Surface Water Resources Research Articles

Assessing the Impacts of Climatic and Water Management Scenarios in a Small Mountainous Greek River

The water resource management of transboundary mountainous river basins under climate change is expected to be challenging. In order to contribute to the better understanding of climate change effects on the water resources of the mountainous and transboundary Prespa Lakes basin, a hydrological model of the Agios Germanos River, one of the main rivers discharging to Great Prespa Lake, was developed, and two water management plans under two different climate scenarios were examined. Based on the results, the impact of climate change on surface water resources was evident in all climate change scenarios examined, even under the most favorable water abstraction practices. Nevertheless, sensible water management can moderate the impact of climate change by up to 10% in an optimistic scenario in both the near- and long-term, and by up to 6% and 1% for the near- and long-term, respectively, in a pessimistic scenario. Integrated water management practices that moderate the impact of climate change on the water ecosystem services should be prioritized. Nature-based approaches could provide solutions regarding climate change adaptation and mitigation. Transboundary cooperation, data exchange mechanisms, common policy frameworks, and monitoring, reporting, and evaluation systems, could reduce human and ecosystems’ vulnerabilities and improve the water security of the area.

Assessment of the Health Impacts of Sewage Water Irrigation on Agricultural Workers

Wastewater can be explored as an alternative water resource for irrigation in arid and semi-arid areas. In addition to conserving surface and subsurface water resources, the safe use of treated sewage water can increase crop yields. Despite numerous studies on wastewater irrigation, relatively limited research has been undertaken on the health impacts of wastewater irrigation on agricultural workers was undertaken. Many regions lack robust health monitoring systems for agricultural workers, making it difficult to assess the long-term health impacts of wastewater exposure. There is an urgent need to explore impacts of wastewater irrigation on farmworkers’ health. It is of an utmost importance to consider advantages as well as the risks of wastewater irrigation to public health and the environment. With this objective, experiments focusing on sewage water reuse for the irrigation of Wheat and Green gram crops were conducted at the Campus of Nirma University, Ahmedabad. The study design took into account several treatments based on the use of sewage water, groundwater, and surface water in various blending ratios. The design of the studies also takes into account different treatments based on the application of nitrogenous fertilizer to soils. A total of three replications were performed for all experiments for wheat & green gram crops. The methodology involves assessing the health impacts on agricultural workers as a result of their exposure to pathogens associated with wastewater. The impacts on public health under said treatments are analyzed and discussed in the paper. Lead levels, Total Bilirubin, Conjugated Bilirubin, Unconjugated Bilirubin, SGPT, Polymorphs, Lymphocytes, Eosinophils, Monocytes and Basophils were found to be within the normal range in agricultural workers associated with sewage water irrigation for wheat and green gram crops.

Evaluation of coupled SWAT-MODFLOW-NWT model for conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater resources in the Mahabad plain of Iran

The Urmia Lake Basin has been severely affected by the unbalanced exploitation of water resources. To better manage the use of integrated water resources, the coupled SWAT-MODFLOW-NWT was adopted for the Mahabad Plain in the Urmia Lake Basin, N.W. Iran. The results indicated that a multifunctional calibration of SWAT and MODFLOW-NWT hydrological models in a large-scale irrigated area was necessary, using parameters such as evapotranspiration and crop yield in addition to the usual surface runoff and water table measures. The coupled model was then used to evaluate several water allocation scenarios, such as alternate proportions of irrigation water allocation from conjunctive water resources. The ultimate objective of adopting these scenarios was to increase the residual share of the water supply in order to compensate for the deprived share of Urmia Lake. The results of this study demonstrated that that the coupled SWAT-MODFLOW-NWT model was able to satisfactorily simulate the surface and groundwater balance components at different spatial and temporal dimensions. The results indicate that the Mahabad aquifer is capable of supplying irrigation water needs in the central and northern regions, with some limitations around running rivers. Furthermore, groundwater sustainability indicators showed that even with an additional 30% of the water supply from groundwater, the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources was preserved Ultimately, the findings indicated that a reduction in water allocation from surface waters can lead to an increase in water release to the lake of 16 million cubic meters (21%) to 18 million cubic meters (25%) in different years. The outcomes of this study can serve as a guiding principle for the optimal and sustainable allocation of surface and groundwater resources in highly competitive and fragile basins such as Lake Urmia.

Analysis of Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources in Harirod-Murghab River Basin

Climate change represents one of the paramount challenges confronting humanity today. The profound impacts of phenomena such as changes in precipitation patterns, global warming, polar ice melt, floods, and the onset of untimely and extreme temperatures worldwide have instilled a sense of urgency and concern. This critical issue has been placed at the forefront of climate change. To understand the ramifications of climate change on water resources within the Harirud-Marghab River basin, an analysis of average precipitation and temperature variations (including minimum, maximum, and average values) across different time frames (annual, monthly, seasonal, and during wet and dry seasons) has been conducted using data from hydrometeorological stations in the catchment area from 1979 to 2022. the non-parametric Mann-Kendall and PCI methods were chosen as the analytical tools. The findings reveal a notable decline in annual rainfall within the Harirud-Marghab River basin, with a pronounced reduction during the winter, the basin's primary water season. Conversely, an increase in seasonal rainfall has been observed in summer and autumn. Overall, rainfall in this river basin tends to be intense, occurring on limited days throughout the year. Furthermore, a significant rise in the annual average temperature has been documented, alongside fluctuations and changes in water flow across most stations within the basin. Consequently, the surface water resources of the Harirud-Marghab River basin have experienced a substantial decrease, amounting to approximately 29% of its capacity, equivalent to a reduction of 0.98 billion cubic meters of water.

Addressing the Challenges of Economic Water Scarcity in Kenya: Multi-Barrier and Multilateral Integrated Approach Systems for Sustainable Access to Safe Drinking Water A Review

Accessibility to clean drinking water is essential to the quality of life of all humans. Water is also important in national development of a country. Kenya is faced with both physical water scarcity and economic water scarcity. Physical water scarcity is due to increased water demand, limited supply of water and low rainfall whereas economic water scarcity is due to lack of sufficient financial capability to support water infrastructure. Depending on the water use, there are various techniques available for removal of harmful bacteria, water softening and removing organic particulates and other contaminants from drinking water. They range from simple to sophisticated technologies. This review focused on the economic water scarcity in Kenya which is a developing country. Aspects reviewed included: water poverty index and effects of economic water scarcity. The review methodology tool used was the water poverty index assessment tool (WPI) at which elemental parameters related to water were identified and discussed. The outcome of this research was expected to contribute in the development of affordable and sustainable purification technologies and policies that can be used to deliver safe and clean drinking water. The assessment using the Water Poverty Index (WPI) found Kenya’s WPI to be low in the range of 38-45 %, which is characterised as being severe in regard to the global water stress. Kenya’s safe yield of surface water resources and ground water was estimated to be 7.4 BCM per annum and 1.0 BCM per annum respectively. Water abstractions is estimated at 1.6 BCM per annum representing 13-19% of the available water. Challenges identified include: undeveloped water resources, low financial and institutional capacity, limited access and increased demand of water in agricultural activities such as irrigation with a declining total annual renewable water per capita in the last 50 years. Recommendations proposed as solutions that can be adopted to address economic water scarcity and consequently water stress in Kenya, include exploring sustainable low-cost purification technologies, adopting multi-barrier integrated approach system and the use of multilateral economic groups support to address economic water scarcity.

Distribution Characteristics and Formation Mechanism of Main Hydrochemical Ions in Qingshui River

Qingshui River is a vital source for human life and industrial production in Zhangjiakou City. Determination of the formation mechanism of the main hydrochemical ions is important for the sustainable development and utilization of surface water resources in the Qingshui River. In view of this, 20 surface water samples were collected from the agricultural and urban reaches of the Qingshui River in July 2022. Based on the detection of hydrochemical ions and stable isotopes （δ2H-H2O and δ18O-H2O）, the hydrogeochemical methods, multivariate statistical analysis, and positive matrix factorization model （PMF） were used to comprehensively understand the chemical formation mechanism of surface water from qualitative to quantitative perspectives. The results showed that the average pH value in the Qingshui River was 8.66, indicating weakly alkaline water. The average concentrations of cations and anions decreased in the orders of Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ > NH4+ and HCO3- > SO42- > NO3- > Cl- > F- > NO2- in the river water, respectively. The main hydrochemical type was identified as HCO3-Ca·Mg water. For the natural background, surface water was mainly controlled by rock weathering and evaporation crystallization and rock weathering was identified as the primary driving factor. The main hydrochemical compositions in the Qingshui River were derived from the dissolution of carbonate rocks and silicate rocks. Regarding anthropogenic activities, the portions of river water in the agricultural reaches were mainly affected by the excessive application of chemical fertilizers. Furthermore, the concentration of NO3- （1.88-47.4 mg·L-1） exceeded the standard for drinking purposes （10 mg·L-1）. The concentration of F- （0.38-1.92 mg·L-1） was above the acceptable limit for drinking purposes （1.0 mg·L-1） in the southern urban reaches portion of the river water, which could have been attributed to the industrial sewage discharge. The obtained results from the PMF model showed that the hydrochemical compositions in the river water of agricultural reaches were mainly controlled by four factors, namely synthetic fertilizers （29.6%）, livestock manure （16.4%）, rock weathering （17.4%）, and natural geology （13.7%）, while hydrochemical compositions in the river water of urban reaches were mainly affected by the domestic pollutants （30.5%）, industrial discharges （20.1%）, natural geology （18.4%）, and rock weathering （16.7%）.

Interactive effect of anthropogenic activities and seasonal changes on the biophysicochemical properties and heavy metal status of tropical surface water resources

Seasonal changes and uncontrolled anthropogenic activities alter surface water resources quality and threaten access to water for consumptive and non-consumptive needs of humankind. This study examines the interactive impact of seasonal variation and anthropogenic activities on selected biophysicochemical properties and heavy metal status of tropical surface water resources. The study was conducted with water samples taken from upstream, midstream and downstream of the networked surface water system of the Barekese and Owabi dams in the Ashanti Region of Ghana during the wet season (March – Mid. October 2019) and dry season (Mid. October – February,2019). The result revealed that the downstream had significantly higher levels of conductivity, BOD, NO3-N, NH4-N, as well as Escherichia coli (E. coli) when compared to the midstream and upstream. The levels of NO3-N were significantly higher during the wet season while conductivity, TSS, E. coli and copper were higher during the dry season. Significant interactive effects between seasons and anthropogenic activities on water quality were observed. The anthropogenic impacts on conductivity, E. coli, and copper concentration were observed during the dry season while that of NO3-N was observed during the wet season. Overall, the water quality was poorest during the dry season and mainly in the downstream where anthropogenic activities are pronounced. This means that efforts towards improving surface water quality should be targeted at downstream activities, especially during the dry season. The study recommends the need for effective monitoring and control of activities such as dry season farming and indiscriminate discharge of waste into tributaries of surface water especially within the downstream.

Increasing Atmospheric Evaporative Demand Across the Tibetan Plateau and Implications for Surface Water Resources

Increasing Atmospheric Evaporative Demand Across the Tibetan Plateau and Implications for Surface Water Resources

The environmental impact of dam construction in a wetland area. A case study Boukhroufa (El Taref) Algeria

This article presents an approach to the assessment of the environmental impact of a dam construction for agricultural use in the Boutheldja region. This region’s environment is rich in natural resources and forms a part of the El Kala National Park (P.N.E.K). It was designated a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar convention by UNESCO in 1983 and later declared a biosphere reserve in 1990. It is among the most significant aquatic areas in this region (contains about 40% of surface water resources). The physical characteristics of the watershed support the construction of the dam, although there could be a number of unfavorable effects: upstream – including soil erosion and reservoir sedimentation, reduced storage capacity, lower water quality and loss of productivity of flooded area; downstream – removal of silt from downstream flows, loss of fertilising functions, changes in water quality, changes in productivity, reduction in natural floods, loss of access to resources and ecological disturbance. Such processes will have an impact on an ecosystem so fragile. Although Boukhroufa dam provides significant benefits to the city, such as controlling stream regime, preventing floods, and supplying agricultural water from stored water, it also has significant negative effects on the surrounding watershed ecosystem.

Occurrence of selected Covid-19 drugs in surface water resources: a review of their sources, pathways, receptors, fate, ecotoxicity, and possible interactions with heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) led to the high consumption of antibiotics such as azithromycin as well as corticosteroids such as prednisone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone used to treat the disease. Seemingly, the concentrations of these four Covid-19 drugs increased in wastewater effluents and surface water resources. This is due to the failure of traditional wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs) to eliminate pharmaceuticals from wastewater. Therefore, the objective of the current research was to review the present state of literature on the occurrence of four Covid-19 drugs in water resources, the associated risks and toxicity, their fate, as well as the emergence of combined pollutants of Covid-19 drugs and heavy metals. From late 2019 to date, azithromycin was observed at concentrations of 935 ng/L, prednisone at 433 ng/L, prednisolone at 0.66 ng/L, and dexamethasone at 360 ng/L, respectively, in surface water resources. These concentrations had increased substantially in water resources and were all attributed to pollution by wastewater effluents and the rise in Covid-?19 infections. This phenomenon was also exacerbated by the observation of the pseudo-persistence of Covid-19 drugs, long half-life periods, as well as the excretion of Covid-19 drugs from the human body with about 30?90% of the parent drug. Nonetheless, the aquatic and human health toxicity and risks of Covid-19 drugs in water resources are unknown as the concentrations are deemed too low; thus, neglecting the possible long-term effects. Also, the accumulation of Covid-19 drugs in water resources presents the possible development of combined pollutants of Covid-19 drugs and heavy metals that are yet to be investigated. The risks and toxicity of the combined pollutants, including the fate of the Covid-19 drugs in water resources remains a research gap that undoubtably needs to be investigated.

Integrating Water Quality Index (WQI) and Multivariate Statistics for Regional Surface Water Quality Evaluation: Key Parameter Identification and Human Health Risk Assessment

Assessing regional water quality and evaluating the associated risks to human health posed by aquatic contaminants are paramount for conserving and managing surface water resources and formulating effective local policy decisions. This study utilizes 17 water quality parameters collected monthly from nine national monitoring stations in Nanning City, China, from January 2021 to March 2023, i.e., water temperature (WT), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), permanganate index (CODMn), chemical oxygen demand (COD), five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), total phosphorus (TP), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), fluoride (F-), selenium (Se), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb). Analyses were performed utilizing the Water Quality Index (WQI) and multiple stepwise regression to ascertain seasonal and spatial variations in water quality and to identify key water quality parameters. Human health risks were evaluated, focusing on eight heavy metals. The results indicated that the average WQI for the designated area was 94.1, with individual monitoring stations displaying WQIs ranging from 93.22 to 96.44, categorizing the water quality as “excellent”. The WQI exhibited seasonal fluctuations, peaking in spring and winter while decreasing in summer and autumn. All measured parameters met national standards for Class I and II surface waters. The stepwise regression analysis facilitated the construction of minimized WQI models (WQImin) derived from three different training and testing datasets, with a WQImin model incorporating six key parameters, i.e., DO, CODMn, NH3-N, Hg, WT, and Se. The concentration of heavy metals in the water exhibited a sequence of Zn (3.35 µg/L) > Cr (2.00 µg/L) > Cu (1.36 µg/L) > As (1.29 µg/L) > Se (0.32 µg/L) > Pb (0.17 µg/L) > Cd (0.03 µg/L) > Hg (0.01 µg/L), with all metals adhering to the Class I standard. Children are more susceptible to the adverse effects of heavy metal contamination than adults, exhibiting a total environmental health risk of 1.28 times greater. Cr was identified as the predominant contributor to the aggregate health risk, accounting for over 80% of the risk in adults and children, followed by As (19.1%). Future protection efforts are recommended to prioritize the control of Cr and As concentrations in Nanning City.

An Integrated Model for Pollution Prevention, Ecological Integration and Sustainability of Surface Water: Case of Awetu River, Jimma City, South-Western Ethiopia

There are complex relationships among water quality, ecological integration and sustainability of surface water resource. Several factors are interacting in these three things, making them complex for understanding and managing, while the integration of these three is very important for sustainable development, environmental sustainability and public health. To increase the understanding of this complex relationship, appropriate tool is needed. Modeling is considered as an appropriate tool to simplify the understanding of this concept. The objective of this study is developing an integrated conceptual model for pollution prevention, ecological integration and sustainability of Awetu River basin. To develop this model, a preliminary study was conducted in the study area, which includes water quality status, its ecological condition, settlement in the river area, identifying pollution sources, and an on-going project in the river basin. Based on this information, and general environmental scientific knowledge, a conceptual model was developed. This conceptual modeling was passed through the four broad steps; each step involved several key activities that support developing an integrated model. Three correlated sub-models were developed first; finally, one integrated conceptual model was developed. Developing and application of an integrated model for Awetu river basin is very important to improve the current situation of the river. Achieving this needs an integrated work of all stakeholders and concerned bodies. Stakeholders recommended applying this model, whereas researchers recommended evaluation and modifying the model more. The model is also applicable for most rivers and surface water, particularly for waters with similar situations.

Determination of the environmental impacts of gold mining within the scope of the circular economy: Applications of the new economic model of the European Union

Following the Industrial Revolution wastes generated in the production and consumption processes have emerged as disruptive elements to ecosystems and threats to the safety of future generations. Resources are finite, limiting the ability to sustain the cycle for a sustainable future. With increasing population and industrial development, the single-use lifestyle of “take, use, discard” has become a significant problem in direct economic strategies. The European Union has led the way in waste management with its circular economy strategy, aiming to 'do more with less' as a long-term approach to economic growth. Today, companies in various industries must set an example for environmental awareness, lifestyle, and consumption habits in society to shift positively. This study focuses on the gold mining sector. Its objective is to examine and evaluate the impact of cyanide used in the purification process on groundwater and surface water resources. A sample facility was selected for analysis. Monthly environmental reports from 2015-2016 were obtained for this facility, allowing the study to examine the effects of cyanide on water sources by comparing available analysis results with the relevant national legislation. As a result, it was found that the cyanide levels at the treatment plant outlet and waste storage facility did not exceed the committed limits, and continuous pollution was not observed in the monitoring wells drilled to assess groundwater contamination.

A Study in the Contamination of Desalinated Water with Microorganisms, and Analysis of Chemical and Physical in Western Libya

Monitoring the changes that occur to water during distribution is vital to ensure water safety. The biological stability of reverse osmosis (RO) produced drinking water, characterized by low cell concentration and low assailable organic carbon, in combination with chlorine disinfection was investigated. Water quality at several locations throughout the existing distribution network was monitored to investigate whether microbial water quality changes can be identified. Libya is located in an arid and semi-arid region of Africa with no permanent rivers or true freshwater lakes and average annual rainfall of less than 100 mm. Limited access to surface water resources has led to a heavy reliance on groundwater. Extensive use of conventional water resources such as groundwater, poor awareness of how to optimally use and save water, and seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers have all contributed to a severe water crisis in Libya. The water crisis issues in Libya are exacerbated by the population distribution relative to available water resources. 75% of Libya’s population is concentrated in only 1.5% of the total land area in the western coastal centers of Jufra and Misrata, and the eastern coastal area of ​​Jebel Akhdar. The results from this study highlight the importance of implementing multiple barriers to ensure water safety. Changes in water quality detected even when high-quality disinfected reverse osmosis (RO) -produced water is distributed highlight microbiological challenges that chlorinated systems endure, especially at high water temperatures. The aim of this paper is to shed light on the conventional and non-conventional water resources in Libya. In this context, the research aims to provide an overview of seawater desalination technology in Libya and why desalination should be embraced as a strategic and ultimate solution to the water shortage problem. In addition to the bacterial contamination of desalinated water in western Libya. This study was investigated the quality of drinking water supplied in Some Commercial Water Purification Systems at Sabratha area. Water samples were collected from five stations at Sabratha region. The physicochemical parameters were mainly, pH, Alkalinity, Chloride, Nitrate, Sulfate, Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, Potassium and TDS. The result shows that all these parameters were fall below WHO guidelines, except pH. The bacteriological result revealed that one of the studied stations was contaminated by E. coli bacteria.

Surface water dynamics of Africa: Analysing continental trends and identifying drivers for major lakes and reservoirs

ABSTRACT Africa has the most dynamic demographic development worldwide. Current projections predict a population of > 3 billion people by the end of the century. Sub-Saharan Africa alone will likely see a 40% increase in population between 2020 and 2050. Although it is well known that large parts of Africa are in a constant state of water stress, its surface water resources remain understudied. This study analyses long-term trends of surface water in Africa. It identifies causal impacts on major lakes and reservoirs for the timeframe 2003–2020, as well as dynamic and causal similarities between the various lakes. For this, a set of daily time series based on Earth observation is employed. Global WaterPack data is used for a daily uninterrupted time series of the continent’s surface water area. Additionally, an array of relevant independent variables, namely precipitation, total evapotranspiration, groundwater, soil moisture, and gross primary productivity (GPP) in different land use areas is analysed. For causal identification, the Peter and Clark Momentary Conditional Independence algorithm is used. Findings show that > 42% of African countries and > 34% of African ecoregions experience shrinking surface water area. Over 80% of investigated surface water bodies are driven by the surface water in their upstream subbasins and GPP in agriculturally used areas. About 85% of investigated lakes are significantly driven by agricultural usage, often in the form of water abstraction, as referenced regional studies confirm. Our analysis demonstrates the feasibility of conducting causal analyses of surface water dynamics using Earth observation data. Dynamically similar lakes are often impacted by the same drivers, forming regional lake clusters. Considering the causes identified may greatly help adapt strategies for sustainable development. A causality analysis to identify drivers of surface water dynamics has, to our knowledge, never been performed before on this scale and at such high temporal resolution.

Impacts of Climate Change: Examining Precipitation, Temperature Anomalies, and Effects on Water Resources in Turkey

Climate change is a significant global issue that affects our everyday lives and water resources. One of the most critical impacts of climate change is on our water resources, which are vital for sustaining life and supporting various ecosystems. Understanding the complex relationship between climate change and water resources is crucial for developing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. This study aims to investigate the impact of climate change on water resources and to shed light on the importance of addressing this issue. Water is a limited resource, and its availability and quality directly affect human well-being, agriculture, energy production, and ecosystem health. However, climate change alters the patterns and dynamics of precipitation, temperature, and evaporation, leading to significant changes in water availability and distribution. Increasing global temperatures cause glaciers and ice caps to melt, progressively depleting freshwater resources. Moreover, changing precipitation patterns are leading to more frequent and severe droughts in some regions, while others experience increased rainfall and flooding events. The effects of these changes are profound. As water scarcity becomes more widespread, competition for limited resources intensifies, potentially leading to conflicts and social unrest. Given the importance of water resources and the undeniable impact of climate change on their availability and quality, it is imperative that we deepen our understanding of this complex relationship. This study aims to assess the socio-economic and environmental impacts of climate change on water resources. By doing so, it seeks to provide policymakers, scientists, and communities with information that will guide decision-making processes and direct effective climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. In conclusion, the impact of climate change on water resources cannot be overstated. This study aims to contribute to our understanding of this critical issue by highlighting the urgency of addressing climate change and its consequences on water resources and sustainability. This study examines the effects of changing precipitation patterns and increasing temperatures due to climate change on underground and surface water resources in Turkey. By conducting this research, we hope to pave the way for informed decision-making and encourage collective responsibility to protect our water resources for future generations.

Trace Element Composition of Surface Water in Almaty City and Human Health Risk Assessment.

This investigation meticulously examined the elemental composition of 64 water samples collected during the seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter of the year 2023. The average seasonal concentrations of arsenic (As), beryllium (Be), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lithium (Li), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), uranium (U), mercury (Hg), aluminum (Al), barium (Ba), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), strontium (Sr), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and chlorine (Cl) as well as SO4 and dry residue were computed at 16 strategically selected sites along the Bolshaya and Malaya Almatinka, Esentai, and Kargalinka rivers situated in Almaty. The sampling locations were categorized into three distinct sectors: upper (adjacent to mountainous regions), middle (urban zone), and lower (exceeding city limits), thereby facilitating the examination of discrepancies in water quality and elemental concentrations. The results reveal that surface water resources in Almaty, particularly concerning As, Ni, Cr, U, and Pb, may present a considerable carcinogenic risk if utilized for consumption purposes. This is especially alarming given that these rivers constitute a vital source of drinking water for the inhabitants of the city. Specifically, at two sampling locations along the Bolshaya and Malaya Almatinka rivers in proximity to significant urban thoroughfares, untreated river water displayed an elevated carcinogenic risk (CR ~ 10-2). These results highlight the urgent necessity for enhanced water treatment and ongoing monitoring to safeguard public health.

Understanding vegetative ecophysiological responses of herbaceous species from a Brazilian dry forest by simulating 60‐year precipitation extremes

AbstractIn the Caatinga, a Brazilian dry forest, low water availability is a limiting factor that affects the growth and survival of herbaceous plants. Thus, we hypothesize that simulated extreme changes in precipitation modify aboveground and belowground vegetative responses differently between annual and perennial herbaceous species. Seedlings of the species were obtained through seed germination. During 1 year, they were submitted to three rainfall simulation (RS) treatments, defined from a 60‐year sequence: Twet‐RS of rainy years; Tcontrol‐RS of years close to the historical average; Tdry‐RS of dry years; and with 30 repetitions per treatment. The daily water administration corresponded to the daily average of rainfall in the past. In the simulation of dry years, the annual species reduced the growth drastically, while the perennials showed a moderate reduction. All species reduced biomass and production and expansion of their leaves in dry years but invested in water storage and leaf longevity. Below ground, annuals explored surface water resources and perennials invested in root growth, accessing underground layers. If reductions in rainfall are confirmed, the allocation of herbaceous biomass may follow an “optimal partitioning” strategy, along with maintaining higher water content in the organs, which is an efficient survival strategy.

APPLICATION OF GEO-INFORMATICS IN THE MAPPING OF AREAS VULNERABLE TO SURFACE WATER STRESS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

The main purpose of this paper is to identify water-stressed areas as a response to land use/land cover (LULC), climate variability, and increasing population in Kaduna State using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information systems. To achieve this aim, the paper set out to identify/map out areas vulnerable to water stress in the study area. The Meteorological data for the study were sourced from twelve remotely sensed stations around Kaduna State for thirty-seven years (1984 to 2021), land use data from remotely sensed satellite imageries that covered thirty-seven years, and projected population for thirty-seven years respectively. There are several indices used to compute water stress and the paper opted for indices that could monitor climate variability and surface water resources. Thereafter, the six indicators were standardized, weighted, and aggregated in Microsoft Excel, and imported into the ArcGIS 10.2.1 environment, and a weightier vulnerability model analysis was used to determine the weights of each variable’s contribution to water stress. The result achieved indicated that: 54.41% of the entire study area is vulnerable to water stress, 15.80% is moderately vulnerable, 26.23% is less vulnerable and 3.56% is not vulnerable to water stress within the period under study. Furthermore, Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Igabi, Ikara, and Kajuru Local Government Areas (LGAs) were the most vulnerable areas in the State while not vulnerable areas are; Kauru, Kagarko, and Jaba LGAs. The paper recommends the implementation of water conservation measures which include the creation of wetlands and shelter belts in areas vulnerable to water stress.

The role of automated surface water distribution systems in energy-saving agriculture: A case study from central Iran’s Arid Plateau

Study regionThe NekooAbad Irrigation District in central Iran faces challenges due to inefficient surface water distribution. 82 million m3 of groundwater is extracted annually from 15,000 tube-wells, leading to decreased groundwater levels and increased energy consumption of 234 million kWh per year. Study focusThis study explores implementing automation in surface water distribution to reduce groundwater extraction and conserve energy. A hydraulic simulation model and a centralized Model Predictive Control approach were used to analyze the existing system and propose a recovery plan. The potential impact of automated surface water distribution on reducing groundwater extraction and energy conservation was evaluated through spatial assessment in GIS. New hydrological insights for the regionThe results demonstrate that the introduction of automation can significantly improve surface water distribution and, accordingly, groundwater overexploitation and, consequently, energy conservation, particularly during water scarcity. Energy conservation increased by 42.3 %, 54.8 %, 56.2 %, and 57.7 % under normal conditions, with water shortages of less than 10 %, 10–15 %, and 15–20 %, respectively. However, as the surface water shortages intensified, the energy conservation rates decreased to 57.7 %, 43.7 %, 25.4 %, and 18.9 % for normal conditions, water shortages of 15–20 %, 20–30 %, 30–40 %, and over 40 %, respectively. The automation introduction effectively provided reliable surface water resources, prompting farmers to shut down pumping stations or reduce working hours. Even in extreme scenarios, the project achieved up to 18.9 % energy savings.