Transboundary Flow Research Articles

Transboundary gene flow and notes on philopatry in lynx populations of Estonia and Latvia: implications for conservation

Transboundary gene flow and notes on philopatry in lynx populations of Estonia and Latvia: implications for conservation

МНОГОЛЕТНЯЯ ДИНАМИКА ТРАНСГРАНИЧНОГО ПРИТОКА БИОГЕННЫХ СОЕДИНЕНИЙ ПО РЕКЕ ИЛЕ И ЕГО ТРАНСФОРМАЦИЯ ПО ТЕЧЕНИЮ РЕКИ

The paper presents the results of studies devoted to the assessment of the long-term dynamics of the volume of transboundary inflow of biogenic compounds to the territory of Kazakhstan along the Ile River. Based on long-term data from the State Monitoring of RSE «Kazhydromet,» the peculiarities of the transformation of the flow of biogenic compounds (nitrogen and phosphorus) along the river course, considering the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors, are analyzed. Information about the importance of studying biogenic substances in the formation of surface water quality, as well as river runoff’s role in the biological productivity and sanitary regime of final water bodies, is provided. The role of the transboundary flow of the Ile River as the main factor in forming the biogenic substances regime on the territory of Kazakhstan is highlighted. A quantitative assessment of the volume of average annual inflow of these compounds for the period from 2003 to 2020 is given, along with the main factors determining the transformation of nutrient runoff along the river course.

The possibility of using groundwater and collector-drainage water to increase water availability in the Maktaaral district of the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan

The Turkestan region in the southern part of Kazakhstan is currently facing a water scarcity issue due to various factors. These factors include the declining transboundary flow of the Syr Darya River, the effects of climate change, the increasing population, and the economic growth of neighboring countries in Central Asia. The water availability of the operating irrigation systems in the region fluctuates between 75 % and 95 %, dropping to 50–60 % in dry years, leading to a significant shortage of water resources. In particular, the agro-industrial complex, the largest water consumer, is heavily affected, with over 80 % of available water resources needed for irrigation. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the potential use of groundwater and collector-drainage water to enhance water availability in the Maktaaral district of this region. The research methodology consisted of analytical and experimental studies to examine the formation and contribution of groundwater to total water consumption based on its depth and to determine the qualitative composition of collector-drainage water for reuse in irrigation. The study results indicate substantial losses of irrigation water due to filtration in the region, leading to a significant rise in the groundwater table. Consequently, the area of irrigated lands with groundwater depths up to 1 m (hydromorphic regime) in the Maktaaral district increased from 105 ha in 1994–378 ha in 2002 and to 2562 ha in 2021, representing an 18-fold increase. Under these conditions, the contribution of groundwater to total water consumption was 74 %, with irrigation water accounting for 26 %. In areas with a semihydromorphic soil regime where the groundwater table varies within 2–3 m, the volume of groundwater consumption decreased, amounting to 51 % of the total water consumption. Moreover, under the automorphous soil regime, where the groundwater table is greater than 3 m, the total water consumption was fully supported by irrigation water. Research on the qualitative composition of collector-drainage water in the Maktaaral district revealed a predominance of toxic salts (74.3–76.6 %), indicating that their use for irrigation would lead to soil salinization and alkalinization. The reuse of these waters is feasible only through mixing them with irrigation water to reduce salinity and increase the volume of suitable water resources for irrigation. However, regular monitoring of the chemical composition of such waters is essential.

Transboundary water resources management and food security: An Indonesian perspective

AbstractTransboundary water resource management is one of the key components of ensuring that water is managed appropriately for a number of objectives, including assisting in food production. Inadequate water management may aggravate social conflict in the near future as precipitation patterns change. This study evaluates long‐term government policies, plans, and initiatives based on their responsibility. Strategic environmental assessment is used as an approach to address problems relating to the transboundary flow of water resources. It takes into account the requirements for integrating environmental constraints into government planning and development programs. To make sure that water resources are functioning correctly from upstream to downstream locations, various levels of government are urged to employ spatial planning based on water resource information. This study uses the Cimanuk watershed area in Indonesia to demonstrate this perspective.

Tracking the consumption-based CO2 emissions of typical Chinese megacities in multiscale economies

Accurately tracking consumption-based CO2 emissions of megacities is crucial for clarifying regional mitigation responsibility. However, without a general emission framework, it's challenging to accomplish comparative studies of multi-megacities by quantitative carbon flow analyses. Here, we constructed a megacity-centred multilevel emission accounting framework and developed a methodology based on the revised multiscale multi-regional input-output model. Our approach integrates in-boundary and trans-boundary carbon flow driven by final demand and thus constructs urban classifications based on self-constructed consumption degree. The results indicate heterogeneity and commonality of megacities' consumption-based emissions in spatial and industrial distribution. Trans-boundary consumption-based emissions account for 81%–93% of the total in megacities, mainly from mainland China. While the majority of megacities are net importers overall, for relatively developed regions, megacities with low consumption degrees remain net exporters. At sector-level, 3 key sectors of other manufacturing, construction and services drive more than 75% of emissions. Inspired by the results, we propose differentiated carbon governance implications based on urban emission pattern classification, exploring priorities for emission reduction. Our research indicated the need for megacities as pioneers to consider consumption-side emission reductions.

Refining the origin of thermal water using stable isotope, hydrochemistry and GIS approaches in Jiaoxi, Taiwan

AbstractComprehending the recharge of thermal springs is crucial for preserving the water quality of such springs. However, limited groundwater well data in mountainous areas presents a challenge to determining thermal‐spring recharge areas. This study analyzes the isotopes (δ2H and δ18O) and major ions in rainwater, streamwater, mountain groundwater and thermal spring water in Jiaoxi, located near Taiwan's largest city, Taipei. The results of the isotope‐elevation relationship and GIS recharge analysis indicate that the thermal spring water originated from a remote mountain at elevations of approximately 1170–1480 m, rather than the upstream watershed. The thermal spring water was divided into two groups based on the carbonate saturation index (SI) and isotope composition: the foothill group, which had a positive SI and lower δ value, and the downstream group, which had a negative SI and higher δ value. This study improved the conceptual model of the thermal flow path by demonstrating that the recharge of thermal water is a transboundary regional flow and that the foothill thermal water does not mix with the meteoric water. The revised model also highlights the role of structural lineament trends (faults, fractures and folds) in the movement of regional flow in fractured mountain blocks.

The importance of transboundary aquifer management between Poland and Ukraine for the protection of common water

Transboundary hydrogeological units between Poland and Ukraine within the Bug and San River basins are identified, based on harmonized geological and hydrogeological data used for development of a numerical simulation of groundwater flows across the state border. This numerical model shows that the cross-border exchange of groundwater in aquifers takes place in a limited area and the flow pattern can be disturbed by the groundwater exploitation. Abstraction at current levels slightly increases the transboundary groundwater flow from Poland to Ukraine and minimally reduces the flow in the opposite direction, though not reversing the direction of water flow at the border. The simulated drawdowns do not have a transboundary range, but negative effects on surface water resources are noticeable. Estimates show that groundwater runoff to rivers decreased and infiltration losses through the riverbed increased. The quantitative status of the transboundary aquifers has not deteriorated significantly under the current exploitation but in the light of ambitious maximum allowable values for water abstraction, and in the absence of joint resource management, this problem will arise in the near future. Joint management should focus on a broader legal consensus, improvement of institutional relations, and integration of monitoring and groundwater status assessment systems.

Assessment of summertime ozone formation in the Sichuan Basin, southwestern China

The alarming increase of ambient ozone (O3) levels across China raises an urgent need in understanding underlying mechanisms of regional O3 events for highly urbanized city clusters. Sichuan Basin (SCB) situated in southwestern China has experienced severe O3 pollution at times in summer from 2013 to 2020. Here, we use the WRF-CMAQ model with the Integrated Source Apportionment Method (ISAM) to investigate the evolution mechanism and conduct source attribution of an extreme O3 episode in the SCB from June 1 to 8, 2019. This typical summer O3 episode is associated with the synoptic-driven meteorological phenomenon and transboundary flow of O3 and precursors across the SCB. Weak ventilation in combination with stagnant conditions triggered the basin-wide high O3 concentrations and enhanced BVOC emissions substantially contribute up to 57.9 μg/m3 MDA8 O3. CMAQ-ISAM indicates that precursor emissions from industrial and transportation have the largest impacts on elevating ambient O3 concentrations, while power plant emissions exhibit insignificant contributions to basin-wide O3 episodes. These results improve the understanding of the summertime O3 episode in the SCB and contribute insights into designing O3 mitigation policy.

Numerical Modeling of Transboundary Groundwater flow in the Bug and San Catchment Areas for Integrated Water Resource Management (Poland–Ukraine)

Numerical Modeling of Transboundary Groundwater flow in the Bug and San Catchment Areas for Integrated Water Resource Management (Poland–Ukraine)

Sharing transboundary waters

Sharing the water of transboundary watercourses sometimes become a source of dispute between riparian states. A general method to share the water of transboundary watercourses has not yet been applied. This article examines existing practices, disputes, and criteria of some of the international financial institutions to propose a simple water-sharing method to allocate the water of the transboundary watercourses between riparian states. This method will help each riparian country to know how much water it will get from the transboundary water flow. So, states can plan on how to divide water between different uses and on building infrastructures on the watercourse or not. The proposed method is expected to decrease water disputes between riparian states as it clarifies the amount of water every riparian state gets from the transboundary watercourse. This article proposes a simple water-sharing method based on sharing the transboundary water quantity by 1/3 ratio for the downstream state and 2/3 for the upstream state. The method envisages compensation payments to other riparian states in different forms in case of excess water usage. As the environment needs a regular water flow, the proposed method also inquiries about some water to be released for the environment.

A framework of freshwater services flow model into assessment on water security and quantification of transboundary flow: A case study in northeast China

Ecosystem service flow dynamics which establish the linkage between human and nature is essential in an ecosystem service assessment. This study constructed an ecosystem service flow model of freshwater flow then utilized it to assess the water-related ecosystem services in northeast China. We included the provision, consumption, and spatial flow of freshwater services in an index to assess the water security condition and quantified the services trans-boundary flow from the northeast forest belt (NFB) in northeast China. Our results showed that large areas (50.54%, 55.10% and 52.90%, respectively) of northeast China received upstream freshwater service in three years. The water security condition of northeast China deteriorated from 2005 to 2015 with the change of water security index considering water flow (WSIflow), mainly influenced by precipitation and agriculture water consumption. Approximately 4.16 billion m3 of freshwater service were delivered from NFB to surrounding regions demonstrating the importance of NFB in terms of ecosystem service provision. In addition, 73 key watersheds (4.71% of total area) within NFB that significantly affect the trans-boundary flow were further identified. We suggested that local government should advocate develop water-saving agriculture and livestock water quotas. Moreover, priorities should be given to protect the key watersheds within NFB in order to maintain the supply of freshwater service. This study provided a framework for exploring suitable strategies for managing water resources and laid a foundation for promoting the ecological compensation in the future.

AUTOMATED CALCULATION OF THE QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LENDERKA RIVER FLOW THROUGH THE GAUGING STATION AT LENDERKA VILLAGE

The quality characteristics of the transboundary flow of the Lenderka River across the border to Finland were calculated using an automated software complex (APC) with the input of data obtained during regime observations of the North-Western Administration for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring for the period from 2003 to 2012. The main characteristics of the river flow quality were, firstly, volume shares of the water flow contaminated with individual chemical components and, secondly, volume shares of the water flow differing in total pollution (Vpoll%). In the first case, the average values of Vpoll% in the series Fetotal, pH, Cu2+, O2 %, BOD5, and oil products decreased over the study period from 100 to 2.4 %. In the second case, the calculations showed that the river flow averaged over the entire period in accordance with the Guideline 52.24.643-2002 consists of 73.91 % “relatively clean” 1st class water and 26.09 % “slightly polluted”2nd class water. Factor analysis showed that factor 1, which accounted for more than 48 % of the total variance, was of primary significance for the interannual variation of the water flow quality. It depends on interannual fluctuations in the water discharge. Factor 2 (contributing more than 21 %) depends on the water temperature in the cold period, and factor 3 (explaining more than 14 %) depends on the water temperature in the warm period. The mechanism of the water temperature influence on the flow quality is not yet clear; it is possible that its values depend on the ratio of snow and rain input to the river.

Phosphorus flow analysis for megacities using a coupled city-hinterland approach: Case study of Beijing

Rapid urbanization has decoupled phosphorus (P) urban consumption and hinterland production, which has accelerated the need for a broader perspective that includes the city and hinterland in managing the P cycle. However, there is a scarcity of frameworks for the combined city and hinterland approach, aimed at quantifying the transboundary P flow between the city and hinterland. In this study, we developed a coupled city-hinterland framework (using Beijing as a case study) to assess the P flow pattern at the source, waste, and transboundary flow using substance flow analysis, and proposed a pathway to identify the key subsystem in the coupled system by sensitivity analysis. Results shows that the P waste within Beijing is due to human consumption, rather than production, while P waste in the hinterland was nearly twice that observed in Beijing. Further, hinterland crop production subsystems were identified as the key subsystem to reduce P rock demand for the whole coupled system; 39% of P rock demand could be reduced by optimizing fertilizer use in the hinterland. In the scenarios that consider an improvement in technology both in Beijing and its hinterland, 64% and 60% of the total P rock demand and waste were reduced, respectively. Therefore, we provided suggestions to reduce P waste in the coupled system. This study provides a broader perspective to evaluate the impacts of urban consumption on the hinterland, which will serve as a basis for policy decisions for sustainable P flow in the supply chain of other similar cities.

The Transboundary Nature of the Allende–Piedras Negras Aquifer Using a Numerical Model Approach

AbstractThe Allende–Piedras Negras (APN) aquifer is located between the states of Texas (United States [U.S.]) and Coahuila (Mexico). The Rio Grande crosses the aquifer, acting as a natural and political divide between the countries. However, it remains unclear whether the APN aquifer can be considered a truly transboundary aquifer flow system, which would potentially require joint management by two different administrative jurisdictions. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the transboundary nature of this aquifer. This was achieved by developing a detailed hydrogeological model to analyze the direction of volumetric fluxes within the APN aquifer using Visual MODFLOW. The model simulated a spatially averaged cumulative drawdown of 0.76 m for the entire aquifer over an 18‐year modeling period (2000–2017). The flow convergence zone, previously located below the Rio Grande, has shifted to the U.S. side in most locations, driven by higher pumping rates of the wells located near the river. This shift of the convergence zone from one country to the other means that groundwater recharge from one side flows underneath the river to the other side. This qualifies the APN aquifer as a “transboundary groundwater flow system.” The procedure followed in this study may be applied to other aquifers that straddle the U.S.–Mexico border and may motivate future modeling studies on other poorly studied transboundary aquifers around the world and thereby enable bi‐national aquifer management.

Potential animal reservoirs (dogs and bats) of human visceral leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum in French Guiana.

In French Guiana, cutaneous leishmaniasis is highly endemic, whereas no autochthonous case of visceral leishmaniasis have been reported so far. However, due to its proximity to Brazil which is highly endemic for visceral leishmaniasis, and the high transboundary population flow, an epidemiological challenge could arise at any time. As an overseas department and region and the largest outermost region of the European Union, epidemiological surveillance of visceral leishmaniasis is of great importance. Our study aimed to investigate the presence of Leishmania spp. in domestic (dogs) and sylvatic (bats) animals from French Guiana. Over the 2008–2018 period, samples from 349 animals were collected. They included blood from 179 autochthonous dogs and 59 bats, spleen samples from 33 bats and, blood from 78 military working dogs (MWD) collected before their departure from continental France and at the end of their four-month stay in French Guiana. Samples were screened using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays targeting Leishmania DNA followed by sequencing of 18S rRNA, kDNA and ITS2 genes. L. infantum was detected in 2.3% (8/349) of animals with 1.7% (3/179) of autochthonous dogs, 5.1% (4/78) of MWD returning from French Guiana, whereas they were negative before their departure. One of them dates back to 2012. All these dogs were positive for serological tests. In addition, L. infantum DNA was detectable in one bat spleen sample, belonging to Carollia perspicillata species. We report here for the first time an infection with L. infantum in dogs and bat from French Guiana. Our results suggest the existence of potential reservoir and transmission cycle for visceral leishmaniasis, at least since 2012, which was unknown in this territory until now. Further studies are needed to determine how these animals were infected and which vectors are involved in the transmission in this area.

Tax Havens & Transfer Pricing: A Challenge to Global Governance

With the advent of globalisation, the capital has highly become mobile with easy and no barrier flow between the nations. As a result of it now a single corporate taxpayer can deploy capital across multiple taxing jurisdictions. This incongruity slowly developed pique between domestic taxing jurisdictions and global capital. Transboundary flow of capital to global corporate income has led to deduction in national economy. The biggest problem arising from this phenomenon is the emergence of tax havens. Tax havens are generally offshore countries meant to provide foreign individual and business a very meagre or no tax liability in a politically and economically sound environment. Apart from this tax havens are known for their nature of financial secrecy where limited or no information is shared or exchanged with foreign tax authorities. Tax havens have very flexible banking laws and regulations requiring no residency or business presence for their customers. This is a two way benefit as Offshore tax havens extract enormous benefit from flow of capital in their economy through this source. One of the biggest problem arising from Tax heaven system is the Transfer Pricing issue. Multi-National Companies (MNC) and corporates deliberately shift their profits to the tax havens through the intra firms transfer pricing leading to Transfer pricing. Over the years the volume of activities of the MNCs have shoot up like anything owing to the flexible laws provided by the tax haven jurisdictions. MNCs are equipped with uncountable means of shifting profits through transfer pricing, and ample opportunity is being laid down by the tax havens. Various nations have taken this issue with topmost priority. Dealing with this problem is not any simple task. Tax jurisdictions have come out with 2 ways to tackle this problem: i) Through the application of arm’s length principle to determine the tax payable by MNCs in a particular jurisdiction ii) Through using a formula to allocate tax payable by MNCs between countries. This crisis has taken the form of a global problem. Every single country is fighting with this problem. This crisis is so big now that no single country or group of countries can hope to resolve it. Time has come up where international community as a whole must set up any instrument to cure this tax haven.

The upper pannonian thermal aquifer: Cross border cooperation as an essential step to transboundary groundwater management

Study RegionPannonian Basin, Central and Eastern Europe. Study focusThis study, carried out by the geological surveys of Hungary, Slovenia, Austria and Slovakia, combines a joint characterization of a transboundary thermal groundwater system based on harmonised geological and hydrogeological data, with hydrodynamic modelling, delivering recommendations for authorities and policy makers on how they could improve the long term management of thermal groundwater. A porous, intergranular, multi-layered, Upper Pannonian aquifer system was the focus of this investigation. This deep sedimentary basin, up to 8000 m deep, has favourable conditions for geothermal exploitation, with centuries old thermal water usage and plans for increased utilization in all countries. New hydrological insights for the regionCross border areas with significant transboundary flow rates were identified, which have decreased due to thermal water production, with flow direction reversal across the Hungarian-Slovakian border. Thermal water production causes significant transboundary effects with depression cones that can penetrate several tens of kilometres into the neighbouring countries. Simulated drawdowns at the state borders are in the range of 2–10 m. Thermal water should therefore be exploited using doublets.Nine benchmark indicators (monitoring status, best available technology, thermal efficiency, utilisation efficiency, re-injection rate, quality of discharged thermal water, over-abstraction, status of water balance assessment, public awareness) were defined and tested at different transboundary regions and are demonstrated to be highly effective in groundwater management.

Geological and hydrogeological controls on possible transboundary groundwater flow between Bulgaria and Greece

A major issue in groundwater and surface water management and monitoring is transboundary groundwater flow between neighbouring countries. The subject of our study is the assessment of the groundwater flow across the state border between Bulgaria and Greece, which is characterized by complex natural features. We present a study on the factors that control the groundwater flow and formation, such as lithological composition, geological structure, topographic features, surface water network, etc. It was determined that, in most sections along the state border, the probability of transboundary groundwater flow is rather small, due to the position of the surface and groundwater divides. In the areas where the state border follows a ridge with fissured groundwater system, there are no prerequisites for transboundary flow. Groundwater flow is likely to occur only in the marble-dominated karst areas, as well as in the Quaternary or Neogene–Quaternary aquifers in river valleys that host porous groundwater bodies. The probability of transboundary groundwater flow could increase in response to certain human activities.

Increasing drought in Jordan: Climate change and cascading Syrian land-use impacts on reducing transboundary flow.

In countries where severe drought is an anticipated effect of climate change and in those that heavily depend on upstream nations for fresh water, the effect of drier conditions and consequent changes in the transboundary streamflow regime induced by anthropogenic interventions and disasters leads to uncertainty in regional water security. As a case in point, we analyze Jordan's surface water resources and agricultural water demand through 2100, considering the combined impacts of climate change and land-use change driven by the Syrian conflict. We use bias-corrected regional climate simulations as input to high-resolution hydrologic models to assess three drought types: meteorological (rainfall decrease), agricultural (soil moisture deficit), and hydrologic (streamflow decline) under future scenarios. The historical baseline period (1981-2010) is compared to the future (2011-2100), divided into three 30-year periods. Comparing the baseline period to 2070-2100, average temperature increases by 4.5°C, rainfall decreases by 30%, and multiple drought-type occurrences increase from ~8 in 30 years to ~25 in 30 years. There is a significant increase in the contemporaneous occurrence of multiple drought types along with an 80% increase in simultaneous warm and dry events. Watershed simulations of future transboundary Yarmouk-Jordan River flow from Syria show that Jordan would receive 51 to 75% less Yarmouk water compared to historical flow. Recovery of Syrian irrigated agriculture to pre-conflict conditions would produce twice the decline in transboundary flow as that due to climate change. In Jordan, the confluence of limited water supply, future drought, and transboundary hydrologic impacts of land use severely challenges achieving freshwater sustainability.

Assessment of emerging hydrological, water quality issues and policy discussion on water sharing of transboundary Kabul River

Transboundary water sharing policy between Pakistan and Afghanistan along with emerging issues over the Transboundary Kabul River have been discussed incorporating long-term hydrological trend analysis, water quality issues and temporal changes in land cover/land use. The annual (1977–2015) mean river flow of 26.32 billion (109) cubic metres (BCM) with a range of 13.77 to 42.2 BCM and standard deviation of 6.026 BCM revealed no significant trend in annual inflow data of the Kabul River. Afghanistan planned developments in the basin were analysed in the light of reduction in the transboundary flow. Faecal coliforms, pH (7.90 to 8.06), Escherichia coli and other water quality parameters were found to be within permissible limits, however, dissolved oxygen was just above the permissible limits to sustain aquatic life. Water was found unsuitable for drinking while suitable for agriculture and aquatic life. Remote sensing data used for temporal change detection showed an increase in built-up-areas and cultivated areas along Kabul River inside Pakistan by 50 and 47%, respectively. Significant changes were observed at two locations in the river course. Insights of emerging Kabul River issues and a way forward have been discussed which could serve as the basis for formulation of adaption strategies leading to a ‘Kabul River Water Treaty’.