Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Article Types

Countries / Regions

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Search Results (294)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = Great Lakes Region

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
21 pages, 8812 KiB  
Review
Bibliometric Views on Lake Changes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Under the Background of Climate Change
by Xingshuai Mei, Guangyu Yang, Mengqing Su, Tongde Chen, Haizhen Yang, Lingling Wang, Yubo Rong and Chunjing Zhao
Water 2025, 17(16), 2429; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17162429 - 17 Aug 2025
Viewed by 184
Abstract
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a sensitive area of global climate change and an “Asian water tower” and lakes in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau changes are of great significance to the regional hydrological cycle and ecological balance. However, the existing research mostly focuses on a single [...] Read more.
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a sensitive area of global climate change and an “Asian water tower” and lakes in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau changes are of great significance to the regional hydrological cycle and ecological balance. However, the existing research mostly focuses on a single lake or short-term monitoring, and lacks a systematic review of the evolution of knowledge structure and interdisciplinary dynamics. Based on 354 literatures from CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) and Web of Science, this study used CiteSpace 6.3.R1 software to construct a scientific knowledge map of lake changes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau under the background of climate change for the first time. By analyzing the number of publications, research hotspots, institutional cooperation networks and keyword emergence rules, the core triangle structure of ”climate change–Qinghai-Tibet Plateau–lake” was revealed, and the three stages of sedimentary reconstruction (2002–2008), glacier–lake coupling (2005–2014) and human–land system comprehensive research (2015–2025) were divided. The study found that the scientific literature written in Chinese and the scientific literature written in English focused on empirical cases and model simulations, respectively, The research frontiers focused on hot karst lakes (burst intensity 3.71), lake water level (2.97) and carbon cycle (2.13). The research force is centered on the Chinese Academy of Sciences, forming a cluster of institutions in the northwest region, but international cooperation only accounts for 12.3%. Future research needs to deepen multi-source data fusion, strengthen cross-regional comparison, and build an international cooperation network to cope with the complex challenges of plateau lake systems under climate change. This study provides a scientific basis for the paradigm shift and future direction of plateau lake research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation, 2nd Edition)
Show Figures

Figure 1

35 pages, 9639 KiB  
Review
Use of Remote Sensing Data to Study the Aral Sea Basin in Central Asia—Geoscience and Geological Hazards
by Jean-Paul Deroin
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(16), 2814; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17162814 - 14 Aug 2025
Viewed by 360
Abstract
The Aral Sea Basin (ASB), situated in Central Asia, serves as a prime example of a man-made environmental disaster. The practice of irrigation can be traced back to ancient times. However, the substantial water withdrawals that have occurred since the second half of [...] Read more.
The Aral Sea Basin (ASB), situated in Central Asia, serves as a prime example of a man-made environmental disaster. The practice of irrigation can be traced back to ancient times. However, the substantial water withdrawals that have occurred since the second half of the 20th century appear to have led to the irreversible drying up of the Aral Sea and the disruption of the flow of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. This study conducts a comprehensive review of satellite data from the past sixty years, drawing upon a selection of peer-reviewed papers available on Scopus. The selection of papers is conducted in accordance with a methodology that is predicated on the combination of keywords. The study focuses on geoscientific aspects, including the atmosphere, water resources, geology, and geological hazards. The primary sensors employed in this study were Terra-MODIS, NOAA-AVHRR, and the Landsat series. It is evident that certain data types, including radar data, US or Soviet archives, and very-high-resolution data such as OrbView-3, have seen minimal utilisation. Despite the restricted application of remote sensing data in publications addressing the ASB, remote sensing data offer a substantial repository for monitoring the desiccation of the Aral Sea, once the fourth largest continental body of water, and for the estimation of its water surface and volume. Nevertheless, the utilisation of remote sensing in publications concerning the Aral region remains limited, with less than 10% of publications employing this method. Sentinel-2 data has been utilised to illustrate the construction of the Qosh Tepa Canal in Afghanistan, a project which has been the subject of significant controversy, with a particular focus on the issue of water leakage. This predicament is indicative of the broader challenges confronting the region with regard to water management in the context of climate change. A comparison of the Aral Sea’s case history is drawn with analogous examples worldwide, including Lake Urmia, the Great Salt Lake, and, arguably more problematically, the Caspian Sea. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 4438 KiB  
Article
Coupling Coordination Between Ecosystem Services and Sustainable Development Goals from a County-Level Perspective in Jiangsu Province, China
by Jing Wang, Huping Hou, Shaoliang Zhang, Shaoning Zhang, Haoying Ji and Zanxu Chen
Land 2025, 14(8), 1627; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14081627 - 12 Aug 2025
Viewed by 311
Abstract
Ecosystem services (ES) serve as a critical link between ecosystems and the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Exploring the relationship between ES and SDGs is of great significance for promoting regional sustainable development. This study proposes a conceptual framework to examine the interlinkages between [...] Read more.
Ecosystem services (ES) serve as a critical link between ecosystems and the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Exploring the relationship between ES and SDGs is of great significance for promoting regional sustainable development. This study proposes a conceptual framework to examine the interlinkages between ES and SDGs. First, the equivalent factor method is employed to estimate the county-level ES value in Jiangsu Province from 2005 to 2020. Second, the entropy-weighted TOPSIS model is used to assess SDG performance. Third, the coupling coordination degree model is applied to quantify the synergistic relationship between ES and SDGs, based on which regional typologies are constructed. Finally, a geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model is utilized to investigate the spatial–temporal impacts of various ecosystem service functions on SDGs. The results reveal that (1) over the past 15 years, the value of ES in Jiangsu Province has shown an overall upward trend, with a peak followed by a slight decline; (2) that the SDGs performance exhibited an increasing trend until 2015, after which it began to decline; (3) the coupling coordination degree between ES and SDGs has increased annually and that, based on the coupling results, four types of regions are identified: potential development zones, ecological deficit zones, priority improvement zones, and high-quality synergy zones; and (4) that the relationship between different ecosystem service functions and SDGs demonstrates significant regional heterogeneity. Future efforts should focus on enhancing provisioning services in counties within the Yi-Shu-Si River Basin, balancing economic development and ecological protection in the Yangtze River Basin, and improving cultural services in western counties of both the Yangtze River Basin and the Taihu Lake Basin. The findings offer insights for regional SDG strategies from the perspective of ES in Jiangsu Province. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 275 KiB  
Review
Diagnosing Blastomycosis: A Review of Laboratory Methods and Clinical Utility
by Tejaswini Saravanababu, Sameer Elsayed, Ruchika Gupta, Johan Delport, Mohammedreza Rahimi Shahmirzadi and Fatimah AlMutawa
J. Fungi 2025, 11(8), 589; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11080589 - 12 Aug 2025
Viewed by 430
Abstract
Blastomycosis, caused by dimorphic fungi of the Blastomyces genus, is endemic to regions in North America, including the Great Lakes and other parts of Canada and the United States of America. The infection primarily occurs through the inhalation of airborne conidia from contaminated [...] Read more.
Blastomycosis, caused by dimorphic fungi of the Blastomyces genus, is endemic to regions in North America, including the Great Lakes and other parts of Canada and the United States of America. The infection primarily occurs through the inhalation of airborne conidia from contaminated soil and decaying organic matter. Pulmonary involvement is most common, but dissemination to other organs such as the skin and bones can occur, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Diagnosis is challenging due to its clinical overlap with other diseases. Culture remains the gold-standard diagnostic method, but is time-consuming, with sensitivity ranging from 66.4% to 86%. Tissue histopathology offers quicker results but has sensitivities ranging from 36% to 85%. Antigen detection assays show high sensitivity from 76.3% to 91.3% but suffer from cross-reactivity with other fungi. PCR methods offer high specificity, with sensitivity ranging from 67.6% to 100%. In immunocompromised patients, blastomycosis is often more severe, with a mortality rate exceeding 30%. Multi-modal diagnostic approaches are crucial for accurate detection and management. Full article
33 pages, 26160 KiB  
Article
Adaptive Intermodal Transportation for Freight Resilience: An Integrated and Flexible Strategy for Managing Disruptions
by Siyavash Filom, Satrya Dewantara, Mahnam Saeednia and Saiedeh Razavi
Logistics 2025, 9(3), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics9030107 - 6 Aug 2025
Viewed by 374
Abstract
Background: Disruptions in freight transportation—such as service delays, infrastructure failures, and labor strikes—pose significant challenges to the reliability and efficiency of intermodal networks. To address these challenges, this study introduces Adaptive Intermodal Transportation (AIT), a resilient and flexible planning framework that enhances [...] Read more.
Background: Disruptions in freight transportation—such as service delays, infrastructure failures, and labor strikes—pose significant challenges to the reliability and efficiency of intermodal networks. To address these challenges, this study introduces Adaptive Intermodal Transportation (AIT), a resilient and flexible planning framework that enhances Synchromodal Freight Transport (SFT) by integrating real-time disruption management. Methods: Building on recent advances, we propose two novel strategies: (1) Reassign with Delay Buffer, which enables dynamic rerouting of shipments within a user-defined delay tolerance, and (2) (De)Consolidation, which allows splitting or merging of shipments across services depending on available capacity. These strategies are incorporated into a re-planning module that complements a baseline optimization model and a continuous disruption-monitoring system. Numerical experiments conducted on a Great Lakes-based case study evaluate the performance of the proposed strategies against a benchmark approach. Results: Results show that under moderate and high-disruption conditions, the proposed strategies reduce delay and disruption-incurred costs while increasing the percentage of matched shipments. The Reassign with Delay Buffer strategy offers controlled flexibility, while (De)Consolidation improves resource utilization in constrained environments. Conclusions: Overall, the AIT framework demonstrates strong potential for improving operational resilience in intermodal freight systems by enabling adaptive, disruption-aware planning decisions. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 4452 KiB  
Article
Artificial Surface Water Construction Aggregated Water Loss Through Evaporation in the North China Plain
by Ziang Wang, Yan Zhou, Wenge Zhang, Shimin Tian, Yaoping Cui, Haifeng Tian, Xiaoyan Liu and Bing Han
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(15), 2698; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17152698 - 4 Aug 2025
Viewed by 348
Abstract
As a typical grain base with a dense population and high-level urbanization, the North China Plain (NCP) faces a serious threat to its sustainable development due to water shortage. Surface water area (SWA) is a key indicator for continuously measuring the trends of [...] Read more.
As a typical grain base with a dense population and high-level urbanization, the North China Plain (NCP) faces a serious threat to its sustainable development due to water shortage. Surface water area (SWA) is a key indicator for continuously measuring the trends of regional water resources and assessing their current status. Therefore, a deep understanding of its changing patterns and driving forces is essential for achieving the sustainable management of water resources. In this study, we examined the interannual variability and trends of SWA in the NCP from 1990 to 2023 using annual 30 m water body maps generated from all available Landsat imagery, a robust water mapping algorithm, and the cloud computing platform Google Earth Engine (GEE). The results showed that the SWA in the NCP has significantly increased over the past three decades. The continuous emergence of artificial reservoirs and urban lakes, along with the booming aquaculture industry, are the main factors driving the growth of SWA. Consequently, the expansion of artificial water bodies resulted in a significant increase in water evaporation (0.16 km3/yr). Moreover, the proportion of water evaporation to regional evapotranspiration (ET) gradually increased (0–0.7%/yr), indicating that the contribution of water evaporation from artificial water bodies to ET is becoming increasingly prominent. Therefore, it can be concluded that the ever-expanding artificial water bodies have become a new hidden danger affecting the water security of the NCP through evaporative loss and deserve close attention. This study not only provides us with a new perspective for deeply understanding the current status of water resources security in the NCP but also provides a typical case with great reference value for the analysis of water resources changes in other similar regions. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2703 KiB  
Article
Holocene Climate Shifts Driving Black Soil Formation in NE China: Palynology and AMS14C Dating Insights
by Hongwen Zhang, Haiwei Song, Xiangxi Lv, Wenlong Pang, Wenjun Pang, Xin Li, Yingxue Li and Jiliang Shao
Quaternary 2025, 8(3), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat8030041 - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 261
Abstract
In this study, 14 palynological samples and nine AMS 14C dating samples were collected from two representative black soil profiles in the Xingkai Lake Plain to examine climate changes and their impacts on environmental evolution since the Holocene. The systematic identification, analysis, [...] Read more.
In this study, 14 palynological samples and nine AMS 14C dating samples were collected from two representative black soil profiles in the Xingkai Lake Plain to examine climate changes and their impacts on environmental evolution since the Holocene. The systematic identification, analysis, and research of palynological data reveal that the black soil profiles in the Xingkai Lake Plain can be categorized into the following three distinct palynological assemblage zones: the lower zone (11.7–7.5 ka BP) is characterized by Pinus-Laevgatomonoleti-Amaranthaceae-Artemisia, having a cold, dry climate; the middle zone (7.5–2.5 ka BP) features Quercus-Juglans-Polygonum-Cyperaceae, with a warm and humid climate; and the upper zone (2.5 ka BP to present) consists of Pinus-Quercus-Betula, indicating a cold and dry climate. Furthermore, field lithostratigraphic observations of the two black soil profiles suggest that late Pleistocene loessial clay serves as the parent material in this region. Quaternary geology, section lithology, palynology, and AMS 14C dating results indicate that a significant portion of black soil in the Xingkai Lake Plain was primarily formed during the Great Warm Period following the middle Holocene. These insights not only enhance our understanding of Holocene climate dynamics in Northeast China but also provide a substantial scientific foundation for further studies on related topics. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1939 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Assessment of Water Quality of China’s Largest Freshwater Lake Under the Impact of Extreme Floods and Droughts
by Zhiyu Mao, Junxiang Cheng, Ligang Xu, Mingliang Jiang and Hailin You
Hydrology 2025, 12(7), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology12070192 - 14 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1127
Abstract
Poyang Lake, a large floodplain lake, plays a crucial role in the ecological safety and quality of life in surrounding areas. Over the past decade (2013–2022), amid economic development and environmental changes, the water environment of Poyang Lake has encountered complex challenges. This [...] Read more.
Poyang Lake, a large floodplain lake, plays a crucial role in the ecological safety and quality of life in surrounding areas. Over the past decade (2013–2022), amid economic development and environmental changes, the water environment of Poyang Lake has encountered complex challenges. This study evaluated the water quality of Poyang Lake in a recent 10-year span by the water quality index (WQI), trophic level index (TLI) and a newly constructed comprehensive evaluation index, and it analyzed the trend of water quality change under extreme events. Meanwhile, the main factors affecting the water quality of Poyang Lake were analyzed by partial least squares (PLS), a multivariate statistical method that accounts for multicollinearity. The results indicate that: (1) The water quality of Poyang Lake in summer and autumn is slightly worse than that in spring and winter. Each water quality index reflects the distinct states of the water environment in Poyang Lake. (2) Each water quality evaluation index responds differently to influencing factors. (3) Extreme flood and drought events have markedly different impacts on the water environment of Poyang Lake, exhibiting significant spatial heterogeneity. Domestic sewage discharge and total water resources have a relatively great impact on the water environment of Poyang Lake. The results of this study provide important insights for water quality management and policy formulation in Poyang Lake, supporting sustainable regional development. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

57 pages, 42873 KiB  
Article
The Mazenod–Sue–Dianne IOCG District of the Great Bear Magmatic Zone Northwest Territories, Canada
by A. Hamid Mumin and Mark Hamilton
Minerals 2025, 15(7), 726; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15070726 - 11 Jul 2025
Viewed by 210
Abstract
The Mazenod Lake region of the southern Great Bear Magmatic Zone (GBMZ) of the Northwest Territories, Canada, comprises the north-central portion of the Faber volcano-plutonic belt. Widespread and abundant surface exposure of several coalescing hydrothermal systems enables this paper to document, without ambiguity, [...] Read more.
The Mazenod Lake region of the southern Great Bear Magmatic Zone (GBMZ) of the Northwest Territories, Canada, comprises the north-central portion of the Faber volcano-plutonic belt. Widespread and abundant surface exposure of several coalescing hydrothermal systems enables this paper to document, without ambiguity, the relationships between geology, structure, alteration, and mineralization in this well exposed iron-oxide–copper–gold (IOCG) mineral system. Mazenod geology comprises rhyodacite to basaltic-andesite ignimbrite sheets with interlayered volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks dominated by fine-grained laminated tuff sequences. Much of the intermediate to mafic nature of volcanic rocks is masked by low-intensity but pervasive metasomatism. The region is affected by a series of coalescing magmatic–hydrothermal systems that host the Sue–Dianne magnetite–hematite IOCG deposit and several related showings including magnetite, skarn, and iron oxide apatite (IOA) styles of alteration ± mineralization. The mid to upper levels of these systems are exposed at surface, with underlying batholith, pluton and stocks exposed along the periphery, as well as locally within volcanic rocks associated with more intense alteration and mineralization. Widespread alteration includes potassic and sodic metasomatism, and silicification with structurally controlled giant quartz complexes. Localized tourmaline, skarn, magnetite–actinolite, and iron-oxide alteration occur within structural breccias, and where most intense formed the Sue–Dianne Cu-Ag-Au diatreme-like breccia deposit. Magmatism, volcanism, hydrothermal alteration, and mineralization formed during a negative tectonic inversion within the Wopmay Orogen. This generated a series of oblique offset rifted basins with continental style arc magmatism and extensional structures unique to GBMZ rifting. All significant hydrothermal centers in the Mazenod region occur along and at the intersections of crustal faults either unique to or put under tension during the GBMZ inversion. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 53601 KiB  
Article
Depositional Evolution and Controlling Factors of the Lower–Middle Jurassic in the Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin, Northwest China
by Ming Ma, Changsong Lin, Yongfu Liu, Hao Li, Wenfang Yuan, Jingyan Liu, Chaoqun Shi, Manli Zhang and Fan Xu
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(14), 7783; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15147783 - 11 Jul 2025
Viewed by 334
Abstract
The Lower–Middle Jurassic of the Kuqa Depression consists of terrestrial clastic deposits containing coal seams and thick lacustrine mudstones, and is of great significance for oil and gas exploration. Based on the comprehensive analysis of core, well-logging, outcrop, and seismic data, the sequence [...] Read more.
The Lower–Middle Jurassic of the Kuqa Depression consists of terrestrial clastic deposits containing coal seams and thick lacustrine mudstones, and is of great significance for oil and gas exploration. Based on the comprehensive analysis of core, well-logging, outcrop, and seismic data, the sequence stratigraphy, depositional systems, and the controlling factors of the basin filling in the depression are systematically documented. Four primary depositional systems, including braided river delta, meandering river delta, lacustrine, and swamp deposits, are identified within the Ahe, Yangxia, and Kezilenuer Formations of the Lower–Middle Jurassic. The basin fills can be classified into two second-order and nine third-order sequences (SQ1–SQ9) confined by regional or local unconformities and their correlative conformities. This study shows that the sedimentary evolution has undergone the following three stages: Stage I (SQ1–SQ2) primarily developed braided river, braided river delta, and shallow lacustrine deposits; Stage II (SQ3–SQ5) primarily developed meandering river, meandering river delta, and extensive deep and semi-deep lacustrine deposits; Stage III (SQ6–SQ9) primarily developed swamp (SQ6–SQ7), meandering river delta, and shore–shallow lacustrine deposits (SQ8–SQ9). The uplift of the Tianshan Orogenic Belt in the Early Jurassic (Stage I) may have facilitated the development of braided fluvial–deltaic deposits. The subsequential expansion of the sedimentary area and the weakened sediment supply can be attributed to the planation of the source area and widespread basin subsidence, with the transition of the depositional environments from braided river delta deposits to meandering river delta and swamp deposits. The regional expansion or rise of the lake during Stage II was likely triggered by the hot and humid climate conditions, possibly associated with the Early Jurassic Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event. The thick swamp deposits formed during Stage III may be controlled by the interplay of rational accommodation, warm and humid climatic conditions, and limited sediment supply. Milankovitch cycles identified in Stage III further reveal that coal accumulation was primarily modulated by long-period eccentricity forcing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Earth Sciences)
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1769 KiB  
Article
Isolation and Characterization of a Crude Oil-Tolerant Obligate Halophilic Bacterium from the Great Salt Lake of the United States of America
by Jonathan Oakes, Johurimam Noah Kuddus, Easton Downs, Clark Oakey, Kristina Davis, Laith Mohammad, Kiara Whitely, Carl E. Hjelmen and Ruhul Kuddus
Microorganisms 2025, 13(7), 1568; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13071568 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 465
Abstract
Most large-scale crude oil spills occur in marine environments. We screened easily propagable/maintainable halophiles to develop agents for the bioremediation of marine spills. A bacterial strain isolated from a polluted region of the Great Salt Lake was characterized and tested for its ability [...] Read more.
Most large-scale crude oil spills occur in marine environments. We screened easily propagable/maintainable halophiles to develop agents for the bioremediation of marine spills. A bacterial strain isolated from a polluted region of the Great Salt Lake was characterized and tested for its ability to degrade crude oil. The strain (Salinivibrio costicola) is motile, catalase- and lipase-positive, a facultative anaerobe, and an obligate halophile. Its growth optimum and tolerance ranges are: NaCl (5%, 1.25–10%), pH (8, 6–10), and temperature (22 °C, 4–45 °C). Its genome (3,166,267 bp) consists of two circular chromosomes and a plasmid, containing 3197 genes, including some genes potentially relevant to hydrocarbon metabolism. The strain forms a biofilm but is considered nonpathogenic and is sensitive to some common antibiotics. Lytic bacteriophages infecting the strain are rare in the water samples we tested. The strain survived on desiccated agar media at room temperature for a year, grew optimally in complex media containing 0.1–1% crude oil, but failed to reduce total recoverable petroleum hydrocarbons from crude oil. Thus, a recalcitrant halophile may endure crude oil without mineralizing. Due to some of their advantageous attributes, such strains can be considered for genetic manipulation to develop improved agents for bioremediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Microbes, Biocontamination and Bioremediation)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 6585 KiB  
Article
Research on the Risk of a Multi-Source Hydrological Drought Encounter in the Yangtze River Basin Based on Spatial and Temporal Correlation
by Jinbei Li and Hao Wang
Water 2025, 17(13), 1986; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17131986 - 1 Jul 2025
Viewed by 313
Abstract
For a long time, drought disasters have brought about a wide range of negative impacts on human socio-economics. Especially in large basins with many tributaries, once hydrological drought occurs synchronously in several tributaries, the hydrological drought condition in the mainstream will be aggravated, [...] Read more.
For a long time, drought disasters have brought about a wide range of negative impacts on human socio-economics. Especially in large basins with many tributaries, once hydrological drought occurs synchronously in several tributaries, the hydrological drought condition in the mainstream will be aggravated, which will lead to more serious losses. However, there is still a lack of research on the probabilistic risk of simultaneous hydrologic droughts in various areas of large watersheds. In this study, the Standardized Runoff Index was used to characterize hydrological drought, and the Standardized Runoff Index (SRI) sequence characteristics of each region were analyzed. Subsequently, a multiregional hazard encounter probability distribution model with an R-vine structure was constructed with the help of the vine copula function to study the risk pattern of simultaneous hydrological drought in multiple tributaries under environmental changes. The model results showed that the probability of the four basins gradually decreased from 7.5% to 0.16% when the SRI changed from ≤−0.5 to ≤−2.0, indicating that the likelihood of the joint distribution of the compound disaster decreases with increase in the drought extremes. Meanwhile, the probability of hydrological drought in the three major basins showed significant spatial differences, and the risk ranking was Dongting Lake Basin > Poyang Lake Basin > Han River Basin. The model constructed in this study reveals the disaster risk law, provides theoretical support for the measurement of hydrological drought risk in multiple regions at the same time, and is of great significance for the prediction of compound drought disaster risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Hydrology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 3316 KiB  
Article
Ecological Risk and Human Health Assessment of Heavy Metals in Sediments of Datong Lake
by Gao Li, Rui Chen, Zhen Li, Xin Wu, Kui Xiang, Chiheng Wang and Yi Peng
Toxics 2025, 13(7), 560; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13070560 - 30 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 457
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution of lake sediments is one of the prominent ecological and environmental problems worldwide, and it is of great significance to conduct research on heavy metal pollution in lake sediments to protect the ecological environment, safeguard human health, and promote sustainable [...] Read more.
Heavy metal pollution of lake sediments is one of the prominent ecological and environmental problems worldwide, and it is of great significance to conduct research on heavy metal pollution in lake sediments to protect the ecological environment, safeguard human health, and promote sustainable development. As an integral part of Dongting Lake, Datong Lake holds a crucial ecological position. More than 10 years ago, due to a series of factors, including excessive fertilizer application and fishing, the water quality of Datong Lake declined, resulting in varying degrees of contamination by Cd, Mn, and other heavy metals in the sediments. After 2017, Datong Lake began to establish a mechanism for protecting and managing the lake, and its ecological and environmental problems have been significantly improved. To clarify the current situation of heavy metal contamination in the sediments of Datong Lake, 15 sediment samples were collected from the lake, and the contents of soil heavy metals Cd, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn were determined. A Monte Carlo simulation was introduced to carry out the ecological and human health risk evaluation of the sediments in the study area to overcome the problem of low reliability of the results of ecological and human health risk evaluation due to the randomness and incompleteness of the environmental data as well as the differences in the human body parameters. The results and conclusions show that (1) the average values of Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn contents in the sediments of Datong Lake are higher than the background values of soil elements in the sediments of Dongting Lake, and the average values of As contents of heavy metals are lower than the background values of the soil, and the heavy metal contamination in the sediments in the study area is dominated by slight contamination, and the possibility of point-source contamination is slight. (2) The results of both the Geo-accumulation index and Enrichment factor evaluation showed that the degree of heavy metal contamination of sediments was Ni > Cu > Cr > Mn > Cd > Pb > Zn > As. (3) The average value of the single ecological risk index of heavy metal elements, in descending order, was as follows: Cd > As > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cr > Zn > Mn; all the heavy metal elements were at the level of light pollution, and the average value of the comprehensive ecological risk index was 32.83, which is a slight ecological risk level. (4) Both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for all populations in the study area remain low following heavy metal exposure via ingestion and dermal pathways. Ecological and health risk assessments identified As and Cd as exhibiting significantly higher sensitivity than other heavy metals. Consequently, continuous monitoring and source-tracking of these elements are recommended to safeguard long-term ecological integrity and public health in the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Metals and Radioactive Substances)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

19 pages, 3874 KiB  
Article
The Formation Age and Geological Setting of the Huoqiu Group in the Southern Margin of North China Craton: Implication for BIF-Type Iron Prospecting Potentiality
by Lizhi Xue, Rongzhen Tang, Xinkai Chen, Jiashuo Cao and Yanjing Chen
Minerals 2025, 15(7), 695; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15070695 - 29 Jun 2025
Viewed by 343
Abstract
The Huoqiu Group is located in the southern margin of the North China Craton and is considered an Archean geologic body. Its supracrustal rocks are divided into the Huayuan, Wuji, and Zhouji formations in ascending order. The Wuji and Zhouji formations contain large [...] Read more.
The Huoqiu Group is located in the southern margin of the North China Craton and is considered an Archean geologic body. Its supracrustal rocks are divided into the Huayuan, Wuji, and Zhouji formations in ascending order. The Wuji and Zhouji formations contain large BIF-type iron deposits. The BIFs show geological and geochemical features of Paleoproterozoic Lake Superior-type rather than Archean Algoma-type. The study of the formation ages and evolutionary history of the Huoqiu Terrane will provide significant guidance for the mineralization and exploration of the Huoqiu iron deposits. In this paper, we collected all available isotopic ages and Hf isotopic compositions obtained from the Huoqiu Terrane and reassessed their accuracy and geological meanings. We conclude that the Wuji and Zhouji formations were not older than 2343 Ma. Therefore, the BIFs hosted in the Wuji and Zhouji formations must be of Paleoproterozoic age. The magmatic zircons from the TTG gneisses and granite yield U-Pb ages of Neoarchean Era, indicating that the Wuji and Zhouji formations of the Huoqiu Group were deposited on an Archean granitic basement that mainly comprises the trondhjemite-tonalite-granodiorite (TTG) gneisses and granites of the “Huayuan Formation”. The Early Precambrian crystalline basement in the Huoqiu area can be divided into the Huayuan Gneiss Complex and the Huoqiu Group, comprising the Wuji and Zhouji formations. The tectonic scenario of granitic complexes overlain by supracrustal rocks in the Huoqiu Terrane has been recognized in the Songshan, Zhongtiao, Xiaoshan, and Lushan Early Precambrian terranes in the southern margin of the North China Craton. As indicated by the zircon U-Pb ages and εHf(t) data, the crustal growth of the Huoqiu Terrane occurred mainly at ~2.9 Ga and ~2.7 Ga. Based on the sedimentary age, environment, and rhythm, the BIFs in the Huoqiu region are considered to be of Lake Superior type and of great potential for Fe ore exploration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 24251 KiB  
Article
Anthropogenic and Climate-Induced Water Storage Dynamics over the Past Two Decades in the China–Mongolia Arid Region Adjacent to Altai Mountain
by Yingjie Yan, Yuan Su, Hongfei Zhou, Siyu Wang, Linlin Yao and Dashlkham Batmunkh
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(11), 1949; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17111949 - 4 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 628
Abstract
The China–Mongolia arid region adjacent to the Altai Mountain (CMA) has a sensitive ecosystem that relies heavily on both terrestrial water (TWS) and groundwater storage (GWS). However, during the 2003–2016 period, the CMA experienced significant glacier retreat, lake shrinkage, and grassland degradation. To [...] Read more.
The China–Mongolia arid region adjacent to the Altai Mountain (CMA) has a sensitive ecosystem that relies heavily on both terrestrial water (TWS) and groundwater storage (GWS). However, during the 2003–2016 period, the CMA experienced significant glacier retreat, lake shrinkage, and grassland degradation. To illuminate the TWS and GWS dynamics in the CMA and the dominant driving factors, we employed high-resolution (0.1°) GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) data generated through random forest (RF) combined with residual correction. The downscaled data at a 0.1° resolution illustrate the spatial heterogeneity of TWS and GWS depletion. The highest TWS and GWS decline rates were both on the north slope of the Tianshan River Basin (NTRB) of the Junggar Basin of Northwestern China (JBNWC) (27.96 mm/yr and −32.98 mm/yr, respectively). Human impact played a primary role in TWS decreases in the JBNWC, with a relative contribution rate of 62.22% compared to the climatic contribution (37.78%). A notable shift—from climatic (2002–2010) to anthropogenic factors (2011–2020)—was observed as the primary driver of TWS decline in the Great Lakes Depression region of western Mongolia (GLDWM). To maintain ecological stability and promote sustainable regional development, effective action is urgently required to save essential TWS from further depletion. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop