Search Results (308)

The Mirim–Patos–Mangueira coastal lagoon system provides a wide range of ecosystem services. However, its vast territorial extent and the political boundaries that divide it hinder integrated assessments, especially during extreme hydrological events. This study is divided into two parts. First, we assessed the spatial and temporal patterns of water quality in the lagoon system using Sentinel-3/OLCI satellite imagery. Atmospheric correction was performed using ACOLITE, followed by spectral grouping and classification into optical water types (OWTs) using the Sentinel Applications Platform (SNAP). To explore the behavior of water quality parameters across OWTs, Chlorophyll-a and turbidity were estimated using semi-empirical algorithms specifically designed for complex inland and coastal waters. Results showed a gradual increase in mean turbidity from OWT 2 to OWT 6 and a rise in chlorophyll-a from OWT 2 to OWT 4, with a decline at OWT 6. These OWTs correspond, in general terms, to distinct water masses: OWT 2 to clearer waters, OWT 3 and 4 to intermediate/mixed conditions, and OWT 6 to turbid environments. In the second part, we analyzed the response of the Patos Lagoon to flooding in Rio Grande do Sul during an extreme weather event in May 2024. Satellite-derived turbidity estimates were compared with in situ measurements, revealing a systematic underestimation, with a negative bias of 2.6%, a mean relative error of 78%, and a correlation coefficient of 0.85. The findings highlight the utility of OWT classification for tracking changes in water quality and support the use of remote sensing tools to improve environmental monitoring in data-scarce regions, particularly under extreme hydrometeorological conditions. Full article

In recent years, China has experienced growing impacts from extreme weather events, emphasizing the importance of understanding regional atmospheric moisture dynamics, particularly Precipitable Water Vapor (PWV), to support sustainable environmental and urban planning. This study utilizes ten years (2013–2022) of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations in typical cities in eastern China and proposes a comprehensive multiscale frequency-domain analysis framework that integrates the Fourier transform, Bayesian spectral estimation, and wavelet decomposition to extract the dominant PWV periodicities. Time-series analysis reveals an overall increasing trend in PWV across most regions, with notably declining trends in Beijing, Wuhan, and southern Taiwan, primarily attributed to groundwater depletion, rapid urban expansion, and ENSO-related anomalies, respectively. Frequency-domain results indicate distinct latitudinal and coastal–inland differences in the PWV periodicities. Inland stations (Beijing, Changchun, and Wuhan) display annual signals alongside weaker semi-annual components, while coastal stations (Shanghai, Kinmen County, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) mainly exhibit annual cycles. High-latitude stations show stronger seasonal and monthly fluctuations, mid-latitude stations present moderate-scale changes, and low-latitude regions display more diverse medium- and short-term fluctuations. In the short-term frequency domain, GNSS stations in most regions demonstrate significant PWV periodic variations over 0.5 days, 1 day, or both timescales, except for Changchun, where weak diurnal patterns are attributed to local topography and reduced solar radiation. Furthermore, ERA5-derived vertical temperature profiles are incorporated to reveal the thermodynamic mechanisms driving these variations, underscoring region-specific controls on surface evaporation and atmospheric moisture capacity. These findings offer novel insights into how human-induced environmental changes modulate the behavior of atmospheric water vapor. Full article

Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework commits nations to protecting and conserving at least 30% of the world’s terrestrial and inland water areas and coastal and marine areas by 2030 (30 × 30). There can be significant overlap with Indigenous and traditional territories (ITTs) and protected areas. We explore if and/or how ITTs are currently recognized and reported as contributors to national protection targets by analyzing whether these territories are counted as standalone conservation areas, integrated into government-led protected and conserved area networks or systems, or neither, in 18 countries. Our analysis reveals critical linkages between tenure regimes, ITTs and their recognition in reporting to global area-based conservation databases. Legal recognition of tenure rights, particularly ownership and stewardship rights, emerged as the strongest predictor of whether ITTs are formally being accounted for in these databases. Our findings also reveal that the contribution of ITTs to national protection targets not only depend on tenure type but also on governance rights, despite the way it is reported. We categorize systemic barriers and opportunities that have implications for the contribution of ITTs to 30 × 30 goals. Full article

The coastal zone presents complex hydrodynamic interactions among inland groundwater, reservoir water, and intruding seawater, with important implications for ecosystem functioning and water quality. However, the relative roles of hydraulic connectivity and seawater-driven salinity gradients in shaping microbial communities at the aquifer–reservoir interface remain unclear. Here, we integrated hydrochemical analyses with high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate bacterial community composition, assembly processes, and co-occurrence network patterns across groundwater_in (entering the reservoir), groundwater_out (exiting the reservoir), and reservoir water in a coastal system. Our findings reveal that seawater intrusion exerts a stronger influence on groundwater_out, leading to distinct chemical profiles and salinity-driven environmental filtering, whereas hydraulic connectivity promotes greater microbial similarity between groundwater_in and reservoir water. Groundwater samples exhibited higher alpha and beta diversity compared to the reservoir, with dominant taxa such as Comamonadaceae, Flavobacteriaceae, and Rhodobacteraceae serving as indicators of seawater intrusion. Community assembly analyses showed that homogeneous selection predominated, especially under strong salinity gradients, while dispersal limitation and spatial distance also contributed in areas of reduced connectivity. Key chemical factors, including TDS, Na⁺, Cl⁻, Mg²⁺, and K⁺, strongly shaped groundwater communities. Additionally, groundwater bacterial networks were more complex and robust than those in reservoir water, suggesting enhanced resilience to salinity stress. Collectively, this study demonstrates that salinity gradients can override the effects of hydraulic connectivity in structuring bacterial communities and their networks at coastal interfaces. Our findings provide novel microbial insights relevant for understanding biogeochemical processes and support the use of microbial indicators for more sensitive monitoring and management of coastal groundwater resources. Full article

Urban expansion in coastal areas involves infrastructure development, industrial growth, and mining activities. These coastal environments face various environmental and geological hazards that require geo-engineers to devise solutions. An integrated geophysical approach aims to address such complex challenges as sea level rise, sea water intrusion, shoreline erosion, landslides and previous anthropogenic activity in coastal settings. In this study, the proposed methodology involves the systematic application of geophysical methods (FDEM, 3D GPR, 3D ERT, seismic), starting with a broad-scale survey and then proceeding to a localized exploration, in order to identify lithostratigraphy, bedrock depth, sea water intrusion and detect anthropogenic buried features. The critical aspect is to leverage the unique strengths and limitations of each method within the coastal environment, so as to derive valuable insights for survey design (extension and orientation of measurements) and data interpretation. The coastal zone of Throrikos valley, Attica, Greece, serves as the test site of our geophysical investigation methodology. The planning of the geophysical survey included three phases: The application of frequency-domain electromagnetic (FDEM) and 3D ground penetrating radar (GPR) methods followed by a 3D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) survey and finally, using the seismic refraction tomography (SRT) and multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW). The FDEM method confirmed the geomorphological study findings by revealing the paleo-coastline, superficial layers of coarse material deposits and sea water preferential flow due to the presence of anthropogenic buried features. Subsequently, the 3D GPR survey was able to offer greater detail in detecting the remains of an old marble pier inland and top layer relief of coarse material deposits. The 3D ERT measurements, deployed in a U-shaped grid, successfully identified the anthropogenic feature, mapped sea water intrusion, and revealed possible impermeable formation connected to the bedrock. ERT results cannot clearly discriminate between limestone or deposits, as sea water intrusion lowers resistivity values in both formations. Finally, SRT, in combination with MASW, clearly resolves this dilemma identifying the lithostratigraphy and bedrock top relief. The findings provide critical input for engineering decisions related to foundation planning, construction feasibility, and preservation of coastal infrastructure. The methodology supports risk-informed design and sustainable development in areas with both natural and cultural heritage sensitivity. The applied approach aims to provide a complete information package to the modern engineer when faced with specific challenges in coastal settings. Full article

Reliable coastal and offshore sediment transport data is a requirement for many engineering and environmental projects including port and harbour design, dredging and beach nourishment, sea shoreline protection, inland navigation, marine pollution monitoring, benthic habitat mapping, and offshore renewable energy (ORE). Novel sediment transport numerical modelling approaches allow engineers and scientists to investigate the physical interactions involved in these projects both in the near and far field. However, a lack of confidence in simulated sediment transport results is evident in many coastal and offshore studies, mainly due to limited access to validation datasets. This study addresses the need for cost-effective sediment validation datasets by investigating the applicability of four new suspended load validation techniques to a 2D model of the south-western Irish Sea. This involves integrating an estimated spatial time series of suspended solids concentration (${SSC}_{solids}$) derived from acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) acoustic backscatter with several in situ water sample-based ${SSC}_{solids}$ datasets. Ultimately, a robust spatial time series of ADCP-based ${SSC}_{solids}$ was successfully calculated in this offshore, tidally dominated setting, where the correlation coefficient between estimated ${SSC}_{solids}$ and directly measured ${SSC}_{solids}$ is 0.87. Three out of the four assessed validation techniques are deemed advantageous in developing an accurate 2D suspended sediment transport model given the assumptions of the depth-integrated approach. These recommended techniques include (i) the validation of 2D modelled suspended sediment concentration (${SSC}_{sediment}$) using water sample-based ${SSC}_{solids}$, (ii) the validation of the flood–ebb characteristics of 2D modelled suspended load transport and ${SSC}_{sediment}$ using ADCP-based datasets, and (iii) the validation of the 2D modelled peak ${SSC}_{sediment}$ over a spring–neap cycle using the ADCP-based ${SSC}_{solids}$. Overall, the multi-disciplinary method of collecting in situ metocean and sediment dynamic data via acoustic instruments (ADCPs) is a cost-effective in situ data collection method for future ORE developments and other engineering and scientific projects. Full article

This study aims to assess the impacts of climate change on the tourism potential of Northeastern Brazil by analyzing historical trends and future climate projections, identifying climate risks, and proposing spatially targeted adaptation strategies. Historical daily climate data from the BR-DWGD and future projections from the MPI-ESM1-2-LR model under the SSP2 4.5 scenario were used to evaluate extremes in temperature and precipitation. Principal component analysis and spatial cluster analysis were applied to identify five climatically homogeneous zones across the region. Results indicate generalized warming trends and intensifying rainfall extremes, particularly in coastal clusters where tourism infrastructure is concentrated. Inland zones, especially those with semi-arid climates, exhibit rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and increasing water scarcity. These differentiated climatic patterns pose risks to infrastructure, ecosystem services, and the overall sustainability of tourism. In response, the study proposes adaptation measures tailored to each zone, including improved drainage systems, sustainable cooling technologies, rainwater harvesting, and diversification of tourism activities. Emphasis is placed on community-based governance to enhance social equity and resilience. The findings highlight the relevance of spatialized climate analysis for guiding adaptation planning and supporting a more inclusive and climate-resilient tourism sector in the region. Full article

Climate change will have a significant impact on saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers between now and 2150. Global sea levels are predicted to rise somewhere between 0.5 and 1.8 m. To mitigate sea level rise, coastal aquifers will require intensive management to avoid inland migration of seawater that could impact water supplies. In addition to reducing pumping of freshwater, the construction and operation of salinity barriers will be required in many locations. Eleven types of salinity barriers were investigated, including physical barriers (curtain wall and grout curtains), infiltration canals filled with freshwater paralleling the coastline, injection of freshwater (treated surface water or wastewater), pumping or abstraction barriers, mixed injection and abstraction barriers, combined abstraction, desalination, and recharge (ADR), ADR hybrid barriers using various water sources including desalinated water and treated wastewater, compressed air barriers, aquifer storage and recovery dual use systems, biofilm barriers, and clay swelling or dispersion barriers. Feasibility of the use of each salinity barrier type was evaluated within the context of the most recent projections of sea level changes. Key factors used in the evaluation included local hydrogeology, land surface slope, water use, the rate of sea level rise, technical feasibility (operational track record), and economics. Full article

Oil spills in inland rivers pose a significant threat to the surrounding environment, and the emergency response differs greatly from that in ocean or coastal areas. In this study, we focused on several commonly used emergency water treatment strategies in China’s inland oil spills, as well as the spilled washing oil in a serious accident case. We investigated the changes in oil-related chemical components before and after water treatment using GCxGC-TOF MS (Comprehensive Two-dimensional Gas Chromatography Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer). We tracked the shifts of microbial communities in the microcosms incubated with clean river water, simulated oil-contaminated water, and the treatment effluent. The results revealed that typical components, especially nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, had different removal efficiencies among treatments. The diversity, composition, and potential functions of microbial communities responded differently to the treatments, and could be related to various substances, including PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and heterocyclic compounds. A few genera, such as SC-I-84, exhibited a high correlation with washing oil-related components and could serve as an indicator in such an oil spill emergency response. Our findings indicated that simply using petroleum oil or PAHs to evaluate oil spills was likely to underestimate the ecological impact, especially when the spilled substances were coal chemical products widely used in China. This will provide an important scientific basis for decision-making and strategy evaluation in emergency responses to inland oil spills. Full article

The urban heat island (UHI) effect significantly impacts urban environments and quality of life, yet research comparing coastal and inland cities is relatively lacking. This study, using the MYD11A2 dataset, analyzes the spatiotemporal evolution of land surface temperature (LST) and the surface urban heat island intensity index (SUHIII) in Beijing (inland) and Dalian (coastal) from 2003 to 2023, exploring the driving factors from 2003 to 2018 and proposing mitigation strategies for similar cities. Key findings: (1) Beijing’s SUHIII is 0.45 °C higher than Dalian’s during summer days, while Dalian’s SUHIII is 0.24 °C stronger than Beijing’s during winter nights, likely due to Dalian’s maritime climate, which raises nighttime LSTs and intensifies the winter SUHIII. (2) Both cities show similar trends in LST and SUHIII, with fluctuations until 2010, an increase after 2011, and a peak in 2023, with the expansion of heat island areas occurring mainly in suburban regions. (3) From 2003 to 2018, TEMP is the primary factor promoting SUHIII, followed by ET and POP, with EVI as the main mitigating factor. Beijing’s PREP weakens SUHI, while Dalian’s PREP promotes it. Coastal cities should focus on water bodies and wetland planning to mitigate heat islands, especially in areas like Dalian which are affected by PREP. Full article

In recognition of the declining state of biodiversity, the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, signed in late 2022, committed countries to the protection of 30% of the Earth’s terrestrial and inland water areas and coastal and marine areas by 2030. Australia has committed to this target at a national level. The majority of public protected areas (e.g., national parks) in Australia are designated and managed by state and territory governments. The state of Victoria in southeastern Australia has a long history of regional assessments of public land to balance conservation (such as the declaration of protected areas), production of natural resources (e.g., timber harvesting, mineral extraction), and recreation, amongst other uses. The decision to phase out native forest timber harvesting on public land in Victoria presents the greatest opportunity in the state’s history to meet its statewide commitments, national commitments, and international targets, by establishing a comprehensive, adequate, and representative protected area system. We critique Victoria’s reliance on non-binding protections, such as Special Protection Zones in state forests over recent decades, and outline the principles and rationale for the expansion of the protected area system in state forests, recognizing that protected areas are part of a broader suite of future land uses for these public forests. Full article

This study combines field and laboratory analyses from seven shallow wells (ZK1 to ZK7) positioned perpendicular to the coastline to investigate groundwater discharge and dynamics in the coastal unconfined aquifer of the intertidal zone at Yazhou Bay, Sanya, Hainan Province. The research highlights spatial variations in N₂O concentration, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and the distribution of CFCs and CCl₄ in shallow groundwater, utilizing samples from wells ZK1 to ZK7 and seawater collected near ZK1. Key findings indicate that groundwater temperature decreases toward the ocean, while EC exhibits a stepwise increase from land to sea, with a sharp transition near ZK3 marking the freshwater–saltwater mixing zone. pH values are lowest in ZK3 and ZK4, gradually rising both inland and seaward. N₂O concentrations in the shallow wells (ZK1–ZK7) are divided into two distinct groups: higher concentrations (9.69–57.77 nmol/kg) in ZK5–ZK7 and lower concentrations (6.63–23.03 nmol/kg) in ZK1–ZK4. Wells ZK3 and ZK4 show minimal variation in CFC-11 and CFC-113 concentrations, suggesting they represent a transition zone that likely delineates groundwater flow paths. In contrast, significant concentration differences in wells ZK5–ZK7 (north) and ZK1–ZK2 (south) reflect the influence of aquifer structure variability, recharge sources, and local hydrogeochemical conditions. CFC-12 concentrations exhibit a clear freshwater–saltwater mixing gradient between ZK3 and ZK1, with higher concentrations in freshwater-dominated areas (ZK3–ZK7) and lower concentrations near seawater (ZK1). CCl₄ concentrations at ZK7 and ZK3 differ markedly from other wells, indicating unique hydrogeochemical conditions or localized anthropogenic influences. A model for the formation of upper saline plumes (USP) under tidal forcing at the low tidal line was established previously. Here, we establish a new model that accounts for the absence of USP driven by hydrological processes influenced by artificial sandy beach topography, and a fresh groundwater wedge is identified, which can serve as a significant fast-flow pathway for terrestrial water and nutrients to the ocean. Full article

Accurate diagnostics of crop yields are essential for climate-resilient agricultural planning; however, conventional datasets often conflate environmental covariates during model training. Here, we present HHHWheatYield1km, a 1 km resolution winter wheat yield dataset for China’s Huang-Huai-Hai Plain spanning 2000–2019. By integrating climate-independent multi-source remote sensing metrics with a Random Forest model, calibrated against municipal statistical yearbooks, the dataset exhibits strong agreement with county-level records (R = 0.90, RMSE = 542.47 kg/ha, MRE = 9.09%), ensuring independence from climatic influences for robust driver analysis. Using Geodetector, we reveal pronounced spatial heterogeneity in climate–yield interactions, highlighting distinct regional disparities: precipitation variability exerts the strongest constraints on yields in Henan and Anhui, whereas Shandong and Jiangsu exhibit weaker climatic dependencies. In Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei, March temperature emerges as a critical determinant of yield variability. These findings underscore the need for tailored adaptation strategies, such as enhancing water-use efficiency in inland provinces and optimizing agronomic practices in coastal regions. With its dual ability to resolve pixel-scale yield dynamics and disentangle climatic drivers, HHHWheatYield1km represents a resource for precision agriculture and evidence-based policymaking in the face of a changing climate. Full article

This study analyzes the relative contributions from wind, storm surge, and inland flooding to tropical cyclone damage from 1925 to 2000 in North Carolina. It emphasizes the importance of regional tropical cyclone risk assessments, using North Carolina as a case study. A revised normalization method, incorporating housing data instead of population data, revealed more accurate property damage estimations. From 1940 to 2000, housing in coastal North Carolina grew by 780%, compared to a 370% population increase. Using this method, combined damages from 1954 to 1955 tropical storms would exceed USD 18 billion in year 2000 values, compared to USD 13 billion during 1996–1999. Flooding accounted for 40% of the tropical cyclone damage in North Carolina during the study period, exceeding national averages, with wind and storm surge contributing 35% and 25%, respectively. Rainfall analysis showed a weaker link to cyclone intensity. The catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Floyd in 1999 deposited approximately 17 km³ of water, surpassing roughly 13 km³ from Hurricane Fran (1996). While major hurricanes caused 83% of hurricane damage nationally during the study period, they contributed about 70% in North Carolina, with category-2 hurricanes adding 21.4%. These findings highlight the need to consider weaker cyclones, especially category-2 storms, in North Carolina regional hurricane risk management. Full article

In December 2022, 196 countries adopted the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Global Biodiversity Framework outlines four ambitious global goals and 23 targets for the world to address the loss of biodiversity and the more sustainable use of natural resources. One of those targets—Target 3—commits to achieving the protection of at least 30% of terrestrial and inland water areas and of marine and coastal areas by 2030 (the “30 × 30 protection target”). This is one of the largest conservation commitments that countries around the world have made. Prior to the signing of the Global Biodiversity Framework, a survey of residents in seven countries (Australia, Barbados, Colombia, Germany, Kenya, Mongolia, and the USA) was conducted to understand their level of awareness and gauge their support for the 30 × 30 protection target. In the seven countries surveyed in late 2022, a strong majority of respondents in each country rated the target favorably and were likely to support their government making commitments on it. This survey is the only multi-country pre-Global Biodiversity Framework survey and provides a useful baseline to track changes in opinion on 30 × 30 over time. Full article