Conservation Of Water Resources Research Articles

Impact of land-use on PAH transfer in sub-surface water as recorded by CaCO3 concretions in urban underground structures (Paris, France)

In densely populated urban areas, the pressure on water resources is considerable and will tend to intensify over the next decades. Preserving water resources therefore seems fundamental, but many questions remain as to the transfer of contaminants to subsurface waters in these largely sealed areas. Because of their toxicity and persistence in the environment, this work focused on the study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ubiquitous pollutants mainly produced by human activities. To better understand the main factors leading to the retention or transport of these pollutants in urban environments, vertical transects, from the surface to several meters down, were established on three study sites in or near Paris (France), selected according to an urbanization gradient. Soil samples collected at the surface and urban secondary carbonate deposits (USCD), similar to cave speleothems, sampled underground in quarries and aqueducts were analyzed. As the hydrophobic properties of PAHs favor their sorption onto organic matter, the latter was also studied using organic carbon analysis and UV fluorescence spectroscopy. The USCD located closest to the urbanized surface contained high concentrations of PAHs (76.8 ± 5.3 ng g−1), while the USCD located at greater depth with organic soil on the surface contained the lowest amount of PAHs (2.9 ± 0.4 ng g−1), and no PAHs with log KOC > 5. The results highlight the predominant role played by the presence of organic topsoil at the surface in retaining and storing large amounts of PAHs (1914–2595 ng. gsoil−1), particularly the most hydrophobic ones (i.e. 60% of the 15 PAHs are characterized by a Log KOC >5), which are also the most toxic. The lithology and thickness of the bedrock (between the surface and the USCD) also play an important role in the retention of PAHs, particularly those adsorbed on the particulate phase.

Empirical evidence on circular economy adoption in Australian small and medium enterprises

The study aims to understand the enablers and barriers of circular economy (CE) adoption along with the impact of CE actions on sustainable performance in the context of Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Based on the analysis of primary data from 352 SMEs in Australia, the questionnaire survey-based study revealed a lack of clearly defined business processes to be the major impediment towards CE adoption. Analysis also showed environmental performance having a significant positive relationship with design, process, and recovery. Surprisingly, the research showed that the benefits associated with careful energy and resource management does not seem to be important to Australian SMEs. This is in direct contrast to the growing level of interest amongst Australian SMEs towards conservation of water resources and emission reductions. The findings of this research may drive SMEs to focus on CE adoption, as the results suggest that it is positively related to sustainable performance.

The application of satellite sensors, current state of utilization, and sources of remote sensing dataset in hydrology for water resource management

ABSTRACT Hydrologists rely heavily on satellite sensors because they provide useful information for tracking, evaluating, managing water resources, aiding provision of safe drinking water, help preventing waterborne diseases, and address the challenges posed by climate change. Water conservation and the collection of hydrologic data have made remote sensing (RS) an invaluable tool. As a result, there are fewer hydrologic stations globally in terms of space because of various topography landforms, human limitations, and financial limits. A thorough examination of the RS satellite products' hydrological applications is essential to finding a solution to this issue. By doing this, academicians, researchers, and conservationists in various professions can better understand the products and obtain the data needed for conservation. This paper primarily focuses on the following two objectives: 1). To synthesize the scientific information on satellite remote sensing application for hydrology, and 2). To explain the RS dataset sources for hydrologic parameters. Extensive literature search from reputable journal publishers. This review article synthesized vital sources of information for academicians, researchers, and government agencies involved in hydrology and water resources management. It is recommended that RS can be used as a data source for scarce, sparsely gauged, and inaccessible regions.

Self-driven dual reinforcement model with meta heuristic framework to conquer the iot based clustering to enhance agriculture production

In agriculture, irrigation is essential for providing water to crops based on the type of soil they are grown in. To achieve success in farming, it is important to evaluate soil fertility, temperature, rainfall and set irrigation schedules. In this work, to enhance agricultural production, an IoT-based hydration system that utilizes soil moisture and humidity sensors to keep an eye on soil conditions and water crops precisely is developed. This system effectively manages water usage in farming, resulting in an efficient conservation of water resources. The proposed model is categorized into four main phases: (a) Pre-processing; (b) Clustering; (c) Feature extraction; (d) Classification. Initially, the collected raw data is pre-processed via a data-cleaning approach. From the pre-processed data, DB scan is used to cluster the data. From the clustered data, the important feature is extracted by using statistical features like mean, standard deviation, kurtosis, and skewness. Subsequently, from the extracted features, the most optimal features are selected via a new hybrid meta-heuristic optimization model referred to as Cuckoo search-based Levy adolescent identity search algorithm (CLAIS). The projected CLAIS model is the conceptual amalgamation of the standard Cuckoo search optimization (CSO) and adolescent identity search algorithm (AISA), respectively. CLAIS-based deep Q network (CLAIS-DQN) classifier is used to classify the optimal features. DQN is an efficient solution to offload the request optimally which improves the overall performance of the network. The proposed model is implemented using the PYTHON platform. The proposed model has recorded the highest detection accuracy as 96%.

Maximizing daily rainfall prediction accuracy with maximum overlap discrete wavelet transform‐based machine learning models

AbstractRainfall is an important phenomenon for various aspects of human life and the environment. Accurate prediction of rainfall is crucial for a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, water resources management, energy production, disaster management and many more. The ability to predict rainfall in an accurate fashion enables stakeholders to make informed decisions and take necessary actions to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters, water scarcity and other issues related to rainfall. In addition, advances in rainfall prediction technologies have the potential to contribute to sustainable water management and the preservation of water resources by providing the necessary information for decision‐makers to plan and implement effective water management strategies. Hence, it is important to continuously improve the accuracy of rainfall prediction. In this paper, the integration of the maximum overlap discrete wavelet transform (MODWT) and machine learning algorithms for daily rainfall prediction is proposed. The main objective of this study is to investigate the potential of combining MODWT with various machine‐learning algorithms to increase the accuracy of rainfall prediction and extend the forecast time horizon to 3 days. In addition, the performances of the proposed hybrid models are contrasted with the models hybridized with commonly used discrete wavelet transform (DWT) algorithms in the literature. For this, daily rainfall raw data from three rainfall observation stations located in Turkey are used. The results show that the proposed hybrid MODWT models can effectively improve the accuracy of precipitation forecasting, based on model evaluation measures such as mean square error (MSE) and Nash‐Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency (CE). Accordingly, it can be concluded that the integration of MODWT and machine learning algorithms have the potential to revolutionize the field of daily rainfall prediction.

Agroforestry as a Sustainable Solution for Mitigating Climate Change Impacts and Addressing Water Scarcity in Tunisia: A Review

Agroforestry, as a sustainable land management practice, has garnered attention worldwide for its potential to mitigate climate change impacts and address water scarcity issues. In Tunisia, where climate change-induced stresses are increasingly affecting agriculture and water resources, agroforestry presents a promising solution. This review paper examines the importance of agroforestry in Tunisia within the context of climate change, water shortage, and treated wastewater utilization. By analyzing existing literature and case studies, the paper elucidates the ecological, economic, and social benefits of agroforestry practices in Tunisia. Additionally, it discusses the role of agroforestry in enhancing resilience to climate change, conserving water resources, and utilizing treated wastewater sustainably. Furthermore, the paper evaluates policy support and identifies challenges hindering the widespread adoption of agroforestry in Tunisia. Overall, this review underscores the significance of agroforestry as a multifaceted approach to sustainable land management in Tunisia, offering recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to promote its implementation and integration into national strategies.

Central Asia: the Problem of Water Use in the Situation of the Construction of the Afghan Kush-Tepa Canal

The scarcity of water resources, the lack of equitable access of people to clean water and sanitation services, the insufficiency of technical and financial measures to create advanced systems for the use and conservation of water resources are global problems, but they cause the greatest damage to the states of the Global South, including Central Asia. Problems associated with water shortages in this region will worsen if the Kush-Tepa canal, which is being built in Afghanistan, is uncontrolled.The states of the region are committed to negotiations with the Taliban government in order to agree on cooperation in the field of water use, they are ready to help in the construction of the canal, associated irrigation systems and help in their technical equipment.The Afghan side, accepting verbally the initiatives of its Central Asian partners, insists on its right to use the canal at its own discretion and to the extent that meets its interests. At the same time, the Taliban authorities, not yet recognized by the international community, are trying not to aggravate relations with their neighbors with whom they carry out trade and economic cooperation. The Central Asian countries are making it clear that interaction with the Afghans can further develop if the parties take into account mutual interests. External actors behave differently. Russia offers its services in solving problems related to the operation of the Kush-Tepa Canal. The Americans are providing financial assistance to speed up the construction of the canal.

AI for Sustainable Farming

Abstract: Technology like the AI and IoT have been employed in farming for some time now, along with other forms of cutting-edge computer science. There has been a shift in recent years towards thinking about how to put this new technology to use. Agriculture has provided a large portion of humanity’s sustenance for thousands of years, with its most notable contribution being the widespread use of effective agricultural practices for several crop types. The advent of cutting edge IoT know-hows with the ability for monitoring agricultural ecosystems and guarantee high-quality production is underway. Smart Sustainable Agriculture continues to face formidable hurdles due to the widespread dispersion of agricultural procedures, such as the deployment4/ and administration of IoT and AI devices, sharing of data and administration, interoperability, and analysis and storage of enormous data quantities. The project aims to address pressing global challenges by promoting sustainable agriculture practices. Sustainable agriculture is characterized by its long-term viabilityand ecological compatibility, prioritizing the well-being of both humans and natural resources. It encompasses various techniques and methods that protect soil quality, conserve water resources, enhance biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Design and Control Strategy of an Integrated Floating Photovoltaic Energy Storage System

Floating photovoltaic (FPV) power generation technology has gained widespread attention due to its advantages, which include the lack of the need to occupy land resources, low risk of power limitations, high power generation efficiency, reduced water evaporation, and the conservation of water resources. However, FPV systems also face challenges, such as a significant impact from aquatic environments on the system’s stability and safety and high operational and maintenance costs, leading to large fluctuations in the grid-connected power output. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate energy storage devices with FPV systems to form an integrated floating photovoltaic energy storage system that facilitates the secure supply of power. This study investigates the theoretical and practical issues of integrated floating photovoltaic energy storage systems. A novel integrated floating photovoltaic energy storage system was designed with a photovoltaic power generation capacity of 14 kW and an energy storage capacity of 18.8 kW/100 kWh. The control methods for photovoltaic cells and energy storage batteries were analyzed. The coordinated control of photovoltaic cells was achieved through MPPT control and improved droop control, while the coordinated control of energy storage batteries involved a droop charge–discharge mode, a constant-voltage charging mode, and a standby mode. The simulations were realized in MATLAB/Simulink and the results validated the effectiveness of the coordinated control strategy proposed in this study. The strategy achieved operational stability and efficiency of the integrated photovoltaic energy storage system.

Machine learning modeling of lake chlorophyll content in a data scarce region (Northern Patagonia, Chile): insights for environmental monitoring

Among South America, Chile is highly susceptible to climate change impacts on water resources and ecosystems. Chilean lakes and rivers have been impacted by anthropogenic activities leading to chemical pollution and eutrophication. Concerns for conservation and management of water resources has led to the current development of secondary norms for environmental quality of Northern Patagonian lakes. In this context, we analyze historical limnological databases (1979-2022) for these lakes utilizing Random Forest (RF) models. After filtering, we retained data for 11 lakes including key variables of: dissolved oxygen, electric conductivity, transparency, temperature, pH, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. This dataset yielded robust results, accurately predicting chlorophyll-a content. Furthermore, we added lake geomorphological parameters, enhancing the performance of the model. Our study demonstrates the need to improve long-term monitoring programs, optimizing environmental data recording and decreasing costs. We conclude that the studied lakes generally maintain their oligotrophic characteristics, however further analysis suggests that these lakes are more sensitive to nitrogen loading than phosphorus. Our results highlight the need to implement adaptative management plans at the watershed level to regulate anthropogenic nitrogen contamination (from agriculture, pisciculture and urbanization). The features selected by RF, coupled with the assessment of historical trophic state variation, allow the establishment of permissible concentration thresholds for major nutrients and other sentinel parameters, informing the development of regulations such as the secondary norms for environmental quality. Lastly, the enhanced performance of RF modeling when including geographical parameters unveils the need to standardize and integrate geographical data in monitoring practices.

The water absorption capacity of 21 Sphagnum species

Sphagnum moss (peat moss) is the dominant land plant in peatlands, and it plays an essential role in peatland ecosystems because its remarkable water-holding capacity helps to conserve water resources and maintain the anoxic environment of peatlands. Sphagnum moss exhibits a super ability to absorb water. However, the water absorption capacity of different species and different parts of the same species is not well understood. In this study, we measured the short-term and saturated water absorption of 21 Sphagnum species from China. The results showed that the water absorption capacity of the investigated peat mosses was much higher than that of other bryophytes. Sphagnum imbricatum had the highest saturated water absorption capacity (about 44 times its dry weight), while the peat moss with the lowest saturated water absorption was Sphagnum flexuosum (about 19 times its dry weight). In addition, we determined the relative volume of hyalocysts of the spreading and pendent branch leaves of 18 Sphagnum species and further measured the water absorption capacity of the pendent branch, spreading branch, and stem of six of them. The results revealed that both pendent and spreading branches had strong water absorption capacity and were the primary water-absorbing parts of peat mosses. The water-absorbing capacity of different Sphagnum species was linearly related to the volume of hyalocysts. The results provide an essential scientific basis for selecting high-quality germplasm resources of peat moss.

Simulation and multi-scenario prediction of land-use change in the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin, China

Introduction: The Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin is an important water resource conservation and replenishment area for the entire Yellow River Basin. With urbanization and socio-economic development, it is urgent to study the characteristics of land-use change and its future simulation in order to realize the coordinated ecological and economic development.Methods: Based on the patch-generating land-use simulation (PLUS) model, this paper investigated the main drivers of land-use type expansion with a comprehensive consideration of natural and socio-economic aspects; moreover, the study simulated land-use change in 2030 under the four scenarios of natural development, cultivated land protection, ecological priority, and economic construction.Results: The results showed the following: 1) the prediction of land-use types continued the historical evolution since 1980. Grassland, cultivated land, and forest land were still the dominant land types, accounting for more than 87% of the basin’s total area. Water bodies and wetlands remained relatively stable, and there was an obvious increase of approximately 20% in construction land. 2) Construction land and grassland were primarily driven by the social factor of the distance from the primary road and the distance from the secondary road, respectively. The cultivated land was greatly affected by the economic factor of population density. 3) The cultivated land protection scenario was the only one of the four scenarios that could make the cultivated land area increase positively, with an increase rate of 0.5%. This scenario also restricted effectively the conversion of cultivated land into construction land. The ecological priority scenario can expand grassland obviously with a proportion of 1.82% and slow down oasis desertion. The economic construction scenario can increase the construction land area the most by a rate of 25.5% to accelerate the economic development of specific regions in the study area.Discussion: Therefore, implementing policies on the basis of choosing suitable scenarios in different areas was significant for optimizing the land-use structure, promoting the efficient use of land resources and ecological environment in the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin.

A Paradigm Shift towards Environmental Responsibility in Sustainable Green Tourism and Hospitality

The demand for various cultural experiences and easier access to travel has driven the exponential rise of the global tourism and hospitality industries in recent decades. However, the increased tourism has sparked worries about how it would affect the environment which led to a paradigm change in favour of sustainable methods. The phrase "green tourism" describes a collection of behaviors designed to reduce the adverse effects of tourism-related activities on the environment, society, and culture. This entails implementing eco-friendly programs, encouraging conservation, and cultivating community involvement. Similarly, green hospitality emphasizes eco-friendly procedures in lodging establishments, promoting waste minimization, energy efficiency, and ethical sourcing. The carbon footprint of travel is one of the main issues that green tourism and hospitality attempt to address. With the assistance of carbon offset programs and the promotion of environmentally friendly transportation options, like electric vehicles, the sector is coming to understand the significance of lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the implementation of sustainable building designs, energy-efficient technologies, and renewable energy sources in hospitality facilities helps to reduce their overall environmental effect. An additional crucial component of green tourism is water conservation. Water-saving methods, like low-flow fixtures and effective irrigation systems, are being implemented by accommodations to reduce water usage and safeguard nearby ecosystems. Waste management is essential to reaching sustainability targets in the tourism and hospitality industries. There is a growing movement to reduce the use of single-use plastics, encourage recycling, and establish composting techniques. Establishments promote the circular economy and lessen environmental deterioration by encouraging guests to dispose of waste responsibly. The effectiveness of projects aimed at promoting green tourism depends on community involvement. Forming alliances with nearby communities guarantees equitable distribution of economic gains and promotes a sense of collective accountability for environmental preservation. Moreover, maintaining the uniqueness of sites is aided by fostering cultural sensitivity and respect for local knowledge. To sum up, green tourism and hospitality mark a significant turn in the direction of a more responsible and sustainable sector. The tourist and hospitality industry may make a substantial contribution to environmental preservation by implementing eco-friendly practices, reducing carbon footprints, preserving water resources, handling waste responsibly, and interacting with local people.

Shallow groundwater quality and health risk assessment of fluoride and arsenic in Northwestern Jiangsu Province, China

Assessing groundwater quality is critical to regional water resource conservation and human health safety, especially in areas with co-existence of toxic constituents fluoride (F−) and arsenic (As). In this study, fourteen groundwater samples were collected in Feng County, Northwestern Jiangsu Province to identify dominant contaminants and their spatial distribution and health risk. The composition and variation characteristics of major ions (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, SO42−, HCO3−, and NO3−) and trace elements (F−, As, and Mn) were analyzed. The hydrochemical results revealed that high F− groundwater was mainly distributed in the northern areas whereas As-riched groundwater was primarily distributed in southern areas. Notably, over 85.7% and 21.4% of the shallow groundwater samples exceeded the drinking water quality standard of 1.5 mg/L for F− and 10 µg/L for As, respectively. Based on the water quality index (WQI) appraisal result, 71.4% of the groundwater in the study area is classified as “poor”, and thus unsuitable for drinking directly. We assessed the human non-carcinogenic health risk of F− (HQFluoride) and As (HQArsenic) and the carcinogenic health risk of As (CRArsenic). The calculated hazard quotient (HQ) for F− indicated nearly all groundwater samples have an unacceptable risk (HQ > 1) for each age group. However, HQArsenic values revealed that 28.6%, 21.4%, 21.4%, and 21.4% of groundwater samples posed potential non-carcinogenic health risks for infants, children, females, and males, respectively. The calculated results of CRArsenic showed that 0%, 21.4%, 28.6%, and 28.6% of groundwater samples posed unacceptable health risks (CR > 1.0 × 10−4) to infants, children, females, and males, respectively. The groundwater irrigation suitability assessment results showed that 21.4% of samples were doubtful to unsuitable for irrigation, and 85.7% owed magnesium hazards. The findings of this study will assist policymakers in formulating proper remedial policies and mitigation strategies to ensure the safety of drinking and irrigation water.

Analysis of studies of floodplain habitats in the Northern steppe region of the Dnipro

The history of floodplain research, originating in the 17th century and continuing to the present day, reflects the general trends in botanical science, evolving from sporadic observations to systematic studies. Initially limited to species descriptions and vegetation characteristics, research gradually enriched itself with analysis of ecological interrelationships and the impact of anthropogenic factors. Studies of floodplains in Ukraine have a long history, yet their development has been uneven, often shaped by external factors such as university and scientific institute advancements, botanical gardens, and the construction of hydroelectric power stations and reservoirs, prompting large-scale expeditions. Military actions in the past century have also influenced the progression of research in distinct stages. The current phase is marked by growing interest in these ecosystems, including floodplain in Northern Steppe of the Dniprо region, yet research remains fragmented, focusing on specific biotopes or river valleys. Therefore, further systematic expansion of research based on predecessors' work, its systematization, and supplementation is necessary. This is particularly pertinent amidst global climate change and increasing anthropogenic influence, as the spread of adventive and invasive species negatively impacts these natural complexes and their native biodiversity. Military activities and environmental crimes pose serious threats to floodplains, leading to their degradation and biodiversity loss. Scientific investigations of floodplains are crucial for their contribution to water resource conservation, water regime regulation, and as unique habitats for many rare and vulnerable plant species requiring protection and preservation. Overall, floodplain research represents a significant direction in contemporary botany and ecology, demanding a comprehensive approach for safeguarding these unique natural complexes in the future.

Sector-Level Inter-Provincial Virtual Water Trade in China: Implications for Regional Water Stress

China faces severe water resource shortages due to the uneven distribution of water resources and ever-increasing water demand driven by rapid industrialization and urbanization. The virtual water trade (VWT) is a potential solution to conserve water resources by transferring water from water-abundant/water-productive regions to water-scarce/less water-productive regions. Based on the inter-provincial input-output model, the provincial VWT of China was estimated at the sectoral level. The relationship of VWT with water resources in 30 provinces was analyzed in relation to the water stress index (WSI). It was found that (1) total inter-provincial VW trade showed a downward trend during the study period, with 363.91 km3 in 2002, 283.72 km3 in 2007, and 285.23 km3 in 2012. Overall, the primary industry dominated the VWT for most provinces. (2) China’s virtual water flowed from the relatively underdeveloped central and western regions to the east with a relatively developed economy from the inter-provincial level. This trend became increasingly prominent. (3) In many instances, VW was transferred from water-poor to water-rich areas. These results imply that China needs to improve its water use efficiency and optimize its regional industrial structure. Additionally, establishing an ecological compensation mechanism is considered a valuable measure for China to alleviate regional water resource pressure.

Improving prediction accuracy of CSM-CERES-Wheat model for water and nitrogen response using a modified Penman-Monteith equation in a semi-arid region

Context or problemThe implementation of crop models for water and nitrogen management are important in preserving water resources and reducing groundwater pollution. The Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) is a collection of field-scale process-based crop models that simulate crop growth and yield in response to water and nitrogen management as well as many other factors. Objective or research questionThe objective of this study was to improve the simulation of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer effects on growth and yield of winter wheat using locally modified Penman-Monteith (PM) equation. Specifically, we focused on improving the estimation of ETo using a locally modified Penman-Monteith (PM) equation in the CSM-CERES-Wheat model. MethodsField measured data from a two-year experiment (2009–2010 and 2010–2011) in a semi-arid region were used to calibrate and evaluate the CSM-CERES-Wheat model in a region with strong advective condition. In this experiment, the irrigation treatments were 1.2, 1.0, 0.8, 0.5 times by full irrigation requirements and rain-fed, and nitrogen treatments were 0, 46, 92, and 136 kg N ha−1. ResultsUsing the CSM-CERES-Wheat model with the unmodified PM equation resulted in some growth variables such as: aboveground dry matter, grain yield, and grain nitrogen uptake with high normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) of 0.51, 0.35, and 0.32, respectively. However, using the modified PM equation for ETo module under semi-arid condition improved the soil water content estimation and the model outputs, such as the above ground dry matter, grain yield and grain nitrogen uptake with NRMSE of 0.2, 0.15 and 0.16, respectively, that are accurate. This modification provided more accurate estimations, particularly in our experimental site in semi-aid region with strong advective conditions. ConclusionsThe findings of this study indicated that the locally modified PM equation in the CSM-CERES-Wheat model enhanced the accuracy of estimating irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and yield of winter wheat. By improving the estimation of ETo value, the model's performance in simulating crop responses to water and nitrogen management was significantly enhanced. Implications or significanceThe utilization of the accurately estimated ETo value of the modified PM equation has significant importance in the practical application of the CSM-CERES-Wheat model. Furthermore, this modification greatly enhances the accuracy of model outputs, particularly at our experimental site located in a semi-arid region with robust advective conditions.

Blooms & Bytes Nurturing Garden with Smart Irrigation – Planning

Blooms and Bytes: Nurturing Garden with Smart Irrigation proposes a cutting-edge solution to address the challenges of water scarcity and inefficient irrigation practices in gardens. The project integrates advanced technology to automate and optimize watering processes, ensuring sustainable plant growth while conserving water resources. Through the implementation of hardware components such as solenoid valves, water filters, and pressure pumps, coupled with automation facilitated by microcontrollers and real-time clock modules, the system offers precise control over irrigation schedules. Additionally, a cloud monitoring system enables remote management and monitoring of the garden layout. The project outlines a comprehensive implementation plan, market research insights, and budget considerations, emphasizing the benefits of water conservation, environmental sustainability, and time efficiency. Collaboration with NGOs and funding agencies is sought to support the project's implementation. Overall, the proposed smart irrigation system presents a promising solution to promote eco-friendly gardening practices and contribute to sustainable development goals. Keywords: Water conservation, Automation, Sustainable Technology, Smart irrigation

Hierarchical ZnO/ZnFe2O4 yolk-shell adsorbent as a promising material for phosphate recovery and adsorption of organic pollutants from the simulated wastewater

Mitigation of phosphate contamination is essential to preserve the health and integrity of the water ecosystem. Therefore, to prevent eutrophication and preserve water resources, it is essential to establish an effective and long-lasting phosphate removal process. Herein, a highly efficient and eco-friendly ZnO/ZnFe2O4 (ZZFO) yolk-shell microsphere was designed by the glycothermal method followed by calcination for phosphate removal and adsorption of Congo red (CR) organic dye aqueous solution. ZZFO demonstrated an outstanding Langmuir hypothetical optimum phosphate adsorption ability of 103.2 mg-P/g in batch phosphate adsorption studies. This value is 5.54 and 8 times higher than that of pristine ZnO and Fe2O3, respectively, and the adsorbent was readily removed with the use of an external magnetic field. The anions experiments showed that, except chlorine and fluoride ions, other regular anions have a slight influence on the phosphate adsorption process. The Langmuir and pseudo-second-order model showed excellent correlation constants. Moreover, ZZFO exhibited the capability to adsorb CR aqueous solution, which is a significant finding for aquatic remediation. Our experimental findings have significant implications for the fabrication of sustainable adsorbents for the treatment of wastewater.

Proposal for a tiered regulatory framework for the aquatic risk assessment of pesticides in Brazil.

Aquatic risk assessment is essential to guarantee the sustainable use of pesticides and the conservation of water resources near agricultural fields. This article discusses a proposal for a tiered regulatory framework for the aquatic risk assessment of pesticides in Brazil. The first step is problem formulation, which includes establishing general and specific protection goals. In the exposure assessment, the Estimated Environmental Concentrations in water should be calculated based on realistic worst-case assumptions regarding application rate and frequency, the entry into the edge-of-field water body, and fate in the water body, using scenario-dependent models suggested by the Brazilian Environmental Agency. These calculations can be refined by including Efate studies with variable exposures to reflect realistic environmental conditions accurately and include mitigation measures that impact the modeling. In the hazard assessment, ecotoxicological data for toxicity to fish, aquatic invertebrates, algae, and aquatic plants should be required for all pesticides based on standardized protocols and species. Tier 2 has several refinement options, including incorporating toxicity data from additional test species and effect modeling. In Tier 3, population- and community-level effects are evaluated using semi-field studies. Considering the case study in Brazil, Tier 1 demonstrated that, from the 12 pesticides that were assessed, seven (58%) failed based on the value of the Risk Quotient. In Tier 2, when exposure refinement options and mitigation measures such as buffer zones are considered, all seven pesticides, for which Tier 1 indicated risk, still failed the assessment. The risk for four of these seven pesticides could be refined by considering toxicity information from additional species. Refinement options and mitigation measures that could be applied to the agricultural scenario in Brazil were discussed. In conclusion, the proposed tiered risk assessment is a feasible way to evaluate whether a pesticide will pose an unacceptable risk to aquatic organisms. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1514-1528. © 2024 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).