Freshwater Availability Research Articles

Super-hydrophilic carbonized wood-based solar steam evaporator: A novel approach to enhance freshwater generation

Solar steam evaporation has been shown to represent an advanced approach to freshwater generation. The primary obstacles in developing solar steam generation devices utilizing biomass materials include intricate manufacturing procedures and a comparatively lower energy conversion efficiency. Here, we detailed a straightforward approach involving the deposition of polydopamine (PDA) onto carbonized wood, creating an innovative solar interface evaporation device. Treated wood obtained by removing a part of lignin and hemicellulose was transformed into carbonized wood through a straightforward wood carbonization process. Subsequently, the carbonized wood's water and light absorption were further enhanced by applying a hydrophilic coating using dopamine (DA) and diethylenetriamine (DETA). The result was the development of a wood-based solar interface evaporator capable of performing three essential functions: light absorption, photothermal conversion, and water transfer. The Super-hydrophilic carbonized wood (SCW) solar steam evaporator possessed an evaporation efficiency of approximately 91.81 %, net evaporation of 1.7853 kg m−2 h−1 in seawater, an evaporation efficiency of approximately 78.44 %, and net evaporation of 1.52538 kg m−2 h−1 in groundwater at one sun, respectively. Therefore, SCW holds substantial promise for applications in seawater desalination and groundwater extraction, offering a valuable solution to address the issue of inadequate freshwater availability.

The isotopic composition of the world’s highest river basins: Role of hydrological mixing ratios and transit time

Hydrological mixing models rely on assumptions governing the rate and timing of mixing proportions, the degree to which isotope ratios conserve the mixing ratios and the estimation of the prior behaviour of meteoric reservoirs. However, these models only describe the integrated catchment response based on different sources having unique and constant isotopic compositions as opposed to location-specific information. Erroneous projection of the hydrological budget can have severe repercussions on climate and eco-hydrological studies, estimation of freshwater availability, and civil and engineering work. Consequently, we design a real-time, multi-parameter, hydrometeorological-constrained, Bayesian-mixing model that can relate meteoric reservoirs to streamflow, and temporal and spatial behaviour of flow paths. Developed for pan-Himalayan catchments (up to 5200 m), with four end-members and pre/post-monsoon seasonality, the isotopic analysis reveals distinct δ18O values: stream water (–9 ± 2.6 ‰), snowpack (–10.7 ± 8.1 ‰), lake water (–12.2 ± 2.5 ‰), and groundwater (–8.4 ± 1.6 ‰). Initial results based on the isotope-enabled, flux-weighted mixing didn’t fully capture spatiotemporal isotopic heterogeneity, affecting hydrograph separation. A revised model, considering the transit time of meteoric reservoirs before their mixing with river discharge, was developed. The revised model illustrates that isotope-enabled mixing models must also consider the hydrometeorological properties of individual reservoirs, the high probability of intermixing between the various reservoirs, and the variable transit time of different meteoric waters in a catchment. With implications for isotope-enabled hydrology, this work describes a novel method applicable to high-mountain hydrology, separating them from other montane or lowland geographies.

Sewage Water Use in Crop Production and Its Effect on Physico-Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil: A Review

The availability of freshwater for irrigation is dwindling, prompting the need for innovative solutions to tackle this critical issue. This research delves into comparing sewage water with fresh water, recognizing the immense volume of wastewater generated daily due to rapid population growth and industrial expansion. The current state of sewage water in India presents a formidable challenge, highlighting the imperative for proactive management strategies moving forward. The study explores methods to harness sewage water for agricultural use, aiming to enhance productivity while acknowledging the global significance of wastewater management. Sewage water composition varies depending on local industrial activities, often containing higher levels of nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic carbon, micronutrients, and soil microbial content compared to regular water sources. Utilizing sewage water for irrigation can positively impact soil chemistry and fertility, although it may increase electrical conductivity, albeit usually within acceptable limits to mitigate soil salinity risks. However, sewage water typically contains elevated concentrations of heavy metals such as Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, and Nickel, posing potential hazards to soil and plant health if surpassing safety thresholds. Continuous use of sewage water may exacerbate the accumulation of these hazardous metals, posing risks to both soil quality and human health. Nonetheless, during periods of water scarcity crucial for crop growth, sewage water emerges as a vital resource, potentially saving agricultural productivity. In this context, sewage farming emerges as a promising approach to alleviate the demand for freshwater while addressing wastewater challenges. Embracing sewage water for irrigation holds the promise of significant advancements in curbing wastewater proliferation, underscoring its role as a sustainable solution for agricultural water requirements.

Long‐term tracking reveals the influence of body size and habitat type on the home range of Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus)

AbstractAntillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) are endangered coastal, marine, and riverine megaherbivores with high environmental plasticity, constrained by tidal and seasonal water level cycles that affect access to food and fresh water. Accurate quantification of the species' habitat requirements, typically achieved through home range (HR) estimation, is required to implement area‐based conservation initiatives. In this study, we used GPS tracking data from 38 wild and captive‐rehabilitated released manatees to estimate HR using autocorrelated kernel density estimators (AKDE) and average time speed. We investigated whether body size, habitat type, sex and behavioural group influence home range size due to energy requirements, resources availability, a scramble‐competitive polygyny mating system, and adaptation to the wild. Eighteen manatees exhibited range‐resident behaviour, with a mean 95% home range of 72.96 km2 (± 218.52) and a median of 10.69 km2. The mean daily speed was estimated to be 13.47 km/day (± 4.16). Home range and body size were positively correlated, consistent with HR allometry theory. Long‐term tracked individuals showed a trend of increasing HR over time. Only four released animals (17.4%) were range‐resident, suggesting that they may need additional time to establish a home range. Individuals using only the marine environment had larger home ranges compared to mixed (marine and estuarine) and estuarine environments, probably due to freshwater availability. Our study contributes to the understanding of the factors driving manatee movement and provides more accurate estimates of area requirements, which can inform the establishment and zoning of marine protected areas.

A techno-economic review of direct air capture of moisture processes: sustainable versus energy-intensive methods

AbstractOne of the biggest challenges that the world faces today is the availability of fresh and potable water in arid, semi-arid, and deprived regions. This is a challenge that concerns not only economic development but also social development spanning several UN SDGs. This article presents a detailed critical and systematic review of the technologies for producing industrial and potable water. Emphasis is made on direct air capture (DAC) methods as the next frontier in sustainable water production against the backdrop of traditional energy intensive methods such as desalination. Comparisons using a variety of techno-economic, scale, geographic, and environmental metrics are carried out. While market reports suggest that investments and market value of DAC technologies will continuously rise, these data only extend the next 5–10 years. However, using this data, a projection was made by the authors on various scenarios leading to 2050. At 2030, best projections fall short of UN SDG 6 predictions for a four-fold increase (from 2020 levels) required to sustain populations. The review notes that DAC has the potential to be an attractive solution for the current water crisis (in some cases drought) experienced in various regions on earth. The report finds that while several moisture DAC technologies (e.g., fog and dew water harvesting) are currently being developed, they are only being implemented on small scales around the world—with huge implications for arid and deprived regions of the world.

Application of VIC-WUR model for assessing the spatiotemporal distribution of water availability in anthropogenically-impacted basins

Climate change, rapid increase in population, and urbanization have given rise to over-exploitation and shortage of freshwater resources. Acquiring accurate representations of fresh water availability is therefore crucial to sustainable development. Based on the underlying hydrological processes and storage types, fresh water can be divided into blue and green water components. Hence, quantification of the spatio-temporal distribution of blue and green water requires estimating the components of terrestrial water cycle. In this study, a framework is proposed to evaluate the water scarcity using the blue and green water concept. In this framework, the Wageningen Institute and Research (WUR) version of the Variable Infiltration Capacity Model (VIC) is employed to simulate terrestrial water cycle. Compared to VIC model, VIC-WUR model employs additional modules to account for sectoral water demands, return flows, and groundwater withdrawals, however, very limited number of its applications have been reported so far. The Divandareh-Bijar (DBJ) basin in west of Iran is selected because it has experienced severe anthropogenic alterations in the past three decades. To address precipitation and parameter uncertainty, the VIC-WUR model is separately calibrated for three precipitation datasets. As a part of this framework, the calibrated model is used to simulate blue and green water components and their corresponding scarcity metrics for the first time. According to the results, blue and green water resources in the DBJ are relatively scarce. The results also highlight the importance of considering anthropogenic impacts on the spatiotemporal dynamics of green and blue water resources. Additionally, quantification of the uncertainty in blue and green water components can help produce more reliable estimations for intelligent management of water resources. The ANalysis Of VAriance (ANOVA) method is therefore used to quantify the contribution of three major factors, including precipitation inputs, model parameters, and the interaction of these two, on the uncertainty of calculated water scarcity metrics. Structural uncertainty is implicitly addressed through the use of the modified version of the VIC model. The results indicate seasonality of these contributions for the two metrics under investigation and the differences in relative contribution of different sources to the overall uncertainty. The proposed framework could be employed to identify water stress in various spatiotemporal scales across the globe.

Assessing the suitability of desalination techniques for hydraulic barriers

Seawater intrusion is a worldwide increasing challenge, which lowers the freshwater availability by salination of fresh groundwater resources in coastal areas. The abstraction-desalination-recharge (ADR) methodology can combat seawater intrusion, whereby desalination is hereby the key factor for the overall efficiency of aquifer remediation. Which desalination technique is suitable within ADR depends on several factors and was not discussed before. We use a multi-criteria decision analysis and cost analysis to compare nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, and (membrane) capacitive deionization and show for three case scenarios which desalination technique is most suitable within ADR. Overall, electrodialysis, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis have shown the best utility value for saline groundwater salinity of 1–10 g L−1, whereby electrodialysis is more suitable for lower salinities. The lowest desalination costs are calculated for nanofiltration and reverse osmosis with 0.3–0.6 € m−3 depending on specific energy costs. Even capacitive deionisation can be a suitable alternative for low, slightly saline groundwater (1 g L−1) if the technology readiness level and a lifetime of electrodes increase and material costs decrease. These new insights provide a data analysis, costs, and decision support for desalination which are needed for the holistic approach to counteract seawater intrusion.

Bangladesh towards green growth: a review of environmental sustainability indicators

Pursuing green growth is crucial for Bangladesh to transition from an unsustainable economic trajectory to a more sustainable and inclusive one. Bangladesh is picked for this study because of impending and severe economic and environmental threats. This study intends to review the present scenario of various environmental sustainability-related indicators in Bangladesh, focusing on renewable energy consumption, freshwater resources, water productivity, CO2 emissions, energy intensity, air pollution, and natural resource rents. The World Bank database has been utilized to obtain secondary time series data of Bangladesh spanning from 2000 to 2020. As a descriptive study, cross-sectional and observational research methods as well as descriptive statistics and figures are used to elucidate the secondary data. Data demonstrate that Bangladesh now generates 41.16% of its energy from renewables, despite considerable variability. Regardless of the variation in freshwater availability, averaging at 708.19 cubic meters per capita, efficient water productivity remains consistent, indicating a robust water management system. The country demonstrates a relatively low carbon footprint, emitting 0.35 metric tons of CO2 per capita, alongside varying energy intensity levels, highlighting the need for enhanced efficiency measures. While pervasive PM2.5 air pollution poses a significant health risk, Bangladesh's reliance on natural resource rents underscores the importance of sustainable resource management practices for long-term economic stability. The observations of this study might assist in the formulation of policies of water management systems, air pollution control initiatives, and conservation of ecology to promote Bangladesh's long-term sustainability objectives and formulate policies.

Global Precipitation Experiment - A New World Climate Research Programme Lighthouse Activity

Abstract The future state of the global water cycle and prediction of freshwater availability for humans around the world remain among the challenges of climate research and are relevant to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Global Precipitation EXperiment (GPEX) takes on the challenge of improving the prediction of precipitation quantity, phase, timing and intensity, characteristics that are products of a complex integrated system. It will achieve this by leveraging existing World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) activities and community capabilities in satellite, surface-based, and airborne observations, modeling and experimental research, and by conducting new and focused activities. It was launched in October 2023 as a WCRP Lighthouse Activity. Here we present an overview of the GPEX Science Plan that articulates the primary science questions related to precipitation measurements, process understanding, model performance and improvements, and plans for capacity development. The central phase of GPEX is the WCRP Years of Precipitation for 2-3 years with coordinated global field campaigns focusing on different storm types (atmospheric rivers, mesoscale convective systems, monsoons, and tropical cyclones, among others) over different regions and seasons. Activities are planned over the three phases (before, during, and after the Years of Precipitation) spanning a decade. These include gridded data evaluation and development, advanced modeling, enhanced understanding of processes critical to precipitation, multi-scale prediction of precipitation events across scales, and capacity development. These activities will be further developed as part of the GPEX Implementation Plan.

Conserving Freshwater Ecosystems in India: A call to action

Abstract India boasts of a vast freshwater resource network (rivers, wetlands, and groundwater), which has unique ecological, social and economic values associated with it. Despite their importance for both people and biodiversity, its freshwater ecosystems (FWEs) are heavily impacted through multiple factors such as pollution, overexploitation, habitat loss/modification and climate change. India is also among the hotspots of water resource overuse that has caused a serious decline in freshwater availability. Given that healthy FWEs lie at the centre for supporting the country's ecology, health, economy, livelihoods and ultimately achieving multiple policy goals, it is crucial that holistic and focused efforts are made to protect, conserve, and restore all types of FWEs. We call for an urgent and a greater focus on implementing conservation actions for FWEs in India and suggest the following strategy to enhance focus on their conservation: (1) establishing a shared freshwater conservation vision at a national scale, (2) developing and including national freshwater conservation goals within global efforts, (3) conducting simultaneous conservation action planning at regional scales and (4) bridge planning to implementation gap by strengthening key enabling conditions: i) mainstream FWE conservation within key existing governance instruments, ii) secure sustainable conservation funding, iii) improve data access and knowledge translation; iv) create national awareness around importance of FWEs; v) facilitate collaboration among key actors.

Replanting Eucalyptus as a sustainable solution for pulp industry: A review

Eucalyptus has emerged as a prominent raw material in the paper industry, with Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus grandis being the most commonly used varieties. Its versatility has led to its widespread use in various paper products, including cigarette paper, napkins, white paperboard, and more. However, different eucalyptus species grown under varied conditions can influence morphology, chemical composition, pulping conditions, and paper quality. Hence, selecting the right species is crucial based on various indices, such as fibre diameter, holocellulose, lignin, and ash content. Replanting has been recognized as a natural approach to enhance freshwater availability and mitigate climate change, making it an essential strategy for sustainable eucalyptus production. This review examines 21 recent publications from diverse geographic locations, exploring the impact of replanting eucalyptus on pulp industries. The study highlights the significance of replanting eucalyptus as a sustainable solution for the pulp industry and discusses the ecological benefits, environmental considerations, and challenges associated with eucalyptus plantations. Through a comprehensive evaluation of previous research, this study aims to shed light on the optimal practices for replanting eucalyptus and its potential contributions to the thriving pulp industry.

Experimental Study on Subgrade Soil Properties using Sea Water as Partial Replacement to Fresh Water in Coastal Areas

At present , the fresh water availability is very important factor specially in coastal areas the ground water table providing with sea water . If we utilize the waste water nothing but sea water is used as parital replacement to the fresh water for the construction of subgrade soil for flexible pavements ,we will reduce the utilization of fresh water to the construction works as well as economical for transportation of fresh water to construction site. Sub grade is a component which can taken all compression loads from sub base, base and surface courses and transfer to it to below the ground surface. This paper deals with the sub-grade properties using sea water as partial replacement to fresh water in coastal areas. In order to determine the properties of soil by taking various percentages I.e, 10%,20%,30%,40% and 50%of salt water as partially replaced to normal water. In this study, Proctor’s compaction tests, core cutter test,Atterberg limits and CBR soaked and un-soaked tests are conducted on locally available soil with sea water to normal water. For this study it is identified that the engineering properties of the soil like void ratio,posrosity,degree of saturation does not loose their characterstics in all conditions. The soil with at optimum value is 40% of sea water has CBR soaked value is obtained 6.83% and un-soaked value is obtained 7.0% is just increased when compared with conventionally soil. Key Words: CBR-Soaked, Un-soaked,sea water, locally available water, compaction test, atter berg limits

Riverine sediment response to deforestation in the Amazon basin

Abstract. The Amazon experiences thousands of square kilometers of deforestation annually with recent rates increasing to levels unseen since the late 2000s. These increased rates of deforestation within the basin have led to changes in sediment concentration within its river systems, with potential impacts on ecological functioning, freshwater availability, and fluvial and coastal geomorphic processes. The relationship between deforestation and fluvial sediment dynamics in the Amazon has not been extensively studied using a basin-wide, comparative approach primarily due to lack of data. In this study, we utilize a novel remote-sensing-derived sediment concentration dataset to analyze the impact of deforestation from 2001 to 2020 on suspended sediment in large rivers (>50 m wide) across the Amazon River basin. These impacts are studied using a lag-based approach to quantify the spatiotemporal relationships between observed suspended sediment and changes in land cover over time. The results show that large-scale deforestation of the Amazon during the 2001–2020 period are associated with significant changes in sediment concentration in the eastern portion of the basin. In the heavily deforested eastern regions, the hydrogeomorphic response to deforestation occurs relatively rapidly (within a year), whereas the less disturbed western areas exhibit delays of 1 to 2 years before responses are observable. Moreover, we observe that deforestation must be substantial enough to overcome the collective influences of human activities and natural sediment variations to result in a discernible impact on sediment concentration in large rivers. In 69 % of Amazonian major tributary basins with an immediate response, more than 5 % of the basin was deforested during the 2001–2020 period, while in 85 % of basins with lagged responses, less than 5 % of the land was cleared. These findings suggest severe implications for future sediment dynamics across the Amazon if deforestation is to further expand into the basin.

Application of Mann Kendal Sen's Slope Estimator in Trend Analysis of Historical And Future Precipitation and Temperature in the Kilombero River Basin

This study examines historical (1981-2020) and future (2020-2070) trends in rainfall and temperature in the Kilombero Basin using the Mann-Kendall method with Sen's slope estimator. Data were obtained from the Tanzania Meteorological Agency and from simulated historical and future climate data sourced from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP6). The CMIP6 datasets were downscaled and bias-corrected using the CMhyd tool. The basin exhibited a bimodal rainfall pattern with an average of 1400 mm, peaking around April. The CMIP6 models successfully simulated monthly rainfall, Tmax, and Tmin at most stations. No definitive trends in rainfall were observed, but Tmax and Tmin showed significant increases under both SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. More warming is predicted under SSP5-8.5 by the mid-21st century, raising Tmax and Tmin at all stations. This rise in temperature could potentially increase evapotranspiration demand, negatively impacting freshwater availability. The average annual rainfall showed a slightly increasing trend post-2000, from 1403.96mm/year (1981-1999) to 1433.38mm/year (2000-2020), an increase of 2.05%. Sen's slope analysis, however, revealed varying trends across stations, with most showing a decreasing trend. Notably, only Ulanga Met Station showed a significant increasing trend with a slope value of 14.70 and a p-value below 0.05. The study concluded that both temperature and precipitation in the Kilombero Basin are on the rise.

A decision support system for localized planning of reclaimed water around wastewater treatment plants.

Exploding population, industrialization, and an increase in water pollution has led to acute shrinkage in freshwater availability. Numerous countries have started exploring municipal wastewater as a new potential source of water to bring a paradigm shift from linearity to obtaining circularity in human water cycle management. This study aims to develop a decision support system for integrated water and wastewater management (DSS_IWWM), targeted towards reuse-focused selection of appropriate wastewater treatment technology, and localized planning around STPs in terms of reclaimed water demand identification, estimation, allocation, and sustainable pricing. The developed DSS_IWWM comprises of a repository of fourteen reuse purposes, reuse quality criteria, and 25 wastewater treatment technologies (WWTTs) in 360 combinations. It is sensitive to local resource scenarios and applies a socioeconomic and technology-focused methodology for addressing the interests of the community and investing agencies and viably. To validate the application of the DSS_IWWM, it is first tested with data from three cities in the state of Uttar Pradesh (India)-Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Agra-and then extended to nine more Indian cities with varying influent quality characteristics, resource inputs, existing STP technologies, and same target quality and decision criteria prioritization, to present a comparison of appropriate WWTTs and associated average prices obtained in different scenarios. It is concluded that influent quality, existing technology, and target quality criteria play significant role in selection of appropriate WWTTs. The traditional technologies such as UASB and ASP are required to be augmented and supplemented with high-performing WWTTs, such as BIOFOR-F with (C + F + RSF) and SBT + WP to obtain desired effluent quality. High-performing advanced oxidation process (AOP)-based systems such as A2O, SBR, and BIOFOR-F require WWTTs with relatively lower average costs (such as SBT and OP). The developed DSS_IWWM may prove to be very useful and beneficial for policymakers, government officials, engineers, and scientific community as it will facilitate rational decision-making for efficient investment planning in reuse focused wastewater treatment towards achieving circular economy in sustainable water resource management.

A review of spiral wound membrane modules and processes for groundwater treatment

The demand for freshwater keeps increasing on a global scale, and on the other hand, the availability of freshwater keeps diminishing. Groundwater has been identified as the largest source of freshwater that is readily accessible. Although the water is available for abstraction, it must be treated to meet application standards. Membrane processes are the options that industry and researchers are turning to for the purification of groundwater. This review provides an insight into the use of pressure-driven membrane processes for groundwater treatment, with focus on the spiral wound membrane module. A brief description of what a spiral wound module is and the plant set-up in which it is used is given. The various applications of the spiral wound module with regards to groundwater treatment have been reviewed. The shortcomings and challenges limiting the application of spiral wound modules and by extension, the treatment plant itself have been highlighted. To cap it all, the opportunities that can be exploited to overcome these challenges and position pressure-driven membrane processes for groundwater treatment as the go-to purification method have been discussed.

Effects of the 2021 La Palma volcanic eruption on groundwater hydrochemistry: Geochemical modelling of endogenous CO2 release to surface reservoirs, water-rock interaction and influence of thermal and seawater

Volcanic islands face unique challenges in protecting and managing their water resources due to their small size, limited freshwater availability, and vulnerability to natural hazards. The recent 2021 eruption of the Tajogaite volcano on La Palma Island in the Canary Islands, Spain, raised concerns regarding the potential impact on groundwater hydrochemistry. This work aimed to characterize and model the processes that lead to the measured hydrochemical impacts in the groundwater of La Palma as a consequence of the volcanic eruption. The study involved conducting three groundwater sampling campaigns during the eruption, and six after the eruption ceased. A total of 15 monitored points, including piezometers, wells, water galleries, and the main gully collector of the island, all relatively close (2 to15 km) to the erupted volcano, were sampled for the analysis of major solutes and SiO2. Unpublished hydrochemical data previous to the eruption were provided by the local water management authorities of La Palma (CIALP) and the Geological Survey of Spain (IGME). Statistical analyses were performed to assess the differences in groundwater composition before, during, and after the eruption, and a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) mixing model was calculated. Three compositional extreme waters were defined as end members in the system: (1) a high SiO2 computed thermal end member; (2) a low salinity computed fresh groundwater; (3) and seawater. The results of the mixing model showed two main events of maximum mixing ratios in the fresh groundwater reservoirs of La Palma after the eruption; the first one of seawater in July 2022, and the next one of thermal fluids in December 2022. This water mixing during and after the eruption, together with a volcanic CO2 input to the reservoirs, led to significant increases in the concentrations of Na, Ca, SiO2 and SO4 in fresh groundwater, as well as a drop in pH. The significance of these findings relies in improving our understanding of the effects of volcanic eruptions on groundwater, emphasizing the necessity for frequent monitoring and evaluation, given the scarcity and vulnerability of groundwater resources in volcanic islands.

Integration of sequential electrocoagulation and adsorption for effective removal of colour and total organic carbon in textile effluents and its utilization for seed germination and irrigation.

Textile effluent discharge can negatively impact the environment and living organisms due to its potential toxicity, higher percentages of total organic carbon (TOC) contents, and so on. The study investigates the extraordinary performance of the electrocoagulation process (ECP) combined with powdered activated carbon (PAC) as a highly effective and environmental friendly method of treating textile effluents. This scientific work mainly includes the focus on removing toxic components in textile effluents, such as high concentrations of colour and TOC using synthesized PAC derived from coconut shells coupled with the ECP (ECP-PAC). Initially, PAC was characterized by using XRD, Raman, BET, FTIR, and TGA studies. Subsequently, the pilot-scale ECP-PAC batch reactor was constructed with iron (Fe) as an anode and copper (Cu) as a cathode. The pilot-scale ECP-PAC batch reactor has achieved higher treatment efficiency in a shorter reaction time with low energy consumption compared to a stand-alone ECP. Further, the optimum conditions for effective ECP-PAC have been optimized, such as pH 7.5, applied current density (0-50mA/cm2), reaction time (0-30min), electrode combinations (Fe-Cu) with electrode distances of 5cm apart, and an optimum dose of 5g/L of PAC. Specifically, 98% of the colour and 96% of the TOC contents present in the industrial textile effluent were treated in 15 and 30min, respectively. In quantitative perspectives, the developed batch reactor has sharply decreased TOC (324.1mg/L), IC (1410mg/L) and TC (1019mg/L) to 13.55mg/L (96%), 31.49mg/L (97%), and 48.05mg/L (95%), respectively, in 30min demonstrating its sensitivity and selectivity with the utmost care. Moreover, the physicochemical properties of the treated water were convincingly assessed. That is, it remains suitable for the seed germination of mung bean and chlorophyll content study. Thus, the developed methodology could effectively reduce freshwater consumption in the agricultural sector, increase freshwater availability in water-scarce regions, and facilitate the increase of the recharging capacity of groundwater tables.

Environmentally Friendly Photothermal Membranes for Halite Recovery from Reverse Osmosis Brine via Solar-Driven Membrane Crystallization.

Modern society and industrial development rely heavily on the availability of freshwater and minerals. Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) has been widely adopted for freshwater supply, although many questions have arisen about its environmental sustainability owing to the disposal of hypersaline rejected solutions (brine). This scenario has accelerated significant developments towards the hybridization of SWRO with membrane distillation-crystallization (MD-MCr), which can extract water and minerals from spent brine. Nevertheless, the substantial specific energy consumption associated with MD-MCr remains a significant limitation. In this work, energy harvesting was secured from renewables by hotspots embodied in the membranes, implementing the revolutionary approach of brine mining via photothermal membrane crystallization (PhMCr). This method employs self-heating nanostructured interfaces under solar radiation to enhance water evaporation, creating a carefully controlled supersaturated environment responsible for the extraction of minerals. Photothermal mixed matrix photothermal membranes (MMMs) were developed by incorporating graphene oxide (GO) or carbon black (CB) into polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) solubilized in an eco-friendly solvent (i.e., triethyl phosphate (TEP)). MMMs were prepared using non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS). The effect of GO or GB on the morphology of MMMs and the photothermal behavior was examined. Light-to-heat conversion was used in PhMCr experiments to facilitate the evaporation of water from the SWRO brine to supersaturation, leading to sodium chloride (NaCl) nucleation and crystallization. Overall, the results indicate exciting perspectives of PhMCr in brine valorization for a sustainable desalination industry.

Analysis of sediment provenance using geochemical and isotopic data for a post-LGM sediment core from the western Great Rann of Kachchh, India: Implications for climate control on source regions

This study addresses the nature and causes of post-Last Glacial Maxima (LGM) sedimentation in the Western Great Rann of Kachchh, Gujarat, India. Specifically, we report geochemical and isotopic data (87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd) for a 46.5 m sediment core from the Nara River bed. These data indicate that up to the beginning of the Holocene, sedimentation mostly comprised contributions from monsoon-dominated rivers of Western Himalaya. Later in the early Holocene, a shift towards Indus-derived sediments occurred, with a minor reversal at ∼7 ka, attributed to the rejuvenation of the Ghaggar-Hakra channel. A renewed contribution from the Indus River routed through the Nara River and through the Kori Creek (mouth of the Nara River) occurred during the mid- to late Holocene. Persistent availability of freshwater during the mid- to late Holocene helped sustain early Iron Age and medieval cultures in the region. However, significant decline in the hydrological system anchored in the shifting Indus River through the Nara channel after the medieval period, likely caused the gradual collapse of these cultures. Our study is important as it demonstrates that, if the sediment source is from regions of contrasting climatic domains (for example, monsoon-dominated western Himalaya rivers and the westerlies-dominated Indus River), temporal changes in precipitation intensities exert a first order control in modulating the sediment provenances.