Evaluación de la cosecha de neblina como una fuente potencial para el aprovechamiento de agua

Abstract

The term “smart cities” is usually associate to the use of information technologies in a city infrastructure. Nevertheless, the use of natural resources, such as water, is an important aspect to satisfy the inhabitants necessities. In this sense, techniques to supply water must be sustainable and environmentally friendly, which is the case of fog water collection. In this study, we present a methodology to quantify fog water intercepted by a fog gauge system and to assess its potential as a source of water supply. This methodology is tested in an experimental site located at the highlands of San Cristobal Island (Galapagos), which included two months monitoring of the main meteorological variables and fog interception. Three fog gauges were used to quantify fog interception, a cylindrical (CFC) and two standards of 35% (SFC35) and 50% (SFC50) shading coefficient, respectively. Given that fog gauge collectors capture both fog and rainfall, we used a geometrical model to separate both variables. Results show that collectors’ CFC, SFC35 and SFC50 have an average performance of 3.7, 4.1 and 4.8 mm/day, respectively. SFC50 collector presents the best performance which can be related to its relative higher aerodynamic efficiency. The analysis of the meteorological variables evidences that fog water collection potential can be even higher at this site.