Blanca Jiménez

National Autonomous University of Mexico | UNAM · Institute of Engineering

Can women bring a fresh perspective to the provision of global sanitation services? The co-authors of this book, through their strong socio-political and scientific experiences, believe this to be the case. The book offers a critical look at the challenges and solutions needed to achieve Sanitation for All, including for vulnerable people, refugees...

COVID-19 has had a severe impact on human health, as well as in social and economic terms, with implications for the management and governance of the water and sanitation sector. These implications are evident in Latin America and the Caribbean due to existing challenges the region faces in accessing water and sanitation services. In spite of signi...

Every year around 3.4 million people die from water-related diseases, mainly amoebiasis and diarrhoea caused by bacteria. The assessment of the efficiency of a UV light disinfection process in the inactivation of indicators, pathogen bacteria and amphizoic amoebae in a secondary treated effluent was carried out. Wastewater was irradiated with diffe...

Despite controversy about the actual capacity of sediments to accumulate pharmaceuticals, the presence of those emergent pollutants in river, estuarine, and coastal sediments has been stated by several research works. Nevertheless, information about the effect of pharmaceuticals on sediment-inhabiting organisms (fauna and flora) is still scarce and...

Waterborne diseases produced by organisms of public health concern are prevalent worldwide, continuing to cause deaths annually. Conventional disinfectants (ozone, UV radiation, chlorine) have been insufficient in providing safe water as many studies revealed. TiO2 is an attractive alternative to conventional methods because of its versatility and...

An important physical property in environmental samples is particle size distribution. Several processes exist to measure particle diameter, including change in electrical resistance, blocking of light, the fractionation of field flow and laser diffraction (these being the most commonly used). However, their use requires expensive and complex equip...

Lake Chad is extremely sensitive to climate variability because it is a shallow inland lake, and about 97.5% of its water supply depends on the Chari-Logone River System and other tributaries. Any increase or decrease in lake volume inflow means a substantial increase or decrease in lake area. Droughts in the Sahel Region and within the basin after...

An analytical method based on liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was validated to quantify five perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCA) namely, perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), in wastewater produced in...

Mezquital Valley is the world’s largest reuser of wastewater for agricultural irrigation. Most previous studies in this region aim to understand the impacts of long-term irrigation on the land. In this paper, we analyze the Mezquital Valley as a socio-ecological system (SES) within the framework of the dryland development paradigm (DDP). The integr...

Conventional analytical techniques for evaluating Helminth eggs are based on different steps to concentrate them in a pellet for direct observation and quantification under a light microscope, which can generate under-counts or over-counts and be time consuming. To enhance this process, a new approach via automatic identification was implemented in...

Several photocatalysts, based on titanium dioxide, were synthesized by spark anodization techniques and anodic spark oxidation. Photocatalytic activity was determined by methylene blue oxidation and the catalytic activities of the catalysts were evaluated after 70 hours of reaction. Scanning Electron Microscopy and X Ray Diffraction analysis were u...

The aim of this work is to show the effect of the electrolyte chemical nature on the formation of self-organized TiO2 nanotubes (TNT) arrays synthesized via anodic oxidation, when using a Ti cathode. The synthesis was performed in situ in a potentiostatic cell provided with an anode and a cathode (both Ti substrates pretreated) under constant hydro...

Helminths are parasitic worms that constitute a major public health problem. Conventional analytical techniques to evaluate helminth eggs in environmental samples rely on different steps, namely sedimentation, filtration, centrifugation, and flotation, to separate the eggs from a variety of particles and concentrate them in a pellet for direct obse...

Many agricultural production areas worldwide are characterized by high variability of water supply conditions, or simply lack of water, creating a dependence on irrigation since Neolithic times. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the evolution of irrigation of agricultural lands worldwide, based on bibliographical research focusing...

Helminth eggs are among the most important biological contaminants in environmental engineering. They pose a significant health risk associated with poor sanitation, the use of contaminated water for irrigation, and the disposal of excreta or sludge to land. Helminths are parasitic worms transmitted to humans via their eggs, which is the infective...

The disinfection of helminth eggs and Escherichia coli contaminated aqueous solutions, was studied using an electro-Fenton reactor equipped with a polarized activated carbon (AC) packed bed and two chambers loaded with cation exchange resins. Experiments using different arrangements and operation conditions, revealed that effective elimination of E...

There is a proactive interest in recovering water, nutrients and energy from waste streams with the increase in municipal wastewater volumes and innovations in resource recovery. Based on the synthesis of wastewater data, this study provides insights into the global and regional “potential” of wastewater as water, nutrient and energy sources while...

The aim of the research was to show the presence of micropollutants contained in the wastewater of Mexico City within the distribution canals of the Mezquital Valley (MV), as well as their retention in agricultural soil and aquifers. This system constitutes the world's oldest and largest example of the use of untreated wastewater for agricultural i...

The full publication is available online open access. Download from the UNESCO website: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000261424

Water resources are key to supporting and strengthening sustainable development in the American hemisphere and globally. Water Quality in the Americas: Risks and Opportunities is a unified effort by the Academies of Sciences from 21 countries of the Americas and is the work of a team of 148 authors, all experts in different aspects of water science...

The current world population of 7.6 billion is expected to reach 8.6 billion in 2030, 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 210, with roughly 83 million people being added every year. The upward trend in population size along with an improved quality of life are expected to continue, and with them the demand for water. Available water for human c...

Abstract: The presence of organic micropollutants on residual water used for irrigation is common in development countries, and their human impacts and the ecological consequences are still completely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the main mechanisms involved during removal of three organic compounds (carbamazepine, ibuporfen, and...

Sustainability is a crucial and at the same time vital approach for satisfying future generations’ rights on natural resources. Toward this direction, global policies, supported by international organizations such as UNESCO and its international science programs, foster sustainable development as principal concept for the management of various them...

Sustainability is a crucial and at the same time vital approach for satisfying future generations’ rights on natural resources. Toward this direction, global policies, supported by international organizations such as UNESCO and its international science programs, foster sustainable development as principal concept for the management of various them...

From the beginning of the Bronze Age (ca. 3200–1100 BC), domestic wastewater (sewage) has been used for irrigation and aquaculture by a number of civilizations including those that developed in China and the Orient, Egypt, the Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, and Crete. In historic times (ca. 1000 BC−330 AD), wastewater was disposed of or used for irriga...

The management of wastewater is thefifth largest single source of CH4emissions and the sixth ofN2O. Options to improve sanitation within the Morelos State in Mexico were compared applying amodification of the IPCC guidelines to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A 2030 business-as-usual scenario which considers current sanitation practices an...

You can download the full report from here https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000261424

The treatment of reject water from a nanofiltration system by photo-oxidation with ultraviolet light and titanium dioxide (TiO2) showed that degradation efficiency of the organic micropollutants (OMPs) varied depending on the reaction time analyzed. Thus, compounds such as diclofenac and ibuprofen exhibited greater than 95 % degradation within the...

This chapter describes the application of membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology for the treatment of wastewater to be used subsequently for indirect recharge in the Mexico Valley aquifer. Using a laboratory-scale system, four cleaning regimes were evaluated: co-current water and air applied intermittently; countercurrent water and air applied interm...

The development and adaptation of technology is vital for wastewater treatment (WWT) to be efficient, easy to implement, and with low costs of construction and operation. Patents can be a useful indicator for measuring and analyzing these technological issues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how the registration on granted of patents in t...

The Journal of Water Reuse and Desalination (JWRD) has been established since 2011, and has successfully grown in popularity as a leading publisher of scientific articles on management, sustainability and application of water reuse and desalination. In order to further increase our readership and disseminate the research outcomes more broadly, JWRD...

Droughts have resulted in significant socio-economic impacts in the regions of Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), especially in developing countries. The main gaps to mitigate its effects, identified in both Africa and LAC regions, include a lack of human and institutional capacity, a lack of access to relevant early warning informat...

Electrooxidation of waste activated sludge (WAS) was performed using boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes to evaluate the removal of emerging pollutants: 4-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propan-2-yl]phenol (bisphenol A); nonylphenols (including isomers); and (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol) (triclosan). The applied current density was 28.5 mA cm− 2,...

A system was developed to identify and quantify up to seven species of helminth eggs (Ascaris lumbricoides -fertile and unfertile eggs-, Trichuris trichiura, Toxocara canis, Taenia saginata, Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, and Schistosoma mansoni) in wastewater using different image processing tools and pattern recognition algorithms. The s...

Mexico contains a high percentage of marginalized communities, as well as geographic areas with high annual precipitation (approximately 2000 mm). This study uses regional water access and precipitation data to determine municipalities that would most benefit from the installation of Domestic Rain Water Harvesting Systems (DRWHS). The main objectiv...

This chapter discusses how innovation impacts water management, water services and water-dependent sectors as well as water-related employment opportunities in quantitative and qualitative terms.

Lab-scale photolysis, biodegradation and transport experiments were carried out for naproxen, carbamazepine and triclosan in soil, wastewater and surface water from a region where untreated wastewater is used for agricultural irrigation. Results showed that both photolysis and biodegradation occurred for the three emerging pollutants in the tested...

Management of wastewater sludge continues to pose a challenge as its generation is rising as a result of an increase in wastewater treatment and because its quality varies widely. Lately, emerging pollutants have gained importance based on their persistence and potential risk once they enter the environment. Different treatment processes have been...

This paper presents the major water challenges at global, regional and local levels, including the need to adapt to climate change. It relates how the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) — an intergovernmental scientific programme — will respond in its Eighth Phase to the water-related risks and seize potential opportunities, thereby contrib...

A nanofiltration (NF) membrane pilot plant was tested to treat water from a spring located in the Tula Valley. Conventional physicochemical parameters and the pathogenic content were analyzed at the inlet and outlet (permeate) of the process. Ninety-five per cent removal of heterotrophic bacteria was obtained by the membrane and complete removal of...

Este trabajo describe los grandes retos que a nivel global, regional y local se enfrentan en el tema del agua. Asimismo se presentan las necesidades de adaptación al cambio climático en este mismo campo. Como respuesta, tanto para manejar riesgos y aprovechar incluso posibles oportunidades, el Programa Hidrológico Internacional que es un programa i...

This volume is the second in a series on water, published in both Spanish and English, and intended to reach a wide policy audience. The first volume offered a broad assessment of the status of water resources in the Americas. This second volume addresses the fundamental problem of urban water challenges. The Hemisphere of the Americas is among the...

Wastewater use in agriculture has many potential benefits, yet it also poses environmental risks. In particular, the use of untreated or partially treated wastewater over the long run may result in negative impacts on irrigated crops, soils, and groundwater through the addition of excessive levels of metals and metalloids, nutrients, salts and spec...

ABSTRACT Seeking economic growth and job creation to tackle the nation's extreme poverty, the Nicaraguan government awarded a concession to build an inter-oceanic canal and associated projects to a recently formed Hong Kong based company with no track record or related expertise. This concession was awarded without a bidding process and in advance...

Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The chapter presents the now a day situation of the water in the urban context in Mexico, as well as the future challenges for the wáter security.

UNESCO is proudly celebrating its 70th anniversary as well as the 50th anniversary of its water programmes. The International Hydrological Programme (IHP) is the only intergovernmental programme of the UN system devoted to water research, water resources management, and education and capacity development. Since the inception of the International Hy...

This booklet deals with the following areas: • History of UNESCO Water Programmes from IHD to IHP; • Introduction of RSC-SEAP; • Regional presence of UNESCO water programmes in the region; • Cross-cutting UNESCO water programmes; • Future challenges and key focus areas, and • Success stories from the field. This document provides an overview of the...