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22 pages, 30259 KiB  
Article
Controlling Effects of Complex Fault Systems on the Oil and Gas System of Buried Hills: A Case Study of Beibuwan Basin, China
by Anran Li, Fanghao Xu, Guosheng Xu, Caiwei Fan, Ming Li, Fan Jiang, Xiaojun Xiong, Xichun Zhang and Bing Xie
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1472; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081472 - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 164
Abstract
Traps are central to petroleum exploration, where hydrocarbons accumulate during migration. Reservoirs are likewise an essential petroleum system element and serve as the primary medium for hydrocarbon storage. The buried hill is a geological formation highly favorable for reservoir development. However, the factors [...] Read more.
Traps are central to petroleum exploration, where hydrocarbons accumulate during migration. Reservoirs are likewise an essential petroleum system element and serve as the primary medium for hydrocarbon storage. The buried hill is a geological formation highly favorable for reservoir development. However, the factors influencing hydrocarbon accumulation in buried hill reservoirs are highly diverse, especially in areas with complex, active fault systems. Fault systems play a dual role, both in the formation of reservoirs and in the migration of hydrocarbons. Therefore, understanding the impact of complex fault systems helps enhance the exploration success rate of buried hill traps and guide drilling deployment. In the Beibuwan Basin in the South China Sea, buried hill traps are key targets for deep-buried hydrocarbon exploration in this faulted basin. The low level of exploration and research in buried hills globally limits the understanding of hydrocarbon accumulation conditions, thereby hindering large-scale hydrocarbon exploration. By using drilling data, logging data, and seismic data, stress fields and tectonic faults were restored. There are two types of buried hills developed in the Beibuwan Basin, which were formed during the Late Ordovician-Silurian period and Permian-Triassic period, respectively. The tectonic genesis of the Late Ordovician-Silurian period buried hills belongs to magma diapirism activity, while the tectonic genesis of the Permian-Triassic period buried hills belongs to reverse thrust activity. The fault systems formed by two periods of tectonic activity were respectively altered into basement buried hills and limestone buried hills. The negative structural inversion controls the distribution and interior stratigraphic framework of the deformed Carboniferous strata in the limestone buried hill. The faults and derived fractures of the Late Ordovician-Silurian period and Permian-Triassic period promoted the diagenesis and erosion of these buried hills. The faults formed after the Permian-Triassic period are not conducive to calcite cementation, thus facilitating the preservation of the reservoir space formed earlier. The control of hydrocarbon accumulation by the fault system is reflected in two aspects: on the one hand, the early to mid-Eocene extensional faulting activity directly controlled the depositional process of lacustrine source rocks; on the other hand, the Late Eocene-Oligocene, which is closest to the hydrocarbon expulsion period, is the most effective fault activity period for connecting Eocene source rocks and buried hill reservoirs. This study contributes to understanding of the role of complex fault activity in the formation of buried hill traps within hydrocarbon-bearing basins. Full article
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27 pages, 3553 KiB  
Article
Mitigating Selection Bias in Local Optima: A Meta-Analysis of Niching Methods in Continuous Optimization
by Junchen Wang, Changhe Li and Yiya Diao
Information 2025, 16(7), 583; https://doi.org/10.3390/info16070583 - 7 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 206
Abstract
As mainstream solvers for black-box optimization problems, evolutionary computation (EC) methods struggle with finding desired optima of lower attractiveness. Researchers have designed benchmark problems for simulating this scenario and proposed a large number of niching methods for solving those problems. However, factors causing [...] Read more.
As mainstream solvers for black-box optimization problems, evolutionary computation (EC) methods struggle with finding desired optima of lower attractiveness. Researchers have designed benchmark problems for simulating this scenario and proposed a large number of niching methods for solving those problems. However, factors causing the difference in attractiveness between local optima are often coupled in existing benchmark problems, which makes it hard to clarify the primary contributors. In addition, niching methods are carried out using a combination of several niching techniques and reproduction operators, which enhances the difficulty of identifying the essential effects of different niching techniques. To obtain an in-depth understanding of the above issue, thus offering actionable insights for optimization tasks challenged by the multimodality, this paper uses continuous optimization as an entry point and focuses on analyzing differential behaviors of EC methods across different basins of attraction. Specifically, we quantitatively investigate the independent impacts of three features of basins of attraction via corresponding benchmark scenarios generated by Free Peaks. The results show that the convergence biases induced by the difference in distribution only occur in EC methods with less uniform reproduction operators. On the other hand, convergence biases induced by differences in size and average fitness, both of which equate to the difference in size of superior region, pose a challenge to any EC method driven by objective functions. As niching methods limit survivor selection to specified neighborhoods to mitigate the latter biases, we abstract five niching techniques from these methods by their definitions of neighborhood for restricted competition, thus identifying key parameters that govern their efficacy. Experiments confirm these parameters’ critical roles in reducing convergence biases. Full article
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19 pages, 7377 KiB  
Article
An SWE-FEM Model with Application to Resonant Periods and Tide Components in the Western Mediterranean Sea Region
by Kostas Belibassakis and Vincent Rey
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(7), 1286; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13071286 - 30 Jun 2025
Viewed by 494
Abstract
A FEM model of Shallow Wave Equations (SWE-FEM) is studied, taking into account the variable bathymetry of semi-enclosed sea basins. The model, with a spatially varying Coriolis term, is implemented for the description of combined refraction–diffraction effects, from which the eigenperiods and eigenmodes [...] Read more.
A FEM model of Shallow Wave Equations (SWE-FEM) is studied, taking into account the variable bathymetry of semi-enclosed sea basins. The model, with a spatially varying Coriolis term, is implemented for the description of combined refraction–diffraction effects, from which the eigenperiods and eigenmodes of extended geographical sea areas are calculated by means of a low-order FEM scheme. The model is applied to the western Mediterranean basin, illustrating its versatility to easily include the effects of geographical characteristics like islands and other coastal features. The calculated resonant frequencies and modes depend on the domain size and characteristics as well as the location of the open sea boundary, and it is shown to provide results compatible with tide measurements at several stations in the coastal region of France. The calculation of the natural oscillation modes in the western Mediterranean basin, bounded by open boundaries at the Strait of Gibraltar and the Strait of Sicily, reveals a natural period of around 6 h corresponding to the quarter-diurnal tidal components, which are stationary and of roughly constant amplitude on the northern coast of the basin and on the west coast of Corsica (France). On the east coast of Corsica, on the other hand, these components are of very low amplitude and in phase opposition. The semi-diurnal tidal components observed on the same tide gauges north of the basin and west of Corsica are also quasi-stationary although they are not resonant. Resonant oscillations are also observed at lower periods, especially at a period of around 3 h at the Sète station. This period corresponds to a higher-order natural mode of the western Mediterranean basin, but this resonance seems to be essentially linked to the presence of the Gulf of Lion, whose shallowness and the width of the shelf at this point induce a resonance. Other oscillations are also observed at lower periods (T = 1.5 h at station Fos-sur-Mer, T = 45 min in the Toulon harbour station), due to more local forcing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Developments of Ocean Wind, Wave and Tidal Energy)
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15 pages, 954 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Post-Brief-Storage Fruit Quality and Sensory Characteristics of Old, Local Apple Cultivars from the Carpathian Basin
by Gitta Ficzek, Sherif Mehmeti, Géza Bujdosó, Ágnes Magyar and Gergely Simon
Plants 2025, 14(13), 2005; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14132005 - 30 Jun 2025
Viewed by 285
Abstract
Local apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) cultivars with tolerance to environmental stress factors must be re-evaluated. While the cultivation of apple trees has a long-standing tradition in Hungary, only a handful of cultivars are produced on a large scale, reflecting a trend [...] Read more.
Local apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) cultivars with tolerance to environmental stress factors must be re-evaluated. While the cultivation of apple trees has a long-standing tradition in Hungary, only a handful of cultivars are produced on a large scale, reflecting a trend in global apple production. The most commonly cultivated apple cultivars worldwide include ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Red Delicious’, ‘Gala’, ‘Fuji’, and ‘Granny Smith’ (with ‘Jonagold’ and ‘Idared’ being significant in Europe). As a result, genetic diversity among apple cultivars has decreased significantly, which has increased the risk of epidemics if a new pathogen appears. Nonetheless, old and local apple cultivars of the Carpathian Basin have adapted well to Hungarian environmental stress factors and pathogens and seem tolerant to them. In this study, fruit analyses and consumer evaluations of eighteen old, local apple cultivars were conducted. Various physicochemical parameters, such as fruit mass, firmness, total soluble solid content, and total acid content, as well as the content of some biological active compounds, including polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity (FRAP), and pectin content, were determined. Additionally, a consumer evaluation was carried out. Based on the results, most of the old, local apple cultivars exhibit high fruit quality and offer considerable health benefits. The proportion of biologically active compounds in these cultivars is equal to or higher than that in the reference cultivar ‘Watson Jonathan’. Based on the excellent fruit quality and consumer preferences, the ‘Harang alma’ (an attractive fruit exhibiting high FRAP values) and ‘Marosszéki piros’ (with firm flesh and a high pectin content and being particularly tasty) cultivars are recommended for backyard gardens. Full article
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34 pages, 8503 KiB  
Article
Hydrogeochemical Characterization and Determination of Arsenic Sources in the Groundwater of the Alluvial Plain of the Lower Sakarya River Basin, Turkey
by Nisa Talay and İrfan Yolcubal
Water 2025, 17(13), 1931; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17131931 - 27 Jun 2025
Viewed by 459
Abstract
Arsenic (As) contamination in groundwater represents a major global public health threat, particularly in alluvial aquifer systems where redox-sensitive geochemical processes facilitate the mobilization of naturally occurring trace elements. This study investigates groundwater quality, particularly focusing on the origin of arsenic contamination in [...] Read more.
Arsenic (As) contamination in groundwater represents a major global public health threat, particularly in alluvial aquifer systems where redox-sensitive geochemical processes facilitate the mobilization of naturally occurring trace elements. This study investigates groundwater quality, particularly focusing on the origin of arsenic contamination in shallow and deep alluvial aquifers of the Lower Sakarya River Basin, which are crucial for drinking, domestic, and agricultural uses. Groundwater samples were collected from 34 wells—7 tapping the shallow aquifer (<60 m) and 27 tapping the deep aquifer (>60 m)—during wet and dry seasons for the hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater. Environmental isotope analysis (δ18O, δ2H, 3H) was conducted to characterize origin and groundwater residence times, and the possible hydraulic connection between shallow and deep alluvial aquifers. Mineralogical and geochemical characterization of the sediment core samples were carried out using X-ray diffraction and acid digestion analyses to identify mineralogical sources of As and other metals. Pearson correlation coefficient analyses were also applied to the results of the chemical analyses to determine the origin of metal enrichments observed in the groundwater, as well as related geochemical processes. The results reveal that 33–41% of deep groundwater samples contain arsenic concentrations exceeding the WHO and Turkish drinking water standard of 10 µg/L, with maximum values reaching 373 µg/L. Manganese concentrations exceeded the 50 µg/L limit in up to 44% of deep aquifer samples, reaching 1230 µg/L. On the other hand, iron concentrations were consistently low, remaining below the detection limit in nearly all samples. The co-occurrence of As and Mn above their maximum contaminant levels was observed in 30–33% of the wells, exhibiting extremely low sulfate concentrations (0.2–2 mg/L), notably low dissolved oxygen concentration (1.45–3.3 mg/L) alongside high bicarbonate concentrations (450–1429 mg/L), indicating localized varying reducing conditions in the deep alluvial aquifer. The correlations between molybdenum and As (rdry = 0.46, rwet = 0.64) also indicate reducing conditions, where Mo typically mobilizes with As. Arsenic concentrations also showed significant correlations with bicarbonate (HCO3) (rdry = 0.66, rwet = 0.80), indicating that alkaline or reducing conditions are promoting arsenic mobilization from aquifer materials. All these correlations between elements indicate that coexistence of As with Mn above their MCLs in deep alluvial aquifer groundwater result from reductive dissolution of Mn/Fe(?) oxides, which are primary arsenic hosts, thereby releasing arsenic into groundwater under reducing conditions. In contrast, the shallow aquifer system—although affected by elevated nitrate, sulfate, and chloride levels from agricultural and domestic sources—exhibited consistently low arsenic concentrations below the maximum contaminant level. Seasonal redox fluctuations in the shallow zone influence manganese concentrations, but the aquifer’s more dynamic recharge regime and oxic conditions suppress widespread As mobilization. Mineralogical analysis identified that serpentinite, schist, and other ophiolitic/metamorphic detritus transported by river processes into basin sediments were identified as the main natural sources of arsenic and manganese in groundwater of deep alluvium aquifer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Hydrogeology)
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19 pages, 3069 KiB  
Article
Drought Risk Assessment and Zoning in the Tarim River Basin, Xinjiang, China
by Xiangzhi Kong, Qiao Li, Hongfei Tao and Mahemujiang Aihemaiti
Agriculture 2025, 15(12), 1287; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15121287 - 14 Jun 2025
Viewed by 334
Abstract
The Tarim River Basin is an important grain and cotton base in Xinjiang, China. Indeed, cotton production in this basin accounts for one-third of the total cotton production in China. The Tarim River Basin is characterized also by the presence of forestry activities [...] Read more.
The Tarim River Basin is an important grain and cotton base in Xinjiang, China. Indeed, cotton production in this basin accounts for one-third of the total cotton production in China. The Tarim River Basin is characterized also by the presence of forestry activities and fruit plantations. However, frequent long-term droughts have seriously affected local agricultural productivity. In this paper, a new standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (nSPEI), with an improved drought detection effect, was constructed based on the standardized precipitation index (SPI) and the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI). This drought index was subsequently employed as a hazard indicator of disaster-causing factors in the Tarim River Basin. In addition, a drought disaster risk assessment model was constructed using the natural disaster system theory. This model was applied to analyze the hazard of drought-disaster-causing factors, the exposure of disaster-affected bodies, the vulnerability of disaster-bearing environments, drought prevention/mitigation capabilities, and comprehensive drought disaster risks in the Tarim River Basin over the 2001–2021 period. The results demonstrated the applicability of the 12-month nSPEI (nSPEI-12) in the Tarim River Basin. Specifically, the nSPEI-12 values exhibited a decreasing trend, highlighting an aridification trend in the basin. In addition, a 25% increase in the vegetation cover of the Tarim River Basin was observed from 2000 to 2023 and remained unchanged at 4.5%. On the other hand, a decreasing trend of the vegetation cover was found in the remaining parts of the basin. The hazard level of the disaster-causing factors and the exposure of bearing bodies were high in the northeastern and northwestern parts of the Tarim River Basin, respectively. The disaster prevention/mitigation capacity was greater in the northern and southwestern parts, while the vulnerability level of disaster-bearing environments decreased from the northwestern part to the southeastern part. The western and northern parts of the Tarim River Basin exhibited the highest drought risk levels, followed by the northeastern and southeastern parts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ecosystem, Environment and Climate Change in Agriculture)
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16 pages, 2028 KiB  
Article
Succession Characteristics of Soil Microbial Communities Along Elevational Gradients in the Lhasa River Basin and Analysis of Environmental Driving Factors
by Xiaoyu Li, Xiangyang Sun, Baosheng An, Suyan Li, Jiule Li and Chuanfei Wang
Microbiol. Res. 2025, 16(6), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres16060117 - 4 Jun 2025
Viewed by 773
Abstract
The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is among the most ecologically vulnerable and responsive areas worldwide. Studying the characteristics of soil microbial communities along altitudinal gradients on plateaus and revealing the response mechanisms and vertical distribution patterns of microbial communities in alpine ecosystems is of significant [...] Read more.
The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is among the most ecologically vulnerable and responsive areas worldwide. Studying the characteristics of soil microbial communities along altitudinal gradients on plateaus and revealing the response mechanisms and vertical distribution patterns of microbial communities in alpine ecosystems is of significant academic value for assessing the ecological stability of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. This research examines the Lhasa River Basin by employing Illumina NovaSeq high-throughput sequencing to investigate how soil bacterial and fungal communities shift across elevation gradients in the Duilong Qu subbasin. This study also explored the key environmental drivers behind these microbial distribution patterns. The results indicate the following: (1) Key bacterial groups in the Duilong Qu Basin soil include Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria, with Ascomycota, Mortierellomycota, and Basidiomycota as the prevalent fungal phyla. (2) Soil bacterial richness fluctuates with increasing elevation, and diversity exhibits a V-shaped distribution; fungal richness increases monotonically with elevation, whereas diversity shows no altitudinal dependence. (3) Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed that bacterial community structures exhibit separation trends across different elevations, with high intragroup consistency; fungal community structures at mid-elevations (4000–5000 m) show clustering similarity, whereas those at 3650–5000 m and 5500 m remain highly distinct from those at other elevations. (4) RDA reveals that factors such as accessible phosphorus, potassium, and organic content have a major effect on how bacterial communities are arranged. On the other hand, soil conductivity, along with available and total phosphorus levels, as well as pH, plays a key role in shaping fungal communities. (5) Functional prediction analysis suggests that soil bacteria shift from aerobic and biofilm-forming to facultatively anaerobic, stress-tolerant, and pathogenic traits with increasing elevation. Fungi are predominantly undefined saprotrophs, transitioning from ectomycorrhizal and pathogenic functions to saprotrophic functions at relatively high elevations. Full article
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17 pages, 4204 KiB  
Article
Decadal Modulation of Summertime Northwestern Pacific Subtropical High Linked to Indian Ocean Basin Warming
by Takashi Mochizuki and Yuta Ando
Climate 2025, 13(6), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli13060106 - 24 May 2025
Viewed by 705
Abstract
The Northwestern Pacific Subtropical High (NPSH), usually enhanced by the basin-scale warming of the Indian Ocean (IOBW), plays a major role in controlling the summertime East Asian climate. To assess factors contributing to the decadal modulation of the NPSH and IOBW relationship in [...] Read more.
The Northwestern Pacific Subtropical High (NPSH), usually enhanced by the basin-scale warming of the Indian Ocean (IOBW), plays a major role in controlling the summertime East Asian climate. To assess factors contributing to the decadal modulation of the NPSH and IOBW relationship in recent years, we conducted sensitivity experiments using an atmospheric general circulation model. We particularly focused on decadal-scale differences between the periods of 1982–2001 and 2002–2021, with the contribution of the climatological sea surface temperature (SST) as the background, in combination with the tropical Pacific SST anomaly in relation to the rapid or slow decay of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The results indicate that the IOBW-related SST anomalies in the Indian and tropical Pacific Oceans—which, overall, represent the well-known characteristics of the so-called Indo-western Pacific Ocean Capacitor effects—cooperatively enhanced the NPSH in the earlier period (1982–2001). On the other hand, the suppressed and westward-shifted SST anomalies in the tropical Pacific Ocean and the resultant changes in the diabatic heating of cumulus convection suppressed the NPSH enhancement in recent years (2002–2021). These results indicate that the modulation in the NPSH responses linked to the IOBW is primarily due to the so-called ENSO diversity rather than climatology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Climate Dynamics and Modelling)
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21 pages, 40005 KiB  
Article
Vegetation Dynamics and Responses to Climate Variations and Human Activities in the Basin of the Yarlung Tsangpo, Lhasa, and Nianchu Rivers in the Tibetan Plateau
by Chunbo Su, Jingji Li, Ying Xiang, Shurong Yang, Xiaochao Zhang, Dinghui Xu, Shijun Wang, Tingbin Zhang, Peihao Peng and Xiaolu Tang
Land 2025, 14(5), 1027; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051027 - 8 May 2025
Viewed by 510
Abstract
Terrestrial ecosystem vegetation are vulnerable to the joint impacts of human activities and climate change, particularly in ecologically fragile areas such as the Tibetan Plateau. Identifying vegetation cover changes and distinguishing their driving factors are crucial for ecological conservation in this region. This [...] Read more.
Terrestrial ecosystem vegetation are vulnerable to the joint impacts of human activities and climate change, particularly in ecologically fragile areas such as the Tibetan Plateau. Identifying vegetation cover changes and distinguishing their driving factors are crucial for ecological conservation in this region. This study utilized MODIS normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data from 2000 to 2019, combined with trend analysis (univariate linear regression and the Mann–Kendall test), partial correlation analysis, and residual analysis methods, to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of vegetation cover and its responses to climate change and human activities in the Yarlung Tsangpo River, Lhasa River, and Nianchu River Basin (YLN Basin) on the Tibetan Plateau. The results revealed significant differences in vegetation dynamics both in summer and the growing season: the average summer NDVI showed a significant decreasing trend during the study period, whereas the growing season NDVI exhibited no significant overall temporal trend, which highlighted the necessity of assessing vegetation dynamics seasonally to accurately capture their interannual complexity. Partial correlation analysis indicated that precipitation was the key limiting climatic factor for vegetation growth in this region, with its positive influence covering over 90% of the land area during summer and over 60% during the growing season. The residual analysis further indicated the dual and spatially heterogeneous roles of human activities: on the one hand, positive impacts, primarily from vegetation restoration projects, promoted NDVI increases in some areas; on the other hand, negative impacts, such as continuous grazing pressure, population growth, and associated land use changes, inhibited vegetation development in other areas. This study quantitatively assessed the combined effects of climate variability and complex human activities on the vegetation NDVI in the YLN Basin, emphasizing that the development of adaptive management and effective vegetation restoration strategies must fully consider seasonal differences, the key climatic limiting factor (water availability), and the spatial heterogeneity of human impacts to promote sustainable development in this ecologically fragile region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vegetation Cover Changes Monitoring Using Remote Sensing Data)
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20 pages, 1966 KiB  
Article
A Collaborative Model for Restorative Compensation in Public Interest Litigation Involving Aquatic Ecology in Guangdong Province, China
by Ziying Liang and Amanda Whitfort
Wild 2025, 2(2), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/wild2020016 - 6 May 2025
Viewed by 1139
Abstract
The Guangdong Province is rich in waterways, including those of the Pearl River. The entire watershed of the Pearl River system spans the territory of six provinces. Considering the overarching objective of building a ‘beautiful Bay Area’ under the guidance of Outline Development [...] Read more.
The Guangdong Province is rich in waterways, including those of the Pearl River. The entire watershed of the Pearl River system spans the territory of six provinces. Considering the overarching objective of building a ‘beautiful Bay Area’ under the guidance of Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as well as the ecological problems that span over river basins and regions in Guandong Province, public interest litigation is a useful tool in protecting the environment. Analyzing 95 first-instance (trial) judgements handed down in Guangdong Province between 2018 and 2021, we sought to evaluate public interest litigation as a means of safeguarding aquatic ecology in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), China. Cases were categorized for: firstly, their approach to determining the extent of ecological damage; secondly, the procedure used for receiving and auditing restorative compensation; thirdly, the collaboration between the court and government departments in the management and use of restorative compensation; and fourthly, the collaborative ‘public–private’ supervision utilized to monitor the implementation of restorative compensation and actual restoration. Our insights are intended to provide guidance for cooperative opportunities in the large transregional water systems and offshore areas of mainland China. Full article
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16 pages, 3245 KiB  
Article
Nutrient Monitoring and Comparison of On-Site Community Science Data Collection Methods for Indigenous Water Protection
by Jaclyn D. Porter, Lori Bradford, Tim D. Jardine, Myron Neapetung, Lalita A. Bharadwaj, Graham Strickert and Justin Burns
Water 2025, 17(9), 1386; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17091386 - 5 May 2025
Viewed by 508
Abstract
Excessive nutrient loading in freshwater is a water quality and safety concern for Indigenous communities, especially those with inadequate water treatment. Continuous nutrient monitoring efforts in collaboration with community members require cost-effective but information-rich methods. Data gathered through community-science approaches could enhance source [...] Read more.
Excessive nutrient loading in freshwater is a water quality and safety concern for Indigenous communities, especially those with inadequate water treatment. Continuous nutrient monitoring efforts in collaboration with community members require cost-effective but information-rich methods. Data gathered through community-science approaches could enhance source water protection programs and can provide first-hand knowledge and expertise through reciprocal information exchange with local community members. Yet, there are still misconceptions about the validity of data gathered by community scientists. This study validates the use of two inexpensive nutrient monitoring devices (YSI 9500 Photometer and the Nutrient Smartphone App) for community-based environmental research by testing the accuracy of each device, identifying nutrient hotspots, and determining if nutrient concentrations relate to precipitation patterns in a drought-prone region of Saskatchewan within the Lake Winnipeg Basin in Canada. We found that the measurement accuracy of these devices varied depending on the compound tested, with the poorest results for nitrate (r2 = 0.07) and the best results for phosphate (r2 = 0.89) when using the photometer. Seasonal nutrient concentration patterns differed between the years of moderate (2019) and low (2021) precipitation, but there was no correlation between rainfall amounts and nutrient concentrations, suggesting other drivers. This study identifies the strengths and weaknesses of cost-effective nutrient testing devices, guiding continuous monitoring efforts with communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Quality and Contamination)
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21 pages, 10018 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Pore-Fracture Structures and Gas Content in Deep Coal Reservoir of Yan’an Gas Field, Ordos Basin
by Zhenchuan Wang, Yongping Wan, Hongtao Gao, Jinlan Fan, Shan Li and Liang Qiao
Processes 2025, 13(4), 1177; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13041177 - 13 Apr 2025
Viewed by 388
Abstract
Research has delved into the main controlling factors for the evolution of the pore-fracture structure in deep coal samples. The gas content is influenced by multiple factors, among which the pore-fracture structure in deep coal samples stands as one of the key determinants. [...] Read more.
Research has delved into the main controlling factors for the evolution of the pore-fracture structure in deep coal samples. The gas content is influenced by multiple factors, among which the pore-fracture structure in deep coal samples stands as one of the key determinants. To ascertain the evolution of the pore-fracture structure and the main controlling factors of the gas content in deep coal samples of the Yan’an Gas Field, 16 coal samples were collected from the Yan’an Gas Field in the Ordos Basin in this study. A series of laboratory tests and analyses were then carried out. According to the test results, the major controlling factors for the evolution of the pore-fracture structure of the samples were analyzed in accordance with the proximate analysis components, maceral components, mineral composition of the coal samples, and Ro,max, in conjunction with the pore volume and specific surface area of nanopores. Meanwhile, based on the in situ desorption experiment, the major controlling factors of the gas content in coal were explored. First, based on the SEM and hand specimen identification, the pore-fracture structure of the samples is relatively well developed. Calcite filling the fractures of samples can be seen in the hand specimens of samples. This indicates that the mineral composition has a very important influence on the evolution of the pore-fracture structure of samples. Secondly, this study indicates that pore-fracture structure evolution is influenced by multiple factors, primarily ash content and fixed carbon. As ash content increased, the mesopore surface area and volume rose across all sample types, with Type C showing the highest increase (78.1% in surface area and 12.4% in volume compared to Type A). Conversely, micropore characteristics declined, with Type C exhibiting a 4.8% drop in surface area and a 4.7% reduction in volume. The Ro,max of the samples is generally higher than 2.8%, which has a multifaceted impact on pore-fracture structure evolution. Finally, the gas content is mainly controlled by pore volume and the specific surface area of nanopores, with industrial components and maceral compositions showing minimal direct influence. This suggests that gas content results from the combined effects of material composition and pore-fracture structure evolution. Inorganic minerals like quartz and calcite indirectly affect gas content by influencing pore structure development—occupying spaces while also creating new pores, especially through calcite dissolution. Conversely, clay minerals generally hinder pore development by filling spaces with limited fracture-forming capacity. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the gas content of coal samples in Yan‘an Gas Field. There are few studies on this area by previous scholars. Full article
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22 pages, 18090 KiB  
Article
Hydrogeological Assessment and Steady-State Groundwater Flow Modeling for Groundwater Management in the Golina River Sub-Basin, Northern Ethiopia, Using MODFLOW 6
by Hindeya Gebru, Tesfamichael Gebreyohannes, Ermias Hagos and Nicola Perilli
Water 2025, 17(7), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17070949 - 25 Mar 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 852
Abstract
Unsustainable groundwater extraction for domestic and agricultural purposes, particularly crop irrigation, is leading to dramatic reductions in the quantity and quality of groundwater in many developing countries, including Ethiopia. Assessing and predicting groundwater responses to hydraulic stress caused by overexploitation related to anthropogenic [...] Read more.
Unsustainable groundwater extraction for domestic and agricultural purposes, particularly crop irrigation, is leading to dramatic reductions in the quantity and quality of groundwater in many developing countries, including Ethiopia. Assessing and predicting groundwater responses to hydraulic stress caused by overexploitation related to anthropogenic activities and climate change are crucial for informing water management decisions. The aim of this study is to develop a three-dimensional steady-state groundwater flow model for the Golina River Sub-Basin to understand the relationship between groundwater recharge and groundwater pumping and their impacts under steady-state conditions from the perspective of groundwater management. The model was created using MODFLOW 6 and discretized into 345 rows and 444 columns with a grid resolution of 100 m by 100 m. The subsurface was modeled as two layers: a clastic alluvial layer overlying a weathered and fractured bedrock. The surface-water divide of the Golina River Sub-Basin was treated as a no-flow boundary. The initial values of horizontal hydraulic conductivity ranged from 0.001 m/day for rhyolite to 27.26 m/day for alluvial deposits. The aquifer recharge rates from the WetSpass model ranged from 1.08 × 10−3 to 2.25 × 10−4 m/day, and the discharge rates from the springs, hand-dug wells, and boreholes were 2.79 × 104 m3/day, known flux boundaries. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the model is very sensitive to hydraulic conductivity, moderately sensitive to aquifer recharge, and less sensitive to groundwater pumping. Calibration was performed to match observed and simulated hydraulic heads of selected wells and achieved a correlation coefficient of 0.998. The calibrated hydraulic conductivity ranged from 1.2 × 10−4 m/day for rhyolite to 20 m/day for gravel-dominated alluvial deposits. The groundwater flow direction is toward the southeast, and the water balance indicates a negligible difference between the total recharge (207,775.8297 m3/day, which is the water entering the aquifer system) and the total pumped volume (207,775.9373 m3/day, which is the water leaving the aquifer system). The scenario analysis showed that an increase in the pumping rate of 25%, 50%, and 75% would result in a decrease in the hydraulic head by 4.64 m, 10.18 m, and 17.38 m, respectively. A decrease in recharge of 25%, 50%, and 75% would instead result in hydraulic-head declines of 6 m, 15.29 m, and 46.97 m, respectively. Consequently, the findings of this study suggest that decision-makers should prioritize enhancing integrated groundwater management strategies to improve recharge rates within the aquifer system of the study area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Flow and Transport Modeling in Aquifer Systems)
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19 pages, 4251 KiB  
Article
Data-Driven Approach to Safety Control in Jacket-Launching Installation Operations
by Sheng Chen, Mingxin Li, Yankun Liu and Xu Bai
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(3), 554; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13030554 - 13 Mar 2025
Viewed by 508
Abstract
Installing offshore wind jackets faces increasing risks from dynamic marine conditions and is challenged by trajectory deviations due to coupled hydrodynamic and environmental factors. To address the limitations of software, such as long simulation times and tedious parameter adjustments, this study develops a [...] Read more.
Installing offshore wind jackets faces increasing risks from dynamic marine conditions and is challenged by trajectory deviations due to coupled hydrodynamic and environmental factors. To address the limitations of software, such as long simulation times and tedious parameter adjustments, this study develops a rapid prediction model combining Radial Basis Function (RBF) and Backpropagation (BP) neural networks. The model is enhanced by incorporating both numerical simulation data and real-world measurement data from the launching operation. The real-world data, including the barge attitude before launching, jacket weight distribution, and actual environmental conditions, are used to refine the model and guide the development of a fully parameterized adaptive controller. This controller adjusts in real time, with its performance validated against simulation results. A case study from the Pearl River Mouth Basin was conducted, where datasets—capturing termination time, six-degrees-of-freedom motion data for the barge and jacket, and actual environmental conditions—were collected and integrated into the RBF and BP models. Numerical models also revealed that wind and wave conditions significantly affected lateral displacement and rollover risks, with certain directions leading to heightened operational challenges. On the other hand, operations under more stable environmental conditions were found to be safer, although precautions were still necessary under strong environmental loads to prevent collisions between the jacket and the barge. This approach successfully reduces weather-dependent operational delays and structural load peaks. Hydrodynamic analysis highlights the importance of directional strategies in minimizing environmental impacts. The model’s efficiency, requiring a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods, makes it suitable for real-time applications. Overall, this method provides a scalable solution to enhance the resilience of marine operations in renewable energy projects, offering both computational efficiency and high predictive accuracy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Marine Engineering Hydrodynamics)
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21 pages, 11819 KiB  
Article
Water Environment Assessment of Xin’an River Basin in China Based on DPSIR and Entropy Weight–TOPSIS Models
by Yanlong Guo, Yijia Song, Jie Huang and Lu Zhang
Water 2025, 17(6), 781; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17060781 - 7 Mar 2025
Viewed by 875
Abstract
Water environment evaluation is the basis of water resource planning and sustainable utilization. As a successful case of the coordinated progress of ecological protection and economic development, the Xin’an River Basin is a model for exploring the green development model. However, there are [...] Read more.
Water environment evaluation is the basis of water resource planning and sustainable utilization. As a successful case of the coordinated progress of ecological protection and economic development, the Xin’an River Basin is a model for exploring the green development model. However, there are still some problems in the synergistic cooperation between the two provinces. Exploring the differences within the basin is a key entry point for solving the dilemma of synergistic governance in the Xin’an River Basin, optimizing the allocation of resources, and improving the overall effectiveness of governance. Based on the DPSIR model, 21 water environment–related indicators were selected, and the entropy weight–TOPSIS method and gray correlation model were used to evaluate the temporal and spatial status of water resources in each county of the Xin’an River Basin. The results show that (1) The relative proximity of the water environment in Xin’an River Basin fluctuated in “M” shape during the ten years of the study period, and the relative proximity reached the optimal solution of 0.576 in 2020. (2) From the five subsystems, the state layer and the corresponding layer are the most important factors influencing the overall water environment of the Xin’an River Basin. In the future, it is intended to improve the departmental collaboration mechanism. (3) The mean values of relative proximity in Qimen County, Jiande City, and Chun’an County during the study period were 0.448, 0.445, and 0.439, respectively, and the three areas reached a moderate level. The water environment in Huizhou District and Jixi County, on the other hand, is relatively poor, and the mean values of proximity are 0.337 and 0.371, respectively, at the alert level. The poor effect of synergistic development requires a multi–factor exploration of reasonable ecological compensation standards. We give relevant suggestions for this situation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance)
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