Prolonged Water Research Articles

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

AbstractIn 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.

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

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.

Agroecology and the limits to resilience: extending the adaptation capacity of agroecosystems to drought

Given the unpredictability, increasing frequency and severity of climatic events, it is crucial to determine the adaptation limits of agroecological strategies adopted by farmers in a range of environments. In times of drought many smallholders’ farmers cope with stress using a series of crop diversification and soil management strategies. Intercropping and agroforestry systems complemented with mulching and copious organic matter applications can increase water storage, enhancing crops’ water use efficiency. Although an overwhelming number of studies demonstrate that these agroecological designs and practices are associated with greater farm-level resilience, it is important to recognize the limits of resilience. The aim of this paper is to assess the limitations of agroecological practices in enhancing the ability of agroecosystems to adapt to climate change under extended drought stress which may overwhelm crops’ adaptation response. A set of agroecological practices that can extend such limits under prolonged water stress scenarios are described. Two methodologies to assess farms’ resilience to drought provide useful tools, as they can assist farmers and researchers in identifying the practices and underlying mechanisms that reduce vulnerability and enhance response capacity allowing certain farm systems to better resist and/or recover from droughts. Clearly, reducing farmers exposure to drought requires collective actions beyond the farm scale (i.e. restoring local watersheds to optimize local hydrological cycles) aspects not explored herein. When climatic events are compounded by uncertainties imposed by external economic and political conditions, farmers’ abilities to overcome adversity may be reduced, emphasizing the importance of policy support, a dimension beyond the scope of this review.

Homoeolog expression divergence contributes to time of day changes in transcriptomic and glucosinolate responses to prolonged water limitation in Brassica napus.

Water availability is a major determinant of crop production, and rising temperatures from climate change are leading to more extreme droughts. To combat the effects of climate change on crop yields, we need to develop varieties that are more tolerant to water-limited conditions. We aimed to determine how diverse crop types (winter/spring oilseed, tuberous, and leafy) of the allopolyploid Brassica napus, a species that contains the economically important rapeseed oilseed crop, respond to prolonged water limitation. We exposed plants to an 80% reduction in water and assessed growth and color on a high-throughput phenotyping system over 4 weeks and ended the experiment with tissue collection for a time course transcriptomic study. We found an overall reduction in growth across cultivars but to varying degrees. Diel transcriptome analyses revealed significant accession-specific changes in time-of-day regulation of photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and sulfur metabolism. Interestingly, there was extensive variation in which homoeologs from the two parental subgenomes responded to water limitation across crop types that could be due to differences in regulatory regions in these allopolyploid lines. Follow-up experiments on select cultivars confirmed that plants maintained photosynthetic health during the prolonged water limitation while slowing growth. In two cultivars examined, we found significant time of day changes in levels of glucosinolates, sulfur- and nitrogen -rich specialized metabolites, consistent with the diel transcriptomic responses. These results suggest that these lines are adjusting their sulfur and nitrogen stores under water-limited conditions through distinct time of day regulation.

Optimizing Reservoirs to Provide Water in Times of Crisis, With Emphasis on the Reuse of Treated Wastewater in Different Uses

Background: Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, can disrupt water distribution systems, leading to prolonged water shortages and associated crises. Tehran, with its high seismic risk, necessitates robust emergency water management solutions to ensure adequate potable and non-potable water supply during critical conditions. Methods: Using GIS and WaterGEMS software, we evaluated the design and placement of emergency water reservoirs in ASP Town, Shahriar. Hydraulic modeling was conducted to optimize the piping, pressure, and flow dynamics for potable water supply under emergency conditions. Additionally, non-potable water reservoirs utilizing treated wastewater were designed for irrigation and fire suppression, incorporating solar-powered pumping systems to ensure energy efficiency. Results: A 50 m3 cylindrical steel emergency tank, connected to the urban water network, was proposed to provide 3 L of potable water per person for three days in a crisis. The system includes solar panels, a 250-W pump, and a hydraulic shut-off valve to maintain water quality and availability. For non-potable uses, a wastewater reservoir with a variable-speed pumping station supports irrigation and supplies 12 fire hydrants, meeting pressure and flow requirements during emergencies. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of integrated water management strategies, including solar-powered systems and treated wastewater reuse, to improve resilience against natural disasters. The proposed designs ensure sustainable water supply and effective crisis management for drinking and non-potable applications in high-risk urban areas.

Enhance Oil Recovery in Fracture-Cave Carbonate Reservoirs Using Zwitterion-Anionic Composite Surfactant System

The carbonate fracture-cave reservoir in the Tahe oilfield, China, encounters development challenges because of its substantial burial depth (exceeding 5000 m). Its characteristics are low permeability, pronounced heterogeneity, extensive karst cavern systems, diverse connection configurations, and intricate spatial distribution. Prolonged conventional water flooding leads to predominant water channels, resulting in water channeling and limited sweep efficiency. Surfactant flooding is usually adopted in these conditions because it can mitigate water channeling and enhance sweep efficiency by lowering the interfacial tension (it refers to the force that is generated due to the unbalanced molecular attraction on the liquid surface layer and causes the liquid surface to contract) between oil and water. Nonetheless, the Tahe oilfield is a carbonate reservoir where surfactant is prone to loss near the well, thereby limiting its application. High-pressure injection flooding technology is an innovative method that utilizes injection pressure higher than the formation rupture pressure to alter reservoir permeability, specifically in low-permeability oil fields. Because of the high fluid flow rate, the contact time with the interface is decreased, enabling the ability for surfactants to reach the deep reservoir. In this article, based on the mixed adsorption mechanism of two surfactants and the hydrophilic and lipophilic equilibrium mechanisms, a set of high-temperature and high-salinity resistance surfactant systems appropriate for the Tahe oilfield is developed and its associated performance is evaluated. An oil displacement experiment is carried out to examine the effect of surfactant flooding by high-pressure injection. The results demonstrate that the ideal surfactant system can lower the interfacial tension to 10−2 mN/m and its capacity to reduce the interfacial tension to 10−2 mN/m after different aging periods. Besides, the surfactant system possesses excellent wettability (wetting angle changed from 135° to 42°) and certain emulsifying abilities. The oil displacement experiment shows that the oil recovery rate of surfactant flooding by high pressure reaches 26%. The effect of surfactant flooding by high-pressure injection is better than that of high-pressure injection flooding.

Evaluating the performance of the existing water supply system in Dangila town, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT It is crucial to provide sufficient and potable water to ensure a healthy society and promote a country's development. Unfortunately, many towns in developing countries, including Dangila town, experience prolonged water shortages, leading to various socio-economic challenges for residents. This study aimed to assess the performance of Dangila town's current water supply system. To achieve this objective, different secondary data were collected from various sources. The average per capita water consumption was 15.78 l/day, which did not meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) standards. The estimated average water supply coverage was 46.37%, failing to meet the MDG target and the SDG. Non-revenue water ranged from 1.81 to 92.95%, with an average of 36.81%, exceeding the maximum limit set by the World Bank. This research also discovered that if non-revenue water is well managed, 267,192 people could be supplied, assuming a per capita demand of 50 l/day. Therefore, this research concluded that the water supply system did not meet the minimum national and international water supply standards, indicating its poor performance. Thus, it is crucial to implement continuous, well-planned, and organized maintenance, operation, monitoring, service management, and scientific loss control, along with water source development.

Poor self-reported sleep is associated with prolonged white matter T2 relaxation in psychotic disorders.

Psychotic disorders are characterized by white matter (WM) abnormalities; however, their relationship with the various aspects of illness presentation remains unclear. Sleep disturbances are common in psychosis, and emerging evidence suggests that sleep plays a critical role in WM physiology. Therefore, it is plausible that sleep disturbances are associated with impaired WM integrity in these disorders. To test this hypothesis, we examined the association of self-reported sleep disturbances with WM transverse (T2) relaxation times in a cross-diagnostic sample of patients with psychosis. A total of 28 patients with psychosis (11 schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 17 bipolar disorder with psychotic features) were included. Metabolite (N-acetyl aspartate, choline, and creatine) and water T2 relaxation times were measured in the anterior corona radiata at 4T. Sleep was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). PSQI total score showed a moderate to strong positive correlation with water T2 (r = 0.64, p< 0.001). Linear regressions showed that this association was independent of the overall severity of depressive, manic, or psychotic symptoms. In our exploratory analysis, sleep disturbance was correlated with free water percentage, suggesting that increased extracellular water may be a mechanism underlying the association of disturbed sleep and prolonged water T2 relaxation. Our results highlight the connection between poor sleep and WM abnormalities in psychotic disorders. Future research using objective sleep measures and neuroimaging techniques suitable to probe free water is needed to further our insight into this relationship.

Influence of prolong curing, freeze thaw cycles on strength and compaction condition on water retention behaviour of bamboo biochar amended soils

Biochar has emerged as a promising soil amendment material, offering the potential to enhance mechanical and water retention properties. Geo-environmental structures constructed with biochar-amended soils (BAS) might experience a change in strength and water retention capacity due to extreme climactic changes, resulting in structural failures. The existing literature lacks a comprehensive study on the strength of BAS under prolonged curing, freeze-thaw cycles, and water retention behaviour for varying compaction conditions. The current study focused on addressing this research gap. Bamboo biochar (BB) was mixed with lean clay (CL) and silty sand (SM) in five different percentages (0%, 1%, 2%, 3.5% and 5% w/w) to prepare BAS specimens for unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and water retention tests. Results showed that UCS of CL soil increased up to 2% BB content but decreased thereafter, whereas it consistently decreased for SM soil with increasing BB content. Irrespective of the BB content, both soils consistently showed an increase in UCS with the curing period, which can be attributed to the enhanced bonding between the soil and BB, as well as the formation of stable aggregates. In contrast, the strength of both biochar-amended soils (BAS) decreased with the increase in freeze-thaw cycles, due to the expansion and contraction of ice within the specimen. The porous and hydrophilic nature of biochar (BB) increased the water retention capacity of both soils, with a more significant improvement observed in CL soil compared to SM soil, under both compacted and slurry conditions. Specimen compaction significantly decreased the gravimetric water content at the permanent wilting point in both soils. These variations were also evident in the microstructural analysis.

A study on the effect of biostimulant application on yield and quality of tomato under long-lasting water stress conditions.

A study on the effect of biostimulant application on yield and quality of tomato under long-lasting water stress conditions.

Microbial communities in the Hudson Strait amidst rapid environmental change.

Climate change is rapidly altering Arctic marine environments, leading to warmer waters, increased river discharge, and accelerated sea ice melt. The Hudson Bay Marine System experiences the fastest rate of sea ice loss in the Canadian North resulting in a prolonged open water season during the summer months. We examined microbial communities in the Hudson Strait using high throughput 16s rRNA gene sequencing during the peak of summer, in which the bay was almost completely ice-free, and air temperatures were high. We found that salinity and temperature significantly affected the taxonomic composition among microbial communities across sites. We observed a higher relative abundance of specific Polaribacter sp. Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) at more saline sites. Shannon diversity was not significantly impacted by salinity or temperature. These results contribute to our understanding of surface water microbial community composition in the Hudson Strait and shed light on how future salinity and temperature conditions may favour certain microbial populations.

Study on the corrosion resistance and antibiofouling performance of mortars with slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces based on fine coral powder

The anti-corrosion and antibiofouling properties of superhydrophobic surfaces deteriorate with prolonged water immersion.

Decoding the physicochemical basis of resurrection: the journey of lichen Flavoparmelia caperata through prolonged water scarcity to full rehydration

Desiccation tolerance is a complex phenomenon observed in the lichen Flavoparmelia ceparata. To understand the reactivation process of desiccated thalli, completely dried samples were rehydrated. The rehydration process of this lichen occurs in two phases. The first phase, characterized by rapid rehydration, involves the conversion of non-functional reaction centers (RCs) into functional PSII RCs, and the accumulation of ROS along with the increment in SOD antioxidant enzyme. These coordinated mechanisms initiate the light reaction of photosynthesis by forming active light-harvesting complexes (LHCs). This adaptation ensures efficient recovery, as evidenced by specific energy fluxes (ABS/RC, TR/RC, ET/RC, and DI/RC), phenomenological fluxes (ABS/CS, TR/CS, ET/CS, and DI/CS), quantum efficiencies (ФP0, ФE0, and ФD0), primary and secondary photochemistry, photochemical and non-photochemical quenching, and performance index, highlighting the essential role of rapid water uptake in restoring turgor pressure for cell structure and function maintenance. The interconnected network of antioxidant defenses, including catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD), underscores the plant's ability to cope with oxidative stress during resilience. The acid phosphomonoesterase (PME) enzymatic activity corresponds to its role in releasing phosphate for essential cellular functions and post-rehydration thallus growth. The activity of CAT, GPOD, and PME signifies the gradual reactivation of lichen F. caperata. Moreover, the investigation into chlorophyll a fluorescence emphasizes the efficient reactivation of the photosynthetic process in F. caperata. In conclusion, lichen F. caperata demonstrates significant potential for desiccation tolerance through the rapid transformation of chloroplasts, chlorophylls, and PSII RCs from their inactive to active states upon rehydration. This research not only enhances our understanding of desiccation tolerance in resurrection plants but also highlights the importance of lichens, particularly F. caperata, as valuable models for studying plant resilience in challenging environments.

Mapping Turbidity Spatial Distribution of Monobe River in Kochi, Japan, Using Satellite Images and Existing Turbidity Data

ABSTRACTMaintaining the environment and functionality of rivers is crucial for the natural environment and socioeconomic activities. In Kochi Prefecture, field measurements of turbidity have been conducted to contribute to countermeasures against prolonged turbid water in the Monobe River; however, a detailed understanding of turbidity across the river has not yet been achieved. Therefore, we attempted to propose a simple turbidity estimation equation based on satellite remote sensing using existing data and visualized the spatial distribution of turbidity in the Monobe River. For turbidity of over 50 FTU, the mean absolute error and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the proposed turbidity estimation equation were 9.9 FTU and 8%, respectively, showing higher accuracy than previous studies, while the accuracy in turbidity of under 50 FTU was not improved for practical use (MAPE was over 49%). By applying the turbidity estimation equation to satellite images, the spatial distribution of turbidity was visualized from the estuary of the Monobe River upstream to the Nagase Dam. The results were consistent with known findings on turbidity dynamics, such as decreasing turbidity in a straight section and increasing it in a curved section, and the spatial distribution of turbidity was considered to be reasonably estimated. The visualization also revealed cases in which turbidity fluctuated greatly in sections where field measurements were not conducted (e.g., increases or decreases in turbidity due to river morphology). In the future, it is expected that the turbidity estimation based on satellite remote sensing will be used in combination with the conventional field measurement of turbidity to understand and analyze the detailed situation of turbidity occurrence in the Monobe River.

Design and Improvement of Tandem Twin-Rotor Aerial-Aquatic Vehicle Based on Numerical Analysis

To enhance the air–water adaptability of the aerial-aquatic vehicles (AAVs), an improved tandem twin-rotor AAV design is proposed based on the characteristics and application requirements of air–water cross-domain movement. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software was used to simulate the underwater cruising state and dynamic water entry process of the tandem twin-rotor AAV. Results indicate that the underwater cruise resistance of the improved tandem twin-rotor AAV is relatively small. Among them, the two sets of tandem air power systems account for a relatively large proportion of the underwater drag, about 29.8%, while the drag reduction achieved by improving the head shape is around 15.4%. The head shape, water entry angle and speed have a great influence on the water entry trajectory and attitude of the tandem twin-rotor AAV. Following improvement, the tandem twin-rotor AAV demonstrates an enhancement in reducing the deviation of the water entry trajectory, mitigating water surface ricochet and enhancement of water entry depth to a certain extent. The inclination angle should be in the range of 20–30∘ to alleviate unfavorable outcomes, including prolonged water entry time caused by water surface ricochet at lower entry angles, while concurrently mitigating the heightened impact pressure resulting from steeper entry angles. Higher entry velocities lead to greater impact pressures, necessitating careful consideration of water entry depth and impact pressure to prevent adverse effects on structural integrity.