Water Management Research Articles

Urine luck: Environmental assessment of yellow water management in buildings for urban agriculture

The increasing global demand for agricultural production poses challenges to maintain the needs for critical fertilizers such as nitrogen. This study explores the potential of human urine as a source of renewable nitrogen for fertilizer production. Through a life cycle assessment, three different urine management strategies were compared: (S1) an artificial wetland, (S2) an on-site lab-scale aerobic reactor for nitrogen recovery, and (S3) a centralized wastewater treatment plant. While scenario S2 had the highest impacts in 6 out of 8 categories, an advantage in marine eutrophication was identified. S2 showed high energy demand (750 kg MJ-eq) and ecotoxicity (602 kg 1.4-DCB-eq.) mainly due to energy requirements. Nitrogen production exceeded 2.3 times the yearly nitrogen demands of the building tomato production. Upscaling S2 reduces impacts up to 2 times, lowering the payback time from 29 to 13 years. Therefore, implementing large-scale nitrogen recovery systems in cities is encouraged.

Superabsorbent hydrogels: A new tool for vineyard water management?

New superabsorbent hydrogels (SH) could be groundbreaking technologies for the adaptation of agriculture to climate change, but knowledge about their physio-chemical traits, their effects on soil hydrology, and their efficacy on tree crop physiology is very limited. In this work, two potassium polyacrylate SH (SH1 and SH2) and an organic material derived SH (SH3) were tested for their water holding capacity and the capability to improve soil hydrology according to the water demands of cultivated grapevine, one of the most relevant rainfed tree crops. All SH absorbed a significant amount of water as compared to their relative weight (from 9.19 g H2O/g polymer of SH3, to 369.64 g H2O/g polymer of SH2) and made it available at water potential (Ψ) levels compatible with grapevine root system uptake. When incorporated to the soil, all SH successfully increased soil field capacity, affecting also wilting point, and increasing maximum plant available water (from +43 % of SH2 to +84 % of SH1). All SH increased stem Ψ of potted vines subjected to a progressive water deficit, as compared to controls (+0.25 MPa at four days from irrigation suspension, +0.2 MPa at eight days from water suspension, when Control vines showed a stem Ψ of −1.63 MPa).Our work demonstrated for the first time the potentialities of three different SH and their positive effects on soil water relations. Both synthetic and organic-derived SH could improve vine water status under limited water supply. While other studies are needed to clarify effects according to different rootstocks and soils, the results pave the way for the integration of SH in vineyard water management.

Multi-Decadal Impact of Mine Waters in Przemsza River Basin, Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Southern Poland

Anthropogenic increases in the salinity of surface waters are referred to as secondary salinization. In surface waters, salinity levels can vary significantly due to various natural and anthropogenic influences. This article presents multi-decadal observations of changes in surface water salinity in the highly industrialized region in southern Poland. The case study of the Przemsza River is an example of the significant impacts of industrial, mainly coal mining, activities that have changed the chemical and biological characteristics of water bodies. The presented research revealed that impacts on salinity and water body status due to mining discharges will be difficult or even impossible to restore, considering the process of transition of the coal sector. In the Przemsza river basin, almost 42% less mine water was discharged in 2023 than in 1991. Parallelly, the salinity of mine waters discharged from deeper levels of active coal mines has increased due to the geochemical gradient (the total load of chlorides and sulfates was 534.8 MgCl−+SO42− per day in 1991, while in 2023 the total salinity load was 480.1 MgCl−+SO42− per day). Moreover, of the 19 active mine water discharges in 1991, only 11 remain in 2023, while the observed salinity of surface water in the Przemsza watershed increased rapidly from an average of 2000 µS·cm−1 to 6700 µS·cm−1 due to the significant drought and adverse hydrological conditions, which represent low flows never observed before (three times lower flows in the mouth of the Przemsza River in the period 2021–2023 compared to the previous decades 1991–2020). Impacts on water bodies will continue to occur regardless of mining activities in the area—it should be noted that at the end of exploitation, mine water rebound and flooding do not automatically reduce long-lasting impacts on surface waters. Therefore, salinization is a growing threat that might be amplified by climate change. While industrial and urban impacts on surface water change its characteristics, the future challenge of proper water management with a holistic approach is necessary with proper monitoring data collection and river flow-dependent and surface water salinity-dependent discharge of wastewater in the river basin.

Towards responding to climate change: practices in Iranian healthcare centers

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevailing practices suitable for Iranian healthcare centers to address climate change and to rank them in terms of priority. This paper, a mixed-methods study conducted in 2023, comprised a scoping review and a thematic analysis covering the period from 2000 to 2023 as the first phase of the study. In this regard, PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched. In the second phase, the authors engaged a group of experts to prioritize the most important practices suitable for Iranian healthcare centers to address climate change using the Grey MEREC-MABAC integrated approach. The scoping review resulted in 38 studies, and the thematic analysis revealed 11 primary categories of practices employed to address climate change. Subsequently, the Grey MEREC-MABAC approach indicated that the themes of 'Green Environment' (CC = 0.0929), 'Green Equipment, Waste, and Water Management' (CC = 0.0677), and 'Green Energy' (CC = 0.0653) were identified as having the highest priority among the practices deemed most important in the literature for addressing climate change within Iranian healthcare centers. The study proposed that practices or activities promoting biodiversity and environmental sustainability, such as organic food farming and tree planting, should be considered paramount approaches in Iranian healthcare centers to combat climate change.

Process Simulation and Technical Evaluation Using Water-Energy-Product (WEP) Analysis of an Extractive-Based Biorefinery of Creole-Antillean Avocado Produced in the Montes De María

The annual increase in the world’s population significantly contributes to recent climate change and variability. Therefore, researchers, engineers, and professionals in all fields must integrate sustainability criteria into their decision-making. These criteria aim to minimize the environmental, social, economic, and energy impacts of human activities and industrial processes, helping mitigate climate change. This research focuses on developing scalable technology for the comprehensive use of avocados, adhering to sustainability principles. This work presents the modeling, simulation, and the WEP (Water-Energy-Product) technical evaluation of the process for obtaining bio-oil, chlorophyll, and biopesticide from the Creole-Antillean avocado. For this, the extractive-based biorefinery data related to water, energy, and products are taken from the material balance based on experimental results and process simulation. Then, eight process parameters are calculated, and eleven technical indicators are determined. Later, the extreme technical limitations for every indicator are demarcated, and an evaluation of the performance of the indicators is carried out. Results showed that the process has a high execution in aspects such as fractional water cost (TCF) and energy cost (TCE), as well as solvent reuse during extraction processes (SRI) and production yield, noting that the mentioned indicators are above 80%. In contrast, the metrics related to water management (FWC) and specific energy (ESI) showed the lowest performance. These discoveries support the use of optimization techniques like mass process integration. The energy-related indicators reveal that the process presents both benefits and drawbacks. One of the drawbacks is the energy source due to the high demand for electrical energy in the process, compared to natural gas. The specific energy intensity indicator (ESI) showed an intermediate performance (74%), indicating that the process consumes high energy. This indicator enables us to highlight that we can find energy aspects that require further study; for this reason, it is suitable to say that there is potential to enhance the energy efficiency of the process by applying energy integration methods.

KARAKTERISTIK TANAH SULFAT MASAM DAN PENGELOLAANNYA UNTUK LAHAN PERTANIAN

Acid sulfate soils are quite abundant in Indonesia, and some have been used for agricultural land. The main problem with this soil is the presence of pyrite compounds (FeS2). The oxidation of these compounds causes the soil to become acidic, metals and bases dissolve so that the soil becomes poor and the life of aquatic biota affected by the drainage water is disturbed. The oxidized soil, if flooded again, causes an increase in ferrous iron ions and hydrogen sulfide which can poison plants, therefore management of acid sulfate soils needs to be carried out so that the soil has characteristics that can support plant growth. Some soil management actions that can be taken are controlling the activity of microorganisms in the oxidation and reduction processes of pyrite, providing amelioration materials and fertilization, land management and water management.

Evaluating the impact of nature-based solutions on the provision of water-related and water-dependant ecosystem services

Water scarcity is a pressing issue in the Mediterranean region, exacerbated by overuse of resources for agriculture and the impacts of climate change. Addressing this challenge requires improved water cycle management and the adoption of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to enhance infrastructure efficiency and sustainability. With the aim of promoting the implementation and assessment of NbS, we have developed a monitoring framework that integrates the assessment of ecological, socio-economic and cultural aspects under the umbrella of the IUCN Global Standard for NbS. A list of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) was selected following standard methodologies. We have applied the framework to five case studies in the Mediterranean region to evaluate its efficiency to assess NbS tailored to local challenges and contexts. As part of the monitoring framework, we used the IUCN self-assessment tool for the Global Standard for NbS, demonstrating adherence of 50–75 % across all case studies. Common KPIs were identified, streamlining monitoring efforts and providing guidance from the design phase onwards. Our monitoring framework offers a comprehensive approach to evaluating NbS interventions, ensuring alignment with global standards and enhancing resilience in water management. By integrating the IUCN Global Standard, it provides robust guidance for future execution, contributing to sustainable water resource management in the Mediterranean and beyond.

Study on the Greenhouse Gas (Ghg) Emissions from Rice Field Under Various Nutrient Management Practices

Modernizing traditional farming practices and intensive cultivation on limited land has increased the reliance on fertilizers to maintain soil health. The study was conducted on rice crop from 2022 to 2023. The seven treatment combinations in which recommended dose of nitrogen applied through neem coated urea (NCU) and nano urea, viz., T1:Control (No nitrogen), T2: 1/3rd as (NCU) as basal) + 1/3rd NCU at active tillering (AT)) + 1/3rdNCU at panicle initiation (PI)), T3: 1/3rd NCU as basal + 1/3rd NCU at AT + 2sprays of NU at maximum tillering -MT and PI) @ 2 ml / litre), T4: 1/3rd NCU as basal + 1/3rd NCU at AT + 1 spray of nano-urea at PI @ 4 ml / litre), T5: 1/4 NCU as basal + 1/4 NCU at AT +2 sprays of nano-urea (at MT and PI) @ 2 ml / litre), T6 :1/3rd NCU as basal + 2 sprays of nano-urea (at AT& PI) @ 2 ml / litre), and T7: 1/3rd NCU as basal + 3 sprays of nano-urea (at AT, PI, and heading) @ 2 ml / litre). The study revealed significant differences in GHG emissions, particularly nitrous oxide (N₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), among the different fertilizer management practices. The highest (p=??) N₂O emissions were observed in the T2 treatment {1/3rd RDN (NCU as basal) + 1/3rd RDN (NCU at active tillering) + 1/3rd RDN (NCU at panicle initiation)} at 352 kgCO₂eha⁻¹, while the lowest emissions were recorded in the T1 treatment (Control – without nitrogen) at 88.4 kgCO₂eha⁻¹. Similarly, CO₂ emissions were also the highest in the T2 treatment at 1376 kgCO₂eha⁻¹, with the control (T1) recording the lowest at 1165 kgCO₂eha⁻¹. Methane emissions, mainly influenced by water regimes, remained consistent across all treatments, each contributing 2112.3 kgCO₂eha⁻¹, due to similar water management across all treatments. Overall, total GHG emissions were significantly higher in fertilized treatments, with the T2 treatment exhibiting the highest total emissions of 3841 kgCO₂eha⁻¹, while the control had the lowest at 3366 kgCO₂eha⁻¹. These findings highlighted the complex trade-offs between enhancing rice yields through improved nutrient management and the associated increase in GHG emissions, emphasizing the need for strategies that balance productivity with environmental sustainability.

A Localized Evaluation of Surface Water Quality Using GIS-Based Water Quality Index along Satpara Watershed Skardu Baltistan, Pakistan

Surface water quality in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, is of immense importance because of the city’s dependence on these resources for domestic uses, agriculture, and drinking water. The water quality index (WQI) was integrated with the Geographic Information System (GIS) to spatially envision and examine water quality data to facilitate the identification of pollution hotspots, trend analysis, and knowledge-based decision-making for effective water resource management. This study aims to evaluate the physiochemical and bacteriological parameters of the Satpara watershed and to provide the spatial distribution of these parameters. This study endeavors to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) by identifying localities with excellent and unfit water for drinking, sanitation, and hygiene. A total of fifty-one surface water samples were collected from various parts of the Satpara watershed during the fall season of 2023. Well-established laboratory techniques were used to investigate water for parameters like Electrical Conductivity (EC), pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDSs), major cations (K+, Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+), major anions (Cl−, SO42−, NO3−, HCO3−), and bacteriological contaminants (E. coli). Spatial distribution maps of all these parameters were created using the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) technique in a GIS environment. A significant variation in the quality of water was observed along the study area. The level of Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination is above the permissible limit at various locations along the watershed, making water unsafe for direct human consumption in these areas. Some regions showed low TDS values, which could adversely affect human health and agricultural yield. From the WQI valuation, 58.82% of the collected samples were “Poor”, 31.8% were “Very poor” and 9.8% were found to be “Unfit for drinking”. The research findings emphasize the pressing need for consistent monitoring and adoption of water management strategies in Skardu City to warrant sustainable soil and water use. The spatial maps generated for various parameters and the water quality index WQI offer critical insights for targeted intercessions.

Integrated water resource management in the Segura Hydrographic Basin: An artificial intelligence approach

Managing resources effectively in uncertain demand, variable availability, and complex governance policies is a significant challenge. This paper presents a paradigmatic framework for addressing these issues in water management scenarios by integrating advanced physical modelling, remote sensing techniques, and Artificial Intelligence algorithms. The proposed approach accurately predicts water availability, estimates demand, and optimizes resource allocation on both short- and long-term basis, combining a comprehensive hydrological model, agronomic crop models for precise demand estimation, and Mixed-Integer Linear Programming for efficient resource distribution. In the study case of the Segura Hydrographic Basin, the approach successfully allocated approximately 642 million cubic meters (hm3) of water over six months, minimizing the deficit to 9.7% of the total estimated demand. The methodology demonstrated significant environmental benefits, reducing CO2 emissions while optimizing resource distribution. This robust solution supports informed decision-making processes, ensuring sustainable water management across diverse contexts. The generalizability of this approach allows its adaptation to other basins, contributing to improved governance and policy implementation on a broader scale. Ultimately, the methodology has been validated and integrated into the operational water management practices in the Segura Hydrographic Basin in Spain.

History of hydrological research in Slovakia and its links to water management

ABSTRACT The article outlines the development of water resources management and research in hydrology in Slovakia in the last century when the centralised water resources planning provided a robust framework for the development of hydrological research. We first present facts about the organisation of research in hydrology from 1948 to 1990, which dealt with various problems of practical relevance. Experimental research and its international outreach in the collaborative programs of the Danube countries or the UNESCO water programmes are described. Then, the main achievements related to experimental hydrological research in two small research catchments with long histories of operation, the Mošteník Brook and the Bystrianka Creek catchments, are presented. Short biographies of researchers who significantly contributed to the overall development of water management or hydrological research in small catchment in Slovakia are provided.

Practical drought risk assessment and management framework: A step toward sustainable modernization in agricultural water management

A proposed framework to assess and manage risks associated with Agricultural Water Off-farm Conveyance and Distribution Systems (AWOCDS), quantify potential failure due to drought-induced scenarios, and provide short to long-term recovery plans to mitigate drought impacts. It makes an intellectual contribution by creating a new proactive risk assessment focusing specifically on AWOCDS as a crucial part of agricultural water management. The risk assessment comprises two components − risk probability and consequence. The former is calculated by analyzing droughts via the streamflow drought index using the DrinC calculator. The latter is determined through AWOCDS’ performance evaluation using hydraulic simulation via HEC-RAS. Additionally, water distribution is assessed spatiotemporally using adequacy and equity indicators, and an integrated consequence is developed by applying the simple additive weighting method. AWOCDS’ rehabilitation and modernization projects worldwide include three practical practices in its risk management component. These practices involve modifying standard operating procedures (SOPs) by updating maintenance, upgrading manual-based operations, and developing a centralized Model Predictive Controller (MPC) for AWOCDS automatic operation. The proposed framework underwent testing in an arid region. Based on the risk assessment results, the AWOCDS operating system failure rate ranges from 70% to 96% during extreme-severe drought scenarios and 53% to 65% during moderate-mild drought scenarios. Risk management analysis shows that a short-term recovery plan reduces the drought risk by 4% monthly and 3% yearly. However, the risk of failure ranges from 50 to 94% in mild to extreme drought scenarios. Upgrading SOPs decreases impact by 4–11% in extreme, 4–7% in moderate-severe and 7–9% in mild-moderate drought. Automating the operating system with MPC reduces impact by 40–43% and 30–56% in mild-moderate and severe-extreme drought scenarios. This proactive-based strategy can help water managers plan for rehabilitation and improve surface water distribution reliability.

Goethite introduction strengthens balck soil carbon sequestration under various water management conditions and its microbial mechanisms

Natural and anthropogenic disturbances lead to degradation of (soil organic carbon) SOC content black soil in northeast china. Goethite (α-FeO (OH)) as widely distributed mineral, has a sequestration effect on SOC. With the diversification of crop cultivation in northeast china, various water management are becoming important. However, SOC sequestration mechanism by goethite under varying water management conditions is still unclear. In our study, we set up 3 groups of experiments: 1) 60% water-holding capacity (60% WHC), 60% water-holding capacity with goethite (60% WHCG), 2), waterlogging (W), waterloggin with goethite (WG), 3) alternation of wetting and drying (AWD), alternation of wetting and drying with goethite (AWDG) to elucidate the sequestration mechanism of SOC by goethite under three water management conditions. Results shows introducing goethite can sequester SOC under three water management conditions, with WG SOC sequestration capacity more than AWDG and 60% WHCG. The main sequestration mechanism of SOC has two aspects, on the one hand, goethite introduction increased significantly SOC functional groups, Fe-bound OC, iron molar ratio and Fe-bound OC/SOC, made SOC was bound to goethite by adsorption and co-precipitation. On the other hand, goethite introduction increased the diversity and abundance of bacteria and fungi by affecting soil pH, iron morphology and valence, induced the enrichment of Bryobacter, Gemmatimonas, Conexibacter, Streptomyces, Gaiella, Rubrobacter and Talaromyces potential carbon sequestrating microorganisms, further contributing to SOC sequestration. This study offers a significant theoretical foundation for elucidating the SOC sequestration mechanism of northeastern black soil.

Hydrology on Solid Grounds? Integration Is Key to Closing Knowledge Gaps Concerning Landscape Subsurface Water Storage Dynamics

ABSTRACTIndividual approaches to observe water dynamics across our landscape, from the land surface to groundwater, are many though they individually only provide glimpses into the real world due to their specific space–time scales. Comprehensive integration across all available observations is still largely lacking, limiting both our ability to reduce scientific knowledge gaps, and to guide land and water management using the best available scientific evidence. We argue that a stronger focus on integration of observational products, while utilising machine learning and accounting for current perceptual understanding is urgently needed to overcome this limitation. Since Europe is warming faster than any other continent, central Europe is undergoing a dramatic hydroclimatic transition about which such integrated observations would provide timely and valuable insights. Here, we present potential and gaps of current and planned observational methods. We argue that hyperresolution (sub km) integrated estimates of landscape water dynamics are feasible, which could significantly improve our ability to simulate vadose zone and groundwater dynamics, ultimately closing gaps in our current perception of hydrological processes in a temperate region under strong influence from climate change. We close by arguing that an interdisciplinary effort of various scientific communities is needed to enable this advancement.

Application of geospatial and machine learning algorithms to predict (under certain limitations) the quality of groundwater used for irrigation purposes

ABSTRACT The main objective of the present study is to evaluate groundwater quality for irrigation purposes in the central-western part of Haryana state (India). For this, 272 groundwater samples were collected during the pre- and post-monsoon periods in 2022. Several indices, including SAR, PI, Na%, KR, magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR), and IWQI were derived. The results of SAR, Na%, and KR values indicate that the groundwater is generally suitable for irrigation. On the other hand, PI and MAR exceeded the established limits, primarily showing issues related to salinity and magnesium content in the groundwater. Furthermore, according to the IWQI classification, 47.06 and 25% of the total collected samples fell under the ‘severe restriction for irrigation’ category during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods, respectively. Spatial variation maps indicate that water quality in the western portion of the study area is unsuitable for irrigation during both periods. Three ML algorithms, namely RF, SVM, and XGBoost were integrated and validated to predict the IWQI. The results revealed that the XGBoost with random search achieves the best prediction performances. The approaches established in this study have been confirmed to be cost-effective and feasible for groundwater quality, using hydrochemical parameters as input variables, and highly beneficial for water resource planning and management.

Quantification of the Effect of Soil and Biophysical Parameters on Water Balance Modelling Using SWAT+ in Forested Catchments

ABSTRACTAccurate simulation of water balance components is crucial for effective water and land management practices. The performance of process‐based hydrological models relies on the accurate determination of input variables. The objective of this study is to quantify the magnitude of the effect of soil properties (depth and texture) and biophysical parameters on water balance simulation for a forested catchment using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT+). Simulations were carried out for a baseline scenario using the default soil inputs, followed by extending the soil profile depth up to 15 m under three different rainfall scenarios. Sensitivity analysis of model outputs was performed using the SENSitivity ANalysis (SENSAN) programme of the Parameter ESTimation (PEST) suite, coupled with SWAT+. The results showed that increasing soil profile depth to 15 m led to around 50% increase in water yield, and around 20% reduction in percolation with slight variations across the three rainfall scenarios. Evapotranspiration rates were slightly increased in deeper soil profiles. The sensitivity of evapotranspiration, surface runoff, and percolation to LAI‐related biophysical parameters was pronounced, highlighting the need to include such parameters in SWAT+ model calibration. The water uptake from deeper soil layers by deep roots, even in rocky substrates, as documented in the literature, is not adequately captured by the SWAT+ model. Our work showed that in general, developing local soil databases with detailed information on deeper layers is needed, to improve the accuracy and reliability of hydrological models in predicting water fluxes, thereby supporting informed water resources management decisions.

Technological innovation for urban water and rainfall extreme disaster risk management

En este trabajo se presenta una aplicación práctica del uso de las tecnologías de la información y comunicación (TIC) en la gestión de riesgos de desastres debidos a precipitaciones extremas en regiones urbanas. El objetivo es plantear, a partir del caso de estudio del deslizamiento del cerro del Chiquihuite, una de las formas en las que se puede aprovechar la información del Observatorio Hidrológico del Instituto de Ingeniería de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (OH-IIUNAM) para mejorar la gestión de desastres generadas por precipitaciones extremas. En el caso de estudio, se utilizan los datos del OH-IIUNAM para el análisis temporal y espacial de las tormentas que se presentaron en la Zona Metropolitana del Valle de México entre el 1 y 9 de septiembre de 2021; también se considera el sismo que ocurrió el 7 de septiembre del mismo año. La conjunción de ambos fenómenos produjo un deslizamiento del cerro el 10 de septiembre de 2021, que provocó grandes daños en las viviendas y pérdidas humanas. En el análisis temporal realizado se encontró que las tormentas más importantes ocurrieron entre los días 1 y 8 de septiembre, destacando las tormentas de los días 6 y 7 en intensidad y precipitación acumulada. En cuanto al análisis espacial, se utilizó la interpolación IDW (interpolación de distancia inversa ponderada) para estimar la precipitación en toda la Ciudad de México (CDMX) en el periodo del 1 al 9 de septiembre, encontrándose que la zona del cerro del Chiquihuite fue una de las áreas donde cayó mayor cantidad de agua de lluvia.

Impacts of land use/cover change on urban rainfall-flooding processes based on numerical simulations

ABSTRACT The evolution of surface conditions caused by urbanization has a great impact on urban flooding, whose increasing frequency of occurrence has severely affected urban safety. Most previous studies have focused on land use/cover change (LUCC) but have not specifically explored the effects of LUCC on the spatial distribution of flood points and the ponded depth. We combined the storm water management model (SWMM) with multiyear remote sensing data to simulate the flood points and ponded depth in different rainstorm types. Results showed that the ratios of flood points with ponded depths >0.7 m increased from 2.58% to 17.12% with the evolution of the urban surface conditions in 1988–2021. Also, the flood points with ponded depths >0.7 m were mainly located in the southern and northwestern parts of Bantian Street. These results can provide better-informed decision making for storm water management and early warning of flooding disasters in Shenzhen.

Use Artificial Neural Networks to Predict Seepage in the Hilla Canal Regulator

The variation in the seepage under hydraulic structures significantly impacts their stability and effective water management, especially considering recent water scarcity challenges. This paper aims to calculate seepage and investigate the hydraulic performance of the Al-Hilla canal regulator's foundation. The methodology involves constructing a model (SEEP/W) and comparing its results with one-site piezometer readings. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study integrates software modelling and statistical analysis techniques. This study integrates software modelling and statistical analysis techniques. The Geo-studio program facilities modelling of seepage flow, while JASP software is used for statistical analysis and predictive equation development. The methodology consists of data collection, Geo-Studio modelling, JASP analysis, and validation of equation accuracy. After verifying the models’ efficiency, the data for the seepage equation was established under various upstream and downstream conditions, incorporating artificial intelligence algorithms. This data was analyzed to drive a predictive equation for seepage with a high coefficient of determination (R2) OF 97%. Additionally, another equation was formulated to determine the total water pressure head, achieving an R2 value of 95 %. These equations are invaluable tools for predicting the total water pressure head and seepage and enhancing the management of hydraulic structure.

Effects of low impact development on runoff pollution and water quality resilience in an urbanized estuary area

In urbanized estuary areas, water quality often deteriorates due to the impact of surface runoff or overflow during heavy rainfall events. Low impact development (LID) can mitigate this impact and improve water quality resilience. However, there were few studies on quantifying this effect of LID, particularly in estuary areas. In this study, water quality resilience is expressed as the abnormal rate of water quality during rainfall events and the time required for water quality to recover from abnormality to normal. In this study, a coupled Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) and Environmental Fluid Dynamic Code (EFDC) model is used to examine the effects of LID on runoff pollution and water quality resilience in the Shenzhen River estuary (including Shenzhen River and Deep Bay) in China. The results indicate that (1) The inflow volume into the estuary is not only affected by the drainage area but also by the service area and capacity of the sewer interception system; LID can reduce not only the stormwater runoff but also the overflow from the interception systems along rivers. (2) The marginal benefit of the LID proportion increase in pollution load reduction diminishes as the proportion of LID implementation increases. (3) LID can reduce the high value of pollution concentration caused by rainfall runoff; and the reduction effect on the rivers is greater than that on the bay. (4) The rivers and the estuary have a much higher abnormal rate than the inner bay and the outer bay; however, the estuary and the inner bay have longer recovery time than the rivers and the outer bay. The maximum abnormal rate, average abnormal rate, and recovery time of different indicators in the entire estuary area are decreased by 10%-189%, 6%-71%, and 0.8–1.1 cycles when the runoff from 80% of built-up area is treated by LID facilities; LID can significantly reduce abnormal rate of the rivers and recovery time of the inner bay. Therefore, the proposed metric and model can fully reflect the spatial variations in water quality resilience, and LID can enhance the water quality resilience of the urbanized estuary areas under rainfall.