Water Management Techniques Research Articles

Hydrological dichotomy: Streamflow drought in dammed vs. undammed regions of the largest Indian Peninsular basin

Recurring streamflow drought is a significant problem, and it is necessary to comprehend the spatiotemporal patterns and driving factors of historical droughts in order to manage future water supplies effectively. Drought has significant and often severe effects on semi-arid and arid zones due to the already limited availability of water in these regions. Therefore, this research examines streamflow drought fluctuations in India's second-largest basin, the Godavari. The Godavari Basin experiences diverse climatic conditions ranging from humid in the Western Ghats to semi-arid in central and western regions. Frequent hydrological droughts have plagued the Godavari basin. Still, the impact of human activities and climate change on the streamflow drought characteristics in the Godavari basin has not been thoroughly investigated. Further, assessing the regional control of streamflow drought deficit and intensity in a large river basin like Godavari is crucial. The findings show that streamflow drought is worst in central and eastern Godavari. Additionally, dammed and undammed locations have different streamflow drought characteristics. Droughts have lengthened in dam-affected areas. However, regions without dams have seen more deficit and intensity. Thus, different sustainable water management techniques are needed for the dammed and undammed regions of the Godavari basin.

Climate-Resilient Horticulture: Adapting to Climate Change through Innovative Practices and Technologies

Climate change is a serious threat to horticulture as it will increase temperatures, cause unpredictable rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events that will affect crop yields, quality, and overall agricultural sustainability. Climate-resilient horticulture uses cutting-edge technologies and equipment to overcome these obstacles. Developing crop varieties that are resistant to heat, drought, and salt is a key strategy to make plants more resilient to adverse conditions. To conserve water and guarantee a constant supply of moisture, advanced water management techniques such as drip irrigation and rainwater collection are crucial. Climate adaptation is aided by soil management techniques that increase soil fertility and health, such as conservation tillage and organic amendments. Technological advancements such as precision horticulture enable farmers to optimize inputs and reduce waste, while controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems, including greenhouses, hydroponics, allow cultivation of crops in regulated environments, reducing external climate impacts. Additionally, genetic engineering and biotechnology offer promising solutions to develop crops with increased climate resilience. Despite the potential of these innovations, challenges such as high costs, knowledge barriers, and policy constraints must be addressed for widespread adoption. This summary underscores the need to integrate these strategies to secure the future of horticulture in a changing climate, ultimately contributing to global food security and agricultural sustainability.

Sustainable Water Conservation Techniques for an Office Building

The research paper titled "Sustainable Water Conservation Techniques for an Office Building" explores methods to reduce water consumption and promote sustainable practices in office buildings. The study focuses on the rising global water crisis due to population growth and increasing urbanization, advocating for the reuse of rainwater and wastewater as alternatives to conventional water sources. Key objectives include assessing current water distribution systems, comparing existing water management techniques, and proposing sustainable water-saving measures. By integrating solutions such as water-efficient fixtures, greywater recycling, and rainwater harvesting, the study aims to significantly reduce water demand and operational costs, contributing to long-term sustainability​.

Insights from electrical resistivity tomography on the hydrogeological interaction between sand dams and the weathered basement aquifer

Sand dams, composed of recent alluvial aquifers behind concrete dam walls, are a water management technique in drylands. However, their level of hydraulic connectivity with their surrounding weathered basement aquifer is debated. This study aims to constrain this hydrogeological uncertainty in order to better understand their ability to meet water needs and improve dryland water security. The study is the first to use 2D geophysics (Electrical Resistivity Tomography) to provide evidence of seepage from sand dams at three mature and three newly built sites. A generally greater hydraulic connectivity was found between sand dams and their surrounding aquifer than has been assumed in some previous studies, with sites providing at least some local recharge rather than existing as isolated storage structures. This improved understanding is beneficial for both site selection and the performance of sand dams and can help ensure that maximum benefits are derived from the construction of a sand dam depending on its intended purpose.

Long-term AI prediction of ammonium levels in rivers using transformer and ensemble models

This study provides a cutting-edge machine learning approach to forecast ammonium (NH4+) levels in River Lee London. Ammonium concentrations were predicted over several time intervals using a complete dataset that includes temperature, turbidity, chlorophyll, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH. Our technique captures the intricate connections between environmental conditions and ammonium concentrations using developed algorithms, including Temporal Fusion Transformer (TFT), Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) levels versus the important factors, considerably improving prediction accuracy. The novel aspect of this study is the utilisation of the TFT model for multi-horizon forecasting, which offers high accuracy and interpretability in hydrological predictions by combining convolutional components with an attention mechanism. The study also demonstrates the effectiveness of the TFT model in capturing short-term fluctuations while retaining accuracy over long time periods, which is a major difficulty in environmental modelling. The models used, have exceptional forecasting skills, predicting 150, 200, 365, 730, and 1095 days based on daily average and 12, 24 and 30 months based on monthly average. This dual-scale model combines flexibility and resilience, making it an effective tool for forecasting both short- and long-term environmental changes. The RF model excelled in long-term forecasts, sustaining high R-squared (R²) (0.97) values and low root mean square error (RMSE) (0.18), and the second best one was the XGBoost with optimiser with R2 of (0.92) and RMSE of (0.25) with forecasting 1095 days. The results also found that whilst the TFT captured the fluctuations in the short-term, it struggled with the longer-term predictions due to data granularity. The XGBoost model did remarkably well in monthly forecasts up to 12 months, maintaining low RSME. The findings also highlight the necessity of proactive water management techniques to reduce the risk of potential ecological effects, including hypoxia and oxygen depletion. The findings support resource managers in addressing prospective ammonium toxicity concerns such as oxygen depletion and ecological stress.

Evaluation of stakeholder knowledge and practices of water use management strategy: Observations from a questionnaire survey in Southern India

Freshwater resources remain unequally distributed in time and space around the world. Water resource frameworks should be designed, planned, and overseen in order to fully meet current and future social and economic objectives. The difficulties grow as the system gets bigger and more complex, with varying spatial distribution of water and insufficient resources, making water re-distribution more difficult. The current study fills such gaps by evaluating several factors influencing conjunctive management. In the current study, an effort has been made to compile the best data on water use, agricultural practises, socioeconomic status, and so on through field surveys in order to comprehend the reality on the ground. Additionally, investigations are being conducted into the causes and barriers that are most likely to have slowed the implementation of conjunctive use of available water resources. Two comprehensive socioeconomic surveys were conducted using the quantitative research methodology in a river basin in Southern India, and the results clearly show that stakeholders are unaware of the most effective agricultural water management techniques and the rationale behind modern irrigation systems. Over ninety-five percent of the total respondents were farmers, with only five percent having basic knowledge of watershed development and conjunctive use water management. The identified gaps and the inference made in the study are in the context of conjunctive water management of agricultural water. The current work may provide useful information on the baseline scenarios for upcoming agricultural water management plans, as well as a useful tool for achieving significant milestones in the agricultural sector. Furthermore, the prepared questionnaire and the data gathered for the study may also be helpful to decision-makers.

Integrating deep learning techniques for effective river water quality monitoring and management

Effective river water quality monitoring is essential for sustainable water resource management. In this study, we established a comprehensive monitoring system along the Kaveri River, capturing real-time data on multiple critical water quality parameters. The parameters collected encompassed water contamination levels, turbidity, pH measurements, temperature, and total dissolved solids (TDS), providing a holistic view of river water quality. The monitoring system was meticulously set up with strategically positioned sensors at various river locations, ensuring data collection at regular 5-min intervals. This data was then transmitted to a cloud-based web portal, facilitating storage and analysis. To assess water quality, we introduced a novel hybrid approach, combining Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks. The proposed CNN-LSTM model achieved a validation accuracy of 98.40%, surpassing the performance of other state-of-the-art methods. Notably, the practical application of this system includes real-time alerts, promptly notifying stakeholders when water quality parameters exceed predefined thresholds. This feature aids in making informed decisions in water resource management. The study's contributions lie in its effective river water quality monitoring system, which encompassing various parameters, and its potential to positively impact environmental conservation efforts by providing a valuable tool for informed decision-making and timely interventions.

Interaction Effects of Nutrient and Water on Crop Production System under Dry and Irrigated Agriculture System

Many areas in India, including dryland areas, are under stress from two main obstacles to agricultural output, namely, inadequate soil nutrients and a scarcity of water. In most rainfed regions, except for a few places that can conduct irrigation, low precipitation levels and their erratic distribution usually result in soil water deficiency which leads to water as well as the instances of nutritional stress. Hence, in sustainable agricultural production systems, soil water and nutrient stress are major concerns. In crop production systems, the interplay between water and nutrients might yield favourable results, contingent on the growth stages, volumes, combinations, and balance of the crops. In irrigated areas, water and nutrients have interdependent effects. Efficient water management can enhance nutrient availability and transformation in soil or fertilizers. Water boosts plant nutrient content, uptake, and overall efficiency. Water scarcity stresses plants, impeding root growth and nutrient absorption. Additionally, it has been discovered that there is typically a strong, nearly linear correlation between crop yield and nutrient and water management techniques. Water availability and nutrient efficiency are therefore intimately related. The water state of the soil should be taken into consideration when applying nutrients in a balanced manner, taking into account their types, ratios, amounts, timing, and methods, in addition to their capacity to give nutrients. Therefore, determining the best time or growth stage to add water and nutrients to various crops, as well as how water and nutrients interact, are essential for a sustainable crop production system.

From reduction to rebalancing: Insights into the long-term effects of sediment dredging on nitrogen transformations in river ecosystems

Although sediment dredging is a widely employed water management and restoration technique for the removal of internal nitrogen (N), the long-term effects of dredging on N transformation in dredged rivers remain largely undetermined. In this study, we investigated the effects of dredging on N transformation processes spanning three years at ten sites in the purple-soil watershed within the middle reaches of the Fu River Basin. We combined isotopic and molecular techniques to provide novel insights into the interactions associated with microbial utilization capacities between sediment and river water before, during, and after dredging. Initially, dredging was found to significantly reduce the total nitrogen content by approximately 75 %, although over time, there was a slight increase in concentrations. Secondly, significant reductions in microbial richness and diversity were detected in both river water and sediment, with 39 classes reduced, 12 new classes emerging, and an increase in archaea, reshaping the microbial community. Lastly, dredging was found to promote a significant shift in functional contributions, with increases in the abundance of key enzyme activities (1.7.5.1 and 1.7.2.5) and denitrification genes (nirK, norB, and nosZ). This enhancement notably promoted denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), accompanied by significant environmental changes in sediment and river water. These changes facilitated the removal of nitrates in the Xiangshuitan watershed. Our study overcomes the limitations associated with watershed and microenvironment scales, providing insights into the mechanisms where by dredging activities influence the interplay between external and internal N transformations.

Optimising the effectiveness of osmotic desalination process by using graphene-based nanomaterials

This work examines how graphene-based nanoparticles can be integrated into membranes to improve the effectiveness of water treatment in osmotic desalination processes. This is important since sustainable practices can help address the world's water scarcity. Water treatment, desalination, and resource recovery are areas where osmotic desalination shows great potential. However, membrane performance constraints frequently impede its efficacy. High mechanical strength, superior hydrophilicity, and the ability to lessen internal concentration polarisation are just a few of the remarkable qualities that make graphene-based nanoparticles stand out. In order to increase the membranes' overall functionality, these nanoparticles were created and added to them. Comparing the study to conventional membranes, the main goals were to increase water flux rates and salt ion rejection capacities. It was shown by experimental results that the membranes strengthened with graphene-based nanoparticles performed better. They outperformed conventional membranes in terms of water flow growth and salt ion rejection rates improvement. In order to advance osmotic desalination technologies towards more effective and sustainable water treatment options, this study highlights the revolutionary potential of graphene-based nanoparticles. Graphene-based nanoparticles provide an attractive option for tackling major water issues worldwide by improving membrane characteristics that are essential for osmotic desalination, such as permeability and selectivity. Water management techniques that are environmentally sustainable are supported by their integration into membranes, which also enhances performance metrics. This study opens the door for creative approaches to resource recovery and water treatment by providing important insights into the creation of cutting-edge materials specifically designed for osmotic desalination applications.

Drought Assessment based on Different Metrological Drought indices in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, KRG, Iraq

Drought is a dangerous situation that lowers individual standards of living. It is considered a devastating natural event. This study intends to thoroughly examine the occurrence and characteristics of drought events in the Sulaymaniyah Governorate from 1985 to 2015. The study employed three standardized indices: the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI), the standardized precipitation index (SPI), and the Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI). These indices were utilized at different periods, namely 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. According to findings, the maximum percent of extremely dry highlighted in Sulaymaniyah and Dukan stations for SPI index and time scale three months was 48% and 30%, respectively; the maximum percent of severely dry highlighted using RDI index and time scale three months with 41%, 32%, 44% in Sulaymaniyah, Dukan, and Darbandikhan stations respectively. Results revealed that the years 1998, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 saw a drought for the used indices, Dukan station has the maximum severity of 112.25 for SPEI12 for the event happened from Nov. 2007 to Sep 2015. The maximum durations were observed at Dukan station using SPI and SPEI as well, and Darbandikhan station has the highest drought frequency. The correlations of drought indices, using the coefficient of determination ( ) showed the lowest and highest agreement between SPI-SPEI and SPI-RDI, respectively. The findings revealed that water resources in the study area are at risk of depletion due to drought. Therefore, water management techniques are required to mitigate drought in the study area.

Impact of climate change on water scarcity in Pakistan. Implications for water management and policy

ABSTRACT Water resources in Pakistan are under serious threat from climate change (CC), exacerbating water scarcity. The implications for water policy and management are far-reaching. Pakistan relies heavily on the Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) for agricultural production and water supply, but the distribution and availability of water resources are threatened by changing climatic patterns, such as changing precipitation and melting glaciers. Water scarcity is heightened by faster glacial melt and erratic precipitation patterns, which affect the timing and quantity of water flow. Effective water management techniques, such as increased effectiveness, sustainable practices, and conservation measures, as well as robust infrastructure and governance are required to address these issues. Pakistan can benefit greatly from international cooperation and assistance to mitigate the impacts of CC and ensure water security for long-term development.

Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Global Crop Yields and Farming Practices

Climate change is recognized as one of the most pressing challenges of our time, with profound implications for global food security. This review article delves into the multifaceted impacts of climate change on crop yields and farming practices on a global scale. By synthesizing recent research findings, identifying key challenges and opportunities, and exploring adaptation strategies, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex interplay between climate change and agriculture. The effects of climate change on agriculture are diverse and far reaching. Alterations in weather patterns, including shifts in temperature, precipitation, and frequency of extreme events, pose significant challenges to agricultural productivity and food security. These changes disrupt traditional farming practices, exacerbate water stress, soil erosion, and crop loss, and threaten the livelihoods of millions of farmers worldwide. Additionally, changes in pest and disease dynamics have further compounded the challenges faced by agricultural systems under pressure from climate variability. These challenges, there are opportunities for innovation and adaptation in the agricultural systems. This review highlights the potential of climate-smart agricultural practices such as crop diversification, conservation agriculture, and precision farming to enhance resilience and mitigate the impacts of climate change on crop yields. investments in climate-resilient crop varieties, improved water management techniques, and sustainable land management practices offer pathways for building adaptive capacities and ensuring food security in a changing climate. addressing the complex challenges of climate change adaptation in agriculture requires concerted action at multiple levels. This review emphasizes the importance of coordinated efforts among policymakers, researchers, farmers, and other stakeholders in developing and implementing effective adaptation strategies. Such strategies should be context-specific, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable, considering the diverse needs and priorities of different regions and communities. This review underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to build resilient and sustainable food systems in the face of a changing climate. By synthesizing the latest research findings, identifying key challenges and opportunities, and exploring adaptation strategies, this review aims to inform policymakers, researchers, and practitioners about the imperative of addressing climate change’s impacts on agriculture. Only through collaborative and transformative action can we ensure food security for the present and future generations in a rapidly changing world.

Towards a Greener Tomorrow: Exploring the Potential of AI, Blockchain, and IoT in Sustainable Development

This article examines the potential for artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to advance sustainability. Through a literature review and critical analysis, the study evaluates the possible advantages, difficulties, and opportunities of utilizing these technologies to support a sustainable future. The research study emphasizes how effective AI is at streamlining resource management, increasing system efficiency, and optimizing energy use. It focuses on the potential of blockchain to improve supply chain accountability and transparency, and it also discusses the game-changing potential of IoT to improve resource management. However, some issues must be resolved, including excessive costs, technological difficulties, data privacy concerns, and social repercussions. The essay advocates creating multidisciplinary research programs, funding R&D, and supporting collaborative relationships. It also suggests creating sustainable implementation plans, prioritizing ethical issues and data governance, and encouraging information exchange and awareness. By accepting these proposals, stakeholders may leverage the promise of green technology and innovation to build a sustainable future. It is also clear that the Internet of Things (IoT) can potentially optimize resource management. Real-time data on a variety of topics, including traffic conditions, air and water quality, and water management, can be provided through IoT-enabled sensors. Cities may reduce traffic, increase energy efficiency, enhance environmental conditions, and encourage sustainable water management techniques by utilizing this data to inform their decisions. However, serious consideration must be given to data privacy, security, scalability, and interoperability issues to ensure IoT solutions’ ethical and efficient adoption. Despite their enormous potential, the paper acknowledges the difficulties and constraints in implementing these technologies. Significant obstacles include high implementation costs, complex technical requirements, and the requirement for adequate data privacy and security safeguards. A sustainable and inclusive future also requires resolving ethical issues, including algorithmic prejudice, social fairness, and equitable access to technology. The report recommends encouraging cooperative relationships between academia, business, government, and communities to address these issues. Research and development investments are required to evaluate these technologies’ practical use, scalability, and economic viability. In addition, multidisciplinary research initiatives can comprehensively comprehend green technology and innovation’s social, economic, and environmental effects. It has been concluded that there is great potential for future technologies, such as AI, blockchain, and IoT, to advance sustainability. Stakeholders can use these technologies’ revolutionary potential to build a sustainable future by resolving obstacles, promoting collaboration, and doing additional research. To ensure the ethical and successful application of green technology and innovation for the benefit of the environment and future generations, it is essential to prioritize ethical considerations, establish sustainable implementation strategies, and foster information exchange and awareness.

Smallholder Farmers' Use of Indigenous Knowledge Practices in Agri-food Systems: Contribution of Food Security Attainment Drive

Most of the world's poor, including those in Nigeria, live in rural and agrarian settings and are engaged in agricultural practices for sustenance. Meanwhile, increasing agricultural productivity requires the adoption of modern technologies and improved farming systems, which entail considerable cost outlays for initial adoption and continued use. These costs may be out of reach for resource-poor smallholder farmers, hence the need to embrace indigenous knowledge practices (IKPs) in an agrarian economy such as Nigeria. This research examined the contribution of farmers' food security attainment efforts through the use of IKPs. Drawing on a documentary review of literature and empirical evidence, as well as data collected from 349 randomly selected smallholder farmers, the study applied descriptive statistics, a standardized food insecurity experience scale survey module, and a multivariate probit regression model to analyze the dataset. The findings revealed that almost 86% of the farmers have a strong and positive perception of the effectiveness of IKPs on agricultural production, while approximately 90% of the farmers are food insecure (those in the chronic and moderate food insecurity categories). The results also indicated that farmers’ food security status, household size vis-à-vis dependency ratio, awareness of IKPs, age of the farmers, years of farming experience, access to extension services, and frequency of visits by extension personnel significantly influenced farmers’ use of traditional farming practices, crop selection/rotation strategies, and water management techniques in the study area. Despite the farmers' use of IKPs, most of them are still largely food insecure, which raises serious concerns. Given this, the study recommends a multi-stakeholder partnership to foster synergies between the use of indigenous knowledge and modern scientific approaches by farmers, harnessing the complementary strengths of both knowledge systems to address the contemporary challenges faced by smallholder farmers in the agri-food systems.

Climate Change and Global Agriculture: Addressing Challenges and Adaptation Strategies

Climate change poses significant challenges to global agriculture, affecting crop production, food security, and the livelihoods of millions worldwide. This paper reviews the current understanding of the impact of climate change on agriculture and explores adaptation strategies to mitigate its adverse effects. Climate change-induced phenomena such as rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and shifts in pest and disease dynamics threaten crop yields and agricultural productivity. To address these challenges, various adaptation measures are being implemented, including the development and adoption of climate-resilient crop varieties, improved water management techniques, agroforestry practices, and enhanced early warning systems. Furthermore, policy interventions and international collaborations are crucial for building resilience and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the face of climate change. This review highlights the urgent need for concerted efforts at local, national, and global levels to safeguard agricultural systems and ensure food security in a changing climate.

Paddy rice methane emissions, controlling factors, and mitigation potentials across Monsoon Asia

Rice is a staple food for more than half of humanity, and 90 % of rice is grown and consumed in Asia. However, paddy rice cultivation creates an ideal environment for the production and release of methane (CH4). How to estimate regional CH4 emissions accurately and how to mitigate them efficiently have been of key concern. Here, with a machine learning method, we investigate the spatiotemporal changes, the major controlling factors and mitigation potentials of paddy rice CH4 emissions across Monsoon Asia at a resolution of 0.1° (∼10 km). Spatially CH4 emissions are highly heterogeneous, with the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Deltas of the Mekong, and Yangtze River Basin as the hotspots. Nationwide, China, India, Bangladesh and Vietnam are the major emitters. Straw applied on season is a critical controlling factor for CH4 emission in rice fields. The single-season rice contributes to over 80 % of the total emissions. CH4 emissions from Monsoon Asia have notably declined since 2007. Three mitigation strategies, including water management techniques, off-season straw return, and straw to biochar, may reduce CH4 emissions by 27.66 %, 23.78 %, and 21.79 %, respectively, with the most effective strategy being rice cultivation type-specific and environment-specific. Our findings gain new insights into CH4 emissions and mitigations across Monsoon Asia, providing evidence to adopt precise mitigation strategies based on rice cultivation types and local environment.

Water Use Efficiency in a Deficit-Irrigated Orange Orchard

Citrus is a subtropical fruit tree with high water requirements. This study aimed to determine the effects of water deficit on an orange orchard subjected to different water-saving strategies. The study was realised in an orange orchard in a semiarid area by adopting four different water management techniques: 100% crop evapotranspiration (control); SSDI—subsurface sustained deficit irrigation; RDI—regulated deficit irrigation; PRD—partial rootzone drying treatment during five growing seasons. The experimental design foresaw a randomised block design with six replicates per treatment (24 index plants). The results of the study showed that the water-saving strategies reduced irrigation water consumption by 25% (SSDI), 33% (RDI), and 49% (PRD) compared to the fully irrigated treatment without yield reduction, thus increasing water use efficiency. Mineral nutrition of the trees was slightly affected by irrigation treatments; element concentration in leaves was generally in the optimal range; only potassium showed values below the recommended leaf concentrations. Regarding fruit quality parameters, the vitamin C concentration in RDI showed significant differences with a value of 62.7 mg 100 mL−1 compared to 58.5 mg 100 mL−1 in the control. Plants subjected to SSDI and PRD strategies showed increased levels of pulp colour index with significant values of 10 and 9.90, respectively, compared to the control (8.44). By implementing targeted water management, citrus growers could save water and increase the ascorbic acid and sugar concentration in the fruits; anthocyanins also increased but not significantly. These findings open new market opportunities for citrus growers in marginal areas, where they cannot rely solely on producing citrus fruits to remain competitive.

Water Banking as a Strategy for the Management and Conservation of a Critical Resource: A Case Study from Tunisia’s Medjerda River Basin (MRB)

The increasingly adverse impacts of climate change (e.g., rainfall patterns, droughts, and floods), coupled with the ever-increasing water demands, are often translated into a contingent liability for water users’ communities. Additional complexities arise due to competing priorities, water rights, and transboundary water sources. Therefore, conventional water management practices should shift toward more comprehensive and responsive integrative approaches, even for systems with limited data. Furthermore, water managers must prioritize dynamic and interactive management techniques for existing systems. One such management technique is water banking, which is the focus of this study. Herein, a dynamic interactive water allocation model, which encompasses the water managers and heterogeneous parties with competing demands, is developed. The voluntary sales of water shares between parties are illustrated through the specific case of the Medjerda River in Tunisia, an excellent example of a transboundary basin with limited hydrologic data and conflicting water use requirements between its upstream and downstream sectors. A set of scenarios is developed for the first analysis with this model: two management scenarios that include the no-water trade and the water banking option; three demand scenarios that include a combination of steady-, low-, and high-water demand conditions; and two hydrologic scenarios that include dry and wet conditions. Based on an economic model, the economic impacts of water banking are calculated using estimates of the costs of water shortages brought to users that illustrate the magnitude. The results show that the water banking technique can improve water resource availability by optimizing the management, operation, and conservation of natural and artificial water storage systems and water distribution infrastructure. Specifically, water banking can offset users’ profit losses during severe conditions (i.e., drought), even with limited hydrologic data. This water management technique would allow the Tunisian government to minimize the economic impacts on farmers from drought and to plan for future uncertainties by optimizing the water storage potential in years of abundant rainfall.

Coal mining and water resources: impacts, challenges, and strategies for sustainable environmental management

The intricate relationship between coal mining and water resources is discussed, as well as coal mining affects the quality and availability of water is highlighted. Coal deposits play a major role in energy production, and at the same time, coal mining causes adverse environmental effects. For this reason, the article is devoted to the study consequences of coal mining on water contamination and soil conditions. The investigation results show that coal mining causes dangerous and harmful particles to reach the surface of the water, degrades the soil, and causes chemical exposure. Hydrology and water quality throughout the mining lifecycle are influenced by such consequences, which can be observed across mining regions and under different extraction methods. In this regard, there exists a need for effective strategies and implementing best practices for mining operations, adopting preventive measures for acid mine drainage, and advanced water management techniques. Also, the experience of effective environmental management is discussed. Mining reclamation plans, adherence to specific standards, and the role of rocks selection in reclamation success are discussed. Considering the above balancing energy needs with sustainable environmental practices is crucial to ensuring the coexistence of mining and global water resources.