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From Rainfall to Aquatic Ecosystems: Hydrological Processes and Environmental Effects

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A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Ecohydrology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2026 | Viewed by 3378

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Editors

Prof. Dr. Jie Zeng

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Guest Editor

College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
Interests: rainwater chemistry; atmospheric pollution and source appointment; environmental isotope geochemistry; earth surface processes; circulation of materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Guilin Han

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor

Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Interests: hydrology; hydro-geochemistry; water chemistry; water quality; aquatic geochemistry; isotopic geochemistry
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

One of the most important limiting factors for global sustainable development is the imbalance between unevenly distributed water resources and water requirements. Against the background of climate change and the globalization of environmental issues, it is crucial to identify and characterize the influence of natural processes (e.g., rainfall) and anthropogenic input on surface/ground water environments in order to achieve high-efficiency water environmental management and the sustainable use of water resources. In fact, rainfall is a critical sink of atmospheric pollutants via two key processes, that is, in-cloud (dissolution) and below-cloud (scour) processes, which can further disturb the earth-surface aquatic system. Meanwhile, the surface/ground water eco-environment act as an important unit of surface hydrosphere, supporting social and economic development in most parts of the world. Water environmental issues, driven by rainfall-related natural processes and anthropogenic pollution, still pose many challenges for water protection and management. By identifying the geochemical cycle of elements and the sources of pollutants during rainfall-related surface/ground water processes (in environments including rivers, reservoirs, and subterranean rivers), combined with hydrological/isotopic methods, the mechanisms of eco-environment changes on different scales can be explored.

For this Special Issue, we invite papers dealing with surface/ground water eco-environmental effects driven by rainfall-related processes and anthropogenic influences, mainly focusing on the quality and contamination of these water bodies and their environmental geochemistry effects. This topic could be addressed from several different perspectives, including (but not limited) to the following:

1) Rainwater/rainfall chemical compositions and spatiotemporal evolution in different eco-environmental systems.

2）Surface/ground water environmental quality evolution driven by rainfall-related processes and/or various anthropogenic influences.

3) Element/pollutant geochemical cycles of different water bodies (e.g., rainwater, river water, reservoirs water, and subterranean river water) driven by human activities and hydrological factors.

4) Identification/quantification of pollutant sources in rainwater and surface/ground water environments.

5) Assessment of eco-environmental effects and/or ecological risk and human health risk of pollutants in rainwater and surface/ground water environments.

6) Isotope tracing of geochemical processes of atmosphere–hydrosphere interactions.

Prof. Dr. Jie Zeng
Prof. Dr. Guilin Han
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

rainwater
surface/ground water
rainfall processes
water pollution
materials cycle
source iden-tification
industrial discharge
atmosphere–hydrosphere interactions
environmental isotopes

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 7359 KB

Open AccessArticle

Contrasting Dissolved Organic Carbon Cycling in Open and Closed Karst Reservoirs Water: Evidence from Dual Carbon Isotopes (δ¹³C–Δ¹⁴C)

by Xia Yu, Hao Liu, Bingyang Dai, Xuran Liu, Zilin Mei, Chao Ma, Chengzhi Yang, Mingyu Shao and Yanling An

Water 2026, 18(12), 1484; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18121484 - 16 Jun 2026

Viewed by 319

Abstract

Reservoirs in karst regions exhibit significant carbon sink potential; however, how different reservoir types influence carbon sequestration remains poorly understood. In this study, dual carbon isotopes (δ¹³C–Δ¹⁴C) were applied to trace dissolved organic carbon (DOC) sources in an open reservoir (Aha Reservoir, AHR) and a closed reservoir (Guanshan Lake, GSL) in southwestern China, and to evaluate their carbon sequestration potential. DOC concentrations in GSL were significantly higher than those in AHR (4.14 ± 0.28 mg/L > 3.37 ± 0.30 mg/L) (p < 0.01), along with lower δ¹³C values (−30.34 ± 0.51‰ < −28.18 ± 0.31‰) and more enriched Δ¹⁴C values (−6.94 ± 11.07‰ > −93.74 ± 6.76‰). The δ¹³C–Δ¹⁴C tracing revealed that plants were the primary DOC source for AHR (61 ± 2%), whereas algae dominated DOC sources in GSL (70 ± 2%). Inflow rivers and water retention time (WRT) likely drive differences in DOC sources and concentrations between the two reservoirs. The absence of inflow rivers and the longer WRT in GSL created favorable conditions for algal growth, resulting in substantially higher chlorophyll a (Chl.a) concentrations (103.00 ± 29.87 μg/L > 13.10 ± 3.29 μg/L) and enhanced production of autochthonous DOC through a stronger biological carbon pump (BCP) effect. These conditions further facilitate the formation and accumulation of recalcitrant DOC (RDOC), ultimately increasing DOC concentrations in GSL. Our findings highlight that closed karst reservoirs may represent important yet underappreciated carbon sinks and should receive greater attention in future carbon-sink assessments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Rainfall to Aquatic Ecosystems: Hydrological Processes and Environmental Effects)

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18 pages, 14754 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Hydrochemical Evolution Between Over-Exploitation and Reduced Exploitation of Groundwater in the Funnel Area in Hengshui City, Central North China Plain

by Miao Zhao, Dandan Liu and Jinwei Liu

Water 2026, 18(6), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18060706 - 18 Mar 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 362

Abstract

This study is based on isotope (δ¹⁸O, δ²H, ¹⁴C), hydrochemical, and groundwater-level data from the past 47 years in the central North China Plain (NCP). It uses methods such as mathematical statistics, Piper diagrams, Gibbs models, and ion ratios to investigate the characteristics of changes in the groundwater flow field, hydrochemistry, and isotopes across various aquifers in the Hengshui funnel area before and after the implementation of groundwater exploitation reduction measures (GWER). Furthermore, it reveals the driving mechanisms of these measures’ effects on hydrochemical characteristics and isotopic variations. The results show the following: (1) The hydrochemical type of shallow groundwater (SG) before GWER was primarily Cl▪SO₄-Na▪Ca, which diversified to Cl▪SO₄-Na and SO₄▪Cl-Na types after GWER; the deep groundwater (DG) type changed from Cl▪SO₄-Na to Cl-Na. (2) Before GWER, the hydrochemical composition of SG and DG was primarily controlled by the dissolution of silicates, salt rocks, and evaporites. After GWER, the hydrochemical composition of DG primarily originated from the dissolution of evaporites and salt rocks, accompanied by enhanced cation exchange. (3) The δ¹⁸O of SG was affected by the recharge of irrigation return water, changing from enrichment to depletion before and after the GWER. The δ¹⁸O value in DG changed from depletion to enrichment, and the groundwater age changed from older to younger after the GWER. The GWER altered the hydrodynamics, weakened the hydraulic connectivity, and led to changes in the evolution of the hydrochemistry. The findings have direct implications for water quality and promoting the sustainable utilization of deep groundwater in the NCP’s central funnel area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Rainfall to Aquatic Ecosystems: Hydrological Processes and Environmental Effects)

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17 pages, 9505 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enrichment Characteristics, Genesis, Development, and Utilization Suggestions for Metasilicic Acid in Groundwater of the Typical Black Soil Area of the Sanjiang Plain

by Jing-Jie Li, Ming-Guo Wang, Sheng Lian, Jie-Liang Xian, Huai-Sheng Zhang and Tao Yang

Water 2026, 18(5), 621; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18050621 - 5 Mar 2026

Viewed by 499

Abstract

Analyzing the hydrochemical characteristics and formation mechanism of metasilicic acid (H₂SiO₃) enrichment in the groundwater of Sanjiang Plain is conducive to guiding the rational development and utilization of mineral water resources in this region. Taking the groundwater in the typical black soil area of the northeastern Sanjiang Plain (from Qindeli Farm to Chuangye Farm) as an example, 104 groups of groundwater samples were collected to analyze enrichment and controlling factors of H₂SiO₃ by comprehensive methods such as hydrochemical analysis, rock geochemistry, water–rock interaction analysis, and ion ratio analysis. The results showed that the groundwater was generally in a reducing environment with low mineralization and weak acidity. The main cations were Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, and the main anion was HCO₃⁻. The hydrochemical types were mainly HCO₃–Ca and HCO₃–Ca·Mg, followed by HCO₃·Cl–Ca·Mg mixed type, and the H₂SiO₃ enrichment rate of groundwater reached 80.77%. The enrichment of H₂SiO₃ in the groundwater was related to the local geological structure and specific hydrogeochemical processes, and mainly controlled by the hydrolysis process of silicate rock minerals (such as albite, plagioclase, and olivine). The silicates and aluminosilicates contained in the basalt, diorite, and gneiss distributed in the area provided a rich material basis for the enrichment of H₂SiO₃. Its migration and distribution were simultaneously affected by leaching and cation exchange, while NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻ input from anthropogenic sources also participated in the rock weathering, specifically the enrichment process of H₂SiO₃ in the groundwater. From the perspective of mineralization conditions, Qinglongshan Farm and Qindeli Farm are potential areas for developing H₂SiO₃-rich mineral water. However, the main direction for the development and utilization of groundwater in this area should be to explore natural H₂SiO₃-rich groundwater with good comprehensive water quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Rainfall to Aquatic Ecosystems: Hydrological Processes and Environmental Effects)

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14 pages, 2948 KB

Open AccessArticle

Grain Size Characteristics of Coastal Sediments Along the Jiangsu Coast of the Yellow Sea with Environmental Implications

by Yanbin Fan, Lili Xue, Fujun Shi, Zhengchun Zhong, Jinshan Zhao, Qiang Fu, Kaichao Wan, Kai Ouyang, Yuanfeng Zhou, Gongxu Yang, Deting Jiang, Jiayue Zong and Jianping Cai

Water 2026, 18(3), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18030323 - 28 Jan 2026

Viewed by 550

Abstract

Jiangsu Province is home to the largest area of coastal tidal flat wetlands in China. Impacted by climate change, human activities and other factors, the physicochemical properties and ecological functions of coastal sediments at specific sites have undergone significant changes. Grain size is a key indicator reflecting the physicochemical properties of sediments. However, our current understanding of the grain size distribution characteristics of coastal sediments in Jiangsu and their environmental impacts remains relatively limited. In this study, coastal sediment samples from Jiangsu were systematically collected. The proportion of different components was analyzed, and grain size parameters including mean grain size, kurtosis and sorting coefficient were calculated. Our results showed that the coastal sediments in Jiangsu were dominated by silt, accounting for an average of as high as 85.5%; in comparison, the contents of clay and sand were relatively low, with average proportions of 12.2% and 2.3%, respectively. Among the three coastal cities in Jiangsu, Yancheng exhibited the highest silt content in sediments, but the lowest proportions of sand and clay. Grain size data analysis of the monitoring sections indicates that all three coastal cities in Jiangsu are facing varying degrees of marine erosion. Among them, Lianyungang exhibits a greater extent of marine erosion, whereas specific sites in Yancheng and Nantong are more severely impacted by this process. Analysis of the relationship between grain size and element migration indicated that Nantong, with the highest clay content, has stronger carbon sequestration and pollutant interception capabilities. The results obtained through this large-scale systematic analysis of the grain size of coastal sediments in Jiangsu provide important insights into marine erosion dynamics and support for tidal flat conservation efforts in Jiangsu Province. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Rainfall to Aquatic Ecosystems: Hydrological Processes and Environmental Effects)

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21 pages, 2450 KB

Open AccessArticle

Unraveling Nitrate Source Dynamics in Megacity Rivers Using an Integrated Machine Learning–Bayesian Isotope Framework

by Jie Ren, Guilin Han, Xiaolong Liu, Xi Gao and Shitong Zhang

Water 2026, 18(1), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18010106 - 1 Jan 2026

Viewed by 857

Abstract

Rapid urbanization has intensified nitrate pollution in megacity rivers, posing severe challenges to urban water governance and sustainable nitrate management. This study presents nitrate dual-isotope signatures (δ¹⁵N-NO₃⁻ and δ¹⁸O-NO₃⁻) from surface water samples collected during the wet season from the Yongding River (YDR) and Chaobai River (CBR) in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei megacity region of North China. Average concentrations of nitrate (as NO₃⁻) were 8.5 mg/L in YDR and 12.7 mg/L in CBR. The δ¹⁵N-NO₃⁻ and δ¹⁸O-NO₃⁻ values varied from 6.1‰ to 19.1‰ and −1.1‰ to 10.6‰, respectively. The spatial distribution of NO₃⁻/Cl⁻ ratios and isotopic data indicated mixed sources, primarily sewage and manure in downstream sections and agricultural inputs in upstream areas. Isotopic evidence revealed widespread nitrification processes and could have potentially localized denitrification under low-oxygen conditions in the lower YDR. Bayesian mixing model (MixSIAR) results indicated that sewage and manure constituted the main nitrate sources (49.4%), followed by soil nitrogen (23.7%), chemical fertilizers (19.2%), and atmospheric deposition from rainfall (7.7%). The self-organizing map (SOM) further revealed three nitrate regimes, including natural and agricultural, mixed, and sewage dominated conditions, indicating a clear downstream gradient of increasing anthropogenic influence. The results suggest that efficient nitrogen management in megacity rivers requires improving biological nutrient removal in wastewater treatment, regulating fertilizer application in upstream areas, and maintaining ecological base flow for natural denitrification. This integrated framework provides a quantitative basis for nitrate control and supports sustainable water governance in highly urbanized watersheds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Rainfall to Aquatic Ecosystems: Hydrological Processes and Environmental Effects)

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