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Dr. Ahmed Elbeltagi
Agricultural Engineering Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
School of Architecture, Chang'an University, Xi’an 710061, China
Institute of Eco-Environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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Advances in Hydro-Geological Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas

Abstract submission deadline
31 May 2025
Manuscript submission deadline
31 July 2025
Viewed by
22557

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent advancements in hydro-geology allow for a better management of water resources and provide a strategy for overcoming issues in the future. In terms of concepts, models, and technology, the hydro-geologist community has created interdisciplinary approaches using tools of various sizes. Publishing studies highlighting developments and trends in the hydro-sciences is possible using remote sensing, GIS and artificial intelligence methods.

Studies utilizing supercomputer platforms, computer clusters, or other hardware are also of interest to this Topic since they can be excellent instruments for calibrating huge data gathered from field research or finely detailed laboratory trials.

The goal of this Topic is to offer a venue for the quick, open publication of peer-reviewed research on the hydro-geology and water resources of semiarid and arid regions. Topics to be covered in this topic include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Water management;
  • Drought risk assessment;
  • Groundwater optimal use;
  • Water deficit;
  • Advanced artificial intelligence;
  • Remote sensing;
  • Rainfall harvesting;
  • Geographical information system;
  • Spatial planning and governance for climate adaptation.

Dr. Ahmed Elbeltag
Prof. Dr. Quanhua Hou
Prof. Dr. Bin He
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • drought assessment
  • groundwater optimal use
  • water deficit
  • rainfall harvesting
  • water management
  • remote sensing
  • geographical information system
  • drought risk assessment
  • spatial planning and governance for climate adaptation

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Hydrology
hydrology 		3.1 4.9 2014 15.3 Days CHF 1800 Submit
Water
water 		3.0 5.8 2009 17.5 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Climate
climate 		3.0 5.5 2013 19.7 Days CHF 1800 Submit
Atmosphere
atmosphere 		2.5 4.6 2010 16.1 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Agriculture
agriculture 		3.3 4.9 2011 19.2 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Geosciences
geosciences 		2.4 5.3 2011 23.5 Days CHF 1800 Submit

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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24 pages, 9614 KiB  
Article
The Surface Water Potentiality in Arid and Semi-Arid Basins Using GIS and HEC-HMS Modeling, Case Study: Gebel El Sibai Watershed, Red Sea
by Abdelfattah Elsayed Elsheikh, Mahmoud A. El Ammawy, Nessrien M. Hamadallah, Sedky H. A. Hassan, Sang-Eun Oh, Kotb A. Attia and Mahmoud H. Darwish
Water 2024, 16(21), 3111; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16213111 - 30 Oct 2024
Viewed by 925
Abstract
The Red Sea region is considered one of the regions that suffer most from water scarcity among the Egyptian areas. This situation reinforces the importance of maximizing the utilization of available water sources. Rainwater and flood harvesting may form a good water source [...] Read more.
The Red Sea region is considered one of the regions that suffer most from water scarcity among the Egyptian areas. This situation reinforces the importance of maximizing the utilization of available water sources. Rainwater and flood harvesting may form a good water source if good harvesting practices are applied. Natural pastures, Bedouin communities, and wild plants may be affected by severe droughts expected due to climate change. Additional water resources are very important to enhance the resilience of the Bedouin communities to probable droughts. Five main hydrographic basins are issued from Gebel El Sibai (+1435 m), including Wadi Esel, Wadi Sharm El Bahari, Wadi Sharm El Qibli, Wadi Wizr, and Wadi Umm Gheig. Detailed investigation of morphometric parameters, runoff/rainfall relationship, and flood volume using GIS and HEC-HMS model of each basin were estimated as well as natural vegetation. This study reveals that rainfall ranges from 84 mm to 0 mm, and a storm of 84 mm (highest event) is expected to occur every 42 years with a probability of 2.4%. Quantitative morphometric analysis implies that the area has good potential for flooding, especially Wadi Sharm El Qibli and Wadi Umm Gheig, where Wadi Sharm El Bahri represents the lowest priority for flooding. The flood volume of Umm Gheig basin is the greatest: 12 million m3 at the basin outlet with a rainfall event of 15 mm. Wadi Esel is expected to collect 8.7 million m3 due to the ratio of the impervious soil and rainfall quantity, Wadi Sharm El Bahari 2.1 million m3, Wadi Sharm El Qibli 1.6 million m3, and Wadi Wizer 1.04 million m3. Seven storage dams (SD1-SD7) were proposed to enhance the utilization of the surface water potentialities of this study area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydro-Geological Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas)
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17 pages, 4389 KiB  
Article
A Long-Term Evaluation of the Ecohydrological Regime in a Semiarid Basin: A Case Study of the Huangshui River in the Yellow River Basin, China
by Lijuan Fan, Lanxin Liu, Jing Hu, Fen Zhao, Chunhui Li and Yujun Yi
Hydrology 2024, 11(10), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11100168 - 10 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1150
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the ecohydrological regime and ecological water demand of the Huangshui River Basin under changing environmental conditions, seeking to safeguard its ecosystem. Based on monthly data spanning from 1956 to 2016, the ecohydrological regimes of the Huangshui River and [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the ecohydrological regime and ecological water demand of the Huangshui River Basin under changing environmental conditions, seeking to safeguard its ecosystem. Based on monthly data spanning from 1956 to 2016, the ecohydrological regimes of the Huangshui River and the Datong River were evaluated using methods such as the Pettitt mutation test, the Tennant method, and ecological deficit and surplus analyses. The data were mainly obtained from Xiangtang Station of the Datong River and Minhe Station of the Huangshui River. The results showed the following. (1) The most abrupt increase in measured runoff at Xiangtang Station occurred in 1993, while the point of abrupt change in measured runoff at Minhe Station occurred in 1990. (2) Following an increase in human activities, changes in the ecological surplus at Xiangtang Station were negative in January, April to May, July, and from September to November, while the changes in the ecological deficit were positive from January to April, July to August, and October to December. Changes in the ecological surplus at Minhe Station were negative from March to July and from September to December, while changes in the ecological deficit were positive from January to April and from July to December. (3) The annual average ecological flow of the Datong River, Xiangtang section, was 28.42 m3/s, and the annual average ecological water demand was 896 million m3. The annual average ecological flow of the Minhe section was 19.98 m3/s, and the annual average ecological water demand was 631 million m3. According to a calculation of the degree of ecological water demand and ecological flow satisfaction, prior to the implementation of the Water Diversion Project from the Datong River to Huangshui River, the water volumes in both rivers were generally sufficient to meet the ecological water demand. However, high water consumption during the irrigation period led to an ecological deficit. To address these issues, it is crucial to evaluate the potential impacts of human activities, such as water diversion projects, on river ecological flow. Recommendations include expediting the Water Diversion Project from the Yellow River to Xining to secure sufficient water flow in the Huangshui River and enhancing water conservation efforts in agricultural irrigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydro-Geological Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas)
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18 pages, 7517 KiB  
Article
Springs of the Arabian Desert: Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry of Abu Jir Springs, Central Iraq
by John A. Webb, Jaafar Jotheri and Rod J. Fensham
Water 2024, 16(17), 2491; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16172491 - 2 Sep 2024
Viewed by 2035
Abstract
The Arabian Desert is characterised by very low rainfall and high evaporation, yet over 210 springs are on its northeastern edge in central Iraq along the Abu Jir lineament, which represents the western depositional margin of a foreland basin infilled by the floodplain [...] Read more.
The Arabian Desert is characterised by very low rainfall and high evaporation, yet over 210 springs are on its northeastern edge in central Iraq along the Abu Jir lineament, which represents the western depositional margin of a foreland basin infilled by the floodplain sediments of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; there is little evidence of faulting. The springs discharge from gently east-dipping Paleocene–Eocene limestones, either where groundwater flowpaths intersect the ground surface or where groundwater flow is forced to the surface by confining aquitards. Calculated annual recharge to the aquifer system across the Arabian Desert plateau (130–500 million m3) is significant, largely due to rapid infiltration through karst dolines, such that karst porosity is the primary enabler of groundwater recharge. The recharge is enough to maintain flow at the Abu Jir springs, but active management of groundwater extraction for agriculture is required for their long-term sustainability. The hydrochemistry of the springs is determined by evaporation, rainfall composition (high SO4 concentrations are due to the dissolution of wind-blown gypsum in rainfall), and plant uptake of Ca and K (despite the sparse vegetation). Limestone dissolution has relatively little impact; many of the springs are undersaturated with respect to calcite and lack tufa/travertine deposits. The springs at Hit-Kubaysa contain tar and high levels of H2S that probably seeped upwards along subvertical faults from underlying oil reservoirs; this is the only location along the Abu Jir lineament where deep-seated faults penetrate to the surface. The presence of hydrocarbons reduces the Hit-Kubaysa spring water and converts the dissolved SO4 to H2S. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydro-Geological Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas)
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27 pages, 15288 KiB  
Article
Modeling Reliability Analysis for the Branch-Based Irrigation Water Demands Due to Uncertainties in the Measured Surface Runoff
by Shiang-Jen Wu and Han-Yuan Yang
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1107; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071107 - 9 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1117
Abstract
This study aims to model the uncertainty and reliability quantification of estimating the planning irrigation water demands in the multi-canal irrigation zone, named the RA_IWD_Canal model. The proposed RA_IWD_Canal could estimate the zone-based and branch-based water demands and quantify their uncertainties and reliabilities [...] Read more.
This study aims to model the uncertainty and reliability quantification of estimating the planning irrigation water demands in the multi-canal irrigation zone, named the RA_IWD_Canal model. The proposed RA_IWD_Canal could estimate the zone-based and branch-based water demands and quantify their uncertainties and reliabilities via the weighted frequency quantile curves. The historical planning irrigation water demands and measured surface runoff from 2019 to 2024 in the Zhudong irrigation zone are utilized in the model development and application. Using the proposed RA_IWD_Canal model, the estimated branch-based irrigation water demands exhibit a significant variation (on average, from 0.02 m3/s to 1.7 m3/s) in time and space attributed to uncertainties in the historical gauged surface runoff. Also, the Zhudong Canal zone is demonstrated to be sufficiently supplied irrigation water subject to existing introduced water demands with a high reliability of 0.85; instead, the associated branches have considerable difficulty achieving the expected irrigation efficiency based on the desired water requirements with low reliability (nearly 0.25). To keep all branches in the irrigation zone consistent in irrigation efficiency, the probabilistic-based water demands could be introduced via the proposed RA_IWD_Canal model with the desired reliability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydro-Geological Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas)
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20 pages, 8798 KiB  
Article
Agricultural Drought Model Based on Machine Learning Cubist Algorithm and Its Evaluation
by Sha Sha, Lijuan Wang, Die Hu, Yulong Ren, Xiaoping Wang and Liang Zhang
Hydrology 2024, 11(7), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11070100 - 9 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1243
Abstract
Soil moisture is the most direct evaluation index for agricultural drought. It is not only directly affected by meteorological conditions such as precipitation and temperature but is also indirectly influenced by environmental factors such as climate zone, surface vegetation type, soil type, elevation, [...] Read more.
Soil moisture is the most direct evaluation index for agricultural drought. It is not only directly affected by meteorological conditions such as precipitation and temperature but is also indirectly influenced by environmental factors such as climate zone, surface vegetation type, soil type, elevation, and irrigation conditions. These influencing factors have a complex, nonlinear relationship with soil moisture. It is difficult to accurately describe this non-linear relationship using a single indicator constructed from meteorological data, remote sensing data, and other data. It is also difficult to fully consider environmental factors using a single drought index on a large scale. Machine learning (ML) models provide new technology for nonlinear problems such as soil moisture retrieval. Based on the multi-source drought indexes calculated by meteorological, remote sensing, and land surface model data, and environmental factors, and using the Cubist algorithm based on a classification decision tree (CART), a comprehensive agricultural drought monitoring model at 10 cm, 20 cm, and 50 cm depth in Gansu Province is established. The influence of environmental factors and meteorological factors on the accuracy of the comprehensive model is discussed, and the accuracy of the comprehensive model is evaluated. The results show that the comprehensive model has a significant improvement in accuracy compared to the single variable model, which is a decrease of about 26% and 28% in RMSE and MAPE, respectively, compared to the best MCI model. Environmental factors such as season, DEM, and climate zone, especially the DEM, play a crucial role in improving the accuracy of the integrated model. These three environmental factors can comprehensively reduce the average RMSE of the comprehensive model by about 25%. Compared to environmental factors, meteorological factors have a slightly weaker effect on improving the accuracy of comprehensive models, which is a decrease of about 6.5% in RMSE. The fitting accuracy of the comprehensive model in humid and semi-humid areas, as well as semi-arid and semi-humid areas, is significantly higher than that in arid and semi-arid areas. These research results have important guiding significance for improving the accuracy of agricultural drought monitoring in Gansu Province. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydro-Geological Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas)
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19 pages, 4104 KiB  
Article
Landscape Drivers of Floods Genesis (Case Study: Mayo Mizao Peri-Urban Watershed in Far North Cameroon)
by Lucas Bouba, Pierre-Alain Ayral and Sophie Sauvagnargues
Water 2024, 16(12), 1672; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121672 - 12 Jun 2024
Viewed by 850
Abstract
Landscape has significant effects on hydrological processes in a watershed. In the Sudano-Sahelian area, watersheds are subjected to a quick change in landscape patterns due to the human footprint, and the exact role of the actual landscape features in the modification of the [...] Read more.
Landscape has significant effects on hydrological processes in a watershed. In the Sudano-Sahelian area, watersheds are subjected to a quick change in landscape patterns due to the human footprint, and the exact role of the actual landscape features in the modification of the hydrological process remains elusive. This study tends to assess the effects of landscape on the genesis of the runoff in the Mayo Mizao watershed. To achieve this goal, 62 infiltration tests were performed at different points and depths (5 cm and 20 cm) using the double-ring method and the Porchet method. The results show that the combination of many factors (soil type, land use, and farming practices) can guide the hydraulic conductivity behavior of soils. For example, at 5 cm depths, clayey-evolved soils, such as vertisols and halomorphic soils, inhibit infiltration, as opposed to non-evolved mineral soils, such as lithosols and clayey-sandy soils. However, at 20 cm depths, gray soils with halomorphic tendencies followed by vertisols have a low sensitivity to infiltration, as opposed to soils derived from loose materials and halomorphic soils. For a given soil type, rainfed crops are the primary land use that runs against infiltration. However, the effect of tillage varies according to the soil type. Finally, given the extent of vertisols and halomorphic soils in the Far North region of Cameroon in general, and in the Mayo Mizao watershed in particular, and regarding the increase in cultivated areas, a probable reduction in the infiltration capacity of soils in this region is to be expected in the medium term. The results of this study can be used as a basis for land-use planning and sustainable watershed management in semi-arid tropical zones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydro-Geological Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas)
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14 pages, 3873 KiB  
Article
Boundary Layer Height and Trends over the Tarim Basin
by Akida Salam, Qing He, Alim Abbas, Tongwen Wu, Jie Zhang, Weihua Jie and Junjie Liu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(5), 541; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15050541 - 28 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1049
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the spatio-temporal variations in the atmospheric boundary layer height (ABLH) over the Tarim Basin (TB). Monthly ABLH data from the ERA-Interim dataset from January 1979 to December 2018 were used. Periodicity analysis and the Mann–Kendall Abrupt Changes test [...] Read more.
This study aimed to examine the spatio-temporal variations in the atmospheric boundary layer height (ABLH) over the Tarim Basin (TB). Monthly ABLH data from the ERA-Interim dataset from January 1979 to December 2018 were used. Periodicity analysis and the Mann–Kendall Abrupt Changes test were employed to identify the change cycle and abrupt change year of the boundary layer height. The Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) method was utilized to determine the spatial distribution of the boundary layer height, and the RF method was used to establish the relationship between the ABLH and influencing factors. The results demonstrated that the highest values of ABLH (over 1900 m) were observed in the middle parts of the study area in June, and the ABLH exhibited a significant increase over the TB throughout the study period. Abrupt changes in the ABLH were also identified in 2004, as well as in 2-, 5-, 9-, and 15-year changing cycles. The first EOF ABLH mode indicated that the middle and northeast regions are relatively high ABLH areas within the study area. Additionally, the monthly variations in ABLH show a moderately positive correlation with air temperature, while exhibiting a negative correlation with air pressure and relative humidity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydro-Geological Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas)
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18 pages, 8551 KiB  
Article
An Assessment of the Coupled Weather Research and Forecasting Hydrological Model on Streamflow Simulations over the Source Region of the Yellow River
by Yaling Chen, Jun Wen, Xianhong Meng, Qiang Zhang, Xiaoyue Li, Ge Zhang and Run Chen
Atmosphere 2024, 15(4), 468; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15040468 - 10 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1185
Abstract
The Source Region of the Yellow River (SRYR), renowned as the “Water Tower of the Yellow River”, serves as an important water conservation domain in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, significantly influencing water resources within the basin. Based on the Weather [...] Read more.
The Source Region of the Yellow River (SRYR), renowned as the “Water Tower of the Yellow River”, serves as an important water conservation domain in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, significantly influencing water resources within the basin. Based on the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model Hydrological modeling system (WRF-Hydro), the key variables of the atmosphere–land–hydrology coupling processes over the SRYR during the 2013 rainy season are analyzed. The investigation involves a comparative analysis between the coupled WRF-Hydro and the standalone WRF simulations, focusing on the hydrological response to the atmosphere. The results reveal the WRF-Hydro model’s proficiency in depicting streamflow variations over the SRYR, yielding Nash Efficiency Coefficient (NSE) values of 0.44 and 0.61 during the calibration and validation periods, respectively. Compared to the standalone WRF simulations, the coupled WRF-Hydro model demonstrates enhanced performance in soil heat flux simulations, reducing the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of surface soil temperature by 0.96 K and of soil moisture by 0.01 m3/m3. Furthermore, the coupled model adeptly captures the streamflow variation characteristics with an NSE of 0.33. This underscores the significant potential of the coupled WRF-Hydro model for describing atmosphere–land–hydrology coupling processes in regions characterized by cold climates and intricate topography. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydro-Geological Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas)
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14 pages, 12543 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Various Forms of Geothermal Energy Release in the Beijing Region, China
by Zebin Luo, Mingbo Yang, Xiaocheng Zhou, Guiping Liu, Jinlong Liang, Zhe Liu, Peixue Hua, Jingchen Ma, Leyin Hu, Xiaoru Sun, Bowen Cui, Zhiguo Wang and Yuxuan Chen
Water 2024, 16(4), 622; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16040622 - 19 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1645
Abstract
The energy inside the Earth can not only be released outward through earthquakes and volcanoes but also can be used by humans in the form of geothermal energy. Is there a correlation between different forms of energy release? In this contribution, we perform [...] Read more.
The energy inside the Earth can not only be released outward through earthquakes and volcanoes but also can be used by humans in the form of geothermal energy. Is there a correlation between different forms of energy release? In this contribution, we perform detailed seismic and geothermal research in the Beijing area. The results show that the geothermal resources in Beijing belong to typical medium-low temperature geothermal resources of the sedimentary basin, and some areas are controlled by deep fault activities (e.g., Xiji geothermal well (No. 17)). The heat sources are upper mantle heat, radioactive heat in granite, and residual heat from magma cooling. The high overlap of earthquakes and geothermal field locations and the positive correlation between the injection water and earthquakes indicate that the exploitation and injection water will promote the release of the earth’s energy. The energy releases are partitioned into multiple microearthquakes, avoiding damaging earthquakes (ML ≥ 5) due to excessive energy accumulation. Therefore, the exploitation of geothermal resources may be one way to reduce destructive earthquakes. Furthermore, the use of geothermal resources can also reduce the burning of fossil energy, which is of great significance in dealing with global warming. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydro-Geological Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas)
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27 pages, 13685 KiB  
Article
Using an Open-Source Tool to Develop a Three-Dimensional Hydrogeologic Framework of the Kobo Valley, Ethiopia
by Sisay S. Mekonen, Scott E. Boyce, Abdella K. Mohammed and Markus Disse
Geosciences 2024, 14(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14010003 - 20 Dec 2023
Viewed by 2791
Abstract
Groundwater resource management requires understanding the groundwater basin’s hydrogeology and would be improved with the development of a three-dimensional hydrogeologic framework model (HFM). A wide range of methods and software exist to quantify the extent, structure, and properties of geologic systems. However, most [...] Read more.
Groundwater resource management requires understanding the groundwater basin’s hydrogeology and would be improved with the development of a three-dimensional hydrogeologic framework model (HFM). A wide range of methods and software exist to quantify the extent, structure, and properties of geologic systems. However, most geologic software is proprietary and cost-prohibitive for use in developing countries. GemPy is a Python-based, open-source (no-cost) tool for generating three-dimensional geological models. This study uses available data and GemPy to develop the Kobo Valley Hydrogeologic Framework Model (KV-HFM), a three-dimensional HFM for Kobo Valley in northern Ethiopia, which is part of the East African Rift System. The KV-HFM is a conceptual model that comprises the hydrostratigraphy, structural features, and hydraulic properties of the Kobo Valley groundwater system. The limited data described the extent and altitude of the hydrostratigraphic units using the GemPy implicit potential–field interpolation. The KV-HFM showed the existence of an east-to-west, structural-based groundwater divide composed of volcanic rock and clay. This divide splits the catchment into two groundwater systems with limited interconnected flow. This study illustrates the use of open-source software for developing an HFM using sparse, existing geologic data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydro-Geological Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas)
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15 pages, 5588 KiB  
Article
Arid AREAS Water-Piled Photovoltaic Prevents Evaporation Effects Research
by Jiamin Huang, Kebin Shi, Xingpeng Shi, Guocheng Hao and Yimin Yang
Water 2023, 15(21), 3716; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15213716 - 24 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1769
Abstract
(1) Background: In arid and semi-arid reservoirs, water surface evaporation is the main method of water dissipation in order to inhibit the evaporation of water and enhance economic efficiency. The evaporation inhibition rate of water-piled PV at different times of the year is [...] Read more.
(1) Background: In arid and semi-arid reservoirs, water surface evaporation is the main method of water dissipation in order to inhibit the evaporation of water and enhance economic efficiency. The evaporation inhibition rate of water-piled PV at different times of the year is derived from the anti-evaporation test of water-piled PV, and a new idea is proposed for water conservation in plains reservoirs in arid areas. (2) Methods: The test was conducted by dividing the area into groups A and B, with and without PV panel shading. In situ observation and numerical calculation were used to measure the atmosphere’s temperatures, test group, and PV module. The saturated water vapor pressure difference was then calculated according to Dalton’s principle to analyze the economic benefits of water saving. (3) Results: Based on the test results, it was found that the shading of PV panels had a cooling effect on the water body, the PV module, and the atmosphere. Group A showed a 44.2% decrease in the saturation water vapor pressure difference compared to Group B. The maximum evaporation suppression rate of 40.2% was observed in July, while the minimum rate of 12.2% was observed in January. The average evaporation suppression rate for the entire year was 29.2%. By utilizing the annual water savings for agricultural irrigation, it is possible to cover 38 hm2 of land and generate a revenue of 39,000 CNY. (4) Conclusions: The photovoltaic water cover can effectively reduce water evaporation and generate economic benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydro-Geological Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas)
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16 pages, 7533 KiB  
Article
Balancing Water Ecosystem Services: Assessing Water Yield and Purification in Shanxi
by Man Li, Shanshan Li, Huancai Liu and Junjie Zhang
Water 2023, 15(18), 3261; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15183261 - 13 Sep 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2536
Abstract
Water yield and purification are important aspects of water ecosystem services, and achieving a balanced development of the two is necessary for the development of aquatic ecosystems. Using the InVEST model, the spatiotemporal variations of regional water yield and purification services in Shanxi, [...] Read more.
Water yield and purification are important aspects of water ecosystem services, and achieving a balanced development of the two is necessary for the development of aquatic ecosystems. Using the InVEST model, the spatiotemporal variations of regional water yield and purification services in Shanxi, China, from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed. Three future scenarios (natural development, urban development, and ecological protection) were assessed for 2030 using the PLUS model. The results showed that in 2000–2020, the water yield of Shanxi Province in terms of space was generally low in the middle and northwest and high in the southeast, and it was affected by land-use change and climatic change. From 2000 to 2020, the water yield of Shanxi Province changed by 78.8 mm. In 2030, water yield will be highest under the urban development scenario (380.53 mm) and lowest in the ecological protection scenario (368.22 mm). Moreover, the water quality purification capacity improved, with nitrogen loading high in the center and low in the east and west. Due to the implementation of environmental protection policies and the improvement of the technical level, the nitrogen load was the highest in 2000 (0.97 kg/hm2) and lowest in 2015 (0.94 kg/hm2). By 2030, because of the high nitrogen loadings of cultivation and construction land and low nitrogen loadings of forests and grasslands, the nitrogen load was lowest under the scenario of urban development (0.94 kg/hm2) and highest under ecological protection (0.85 kg/hm2). Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydro-Geological Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas)
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22 pages, 4622 KiB  
Article
Hydrochemical Characteristics and Quality Evaluation of Irrigation and Drinking Water in Bangong Co Lake Watershed in Northwest Tibetan Plateau
by Yuxiang Shao, Buqing Yan, Lubaiyang Liu, Xiao Yu, Gang Feng, Kun Zhang and Kang Gong
Water 2023, 15(14), 2655; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15142655 - 22 Jul 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2228
Abstract
Bangong Lake is a narrow and long lake in the arid region of the plateau in northern Tibet. The salinity of the east of the lake is different from that the west, resulting in differences in the natural environment and human living conditions [...] Read more.
Bangong Lake is a narrow and long lake in the arid region of the plateau in northern Tibet. The salinity of the east of the lake is different from that the west, resulting in differences in the natural environment and human living conditions on each side. Watershed hydrochemical analysis and spatial statistical analysis can help to understand regional hydrochemical evolution and water quality evaluation. In this study, the hydrochemical characteristics of surface water (glacier, river, and lake) and groundwater in the Bangong Co Lake Watershed were investigated to reveal the relationships between various water bodies. The drinking water quality index (DWQI) and USSL classification were applied to assess groundwater quality suitability for agricultural and drinking purposes. The hydrochemical characteristics show the differences among water bodies and their spatial distribution. The analyzed groundwater and surface water samples, such as river water and glaciers, were mainly Ca-HCO3-type and the lake water was mainly categorized as Na-Cl-type with some Na-HCO3-Cl type. The lake water’s chemical components are mainly affected by evaporative karst decomposition. The main mineralization process of groundwater and river water was related to the dissolution of reservoir minerals, such as dolomite and calcite, as well as halite. The drinking water quality index (DWQI) indicates that 79% of the groundwater samples in the study area were of good enough quality for drinking. In terms of irrigation water quality, the electrical conductivity (EC), calculated sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and magnesium hazardous ratio (MHR) showed that more than 13% of the total samples were not suitable for irrigation. However, the USSL classification indicated that glacier and river water are relatively suitable for irrigation. Additionally, some groundwater and lake water has very high alkalinity or salinity, which is alarming when considering them for irrigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydro-Geological Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas)
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