Water

22 pages, 3936 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Skip the Dip—Avoid the Risk? Integrated Microbiological Water Quality Assessment in the South-Eastern Baltic Sea Coastal Waters

by Greta Gyraite, Marija Kataržytė, Donata Overlingė, Diana Vaičiūtė, Eglė Jonikaitė and Gerald Schernewski

Water 2020, 12(11), 3146; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113146 - 10 Nov 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4686

Abstract

The bathing water microbiome consists of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. However, the targets of the Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) focus exclusively on fecal pollution. This study aims to investigate fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), naturally thriving cyanobacteria, and [...] Read more.

The bathing water microbiome consists of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. However, the targets of the Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) focus exclusively on fecal pollution. This study aims to investigate fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), naturally thriving cyanobacteria, and Vibrio bacteria in the Lithuanian coastal Baltic Sea and Curonian Lagoon bathing sites, combining information into an integrated microbial risk assessment scheme. The results show that officially monitored indicators, such as FIB, do not exceed the acceptable ‘low’ risk threshold. Simultaneously, cyanobacteria and Vibrio cholerae abundance in the Curonian Lagoon sites reveal a ‘high’ probability of adverse health effects. In coastal bathing sites, a positive correlation was found between Escherichia coli, cyanobacterial harmful algae bloom (cHAB), and V. cholerae, indicating that all target microorganisms may occur at the same time, with consequently high risks for the health of bathers. Therefore, implementing new target organisms in national or even regional bathing water monitoring programs is recommended, in order to safeguard the health of beachgoers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Water and One Health)

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36 pages, 9002 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Improving Water Quality in the Wet Tropics, Australia: A Conceptual Framework and Case Study

by Julie H. Tsatsaros, Iris C. Bohnet, Jon E. Brodie and Peter Valentine

Water 2020, 12(11), 3148; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113148 - 10 Nov 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3164

Abstract

The Wet Tropics region of north Queensland contains the highest biological diversity in Australia, has outstanding environmental values, is economically important and located adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Increasing urban development and agricultural intensification in the Wet Tropics has raised serious [...] Read more.

The Wet Tropics region of north Queensland contains the highest biological diversity in Australia, has outstanding environmental values, is economically important and located adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Increasing urban development and agricultural intensification in the Wet Tropics has raised serious water quality concerns. To successfully achieve water quality improvement outcomes, the integration of social and biophysical knowledge, in particular clarifying the roles and responsibilities of multiple stakeholders for knowledge integration, has been identified as a key issue and research priority. However, research into the processes supporting knowledge integration and clarifying roles and responsibilities of multiple stakeholders for improving water quality is largely lacking. To fill this gap, we further developed and advanced a social-ecological planning framework to improve our understanding of how multiple-stakeholders can contribute to successful water quality management outcomes. Our conceptual framework, applied in the Tully basin adjacent to the GBR: (1) provides a transdisciplinary approach; (2) enhances the integration of social and biophysical knowledge through tailored methods fitting the local context; (3) shares knowledge and provides recommendations; (4) outlines factors that may promote or inhibit the implementation of freshwater quality objectives; (5) highlights inadequacies of existing government guidelines, policies, and presents co-management opportunities and (6) offers a novel collaborative approach supporting water quality improvement in the Wet Tropics of Australia and beyond. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance)

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15 pages, 1905 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Differences in the Composition of Leachate from Active and Non-Operational Municipal Waste Landfills in Poland

by Aleksandra Wdowczyk and Agata Szymańska-Pulikowska

Water 2020, 12(11), 3129; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113129 - 8 Nov 2020

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 8486

Abstract

Leachate formation is one of the many environmental hazards associated with landfilling. The leachate may migrate from the landfill to surface water and groundwater, posing a potential threat to aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, its harmful effect on human health and life has been proven. [...] Read more.

Leachate formation is one of the many environmental hazards associated with landfilling. The leachate may migrate from the landfill to surface water and groundwater, posing a potential threat to aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, its harmful effect on human health and life has been proven. Due to the risks that landfill leachates may pose, it is necessary to control the state of the environment in their surroundings. The paper presents an example of the application of selected statistical methods (basic statistics, statistical tests, principal component analysis) to assess the impact of individual pollution indicators on the quality of landfill leachates. The conducted analysis showed the existence of significant differences between the surveyed active (Legnica, Jawor) and non-operational (Wrocław, Bielawa) landfills in Poland. These differences were especially visible in the cases of the following: electric conductivity (EC) (non-operational landfills 1915–5075 μS/cm, active 5093–11,370 μS/cm), concentrations of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) (non-operational landfills 0.18–294.5 mg N/dm³, active 167.56–907.4 mg N/dm³), chemical oxygen demand (COD), organic nitrogen (ON), ammonium nitrogen (AN), total solids (TS), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), sulfates, chlorides, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and nickel. Selected indicators should help to determine the progress of decomposition processes inside the landfill and the potential impact of leachate on the environment, and should be used in the mandatory monitoring of landfills. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Water Research 2020)

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24 pages, 3827 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

How Did the Lost Shangri-La Get Lost? The Tragedy of the Groundwater Commons in Lijiang, China

by Yan Zhang

Water 2020, 12(11), 3131; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113131 - 8 Nov 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3718

Abstract

Groundwater is critical to human survival, however, it has constantly been overexploited around the world. Despite hydrological causes and the effects of global climate change, groundwater governance has an essential role to play in causing or preventing such overexploitation. This paper presented a [...] Read more.

Groundwater is critical to human survival, however, it has constantly been overexploited around the world. Despite hydrological causes and the effects of global climate change, groundwater governance has an essential role to play in causing or preventing such overexploitation. This paper presented a case of groundwater governance in Lijiang, renowned for its natural beauty and exotic cultures, located in northwest Yunnan, China. Since being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in the 1990s, Lijiang has experienced dramatic tourism development, which eventually escalated its groundwater crisis. This paper applied the diagnostic approach of social-ecological systems to analyse the institutionalised governance process in the case of Lijiang and substantiated the effectiveness of the Social-Ecological Systems (SES) approach in explaining groundwater management issues. Two significant findings were drawn in the case of Lijiang. First, institutional arrangements may play an essential role in resource management, but their analysis is lacking between macro modelling of planetary boundaries of the Earth and micro surveys of individual and community behaviour. The SES framework offered a useful tool to fill this gap. Second, the designation of Lijiang’s Outstanding Universal Values as a world heritage site ironically damaged its local cultural intimacy, which nurtured generations of collective action for Naxi people, escalating the tragedy of its groundwater commons. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Resources Management: Reconciling Demand, High Quality Resources and Sustainability)

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27 pages, 5131 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Predicting Groundwater Vulnerability to Geogenic Fluoride Risk: A Screening Method for Malawi and an Opportunity for National Policy Redefinition

by Marc J. Addison, Michael O. Rivett, Peaches Phiri, Prince Mleta, Emma Mblame, Gift Wanangwa and Robert M. Kalin

Water 2020, 12(11), 3123; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113123 - 7 Nov 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4537

Abstract

Fluoride concentrations in Malawi’s groundwater are primarily controlled by geogenic sources that are highly variable and may cause a heterogeneous fluoride occurrence and local-to-regional variations in fluorosis health risks posed. Our aim was to address the challenge of developing a national solution to [...] Read more.

Fluoride concentrations in Malawi’s groundwater are primarily controlled by geogenic sources that are highly variable and may cause a heterogeneous fluoride occurrence and local-to-regional variations in fluorosis health risks posed. Our aim was to address the challenge of developing a national solution to predicting groundwater vulnerability to geogenic fluoride risk in the country of Malawi where incidences of fluorosis are reported and typical developing world problems of limited data and resources abound. Previously there have only been sporadic, local-scale studies linking fluoride occurrence with health risks in Malawi with no attempts to tackle the issue nationally. We hence develop a screening method for predicting groundwater vulnerability to geogenic fluoride in the form of detailed risk maps developed from statistical relationships shown between groundwater fluoride occurrence and known geogenic fluoride sources. The approach provides for dynamic update and informed acquisition of new data and hence on-going improving capacity to manage fluoride risks in Malawi. Our screening method provides a technical basis for redefining national fluoride policy to ensure commensurate management of health risks posed. Specifically, the approach provides a pathway for stepped progression from the current 6 mg/L Malawian standard for fluoride in drinking water to adoption of the World Health Organisation 1.5 mg/L guideline standard. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Methods and Tools for Assessment of Groundwater)

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17 pages, 2740 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Evaluation of Multiple Responses Associated with Arsenic Tolerance and Accumulation in Pteris vittata L. Plants Exposed to High As Concentrations under Hydroponics

by Fabrizio Pietrini, Valentina Iori, Lucia Pietrosanti, Massimo Zacchini and Angelo Massacci

Water 2020, 12(11), 3127; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113127 - 7 Nov 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3020

Abstract

Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.) is recognized as an arsenic hyperaccumulating plant. Mechanisms underlying this capability and the associated hypertolerance have been described even if not completely elucidated. In this study, with the aim to expand the knowledge on the matter, [...] Read more.

Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.) is recognized as an arsenic hyperaccumulating plant. Mechanisms underlying this capability and the associated hypertolerance have been described even if not completely elucidated. In this study, with the aim to expand the knowledge on the matter, an experimental trial was developed to investigate an array of responses, at the morphological, physiological, and biochemical level, in P. vittata plants exposed to high As concentrations in a long-term experiment under hydroponics. Results confirmed the ability of fern plants to both tolerate and accumulate a remarkable amount of As, especially in fronds. Notably, in As-treated plants, a far higher As content was detected in young fronds compared to old fronds, with bioaccumulation (BCF) and translocation (Tf) factors in accordance. At the biochemical level, As treatment affected macro and micronutrient, thiol, and phytochelatin concentrations in fronds of treated plants differently than that of the control. Physiological measurements accounted for a reduction in the photosynthetic activity of As-treated plants in the absence of visual symptoms of damage. Overall, the observed As tolerance and accumulation processes were discussed, evidencing how young fronds developed during As treatment maintain their physiological status while accumulating a high As content. Such indications could be very useful to improve the effective utilization of this plant species for phytofiltration of As-polluted water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Ecohydrology Approach for Mitigation of Freshwater Ecosystems Contamination)

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11 pages, 2561 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A New Beach Topography-Based Method for Shoreline Identification

by Marco Luppichini, Monica Bini, Marco Paterni, Andrea Berton and Silvia Merlino

Water 2020, 12(11), 3110; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113110 - 5 Nov 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5179

Abstract

The definition of shoreline is not the same for all contexts, and it is often a subjective matter. Various methods exist that are based on the use of different instruments that can determine and highlight a shoreline. In recent years, numerous studies have [...] Read more.

The definition of shoreline is not the same for all contexts, and it is often a subjective matter. Various methods exist that are based on the use of different instruments that can determine and highlight a shoreline. In recent years, numerous studies have employed photogrammetric methods, based on different colours, to map the boundary between water and land. These works use images acquired by satellites, drones, or cameras, and differ mainly in terms of resolution. Such methods can identify a shoreline by means of automatic, semi-automatic, or manual procedures. The aim of this work is to find and promote a new and valid beach topography-based algorithm, able to identify the shoreline. We apply the Structure from Motion (SfM) techniques to reconstruct a high-resolution Digital Elevation Model by means of a drone for image acquisition. The algorithm is based on the variation of the topographic beach profile caused by the transition from water to sand. The SfM technique is not efficient when applied to reflecting surfaces like sea water resulting in a very irregular and unnatural profile over the sea. Taking advantage of this fact, the algorithm searches for the point in the space where a beach profile changes from irregular to regular, causing a transition from water to land. The algorithm is promoted by the release of a QGIS v3.x plugin, which allows the easy application and extraction of other shorelines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Anthropogenic Impact on Coastal Environments)

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13 pages, 3416 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Artificial Floating Island with Vetiver for Treatment of Arsenic-Contaminated Water: A Real Scale Study in High-Andean Reservoir

by Kalina Marcela Fonseca Largo, Joseline Luisa Ruiz Depablos, Edgar Fabián Espitia-Sarmiento and Nataly Marisol Llugsha Moreta

Water 2020, 12(11), 3086; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113086 - 4 Nov 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6194

Abstract

Arsenic found in agriculture water reservoirs represents a threat to water security and safe agricultural products in developing countries. Small farms do not implement traditional water treatments due to the high cost; hence, a nature-based solution is an alternative to tackling this challenge. [...] Read more.

Arsenic found in agriculture water reservoirs represents a threat to water security and safe agricultural products in developing countries. Small farms do not implement traditional water treatments due to the high cost; hence, a nature-based solution is an alternative to tackling this challenge. This paper investigated the potential of artificial floating island with Vetiver (AFIV) for the geogenic arsenic removal present in the reservoir of the Ilinizas páramo in Ecuador. We constructed two AFIV systems using PVC pipes in a reservoir batch type with a 3.6 m³ treatment capacity. Arsenic and iron were analyzed in duplicated every 30 days at the affluent and effluent through 120 days. The average remediation of arsenic was recorded as 97% in water and 84% in sediment, while the average remediation of iron was 87% in sediment. The survival rate of macrophytes was 92%; they accumulated arsenic in its roots that acted as a barrier against the translocation. The research demonstrated that the use of AFIV has the potential to rehabilitate reservoirs contaminated with arsenic under adverse climatic conditions such as the páramo ecosystem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Lakes and Reservoirs)

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18 pages, 1613 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Transferrable Principles to Revolutionize Drinking Water Governance in First Nation Communities in Canada

by Alison Irvine, Corinne Schuster-Wallace, Sarah Dickson-Anderson and Lalita Bharadwaj

Water 2020, 12(11), 3091; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113091 - 4 Nov 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5174

Abstract

There are analogous challenges when it comes to the management and provision of health services and drinking water in First Nations reserves in Canada; both represent human rights and both involve complex and multijurisdictional management. The purpose of this study is to translate [...] Read more.

There are analogous challenges when it comes to the management and provision of health services and drinking water in First Nations reserves in Canada; both represent human rights and both involve complex and multijurisdictional management. The purpose of this study is to translate the tenets of Jordan’s Principle, a child-first principle regarding health service provision, within the broader context of First Nation drinking water governance in order to identify avenues for positive change. This project involved secondary analysis of data from 53 semi-structured, key informant (KI) interviews across eight First Nation communities in western Canada. Data were coded according to the three principles of: provision of culturally inclusive management, safeguarding health, and substantive equity. Failure to incorporate Traditional Knowledge, water worldviews, and holistic health as well as challenges to technical management were identified as areas currently restricting successful drinking water management. Recommendations include improved infrastructure, increased resources (both financial and non-financial), in-community capacity building, and relationship building. To redress the inequities currently experienced by First Nations when it comes to management of and access to safe drinking water, equitable governance structures developed from the ground up and embedded in genuine relationships between First Nations and Canadian federal government agencies are required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Water Governance through Indigenous Research Approaches)

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19 pages, 4255 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Bacterial Diversity in a Dynamic and Extreme Sub-Arctic Watercourse (Pasvik River, Norwegian Arctic)

by Maria Papale, Alessandro Ciro Rappazzo, Anu Mikkonen, Carmen Rizzo, Federica Moscheo, Antonella Conte, Luigi Michaud and Angelina Lo Giudice

Water 2020, 12(11), 3098; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113098 - 4 Nov 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4136

Abstract

Microbial communities promptly respond to the environmental perturbations, especially in the Arctic and sub-Arctic systems that are highly impacted by climate change, and fluctuations in the diversity level of microbial assemblages could give insights on their expected response. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing [...] Read more.

Microbial communities promptly respond to the environmental perturbations, especially in the Arctic and sub-Arctic systems that are highly impacted by climate change, and fluctuations in the diversity level of microbial assemblages could give insights on their expected response. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was applied to describe the bacterial community composition in water and sediment through the sub-Arctic Pasvik River. Our results showed that river water and sediment harbored distinct communities in terms of diversity and composition at genus level. The distribution of the bacterial communities was mainly affected by both salinity and temperature in sediment samples, and by oxygen in water samples. Glacial meltwaters and runoff waters from melting ice probably influenced the composition of the bacterial community at upper and middle river sites. Interestingly, marine-derived bacteria consistently accounted for a small proportion of the total sequences and were also more prominent in the inner part of the river. Results evidenced that particular conditions occurring at sampling sites (such as algal blooms, heavy metal contamination and anaerobiosis) may select species at local scale from a shared bacterial pool, thus favoring certain bacterial taxa. Conversely, the few phylotypes specifically detected in some sites are probably due to localized external inputs introducing allochthonous microbial groups. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthropogenic and Climatic Disturbances in Freshwater and Coastal Ecosystems: Interactive Impacts and Expected Threats)

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22 pages, 4945 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Rainfall Induced Landslide Susceptibility Mapping Based on Bayesian Optimized Random Forest and Gradient Boosting Decision Tree Models—A Case Study of Shuicheng County, China

by Guangzhi Rong, Si Alu, Kaiwei Li, Yulin Su, Jiquan Zhang, Yichen Zhang and Tiantao Li

Water 2020, 12(11), 3066; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113066 - 2 Nov 2020

Cited by 70 | Viewed by 5090

Abstract

Among the most frequent and dangerous natural hazards, landslides often result in huge casualties and economic losses. Landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) is an excellent approach for protecting and reducing the risks by landslides. This study aims to explore the performance of Bayesian optimization [...] Read more.

Among the most frequent and dangerous natural hazards, landslides often result in huge casualties and economic losses. Landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) is an excellent approach for protecting and reducing the risks by landslides. This study aims to explore the performance of Bayesian optimization (BO) in the random forest (RF) and gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) model for LSM and applied in Shuicheng County, China. Multiple data sources are used to obtain 17 conditioning factors of landslides, Borderline-SMOTE and Randomundersample methods are combined to solve the imbalanced sample problem. RF and GBDT models before and after BO are adopted to calculate the susceptibility value of landslides and produce LSMs and these models were compared and evaluated using multiple validation approach. The results demonstrated that the models we proposed all have high enough model accuracy to be applied to produce LSM, the performance of the RF is better than the GBDT model without BO, while after adopting the Bayesian optimized hyperparameters, the prediction accuracy of the RF and GBDT models is improved by 1% and 7%, respectively and the Bayesian optimized GBDT model is the best for LSM in this four models. In summary, the Bayesian optimized RF and GBDT models, especially the GBDT model we proposed for landslide susceptibility assessment and LSM construction has a very good application performance and development prospects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water-Induced Landslides: Prediction and Control)

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18 pages, 9983 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

2019–2020 Australia Fire and Its Relationship to Hydroclimatological and Vegetation Variabilities

by Mohammad Reza Ehsani, Jorge Arevalo, Christoforus Bayu Risanto, Mostafa Javadian, Charles John Devine, Alireza Arabzadeh, Hector L. Venegas-Quiñones, Ambria Paige Dell’Oro and Ali Behrangi

Water 2020, 12(11), 3067; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113067 - 2 Nov 2020

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 8146

Abstract

Wildfire is a major concern worldwide and particularly in Australia. The 2019–2020 wildfires in Australia became historically significant as they were widespread and extremely severe. Linking climate and vegetation settings to wildfires can provide insightful information for wildfire prediction, and help better understand [...] Read more.

Wildfire is a major concern worldwide and particularly in Australia. The 2019–2020 wildfires in Australia became historically significant as they were widespread and extremely severe. Linking climate and vegetation settings to wildfires can provide insightful information for wildfire prediction, and help better understand wildfires behavior in the future. The goal of this research was to examine the relationship between the recent wildfires, various hydroclimatological variables, and satellite-retrieved vegetation indices. The analyses performed here show the uniqueness of the 2019–2020 wildfires. The near-surface air temperature from December 2019 to February 2020 was about 1 °C higher than the 20-year mean, which increased the evaporative demand. The lack of precipitation before the wildfires, due to an enhanced high-pressure system over southeast Australia, prevented the soil from having enough moisture to supply the demand, and set the stage for a large amount of dry fuel that highly favored the spread of the fires. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Implications of Climate Change on the Sustainable Management of the Water–Forest Nexus)

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21 pages, 1180 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Small Patches of Riparian Woody Vegetation Enhance Biodiversity of Invertebrates

by Marie Anne Eurie Forio, Niels De Troyer, Koen Lock, Felix Witing, Lotte Baert, Nancy De Saeyer, Geta Rîșnoveanu, Cristina Popescu, Francis J. Burdon, Benjamin Kupilas, Nikolai Friberg, Pieter Boets, Martin Volk, Brendan G. McKie and Peter Goethals

Water 2020, 12(11), 3070; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113070 - 2 Nov 2020

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5929

Abstract

Patches of riparian woody vegetation potentially help mitigate environmental impacts of agriculture and safeguard biodiversity. We investigated the effects of riparian forest on invertebrate diversity in coupled stream-riparian networks using a case study in the Zwalm river basin (Flanders, Belgium). Agriculture is one [...] Read more.

Patches of riparian woody vegetation potentially help mitigate environmental impacts of agriculture and safeguard biodiversity. We investigated the effects of riparian forest on invertebrate diversity in coupled stream-riparian networks using a case study in the Zwalm river basin (Flanders, Belgium). Agriculture is one of the main pressures in the basin and riparian forest is limited to a number of isolated patches. Our 32 study sites comprised nine unshaded “unbuffered” sites which were paired with nine shaded “buffered” sites on the same stream reach, along with five ‘least-disturbed’ sites and nine downstream sites. We sampled water chemistry, habitat characteristics and stream and riparian invertebrates (carabid beetles and spiders) at each site. Three methods were used to quantify riparian attributes at different spatial scales: a visually-assessed qualitative index, quantitative estimates of habitat categories in six rectangular plots (10 × 5 m) and geographic information system (GIS)-derived land cover data. We investigated relationships between invertebrates and riparian attributes at different scales with linear regression and redundancy analyses. Spiders and carabids were most associated with local riparian attributes. In contrast, aquatic macroinvertebrates were strongly influenced by the extent of riparian vegetation in a riparian band upstream (100–300 m). These findings demonstrate the value of quantifying GIS-based metrics of riparian cover over larger spatial scales into assessments of the efficacy of riparian management as a complement to more detailed local scale riparian assessments in situ. Our findings highlight the value of even small patches of riparian vegetation in an otherwise extensively disturbed landscape in supporting biodiversity of both terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates and emphasize the need to consider multiple spatial scales in riparian management strategies which aim to mitigate human impacts on biodiversity in stream-riparian networks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Functioning in Rivers and Riparian Zones)

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30 pages, 1507 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Smart Water Grid for Micro-Trading Rainwater: Hydraulic Feasibility Analysis

by Elizabeth Ramsey, Jorge Pesantez, Mohammad Ali Khaksar Fasaee, Morgan DiCarlo, Jacob Monroe and Emily Zechman Berglund

Water 2020, 12(11), 3075; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113075 - 2 Nov 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5056

Abstract

Water availability is increasingly stressed in cities across the world due to population growth, which increases demands, and climate change, which can decrease supply. Novel water markets and water supply paradigms are emerging to address water shortages in the urban environment. This research [...] Read more.

Water availability is increasingly stressed in cities across the world due to population growth, which increases demands, and climate change, which can decrease supply. Novel water markets and water supply paradigms are emerging to address water shortages in the urban environment. This research develops a new peer-to-peer non-potable water market that allows households to capture, use, sell, and buy rainwater within a network of water users. A peer-to-peer non-potable water market, as envisioned in this research, would be enabled by existing and emerging technologies. A dual reticulation system, which circulates non-potable water, serves as the backbone for the water trading network by receiving water from residential rainwater tanks and distributing water to households for irrigation purposes. Prosumer households produce rainwater by using cisterns to collect and store rainwater and household pumps to inject rainwater into the network at sufficiently high pressures. The smart water grid would be enabled through an array of information and communication technologies that provide capabilities for automated and real-time metering of water flow, control of infrastructure, and trading between households. The goal of this manuscript is to explore and test the hydraulic feasibility of a micro-trading system through an agent-based modeling approach. Prosumer households are represented as agents that store rainwater and pump rainwater into the network; consumer households are represented as agents that withdraw water from the network for irrigation demands. An all-pipe hydraulic model is constructed and loosely coupled with the agent-based model to simulate network hydraulics. A set of scenarios are analyzed to explore how micro-trading performs based on the level of irrigation demands that could realistically be met through decentralized trading; pressure and energy requirements at prosumer households; pressure and water quality in the pipe network. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Urban Water Networks)

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15 pages, 1862 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Are Sterols Useful for the Identification of Sources of Faecal Contamination in Shellfish? A Case Study

by Styliano Florini, Esmaeil Shahsavari, Arturo Aburto-Medina, Leadin S. Khudur, Stephen M. Mudge, David J. Smith and Andrew S. Ball

Water 2020, 12(11), 3076; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113076 - 2 Nov 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2754

Abstract

This work aimed to identify the major source(s) of faecal pollution impacting Salcott Creek oyster fisheries in the UK through the examination of the sterol profiles. The concentration of the major sewage biomarker, coprostanol, in water overlying the oysters varied between 0.01 µg [...] Read more.

This work aimed to identify the major source(s) of faecal pollution impacting Salcott Creek oyster fisheries in the UK through the examination of the sterol profiles. The concentration of the major sewage biomarker, coprostanol, in water overlying the oysters varied between 0.01 µg L⁻¹ and 1.20 µg L⁻¹. The coprostanol/epicoprostanol ratio ranged from 1.32 (September) to 33.25 (February), suggesting that human sewage represents the key input of faecal material into the estuary. However, a correlation between the sterol profile of water above the oysters with that of water that enters from Tiptree Sewage Treatment Works (r = 0.82), and a sample from a site (Quinces Corner) observed to have a high population of Brent geese (r = 0.82), suggests that both sources contribute to the faecal pollution affecting the oysters. In identifying these key faecal inputs, sterol profiling has allowed targeted management practices to be employed to ensure that oyster quality is optimised. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Water Quality and Contamination)

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16 pages, 1500 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Comparison of Manganese Dioxide and Permanganate as Amendments with Persulfate for Aqueous 1,4-Dioxane Oxidation

by Logan Bridges, Ruba A. M. Mohamed, Naima A. Khan, Mark L. Brusseau and Kenneth C. Carroll

Water 2020, 12(11), 3061; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113061 - 1 Nov 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5137

Abstract

Persulfate (PS) is widely used to degrade emerging organic contaminants in groundwater and soil systems, and various PS activation methods (e.g., energy or chemical inputs) have been considered to increase oxidation strength. This study investigates PS activation through manganese amendment in the form [...] Read more.

Persulfate (PS) is widely used to degrade emerging organic contaminants in groundwater and soil systems, and various PS activation methods (e.g., energy or chemical inputs) have been considered to increase oxidation strength. This study investigates PS activation through manganese amendment in the form of potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) and manganese dioxide (MnO₂) to subsequently degrade the emerging and recalcitrant groundwater contaminant 1,4-dioxane (1,4-D). The activation of PS by MnO₂ was confirmed by radical trap and by product formation. The degradation kinetics of 1,4-D by PS was also compared with varying amendments of KMnO₄ and MnO₂. The results showed that MnO₂ activated PS, which increased the degradation rate constant of 1,4-D. KMnO₄ activation of PS was not observed even though the binary oxidant mixture did enhance the degradation of 1,4-D. These results have implications for applying in situ chemical oxidation in subsurface systems, especially for conditions wherein manganese exists naturally in groundwater or aquifer minerals to support possible PS activation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contaminant Transport and Fate)

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13 pages, 2294 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Pleistocene Branchiopods (Cladocera, Anostraca) from Transbaikalian Siberia Demonstrate Morphological and Ecological Stasis

by Anton A. Zharov, Anna N. Neretina, D. Christopher Rogers, Svetlana A. Reshetova, Sofia M. Sinitsa and Alexey A. Kotov

Water 2020, 12(11), 3063; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113063 - 1 Nov 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3211

Abstract

Pleistocene water bodies have been studied using the paleolimnological approach, which traces environmental changes using particular subfossils as ecological proxies, rather than analysis of the paleocommunities themselves. Within a given taphocoenosis, the presence and quantity of animals are related to environmental conditions rather [...] Read more.

Pleistocene water bodies have been studied using the paleolimnological approach, which traces environmental changes using particular subfossils as ecological proxies, rather than analysis of the paleocommunities themselves. Within a given taphocoenosis, the presence and quantity of animals are related to environmental conditions rather than to community types where relationships between taxa are stabilized during their long-term co-occurrence and are (at least partially) more important than the particular environmental conditions at the time of deposition, which may have experienced significant seasonal and inter-seasonal variations. Here, we analyze Branchiopoda (Crustacea) of two paleolocalities in the Transbaikalian Region of Russia: Urtuy (MIS3) and Nozhiy (older than 1.5 million years). Cladocerans Daphnia (Ctenodaphnia) magna, D. (C.) similis, D. (Daphnia) pulex, Ceriodaphnia pulchella-reticulata, C. laticaudata, Simocephalus sp., Moina cf. brachiata, M. macropopa clade, Chydorus cf. sphaericus, Capmtocercus sp. and anostracans Branchinecta cf. paludosa, and Streptocephalus (Streptocephalus) sp. are found in two localities. With the exception of the last taxon, which now occurs in the southern Holarctic, all other taxa inhabit the Transbaikalian Region. Within Eurasia, the steppe zone has the greatest diversity of large branchiopods and a high diversity of some cladocerans, such as subgenus Daphnia (Ctenodaphnia) and Moina sp. Here we demonstrated that the branchiopod community in shallow steppe water bodies has been unchanged since at least the Pleistocene, demonstrating long-term morphological and ecological stasis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Species Richness and Diversity of Aquatic Ecosystems)

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18 pages, 3165 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Structural Characterization of Dissolved Organic Matter in Permafrost Peatland Lakes

by Diogo Folhas, Armando C. Duarte, Martin Pilote, Warwick F. Vincent, Pedro Freitas, Gonçalo Vieira, Artur M. S. Silva, Regina M. B. O. Duarte and João Canário

Water 2020, 12(11), 3059; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113059 - 31 Oct 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4954

Abstract

Thermokarst lakes result from the thawing of ice-rich permafrost and are widespread across northern landscapes. These waters are strong emitters of methane, especially in permafrost peatland regions, where they are stained black by high concentrations of dissolved organic matter (DOM). In the present [...] Read more.

Thermokarst lakes result from the thawing of ice-rich permafrost and are widespread across northern landscapes. These waters are strong emitters of methane, especially in permafrost peatland regions, where they are stained black by high concentrations of dissolved organic matter (DOM). In the present study, we aimed to structurally characterize the DOM from a set of peatland thermokarst lakes that are known to be intense sites of microbial decomposition and methane emission. Samples were collected at different depths from three thermokarst lakes in the Sasapimakwananisikw (SAS) River valley near the eastern Hudson Bay community of Kuujjuarapik–Whapmagoostui (Nunavik, Canada). Samples were analyzed by spectrofluorometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and elemental analysis. Fluorescence analyses indicated considerable amounts of autochthonous DOM in the surface waters of one of SAS 1A, indicating a strong bioavailability of labile DOM, and consequently a greater methanogenic potential. The three lakes differed in their chemical composition and diversity, suggesting various DOM transformations phenomena. The usefulness of complementary analytical approaches to characterize the complex mixture of DOM in permafrost peatland waters cannot be overlooked, representing a first step towards greater comprehension of the organic geochemical properties of these permafrost-derived systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Water Quality and Contamination)

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14 pages, 1505 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Experimental Investigation of Chlorella vulgaris and Enterobacter sp. MN17 for Decolorization and Removal of Heavy Metals from Textile Wastewater

by Muhammad Mubashar, Muhammad Naveed, Adnan Mustafa, Sobia Ashraf, Khurram Shehzad Baig, Saud Alamri, Manzer H. Siddiqui, Magdalena Zabochnicka-Świątek, Michał Szota and Hazem M. Kalaji

Water 2020, 12(11), 3034; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113034 - 29 Oct 2020

Cited by 77 | Viewed by 5964

Abstract

The present study evaluated the performance of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris in an Enterobacter sp. MN17-assisted textile industry wastewater treatment system for decolorization, removal of heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Pb, and Cd), and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Different dilutions (5, 10, and 20%) of [...] Read more.

The present study evaluated the performance of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris in an Enterobacter sp. MN17-assisted textile industry wastewater treatment system for decolorization, removal of heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Pb, and Cd), and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Different dilutions (5, 10, and 20%) of wastewater were prepared to decrease the pollutant toxicity for culturing microalgae and bacteria. Reduction of color, COD, and metal contents by microalgal treatment of wastewater varied greatly, while removal efficiency (RE) was significantly enhanced when endophytic bacterial strain MN17 inoculum was applied. Most notable, results were found at a 5% dilution level by Enterobacter sp. MN17-inoculated C. vulgaris medium, as chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) concentrations were decreased from 1.32 to 0.27 mg L⁻¹ (79% decrease), 0.79–0.14 mg L⁻¹ (93% decrease), 1.33–0.36 mg L⁻¹ (72% decrease), and 1.2–0.25 mg L⁻¹ (79% decrease), respectively. The values of COD and color were also significantly decreased by 74% and 70%, respectively, by a C. vulgaris–Enterobacter sp. MN17 consortium. The present investigation revealed that bacterial inoculation of microalgae significantly enhanced the removal of coloring agents and heavy metals from textile wastewater by stimulating the growth of algal biomass. This study manifested the usefulness of microalgae–bacterial mutualism for the remediation of heavy metals, COD, and color in industrial effluents. Microalgae consortia with growth promoting bacteria could be a breakthrough for better bioremediation and bioprocess economy. Thus, further studies are needed for successful integration of microalgae–plant growth promoting bacterial (PGPB) consortium for wastewater treatments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Wastewater Treatment and Reuse)

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13 pages, 2105 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Nitrogen Retention in Mesocosm Sediments Received Rural Wastewater Associated with Microbial Community Response to Plant Species

by Zhixin Dong, Lei Hu, Jianmei Li, Mathieu Nsenga Kumwimba, Jialiang Tang and Bo Zhu

Water 2020, 12(11), 3035; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113035 - 29 Oct 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2439

Abstract

Vegetated drainage ditches (eco-ditches) have drawn much attention in recent years for the ability to remediate diffuse contaminants in rural wastewater through sediment retention, plant uptake and interception, and microbial metabolic activities. However, the effect of plant species on microbial community structure and [...] Read more.

Vegetated drainage ditches (eco-ditches) have drawn much attention in recent years for the ability to remediate diffuse contaminants in rural wastewater through sediment retention, plant uptake and interception, and microbial metabolic activities. However, the effect of plant species on microbial community structure and nitrogen (N) retention in ditch sediment remains poorly understood. In this study, mesocosm plastic drums were planted with eight plant species commonly found in ditches and nurtured with wastewater for 150 days. Sediment total nitrogen (TN) was greatly increased after 150-day nurturing with rural wastewater, from 296.03 mg∙kg⁻¹ (Iris japonica Thunb) to 607.88 mg∙kg⁻¹ (Acorus gramineusO). This study also presents the effect of different plant species on sediment microbial communities, thus providing insight into N removal mechanisms in eco-ditch. Fifty-eight differentially abundant taxa were identified, and sediment microbial community structure for no plant (CK), Acg, Canna indica (Cai), and Typha latifolia L. (Tyl) was primarily linked to sediment NH₄⁺-N and TN. Extremely small proportions of ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrifying bacteria were detected for all treatments, but large proportions of Crenarchaeota, which comprises the widely existent ammonium oxidized archaea (AOA), were found in CK, Acg and Cai. The abundance of Nitrosotalea from Crenarchaeota presented positive correlations with sediment NH₄⁺-N contents and ammonia oxidation function predicted by Faprotax, indicating Nitrosotalea might be the dominant ammonium-oxidizing microbes in sediment samples. The probable NH₄⁺-N removal pathway in wastewater sediment was through a combined effect of AOA, nitrifying bacteria, and anammox. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Water and One Health)

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13 pages, 2948 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Overlapping Water and Nutrient Use Efficiencies and Carbon Assimilation between Coexisting Simple- and Compound-Leaved Trees from a Valley Savanna

by Yang-Si-Ding Wang, Da Yang, Huai-Dong Wu, Yun-Bing Zhang, Shu-Bin Zhang, Yong-Jiang Zhang and Jiao-Lin Zhang

Water 2020, 12(11), 3037; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113037 - 29 Oct 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2624

Abstract

Identifying differences in ecophysiology between simple and compound leaves can help understand the adaptive significance of the compound leaf form and its response to climate change. However, we still know surprisingly little about differences in water and nutrient use, and photosynthetic capacity between [...] Read more.

Identifying differences in ecophysiology between simple and compound leaves can help understand the adaptive significance of the compound leaf form and its response to climate change. However, we still know surprisingly little about differences in water and nutrient use, and photosynthetic capacity between co-occurring compound-leaved and simple-leaved tree species, especially in savanna ecosystems with dry-hot climate conditions. From July to September in 2015, we investigated 16 functional traits associated with water use, nutrients, and photosynthesis of six deciduous tree species (three simple-leaved and three compound-leaved species) coexisting in a valley-savanna in Southwest China. Our major objective was to test the variation in these functional traits between these two leaf forms. Overall, overlapping leaf mass per area (LMA), photosynthesis, as well as leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were found between these coexisting valley-savanna simple- and compound-leaved tree species. We didn’t find significant differences in water and photosynthetic nitrogen or phosphorus use efficiency between simple and compound leaves. Across these simple- and compound-leaved tree species, photosynthetic phosphorus use efficiencies were positively related to LMA and negatively correlated with phosphorus concentration per mass or area. Water use efficiency (intrinsic water use efficiency or stable carbon isotopic composition) was independent of all leaf traits. Similar ecophysiology strategies among these coexisting valley-savanna simple- and compound-leaved species suggested a convergence in ecological adaptation to the hot and dry environment. The overlap in traits related to water use, carbon assimilation, and stress tolerance (e.g., LMA) also suggests a similar response of these two leaf forms to a hotter and drier future due to the climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Climate Change on Plant Water Use, Carbon Balance, Nutrient Economy, and Their Interactions)

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20 pages, 6292 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Experimental Study at the Reservoir Head of Run-of-River Hydropower Plants in Gravel Bed Rivers. Part II: Effects of Reservoir Flushing on Delta Degradation

by Kevin Reiterer, Thomas Gold, Helmut Habersack, Christoph Hauer and Christine Sindelar

Water 2020, 12(11), 3038; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113038 - 29 Oct 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4136

Abstract

Run-of-river hydropower plants (RoR HPPs) are capable of interrupting the sediment connectivity of many alpine rivers. Still, there is a lack of systematical investigations of possible sediment management strategies for small and medium sized RoR HPPs. This study deals with the headwater section [...] Read more.

Run-of-river hydropower plants (RoR HPPs) are capable of interrupting the sediment connectivity of many alpine rivers. Still, there is a lack of systematical investigations of possible sediment management strategies for small and medium sized RoR HPPs. This study deals with the headwater section of an impoundment and the approach of sediment remobilization during drawdown operations. Therefore, a typical medium sized gravel bed river having a width of 20 m, a mean bed slope of 0.005, a mean flow rate of 22 m³/s, and a 1-year flood flow of 104 m³/s is recreated by a 1:20 scaled physical model. Heterogenous sediment mixtures were used under mobile-bed conditions, representing a range of 14–120 mm in nature. During the experiments, the flow rate was set to be 70% of the 1-year flood (HQ₁) regarding on the ability to mobilize all sediment fractions. The possibility to remobilize delta depositions by (partial) drawdown flushing within a reasonable period (≈9 h in 1:1 scale) was shown by the results. The erosion of existing headwater delta deposition was found to be retrogressive and twice as fast as the preceding delta formation process. A spatiotemporal erosion scheme points out these findings. This supports the strategy of a reservoir drawdown at flood events of high reoccurrence rate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sediment Management: Hydropower Improvement and Habitat Evaluation)

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23 pages, 5837 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Geochemical Composition of the Lomé Lagoon Sediments, Togo: Seasonal and Spatial Variations of Major, Trace and Rare Earth Element Concentrations

by Tchaa Esso-Essinam Badassan, Akouvi Massan Duanyawo Avumadi, Kamilou Ouro-Sama, Kissao Gnandi, Séverine Jean-Dupuy and Jean-Luc Probst

Water 2020, 12(11), 3026; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113026 - 28 Oct 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3512

Abstract

The concentrations of major, trace (TE), and rare earth (REE) elements and their seasonal and spatial distribution were studied on the fine fraction (<63 µm) of the sediments of the Lomé lagoons (West Lake, East Lake, and Lake Bè). The sediments were collected [...] Read more.

The concentrations of major, trace (TE), and rare earth (REE) elements and their seasonal and spatial distribution were studied on the fine fraction (<63 µm) of the sediments of the Lomé lagoons (West Lake, East Lake, and Lake Bè). The sediments were collected on a total of nine sampling sites (three per Lake) during two campaigns (dry season and rainy season). The quality of the sediments was assessed on the basis of the enrichment factor (EF) and the labile or non-residual fraction (NRF) in relation to the values recommended for the quality of the sediments (Sediment Quality Guidelines, SQG). The distribution of rare earth elements shows enrichments in light rare earths superior to those of heavy rare earth elements during any season. Positive Ce anomalies are less noticeable and less variable between seasons than Eu anomalies. La/Yb ratios are positively correlated with the percentage of Al and Fe oxides and with the percentage of fine fractions. The main bearing phases of rare earth elements are, therefore, Al and Fe oxides and the finest fractions of the sediments. The concentrations of trace elements vary little, according to the seasons, but show strong variations from one element to another. The degrees of enrichment obtained are moderate for Bi, Cr, Ga, Mo, Pb, Sn, and Zn (1.5 < EF < 5) to significant for As, Cd, and Sb (5 < EF < 20) for all sites of Lake Bè. For the sites of West Lake, the degrees of enrichment obtained are moderate for As, Cd, Cu, Mo, and Pb (1.5 < EF < 5) to a significance for As, Bi, Cd, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Zn (5 < EF < 20). Only the East Lake sites show high degrees of enrichment for elements such as Sb and Sn (20 < EF < 40). Trace elements (TE) such as As, Cd, Cu, and Ni have total concentrations within the range of variation of the SQG concentrations (particularly Probable Effect Level (PEL) and Effect Range Median (ERM)), whereas Cr, Pb, and Zn total concentrations are higher. The ranking of priority sites with respect to the sediment contamination is determined according to ERM and PEL quotients in relation to the probability of toxicity for benthic organisms. For almost all the sites, the priority is lowest to medium-low with regard to As, Cd, and Cu and medium-high (Cr and Ni) to highest (Pb and Zn), particularly for the East and West Lakes. Moreover, the NRF can represent significant percentages of the total TE concentrations: 5% to 15% for As, Bi, Ni, V, Mo, and Sc, 15% to 25% for Co, Cu, and Sr, 25% to 40% for Pb and Zn and, lastly, 47% to 55% for Cd. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Water Quality and Contamination)

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21 pages, 7798 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Dynamic Monitoring of Surface Water Area during 1989–2019 in the Hetao Plain Using Landsat Data in Google Earth Engine

by Ruimeng Wang, Haoming Xia, Yaochen Qin, Wenhui Niu, Li Pan, Rumeng Li, Xiaoyang Zhao, Xiqing Bian and Pinde Fu

Water 2020, 12(11), 3010; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113010 - 27 Oct 2020

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 4444

Abstract

The spatio-temporal change of the surface water is very important to agricultural, economic, and social development in the Hetao Plain, as well as the structure and function of the ecosystem. To understand the long-term changes of the surface water area in the Hetao [...] Read more.

The spatio-temporal change of the surface water is very important to agricultural, economic, and social development in the Hetao Plain, as well as the structure and function of the ecosystem. To understand the long-term changes of the surface water area in the Hetao Plain, we used all available Landsat images (7534 scenes) and adopted the modified Normalized Difference Water Index (mNDWI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to map the open-surface water from 1989 to 2019 in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform. We further analyzed precipitation, temperature, and irrigated area, revealing the impact of climate change and human activities on long-term surface water changes. The results show the following. (1) In the last 31 years, the maximum, seasonal, and annual average water body area values in the Hetao Plain have exhibited a downward trend. Meanwhile, the number of maximum, seasonal, and permanent water bodies displayed a significant upward trend. (2) The variation of the surface water area in the Hetao Plain is mainly affected by the maximum water body area, while the variation of the water body number is mainly affected by the number of minimum water bodies. (3) Precipitation has statistically significant positive effects on the water body area and water body number, which has statistically significant negative effects with temperature and irrigation. The findings of this study can be used to help the policy-makers and farmers understand changing water resources and its driving mechanism and provide a reference for water resources management, agricultural irrigation, and ecological protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Water, Agriculture and Aquaculture)

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18 pages, 4494 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Are the Financial Markets Sensitive to Hydrological Risk? Evidence from the Bovespa

by José Manuel Feria-Domínguez, Pilar Paneque and Fanny de la Piedra

Water 2020, 12(11), 3011; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113011 - 27 Oct 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3019

Abstract

This research analyzes the BOVESPA stock market response to the worst drought occurred in the last 100 years in Brazil. For this purpose, we conducted a standard event study analysis in order to assess the financial response to such hydrological risk on a [...] Read more.

This research analyzes the BOVESPA stock market response to the worst drought occurred in the last 100 years in Brazil. For this purpose, we conducted a standard event study analysis in order to assess the financial response to such hydrological risk on a sample of seven Brazilian agri-food firms. We found statistically significant negative cumulative average abnormal returns (CAARs) around the drought official announcement for different event windows used. Particularly, the highest impact was obtained for the narrowest temporary window, five days around the event disclosure. Moreover, we also found the drought announcement affects even more negatively those companies that sell perishable products, five out of seven in our sample, versus those selling nonperishable ones by running a two-sample t-test on CAARs. This study brings awareness to the climate change impact into the emerging financial markets and the risk faced by shareholders when investing in the agri-food sector, not only in Brazil but also in other Latin American countries, due to the increasing probability to suffer from droughts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Resources Management Models for Policy Assessment)

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19 pages, 3583 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Screening and Distribution of Contaminants of Emerging Concern and Regulated Organic Pollutants in the Heavily Modified Guadalhorce River Basin, Southern Spain

by Marta Llamas, Iñaki Vadillo-Pérez, Lucila Candela, Pablo Jiménez-Gavilán, Carmen Corada-Fernández and Antonio F. Castro-Gámez

Water 2020, 12(11), 3012; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113012 - 27 Oct 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3918

Abstract

Emerging pollutants have aroused an increasing concern due to their ubiquitous presence in the environment and harmful potential. Both emerging (e.g., pharmaceuticals and personal care products) and regulated organic pollutants pose a serious threat to water quality and their presence and spatial distribution [...] Read more.

Emerging pollutants have aroused an increasing concern due to their ubiquitous presence in the environment and harmful potential. Both emerging (e.g., pharmaceuticals and personal care products) and regulated organic pollutants pose a serious threat to water quality and their presence and spatial distribution are complicated to address as they can derive from several factors: distribution of point and diffuse sources, environmental conditions, hydrogeological features of the region and inherent properties of the considered contaminants. In this study, a ground and surface water monitoring campaign was conducted in the three main detritic groundwater bodies of an extensive and heavily modified river basin in order to draft an initial description of the occurrence and distribution of a wide range of organic contaminants. In total, 63 out of 185 target pollutants were detected. An attempt to understand the importance of different factors governing the distribution of some of the most frequently found pollutants was made. Antibiotics spatial distribution is potentially influenced by the hydrogeological functioning of the basin modified by hydraulic infrastructures (reflected by hydrochemistry and environmental tracers δ²H and δ¹⁸O), not directly related to the distribution of potential sources. The presence of other organic pollutants does not reflect an evident correlation with flow pathways. Differences in contaminant occurrence are potentially attributed to the way pollutants are released into the environment as well as physico-chemical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater and Contaminant Transport)

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18 pages, 7247 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Simulation of Titicaca Lake Water Level Fluctuations Using Hybrid Machine Learning Technique Integrated with Grey Wolf Optimizer Algorithm

by Babak Mohammadi, Yiqing Guan, Pouya Aghelpour, Samad Emamgholizadeh, Ramiro Pillco Zolá and Danrong Zhang

Water 2020, 12(11), 3015; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113015 - 27 Oct 2020

Cited by 57 | Viewed by 5402

Abstract

Lakes have an important role in storing water for drinking, producing hydroelectric power, and environmental, agricultural, and industrial uses. In order to optimize the use of lakes, precise prediction of the lake water level (LWL) is a main issue in water resources management. [...] Read more.

Lakes have an important role in storing water for drinking, producing hydroelectric power, and environmental, agricultural, and industrial uses. In order to optimize the use of lakes, precise prediction of the lake water level (LWL) is a main issue in water resources management. Due to the existence of nonlinear relations, uncertainty, and characteristics of the time series variables, the exact prediction of the lake water level is difficult. In this study the hybrid support vector regression (SVR) and the grey wolf algorithm (GWO) are used to predict lake water level fluctuations. Also, three types of data preprocessing methods, namely Principal component analysis, Random forest, and Relief algorithm were used for finding the best input variables for prediction LWL by the SVR and SVR-GWO models. Before the LWL simulation on monthly time step using the hybrid model, an evolutionary approach based on different monthly lags was conducted for determining the best mask of the input variables. Results showed that based on the random forest method, the best scenario of the inputs was

X_{t - 1}, X_{t - 2}, X_{t - 3}, X_{t - 4}

for the SVR-GWO model. Also, the performance of the SVR-GWO model indicated that it could simulate the LWL with acceptable accuracy (with RMSE = 0.08 m, MAE = 0.06 m, and R² = 0.96). Full article

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19 pages, 2355 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Groundwater Governance in Pakistan: From Colossal Development to Neglected Management

by Asad Sarwar Qureshi

Water 2020, 12(11), 3017; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113017 - 27 Oct 2020

Cited by 105 | Viewed by 23303

Abstract

Groundwater is playing an essential role in expanding irrigated agriculture in many parts of the world. Pakistan is the third-largest user of groundwater for irrigation in the world. The surface water supplies are sufficient to irrigate 27% of the area, whereas the remaining [...] Read more.

Groundwater is playing an essential role in expanding irrigated agriculture in many parts of the world. Pakistan is the third-largest user of groundwater for irrigation in the world. The surface water supplies are sufficient to irrigate 27% of the area, whereas the remaining 73% is directly or indirectly irrigated using groundwater. The Punjab province uses more than 90% of the total groundwater abstraction. Currently, 1.2 million private tubewells are working in the country, out of which 85% are in Punjab, 6.4% are in Sindh, 3.8% are in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and 4.8% are in Baluchistan. The total groundwater extraction in Pakistan is about 60 billion m³. The access to groundwater has helped farmers in securing food for the increasing population. However, unchecked groundwater exploitation has created severe environmental problems. These include rapidly falling groundwater levels in the irrigated areas and increased soil salinization problems. The groundwater levels in more than 50% of the irrigated areas of Punjab have dropped below 6 m, resulting in increased pumping cost and degraded groundwater quality. Despite hectic efforts, about 21% of the irrigated area is affected by different levels of salinity. The country has introduced numerous laws and regulations for the sustainable use and management of groundwater resources, but the success has so far been limited. Besides less respect for the law, unavailability of needed data and information, lack of political will and institutional arrangements are the primary reasons for poor groundwater management. Pakistan needs to revisit its strategies to make them adaptable to local conditions. An integrated water resource management approach that brings together relevant government departments, political leadership, knowledge institutions, and other stakeholders could be an attractive option. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Hydrology)

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23 pages, 1310 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Significant Extremal Dependence of a Daily North Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAOI) and Weighted Regionalised Rainfall in a Small Island Using the Extremogram

by Luis Angel Espinosa, Maria Manuela Portela and Rui Rodrigues

Water 2020, 12(11), 2989; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12112989 - 25 Oct 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3402

Abstract

Extremal dependence or independence may occur among the components of univariate or bivariate random vectors. Assessing which asymptotic regime occurs and also its extent are crucial tasks when such vectors are used as statistical models for risk assessment in the field of Climatology [...] Read more.

Extremal dependence or independence may occur among the components of univariate or bivariate random vectors. Assessing which asymptotic regime occurs and also its extent are crucial tasks when such vectors are used as statistical models for risk assessment in the field of Climatology under climate change conditions. Motivated by the poor resolution of current global climate models in North Atlantic Small Islands, the extremal dependence between a North Atlantic Oscillation index (NAOI) and rainfall was considered at multi-year dominance of negative and positive NAOI, i.e., −NAOI and +NAOI dominance subperiods, respectively. The datasets used (from 1948–2017) were daily NAOI, and three daily weighted regionalised rainfall series computed based on factor analysis and the Voronoi polygons method from 40 rain gauges in the small island of Madeira (∼740 km

^{2}

), Portugal. The extremogram technique was applied for measuring the extremal dependence within the NAOI univariate series. The cross-extremogram determined the dependence between the upper tail of the weighted regionalised rainfalls, and the upper and lower tails of daily NAOI. Throughout the 70-year period, the results suggest systematic evidence of statistical dependence over Madeira between exceptionally −NAOI records and extreme rainfalls, which is stronger in the −NAOI dominance subperiods. The extremal dependence for +NAOI records is only significant in recent years, however, with a still unclear +NAOI dominance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Statistical Approach to Hydrological Analysis)

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24 pages, 1768 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

A Review on Mariculture Effluent: Characterization and Management Tools

by Xinyan Wang, Alan Cuthbertson, Carlo Gualtieri and Dongdong Shao

Water 2020, 12(11), 2991; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12112991 - 25 Oct 2020

Cited by 45 | Viewed by 9076

Abstract

While marine aquaculture, or mariculture, has been growing rapidly and globally in recent decades, many environmental concerns remain to be fully addressed to achieve its long-term goal of sustainable development. This paper aims to provide a synthesized perspective on these issues by reviewing [...] Read more.

While marine aquaculture, or mariculture, has been growing rapidly and globally in recent decades, many environmental concerns remain to be fully addressed to achieve its long-term goal of sustainable development. This paper aims to provide a synthesized perspective on these issues by reviewing and discussing the characterization, transport, and current modelling and management tools associated with effluents released from mariculture sites. Specifically, we examined the effluent characteristics and behavior from source-to-sink, including the composition and load of effluent discharge, its transport and transformation processes in the water column and at the seabed, and its impacts on the pelagic and benthic environments. We then focused on management-related issues, including the setting of the regulatory mixing zone, the establishment of environmental standards, monitoring measures, and modelling techniques to depict the current state-of-the-art modes in a global context. Our study shows that while substantial progress has been made in understanding the nature of the mariculture effluent, as well as in monitoring and modelling its transport and fate, the regulatory framework still lags behind in many countries where the mariculture industry is relevant. This is particularly evident in the lack of consistent criteria for the definition of regulatory mixing zones and the associated environmental standards for water quality and benthic impacts. Besides, as new predictive models are emerging quickly, their proper evaluation and validation are imperative in view of their increasing application in regulatory practices. This review is intended to provide references for advancing regulatory management of mariculture effluents, as well as for promoting sustainable mariculture development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Environmental Hydraulics)

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12 pages, 2194 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

First Captive Breeding Program for the Endangered Pyrenean Sculpin (Cottus hispaniolensis Bacescu-Master, 1964)

by Joan Manubens, Oriol Comas, Núria Valls and Lluís Benejam

Water 2020, 12(11), 2986; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12112986 - 24 Oct 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3431

Abstract

The strong decline of freshwater fish species in Europe implies that further ex-situ conservation plans should be implemented in the near future. The present study reflects our experience with the Pyrenean sculpin (Cottus hispaniolensis Bacescu-Mester, 1964)—a small cottid endemic to the Hispano-French [...] Read more.

The strong decline of freshwater fish species in Europe implies that further ex-situ conservation plans should be implemented in the near future. The present study reflects our experience with the Pyrenean sculpin (Cottus hispaniolensis Bacescu-Mester, 1964)—a small cottid endemic to the Hispano-French Garona River basin. In recent years, the Spanish Pyrenean sculpin population has reached a limit situation. Because of that, the non-profit association ADEFFA—with support from the public administration—started the first captive breeding program for this species in 2006. Fourteen years later, this study presents the results and evaluates the different steps of the program, with the aim of discussing and improving the ex-situ conservation plans for this and other cold freshwater species. There is a description and a comparison between six consecutive phases during the captive breeding process: nesting behaviour, courtship, egg fixation, parental care (incubation), hatching and survival during juvenile development. The purposes of this project are to: (1) identify the most determining phases for a successful captive breeding; (2) identify the factors that had a major influence to the success of the critical phases; and (3) increase the number of the offspring. This study is based on thirty-three wild individuals collected from Garona River (Val d’Aran, Spanish Pyrenees). During the program, twelve couples spawned in captive conditions, with around 2300 eggs laid. Eight couples bred successfully, with 751 hatched individuals and 608 juveniles reared. The analysis of each step of the captive breeding does not reveal significant differences between phases, so it can be concluded that they are all critical at the same level. In the literature, similar study-cases of captive breeding programs identify incubation and survival phases as the most critical. Consequently, the management made for this project has probably allowed to overcome in part the main impediments described in other similar programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of Freshwater Fishes Biodiversity)

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15 pages, 1645 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Relationship between Environmental Conditions and Structure of Macroinvertebrate Community in a Hydromorphologically Altered Pre-Alpine River

by Igor Zelnik and Tjaša Muc

Water 2020, 12(11), 2987; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12112987 - 24 Oct 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2996

Abstract

Hydromorphological alterations influence a wide range of environmental conditions as well as riparian vegetation and the structure of the macroinvertebrate community. We studied relationships between the structure and diversity of the macroinvertebrate community and hydromorphological and other environmental conditions in the river Gradaščica [...] Read more.

Hydromorphological alterations influence a wide range of environmental conditions as well as riparian vegetation and the structure of the macroinvertebrate community. We studied relationships between the structure and diversity of the macroinvertebrate community and hydromorphological and other environmental conditions in the river Gradaščica (central Slovenia). The Gradaščica river is a pre-Alpine torrential river that has been morphologically altered by humans. A selection of abiotic factors was measured, the ecomorphological status of the river was assessed, vegetation in the riparian zone was surveyed and benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled. Correlations between diversity and the structure of the macroinvertebrate community, environmental parameters and occurrence of invasive alien plant species in the riparian zone were identified. The significance of the influence of environmental parameters on the structure of the macroinvertebrate community was examined. We found that hydromorphological alterations in the river have had a significant influence on the diversity and composition of the macroinvertebrate community because of changes of flow velocity and the spread of invasive alien plant species that has followed those changes. Factors that also significantly influence the composition of macroinvertebrate community are distance from the source and conductivity. Our findings suggest minimization of further human hydromorphological changes of watercourses could prevent the loss of biodiversity of riverine ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Communities in Human-Altered Ecosystems)

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25 pages, 5242 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Novel Approach to Harmonize Vulnerability Assessment in Carbonate and Detrital Aquifers at Basin Scale

by Leticia Baena-Ruiz and David Pulido-Velazquez

Water 2020, 12(11), 2971; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12112971 - 23 Oct 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2600

Abstract

The DRASTIC (D: Depth to water; R: Net recharge; A: Aquifer media; S: Soil media; T: Topography; I: Impact of vadose zone; C: Hydraulic conductivity) index is usually applied to assess intrinsic vulnerability in detrital and carbonate aquifers, although it does not take [...] Read more.

The DRASTIC (D: Depth to water; R: Net recharge; A: Aquifer media; S: Soil media; T: Topography; I: Impact of vadose zone; C: Hydraulic conductivity) index is usually applied to assess intrinsic vulnerability in detrital and carbonate aquifers, although it does not take into account the particularities of karst systems as the COP (C: Concentration of flow; O: Overlying layers above water table; P: precipitation) method does. In this paper we aim to find a reasonable correspondence between the vulnerability maps obtained using these two methods. We adapt the DRASTIC index in order to obtain reliable assessments in carbonate aquifers while maintaining its original conceptual formulation. This approach is analogous to the hypothesis of “equivalent porous medium”, which applies to karstic aquifers the numerical solution developed for detrital aquifers. We applied our novel method to the Upper Guadiana Basin, which contains both carbonate and detrital aquifers. Validation analysis demonstrated a higher confidence in the vulnerability assessment provided by the COP method in the carbonate aquifers. The proposed method solves an optimization problem to minimize the differences between the assessments provided by the modified DRASTIC and COP methods. Decision trees and spatial statistics analyses were combined to identify the ranges and weights of DRASTIC parameters to produce an optimal solution that matches the COP vulnerability classification for carbonate aquifers in 75% of the area, while maintaining a reliable assessment of the detrital aquifers in the Basin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing Water Quality by Statistical Methods)

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23 pages, 23230 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Controls on Reservoir Heterogeneity of a Shallow-Marine Reservoir in Sawan Gas Field, SE Pakistan: Implications for Reservoir Quality Prediction Using Acoustic Impedance Inversion

by Umar Ashraf, Hucai Zhang, Aqsa Anees, Muhammad Ali, Xiaonan Zhang, Saiq Shakeel Abbasi and Hassan Nasir Mangi

Water 2020, 12(11), 2972; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12112972 - 23 Oct 2020

Cited by 90 | Viewed by 5375

Abstract

The precise characterization of reservoir parameters is vital for future development and prospect evaluation of oil and gas fields. C-sand and B-sand intervals of the Lower Goru Formation (LGF) within the Lower Indus Basin (LIB) are proven reservoirs. Conventional seismic amplitude interpretation fails [...] Read more.

The precise characterization of reservoir parameters is vital for future development and prospect evaluation of oil and gas fields. C-sand and B-sand intervals of the Lower Goru Formation (LGF) within the Lower Indus Basin (LIB) are proven reservoirs. Conventional seismic amplitude interpretation fails to delineate the heterogeneity of the sand-shale facies distribution due to limited seismic resolution in the Sawan gas field (SGF). The high heterogeneity and low resolution make it challenging to characterize the reservoir thickness, reservoir porosity, and the factors controlling the heterogeneity. Constrained sparse spike inversion (CSSI) is employed using 3D seismic and well log data to characterize and discriminate the lithofacies, impedance, porosity, and thickness (sand-ratio) of the C- and B-sand intervals of the LGF. The achieved results disclose that the CSSI delineated the extent of lithofacies, heterogeneity, and precise characterization of reservoir parameters within the zone of interest (ZOI). The sand facies of C- and B-sand intervals are characterized by low acoustic impedance (AI) values (8 × 10⁶ kg/m²s to 1 × 10⁷ kg/m²s), maximum sand-ratio (0.6 to 0.9), and maximum porosity (10% to 24%). The primary reservoir (C-sand) has an excellent ability to produce the maximum yield of gas due to low AI (8 × 10⁶ kg/m²s), maximum reservoir thickness (0.9), and porosity (24%). However, the secondary reservoir (B-sand) also has a good capacity for gas production due to low AI (1 × 10⁷ kg/m²s), decent sand-ratio (0.6), and average porosity (14%), if properly evaluated. The time-slices of porosity and sand-ratio maps have revealed the location of low-impedance, maximum porosity, and maximum sand-ratio that can be exploited for future drillings. Rock physics analysis using AI through inverse and direct relationships successfully discriminated against the heterogeneity between the sand facies and shale facies. In the corollary, we proposed that pre-conditioning through comprehensive petrophysical, inversion, and rock physics analysis are imperative tools to calibrate the factors controlling the reservoir heterogeneity and for better reservoir quality measurement in the fluvial shallow-marine deltaic basins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of High-Resolution Geophysical Methods in Studying the Coastal Environment (Land and Sea))

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17 pages, 5090 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Influence of Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Sediment on Macroinvertebrate Communities in Agricultural Headwater Streams

by Tyler C. Shuman, Peter C. Smiley, Jr., Robert B. Gillespie and Javier M. Gonzalez

Water 2020, 12(11), 2976; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12112976 - 23 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5275

Abstract

Agricultural land use leads to changes in physical and chemical characteristics of sediment that influence macroinvertebrate community diversity and abundance in streams. To the best of our knowledge the joint influence of sediment’s physical and chemical characteristics on stream macroinvertebrates has not been [...] Read more.

Agricultural land use leads to changes in physical and chemical characteristics of sediment that influence macroinvertebrate community diversity and abundance in streams. To the best of our knowledge the joint influence of sediment’s physical and chemical characteristics on stream macroinvertebrates has not been assessed. We measured sediment’s physical and chemical characteristics and sampled macroinvertebrates in eight agricultural headwater streams in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, United States, in 2017 and 2018 to determine the physical and chemical conditions of the sediment, to evaluate the relationships between physical and chemical characteristics of the sediment, and the relationship of macroinvertebrate communities with the sediment’s physical and chemical characteristics. Sediments within most sites were dominated by sand or silt. pH was suitable for macroinvertebrates and nitrate, herbicide, and trace metal concentrations were below concentration levels anticipated to affect macroinvertebrate survival. Linear mixed effect model analysis results indicated that a physical gradient of percent small gravel and percent silt was positively correlated (p < 0.05) with a chemical gradient of potassium concentrations, magnesium concentrations, and percent total nitrogen in the sediments. Our linear mixed effect model analysis results also indicated that Invertebrate Community Index scores were negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with a chemical gradient of simazine and calcium concentrations and were negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with physical gradient of grain size diversity and percent sand. Our results suggest that watershed management plans need to address physical and chemical degradation of sediment to improve macroinvertebrate biotic integrity within agricultural headwater streams in the Midwestern United States. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Quality and Ecological Aspects of Aquatic Ecosystems Influenced by Agricultural Activity)

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20 pages, 3483 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Assessing the Ecological Water Level: The Case of Four Mediterranean Lakes

by Olga Petriki, Dimitrios Zervas, Charalampos Doulgeris and Dimitra Bobori

Water 2020, 12(11), 2977; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12112977 - 23 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3142

Abstract

The ecological water regime in lake water bodies refers to the water levels that enable the fulfillment of the ecosystem’s multiple functions. Therefore, assessing the ecological water regime necessitates the consideration of hydrological, economic, social, and ecological factors. The present research is focused [...] Read more.

The ecological water regime in lake water bodies refers to the water levels that enable the fulfillment of the ecosystem’s multiple functions. Therefore, assessing the ecological water regime necessitates the consideration of hydrological, economic, social, and ecological factors. The present research is focused on the assessment of the ecological water level of four Mediterranean natural lake ecosystems, considering their morphological and biological features. Initially, suggestions on the ecological water regime of the studied lakes were made based on an analysis of the lakes’ morphometry. Further, the ecological and biological requirements of the present fish fauna and aquatic macrophytic vegetation were considered. For the latter, mapping was conducted by extensive sampling according to international standards, in order to assess macrophyte composition, abundance, and chorology, as well as species sensitivity to water level fluctuations. The above guided the proposals on the optimal water level regime that should be met by each lake regarding the macrophytic and fish communities’ sustainability, also taking into account the unique hydromorphological features of each lake. The differences in the outcoming results revealed that hydromorphological and biological approaches should be combined for assessing lakes’ ecological water regimes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Ecosafety: Threats, Disturbances, Environmental Monitors and Bioremediation Actions)

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26 pages, 2962 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Addressing Urban–Rural Water Conflicts in Nagpur through Benefit Sharing

by Vibhas Sukhwani, Kamakshi Thapa, Rajib Shaw, Sameer Deshkar, Bijon Kumer Mitra and Wanglin Yan

Water 2020, 12(11), 2979; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12112979 - 23 Oct 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 9386

Abstract

Urban and rural areas often meet their water demands from a shared stock of finite water resources. Against the changing climate, the rising water demands in fast-growing urban areas are leading to increasing water-use conflicts with the co-dependent rural areas. Although poor water [...] Read more.

Urban and rural areas often meet their water demands from a shared stock of finite water resources. Against the changing climate, the rising water demands in fast-growing urban areas are leading to increasing water-use conflicts with the co-dependent rural areas. Although poor water governance is frequently cited as the key reason for such urban–rural conflicts, it is also recognized as a potential pathway to resolve them. In the case of Nagpur Region in Central India, water stress has today become a subject of serious concern. The water demands in Nagpur City are primarily met through the multipurpose Pench Dam on priority, but the recently declining water availability has raised undue concerns for irrigation in the Pench command areas. To substantiate the limited understanding of ongoing water conflicts in the wider Nagpur Metropolitan Area, this study analyzes a specific set of secondary data related to the history of the Pench Project and its water utilization trends. By uncovering the periodic decline in irrigated area and the increasing groundwater use for irrigation, the cross-sectoral and transboundary implications of increasing water transfer to Nagpur City are revealed. To address these concerns, this study then suggests feasible governance strategies based on benefit sharing and multi-stakeholder engagement. Full article

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13 pages, 7019 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Method for Estimating the Risk of Dam Reservoir Silting in Fire-Prone Watersheds: A Study in Douro River, Portugal

by Daniela Patrícia Salgado Terêncio, Rui Manuel Vitor Cortes, Fernando António Leal Pacheco, João Paulo Moura and Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes

Water 2020, 12(11), 2959; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12112959 - 22 Oct 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4151

Abstract

Forest fires are an increasing problem over recent decades. The fires, among other consequences, lead to an increase in the soil vulnerability to water erosion and a consequent increase in sedimentation rates. When barriers are present, such as dams or weirs, there is [...] Read more.

Forest fires are an increasing problem over recent decades. The fires, among other consequences, lead to an increase in the soil vulnerability to water erosion and a consequent increase in sedimentation rates. When barriers are present, such as dams or weirs, there is an amplified risk of sediment and ash deposition in their reservoirs, causing siltation. Thus, there is an interest in studying in more detail the risk of siltation of barriers and reservoirs in the Douro River watershed following wildfires. A detailed barrier inventory was lacking for the Douro River, hampering the identification of siltation-prone areas. In order to fill in this gap, an extensive inventory of barriers in the Douro river basin was carried out for the present study. The result was an abundant and reliable dataset on the Douro River barriers, which allowed a prognosis on the watershed siltation risk. The method for calculating the siltation risk relied on the relationship between the frequency of forest fires, the erosion risk and the frequency of reservoirs. The sub-basins with the greater siltation risk are the Tâmega, Corgo, Sousa and Paiva river basins. Most reservoirs with the highest siltation risk were from small dams. The modelling results were compared with stream connectivity and concentrations of stream water phosphorus (associated with the sediments that flow into the rivers due to the fires). With regard to connectivity, only two reservoirs were at high risk of sedimentation due to fires, so the categories of connectivity risk and fire-based sedimentation risk are probably not related. With regard to risk of high phosphorus loadings, in 8 basins the upper classes for fire-based erosion risk coincided with the upper class for phosphorus loadings suggesting that high phosphorus loading could be associated with fire-based erosion. This study works as a simple but reliable example on the assessment and mapping of siltation risk in stream networks intersected by abundant barriers. It allowed for identifying barriers that can accumulate a large quantity of fine sediments and ashes, interfering with water quality and soil erosion as well as with the storage capacity of the respective barriers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flowing Waters and Threatened Aquatic Life)

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28 pages, 6855 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Experimental Study on the Influence of an Artificial Reef on Cross-Shore Morphodynamic Processes of a Wave-Dominated Beach

by Yue Ma, Cuiping Kuang, Xuejian Han, Haibo Niu, Yuhua Zheng and Chao Shen

Water 2020, 12(10), 2947; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12102947 - 21 Oct 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4104

Abstract

Artificial reefs are being implemented around the world for their multi-functions including coastal protection and environmental improvement. To better understand the hydrodynamic and morphodynamic roles of an artificial reef (AR) in beach protection, a series of experiments were conducted in a 50 m-long [...] Read more.

Artificial reefs are being implemented around the world for their multi-functions including coastal protection and environmental improvement. To better understand the hydrodynamic and morphodynamic roles of an artificial reef (AR) in beach protection, a series of experiments were conducted in a 50 m-long wave flume configured with a 1:10 sloping beach and a model AR (1.8 m long × 0.3 m high) with 0.2 m submergence depth. Five regular and five irregular wave conditions were generated on two types of beach profiles (with/without model AR) to study the cross-shore hydrodynamic and morphological evolution process. The influences of AR on the processes are concluded as follows: (1) AR significantly decreases the incident wave energy, and its dissipation effect differs for higher and lower harmonics under irregular wave climates; (2) AR changes the cross-shore patterns of hydrodynamic factors (significant wave height, wave skewness and asymmetry, and undertow), leading to the movement of shoaling and breaking zones; (3) the beach evolution is characterized by a sandbar and a scarp which respectively sit at a higher and lower location on the profile with AR than natural beach without AR; (4) the cross-shore morphological features indicate that AR can lead to beach state transformation toward reflective state; (5) the scarp retreat process can be described by a model where the scarp location depends linearly on the natural exponential of time with the fitting parameters determined by wave run-up reduced by AR. This study demonstrates cross-shore effects of AR as a beach protection structure that changes wave dynamics in surf and swash zone, reduces offshore sediment transport, and induces different morphological features. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Oceans and Coastal Zones)

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23 pages, 1222 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Environmental Benefits and Economical Sustainability of Urban Wastewater Reuse for Irrigation—A Cost-Benefit Analysis of an Existing Reuse Project in Puglia, Italy

by Claudio Arena, Mario Genco and Mario Rosario Mazzola

Water 2020, 12(10), 2926; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12102926 - 20 Oct 2020

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 6732

Abstract

Besides benefits associated to increased water availability for irrigation, reuse projects of urban water can also provide positive environmental impacts, as they contribute to improve water quality of the receiving bodies by diverting wastewater from their outlet. This represents a typical win-win situation [...] Read more.

Besides benefits associated to increased water availability for irrigation, reuse projects of urban water can also provide positive environmental impacts, as they contribute to improve water quality of the receiving bodies by diverting wastewater from their outlet. This represents a typical win-win situation where significant synergies can be achieved between urban and agricultural sector, and the environment. These favorable conditions, however, do not necessarily imply that water reuse is either feasible from an economic perspective nor that the underlying supply chain is going to be triggered, if certain conditions are not met. Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) is considered a sound, theoretically well-grounded tool to analyze the financial and economical sustainability of an investment. The paper presents the CBA of an existing reuse scheme in Puglia, in southern Italy, reclaiming wastewater for irrigation from a coastal area with growing recreational, beach-related activities. Supported by operational data, official statistics and sector documents, the CBA reveals that in almost all scenarios the existence of environmental benefits must be invoked in order to consider the project economically sustainable. Coherent screening of the different impacts, isolating the ones that are applicable to the specific case-study, shows that these benefits are mainly non-use benefits related to the aesthetic enjoyment of clean water in the reclaimed stretch of coastline where wastewater discharge may no longer take place or take place in a way that significantly reduce seawater pollution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Wastewater Treatment and Reuse)

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18 pages, 7378 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Development and Evaluation of the Combined Machine Learning Models for the Prediction of Dam Inflow

by Jiyeong Hong, Seoro Lee, Joo Hyun Bae, Jimin Lee, Woon Ji Park, Dongjun Lee, Jonggun Kim and Kyoung Jae Lim

Water 2020, 12(10), 2927; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12102927 - 20 Oct 2020

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 6510

Abstract

Predicting dam inflow is necessary for effective water management. This study created machine learning algorithms to predict the amount of inflow into the Soyang River Dam in South Korea, using weather and dam inflow data for 40 years. A total of six algorithms [...] Read more.

Predicting dam inflow is necessary for effective water management. This study created machine learning algorithms to predict the amount of inflow into the Soyang River Dam in South Korea, using weather and dam inflow data for 40 years. A total of six algorithms were used, as follows: decision tree (DT), multilayer perceptron (MLP), random forest (RF), gradient boosting (GB), recurrent neural network–long short-term memory (RNN–LSTM), and convolutional neural network–LSTM (CNN–LSTM). Among these models, the multilayer perceptron model showed the best results in predicting dam inflow, with the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) value of 0.812, root mean squared errors (RMSE) of 77.218 m³/s, mean absolute error (MAE) of 29.034 m³/s, correlation coefficient (R) of 0.924, and determination coefficient (R²) of 0.817. However, when the amount of dam inflow is below 100 m³/s, the ensemble models (random forest and gradient boosting models) performed better than MLP for the prediction of dam inflow. Therefore, two combined machine learning (CombML) models (RF_MLP and GB_MLP) were developed for the prediction of the dam inflow using the ensemble methods (RF and GB) at precipitation below 16 mm, and the MLP at precipitation above 16 mm. The precipitation of 16 mm is the average daily precipitation at the inflow of 100 m³/s or more. The results show the accuracy verification results of NSE 0.857, RMSE 68.417 m³/s, MAE 18.063 m³/s, R 0.927, and R² 0.859 in RF_MLP, and NSE 0.829, RMSE 73.918 m³/s, MAE 18.093 m³/s, R 0.912, and R² 0.831 in GB_MLP, which infers that the combination of the models predicts the dam inflow the most accurately. CombML algorithms showed that it is possible to predict inflow through inflow learning, considering flow characteristics such as flow regimes, by combining several machine learning algorithms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Hydraulics and Hydrodynamics)

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20 pages, 6775 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Redox Dependent Arsenic Occurrence and Partitioning in an Industrial Coastal Aquifer: Evidence from High Spatial Resolution Characterization of Groundwater and Sediments

by Chiara Sbarbati, Maurizio Barbieri, Alyssa Barron, Benjamin Bostick, Nicolò Colombani, Micòl Mastrocicco, Henning Prommer, Stefania Passaretti, Yan Zheng and Marco Petitta

Water 2020, 12(10), 2932; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12102932 - 20 Oct 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3900

Abstract

Superlative levels of arsenic (As) in groundwater and sediment often result from industrial pollution, as is the case for a coastal aquifer in Southern Italy, with a fertilizer plant atop. Understanding conditions under which As is mobilized from the sediments, the source of [...] Read more.

Superlative levels of arsenic (As) in groundwater and sediment often result from industrial pollution, as is the case for a coastal aquifer in Southern Italy, with a fertilizer plant atop. Understanding conditions under which As is mobilized from the sediments, the source of that As, is necessary for developing effective remediation plans. Here, we examine hydrogeological and geochemical factors that affect groundwater As concentrations in a contaminated coastal aquifer. Groundwater has been subject to pump-and-treat at a massive scale for more than 15 years and is still ongoing. Nevertheless, As concentrations (0.01 to 100 mg/L) that are four orders of magnitude more than Italian drinking water standard of 10 μg/L are still present in groundwater collected from about 50 monitoring wells over three years (2011, 2016, and 2018). As was quantified in three different locations by sequential extractions of 29 sediment cores in 2018 (depth 2.5 m to −16.5 m b.g.l.), combined with groundwater As composition, the aqueous and solid partitioning of As were evaluated by partition coefficient (K_d) in order to infer the evolution of the contaminant plumes. Most sediment As is found in easily extractable and/or adsorbed on amorphous iron oxides/hydroxides fractions based on sequential extractions. The study shows that As contamination persists, even after many years of active remediation due to the partitioning to sediment solids. This implies that the choice of remediation techniques requires an improved understanding of the biogeochemical As-cycling and high spatial resolution characterization of both aqueous and solid phases for sites of interest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater and Contaminant Transport)

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40 pages, 6346 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

An Overview and Evaluation of Highly Porous Adsorbent Materials for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Phenols Removal from Wastewater

by Zakariyya Uba Zango, Nonni Soraya Sambudi, Khairulazhar Jumbri, Anita Ramli, Noor Hana Hanif Abu Bakar, Bahruddin Saad, Muhammad Nur’ Hafiz Rozaini, Hamza Ahmad Isiyaka, Abubaker Mohammed Osman and Abdelmoneim Sulieman

Water 2020, 12(10), 2921; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12102921 - 19 Oct 2020

Cited by 101 | Viewed by 8558

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phenolic compounds had been widely recognized as priority organic pollutants in wastewater with toxic effects on both plants and animals. Thus, the remediation of these pollutants has been an active area of research in the field of environmental [...] Read more.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phenolic compounds had been widely recognized as priority organic pollutants in wastewater with toxic effects on both plants and animals. Thus, the remediation of these pollutants has been an active area of research in the field of environmental science and engineering. This review highlighted the advantage of adsorption technology in the removal of PAHs and phenols in wastewater. The literature presented on the applications of various porous carbon materials such as biochar, activated carbon (AC), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene as potential adsorbents for these pollutants has been critically reviewed and analyzed. Under similar conditions, the use of porous polymers such as Chitosan and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been well presented. The high adsorption capacities of advanced porous materials such as mesoporous silica and metal-organic frameworks have been considered and evaluated. The preference of these materials, higher adsorption efficiencies, mechanism of adsorptions, and possible challenges have been discussed. Recommendations have been proposed for commercialization, pilot, and industrial-scale applications of the studied adsorbents towards persistent organic pollutants (POPs) removal from wastewater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adsorbents for Water and Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery)

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24 pages, 11936 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Influence of Unsteady Flow Induced by a Large-Scale Hydropower Station on the Water Level Fluctuation of Multi-Approach Channels: A Case Study of the Three Gorges Project, China

by Zhiyong Wan, Yun Li, Xiaogang Wang, Jianfeng An, Bo Dong and Yipeng Liao

Water 2020, 12(10), 2922; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12102922 - 19 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3124

Abstract

Unsteady flow induced by hydropower stations exerts a significant impact on the water level in multi-approach channels, which directly threatens the safe passage of ships. In this study, a one-dimensional and a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model are adopted to simulate the water level fluctuations [...] Read more.

Unsteady flow induced by hydropower stations exerts a significant impact on the water level in multi-approach channels, which directly threatens the safe passage of ships. In this study, a one-dimensional and a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model are adopted to simulate the water level fluctuations at the entrance of multi-approach channels and the lower lock head of a ship lift with consideration of initial water surface elevation, base flow, flow amplitude, regulation time, and locations of hydropower stations, unfavorable conditions are successfully identified; and the fluctuations at the approach channel entrance and the lower lock head of a ship lift under single-peak and double-peak regulating mode are analyzed considering the flow regulating of the Gezhouba Hydropower Station (GHS), thus, the water level oscillation process in the multi-approach channels is presented. Results show that the largest wave amplitude in the multi-approach channels manifests under unfavorable conditions including lower initial water surface elevation, smaller base flow, larger flow variation, and shorter regulation time; and water level fluctuation in the multi-approach channel is primarily induced by flow amplitude and net flow between the Three Gorges Hydropower Station (TGHS) and the GHS, with consideration of the counter-regulation process of the GHS. This research contributes to providing a reference for a similar large-scale cascade hydropower station regarding regulation and control of navigation conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Hydraulics and Hydrodynamics)

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24 pages, 9252 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Massive Influx of Pelagic Sargassum spp. on the Coasts of the Mexican Caribbean 2014–2020: Challenges and Opportunities

by Valeria Chávez, Abigail Uribe-Martínez, Eduardo Cuevas, Rosa E. Rodríguez-Martínez, Brigitta I. van Tussenbroek, Vanessa Francisco, Miriam Estévez, Lourdes B. Celis, L. Verónica Monroy-Velázquez, Rosa Leal-Bautista, Lorenzo Álvarez-Filip, Marta García-Sánchez, Luis Masia and Rodolfo Silva

Water 2020, 12(10), 2908; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12102908 - 18 Oct 2020

Cited by 164 | Viewed by 17593

Abstract

Since late 2014, the Mexican Caribbean coast has periodically received massive, atypical influxes of pelagic Sargassum spp. (sargasso). Negative impacts associated with these influxes include mortality of nearshore benthic flora and fauna, beach erosion, pollution, decreasing tourism and high management costs. To understand [...] Read more.

Since late 2014, the Mexican Caribbean coast has periodically received massive, atypical influxes of pelagic Sargassum spp. (sargasso). Negative impacts associated with these influxes include mortality of nearshore benthic flora and fauna, beach erosion, pollution, decreasing tourism and high management costs. To understand the dynamics of the sargasso influx, we used Landsat 8 imagery (from 2016 to mid-2020) to record the coverage of sargasso in the sea off the Mexican Caribbean coastline, with a maximum reported in September 2018. Satellite image analysis also showed local differences in the quantity of beached sargasso along the coastline. Over the years, good practice for collection on the beach and for off-shore collection of sargasso have been established through trial and error, and the Mexican Government and hotel industry have spent millions of dollars on removal and off-shore detention of sargasso. Notwithstanding, sargasso also has various properties that could be harnessed in local industries. The stimulation of local industrial growth would offer alternatives to the dependence on tourism, as a circular economy, based on sargasso, is developed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Anthropogenic Impact on Coastal Environments)

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23 pages, 2970 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Application of an Interval Two-Stage Robust (ITSR) Optimization Model for Optimization of Water Resource Distribution in the Yinma River Basin, Jilin Province, China

by Wei He, Luze Yang, Minghao Li, Chong Meng and Yu Li

Water 2020, 12(10), 2910; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12102910 - 18 Oct 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2737

Abstract

The present study is based on the application of an interval two-stage stochastic programming (ITSP) model in the Yinma River Basin. A robust method based on interval two-stage robust (ITSR) optimization is introduced to construct an optimization model of water resource distribution in [...] Read more.

The present study is based on the application of an interval two-stage stochastic programming (ITSP) model in the Yinma River Basin. A robust method based on interval two-stage robust (ITSR) optimization is introduced to construct an optimization model of water resource distribution in order to solve the problems of water shortage in low-income and high-income areas caused by the unreasonable distribution of water resources. The model would help in reducing the system risk in the Yinma River Basin caused by an excessive pursuit of economic benefits. The model simulations show that the amount of water required for the water resource distribution is significantly reduced after balancing the risks and the water resource distribution of the water use departments is reduced by up to 20%. In addition, the situation of water scarcity of various water use departments shows a decreasing trend. There is no scarcity of water use in Panshi, Yongji, Shuangyang and Jiutai areas. The water shortage of water use departments in other areas is reduced by up to 97%. The allocation of reused water to ecological and environmental departments with higher water demand further solved the water shortage problem in low-income departments in the interval-two-stage planning model. In this study, after the introduction of the robust optimization method in the Yinma River Basin, the stability of the water resources distribution system is significantly improved. In addition, the risk of water use system in the interval-two-stage stochastic model can be avoided. Full article

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28 pages, 7739 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

An Analytical Study on Wave-Current-Mud Interaction

by S. Hadi Shamsnia and Denys Dutykh

Water 2020, 12(10), 2899; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12102899 - 17 Oct 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2881

Abstract

This study aims at providing analytical investigations to the first and second-order on the wave–current–mud interaction problem by applying a perturbation method. Direct formulations of the wave–current–mud interaction could not be found in the literature. Explicit formulations for the particle velocity, dissipation rates, [...] Read more.

This study aims at providing analytical investigations to the first and second-order on the wave–current–mud interaction problem by applying a perturbation method. Direct formulations of the wave–current–mud interaction could not be found in the literature. Explicit formulations for the particle velocity, dissipation rates, and phase shift in the first order and the mass transport in the second-order have been obtained. The findings of the current study confirmed that by an increase in the current velocity (e.g., moving from negative to positive values of current velocity), the dissipation rates and mud (instantaneous and mean) velocity decrease. The proposed assumption of a thin mud layer (boundary layer assumption) matches with the laboratory data in the mud viscosity of the orders of (0.01 N/m²) in both wave dissipation and mud mass transport leading to small ranges of discrepancies. The results from the newly proposed model were compared with the measurements and the results of an existing model in the literature. The proposed model showed better agreements in simulating the mud (instantaneous and mean) velocity compared to the existing one. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Sediment Transport in Coastal Areas)

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14 pages, 11025 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Seasonal Variation and Assessment of Fish Resources in the Yangtze Estuary Based on Environmental DNA

by Hui Jia, Yibang Wang, Susumu Yoshizawa, Wataru Iwasaki, Yuquan Li, Weiwei Xian and Hui Zhang

Water 2020, 12(10), 2874; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12102874 - 16 Oct 2020

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 4802

Abstract

In the past few years, environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques have been used to monitor marine communities. Research indicates that eDNA is an effective tool for monitoring fishery resources. This study analyzed the seasonal variations in fish resources in the Yangtze Estuary, China, using [...] Read more.

In the past few years, environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques have been used to monitor marine communities. Research indicates that eDNA is an effective tool for monitoring fishery resources. This study analyzed the seasonal variations in fish resources in the Yangtze Estuary, China, using eDNA. A total of 103 water samples were collected from the Yangtze Estuary across the four seasons in 2019—20 samples in February, 28 in May, 28 in August and 27 in November. Our research successfully detected the fishery resources of the Yangtze Estuary. We found significant differences according to the season. The results showed that 59 species were identified in 2019 (20 in February, 16 in May, 5 in August and 45 in November) and fish species varied widely over the four seasons. Furthermore, our samples revealed significant differences in annual fish stocks in the Yangtze Estuary, compared with eDNA data from 2018 and with traditional surveys from past years. Overall, eDNA is a useful emerging tool to assist with monitoring and protecting fish resources for the Yangtze Estuary. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomarkers: An Integrative Useful Tool for Ecotoxicolgy and Biomonitoring)

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22 pages, 3903 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

The Regional Hydro-Ecological Simulation System for 30 Years: A Systematic Review

by Benxin Chen, Zhifeng Liu, Chunyang He, Hui Peng, Pei Xia and Yu Nie

Water 2020, 12(10), 2878; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12102878 - 16 Oct 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5392

Abstract

As the Regional Hydro-Ecological Simulation System (RHESSys) is a tool to simulate the interactions between ecological and hydrological processes, many RHESSys-based studies have been implemented for sustainable watershed management. However, it is crucial to review a RHESSys updating history, pros, and cons for [...] Read more.

As the Regional Hydro-Ecological Simulation System (RHESSys) is a tool to simulate the interactions between ecological and hydrological processes, many RHESSys-based studies have been implemented for sustainable watershed management. However, it is crucial to review a RHESSys updating history, pros, and cons for further improving the RHESSys and promoting ecohydrological studies. This paper reviewed the progress of ecohydrological studies employing RHESSys by a bibliometric analysis that quantitatively analyzed the characteristics of relevant studies. In addition, we addressed the main application progress, parameter calibration and validation methods, and uncertainty analysis. We found that since its release in 1993, RHESSys has been widely applied for basins (<100 km²) within mainly seven biomes. The RHESSys model has been applied for evaluating the ecohydrological responses to climate change, land management, urbanization, and disturbances, as well as water quality and biogeochemical cycle. While most studies have paid their attention on climate change, the focus has shifted to the application for land management in recent years. This study also identified many challenges in RHESSys such as the inaccessible data and parameters, oversimplified calibration approach, few applications for large-scale watersheds, and limited application fields. Therefore, this study proposed a set of suggestions to overcome the limitations and challenges: (1) Developing a new approach for parameter acquisition and calibration from multi-source data, (2) improving the applicability for a large-scale basin, and (3) extending the scope of application fields. We believe RHESSys can improve the understandings of human–environment relationships and the promotion of sustainable watersheds development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Ecohydrological Models and Aquatic Ecosystem Management)

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16 pages, 5463 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Vehicle-Related Flood Fatalities in Texas, 1959–2019

by Zhongyu Han and Hatim O. Sharif

Water 2020, 12(10), 2884; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12102884 - 16 Oct 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5543

Abstract

Texas has the highest number of flood fatalities and vehicle-related flood fatalities in the United States. This study provides a detailed analysis of vehicle-related flood fatalities in Texas from 1959 to 2019. The data was compiled from the Storm Data publication maintained by [...] Read more.

Texas has the highest number of flood fatalities and vehicle-related flood fatalities in the United States. This study provides a detailed analysis of vehicle-related flood fatalities in Texas from 1959 to 2019. The data was compiled from the Storm Data publication maintained by the National Weather Service and includes demographics of the victims, dates, flood types, roadway types, and fatality location. There were 570 vehicle-related flood fatalities during the study period, with almost all fatal accidents resulting in one fatality. These fatalities represent 58% of total flood fatalities. The spatial analysis reveals that most counties with high vehicle-related flood fatalities are clustered in Flash Flood Alley. These counties accounted for over 80% of the fatalities. The annual distribution of these fatalities follows a statistically significant decreasing trend. Monthly distribution of vehicle-related fatalities follows that of rainfall in the Flash Flood Alley, with flash floods causing 61% of all vehicle-related flood fatalities. Night was the time of the day when the most vehicle-related deaths occurred. Males accounted for 63% of the fatalities and the age group of 20–29 was the most affected. The study discusses how the results can be used to increase awareness of flood hazards, used as input into state and regional disaster mitigation plans, and help tailor education and outreach programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue GIS Application: Flood Risk Management)

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