín Moreno, Cristina; Fidalgo Hijano, C.; Martín Duque, José Francisco; González Martín, J.A.; Zapico Alonso, Ignacio; Laronne, JonathanGullies are developed under different climatic conditions and lithologies; however, those formed on sands have been scarcely described. This paper reports the study of the Ribagorda sand gully, 2.57 ha in area (east-central Spain). The main objectives were to characterize and quantify its geomorphic dynamics and to trace its origin. We described the landforms of the gully and measured the surface strength of the sand. We monitored, for six years, the filling of the storage areas of three check dams built downstream from the gully, and related it with rainfall characteristics. We also described the nature of the sediments trapped by the dams and estimated the amount of sediment eroded since the gully formation. Finally, we consulted historical records and maps to determine past land uses and transformations that may have affected the origin of the gully. The study shows a high diversity of landforms, denoting active processes, consistent with a measured mean annual sediment yield of 114 Mg ha−1 yr−1. A statistically significant relationship exists between the mass of sediment (Mg) and: 1) the total rainfall (mm) (P = 0.0007) or 2) the analysed rainfall intensities. Among five identified facies in the sedimentarywedge, the sandy ones are predominant. The total amount of sediment eroded by the Ribagorda gully since its originwas 962,800Mg. The results are unequivocal signs of an intense geomorphic activity within the gully, with an alluvial-fan type deposition in the dams.We interpret that the Ribagorda gully was initiated by deforestation after the 13th century, when forests began to be intensively logged, and before the 18th century,when the gullywas first indirectly described in print. The age, origin, evolution and dynamics of this gully indicate that this landscape is currently evolving towards a new steady state, after human disturbances over centuries. Given the gully evolution and local extent, we suggest that no correction measures are needed for its management.Item Transformación del Territorio y Cambio Global(2011) Martín Duque, José Francisco; de Alba, S.; Alcázar, M.; Barbero, F.; Cermeño, I.; Lucia, Angelo; Martín Moreno, Cristina; Zapico Alonso, Ignacio; Pérez-Monserrat, Elena M.; Charco Romero, MaríaItem Waste dump erosional landform stability – a critical issue for mountain mining(Earth surface processes and Landforms, 2017) Martín Moreno, Cristina; Martín Duque, José Francisco; Ibarra, José M. Nicolau; Muñoz Martín, Alfonso; Zapico Alonso, IgnacioMining is the largest producer of solid wastes which, when released to land or into waterways, can cause harmful environmental impacts. This is mostly due to fluvial erosion, which is highly increased in mountain areas, due to abrupt slopes. We have analysed this situation at a mountain watershed (192 ha), where steep mined sites and their waste dumps are the main source of sediment in a Natural Park. This problem was tackled by building gabion check dams downstream from the mined sites. We used the DEM of Differences (DoD) method to quantify erosion and sediment yield from three waste dumps (5 ha). Their topography and substrate properties were analysed to understand the erosion problem. The sediment trapped by the check dams was quantified by Electrical Resistivity Tomography. The rainfall characteristics triggering an episode that filled the check dams with sediment in the winter of 2009-2010, were studied to confirm whether it was a case of extreme precipitation conditions. The waste dumps sediment yield (353 ± 95 Mg ha-1 yr-1) suggests severe landform instability. Analysis of topographic and substrate properties confirmed long, steep slopes combined with highly erodible materials. The check dams proved to be inefficient in controlling sediment loads, as they had only functioned for four years of 31 of existence, having trapped 13000 ± 660 m3 of sediment, whereas we estimated that the waste dumps have yielded approximately three times more sediment for the same period. Rainfall analyses showed that neither intense nor extreme conditions (return period of 25-35 years) triggered the mobilization of 37 ± 2 Mg ha-1 in a month. This study highlights the fact that mining operations in similar mountainous settings, with equivalent waste dump construction and reclamation practices, are currently unfeasible. We conclude that landform stability cannot be achieved at this site without landform changes.Item Stabilization by geomorphic reclamation of a rotational landslide in an abandoned mine next to the Alto Tajo Natural Park(Engineering Geology, 2019) Zapico Alonso, Ignacio; Molina, Antonio; Laronne, Jonathan B.; Sánchez Castillo, Lázaro; Martín Duque, José FranciscoTwo abandoned kaolin mines, surrounding one of the most outstanding natural parks of Spain, the Alto Tajo, have caused frequent environmental impacts. Within these are unstable areas prone to extensive mass movements that influence off-site sediment dynamics over the fluvial system. A waste dump in the Nuria mine obstructing a stream in the center of a valley experienced a rotational landslide. Mass movement between 2012 and 2014 was 0.025–0.026 m day−1. To mitigate the high risk of an earthflow, a novel stabilizing surface drainage technique was implemented. Two remedial valleys designed with fluvial channels were constructed surrounding the landslide main body using natural landform design and regrading, with no need for artificial materials such as concrete or piles. This novel remediation process is generically termed geomorphic reclamation. The specific method applied to this site was GeoFluv with Natural Regrade software. Before (2014) and after geomorphic stabilization (2015–2017), the landslide was monitored using Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of Difference (DODs) obtained by a Geomorphic Change Detection (GCD) tool. Two modern techniques, Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), and, Structure from Motion photogrammetry combined with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SfM-UAV), were used to acquire High-Resolution Topographies (HRTs) from which DEMs were derived. Data analysis and field monitoring results demonstrate that: i) the Nuria mine transformed almost 50% of the upper part of a natural catchment; ii) a waste dump active landslide with a surface rupture <15m posed a high-risk hazard due to its continuous advance; iii) geomorphic reclamation succeeded in stabilizing the landslide during the monitoring period; iv) SfM-UAV-based topographies offer better accuracy and higher resolution, are cheaper and are obtained faster than TLS for mine areas.