Search Results (150)

The European Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) promotes an integrated approach to water management, recognizing water as a shared resource and defining quality objectives. Within this framework, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) provide effective solutions to improve water quality, control runoff, mitigate hydrogeological risk, and enhance urban resilience. This study investigates the application of SuDS for quantitative stormwater management in a 290-ha industrial district within the Metropolitan City of Milan. Using a synthetic design storm as a benchmark, the study provides event-scale evidence of the performance of SuDS under observed rainfall events, a topic often underrepresented in the literature. Two hydrologic–hydraulic models were developed using SWMM ver. 5.2: a baseline model representing current conditions and a design model integrating SuDS across 24 hectares. Simulations were performed for four rainfall events representative of typical conditions and for a synthetic 10-year return period design event. Results show that, under observed events, SuDS reduce total CSO volumes by 44% and peak flows by 47%, while decreasing overflow activation by around 11%, with the highest effectiveness during ordinary rainfall conditions. Compared with the synthetic 10-year design event, SuDS exhibit similar volume reductions but lower peak-flow attenuation and overflow frequency reduction, highlighting different system responses under real and design rainfalls. Full article

The occurrence of mountainous geological hazards, primarily including rockfalls, landslides, and debris flows, is frequently influenced by multiple environmental factors and exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity and cumulative effects. To address the need for regional-scale susceptibility assessments within complex geological settings, we propose a novel geological hazard susceptibility assessment model based on conditional probability. This study establishes a dual-module evaluation framework incorporating certainty factors (CFs) and weights (W), in which the CF quantifies the contribution of each factor class to hazard occurrence, while the weights reflect the relative importance of the conditioning factors, thereby improving the model’s capability to characterize multifactorial coupling effects. Using three representative mountainous regions in Xinjiang, China—the Ili Valley Region (IVR), the Northern Piedmont of the Tianshan Mountains (NPTM), and the Kunlun–Altun Mountain Region (KAMR)—we integrate 7938 historical hazard points and 11 conditioning factors within a GIS environment to conduct the assessment. The results reveal regional differences in the weights of conditioning factors: IVR is primarily controlled by Elevation (0.184), Urban-Critical Infrastructure Density (0.163), and Annual Precipitation (0.156); NPTM is dominated by Annual Precipitation (0.153), Urban-Critical Infrastructure Density (0.145), and Road Density (0.136); and KAMR is governed by Elevation (0.197), Seismic Acceleration (0.167), and Hydrogeological Type (0.134). In IVR, NPTM, and KAMR, the Very-High and High susceptibility zones occupy 37.10%, 34.86%, and 26.23% of the land area, respectively, and contain 78.18%, 77.24%, and 82.10% of the identified geological hazards. The region-specific ROC-AUCs are 0.8536 (IVR), 0.8545 (NPTM), and 0.8775 (KAMR), indicating good predictive capability across sedimentary basins and tectonically active zones. This study provides methodological and data support for quantitative risk assessment of geological hazards at the regional scale under complex geological conditions. Full article

This study investigates the transport of chloride, a conservative tracer and surrogate for contaminants, in the fractured Brunswick aquifer of northern New Jersey using a dual-porosity MODFLOW-MT3DMS model. Focusing on the First Watchung Mountain region—a microcosm of northern New Jersey’s hydrogeological environment encompassing Montclair State University and adjoining communities, the numerical model simulates groundwater flow and solute transport in a hydrogeologically complex, urbanized setting. Results indicate that chloride migrates through the fractured aquifer via both local flow systems (e.g., Third River) and regional flow systems (Passaic River) within decades. Chloride concentrations exceeded the EPA’s 250 mg/L threshold much faster in local discharge streams (5 years in the Third River) compared to regional base-level rivers (79 years in the Passaic River), demonstrating rapid fracture transport versus delayed matrix diffusion. Over 450 years, chlorides traveled approximately 7000 m, demonstrating potential for widespread salinization and contamination. The study also highlights “salting-out” effects, where elevated salinity enhances contaminant retention and complicates remediation efforts in fractured aquifers. These findings emphasize the need for integrated water management strategies, targeted deicing salt reduction, stormwater management, and recharge-zone protection, to mitigate long-term risks in fractured aquifers. By quantifying dual-domain dynamics previously unaddressed in the Brunswick aquifer, this work provides a framework for contaminant transport modeling and management in similar urbanized fractured systems. Full article

Proactive management of groundwater resources is hindered by the static nature of conventional vulnerability assessments, which provide only a single temporal snapshot and lack predictive capability. To address this limitation, we developed a coupled dynamic–spatial modeling framework to forecast the spatio-temporal evolution of groundwater vulnerability. The framework integrates a βSARMA time-series model for precipitation forecasting with an enhanced M-DRASTIC-LAaRd model, which incorporates Land use, Anthropogenic activity, and River network density, weighted via the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to better capture hydrogeological complexity. The βSARMA model consistently outperformed conventional SARIMA models across the five subregions of Beijing, achieving the lowest RMSE values (0.0832–0.1617) and MAE values (0.0922–0.1372), with an average RMSE reduction of 15.3% relative to the best SARIMA baseline. These results ensure highly reliable dynamic precipitation inputs for the time-varying Net Recharge (R) parameter. Model validation against historical observations yielded a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.87, confirming the framework’s robustness and predictive accuracy. Applied to the Beijing metropolitan area (1980–2027), the model projects a marked spatial restructuring of groundwater vulnerability: high-vulnerability zones are expected to expand from 38.65% to 46.18%, while low-vulnerability areas will decline from 42.53% to 34.63%. Emerging “hotspots” are concentrated in the southern urban plains, where urbanization and reduced recharge converge. Overall, 27.9% of the region is predicted to experience intensified vulnerability, whereas only 11.5% will show improvement. This study advances groundwater vulnerability assessment from static mapping toward dynamic forecasting, providing a quantitatively validated and spatially explicit framework that supports more informed groundwater management under future environmental change. Full article

Minor Southern Italian population centers present a fragmented and uneven urban landscape, resulting from abandonment and depopulation phenomena that have led, especially in historic city centers, to urban voids scattered with rubble, buildings in a state of ruin, and others with evident structural collapses. Within a broader urban regeneration strategy for these centers, aligned with current national and European policies, the recovery of these vacant spaces can play a decisive role in enhancing urban quality and the desired touristic appeal, with social, economic, and environmental implications. These areas may also become valuable resources for innovating the urban core in a green transition process, contributing to carbon neutrality goals while improving residents’ quality of life. This paper addresses the importance of pocket parks as systems of resilience against climate change and hydrogeological risks, as well as rainwater drainage systems in densely built urban areas with strong historical character. The study includes a case study application focusing on a location in the Sicilian hinterland, notable for its historical and architectural value. The urban center under examination, Naro in the province of Agrigento, has experienced significant depopulation over the past fifty years, and the designation of its provincial capital as the Italian Capital of Culture 2025 could provide the opportunity for revival through small-scale, low-cost, and sustainable actions. Full article

The construction of underground infrastructure in urban environments can significantly alter groundwater flow dynamics, particularly in karst settings, which are characterized by high permeability, rapid groundwater flow, and strong spatial variability in recharge and discharge processes. Tunneling in a karst system can severely deplete an aquifer and undermine the sustainability of water resources over the long term. These impacts pose significant challenges for regional water resources management, highlighting the urgent need for strategies that support both sustainable development and the protection of these complex hydrogeological systems. One of the most critical consequences of such construction activities can be tunnel drainage, which can modify the hydrogeological balance of karst aquifers. For this reason, an accurate estimation of groundwater recharge remains a major challenge, yet it is essential for effective groundwater management, particularly in regions that rely heavily on karst groundwater resources. This paper proposes a GIS-based methodological framework to assess the active recharge of the karst aquifer feeding the Mazzoccolo Spring, located in the urban area of Formia (southern Latium Region, Central Italy), which is potentially affected by a planned underground infrastructure. The study focuses on delineating the recharge area and evaluating the potential impacts of tunneling on this complex and sensitive hydrogeological system. Full article

Due to extensive soft soil and high human activities, Wuhan is a hotspot for land subsidence. This study used the time-series InSAR to calculate the spatial and temporal distribution map of subsidence in Wuhan and analyze the causes of subsidence. An improved fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (GD-FAHP) was proposed and integrated with the Entropy Weight Method (EWM) to assess the hazard and vulnerability of land subsidence using multiple evaluation factors, thereby deriving the spatial distribution characteristics of subsidence risk in Wuhan. Results indicated the following: (1) Maximum subsidence rates reached −49 mm/a, with the most severe deformation localized in Hongshan District, exhibiting a cumulative displacement of −135 mm. Comparative validation between InSAR results and leveling was conducted, demonstrating the reliability of InSAR monitoring. (2) Areas with frequent urban construction largely coincided with subsidence locations. In addition, the analysis indicated that rainfall and hydrogeological conditions were also correlated with land subsidence. (3) The proposed risk assessment model effectively identified high-risk areas concentrated in central urban zones, particularly the Hongshan and Wuchang Districts. This research establishes a methodological framework for urban hazard mitigation and provides actionable insights for subsidence risk reduction strategies. Full article

This study addresses the effects of climate variability and land-use change on groundwater recharge in Major Groundwater Reservoir 406 (MGR 406) in southeastern Poland, a key strategic water resource. It focuses on how regional shifts in precipitation patterns and spatial development influence the volume and distribution of renewable groundwater resources. The analysis integrates meteorological data (1951–2024), groundwater modeling outputs, groundwater-use data, and land cover changes from CORINE datasets (1990–2018). A spatial assessment of hydrogeological conditions was performed using the Groundwater Resources Assessment Index (GRAI), combining drought frequency, recharge conditions, land-use classes, and groundwater extraction levels. Results indicate a long-term increase in annual precipitation alongside more frequent but shorter drought episodes. Urban expansion and land sealing were found to reduce infiltration efficiency, particularly in and around the city of Lublin, where the highest extraction rates were recorded. The assessment identified several zones of high threat to groundwater resources, which have no sufficient legal protection. These findings highlight the need to integrate groundwater management into local spatial planning and land management strategies. The study concludes that balancing water use and recharge potential under evolving climate and land-use pressures are essential to ensuring the sustainability of groundwater resources in MGR 406. Full article

The central role of heating and cooling in energy transition has been recognised in recent years, especially with geopolitical developments since February 2022 which demand an acceleration in deploying local energy sources to increase the resilience of the energy sector. Geothermal energy is a promising and vital option to optimize heating and cooling systems, promoting sustainability of urban environments. To this end, a proper design is of paramount importance to guarantee the energy performance of the whole system. This work deals with the optimization of the technical and geometrical characteristics of borehole heat exchangers (BHEs) as part of a shallow geothermal plant that is assumed to be integrated in an already operating gas-fired DH grid. Thermal performances of three different configurations were analysed according to the geological information that revealed an aquifer at −36 m overlying a poorly permeable marly succession. Numerical simulations validated the geological, hydrogeological, and thermo-physical models by back-analysing the experimental results of a thermal response test (TRT) on a pilot 150 m deep BHE. Five-year simulations were then performed to compare 150 m and 36 m polyethylene 2U, and 36 m steel coaxial BHEs. The coaxial configuration shows the best performance both in terms of specific power (74.51 W/m) and borehole thermal resistance (0.02 mK/W). Outcomes of the study confirm that coupling the best geological and technical parameters ensure the best energy performance and economic sustainability. Full article

Understanding the time-lagged response of land subsidence to groundwater level fluctuations and subsurface strain variations is crucial for uncovering its underlying mechanisms and enhancing disaster early warning capabilities. This study focuses on Dangshan County, Anhui Province, China, and systematically analyzes the spatio-temporal evolution of land subsidence from 2018 to 2024. A total of 207 Sentinel-1 SAR images were first processed using the Small Baseline Subset Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SBAS-InSAR) technique to generate high-resolution surface deformation time series. Subsequently, the seasonal-trend decomposition using the LOESS (STL) model was applied to extract annual cyclic deformation components from the InSAR-derived time series. To quantitatively assess the delayed response of land subsidence to groundwater level changes and subsurface strain evolution, time-lagged cross-correlation (TLCC) analysis was performed between surface deformation and both groundwater level data and distributed fiber-optic strain measurements within the 5–50 m depth interval. The strain data was collected using a borehole-based automated distributed fiber-optic sensing system. The results indicate that land subsidence is primarily concentrated in the urban core, with annual cyclic amplitudes ranging from 10 to 18 mm and peak values reaching 22 mm. The timing of surface rebound shows spatial variability, typically occurring in mid-February in residential areas and mid-May in agricultural zones. The analysis reveals that surface deformation lags behind groundwater fluctuations by approximately 2 to 3 months, depending on local hydrogeological conditions, while subsurface strain changes generally lead surface subsidence by about 3 months. These findings demonstrate the strong predictive potential of distributed fiber-optic sensing in capturing precursory deformation signals and underscore the importance of integrating InSAR, hydrological, and geotechnical data for advancing the understanding of subsidence mechanisms and improving monitoring and mitigation efforts. Full article

This study develops a numerical model to simulate groundwater flow and contaminant transport in a “typical hydrogeological environment” of northern New Jersey, addressing freshwater decline. Focusing on the Lower Passaic water management area (WMA), we model chloride transport in a fractured-rock aquifer, where fracture networks control hydraulic conductivity and porosity. The urbanized setting—encompassing Montclair State University (MSU) and municipal wells—features heterogeneous groundwater systems and critical water resources, providing an ideal case study for worst-case contaminant transport scenarios. Using MODFLOW and MODPATH, we simulated flow and tracked particles over 20 years. Results show that chloride from MSU reached the Third River in 4 years and the Passaic River in 10 years in low-porosity fractures (0.2), with longer times (8 and 20 years) in high-porosity zones (0.4). The First Watchung Mountains were identified as the primary recharge area. Chloride was retained in immobile pores but transported rapidly through fractures, with local flow systems (MSU to Third River) faster than regional systems (MSU to Passaic River). These findings confirm chloride in groundwater, which may originate from road salt application, can reach discharge points in 4–20 years, emphasizing the need for recharge-area monitoring, salt-reduction policies, and site-specific assessments to protect fractured-rock aquifers. Full article

Urbanization, escalating agriculture, tourism, and industrial development in the Chiang Mai–Lamphun groundwater basin in northern Thailand have increased water demand, causing widespread groundwater extraction. Over the past few decades, there has been a rapid, unrecoverable steady drop in groundwater levels in several areas in Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces. This study employed hydrogeological investigations, hydrometeorological data analyses, stable isotopic analysis (δ¹⁸O and δ²H), and groundwater flow modeling using a 3D groundwater flow model (MODFLOW) to quantify groundwater recharge and delineate important groundwater recharge zones within the basin. The results showed that floodplain deposits exhibited the highest recharge rate, 104.4 mm/y, due to their proximity to rivers and high infiltration capacity. In contrast, younger terrain deposits, covering the largest area of 1314 km², contributed the most to total recharge volume with an average recharge rate of 99.8 mm/y. Seven significant recharge zones within the basin, where annual recharge rates exceeded 105 mm/y (average recharge of the entire basin), were also delineated. Zone 4, covering parts of densely populated Muaeng Lamphun, Ban Thi, and Saraphi districts, had the largest area of 330 km² and a recharge rate of 130.2 mm/y. Zone 6, encompassing Wiang Nong Long, Bai Hong, and Pa Sang districts, exhibited the highest recharge rate of 134.6 mm/y but covered a smaller area of 67 km². Stable isotopic data verified that recent precipitation predominantly recharged shallow groundwater, with minimal evaporation or isotopic exchange. The basin-wide average recharge rate was 104 mm/y, reflecting the combined influence of geology, permeability, and spatial distribution. These findings provide critical insights for sustainable groundwater management in the region, particularly in the context of climate change and increasing water demand. Full article

This paper presents the physical, hydrogeological, and geochemical characterizations of two types of tailings: one from the nickel–cobalt (Ni–Co) and the other from the lead–zinc (Pb–Zn) industries. The study is restricted only to Ni and Zn ions behavior. The mineralogical composition of the studied tailings is primarily composed of oxides and hydroxides of iron, aluminum, and silica. Based on their grain size, these wastes are geotechnically classified as low plasticity silts, with permeability ranging from 10⁻⁸ m/s to less than 10⁻⁹ m/s. Batch and column flow tests, along with metal transport tests using heavy metal-contaminated wastewater, reveal that these tailings have an adsorption capacity for metals such as nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) ranging from 2000 to 6000 mg/kg of solid. This high adsorption capacity surpasses that of many clayey soils used for sealing municipal, industrial, mining, and metallurgical waste deposits. Additionally, these wastes can neutralize the acidity of wastewater. The results indicate that the mineralogical composition and pH of these tailings are key factors determining their adsorption characteristics and mechanisms. Due to their characteristics, these tailings could be evaluated for use as low-permeability reactive geochemical barriers (LPRGB) in the conditioning of repositories for the storage of industrial, urban, mining and metallurgical waste. This would allow large volumes of tailings to be repurposed effectively. Full article

Springs located in urban historic areas are important for groundwater management, the protection of green spaces, and the preservation of park functions and urban structure. This article presents the results of a study of selected Warsaw springs in the city center under conservation protection, focusing on their hydrogeological characteristics, hydrogeochemical analysis, and pressures associated with urban development. Field and laboratory analyses, as well as hydrodynamic modeling, made it possible to assess the quantity and quality of water from the springs. Hydrodynamic studies showed that the area of the spring recharge zone of 13.77 ha is characterized by an average time of water exchange of approx. 26 years and a low infiltration recharge, an average of 18 mm/year. Hydrogeochemical analyses showed that spring water has a complex, multi-ion hydrogeochemical type: Cl-SO₄-HCO₃-Ca-Na, Cl-HCO₃-SO₄-Ca-Na, Cl-HCO₃-Na-Ca, and NO₃-Cl-HCO₃-Ca-Na, including the occurrence of hazardous substances such as PAH and BTEX, PCBs, non-ionic detergents, and heavy metals. The results indicate that urbanization significantly affects groundwater levels and spring recharge areas, which can limit the availability of water in green and recreational areas. The results of the study indicate the need for action to increase groundwater resources through managed aquifer recharge for rainwater management in densely built-up areas. In terms of water quality measures, due to the unsatisfactory chemical water status, the use of spring water for irrigation of urban vegetation or its incorporation into the active recreational infrastructure of the park currently appears to be fraught with considerable risk, hence the need to take protective action in the spring recharge zone through the regular monitoring of groundwater quality, the legal designation of protection zones, and the implementation of policies that support urban water retention. It is necessary to implement pre-treatment solutions (aeration, desalination) or introduce appropriately resistant vegetation. Any type of activity that allows the use of water after treatment will certainly contribute to making the park more attractive as a place of recreation and leisure for residents. Findings from the research can support decisions on protecting green spaces and adapting cities to climate change. Full article

In recent decades, the intensification of extreme events, such as floods, earthquakes, and hydrogeological instability, together with the spread of pollutants harmful to health, has highlighted the vulnerability of territories and the need to direct urban policies towards sustainable strategies. The built assets and the real estate sector play a key role in this context; indeed, being among the first ones to be exposed to the effects of climate change, they serve as a crucial tool for the implementation of governance strategies that are more focused on environmental issues. However, the insufficient allocation of public resources to interventions to secure the territory has made it essential to involve private capital interested in combining the legitimate needs of performance with the “ethicality” of the investment. In light of the outlined framework, real estate managers are called upon to take into consideration the environmental risks associated with real estate investments and accurately represent them to investors, especially in the fundraising phase. The tools currently used for the analysis of such risks are based on their perception measured by the “risk premium” criterion, reconstructed on the basis of previous trends and the analyst’s expertise. The poor ability to justify the nature of the risk premium and the uncertainty about future scenario evolutions make this approach increasingly less valid. The present work, starting from the aspects of randomness of the risk premium criterion, aims at its evolution through the inclusion of environmental risk components (seismic, hydrogeological, and pollution). Full article