Prolonged Water Research Articles

Impacts of Antarctic summer sea-ice extremes

Antarctic sea ice plays many crucial roles in the physical environments and ecosystems of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. In this study, we synthesize the physical, biogeochemical, ecosystem, and societal impacts of summers with extreme low Antarctic sea-ice coverage. These extreme events result in the loss of multiyear landfast ice and changes in sea-ice seasonality. Following extreme low sea-ice events, we find surface warming of the Southern Ocean and changes to the formation rate of Antarctic Intermediate Water, likely affecting heat and carbon uptake. Ice-shelf calving is negatively correlated with sea-ice area, so that years with less sea ice show increased calving. Prolonged open water affects the magnitude and seasonality of surface-phytoplankton blooms. The impacts on higher trophic levels are species-specific and occur through habitat loss and changes to prey availability. Extreme sea-ice lows will adversely impact krill, a foundational prey species that relies on sea ice for nourishment and refuge. The loss of stable landfast ice in austral spring and summer hampers Antarctic operations and resupply missions. Understanding the full impacts of recent, and future, sea-ice extremes is of utmost importance and requires an enhanced observational network that spans the physical and ecological systems of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.

Impact of land use changes on selenium distribution and bioavailability in Mollisol of Sanjiang Plain.

Impact of land use changes on selenium distribution and bioavailability in Mollisol of Sanjiang Plain.

Ultrasound Pretreatment Prior to Hot Air Drying and Intermittent Microwave Drying of Apple Slices: Effect of Acoustic Density and Microwave Power

This study investigated the impact of various drying techniques and ultrasound pretreatments on the drying kinetics, rehydration properties, energy efficiency, and quality parameters of apple slices. Apples were dried using hot-air drying at 55 °C and 65 °C, and intermittent microwave drying at 240 W and 400 W. US pretreatment was applied at acoustic densities of 60 and 80 W L⁻¹ prior to hot-air drying to assess its effect on mass transfer and quality. The drying behavior was modeled using both thin-layer mathematical models and artificial neural networks. Results revealed that US pretreatment significantly enhanced the drying rate and reduced drying time and energy consumption, particularly at higher acoustic density and temperature, while intermittent microwave drying achieved the shortest drying durations and lowest energy consumption. Among the models, the Midilli and Kucuk model best described the thin-layer drying data, although ANN models provided superior predictive performance across most conditions. Rehydration ratio was positively influenced by US pretreatment at lower temperatures but was adversely affected at higher temperatures and higher microwave power levels due to structural damage. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were preserved or enhanced by microwave drying, whereas US pretreatment showed no clear benefit and, in some cases, led to degradation, likely due to prolonged sonication and water immersion. Color values showed minimal undesirable changes with US pretreatment, and higher L* values (lightness) were retained in most cases. a* and b* values increased after drying processes. Principal component analysis (PCA) effectively differentiated treatment groups based on all measured parameters. US pretreated and unpretreated samples are positioned in the same place, while intermittent microwave dried and fresh samples are in a different plane. In conclusion, US pretreatment and microwave drying are promising technologies for improving drying efficiency and maintaining quality in dried apple products.

One-Step Conversion of Bisphenol A Polycarbonate into Aliphatic Polycarbonate Polyols for Recyclable Polyurethane Production.

The growing accumulation of plastic waste emphasizes the pressing need for sustainable recycling technologies. In this study, we present a one-step conversion of bisphenol A- based polycarbonate (BPA-PC) waste into aliphatic polycarbonate (APC) polyols using diols with varying chain lengths. The resulting APC polyols were subsequently utilized as soft segments in combination with 4,4'-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) in the production of thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs). These TPUs exhibited excellent mechanical properties, with a maximum tensile strength of 58MPa and elongation at break of 397%, as well as robust hydrolytic stability, maintaining performance even after prolonged water exposure. Notably, the APC-based TPUs exhibited excellent recyclability through organocatalytic depolymerization, which facilitated the simultaneous hydrolysis of both urethane and carbonate bonds. This process yielded the selective formation of 4,4'-methylenedianiline (MDA), an industrial precursor to MDI, and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD) with remarkably high yields of 96% and 95%, respectively. This work provides valuable insights into designing closed-loop recyclable polymers by upcycling plastic waste via a straightforward process. Additionally, it offers a practical and impactful solution for the end-of-life management of upcycled polyurethane products, thereby contributing to a circular plastic economy.

Influence of Water Immersion on Coal Rocks and Failure Patterns of Underground Coal Pillars Considering Strength Reduction

The long-term immersion of coal rock may affect its mechanical properties and failure modes, potentially impacting the stability of coal pillars. This work aims to investigate the influence of the immersion duration on the mechanical properties and fracture evolution processes of coal, employing acoustic emission detection and the digital image correlation (DIC) method. The work focuses on the weakening law of the coal pillar dam in contact with water and obtains a model of the strength deterioration after different periods of water immersion. The stress–strain curves of coal specimens with varying immersion durations are obtained. The results show that the peak absorption rate of coal samples immersed in water transpires within 24 h, with fundamental saturation being achieved at between 25 and 30 days at saturation moisture content of 1.97%. The specimen’s compressive stress after being immersed in water for 7 days is 3.34 MPa, with strain of 0.18%. The cracking stress is 15.60 MPa, with strain of 0.54%. The peak stress is recorded at 27.65 MPa, with strain of 0.92%. The complete rupture stress measures 23.37 MPa, with the maximum strain at 0.95%. During the yielding stage, the specimen has the highest strain increment of 0.38%. Short-term immersion brings about an increase in the coal sample’s plasticity, exhibiting a relatively minor softening impact of water, resulting in comparatively intact fragmentation and modest breakage. A negative exponential function relationship is observed between the compressive strength of coal and the immersion duration. The mechanical reduction relationship is utilized to analyze the failure patterns of coal pillars in underground reservoirs. With prolonged water immersion, the damage area expands to include the coal pillars and the surrounding rock of the excavation area.

Development of Compounded Surfactant Foam and Its Application in Emergency Control of Piping in Dikes

Piping is a severe threat to dikes, which can lead to dike failure, and cause significant economic and human casualties. However, conventional measures necessitate substantial labor and material resources. A novel foam-based method for the rapid mitigation of piping was proposed to enhance piping emergency control efficiency, which demonstrates significant application potential. This study aims to develop a novel foam formulation and evaluate its performance in controlling piping in dikes. Through a combination of foam static-property characterization experiment and foam plugging capacity assessment experiment, a compounded anionic–cationic surfactant composed of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) is optimized. The formulation, at a 9:1 mass ratio and 1.5% total concentration, exhibits superior foam stability and plugging performance. An experiment on the ability of the foam to restrain piping demonstrated that, compared to single-component SDS foam, the compounded SDS-CTAB foam increased the critical hydraulic gradient for piping from 2.35 to 2.70, a 15% improvement. It also reduces the extent of piping channel development under equivalent hydraulic conditions. The foam storage area exhibits enhanced scour resistance and better preservation under prolonged water flow. Mechanistically, the SDS-CTAB foam benefits from synergistic hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic attraction, and hydrogen bonding between surfactant molecules, which enhance foam stability.

Watery yucca (Yucca schidigera) additions and biofloc as closed water systems: an assessment of their effects on reproductive efficiency, biochemistry and blood gases, and fry performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Global water scarcity is a growing concern, prompting aquaculture specialists to seek techniques for prolonged water quality maintenance. This study conducted an 84-day spawning trial of Nile tilapia broodstock followed by a 45-day fry rearing trial under four treatments: control A (CA, unchanged water), control B (CB, 50% weekly water change), yucca (unchanged water with daily Yucca schidigera extract addition), and biofloc. Broodstock were distributed in three replicates per treatment (1 male:3 females) in 1.5-m3 tanks. Fish were fed a 30% protein commercial diet at 1% biomass. Fecundity indices, gonadosomatic index, and blood sex hormones were measured 20 days post-trial initiation. Fry were collected and reared in separate tanks, fed 40% protein diet. Results showed that the biofloc group, followed by yucca and CB, exhibited the highest levels of blood sex hormones, improved liver and kidney functions, enhanced blood oxygen saturation, and lower ammonia and carbon dioxide levels. These factors contributed to higher reproductive efficiency and fry production with superior growth performance and survival rates compared to CA. Nile tilapia broodstock spawned under a biofloc system or an unaltered water system with Y. schidigera extract additions produced higher quality fry and demonstrated better physiological status and reproductive efficiency. Furthermore, Y. schidigera can complement biofloc technology, potentially improving growth and immune status of farmed fish through enhanced water quality parameters.

Monthly environmental and greenhouse gas data in green-tide hotspots on Jeju Island, Korea.

Monthly environmental and greenhouse gas data in green-tide hotspots on Jeju Island, Korea.

Long-Term Caragana korshinskii Restoration Enhances SOC Stability but Reduces Sequestration Efficiency over 40 Years in Degraded Loess Soils

Caragana korshinskii, a key species in China’s Grain for Green Project on the Loess Plateau, is effective in enhancing soil C sequestration. However, whether its contribution to SOC (soil organic carbon) stability persists over multi-decadal restoration chronosequences remains unclear. Using the time–space substitution method, we investigated the SOC fractions (POC, particulate organic C, and MAOC, mineral-associated organic C) dynamics across soil depths (0–10, 10–30, and 30–60 cm) in a 40-year chronosequence of C. korshinskii restoration, which is located in a comprehensive managed watershed on the Loess Plateau, China. The results showed that the C. korshinskii restoration chronosequence improved soil C sequestration at different scales compared to abandoned sites. In the middle phase (10–30 years), the concentration of SOC peaked at 35.88 g/kg, exceeding natural grassland (32.33 g/kg). Above- and belowground biomass accumulation drove SOC enhancement. POC as transient C inputs, and MAOC through mineral interactions, reach a peak at 7.98 g/kg which shows the greatest increase (276.81%). In the subsequent phase (after 30 years), MAOC dominated SOC stabilization, yet SOC fractions declined overall. MAOC contribution to SOC stability plateaued at 20–30%, constrained by soil desiccation from prolonged root water uptake. C. korshinskii provides the optimal SOC benefits within 10–30 years of restoration, highlighting a trade-off between vegetation-driven C inputs and hydrological limits in arid ecosystems. Beyond 30 years, C. korshinskii’s high water demand reduced SOC sequestration efficiency, risking the reversal of carbon gains despite initial MAOC advantages.

Assessment of Reproductive Performance and Breeding Objective of Blackhead Somali Sheep in Korahey Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Ethiopia's Somali Region's Korahey Zone. This study set out to evaluate black-headed Somali sheep's reproductive performance, breeding habits, and preferred traits. 180 households in all will be identified, with 90 per district and 30 every peasant association (Kebele). At first lambing, the average age was 16.9±0.18 months. According to the survey results, the overall goals for raising sheep in each region were graded according to cultural function (0.05), income (0.52), meat (0.29), and saving (0.14). With index values of 0.34 and 0.33 in the districts of Kabrid Dehar and Sheygosh, respectively, natural pasture was ranked as the top feed source for sheep during the wet season. During the rainy season, rainwater was the primary water source for sheep in all districts, followed by river water. In contrast, during the dry season, harvested water was the main source, with pond water as the secondary option. The findings revealed that the major challenges faced by blackhead Somali sheep across all districts were the prolonged dry season, feed shortage, water scarcity, diseases, and predators, with overall index values of 0.31, 0.27, 0.18, 0.16, and 0.07, respectively. Black-headed Somali sheep were frequently reported to have poor reproductive performance. Poor management, illness, and inadequate nutrition could be the cause of this. Farmers use breeding and selection to enhance sheep's commercially significant features. Therefore, when creating a community-based program to improve the production of blackhead Somali sheep in the study region, it is important to take into account the features that blackhead Somali sheep owners demand in terms of selection, breeding, and production by sheep farmers.

Effect of NaOH Steam on Swelling and Cleaning of Food Soil Layers

Abstract In conventional cleaning‐in‐place (CIP) processes, only a small fraction of cleaning fluids directly contacts soil layers, limiting their effectiveness. Alternatively, steam can be incorporated into CIP procedures, offering advantages such as prolonged contact time, reduced chemical and water consumption, and enhanced wetting of spray shadow areas. This study specifically investigates the effect of steam during the swelling phase of soil layers. Experiments were conducted using steam, NaOH steam, water, and NaOH solution, respectively. Steam demonstrated an over 100 times higher swelling efficiency compared to liquids. Cleaning studies demonstrated that the use of steam achieved similar cleaning times to water‐swollen soil layers, while NaOH resulted in shorter times, with steam being twice as resource‐efficient.

Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Dengue Fever Outbreak in Peshawar, Pakistan: A Hospital-Based Surveillance Study

Dengue fever remains a major public health concern in tropical areas, with recurrent outbreaks in Pakistan's cities. This study investigates the epidemiology and risk factors associated with the 2022 dengue outbreak in Peshawar District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A total of 9,490 laboratory-confirmed cases were analyzed from four major hospitals from June 2022 to December 2022, making this one of the region's largest documented outbreaks. The outbreak followed distinct temporal patterns, with peak transmission occurring during the 40th epidemiological week (8-14 October; n=1,288 cases), which coincided with post-monsoon conditions. Town 3 was identified as the epicenter (37.2% of cases), with significant clustering in slum areas (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.8-2.4, p < 0.001). Demographic study found a greater occurrence among males (68.2%) and young individuals aged 20-29 years (27.1%), indicating occupational and behavioral exposure risks. The case fatality rate remained low (0.031%), indicating better clinical treatment than in earlier epidemics. Environmental factors such as uncovered water storage (76.0%; OR=3.4, p<0.001) and prolonged water storage >24 hours (92.0%; OR=5.2, p<0.001), as well as behavioral factors such as non-use of mosquito nets (93.0%; OR=6.3, p<0.001) and sleeping outdoors (44.0%; OR=2.8, p<0.001), were identified as critical risk factors. Travel history was documented in 61.5% of cases, emphasizing human mobility as an important transmission factor. The findings highlight the intricate interaction of meteorological, infrastructural, and social behavioral variables influencing dengue spread in urban Pakistan. This study provides evidence for targeted treatments, highlighting the need for integrated vector control techniques, better water infrastructure, and community-based awareness campaigns to reduce future epidemics in high-risk urban settings.

Prolonged fasting increases DNA methylation transiently in Northern elephant seals

Northern elephant seals experience prolonged food and water deprivation (fasting) while breeding, molting, and undergoing postnatal development. Fasting elephant seals adjust neuroendocrine function and gene expression to cope with potentially detrimental effects associated with extended fasting. DNA methylation alters gene expression by modulating accessibility to regions necessary to initiate transcription. We evaluated whether prolonged fasting alters global DNA methylation levels in elephant seal blood. We found that fasting transiently increases DNA methylation in elephant seal pups and that blood DNA methylation correlates with plasma cortisol. Hence, we conducted bioinformatic analyses to identify regions in the elephant seal glucocorticoid receptor (GR) promoter that influence gene transcription through methylation (CPG islands). We identified one CpG island within the putative promoter region of the elephant seal GR gene. Methylation in this region, however, was unaffected by prolonged fasting. We then investigated whether exogenous glucocorticoid treatment alters DNA methylation and gene expression profiles in elephant seal muscle cells in primary culture (myotubes). Exposure to glucocorticoids for 12 or 48 hours decreased DNA methylation while upregulating pro-survival gene expression in seal myotubes. Our results show that whereas prolonged increases in DNA methylation transiently in elephant seal blood, sustained exposure to glucocorticoids decreases DNA methylation and activates a pro-survival transcriptional program in seal myotubes. Therefore, our results suggest that DNA methylation is a plastic, cell-type-specific response that regulates gene expression in fasting elephant seals. Research funded by UC Berkeley This abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit 2025 and is only available in HTML format. There is no downloadable file or PDF version. The Physiology editorial board was not involved in the peer review process.

Integrated Physical Microstructure and Mechanical Performance Analysis of the Failure Mechanism of Weakly Cemented Sandstone Under Long-Term Water Immersion

The duration of water immersion significantly affects the mechanical response of rock materials. This study investigated the weakly cemented sandstone from the Wulagen Open-pit Mine to examine how varying immersion times affected the mineral composition, micro-porous structure, and macro-mechanical properties of the sandstone. The current study aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the degradation of the strength and deformability of sandstone due to prolonged water exposure. The analysis showed that immersion time notably influenced the pore structure as well as the mineralogical characteristics of weakly cemented sandstone. These changes were the primary factors leading to alterations in its mechanical properties and failure modes. Specifically, with increasing immersion time, clay minerals absorbed water and expanded, with the most significant expansion occurring between 30 and 60 days. This rapid internal crack growth led to an exponential decrease in compressive strength and elastic modulus, with the most significant decline occurring between 30 and 60 days. The failure mode of the sandstone transitioned from extensional fracture to shear failure. Acoustic emission analysis revealed that, in the dry state, tensile cracks were about three times more prevalent than shear cracks, while after 60 days of immersion, shear cracks accounted for over 80%. After 60 days of immersion, microscopic cracks were fully interconnected, and the mechanical properties of the sandstone showed minimal change, with shear failure becoming predominant. These experimental results provide theoretical guidance for preventing the collapse of slopes composed of weakly cemented rock under long-term immersion conditions.

Brassinosteroids alleviate of harmful effects of prolonged water deficit in young Euterpe oleracea palms increasing water use efficiency

Brassinosteroids alleviate of harmful effects of prolonged water deficit in young Euterpe oleracea palms increasing water use efficiency

The critical nexus of water resources and food security underscoring climate justice in Egypt: within-variable comparative analysis

PurposeEgypt could face total water depletion by 2050 due to the current water scarcity of about seven billion cubic meters. Climatic shocks worsen this crisis, alongside Ethiopia’s unilateral construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). This has caused a stalemate, raising concerns as Egypt relies on the Nile for 97% of its water supply. This study examines the role of climate shocks and their impact on food shortages in Egypt, focusing on prolonged water scarcity and the involvement of international stakeholders in mitigation. It assesses how climatic shocks affect wheat and rice production, considering other shocks like the 2022 Russia–Ukraine war.Design/methodology/approachThe study evaluating the social and human impact of the project in a context of analyzing within crop-variable food availability. The within-variable comparative analysis from 2016 to 2023, incorporates hydrological data, hydropower analysis, agricultural outputs and food security indices. It examines the impact of reduced water availability on wheat and rice production and overall food insecurity.FindingsFindings indicate systemic water shortages since 2016 due to climatic pressures, reduced crop yields and increased food insecurity, exacerbated by the GERD’s operation. The study suggests policy measures to enhance agricultural resilience to climate change and calls for sustained diplomatic efforts to mitigate the GERD’s impact on water resources.Originality/valueUnlike existing literature that takes a stationary approach or cross-country comparisons, this study offers within-variable trend analysis to capture the evolving relationship between water availability, crop production and food security in Egypt from 2016 to 2023.

Experimental investigation of moisture absorption and mechanical properties of GFRP laminates for stay vane extensions

This paper presents an experimental investigation into the moisture absorption behavior and mechanical properties of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminates used in stay vane extensions for hydraulic turbines. The research addresses critical challenges posed by prolonged water exposure, focusing on two types of resins—Araldite RenInfusion 8601/Ren 8602 (epoxy) and Derakane 411-350 (vinylester)—and two types of fiberglass weaves—Non-Crimp Fabrics (NCF) and Satin. Laminates were subjected to accelerated aging at 40°C and natural aging at room temperature to simulate long-term water immersion. The study reveals that epoxy-based laminates exhibit higher moisture absorption rates and more pronounced mechanical degradation compared to vinylester-based laminates, primarily due to differences in resin susceptibility to hydrolysis and matrix plasticization. These findings underscore the importance of resin choice and moisture management in optimizing the durability and mechanical performance of GFRP laminates, providing valuable insights for improving composite materials in underwater applications within hydropower systems.

The preparation of starch-based green adsorption gel with tunable water channels through extrusion-dual cross-linking method.

The preparation of starch-based green adsorption gel with tunable water channels through extrusion-dual cross-linking method.

Prolonged water body types dataset of urban agglomeration in central China from 1990 to 2021

Data and knowledge of spatial-temporal dynamics of multiple types of water body are significant for water resources management but remain very limited. Using the Landsat satellite data and weakly supervised deep learning techniques for long term mapping, we report annual maps of multiple types of inland water bodies on urban agglomeration scale in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River (MRYR) during 1990-2021 at 30m spatial resolution. Accuracy assessment from 14000 validation points in seven years indicates an overall accuracy of 94.50%. Quantitative and qualitative comparison with other water related mapping products further demonstrates the superiority on long time span, refined classification system, and the high precision. The Water-MRYR could support the government and the public in the challenging water resources management and wetland conservation.

GABA and Proline Application Induce Drought Resistance in Oilseed Rape.

This study investigates the effects of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and proline, both individually and in combination, on the growth of oilseed rape under drought stress and following the resumption of irrigation. The goal was to determine whether the exogenous application of these compounds enhances the plants response to prolonged water deficit and, if so, to identify the biochemical processes involved in the plant tissue. The experiment was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. After 21 days of plant cultivation, at the 3-4 leaf stage, seedlings were sprayed with aqueous solutions of GABA (0.1 mM) and proline (0.1 mM). The plants were then subjected to 8 days of severe drought stress, after which irrigation was resumed, and recovery was assessed over 4 days. The results showed that both amino acids alleviated the drought-induced stress as indicated by higher relative water content (RWC), increased levels of endogenous proline and photosynthetic pigments in leaves, and enhanced survival and growth recovery after drought. GABA-treated plants maintained membrane integrity and preserved plasma membrane (PM) ATPase activity during prolonged drought stress while reducing ethylene, H2O2, and MDA levels. Proline also influenced these biochemical responses, though to a lesser extent. The combination of GABA and proline facilitated better recovery of oilseed rape compared to the drought control group following rewatering. Notably, GABA treatment resulted in a significant increase in gene expression compared to the untreated control. Molecular analysis of drought-responsive genes revealed that the gene expression in plants treated with both proline and GABA was typically intermediate between those treated with proline alone and those treated with GABA alone. Based on these findings, we propose that GABA application could serve as an alternative to proline for improving oilseed rape's drought tolerance, potentially increasing both crop yield and quality.