Clean Water Supply Research Articles

Water Quality Identification and Analysis of Saguling Reservoir, West Bandung Regency

The Saguling Reservoir in West Bandung Regency is crucial for local water supply and biodiversity. However, water quality has significantly declined due to human activities, environmental changes, and poor waste management. This degradation jeopardizes the reservoir's clean water supply and the ecological health of surrounding communities. This research used the STORET (Storage and Retrieval) method to assess water quality through purposive sampling in the most affected zones, analyzing physical, chemical, and biological parameters at multiple depths. Key indicators, such as dissolved oxygen, nutrient concentrations, and heavy metal presence, were measured. Results show severe water quality deterioration, especially in deeper sections with less sunlight and aeration. Elevated nitrate and phosphate levels, mainly from agricultural runoff and residential waste, exceeded environmental safety standards. Toxic heavy metals like lead and mercury were also detected, posing serious risks to aquatic life and human health. The study highlights that deeper water zones are critically impacted by pollutants, stressing the need for better regulatory frameworks and waste management. Immediate strategic interventions are crucial to restore and protect the Saguling Reservoir's water quality for future generations.

Integrating insulated concrete form (ICF) with solar-driven reverse osmosis desalination for building integrated energy storage in cold climates

This research addresses the pressing global challenges of clean energy and water supplies, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions for the building sector. The study integrates Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems with building energy systems, incorporating Solar Thermal Collectors (STC)/Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT), water-to-water heat pumps, and an Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) based building foundation wall thermal energy storage. It explores the effectiveness of four configurations—STC-ICF, STC-ICF-RO, PVT-ICF, and PVT-ICF-RO—using sensitivity analysis on collector area (25 % and 50 % increase) and weather data from four Canadian cities: Winnipeg, Toronto, Halifax, and Vancouver and two non-Canadian cities: Helsinki, Finland and Bergen, Norway. Key outcomes highlight the benefits of integrated RO scenarios, such as reduced ICF wall temperature, diminished unwanted heat in the cooling season, reduced RO pump consumption, and enhanced solar energy production. The STC-ICF-RO and PVT-ICF-RO systems achieved energy savings of 653 kWh and 131 kWh, respectively, compared to their non-integrated RO counterparts. Both systems also contributed to lowering CO2 production levels. The STC-ICF-RO system's payback period is 2 years, affirming its economic viability. Compared to the base system without ICF and RO integration, the STC-ICF-RO and PVT-ICF-RO configurations reduced energy consumption by 20 % and 32 %, respectively. The sensitivity analysis suggests potential system improvements under specific conditions, primarily when implemented in communities of buildings.

Evaluation and development of the clean water distribution network in Pancang Village, North Sebatik District, Nunukan Regency

Background: Rapid population growth and the large number of residential developments go hand in hand with the increasing need for clean water, especially drinking water. Basically, a city's development plan is closely related to the availability of clean water in the area, because clean water is a basic human need that is very important to fulfill. However, several consumers in certain villages which are part of the PDAM North Sebatik branch pipe network service area do not receive a clean water supply. With this research, it is hoped that it can provide alternatives/solutions in solving clean water problems, especially for the Pancang Village area, North Sebatik District. Methods: The data needed in this study is data on the population of Sei Pancang Village, North Sebatik District for the last 5 years, data on PDAM customers for the last 5 years, data on clean water needs, data on clean water sources and reservoir volume, as well as map data on the clean water distribution network. The evaluation technique used in this study uses the method with the largest correlation calculation, namely the arithmetic method. The clean water distribution network map will be evaluated using epanet software. Findings: The results of this research are that the population of Sei Pancang Village, North Sebatik District in 2022 will be 5250 people and projections for the number of residents and customers for the next 10 years show that the population will increase to 7018 people. Conclusion: Water use in the development plan year, namely 2023, in the residential area of Sei Pancang Village, North Sebatik District, includes, among other things, an average daily need of 9,045 lt/s, a maximum daily need of 10,402 lt/s, and a peak hour need of 13,568 lt/s. Meanwhile, in 2032 water demand will increase, with an average daily demand of 11,697 lt/second, a maximum daily demand of 13,451 lt/second, and a peak hour demand of 20,177 lt/second. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study develops a predictive model integrating demographic, climate, and infrastructure data to project water demand and optimize distribution. This model can be applied across regions to improve water management efficiency.

Adoption of Improved Buffalo Husbandry Practices in Peri-Urban Areas of Surat City, Gujarat

The present study was carried out in the peri urban areas of Surat city of Gujarat to find out the adoption of improved buffalo husbandry practices. A random sample of 50 buffalo farm owners were selected and interviewed for the interview schedule prepared about adoption of improved dairy husbandry practices in six major aspects of housing, feeding, breeding, health care, milking and calf rearing management was studied. Housing in separate located place (100%), providing proper floor space (98%) and proper height and ventilation (90%) were more adopted in housing practices. Provision of clean and fresh drinking water (100%), feeding extra ration to advance pregnant animals (64%) and feeding balance concentrate mixture on the basis of milk production (64%) were more adopted in feeding management. In adoption of breeding management, keeping watch on oestrus cycle and heat symptoms of animals (100%), artificial insemination of animals (100%) and practicing pregnancy diagnosis between 60-90 days after service (91%) were more adopted by buffalo owners. Observing animals daily for signs of sickness (100%), timely and regularly vaccination (100%) and treatment of reproductive disorders (75%) were more adopted by respondents in health care management practices. In milking and calf rearing practices, washing pails and hands before milking (100%) and regularity in milking time (100%), early solid feeding (100%) and milk feeding to calves up to three months of age (96%) were more adopted by the buffalo owners.

Pile burns as a proxy for high severity wildfire impacts on soil microbiomes

Wildfires in the western US are increasing in frequency, size, and severity. These disturbances alter soil microbiome structure and function, with greater fire severity leading to more pronounced impacts to bacterial, archaeal, and fungal communities. These changes have implications for the provisioning of microbially-mediated ecosystem services (e.g., carbon sequestration, clean water supplies) typically associated with forested watersheds. Challenges in sampling wildfire-impacted areas immediately post-burn have limited our assessment of short-term (i.e., days to weeks) changes in the soil microbiome and understanding of how microbial populations may influence post-fire biogeochemistry and ecosystem recovery. The identification of potential high severity wildfire proxies may help address some of these knowledge gaps. One potential proxy is pile burns scars, which are produced from a set of common techniques for fuel disposal and site preparation in conifer forests throughout the western US and beyond. We sampled depth-resolved layers from fire-impacted soil and combusted litter and woody materials in a series of recent pile burn scars near West Yellowstone, Montana and nearby unburned mineral soil controls to assess whether the pile burn scars exhibited microbial signatures characteristic of forest soils impacted by recent high severity wildfire. Changes in soil carbon and nitrogen chemistry and patterns of microbial alpha and beta diversity broadly aligned with those observed following wildfire, particularly the enrichment of so-called ‘pyrophilous’ taxa. Furthermore, many of the taxa enriched in burned soils likely encoded putative traits that benefit microorganisms colonizing these environments, such as the potential for fast growth or utilization of pyrogenic carbon substrates. We suggest that pile burn scars may represent a useful proxy along the experimental gradient from muffle furnace or pyrocosm studies to largescale prescribed burns in the field to advance understanding of the soil (and related layers, like ash) microbiome following high severity wildfires, particularly when coupled with experimental manipulation. Finally, we discuss existing research gaps that experimentally manipulated pile burns could be utilized to address.

Gambaran Sanitasi Sekolah Dasar Inpres Palsatu dan Sekolah Dasar Negeri Palsatu pada Kelurahan Manutapen Kecamatan Alak Kota Kupang

School sanitation, including the provision of clean water, toilet facilities, hand washing with soap (CTPS), waste bin management, has a big impact. When school sanitation facilities and infrastructure do not meet health standards, lack of Clean and Healthy Living Behavior, as well as lack of sanitation management schools, has negative impact on student health. The aim of the research to describe the sanitation situation at SDI Palsatu and SDN Palsatu using descriptive research methods. The research was conducted in January-February 2024 with a sample of 30 students and principals from each school. The results of research show that condition of clean water supply facilities at SDI Palsatu and SDN Palsatu meets requirements with percentage of 80% and 100%, the condition of latrines at SDI Palsatu and SDN Palsatu does not meet requirements with percentage of 45.45% and 36.36%, the condition of CTPS at SDI Palsatu and SDN Palsatu do not meet requirements with a percentage of 33%, Conditions of waste disposal facilities at SDI Palsatu and SDN Palsatu o not meet requirements with percentage of 20%, The behavior of using latrines for urinating/defecating at SDI Palsatu and SDN Palsatu does not meet requirements with percentages of 54.44% and 55.55%. CTPS behavior at SDI Palsatu and SDN Palsatu meets requirements with percentage of 82% and 78%. Waste management behavior at SDI Palsatu and SDN Palsatu does not meet requirements with percentage of 33.33% and 26.66%. Sanitation management at SDI Palsatu and SDN Palsatu is good with percentage of 71.42% and 85.71%.

Factors Affecting Borehole Water Project Sustainability in Dodoma, Tanzania: A case of Nghong'onha ward

Access to a clean, safe, and affordable water supply for domestic use is a fundamental human right. However, in many urban areas in sub-Saharan African countries, including Tanzania, not all people have access to water due to the operation, maintenance, and sustainability challenges of the built infrastructure. This study assessed factors affecting the sustainability of the Borehole water project in Dodoma Region, taking a case of Nghong'onha ward in the City Council of Dodoma. Specifically, the study focused on household water use practices and examined the factors affecting the sustainability of borehole water projects. The study used both primary and secondary data of a quantitative and qualitative nature collected through interviews, observations, and a documentary review. This study employed probability and non-probability sampling techniques to select a sample of respondents and key informants. The collected data were analysed for descriptive statistics such as frequencies and means and binary logistic regression analysis, whereas qualitative data were analysed using the qualitative content analysis technique. The study found that, on average, households consumed 82.27 litres of water daily, and 47.5% of respondents had to wait for 31–45 minutes to fetch water at the water point. Furthermore, findings revealed that community meetings (0.000), distance to water points (0.000), water facility spare parts availability (0.054), payment modality (0.023), and annual maintenance (0.011) significantly affected borehole water project sustainability. The study recommends that interventions to improve access to domestic water supply in the study area should focus on improving water supply infrastructure and the built infrastructure's operation, maintenance, and sustainability.

Lot quality assurance sampling survey for water, sanitation and hygiene monitoring and evidence-based advocacy in Bentiu IDP camp, South Sudan.

Every year, 60% of deaths from diarrhoeal disease occur in low and middle-income countries due to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene. In these countries, diarrhoeal diseases are the second leading cause of death in children under five, excluding neonatal deaths. The approximately 100,000 people residing in the Bentiu Internally Displaced Population (IDP) camp in South Sudan have previously experienced water, sanitation, and hygiene outbreaks, including an ongoing Hepatitis E outbreak in 2021. This study aimed to assess the gaps in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), prioritise areas for intervention, and advocate for the improvement of WASH services based on the findings. A cross-sectional lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) survey was conducted in ninety-five households to collect data on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) coverage performance across five sectors. Nineteen households were allocated to each sector, referred to as supervision areas in LQAS surveys. Probability proportional to size sampling was used to determine the number of households to sample in each sector block selected using a geographic positioning system. One adult respondent, familiar with the household, was chosen to answer WASH-related questions, and one child under the age of five was selected through a lottery method to assess the prevalence of WASH-related disease morbidities in the previous two weeks. The data were collected using the KoBoCollect mobile application. Data analysis was conducted using R statistical software and a generic LQAS Excel analyser. Crude values, weighted averages, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each indicator. Target coverage benchmarks set by program managers and WASH guidelines were used to classify the performance of each indicator. The LQAS survey revealed that five out of 13 clean water supply indicators, eight out of 10 hygiene and sanitation indicators, and two out of four health indicators did not meet the target coverage. Regarding the clean water supply indicators, 68.9% (95% CI 60.8%-77.1%) of households reported having water available six days a week, while 37% (95% CI 27%-46%) had water containers in adequate condition. For the hygiene and sanitation indicators, 17.9% (95% CI 10.9%-24.8%) of households had handwashing points in their living area, 66.8% (95% CI 49%-84.6%) had their own jug for cleansing after defaecation, and 26.4% (95% CI 17.4%-35.3%) of households had one piece of soap. More than 40% of households wash dead bodies at funerals and wash their hands in a shared bowl. Households with sanitary facilities at an acceptable level were 22.8% (95% CI 15.6%-30.1%), while 13.2% (95% CI 6.6%-19.9%) of households had functioning handwashing points at the latrines. Over the previous two weeks, 57.9% (95% CI 49.6-69.7%) of households reported no diarrhoea, and 71.3% (95% CI 62.1%-80.6%) reported no eye infections among children under five. The camp's hygiene and sanitation situation necessitated immediate intervention to halt the hepatitis E outbreak and prevent further WASH-related outbreaks and health issues. The LQAS findings were employed to advocate for interventions addressing the WASH gaps, resulting in WASH and health actors stepping in.

Regional Assessment of Groundwater Contamination Risk from Crude Oil Spillages in the Niger Delta: A Novel Application of the Source-Pathway-Receptor Model

AbstractOnshore oil spills are known for their disastrous environmental impacts and potential to cause lasting damage to underlying groundwater. The Niger Delta is particularly vulnerable to widespread spillages linked to extensive oil exploration, transportation, and theft-related incidents. This research employed a geospatial approach in formulating risk equations, based on the source-pathway-receptor (S-P-R) model using multiple openly available data sets, to assess groundwater contamination risk in the Niger Delta Region (NDR), Nigeria. To develop the overall risk equation, the study combined fourteen thematic data layers including the volume of oil spilled, type of spill, slope, elevation, proximity to spill site, pipeline, oil wells and streams, drainage density, mean annual precipitation and population density. These layers were integrated into source potency, pathway transmissivity, and receptor susceptibility. The NDR was systematically categorized into low, moderate, and high groundwater risk zones. The delineation revealed that high-risk zones predominantly span the central areas, extending from southeast to northwest, effectively encircled by regions of low to medium risk located in both the northern and southern extents of the delta. The efficacy of the risk model was corroborated by existing knowledge. Moderate to high-risk zones were found to be in about 16% of the NDR, revealing previously unknown areas of risk. This spatial configuration underscores a significant gradient in contamination risk across the NDR, with the central corridor emerging as a critical focus for groundwater protection and remediation efforts. In line with UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #6, this study recommends targeted strategies to ensure clean water provision in these identified high-risk areas. By leveraging the S-P-R model within this complex and sensitive ecological area, this research both advances environmental risk assessment and sets a precedent for future large-scale environmental risk assessments utilizing open-source data.

Basic Sanitation Management at Ibnu Cholil Islamic Boarding School in Bangkalan Regency

Basic sanitation is critical to achieving health as it plays a major role in preventing the spread of disease. The benefits of basic sanitation management include the prevention of diseases such as diarrhea, dengue, and typhoid. The purpose of this study was to determine the management of basic sanitation which includes the provision of clean water, waste management, provision of healthy latrines, and provision of sewerage in Ibn Cholil Islamic Boarding School, Bangkalan Regency. The type of research used is descriptive with a qualitative approach. Research instruments were interviews and observation checklists with POAC assessment criteria (planning, organizing, actuanting, and controlling). The research variables were the provision of clean water, waste management, provision of healthy latrines, provision of sewerage. The results of the research on basic sanitation management of clean water supply in male dormitories (71%) are in the good category and in female dormitories (62%) are in the sufficient category. Waste management in male dormitories (52%) and in female dormitories (56%) is included in the sufficient category. The provision of healthy latrines in male dormitories (68%) and in female dormitories (73%) is categorized as good. The condition of sewerage in male dormitories (10%) and in female dormitories (24%) is categorized as insufficient. The conclusion of this study shows that the implementation of basic sanitation management management in Ibn Cholil Islamic boarding school, Bangkalan Regency is in the moderate category. It is necessary to educate about basic sanitation management and direct monitoring from the health center. INDEX TERMS Basic Sanitation, Management, Boarding School.

Sustainable Urban Clean Water Governance in Indonesia: Problems, Institutions, and Future Solutions

This study aims to explain the urban community-based clean water provision in Bandung City, in terms of general problems, institutional and governance aspects. Community-based clean water governance should be developed so that communities are independent and ready to produce clean water. When clean water is available, the time and money spent on obtaining clean water can be used for other more productive purposes and can improve community welfare. The method used in this research is a qualitative approach with a descriptive approach. Data collection was done through literature review, in-depth interviews and several site surveys. The results of this study indicate the low performance of Regional Water Supply Company in managing clean water supply and the absence of local regulations related to urban community-based clean water governance. In addition, the implementation of clean water provision in Bandung City has not integrated community-based governance. The conclusion of this research is that urban clean water governance in Bandung City and other cities in Indonesia using a community-based system for the current condition is very relevant. Furthermore, it is important to draft a local regulation on urban community-based water governance that aims to protect water resources as well as to create a clean and healthy environment, and sustainable.

Rapid eco-friendly selective dye removal using modified chitosan-based sponges: Synthesis, characterization, and application

The ongoing challenge of water scarcity persists alongside a concerning rise in water pollution driven by population expansion and industrial development. As a result, urgent measures are imperative to address the pressing need for a clean and sustainable water supply. In this study, a sustainable and green approach was utilized to prepare four chitosan-based sponges from a chemically modified chitosan with different alkyl chains in aqueous medium and at room temperature. The resulting sponges displayed excellent stability in water with outstanding dye removal efficiency. The adsorption capacity was associated with the alkyl chain length incorporated to the polymer backbone. All sponges displayed a high adsorption capacity of methyl orange (MO) ranges between 238 and 380 mg g−1, while a low capacity were obtained for methylene blue (MB) and Rhodamine B (RB). Competitive adsorption experiments were conducted on binary and ternary mixtures to assess the selective removal of MO from a mixture of dyes in which the separation factor was found to be ranging between 1.6 and 32. The adsorption kinetics isotherms of all sponges followed the pseudo-second-order, and the Langmuir model was found to be more suitable than the Freundlich for the adsorption of MO on the sponges. The chitosan-based sponges showed stable performance, robustness and reusability over 5 adsorption-desorption cycles, indicating their great potential for water treatment applications.

OPTIMIZATION OF STEEL PROFILE DIMENSIONS AND BOLT CONNECTIONS IN INTAKE STRUCTURES FOR ENHANCED STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY

Intake structures are facilities for clean water supply situated along riverbanks. These structures are reinforced concrete with pile foundations, and the intake structure comprises a profiled steel frame serving as the upper column-beam framework. The implementation of steel structures demands a high level of precision, particularly in designing connections between sectional steel beams and columns. This study, therefore, aims to determine the optimal dimensions for steel profiles by referring to the design of bolt connections as specified in SNI 1729-2020, particularly for steel beam columns subjected to pump loads and load combinations. The analysis concludes that all three material types meet the safety criteria, with a structural ratio value of ≤ 1 and structural deflection within the allowable limits. Additionally, after assessing the steel column and beam sections' capacity to bear pump loads, it was determined that the optimal bolt connection involved 8 bolts of 24 mm diameter. The ideal supplementary steel plate connection required a plate thickness of 13 mm.

Assistance in the Provision of Clean Water and Sanitation Facilities and Infrastructure in Kalisat Village, Kalisat District, Jember Regency

Assistance in the Provision of Clean Water and Sanitation Facilities and Infrastructure in Kalisat Village, Kalisat District, Jember Regency

An integrated appraisal of the hydrogeochemistry and the potential public health risks of groundwater nitrate and fluoride in eastern Ghana

To understand groundwater pollution and its associated health hazards and to ensure the availability of a clean, safe, and sustainable water supply, comprehensive research plays a crucial role. This article presents an integrated investigation of groundwater conditions, hydrogeochemistry, and health implications arising from fluoride (F⁻) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) contamination in eastern Ghana. Analysis of 107 samples revealed variable groundwater suitability for human consumption, as indicated by Pollution Index of Groundwater (PIG) values ranging from 0.11 to 1.19. The study highlights significant variations in health hazard risks due to F⁻ and NO₃⁻ exposure. Hazard indices (HIs) for nitrate ingestion range from 0.000 to 16.321, for fluoride ingestion from 0.000 to 17.426, and for the combined ingestion risks from 0.000 to 17.602. Dermal absorption risk for nitrate is minimal, with values between 0.000 and 0.049. Spatially distinct contamination and health risks were mapped using GIS, to pinpoint vulnerable localities in the study region. Hydrochemical investigations, confirmed by clustering and factor analyses, revealed that natural geological processes are the primary drivers of groundwater quality and mineralization, with limited anthropogenic impacts. Further, an artificial neural network model with an impressive R2 of 0.976 and low statistical errors demonstrated strong potential for accurate prediction of groundwater quality. The holistic study approach significantly advances groundwater research in the region, paving the way for effective resource management strategies by revealing areas of concern, understanding the contamination drivers, and predicting future water quality with high accuracy.

Peran United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) dalam Menangani Pemenuhan Hak Anak-Anak Pengungsi Rohingya di Bangladesh Tahun 2017-2023

The refugee crisis experienced by Bangladesh due to the mass exodus of Rohingya refugees fleeing ethnic conflict in Myanmar is one of the largest refugee issues in the world. This crisis needs to be addressed immediately as it can threaten the lives of both the local population and the refugees themselves. Overcrowded shelters, housing nearly 1 million refugees with half of the population being children, increase the risk of disease transmission and violence, which can be a deadly combination for children. Therefore, to tackle the refugee problem, especially in fulfilling the rights of Rohingya children in Bangladesh, international actors' assistance is urgently needed. One of the organizations involved is UNICEF. UNICEF strives to provide aid in line with its capabilities and functions as an international organization focused on children and women. The aid provided by UNICEF is in the form of foreign aid or humanitarian assistance, divided into two types: material assistance and technical assistance. Material assistance includes the provision of clean water, food, hygiene supplies, education, and shelter. Technical assistance is provided through protection, training, and counseling. In its efforts to meet the needs of Rohingya refugee children, UNICEF has established the "UNICEF’s Humanitarian Action for Children in Bangladesh: Rohingya Influx" program, covering several sectors, including Child Protection, Health, Education, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), and Nutrition. The humanitarian assistance provided aligns with the stipulations of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) regarding the fulfillment of the rights of refugee children.

Developing the Ability to Apply Chemical Knowledge for Students through Experience of “Visiting the Clean Water Supply Station”

The ability to apply chemical knowledge to practice is an important ability that needs to be developed for students when learning Chemistry. This research focuses on developing the ability to apply chemical knowledge to practice for high school students through experience. The evaluation of the development of the ability to apply chemical knowledge to practice for students is implemented following 10 criteria and 4 levels of expression of the ability at two different points, before and after participating in the experience. The statistic parameters such as effect size (ES) and independent t-test have been determined in order to verify the effectiveness of the pedagogical experiment. The research results show that, after the experiment, the average scores of evaluation criteria of students’ ability to apply chemical knowledge to practice are higher than that at the time before the experiment. The ES and independent t-test parameters also show the change before and after the experiment is affected by the experimental methods. Thus, the ability to apply chemical knowledge to practice of students is initially improved through experience.

Analysis of Service Quality at Regional Drinking Water Companies

Public services, especially in the provision of clean water, require the principles of excellent service that is easy, cheap, friendly, accountable, precise and orderly. Continuous evaluation is necessary to ensure good service. This research aims to examine how to analyze service quality at the Regional Drinking Water Company in Tallo District, Makassar City. This type of research is qualitative using a descriptive approach. Data collection techniques were carried out by means of observation, interviews and documentation. The data analysis technique used consists of data condensation, data presentation and drawing conclusions. The research results show that the quality of service at the Regional Drinking Water Company in Tallo District, Makassar City can be determined from the timeliness of service, accuracy of service, politeness and friendliness, ease of obtaining service, comfort in obtaining service, service support attributes. Meanwhile, factors that influence the quality of service at the regional drinking water company in Tallo sub-district, Makassar City include: employee friendliness is considered to be still not good, parking is still haphazardly parked and the layout of the building is fairly complicated. The novelty of this research is that researchers can make a more significant contribution to understanding and improving the quality of PDAM services in Tallo subdistrict, Makassar City.

A Photothermal/Catalytic Integrated Solar Evaporator for Stable Purification of High‐Concentration Dye Sewage

AbstractSolar evaporators have demonstrated huge potential in sewage purification and clean water supply based on their cost‐effective and sustainable merits. However, it remains challenging to realize the stable purification of high‐concentration dye sewage over the long term. Here, by incorporating a heterojunction photocatalyst, a photothermal/catalytic integrated solar evaporator is conceived to stabilize the purification of high‐concentration dye sewage. It is composed of g‐C3N4@TiO2 heterojunction as the photocatalyst, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as the photothermal materials, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) network as water transportation material. The high photocatalytic activity of heterojunction enables the g‐C3N4@TiO2/CNTs/PVA (CTCP) evaporator to photodegrade the accumulated dye molecules on its evaporation surface under light irradiation during purifying dye sewage. More remarkably, the integrated CTCP evaporator achieves a stable evaporation rate of 2.30 kg m−2 h−1 in 1 mg mL−1 RhB solution with continuous light irradiation for 100 h, exhibiting preeminent long‐term stability. With the capacities of long‐term stable and high‐rate purification of high‐concentration dye sewage, it is expected that this CTCP evaporator provides an effective alternative to treat high‐concentration dye sewage and has direct implications in engineering multifunctional solar evaporators for complex wastewater treatment.

Connecting forest soil properties with ecosystem services: Toward a better use of digital soil maps—A review

AbstractThe soil supports many ecosystem services (ES) essential to human well‐being. Rapid developments in digital soil mapping (DSM) allow the mapping of soil types and soil properties with improved resolution and accuracy. However, the potential of DSM to improve the assessment and mapping of ES is not fully exploited. To better understand this potential, we synthesized the peer‐reviewed literature. We examined what empirical studies reveal about the role of soil properties in the assessment of four major ES provided by the forest: (I) timber production, (II) soil carbon storage, (III) regulation of water flow and provision of clean water, and (IV) the soil as a habitat for organisms. Results revealed that soil properties are strongly related to the provision of ES. Therefore, using DSM could greatly improve the assessment of the ES provided by forests. Several variables were related to specific ES regardless of region or ecosystem types, but others were found to be situation‐specific (climate and soil type) and need to be considered at the proper scale or within a proper land classification framework. DSM products have the potential to greatly improve the assessment of ES by turning qualitative relationships between soil and ES to quantitative ones. This could also lead to the discovery of new soil–ES relationships. For this potential to be realized, progress should be made in mapping the most crucial soil parameters with greater precision and in promoting the use of soil parameters in ES assessment.