The Fluvial Dynamics and Hydrology group studies hydrological processes and water quality in Mediterranean basins; for this purpose it has instrumentation in three different locations, depending on the purpose of the instrumentation:
Firstly, the group has a laboratory at the Rabanales University Campus in Cordoba, which has a series of equipment necessary for the determination of physical-chemical parameters in soils and water, together with equipment for sampling and/or in situ measurement of water quality parameters in field campaigns.
On the other hand, it installs and maintains, together with the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Group, permanent equipment for measuring meteorological and hydrological variables in the Guadalfeo River basin (Granada), in what is known as the Guadalfeo Network, which is composed of four meteorological stations located in the Guadalfeo River basin, three of which are located in the Sierra Nevada Natural Park, between 2000 and 2500 meters above sea level. These stations are pioneers in the continuous monitoring of meteorology in snow areas and their records are sent to the CLIMA network periodically; they also serve as a basis for studying the evolution of snow cover, as well as the spatial and temporal distribution of meteorological variables in Sierra Nevada.
Finally, it manages material for field campaigns jointly with the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Group, which is available at the laboratory of the Andalusian Environmental Center (CEAMA) in Granada. These campaigns are mainly focused on snow measurements, stream flow assessment, and sediment measurement and characterization.
Global Snow Monitoring System and Monitoring Network Guadalfeo
Another relevant installation at IISTA is the Guadalfeo Monitoring Network consisting of 6 automated advanced meteorological stations (EMA) located in or near Sierra Nevada. They have been progressively installed from 2004 to 2017. Five of these stations are located in the Sierra Nevada National Park, situated at altitudes between 1600 and 2500 m, being pioneers in long-term weather monitoring in the Sierra Nevada snow zone. Their data are publicly available through the Global Snow Monitoring System, GMS-Snowmed (www.uco.es/dfh/snowmed), which also provides near real-time estimates of snowmelt and evapo-sublimation fluxes to downstream reservoirs and the current water equivalent stored in the snowpack. Its data are periodically sent to the CLIMA network of the REDIAM (of the Junta de Andalucía) to allow public access to these environmental data upon request. The data from these stations are used for medium and long-term meteorological monitoring, to support the monitoring and study of snow in Sierra Nevada, for education and, in general, as a basis for research on the spatial and temporal distribution of meteorological factors that condition snow dynamics and mountain hydrological processes in Sierra Nevada, as well as downstream impacts.
Contact Person:
Mª José Polo Gómez Email: mjpolo@uco.es Telf.: 957.212662