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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainability in Geographic Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 6238

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Jichao Sun

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Guest Editor

School of Water Resource & Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: hydrogeology; hydrology; geotechnical engineering; geotechnical materials; geo-materials; numerical simulation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Water resources are fundamental to human survival. The development and utilization of groundwater resources significantly support the ability to meet people's water needs. Presently, the exploitation and use of global groundwater resources is on the rise, accompanied by increasing pollution. Consequently, the need for effective groundwater management, pollution control, and related research has become more pressing.

The world is grappling with water scarcity and contamination issues. Addressing these challenges requires a global approach, leveraging advanced technologies and methodologies. Stored within underground rock and soil formations, groundwater plays a crucial role in the hydrological cycle. Only through comprehensive research from multiple aspects such as water-bearing media, circulation paths, top and bottom plates, and the transport and interaction of sediment particles can we better understand and achieve the sustainable development and utilization of groundwater resources. Meanwhile, the development and utilization of groundwater possess significant societal implications and are intricately linked with people's livelihoods, economic growth, and social stability. From a societal standpoint, groundwater must be scientifically and responsibly planned and managed.

This Special Issue aims to introduce novel theories, cutting-edge technologies, innovative methods, and solutions for the development and utilization of groundwater. These include advanced monitoring technologies, sensor applications, satellite remote sensing, and strategies for water usage planning, water quality monitoring, combating land desertification, and enhancing crop growth and food security, as well as treating and managing industrial wastewater within the broader context of groundwater's economic and social dimensions.

Dr. Jichao Sun
Guest Editor

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Keywords

groundwater protection
groundwater exploitation
aquifer protection
soil moisture content
groundwater–sediment interaction
monitoring technology
groundwater sensor
remote sensing
groundwater simulation
numerical simulation
groundwater artificial intelligence
groundwater big data
groundwater sustainable development
land desertification
groundwater pollution

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 22161 KB

Open AccessArticle

Application of UAV Thermal Imaging for Preliminary Screening of Large Geothermal Areas: Assessing Limitations of Uncalibrated Data in Low-Temperature Hydrothermal Systems (Croatia Case Studies)

by Tihomir Frangen, Mirja Pavić and Staša Borović

Sustainability 2026, 18(10), 4848; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18104848 - 12 May 2026

Viewed by 314

Abstract

Thermal imaging was utilized across three hydrothermal systems in Croatia for preliminary screening of low-temperature surface hydrothermal manifestations, particularly subthermal springs (13–20 °C). This study assessed the effectiveness of this remote sensing method for initial geothermal surveys and monitoring of surface geothermal anomalies. The methodology integrated GIS tools (Esri, Redlands, CA, USA) to identify potential zones of subthermal water outflow using thermal orthomosaics derived from the photogrammetric reconstruction of thermal infrared images. Thermal images were acquired using a fixed-wing eBee Plus RTK unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (senseFly Ltd., Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne, Switzerland) equipped with a senseFly thermoMap camera (senseFly Ltd., Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne, Switzerland) and processed using Pix4Dmapper software. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the intended methodology was simplified by discarding temperature calibration. Temperature calibration of thermal images was performed only for a few smaller areas to address discrepancies between measured ground temperatures and temperature values depicted in the maps. The methodology was validated near the Daruvar hydrothermal system, where a thermal anomaly corresponding to the subthermal spring location was visually detected, demonstrating the applicability of the method for surface investigation of low-temperature geothermal systems. No new subthermal or thermal springs were discovered. In total, 45.35 km² was surveyed over 9 days, making this a viable and low-cost methodology for preliminary exploration. However, limitations, including the narrow time window for thermal data acquisition, regulatory requirements for drone flights, and subjectivity of the methods used, were identified. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Management, Pollution Control and Numerical Modeling)

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14 pages, 2686 KB

Open AccessArticle

Gypsum Amendment Improves Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity and Plant-Available Water in Heavy Clay Soil

by Andrej Tall, Branislav Kandra, Milan Gomboš and Dana Pavelková

Sustainability 2026, 18(10), 4804; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18104804 - 12 May 2026

Viewed by 199

Abstract

Soil hydrophysical properties play a key role in processes such as water movement through soil and also affect the amount of water available to plants, thus influencing the sustainability of water management in lowland agricultural landscapes. This study investigated whether the application of calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum, CaSO₄·2H₂O) can improve selected hydrophysical properties of a heavy clay agricultural soil from the Eastern Slovak Lowland (Slovakia). In a controlled laboratory experiment, topsoil samples (0–15 cm depth) were treated with four rates of gypsum application (0.5, 1, 2.5 and 10 g core⁻¹; ≈2–40 t ha⁻¹ equivalents) and then repacked in 100 cm³ cores. Gypsum caused a marked apparent shift from “clay” to “silt” in the particle-size analysis, consistent with flocculation and incomplete dispersion rather than a real textural change. Increasing the gypsum dose also led to a gradual increase in saturated hydraulic conductivity (from 0.68 ± 0.21 to 2.00 ± 0.66 cm d⁻¹). Water retention near saturation changed little, but water content at the wilting point decreased at higher doses, increasing plant-available water (maximum ~59% at 2.5 g core⁻¹). Under laboratory conditions, gypsum improved the hydraulic function of the soil, and, at selected doses, increased water availability related to drought, supporting its potential as a structural amendment for enhancing the sustainable management of heavy clay soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Management, Pollution Control and Numerical Modeling)

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20 pages, 7831 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Temporal Evolution Characteristics of Extreme Rainfall in Shenzhen City, China

by Xiaorong Wang and Jichao Sun

Sustainability 2025, 17(8), 3512; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083512 - 14 Apr 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2665

Abstract

Global climate change has led to frequent urban flooding, and extreme rainfall has become the main cause of urban flooding due to its short duration and rapid occurrence. The study of the trend of extreme rainfall can provide an important reference for the prevention, control, and management of urban flooding. At present, there are abundant studies on the evolution characteristics of rainfall in Shenzhen, but there are relatively few studies on the evolution characteristics of extreme rainfall. To analyze the interannual variation in extreme rainfall in Shenzhen and provide a scientific basis for water resource management, this paper systematically analyses the interannual evolutionary characteristics and cyclical patterns of rainfall in Shenzhen based on the daily rainfall data of the city from 1958 to 2022 using the 3-year moving average method, linear regression model, Mann–Kendall mutation test, and wavelet analysis. Hurst index analysis was also used to predict the future trends of extreme rainfall and its frequency. The results indicate that the intensity and frequency of extreme rainfall in Shenzhen exhibit frequent fluctuations, with an overall slow downward trend and no sudden changes causing a decline. Periodic analysis reveals that extreme rainfall intensity and frequency exhibit significant wet–dry alternation characteristics on a time scale of 10–65 years, with the most prominent change occurring on a 63-year scale; in the main cycle, the wet–dry alternation cycle is about 44 years. The trend of the main cycle and wet–dry alternation cycle indicates that in recent years, the rainfall pattern in Shenzhen has developed towards short-term rainfall. The Hurst index analysis shows that the H values of extreme rainfall intensity and frequency are 0.666 and 0.631, respectively, both only slightly greater than 0.5, indicating weak positive persistence of the two indicators. This suggests that extreme rainfall events in Shenzhen may show a downward trend, but this trend does not have strong certainty. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Management, Pollution Control and Numerical Modeling)

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21 pages, 1934 KB

Open AccessArticle

High Desertification Susceptibility in Forest Ecosystems Revealed by the Environmental Sensitivity Area Index (ESAI)

by Ebru Gül and Serhat Esen

Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10409; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310409 - 27 Nov 2024

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2422 | Correction

Abstract

This study evaluated the desertification vulnerability of an Anatolian black pine forest in Türkiye using the Environmental Sensitivity Area Index (ESAI). Desertification Risk (DR) and ESAI values were calculated for 90 sampling plots, incorporating key indicators such as vegetation cover, soil depth, rock fragment presence, soil texture, slope gradient, parent material, mean annual precipitation, aridity index, land use intensity, and policy enforcement. These indicators were processed through the Desertification Indicator System for Mediterranean Europe (DIS4ME). Spatial patterns of DR and ESAI were analysed using semivariograms and Kriging-interpolated maps. The mean DR (4.850; range = 2.310–8.090) and ESAI (1.46; range = 1.390–1.580) values indicated significant vulnerability to desertification. DR showed moderate spatial dependence, while ESAI exhibited strong spatial dependence. Ordinary kriging maps revealed critical desertification hotspots within the forest. ESAI values varied with soil organic matter (SOM) content, which was moderately and significantly correlated with ESAI (n = 90, r = −0.58, p < 0.01). These findings provide actionable insights for sustainable land management. Interventions such as improving SOM content through afforestation, enhancing soil conservation practices, and promoting sustainable water use are critical to mitigating desertification and fostering ecosystem resilience. This study identifies high-risk areas and demonstrates how DR and ESAI can guide targeted strategies to restore degraded lands and ensure forest sustainability. This aligns with SDG 15 (Life on Land), which emphasizes the need to combat desertification, restore degraded ecosystems, and promote the sustainable management of forests. Integrating ESAI into regional policy planning highlights its potential as a practical tool for achieving long-term environmental and socioeconomic sustainability in vulnerable forest ecosystems like those in Türkiye. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Management, Pollution Control and Numerical Modeling)

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