Journal Description
Water
Water
is a peer-reviewed, open access journal on water science and technology, including the ecology and management of water resources, and is published semimonthly online by MDPI. Water collaborates with the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). In addition, the American Institute of Hydrology (AIH), The Polish Limnological Society (PLS) and Japanese Society of Physical Hydrology (JSPH) are affiliated with Water and their members receive a discount on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), Ei Compendex, GEOBASE, GeoRef, PubAg, AGRIS, CAPlus / SciFinder, Inspec, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Water Resources) / CiteScore - Q1 (Water Science and Technology)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 16.5 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.9 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Companion journals for Water include: GeoHazards and Hydrobiology.
Impact Factor:
3.0 (2023);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.3 (2023)
Latest Articles
Assessing the Relative and Combined Effect of Climate and Land Use on Water-Related Ecosystem Services in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China
Water 2024, 16(15), 2126; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152126 (registering DOI) - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
The ecosystem service (ES) is essential for residents’ health and well-being. The ecosystem service value (ESV) is one of the measures to scientifically quantify the wealth of ESs. However, climate and human activities intensely affect the sustainability of ESs. Therefore, knowing the relative
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The ecosystem service (ES) is essential for residents’ health and well-being. The ecosystem service value (ESV) is one of the measures to scientifically quantify the wealth of ESs. However, climate and human activities intensely affect the sustainability of ESs. Therefore, knowing the relative and combined effects of climate and human activities on ESs and ESV can be crucial. This study selects the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) as the study area to detect how climate and human activities affected the ES and ESV changes during 2001–2020, including net primary productivity, water yield, soil retention, water purification, and integrated ESV. The results show that the southern YREB has relatively higher ESs than the northern YREB, except for the NDR-P, which is mainly located in the urban agglomeration area. The general ranking for the ESV of different provinces in the YREB is sequenced from higher to lower as Sichuan, Yunnan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangsu, Chongqing, and Shanghai. Specifically, the ESV of Sichuan is the highest at about 972 billion yuan (133.57 billion USD), while the lowest ESV has been discovered in Shanghai at approximately 0.25 billion yuan (0.03 billion USD). It can be noticed that the regions where climate is the major influencing factor for ESs are concentrated upstream of the YREB, and human activities mainly influence ESs in highly urbanized areas. Furthermore, climate and human activities account for the highest proportion (86%) of synergistic effects for ESV in Yunnan. In contrast, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai accounted for the lowest proportions, at 18%, 26%, and 31%, respectively. This study may provide crucial insights into how ESs and ESV in the YREB have changed during the study period to inform policymakers, drawing more attention to the inhibitory and synergistic effects arising from the interaction between climate and human activities, to make more reliable decisions on adapting to climate crises in the future.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance)
Open AccessArticle
Water Conservancy Hub Geometric Modeling Based on Point Clouds
by
Jian Sun, Feng Ye, Peng Zhang, Lin Lan, Nadia Nedjah and Hao Duan
Water 2024, 16(15), 2125; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152125 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
For hydraulic engineering, accurate geometric modeling is crucial for design, analysis, and maintenance. In recent years, point cloud technology, with its high precision and detailed data capture capabilities, has gradually become the preferred method for geometric modeling in hydraulic engineering. However, traditional point
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For hydraulic engineering, accurate geometric modeling is crucial for design, analysis, and maintenance. In recent years, point cloud technology, with its high precision and detailed data capture capabilities, has gradually become the preferred method for geometric modeling in hydraulic engineering. However, traditional point cloud processing methods exhibit slow data processing speeds and poor mesh quality when reconstructing 3D models. Therefore, we have studied the meshing method for the 3D reconstruction of large-scale discrete point cloud data and proposed a meshing method based on the Delaunay criterion and the growth method to achieve rapid meshing of discrete point cloud data. To demonstrate the efficiency and convenience of the proposed method, point cloud reconstruction experiments are conducted on various buildings. We compare our approach with the Poisson, BPA, and ONet methods. Additionally, we apply it to the Jiangsu Gaogang Water Conservancy Hub in China. The results show that our proposed method is superior in both reconstruction quality and efficiency, providing a promising solution for the reconstruction of 3D building models from point clouds.
Full article
Open AccessFeature PaperArticle
Meteorological Drought Analysis and Regional Frequency Analysis in the Kızılırmak Basin: Creating a Framework for Sustainable Water Resources Management
by
Gaye Aktürk, Hatice Çıtakoğlu, Vahdettin Demir and Neslihan Beden
Water 2024, 16(15), 2124; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152124 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
Drought research is needed to understand the complex nature of drought phenomena and to develop effective management and mitigation strategies accordingly. This study presents a comprehensive regional frequency analysis (RFA) of 12-month meteorological droughts in the Kızılırmak Basin of Turkey using the L-moments
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Drought research is needed to understand the complex nature of drought phenomena and to develop effective management and mitigation strategies accordingly. This study presents a comprehensive regional frequency analysis (RFA) of 12-month meteorological droughts in the Kızılırmak Basin of Turkey using the L-moments approach. For this purpose, monthly precipitation data from 1960 to 2020 obtained from 22 meteorological stations in the basin are used. In the drought analysis, the Standard Precipitation Index (SPI), Z-Score Index (ZSI), China-Z Index (CZI) and Modified China-Z Index (MCZI), which are widely used precipitation-based indices in the literature, are employed. Here, the main objectives of this study are (i) to determine homogeneous regions based on drought, (ii) to identify the best-fit regional frequency distributions, (iii) to estimate the maximum drought intensities for return periods ranging from 5 to 1000 years, and (iv) to obtain drought maps for the selected return periods. The homogeneity test results show that the basin consists of a single homogeneous region according to the drought indices considered here. The best-fit regional frequency distributions for the selected drought indices are identified using L-moment ratio diagrams and ZDIST goodness-of-fit tests. According to the results, the best-fit regional distributions are the Pearson-Type 3 (PE3) for the SPI and ZSI, generalized extreme value (GEV) for the CZI, and generalized logistic distribution (GLO) for the MCZI. The drought maps obtained here can be utilized as a useful tool for estimating the probability of drought at any location across the basin, even without enough data for hydrological research.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Hydrology)
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Open AccessArticle
Thermodynamic Modeling and Optimization of Biomass and Bio-Renewable Organic Source Gasification in Supercritical Water Using Gibbs Free Energy Minimization
by
Zohre Moravvej, Zohreh Bazargani and Feridun Esmaeilzadeh
Water 2024, 16(15), 2123; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152123 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
The supercritical water gasification (SCWG) of different kinds of feed including glycerol, lignin, humic acid, and ethylene glycol is investigated to predict product gas yields using a non-stoichiometric thermodynamic model. This model employs Gibbs free energy minimization, coupled with the penalty method as
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The supercritical water gasification (SCWG) of different kinds of feed including glycerol, lignin, humic acid, and ethylene glycol is investigated to predict product gas yields using a non-stoichiometric thermodynamic model. This model employs Gibbs free energy minimization, coupled with the penalty method as an optimization method. The results demonstrate excellent prediction accuracy for hydrogen yield, with average absolute relative deviations (AARDs) of 2.70%, 11.23%, and 0.17% for glycerol, humic acid, and ethylene glycol, respectively. Lignin prediction showed a higher AARD of 25.95%. Furthermore, the penalty method exhibited superior performance compared to the Lagrange method, achieving a reduction in error ranging from 66% to 88%. Moreover, the effect of reaction temperature and feed concentration on the molar gas yields was elucidated. This study establishes that the penalty method within the thermodynamic model effectively predicts product gas yields from biomass and bio-renewable feedstocks, with deviations below 10%. The developed thermodynamic model provides a reliable method for optimizing gasification processes, potentially improving the efficiency and accuracy of hydrogen production from diverse biomass and bio-renewable resources. This advancement supports the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and promotes the use of sustainable energy sources.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling and Simulation of Supercritical Water Processes: Oxidation and Gasification)
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Open AccessArticle
Distribution of Natural Trace Elements in the Drinking Water Sources of Hungary
by
Bálint Izsák, Katalin Hegedűs-Csondor, Petra Baják, Anita Erőss, Norbert Erdélyi and Márta Vargha
Water 2024, 16(15), 2122; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152122 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
Source water quality is a key determinant of drinking water quality. The recast European Union 2020/2184 Drinking Water Directive (DWD) introduced the obligation for comprehensive risk assessment in drinking water supplies, including hazard assessment of the water source. The DWD also requires further
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Source water quality is a key determinant of drinking water quality. The recast European Union 2020/2184 Drinking Water Directive (DWD) introduced the obligation for comprehensive risk assessment in drinking water supplies, including hazard assessment of the water source. The DWD also requires further elements of natural origin to be monitored, including U, Ca, Mg and K. The current study is the first comprehensive assessment of 15 natural elements (B, Ba, Be, Ca, Co, K, Li, Mg, Mo, Na, Se, Sr, Ti, U and V) in 1155 (82%) Hungarian drinking water sources, including surface water, bank filtered and groundwater sources. Parameters posing a risk to health (Se, V and U) were typically below the limit of quantification (LOQ), but higher concentrations (max. 7.0, 17 and 41 µg/L, respectively) may occur in confined locations. U exceeded the DWD parametric value in one water supply. Mg and Ca in the majority of the water supplies and Li in a small geographic area reached the concentration range assumed to be protective to health. Water sources were grouped in six clusters based on their elemental distribution, some of them also showing clear geographical patterns. Surface and groundwater sources were not differentiated by composition, with the exception of karstic waters (dominated by Ca and Mg). None of the investigated parameters are expected to be a source of public health concern on a national level, but local occurrences of U and Se should be investigated and managed on a case-by-case basis.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Quality and Contamination)
Open AccessArticle
Headwater Valuation as a Tool for Economic Development, Healthy Forest Management, and Water Resilience
by
David Batker, Jared Soares, Yung-Hsin Sun, Aaron Batker-Pritzker and Rebecca Guo
Water 2024, 16(15), 2121; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152121 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
The upper American River watershed (UARW) provides a myriad of valuable benefits for local communities as well as throughout the state, nation, and even globally. These environmental benefits, often called ecosystem goods and services (EGS), include food, water, power, and recreational opportunities, among
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The upper American River watershed (UARW) provides a myriad of valuable benefits for local communities as well as throughout the state, nation, and even globally. These environmental benefits, often called ecosystem goods and services (EGS), include food, water, power, and recreational opportunities, among many others. Current ecological economics frameworks outline over twenty distinct EGS categories. While this information is becoming more widespread, many of these benefits are still undervalued or are not easily applied to policymaking and project-level investment decisions. Conventional EGS valuation focuses narrowly on a few specific EGS categories, ignoring many to the detriment of those seeking information on the economic value of natural infrastructure. This study provides a novel approach to watershed valuation by assessing eighteen EGS categories in a comprehensive watershed valuation by supplementing locally available data with the benefit transfer method. This approach demonstrates that watershed-scale EGS valuation is possible. The resulting valuation shows the natural capital asset in the UAW has a net present value of $731 billion and $1.6 trillion with 2.5% and 0% discount rates (100 years), respectively, and provides over $14.8 billion in annual value. Valuing natural capital in economic terms provides a common metric for comparison and integration with other types of investments in built and social capitals, informing policy and investment decisions for climate adaptation and water resilience. This EGS valuation provides a case study into how benefit transfer can be used to supplement locally available information to provide watershed-scale EGS valuations. The outcome serves as a tool to promote innovation and equity in the design of funding mechanisms and resulting allocation for improving watershed health, the associated EGS productivity, and rural-agricultural community resilience.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Resources Planning Toolkits for Climate Resiliency and Economic Sustainability)
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Open AccessArticle
Scenario-Based Modeling on Chlorophyll-a in Uiam Reservoir of Korea According to Variation of Dam Discharge
by
Dong Yeol Lee and Kyong Oh Baek
Water 2024, 16(15), 2120; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152120 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
This study analyzes quantitative algae mitigation, using chlorophyll-a as an indicator, through waterbody management techniques such as pulses released from upstream dams, employing a three-dimensional numerical model. Numerical simulations focused on algae reduction through dam operations by investigating nine scenarios based on Chuncheon
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This study analyzes quantitative algae mitigation, using chlorophyll-a as an indicator, through waterbody management techniques such as pulses released from upstream dams, employing a three-dimensional numerical model. Numerical simulations focused on algae reduction through dam operations by investigating nine scenarios based on Chuncheon Dam, Soyang Dam, and Uiam Dam, located in the upper and lower reaches of Uiam Reservoir of Korea. These scenarios, aligned with actual dam operation manuals, aimed to differentiate the impact of each dam’s operation by decreasing water residence time for Uiam Reservoir. The Uiam Reservoir, smaller than the upstream Chuncheon Dam and Soyang River Dam, is significantly influenced by their discharge rates. During summer, temperature differences exceeding 7 °C between discharges from Chuncheon Dam and Soyang Dam inflowed into the right side and the left side, respectively, of the reservoir, leading to poor mixing, which was further hindered by islands within the reservoir. Consequently, due to the influence of the different base water temperatures of the Bukhan River and Soyang River and the topographical characteristics, the impact range varied depending on the operation of each dam, and the amount of algae mitigation differed at each point. In emergency situations where algae blooms proliferate rapidly, appropriate dam operations in water bodies with large dams upstream and downstream, like Uiam Reservoir, can be effective in mitigating algae at specific regions of the reservoir.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contaminant Transport Modeling in Aquatic Environments)
Open AccessArticle
Metal/Metalloid Presence and Health Risks in Drinking Water Plants—Insights from Nanjing, China
by
Yang Huang, Yuhong Zheng, Chunjing Chen, Lilin Xiong and Ran Liu
Water 2024, 16(15), 2119; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152119 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
Metal contamination in drinking water is well known; however, detailed insights into the metals/metalloids in finished water and their health effects are lacking. Water samples collected over four seasons from August 2022 to April 2023 from three locations in the Yangtze River basin
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Metal contamination in drinking water is well known; however, detailed insights into the metals/metalloids in finished water and their health effects are lacking. Water samples collected over four seasons from August 2022 to April 2023 from three locations in the Yangtze River basin in Nanjing were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to detect 33 metal/metalloid types. This study assessed seasonal and spatial variations and evaluated the removal efficiencies of advanced treatment processes. Health risks from metal/metalloid ingestion were calculated using a risk assessment model from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). No significant regional differences in total metal/metalloid concentrations were found between the source and finished waters. Metals such as Cr, Ga, Hg, Pb, and Rb varied seasonally, peaking in winter. The advanced treatment process outperformed the conventional process for As removal. However, the removal efficiencies were lower for Mn, Cd, Hg, Se, and Zn than those of the conventional process. Positive correlations were observed among several metals, suggesting that metals may have similar sources of contamination. The main carcinogenic risk exceeded the acceptable levels in children according to the USEPA. Non-carcinogenic risks were below the threshold values, but As, Tl, and V were highlighted as key risk elements. Seasonal changes markedly influenced metal/metalloid concentrations and distributions in water, necessitating risk management focused on arsenic.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Urban Water Management)
Open AccessReview
Discussion on the Treatment of Rural Domestic Sewage in the Water Source Area of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project—A Case Study of a Village
by
Zhengan Zhang, Yepu Li, Jingnan Yang, Dayang Wang, Shaobo Liu, Han Liu, Xilei Song, Shengtao Zhou and Bailian Larry Li
Water 2024, 16(15), 2118; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152118 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
Rural domestic sewage, originating from human activities that involve the extraction and utilization of natural resources, is an inherent component of the ecological cycle in nature. Therefore, its disposal methods should align and harmonize with the laws governing nature’s evolutionary processes. This study
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Rural domestic sewage, originating from human activities that involve the extraction and utilization of natural resources, is an inherent component of the ecological cycle in nature. Therefore, its disposal methods should align and harmonize with the laws governing nature’s evolutionary processes. This study conducted a comprehensive investigation on the domestic sewage facilities in representative villages located within the water source protection area of the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. Taking Village A’s domestic sewage treatment station as a case study, an analysis was performed to assess its operational status and identify existing issues. The consideration of rural domestic sewage treatment should encompass factors such as the generation and discharge of household wastewater, the characteristics of water quality, discharge regulations, the natural and social environment, as well as post-completion operations and maintenance modes. We also proposed source reduction measures for the reuse of gray water in domestic sewage treatment in Village A, along with integrated treatment approaches involving biochemical treatment, landscape integration, and farmland irrigation for black water. These measures not only achieve effective treatment outcomes but also foster harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Moreover, they align with the principles of ecological civilization while considering rural revitalization and promoting green agricultural development.
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(This article belongs to the Section Wastewater Treatment and Reuse)
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Open AccessArticle
The Aqueducts of Lugdunum
by
Paul M. Kessener
Water 2024, 16(15), 2117; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152117 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
Not long after the Colonia Copia Felix Munatia Lugdunum, in present day Lyon, France, was founded in 43 BCE by Lucius Munantius Plancus on the 300 m high Fourvière hill overlooking the Saone and Rhône rivers and the plains to the north
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Not long after the Colonia Copia Felix Munatia Lugdunum, in present day Lyon, France, was founded in 43 BCE by Lucius Munantius Plancus on the 300 m high Fourvière hill overlooking the Saone and Rhône rivers and the plains to the north and east, it became the capital of the Gallia provinces, growing to be with some 50,000 inhabitants the largest town in Gaul. In the early days, the colonia on the west valleys surrounded Fourvière hill and depended on local springs, wells, and rain cisterns for its water provision, which soon became insufficient for the growing city. A first aqueduct was constructed in 20 BCE, bringing waters from a spring some 10 km north of the town. In the decades to follow, another three aqueducts were added. All of the aqueducts were equipped with one or more pressure lines and installations of (inverted) siphons, totaling nine, to cross valleys that were thought too deep or too wide for a bridge. Today, the Métropole de Lyon counts over a million inhabitants; it is after Paris and Marseille the third largest town in France. Since 1998, Lyon has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, among others, because of the historic architecture in its urban settlements over 2000 years of age. This manuscript recounts the history and present remains of the four aqueducts and their nine extraordinary siphons, and is dedicated to Dr. Jean Burdy, who, with his team over many years of research of earlier literature and of investigations and discoveries of the physical remains of valley sites, produced a great number of publications saving the Lyon aqueducts from oblivion and leading to restorations in recent times.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydraulic Engineering and Modelling of Water Flow by Use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Modern Hydraulic Analysis Methods)
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Open AccessArticle
Start-Up and Bacterial Enrichment of an Anammox Reactor with Polyurethane Porous Material: Performance and Microbial Community
by
Zichun Yan, Weibin Zhang, Zhibin Pei and Longzhen Jiao
Water 2024, 16(15), 2116; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152116 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
To expedite enrichment of anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) as a way to reduce the start-up time, leading to a quicker transition into stable operation, the anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) process was initiated by a biofilm reactor with polyurethane porous material. The enrichment of
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To expedite enrichment of anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) as a way to reduce the start-up time, leading to a quicker transition into stable operation, the anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) process was initiated by a biofilm reactor with polyurethane porous material. The enrichment of anammox bacteria was studied by progressively increasing the influent substrate concentration while simultaneously decreasing hydraulic retention time. Following a 73 d start-up and subsequent 103 d enrichment phase, the removal rates of ammonia and nitrite reached 97.87% and 99.96%, respectively, and the community was characterized by the development of brick-red anammox biofilms and granules. The predominant bacterial phyla within the reactor were Planctomycetota, Chloroflexi, and Proteobacteria, with relative abundances of 25.25%, 29.41%, and 14.3%, respectively, and the dominant genus was Candidatus brocadia, comprising 20.44% of the microbial community. These findings indicate that the polyurethane porous material biofilm reactor is conducive to the enrichment of AnAOB. After enrichment, the anaerobic microbial community exhibited significant richness and diversity, with anammox bacteria as the primary group.
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(This article belongs to the Section Wastewater Treatment and Reuse)
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Open AccessArticle
Evaluation of the Impact of Comprehensive Watershed Management on Carbon Sequestration Capacity of Soil and Water Conservation: A Case Study of the Luodi River Watershed in Changting County, Fujian Province
by
Shaofeng Yue, Shidai Wu, Xiaoyan Li, Zhiguang Li, Yong Wu and Xiaojian Zhong
Water 2024, 16(15), 2115; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152115 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
Soil and water conservation measures have good carbon sinking capacity, and the comprehensive management of small watersheds involves plant measures, engineering measures and farming measures, which profoundly affect the capacity of the three major carbon pools of soil, vegetation and water bodies, making
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Soil and water conservation measures have good carbon sinking capacity, and the comprehensive management of small watersheds involves plant measures, engineering measures and farming measures, which profoundly affect the capacity of the three major carbon pools of soil, vegetation and water bodies, making them an ideal place to carry out the monitoring and accounting of carbon sinks in soil and water conservation. The purpose of this paper is to monitor and evaluate the carbon sinks of soil and vegetation, to provide techniques and methods for the implementation of dynamic monitoring and evaluation of carbon sinks in soil and water conservation projects, and to provide theoretical and methodological support for the participation of soil and water conservation projects in carbon trading and the study of the formulation of relevant rules. In this study, field sampling and analysis, LiDAR, remote sensing and other related parameters were used to account for the carbon storage of vegetation carbon pools and soil carbon pools in the Luodi River sub-watershed, Changting County, Fujian Province, from 2001 to 2022, and to evaluate the carbon sink capacity of the various soil and water conservation management measures in the sub-watershed. The results show that after 21 years of comprehensive management, various soil and water conservation measures in the Luodi River sub-basin have significantly enhanced the role and capacity of carbon sinks, and the sub-basin’s carbon stock increased by 3.97 × 104 t, with an average annual increase of 1.89 × 103 t/a. From the perspective of the carbon pools, the carbon stocks of soil and vegetation increased by 73.73% and 346.41%, respectively, from 2001 to 2022. The total carbon sunk in the sub-watershed reached 2.90 × 104 t, of which 1.57 × 104 t was in soil carbon sinks and 1.34 × 104 t was in vegetation carbon sinks. There were differences in the ability of various measures to enhance the increment of the carbon sink, among which the Castanea mollissima and the Fertilized Pinus massoniana Forest had the most obvious increase in carbon sunk, followed by the Mixed Needleleaf and Broadleaf Forest, the Nurture and Management Pinus massoniana Forest, and the Horizontal terraces Pinus massoniana Forest, and lastly, the Closed Management Forest and the Morella rubra. Various soil and water conservation measures have obvious effects of carbon retention, carbon sequestration and sink enhancement, while Castanea mollissima and Fertilized Pinus massoniana Forest and other forests that implement land preparation and afforestation with fertilization and nourishment measures have more significant increases in carbon sink capacity, which is an effective measure to improve the benefits of soil and water conservation and increase the amount of carbon sinks.
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(This article belongs to the Section Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance)
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Open AccessReview
Hydra for 21st Century—A Fine Model in Freshwater Research
by
Goran Kovačević, Petra Korać, Davor Želježić, Mirela Sertić Perić, Petra Peharec Štefanić, Damir Sirovina, Maja Novosel and Sanja Gottstein
Water 2024, 16(15), 2114; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152114 - 26 Jul 2024
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Hydra is known for its natural occurrence, anatomical simplicity, intricate physiology, regenerative capacity, and ease of maintenance and manipulation in laboratory environments. It has proven to be a valuable model organism in various disciplines. Its applications range from developmental biology, stem cell research,
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Hydra is known for its natural occurrence, anatomical simplicity, intricate physiology, regenerative capacity, and ease of maintenance and manipulation in laboratory environments. It has proven to be a valuable model organism in various disciplines. Its applications range from developmental biology, stem cell research, animal physiology to environmental toxicology including ecotoxicology. The sensitivity of Hydra to a variety of environmental stressors and chemical agents such as metals, nanomaterials, and toxic organic compounds provides valuable insights into physiological mechanisms affected by environmental stressors and pollution, and Hydra can be of great use in environmental monitoring. Furthermore, since green Hydra lives in a symbiotic relationship with unicellular photoautotrophic algae, it is a suitable model organism for symbiosis research. Recently, it has become a popular model in holobiont research. The adaptability and importance of Hydra also extends to aquatic science and aquatic ecology, particularly in the context of monitoring and water pollution. Since the 1980s, Hydra has been increasingly used in various fields of research and has established itself as an important versatile model organism in numerous scientific studies. Hydra also represents an outstanding model in the fields of education and STEM. Hydra continues to be an important model in the 21st century, contributing significantly to our understanding of the biology of water and advancing freshwater research, and possibly finding its way to regenerative medicine and tumor pathobiology research.
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Open AccessArticle
Impacts of Climate and Land Use/Land Cover Change on Water Yield Services in Heilongjiang Province
by
Yang Liu, Yiding Zhang, Miao Yu and Changlei Dai
Water 2024, 16(15), 2113; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152113 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
The Heilongjiang Province is the region in China with the highest grain production and the most significant ecological security barrier in the northern part of the country. In recent years, the growing necessity for water in human production and life has intensified water
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The Heilongjiang Province is the region in China with the highest grain production and the most significant ecological security barrier in the northern part of the country. In recent years, the growing necessity for water in human production and life has intensified water resource conflicts. In order to identify a solution to this situation, the InVEST model’s water yield module is employed to simulate the water yield in Heilongjiang Province in 2000, 2010, and 2020. The water yield in Heilongjiang Province from 2000 to 2020 is evaluated, and the scenario simulation method is employed to investigate the impact of climate change and land use type changes on water yield. The results indicate that from 2000 to 2020, the annual precipitation in Heilongjiang Province increased from 490 mm in 2000 to 764 mm in 2020. The spatial distribution shows a west–high and east–low pattern, with Jixi City having the highest average annual precipitation and the Greater Khingan region having the lowest. During the period of 2000–2020, woodland had the highest proportion, followed by arable land, while built-up land had the smallest proportion. The conversion of unused land and woodland represents the primary driver of the expansion in farmland areas, while the conversion of water bodies accounts for the majority of the growth in the area of unused land. The areas of woodland and water bodies exhibited a slight decrease. The order of water yield of land use types, from the greatest to the least, is as follows: built-up land, unused land, farmland, grassland, woodland, and water bodies. The main factor affecting changes in precipitation levels in the province is climate change, which contributed up to 99.58% during the period 2000–2020. In contrast, changes in land use types contributed a mere 0.42%. The sustained expansion of the urban population in Heilongjiang province has resulted in an augmented water yield in select regions.
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(This article belongs to the Section Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance)
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Open AccessArticle
Climate Change and the Ob River: A Reassessment of Major and Trace Element Fluxes to the Arctic Ocean
by
Dmitriy Moskovchenko, Andrei Soromotin, Vitaliy Khoroshavin, Nikolay Prikhodko, Vladimir Kirillov, Mikhail Koveshnikov, Eugenia Krylova, Aleksander Krasnenko and Aleksander Pechkin
Water 2024, 16(15), 2112; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152112 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
Over the past few decades, climate warming has driven alterations in both the discharge volume and biogeochemical composition of Arctic riverine fluxes. This study investigated the content of macro- and microelements in the lower reaches of the Ob River (western Siberia). Seasonal sampling
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Over the past few decades, climate warming has driven alterations in both the discharge volume and biogeochemical composition of Arctic riverine fluxes. This study investigated the content of macro- and microelements in the lower reaches of the Ob River (western Siberia). Seasonal sampling was performed over a four-year period (2020–2023) during the main hydrological seasons (winter low water, spring-summer floods, and early fall low water) at three river stations. The results revealed significant seasonal variations in the elemental content of the Ob River water associated with changes in catchment inputs, physical and chemical conditions of the aquatic environment, and the amount and composition of incoming suspended sediment. During high water flow events in the Ob River, the concentration of suspended solids increased substantially. During the winter period when the Ob River was ice-covered, a two- to three-fold rise was observed in the concentration of Na, Mg, Ca, K, Si, and Mn. Having accounted for these seasonal variations in water chemistry, we were able to refine our estimates of elemental export to the Arctic Ocean. Compared to estimates from previous studies, we observed 2.3-fold higher dissolved loads of Mn, and the dissolved loads were higher by 2.1-fold for Zn, 1.6-fold for Fe, and 1.4-fold for Pb. The observed rise in elemental export is likely attributable to a confluence of factors, including permafrost thaw, enhanced water inflow from wetland catchments, and intensifying snowfall leading to increased flood runoff.
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(This article belongs to the Section Water and Climate Change)
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Open AccessArticle
Displacement Prediction Method for Rainfall-Induced Landslide Using Improved Completely Adaptive Noise Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition, Singular Spectrum Analysis, and Long Short-Term Memory on Time Series Data
by
Ke Yang, Yi Wang and Gonghao Duan
Water 2024, 16(15), 2111; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152111 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
Landslide disasters frequently result in significant casualties and property losses, underscoring the critical importance of research on landslide displacement prediction. This paper introduces an approach combining improved empirical mode decomposition (ICEEMDAN) and singular entropy-enhanced singular spectrum analysis (SSA) to predict landslide displacement using
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Landslide disasters frequently result in significant casualties and property losses, underscoring the critical importance of research on landslide displacement prediction. This paper introduces an approach combining improved empirical mode decomposition (ICEEMDAN) and singular entropy-enhanced singular spectrum analysis (SSA) to predict landslide displacement using a time series short-duration memory network (LSTM). Initially, ICEEMDAN decomposes the landslide displacement time series into trend and periodic terms. SSA is then employed to denoise these components before fitting the trend term with LSTM. Pearson correlation analysis is utilized to identify characteristic factors within the LSTM model, followed by predictions using a multivariate LSTM model. The empirical results from the Baijiabao landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir area demonstrate that the joint ICEEMDAN-SSA approach, when combined with LSTM modeling, outperforms the separate applications of SSA and ICEEMDAN, as well as other models such as RNN and SVM. Specifically, the ICEEMDAN-SSA-LSTM model achieves an RMSE of 6.472 mm and an MAE of 4.992 mm, which are considerably lower than those of the RNN model (19.945 mm and 15.343 mm, respectively) and the SVM model (16.584 mm and 11.748 mm, respectively). Additionally, the R2 value for the ICEEMDAN-SSA-LSTM model is 97.5%, significantly higher than the RNN model’s 72.3% and the SVM model’s 92.8%. By summing the predictions of the trend and periodic terms, the cumulative displacement prediction is obtained, indicating the superior accuracy of the ICEEMDAN-SSA-LSTM model. This model provides a new benchmark for precise landslide displacement prediction and contributes valuable insights to related research.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rainfall-Induced Landslides and Natural Geohazards)
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Open AccessArticle
Geochemical Characterization and Prediction of Water Accumulation in the Goaf under Extra-Thick Fully Mechanized Top-Coal-Caving Mining
by
Jianghong Wang, Hongwei Wang, Shaobo Yin, Qingfa Liao, Qiding Ju and Kai Chen
Water 2024, 16(15), 2110; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152110 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
In multi-seam coal mining, the water accumulation in the goaf of the upper coal seam will seriously threaten the safety of the lower coal-seam recovery. How to accurately determine the water charging source in the goaf and predict the amount of water accumulation
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In multi-seam coal mining, the water accumulation in the goaf of the upper coal seam will seriously threaten the safety of the lower coal-seam recovery. How to accurately determine the water charging source in the goaf and predict the amount of water accumulation in the goaf after a certain time interval has become a major challenge that urgently needs to be solved in coal production. In this study, we consider the water-discharging goaf of the Tangjiahui Coal Mine as the object of research to investigate the problem of water accumulation in the goaf during the fully mechanized caving mining of extra-thick seams of top coal. We used geochemical methods, water-accumulation space methods, and large-well methods to analyze the hydraulic connections between goaf water and other aquifers, predict the amount of water accumulation in the goaf, and explore the characteristics of water level changes over time. We then used the results to discuss the relationship between the elevation of the accumulated water and the time taken for it to fill the goaf. The results showed that there is a hydraulic connection between the water in the airspace and the goaf water (GW), roof water (RW), floor water (FW) and Ordovician limestone water (OW); the volume of water in the goaf of the working face after mining was 2,106,838.496 m3. The average rate of water accumulation was 65.407 m3/h, and the goaf was expected to have been filled in 32,211.208 h. The derived relationship between the water level and time was . This study is of great significance for the sustainable development of the safety evaluation of water blocking coal pillars at the mine boundary.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Activities on Groundwater Resources)
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Open AccessArticle
Innovation in Water Management: Designing a Recyclable Water Resource System with Permeable Pavement
by
Shu-Rong Yang, Xing-Rong Chen, Hao-Xuan Huang and Hsin-Fu Yeh
Water 2024, 16(15), 2109; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152109 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
Taiwan’s unique geographic environment combined with climate change leaves it particularly vulnerable to water shortage issues. A new water resource recycling system that adheres to a Low Impact Development (LID) concept and utilizes existing permeable pavement techniques to mitigate water scarcity is presented
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Taiwan’s unique geographic environment combined with climate change leaves it particularly vulnerable to water shortage issues. A new water resource recycling system that adheres to a Low Impact Development (LID) concept and utilizes existing permeable pavement techniques to mitigate water scarcity is presented in this study. The design routes water at the base and subbase layers of a permeable pavement toward a planter box in the median divider island or box culvert below the median divider island. Once the runoff has flowed into the bottom of the planter box or box culvert, it is available for plants via soil capillary action. Through evaporation or transpiration, the water is then returned to the atmosphere and integrated into the water cycle for localized microclimates. This study used a 3D printer to create a small-scale model of the proposed design. Using this small-scale 3D model, a series of capillary experiments were conducted to evaluate the permeable pavement water recycling system. Because the small-scale model is not suitable for long-duration tests, soil column experiments were also used. The soil was compacted to different relative compactions for a 3D model and the soil column experiments were used to evaluate the capillary rise height of the soil. The results showed that when using a silt with low plasticity soil (ML), under low relative compaction, the capillary water can reach the rooting level of appropriately selected plants. Therefore, if the soil around vegetation is correctly compacted, the vegetation’s roots will have access to stored water. The proposed permeable pavement water recycling system represents a practical approach to managing stormwater runoff and achieving water conservation objectives. This innovative design not only aims to conserve and protect water resources but also supports sustainable water management practices, thereby helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
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(This article belongs to the Section Urban Water Management)
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Open AccessArticle
Green Synthesis of Ag/ATP Catalysts Using Clove Extract for Formaldehyde Elimination
by
Yuan Hu, Xin Chen, Liqi Miao, Jing Zhang, Ming Zhai, Dan Chen and Xiaozhi Wang
Water 2024, 16(15), 2108; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152108 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
Compared with other methods, the synthesis of metal nanoparticles by metal ion reduction using plant extracts as raw materials has the advantages of low cost, simple synthesis and environmental friendliness, and has garnered significant attention. To achieve this effect, in the form of
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Compared with other methods, the synthesis of metal nanoparticles by metal ion reduction using plant extracts as raw materials has the advantages of low cost, simple synthesis and environmental friendliness, and has garnered significant attention. To achieve this effect, in the form of green synthetic nano silver (AgNP), we mixed AgNO3 with attapulgite (ATP) and stirred it with clove plant extract at 80 °C. By changing the dosage of clove extract, a series of new samples were prepared by the same method. The shape and size of the synthesized silver nanoparticles on catalysts were visualized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations. The particle size of the optimally prepared nanoparticles ranges from 1 to 9 nm with spherical or roughly spherical forms. The inductively coupled plasma (ICP) results further demonstrated the reducing effect of clove extract on Ag. Increasing the amount of clove extract could promote the formation and loading of Ag on ATP. An outstanding catalytic performance of Ag/ATP under HCHO outperformed that synthesized without clove extract. With the addition of clove extract, the catalytic performance was enhanced by more than 40% compared to no addition. Among different nanoparticles, the catalytic oxidation activity of HCHO was best when the volume ratio of clove extract to Ag was 10:1. Therefore, the green synthesis of Ag/ATP catalysts using clove extracts can be considered an environmentally benign, superior approach.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Technologies for Soil and Groundwater Remediation)
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Open AccessArticle
Temporal Dynamics and Predictive Modelling of Streamflow and Water Quality Using Advanced Statistical and Ensemble Machine Learning Techniques
by
Syeda Zehan Farzana, Dev Raj Paudyal, Sreeni Chadalavada and Md Jahangir Alam
Water 2024, 16(15), 2107; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152107 - 25 Jul 2024
Abstract
Changes in water quality are closely linked to seasonal fluctuations in streamflow, and a thorough understanding of how these variations interact across different time scales is important for the efficient management of surface water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The aim
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Changes in water quality are closely linked to seasonal fluctuations in streamflow, and a thorough understanding of how these variations interact across different time scales is important for the efficient management of surface water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The aim of this study is to explore the potential connection between streamflow, rainfall, and water quality and propose an optimised ensemble model for the prediction of a water quality index (WQI). This study modelled the changes in five water quality parameters such as ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), phosphate (PO43−), pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and their associated WQI caused by rainfall and streamflow. The analysis was conducted across three temporal scales, weekly, monthly, and seasonal, using a generalised additive model (GAM) in Toowoomba, Australia. TDS, turbidity, and WQI exhibited a significant nonlinear variation with the changes in streamflow in the weekly and monthly scales. Additionally, pH demonstrated a significant linear to weakly linear correlation with discharge across the three temporal scales. For the accurate prediction of WQI, this study proposed an ensemble model integrating an extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and Bayesian optimisation (BO) algorithm, using streamflow as an input across the same temporal scales. The results for the three temporal scales provided the best accuracy of monthly data, based on the accuracy metrics R2 (0.91), MAE (0.20), and RMSE (0.42). The comparison between the test and predicted data indicated that the prediction model overestimated the WQI at some points. This study highlights the efficiency of integrating rainfall, streamflow, and water quality correlations for WQI prediction, which can provide valuable insights for guiding future water management strategies in similar catchment areas, especially amidst changing climatic conditions.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Simulation and Forecasting Based on Artificial Intelligence)
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