Search Results (185)

The increasing shortage of drinking water, driven by reduced rainfall and the intensification of industrial and agricultural activities, has raised justified concerns about the quantity and quality of available water resources. These sectors not only demand high water consumption but also discharge large amounts of toxic substances such as organic matter, metal ions and inorganic anions, posing risks to both public health and the environment. This study evaluated the effectiveness of clay-based nanomaterials in the treatment of contaminated industrial wastewater from the mining sector. The materials tested included montmorillonite, high-loading expandable synthetic mica, and their organically functionalized forms (MMT, Mica-Na-4, C18-MMT, and C18-Mica-4). The experimental results show that these clays had minimal impact on the pH of the water, while a notable decrease in the chemical oxygen demand (COD) was observed. Ion chromatography indicated an increase in nitrogen and sulfur compounds with higher oxidation states. Inductively coupled plasma analysis revealed a significant reduction in the calcium concentration and an increase in the sodium concentration, likely due to cation exchange mechanisms. However, the removal of copper and iron was ineffective, possibly due to competitive interactions with other cations in the solution. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the structural modifications and interlayer spacing changes in the clay materials upon exposure to contaminated water. These findings demonstrate the potential of clay minerals as effective and low-cost materials for the remediation of industrial wastewater. Full article

This study quantitatively assesses the risk of water shortage (WSR) in the Baiyangdian area due to the Inter-Basin Water Transfer (IBWT) project, focusing on the impact of water transfer on regional water security. The actual evapotranspiration (ETa) is calculated, and the correlation simulation using Archimedes’ Copula function is implemented in Python 3.7.1, with optimization using the sum of squares of deviations (OLS) and the AIC criterion. The joint distribution model between ETa and three water supply scenarios is constructed. Key findings include (1) ETa increased by 27.3% after water transfer, far exceeding the slight increase in water supply before the transfer; (2) various Archimedean Copulas effectively capture the dependence and joint probability distribution between water supply and ETa; (3) water shortage risk increased after water transfer, with rainfall and upstream water unable to alleviate the problem in Baiyangdian; and (4) cross-basin water transfer reduced risk, with a reduction of 8.90% in the total probability of three key water resource scheduling combinations. This study establishes a Copula-based framework for water shortage risk assessment, providing a scientific basis for water allocation strategies in ecologically sensitive areas affected by human activities. Full article

Under the influence of global climate change, water conservancy projects located in the high-latitude cold regions of the world are facing severe challenges. This study addresses the contradiction between water supply stability and ecological flow during the dry season in cold regions. Taking Linhai Reservoir as the core, it integrates the HEC-RAS hydrodynamic model with multi-source data such as basin topography, hydro-meteorological data, and water conservancy project parameters to construct a multi-scenario water supply scheduling model during the dry season. The aim is to provide scientific recommendations for different reservoir operation strategies in response to varying frequencies of upstream inflow, based on simulations conducted after the reservoir’s completion. Taking into account winter runoff reduction characteristics and engineering parameters, we simulated the relationships between water level and flow, ecological flow requirements, and urban water shortages. The results indicate that in both flood and normal years, dynamic coordination of storage and discharge can achieve a daily water supply of 120,000 cubic meters, with 100% compliance for the ecological flow rate. For mild and moderate drought years, additional water diversion becomes necessary to achieve 93.5% and 89% supply reliability, respectively. During severe and extreme droughts, significantly reduced reservoir inflows lower ecological compliance rates, necessitating emergency measures, such as utilizing dead storage capacity and exploring alternative water sources. The study proposes operational strategies tailored to different drought intensities: initiating storage adjustments in September for mild droughts and implementing peak-shifting measures by mid-October for extreme droughts. These approaches enhance storage efficiency and mitigate ice blockage risks. This research supports the water supply security and river ecological health of urban and rural areas in Mudanjiang City and Hailin City and provides a certain scientific reference basis for the multi-objective coordinated operation of reservoirs in the same type of high-latitude cold regions. Full article

Urbanization is rapidly transforming cities, especially in the Global South, with Sub-Saharan Africa expected to see the fastest growth in the next 30 years. In South Africa’s Mopani District, this urban expansion has led to the growth of informal settlements, increasing disaster risks related to water, health, and fire. This study focuses on Giyani Local Municipality, examining disaster risks in its informal settlements and the factors influencing the implementation of spatial planning tools. Using a SWOT analysis combined with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), the study found that while the municipality has strong land use and disaster management policies, poor enforcement, lack of integration, and weak governance limit their effectiveness. Opportunities for improvement include securing grants from the National Government and Disaster Management Centre to support disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives. However, challenges such as land shortages and ecological degradation threaten sustainable planning. The findings provide important insights for policymakers, urban planners, and disaster management professionals. The SWOT-AHP approach helps in prioritizing resource allocation, identifying risk trends, and focusing on key areas for mitigation. Overall, the study supports efforts to enhance resilience and promote sustainable urban development in informal settlements through better spatial planning. Full article

Sustainable land management in arid regions such as the Jordan Valley (JV) is essential as climate pressures and water shortages intensify. The extended use of treated wastewater (TWW) for irrigation, while necessary, brings potential risks related to the accumulation of trace elements and their impact on soil health and food safety. This study examined the spatial distribution, variability, and potential sources of five trace elements (Co, Hg, Mo, Mn, and Ni) in agricultural soils across a 305 km² area. A total of 127 surface soil samples were collected from fields irrigated with either TWW or freshwater (FW). Trace element concentrations were consistently higher in TWW-irrigated soils, although all values remained below WHO/FAO recommended thresholds for agricultural use. Spatial modeling was conducted using both ordinary kriging (OK) and empirical Bayesian kriging (EBK), with EBK showing greater prediction accuracy based on cross-validation statistics. To explore potential sources, semivariogram modeling, principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchical clustering were employed. PCA, spatial distribution patterns, correlation analysis, and comparisons between TWW and FW sources suggest that Co, Mn, Mo, and Ni are primarily influenced by anthropogenic inputs, including TWW irrigation, chemical fertilizers, and organic amendments. Co exhibited a stronger association with TWW, whereas Mn, Mo, and Ni were more closely linked to fertilizer application. In contrast, Hg appears to originate predominantly from geogenic sources. These findings provide a foundation for improved irrigation management and fertilizer application strategies, contributing to long-term soil sustainability in water-limited environments like the JV. Full article

Poyang Lake in China is the most critical habitat and final refuge for the Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis), YFP. In 2022, its population reached approximately 492 individuals, an increase of 35 from the 457 individuals recorded in 2017, showing a steady upward trend. The infrequent movement of YFPs between Poyang Lake and the Yangtze River represents a considerable threat to the long-term viability of this population. Additionally, serious water shortages in the lake during the dry season have led the government to consider the establishment of a hydraulic project. Therefore, a reliable risk assessment and quantitative analysis of conservation scenarios are urgently needed for this population. Population viability analysis of the YFP population in Poyang Lake was conducted using the VORTEX software. The baseline model predicted a probability of extinction of 0.241 over the next 100 years, with no probability of extinction in the first 30 years; the genetic diversity would be on a continuous downward trend and decline by 91.5%. The comprehensive protection model predicted a probability of extinction of 0.0028 and that the genetic diversity would be maintained at about 0.996 in 100 years. Breeding rate, sex ratio at birth, mortality rate, and gene flow were the factors that were sensitive to maintaining population viability. The results showed that the population of YFPs in Poyang Lake was at a high risk of extinction due to the decline in genetic diversity and the higher mortality and lower birth rate caused by habitat degradation. A total ban on productive fishing and the rescue and interchange of YFPs are conducive to enhancing the viability of the YFP population in Poyang Lake. Full article

Water scarcity under climate change and increasingly stringent water conservation policies may trigger energy security concerns. The current study develops an optimization model to investigate the impacts of water conservation policies and hydrological uncertainties on the regional energy transition process in Shanxi Province, China. The dual-control policies on total water consumption and water intensity are systematically examined for their differential constraints and stimulative effects on various power generation types. Hydrological time series analysis methods are employed to project future water resource variations in Shanxi Province and evaluate their implications for power system optimization. The results indicate that (1) total water constraint policies are more stringent than water intensity constraint policies; (2) changes in water resource availability impose greater restrictions on coal power development than those imposed by current water conservation policies; and (3) when total water resources decrease by approximately 43.5% compared with 2020 levels, Shanxi Province may face electricity shortages. These findings suggest that water conservation policy formulation should be coordinated with regional power sector development planning, while also considering potential energy security risks posed by potential future reductions in water resources. Full article

The Thessaly Plain, Greece’s largest alluvial basin, has undergone significant geological, hydrological, and anthropogenic transformations. This study synthesises historical records, geological and hydrogeological studies to assess the evolution of the East Thessaly Plain, focusing on land use changes, groundwater management, and environmental challenges. Intensive agricultural practices, particularly from the 1970s onward, have led to groundwater overexploitation, land subsidence, and declining water quality. The overexploitation of the aquifers, exacerbated by extensive irrigation and inefficient water management, has resulted in critical groundwater shortages and widespread subsidence, particularly in the Larissa–Karla and Titarisios Cone systems. Additionally, recent extreme weather events, including Medicane Daniel (2023) and Medicane Ianos (2020), have highlighted the region’s vulnerability to hydrological hazards, with extensive flooding affecting urban and agricultural areas. The re-emergence of Lake Karla as a flood retention area underscores the unintended consequences of past drainage efforts. Remote sensing, geodetic surveys, and historical records have been examined to assess the interplay between groundwater withdrawals, land subsidence, and flood risks. Full article

In this study, we have developed a humanoid nursing care robot with the goal of helping older people realizing achieve various tasks such as assisted mobility, feeding, drinking, defecation, and bathing. This type of robot has the following features: (1) by using an omnidirectional mobility mechanism that does not require space equivalent to the turning radius, there is no risk of the robot itself falling over, and it can be used safely even in the small spaces of the home; (2) by giving the robot two arms with the same structure as a human arm, it is possible to perform a wide variety of nursing care movements; (3) in addition to avoiding bumping into furniture and walls, and to emulate human mobility intelligence, the robot has a high level of intelligence, which is required to understand the needs of the person receiving care and to determine appropriate action. This article presents the concept for the development of a humanoid nursing care robot and the design and basic configuration of the prototype. On the other hand, the care provided by robot is expected not only to eliminate labor shortages, but also improve the quality of care by taking into account the unique characteristics of each person requiring care. Quantitative management of nutritional intake is recognized as a way to improve the quality of care. This article proposes a method to use force sensors to enable a robot to pour water (beverages) quantitatively, and proves its effectiveness through experiments on a humanoid nursing care robot. Full article

As a drought-resistant and water-saving rice (Oryza sativa L.), the Shanlan upland rice germplasm can provide solutions to the food security problems caused by frequent water shortages. In most nitrogen (N) fertilizer management strategies targeting maximum rice yields, lodging (both root and stem) is often ignored. Hence, this study aimed to determine an optimal N fertilizer management strategy that balanced the trade-off between yield and lodging in Shanlan upland rice. Our research employed the “safety factor” (SF) technique to explore the root-lodging resistance (represented by SFr) and stem-lodging resistance (represented by SFs) of Shanlan upland rice using three N fertilizer methods, including conventional N fertilization (CNF), split–postponed N fertilization (SPNF), and controlled-release N fertilizer (CRNF), and three N application rates (80, 120, and 160 kg N ha⁻¹) for two consecutive years. Compared with CNF, the SFr improved by 14.9% for CRNF and 9.1% for SPNF. Likewise, the SFs increased by 22.7% for CRNF and 15.3% for SPNF. Moreover, Shanlan upland rice was found to be more prone to the risk of root lodging than stem lodging. At the same time, the grain yield and net benefit improved by 14.6% and 18.1% for CRNF, respectively, compared with CNF. Hence, employing the CRNF technique was more effective at reducing the lodging risk of Shanlan upland rice. Moreover, increasing the N application rate beyond 120 kg N ha⁻¹ did not significantly increase the grain yield for CRNF but the lodging resistance and net benefit were reduced. In conclusion, with an N application rate of 120 kg N ha⁻¹ for CRNF, Shanlan upland rice could achieve a relatively stable and high net income and can be recommended to growers for adoption. Full article

Different countries face significant challenges in managing water-related natural hazards, such as floods and shortages, while ensuring adequate water quality and quantity to satisfy human needs and preserve ecosystems. Climate change projections exacerbate this situation by intensifying the hydrological cycle, resulting in substantial changes in precipitation patterns, evapotranspiration, and groundwater storage. This study reviews water security challenges across 43 countries, drawing on 128 articles obtained from databases including EBSCOHOST, Scopus and ResearchGate, as well as specific journals. Key search terms included “water security”, “water security and climate change”, “water scarcity”, “water risk index”, “water balance”, “water assessment”, and “land use and land cover change”. The analysis reveals the main water security issues present in 43 countries (flash floods, drought and water quality), and the response measures identified these challenges to water security. All the countries studied face one or more critical water-related effects. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, and Mexico were identified as the most severely affected, dealing with a combination of water scarcity, flooding, and water pollution. The most suggested strategies for improving water security include sustainable urban planning, improving consumption efficiency, strategic land-use planning, applying technologies to predict availability of water resources and planning according to variations in resource availability over time. In addition, other general actions include enhancing water storage infrastructure, improving consumption efficiency and adopting sustainable urban planning. Full article

Assessing water scarcity risks under climate change has become an important research topic for sustainable development. Regional water scarcity is driven not only by direct local water deficits but also by indirect effects from upstream supply chains. Despite their significance, existing studies seldom integrate both local water scarcity and indirect water scarcity comprehensively. This study utilizes multi-regional input–output tables (MRIO) to quantify virtual water flows among eight provinces in the Yellow River Basin, elucidating the extent of local (WSI) and indirect water scarcity (IWS) from 2007 to 2017. Leveraging Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) projections and Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios, the research further projects future virtual water flow patterns and associated water scarcity risks in the Yellow River Basin from the 2020s to the 2090s. Findings reveal that downstream provinces (Shandong, Henan, Shanxi) experience more severe water scarcity—both locally and indirectly—than upstream regions (Inner Mongolia, Gansu). Local water scarcity surpasses indirect scarcity, with the agricultural sector predominantly driving IWS, accounting for 76.1% to 91.3%. Additionally, downstream provinces facing severe water scarcity not only exhibit high local water use but also rely on imports from middle and upper regions grappling with water shortages. Under SSP1-RCP2.6 and SSP5-RCP8.5 scenarios, water scarcity risks in the Yellow River Basin are projected to intensify, with the overall WSI potentially reaching 0.59 and IWS attaining severe levels of 0.42 by the 2050s. This study enhances the understanding of water scarcity risks in arid and semi-arid regions, providing valuable insights for policymakers to develop more climate-resilient water-resource management strategies. Full article

In recent years, with increasing global warming, extreme weather such as high temperatures and droughts has occurred more frequently, with serious impacts on grain production and farmers’ livelihoods. High temperatures and drought can lead to a range of production problems such as water shortages, increased irrigation costs, reduced land fertility, and reductions in grain yields. Ultimately, these problems can inhibit farmers’ willingness to grow grain and threaten regional food security. The government usually takes appropriate assistance measures to compensate for the loss of grain farmers, so as to stimulate the farmers’ incentive to grow grain. Therefore, the influence mechanism of government assistance on farmers’ willingness to grow grain in the context of extreme weather is an issue worth exploring. From the perspective of grain farmers, this paper takes the grain farmers in Jiangxi Province affected by high temperatures and drought in 2022 as the research sample and empirically analyzes the influence mechanism of government assistance on farmers’ willingness to grow grain. In addition, this paper also discusses the heterogeneity of the impact of government assistance on the planting willingness of farmers with different agricultural income ratios and literacy levels. The Ordered Logistic model and mediation effect model were applied in this study. The results of the study show that government assistance can effectively incentivize farmers’ willingness to grow grain, and risk preference has a mediating effect in the process. In addition, government assistance has a stronger incentive effect on the planting willingness of farmers with a high ratio of agricultural income and a high level of literacy. Finally, the paper puts forward corresponding countermeasure suggestions based on the conclusions to help the government formulate more complete risk response policies and establish a more effective risk prevention mechanism. This paper provides a theoretical reference for achieving sustainable development of grain production in the context of extreme weather, which helps to improve the resilience and sustainability of grain production. Full article

Domestic sewage pollution poses significant risks to human health and the ecological environment but sewage water is gradually recognized as a renewable water resource worldwide. To enhance water resource utilization and facilitate reclamation from domestic sewage, substantial global efforts have focused on developing systematic management strategies and advanced technologies for treatment and resource recovery. This study examines and presents the case of domestic sewage reclamation and water reuse in the rural Hangjiahu region, situated on the southern bank of Taihu Lake in Northern Zhejiang Province, Eastern China. It provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art technologies implemented in the region. In rural areas, sewage treatment is decentralized and involves two primary streams: one where urine is separately disinfected and sterilized, with feces processed into agricultural fertilizer; and another where greywater undergoes bio-composting and wetland treatment to produce recycled water. Additionally, natural rainwater is collected and stored in ponds, enhancing the region’s water resources. The results demonstrate that the integration of domestic sewage reclamation and rainwater storage has effectively mitigated the risks of flooding during rainy seasons and water shortages during droughts. Remarkably, no severe floods or droughts have occurred in the region since 1991, contrasting with historical records from 1909 to 1954, when such events were frequent. This study underscores the potential for replicating these approaches in other regions facing similar challenges. Full article

In the dry regions of the Arabian Peninsula, such as Saudi Arabia, rangeland degradation and the decline of pasture species have significantly reduced phytomass production. The scarcity of grazing pastures has led to an expansion of alfalfa-irrigated fields, exacerbating the risk of water shortages. This study is the first to systematically evaluate the adaptability and production potential of Cenchrus ciliaris accessions in the arid environment of Saudi Arabia. The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential of buffelgrass (C. ciliaris) as an alternative to alfalfa in irrigated crop systems for livestock production and to assess its suitability for reintroduction into degraded rangelands to enhance forage production. For this purpose, accessions of C. ciliaris were collected from five different sites in northern Saudi Arabia (Aja, Jameen, Zaitoun, Gaed, and Industrial zone) to select the most vigorous ecotypes to be introduced in the degraded lands and/or to be used as irrigated forage crop. This study shows that under full irrigation (2500-3000 mm year⁻¹), alfalfa can produce 11.9 t ha⁻¹ to 22.6 t ha⁻¹ with a five-year average of 17 t ha⁻¹. However, C. ciliaris can produce 9.3–18.4 t ha⁻¹ with less water consumption than alfalfa (water supply is estimated at 400–500 mm year⁻¹). The average was about 14.1 t ha⁻¹. Our comparative study of these accessions showed that the Aja accession seemed to be the most salt tolerant, whereas the Jameen accession was the most well-developed, productive (18.4 t ha⁻¹), and overgrazing resistant accession (940.3 g plant⁻¹ after 3 cuts). Therefore, the Jameen accession is recommended for rangeland rehabilitation. In terms of chemical composition, C. ciliaris was less protein rich than alfalfa, but this can be compensated for by its high digestibility, estimated by neutral detergent fiber (NDF of 69.6%). This study identifies the Gaed and Jameen accessions as the most productive and grazing resistant, exhibiting drought and salt tolerance, making them suitable for use in irrigated systems to produce high green- and dry-matter yields or for reintroduction to rehabilitate degraded rangelands for rehabilitation purposes. Full article