Surface Water Resources Research Articles

On the emerging global relevance of atmospheric rivers and impacts on landscapes and water resources

This progress report discusses the lineage of atmospheric rivers (ARs) research, focusing on the transformation of the topic from an important regional atmospheric feature along the U.S. West Coast to a globally relevant driver of extreme hydrometeorological events. As the AR literature has advanced, so has the regional expanse covered, initially expanding into the Central U.S. and Europe. Recently, new, emerging regions are being explored in the AR literature such as the high latitudes, New Zealand, China, North Africa, and the Middle East. The literature on the impact of AR-driven hydrometeorological events on land surface processes (e.g., landslides and avalanches) and water resources is also rapidly developing. This progress report seeks to expose the broader physical geography discipline to the global relevance of ARs and promote new applied research frontiers at the intersection of ARs and those processes studied by physical geographers.

Multi-Indices Assessment of Origin and Controlling Factors of Trace Metals in River Sediments from a Semi-Arid Carbonated Basin (the Sebou Basin, Morocco)

River water quality is particularly of concern in semi-arid countries with limited water resources. Increasing anthropogenic activities can lead to the accumulation of trace metals (TM) in bottom sediments, which is a specific storage compartment. The present study aimed to investigate the geochemistry of trace metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) and of some physico-chemical parameters in bottom sediments from the Sebou basin, which represents 1/3 of the surface water resources of Morocco. The order of abundance of the metals was Zn > Cr > Cu > Ni > Pb > Co > As > Cd. A major fingerprint of weathering on metal concentration, and point and non-point anthropogenic sources were highlighted. The origin and intensity of the contamination were determined using a combination of geochemical indicators. The contamination was on the whole moderate, with Cr, Zn, Cu, and Pb as the most enriched metals, especially at the A1, S3, and S4 stations located downstream of Fez city, well known for its intensive industrial and tannery activities. A multi-variate analysis evidenced the strong link between natural elements such as Co with clays and Fe oxides, and As with Ca, whereas Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, partly originating from anthropogenic activities (industrial and domestic waste, agricultural inputs), were linked to phosphorus, oxides, carbonates, and/or POC, indicating their anthropic source and/or control by sediment compounds. Cadmium, Pb, and Cu were the most available metals. Finally, in addition to Cd, Pb and Zn were identified as hazardous metals in sediments as evidenced by the positive relationship between the proportion of the labile fraction and the enrichment factor revealing anthropogenic inputs.

Climate change impacts on surface water resources in the Oued El Abid basin, Morocco

ABSTRACT Mediterranean countries are strongly affected by reduced surface water resources. This study aims to assess the climate change impacts on runoff supply to the Bin El Ouidane dam in Morocco, the largest in the country in terms of hydropower production. A water balance model coupled with a stochastic calibration method to provide confidence intervals on simulated discharge is used to reproduce discharge using observed and bias-corrected ECMWF Reanalysis 5th Generation (ERA5) rainfall (WFDE5). Five regional climate models from the EURO-CORDEX initiative are considered to estimate the climate change impacts on surface runoff for the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP4.5) and RCP8.5 scenarios. Results indicate a future increase in evapotranspiration (+15 to +36%) associated with a decrease in precipitation (−16 to −34%) in both climate scenarios. The hydrological projections indicated a significant decrease in runoff (−57 to −86%), more severe when the model is driven by WFDE5 compared to observed precipitation. Consequently, the strong decline of surface water resources imply a change in water ressource management for hydropower production and local agriculture to adapt to the future climatic conditions.

English

Improper disposal and burning of agricultural residues are commonly practiced in some developing countries in which harmful gaseous products released into the atmosphere and some are depleted and reacted with the soil causing environmental pollution. Renewable technology can therefore be introduced for the utilization of the residues and ensure proper storage medium of the residues. An investigation was carried out on the pollution potential of oil palm residues on surface and underground water resources at the processing centre. Oil palm residues and water samples from the stream and well located near the oil processing site were used for the experiment. Water samples were collected during the raining and dry season to determine the level of pollution caused by the residues. Physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters of the water samples were determined. The chemical compounds of the palm residues were investigated. Results showed that aromatics compounds are mainly dominant of the palm fruit fiber which was characterized for bio-fuel production. It is revealed that effect of pollution on water bodies is significant at p<0.05. Hence, results showed that some parameters like colour, total solids, pH, amine contents, Escherichia coli exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) levels for drinking water. The amine content with (0.35 mg/L) of the samples was higher than the level recommended (0.1 mg/L) for drinking. For colour, the least value of 15.5 mg/l of the total samples was higher than the recommended value (15.0 mg/L). Also, the values of E. coli which ranged between 0.03-0.15 were far above zero count/100ml of World Health Organization (WHO) maximum permissible level for drinking water. Therefore, oil palm waste should be properly disposed and ensure improved storage of the residues for further processing. Conversion of the residues to useful products through renewable technology will alleviate environmental pollution.   Key words: Residues, climate change, pollution effect, renewable technology.

An Approach to Delineate Potential Groundwater Zones in Kilinochchi District, Sri Lanka, Using GIS Techniques

The scarcity of surface water resources in the dry season in the Kilinochchi district increases the demand for freshwater. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to delineate potential groundwater zones in Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka, using integrated remote sensing (RS), geographic information systems (GIS) and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Groundwater potential zones are demarcated for the Kilinochchi district by overlaying thematic layers: geology, geomorphology, land use/land cover, soil types, drainage density, slope, lineament, and rainfall. The thematic layers were integrated into a geographic information system, and a weighted overlay analysis was carried out to delineate groundwater zones. Thus the resultant map is categorized into five different potential zones: very low (59.12 km2), low (207.78 km2), moderate (309.89 km2), high (507.74 km2), and very high (111.26 km2). The groundwater potential map was validated with the existing seventy-nine wells, which indicated a good prediction accuracy of 81.8%. This suggests that the results obtained by integrating RS-GIS and AHP are well-matched with the existing well water depth. The AHP approach based on RS-GIS was a handy and efficient technique for assessing potential groundwater zones. This research will help policymakers better manage the Kilinochchi district’s groundwater resources and give scope for further research into groundwater exploration in the area.

Etudes géochimiques et geomorphologie lacustre du bassin du lac Yakhi en Mongolie orientale

This study presents the landscape evolution of Lake Yakhi basin in eastern Mongolia where the lake plays an important role in the surface water resources. The multiple paleoshoreline features indicate wave-cut terraces, whereas the modern-day shorelines show that Lake Yakhi is at rapid northward regression. The paleo- and modern-day shorelines imply that the paleo-Lake Yakhi may have covered an extensive area with different hydrological conditions in the past. Lake Yakhi shows a decreasing trend in an area with a loss of ~62.2 km2 or 63.9% of the total area during the past five decades. The hydrological dynamics of Lake Yakhi during the last 50 years show its shift into a playa lake coinciding with the local climate changes in warming since 1987 and drying since 1992. In the lake's margin, mafic igneous provenance indicates a derivation from weathered granite and gneiss terrains on the oceanic island arc. However, in the lake's center, felsic igneous and quartzose sedimentary provenances show a derivation from the pre-existing sedimentary terrain on the active continental margin. Lake Yakhi sediments show the granite (felsic) and granite basalt (felsic to mafic) source rocks with mostly shale and arkose. The A-CN-K ternary plot shows that granites, granodiorites, and tonalities dominated in the lake sediments may have been transported from the source rocks enriched in plagioclase and feldspars. The weathering trend in the source area shows a low degree of chemical weathering and the chemical maturity shows a climatic shift from semiarid to arid climatic conditions in the Lake Yakhi basin.

Spatial Hydrochemical Characteristics and Controlling Factors of Surface Water in the Yancheng Area

Surface water resources are crucial to economic development in China's eastern coastal areas. Under the influence of intense human activities, problems such as abnormal water quality and pollution are very prominent. Here, the chemical composition of surface waters and their controlling factors were analyzed in the Yancheng area. The results showed that:① The surface water pH is low and the concentrations of total dissolved solids(TDS) are high in the study area. pH is likely controlled by the acidic organic pollutants discharged by human activities as well as acidic substances formed by anaerobic decomposition in soils. TDS data showed low values in the west and high values in the east, and low values in north and high south of the study region. ② Cation content was dominated by Na+, anions were dominated by HCO3- and Cl-, and, overall, hydrochemical composition was controlled by HCO3-(Ca+Na), although there was significant variability between the different regions. ③ Because the silt layer in the region is mainly composed of clay, subclay, and sandstone, the soluble matter in surface water is mainly derived from the decomposition of Na-feldspar in silicate debris via carbonation, supplemented by carbonation. Due to the low-lying terrain and high groundwater level in the tidal flat area, solutes are significantly affected by evaporation-driven concentration alongside evaporite weathering replenishment. ④ Although the surface waters in different regions were found to be affected by human activities to varying degrees, the impact was always strong. In particular, in areas of tidal wetland expansion, water quality is not only affected by urban sewage and agricultural irrigation but also industrial wastewater discharge.

Water management in Pakistan's Indus Basin: challenges and opportunities

Abstract The Indus River System is a major source of life in Pakistan. A vast array of Pakistan's agricultural and domestic consumption needs are critically dependent on the Indus River System. The Indus River contributes towards 25% of the country's gross domestic product, providing water for almost 90% of the food production in Pakistan. Linked to the water security issues, Pakistan is potentially at risk of facing a severe food shortage in the near future. The World Bank report of 2020–2021 estimates that the water shortage will increase to 32% by 2025, which will result in a food shortage of almost 70 million tons. Water shortage could also result in confrontation between the provinces as river sharing has always been a source of problem for Pakistan. According to recent estimates, siltation and climate change will reduce the water storage capacity by 2025 to almost 30%. As for the per capita water storage capacity in Pakistan, it is about 150 m3, which is quite meagre in comparison with that in other countries. Irrigated agriculture will soon be adversely affected due to the reduced surface water supplies and the consequent increase in groundwater abstraction. To make matters worse, over the past decades, a great deal of distrust has developed among the provinces of Pakistan regarding the water distribution issue, and the successive federal governments have failed to formulate a cohesive inter-provincial National Water Policy. Along with the shortages and increasing demand for water, administrative corruption also plagues the water sector and is quite common. The beneficiaries of this water reallocation system are not only the rural elite, for example the large and politically influential landlords, but also the small and medium capitalist farmers. If not properly addressed, these complications of decreasing water resources could result in serious political and economic hostility among the provinces. If it wants to harness its potential to increase storage capacity, Pakistan must improve its water-use efficiency and manage its groundwater and surface water resources in a sustainable way. Strengthening the institutions and removing mistrust among the provinces are the key elements for maintaining a sustainable irrigated agriculture in the Indus Basin.

Effects of Label Noise on Performance of Remote Sensing and Deep Learning-Based Water Body Segmentation Models

Large-scale management of surface water resources in urban areas can be difficult, especially if the region is subject to monsoonal waterlogging. Deep learning-based methods for computer vision tasks, such as image segmentation, can effectively be applied to remote sensing data for generating water body maps of large cities, aiding managerial entities, urban planners and policymakers. The robustness of these models to erroneous pixel level training class labels has not been studied in water body segmentation context. Label noise is commonly experienced in classification tasks and may hinder the performance. We collected and densely labeled Sentinel-2 images over Dhaka, one of the most densely populated and flood prone megacities in the world. We synthetically injected four types of label noise viz., i) Gaussian noise, ii) translation, ii) rotation, and iv) mirroring. Our primary objective is to observe and quantitatively analyze the effects of label noise on remote sensing data-driven deep learning models for water body segmentation. Our results show that salt and pepper noise (injected artificially using Gaussian noise) of only 50% can cause a massive 48.55% drop in Intersection-over-Union score. The consequences of learning from training data with different magnitudes and settings of label noise have been explored.

Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Surface and Groundwater Water Resources: Case Study from Louisiana

Hydraulic fracturing activities have been gaining more attention; therefore, a better understanding of the potential stress that fracturing may cause to freshwater resources is needed. The goal of this study is to assess the impact of current and projected future water demands for hydraulic fracturing on water resources in two main shale plays in the US state of Louisiana: the Haynesville shale and the Tuscaloosa Marine shale. The study analyzes historical and future projected fracturing scenarios that simulate different extraction rates over the two shale plays. In each fracturing scenario, stresses on both surface and groundwater are evaluated separately using the Water Supply Stress Index (WaSSI). Under all scenarios, the impact of fracturing water demands on surface water resources is within the low-stress category in most watersheds in both shale plays. In contrast, groundwater resources appear to be highly vulnerable under all fracturing scenarios. The results suggest that nongroundwater resources in Louisiana’s shale plays should be used for fracturing activities instead of groundwater whenever possible. The results provide a quantitative assessment of the current and future water stress due to fracturing and have important implications for regional water allocation and management policies.

Runoff volume prediction in the megadrigadda reservoir catchment due to past land use/land cover trends-a case study

One major source of water on the Earth is Surface water resources such as Rivers, Rain water sewers, Streams etc. With the rapid change in the mode of usage of land for various purposes like residential, agricultural, industrial, water storage basins, the volume of Surface runoff due to Rain & melting of Snow changes. Estimating such quantities of runoff is essential for proper managing of Water resources over the Earth surface. Runoff estimation of each Mini Water has been done by SCS-CN Curve number method. The required data for this method include Land Use/Land Cover trends of past years, Hydrological Soil Groups, Rainfall trends and AMC Type. Based on the analysis a considerable change in the Groundwater Recharge in the study area is found due to the variations in the Built-up & vegetative cover features ultimately resulting in increasing Surface Runoff there by excess inflow may enter into the Megadrigadda reservoir resulting in Flash floods during monsoons. In the coming years there are chances of the Dam being breached thereby affecting the Visakhapatnam Airport area in its Downstream.

The natural geographical factors effecting in the land,s prices in the mosul city

The land is a limited natural resource, as the demand for it increases day after day for various purposes, whether industrial, agricultural, urban, recreational and other purposes. Urban land is a set of geographical factors, whether these factors are natural or human factors, and these factors have either a positive impact on the price of the land or negatively affect the price of land. It was found through this research that the natural factors represented by the topographical surface features, topography, water resources and others have left an impact on the variation in land prices in the city of Mosul at the level of neighborhoods of one side and at the level of both sides of the city in general.

Hydro-climatic and land use/cover changes in Nasia catchment of the White Volta basin in Ghana

The Nasia catchment is the reservoir with significant surface water resources in Northern Ghana and home to numerous subsistence farmers engaged in rainfed and dry season irrigation farming. Yet, there is little understanding of the hydro-climatic and land use/cover conditions of this basin. This study investigated trends, relationships and changes in hydro-climatic variables and land use/cover in addition to implications of the observable changes in the Nasia catchment over a period of 50 years. Parameters used for the study were minimum (Tmin) and maximum temperature (Tmax), wind speed (WS), sunshine duration (S), rainfall (R), relative humidity (RH), discharge (D) and potential evapotranspiration (PET) data, 15 years of remotely sensed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data and 30 years of land use/cover image data. Results show that Tmin, Tmax, WS and PET have increased significantly (p < 0.05) over time. RH and S significantly declined. R, D and NDVI have not decreased significantly (p > 0.05). A significant abrupt change in almost all hydro-climatic variables started in the 1980s, a period that coincides with the occurrence of drought events in the region, except WS in 2001, R in 1968 and D in 1975, respectively. Also, D showed a positive significant correlation with RH, R and PET, but an insignificant positive relationship with S. D also showed a negative insignificant correlation with Tmin, Tmax and WS. Areas covered with shrubland and settlement/bare lands have increased to the disadvantage of cropland, forest, grassland and water bodies. It was concluded that climate change impact is quite noticeable in the basin, indicating water scarcity and possibilities of droughts. The analysis performed herein is a vital foundation for further studies to simulate and predict the effect of climate change on the water resources, agriculture and livelihoods in the Nasia catchment.

Identification of Potential Surface Water Resources for Inland Aquaculture from Sentinel-2 Images of the Rwenzori Region of Uganda

Aquaculture has the potential to sustainably meet the growing demand for animal protein. The availability of water is essential for aquaculture development, but there is no knowledge about the potential inland water resources of the Rwenzori region of Uganda. Though remote sensing is popularly utilized during studies involving various aspects of surface water, it has never been employed in mapping inland water bodies of Uganda. In this study, we assessed the efficiency of seven remote-sensing derived water index methods to map the available surface water resources in the Rwenzori region using moderate resolution Sentinel 2A/B imagery. From the four targeted sites, the Automated Water Extraction Index for urban areas (AWEInsh) and shadow removal (AWEIsh) were the best at identifying inland water bodies in the region. Both AWEIsh and AWEInsh consistently had the highest overall accuracy (OA) and kappa (OA &gt; 90%, kappa &gt; 0.8 in sites 1 and 2; OA &gt; 84.9%, kappa &gt; 0.61 in sites 3 and 4), as well as the lowest omission errors in all sites. AWEI was able to suppress classification noise from shadows and other non-water dark surfaces. However, none of the seven water indices used during this study was able to efficiently extract narrow water bodies such as streams. This was due to a combination of factors like the presence of terrain shadows, a dense vegetation cover, and the image resolution. Nonetheless, AWEI can efficiently identify other surface water resources such as crater lakes and rivers/streams that are potentially suitable for aquaculture from moderate resolution Sentinel 2A/B imagery.

A Review of Case Studies on Climate Change Impact on Hydrologic Cycle: An Indian Perspective

In recent times, several studies focused on the global warming that may affect the hydrological cycle due to intensification of temporal and spatial variations in precipitation. Such climatic change is likely to impact significantly upon freshwater resources availability. In India, demand for water has already increased manifold over the years due to urbanization, agriculture expansion, increasing population, rapid industrialization and economic development. Numerous scientific studies also report increases in the intensity, duration, and spatial extents of floods, higher atmospheric temperatures, warmer sea, changes in precipitation patterns, and changing groundwater levels. This work briefly discusses about the present scenario regarding impact of climate change on water resources in India. Due to the insufficient resolution of climate models and their generally crude representation of sub-grid scale and convective processes, little confidence can be placed in any definite predictions of such effects, although a tendency for more heavy rainfall events seems likely, and a modest increase in frequency in floods. Thus to analyses this effect, this work considers real problems about the changing flood characteristics pattern in two river regions, and the effect of spatial and temporal pattern in rainfall. In addition to these, the work also examines the trend of groundwater level fluctuations in few blocks of Ganga–Yamuna and Sutlej-Yamuna Link interfluves region. As a whole, it examines the potential for sustainable development of surface water and groundwater resources within the constraints imposed by climate change.

Investigation and calibration of thermal and salinity layering in surface water resources using Ce-Qual-W2 model

Investigation and calibration of thermal and salinity layering in surface water resources using Ce-Qual-W2 model

Assessing the relative contribution of increased forest cover to decreasing river runoff in two boreal forested watersheds of Northeastern China

Boreal forests biomes are of great importance for regulating the hydrological cycling of global ecosystem. However, how boreal forest restoration affect the river runoff were poorly understood. In this study, two boreal forest watersheds, the upper Huma River and Ganhe River located in the Da Hinggan Mountains of Northeastern China were selected to quantify the effects of increased forest cover on runoff from 1980 to 2012 using the Budyko hypothesis associated with elasticity coefficients of runoff. The results indicated that the annual runoff existed a decreased trend associated with the rapidly increase in forest cover after the implementation of the Natural Forest Protection Project in two study watersheds. The quantitative results of the method of the Budyko hypothesis associated with elasticity coefficients of runoff showed that climate variability was the dominate driver (the relative contributions were 56.11% and 71.92% in the upper Huma River and Ganhe River watersheds, respectively) for decreasing annual runoff, while forest cover changes also played an important role for decreasing annual runoff in boreal forested watersheds in Northeastern China, which accounted for 41.20% and 23.80% of the total change of river runoff, respectively. The results of this work highlight the importance of considering the effects of increased forest biomes on streamflow and also inform our understanding of the interaction between boreal forest change and surface water resource in the study region and similar boreal forest regions across the globe.

Drinking Water Quality Assessment Using WQI in Bhokardan Area of Jalna District, Maharashtra State

The quality of surface and ground water resources is deteriorating with time due to numerous natural and anthropogenic sources of pollution. As surface and ground water is major source of drinking water in rural area in the study area, made essential to monitor its quality regularly. Water Quality Index (WQI) show a significant role and a useful tool for evaluating the overall quality of water aimed for drinking purpose. This method converts the complex and large data on water quality trends to a single value which can be easily understandable to the common public, local governing bodies and policymakers. In the present research work an attempt was made to check suitability of surface and ground water for drinking purpose using Water Quality Index method. The water quality was estimated by analyzing selected physico-chemical parameters which play significant role in determining water quality such as pH, Alkalinity, Electrical Conductivity, Fluoride, Chloride, Nitrate, Sulphate, Potassium, Total Hardness, E. Coli, Turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids, Dissolved Oxygen and Biochemical Oxygen Demand. Total 32 surface and 35 ground water samples were collected from different selected locations in the study area during pre and post-monsoon seasons respectively. The overall results revealed that almost all the surface water sources from the Bhokardan area, Jalna District, India was found unsuitable for drinking purposes. The application of WQI method to evaluate sequential variations in surface as well as ground water quality was therefore found suitable and effective tool for monitoring and proper management of drinking water resources.

Satellite altimetry for Indian reservoirs

Satellite radar altimetry has immense potential for monitoring fresh surface water resources and predicting the intra-seasonal, seasonal, and inter-annual variability of inundated surface water over large river basins. As part of the Preparation for the Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission scheduled for launch in mid-2022, the present study aimed to evaluate the performance of radar altimetry over the inland water bodies of India. The Joint Altimetry Satellite Oceanography Network (Jason) and Satellite with ARgos and ALtiKa (SARAL/AltiKa) data were used to derive the water levels of 18 major reservoirs in India by incorporating the geophysical and propagation corrections into the radar range. In situ gauge data were used to evaluate the performance of the altimetry-derived water level time series from 2008 to 2019. The results showed a strong correlation between Jason-2 and in situ data with the determination coefficient (R2) and root mean squared error (RMSE) ranging from 0.96 to 0.99 and from 0.28 m to 1.62 m, respectively. The Jason-3 data had the highest correlation with the in situ observation (R2 = 0.99) and the lowest correlation (R2 = 0.82), with RMSE values ranging from 0.11 m to 1.18 m. With an R2 range of 0.93–0.99 and an RMSE range of 0.20–1.05 m, the SARAL/AltiKa mission presented greater accuracy than the Jason altimetry mission. The estimated water levels can be utilized in remote, inaccessible, or ungauged areas and in international transboundary rivers for water storage and river discharge estimations. However, the accuracy of remotely sensed data depends on such factors as along-track distance, water body area, and geographical and terrain conditions near water bodies.

Characteristics of the chalk groundwater along the Picardy coast and its relationship with wetlands

Abstract Water resource management is a major concern in Marquenterre, a maritime plain located in the western part of the Somme department. Water management is particularly indispensable for protecting wetlands in Marquenterre, regulating water usage and avoiding saline intrusion into aquifers. Various approaches including geological modelling and hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical studies were used to prepare a conceptual model of the Marquenterre hydrosystem and to provide better water management in this sector. The conceptual model shows that the chalk aquifer and the various Quaternary deposit aquifers are in hydrogeological continuity. No seawater intrusion has been discovered in groundwater. Salinization discovered at depth is a result of the most recent marine transgressions. Finally, wetlands are primarily supplied by the chalk groundwater or by rainfall. The study results are used to direct policies for surface and subsurface water resource management. The proposed conceptual model may be useful for other coastal aquifers along the English Channel in order to address challenges of managing the chalk groundwater and backshore swamps.