Articles tagged with Freshwater Resources
A recent review study led by UT Austin examines the planet's freshwater supplies and strategies for sustainably managing them. The study emphasizes the importance of recognizing surface water and groundwater as a single resource to ensure future water resilience.
Researchers argue that polders are an important part of China's water heritage, reflecting the country's long history of water management. Over 2,500 years, polders have evolved in response to changing societal needs, adapting to agricultural modernisation and urban encroachment.
Scientists from Okayama University used environmental DNA (eDNA) to survey the distribution and population density of the endangered bitterling fish in Japan. They found that eDNA concentrations vary according to the downstream channel distance, providing a reference for conservation surveys.
The UN reports that roughly 50,000 large dams worldwide will lose an estimated 23% to 28% of their combined original storage capacity by 2050, resulting in a loss of around 1.65 trillion cubic meters of water. This loss will undermine water security, irrigation, power generation, and other essential services.
Researchers found that rusty center pivots indicate a lack of nitrate in the groundwater they feed. In fact, most wells supplying full-rust and part-rust pivots had nitrate concentrations below the EPA's safety threshold. However, some part-rust pivots showed higher nitrate levels, highlighting the need for further investigation.
A new study of thousands measures daily water intake and turnover in people worldwide, revealing significant variations. The study found that physical activity level, sex, age, and environmental factors drive differences in water consumption.
Researchers warn of impending 35-60 year droughts in western US unless greenhouse gas emissions are curbed to limit warming to 2.5 degrees Celsius. Mountain snowpack is shrinking due to global warming, threatening agriculture, ecosystem support, and urban water supplies.
A new study reconstructs streamflow data for the Colorado River up to 800 years into the past, revealing an unmatched second-century drought. Compared to current drought levels, this 22-year period had only 68% of average water flow.
A multidisciplinary project aims to develop a decision-making tool to estimate the risk of water contamination in flooded areas. The research team will collect public data and conduct field work to test their approach in small study areas, ultimately enabling Québec to reduce health risks by better protecting water quality.
The Bureau of Reclamation released a new report evaluating current and emerging snow measurement technologies to enhance water supply forecasting. The report identifies under-utilized emerging technologies with potential to improve forecast accuracy in the near term.
A study published in AGU Advances found that water depletion from rivers and lakes accelerates near urban centers due to factors like increased evaporation and groundwater exploitation. Researchers analyzed satellite imagery of the US from 1984 to 2018 and developed a model predicting surface water loss proximity to cities.
A new atlas measures the movement and thickness of over 250,000 mountain glaciers worldwide, revealing a mixed picture of the globe's ice-bound freshwater resources. The research suggests there is 20% less ice available for sea level rise than previously thought, with significant implications for water availability and climate change.
The Bureau of Reclamation has invested $1.6 million in nine innovative desalination technologies aiming to make water treatment more affordable and sustainable. The projects focus on reducing energy requirements and environmental impacts, providing communities with a new source of usable water.
Researchers found that tides play a crucial role in modulating groundwater discharge and coastal salinity, especially during low rainfall periods. Heavy rains and tropical cyclones also impact submarine groundwater discharge, with significant effects on coastal ecosystems and aquaculture.
Research reveals Arctic rivers are discharging much more water than previously thought, with acceleration up to three times higher than estimated. The RADR project assimilates satellite information into hydrologic models for the entire pan-Arctic region.
Researchers emphasize the need for monitoring drinking water for HIV medications, as they can contaminate rivers and streams through wastewater. The lack of regulation on pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants poses a significant challenge in ensuring safe drinking water.
Research led by VUB team shows that global changes in lake temperature and ice cover are caused by human-induced climate change, posing a threat to water quality and native fish species.
A new five-year research project led by Thomas Neeson aims to model the impacts of conservation incentives on farmers in the Red River basin. The study will help understand how voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs can be effectively designed to promote sustainable water use.
Researchers identify commercialized Membrane Distillation as a green solution for clean, drinkable water. The technique overcomes Reverse Osmosis limitations and provides safe drinking water while managing brines, keeping the environment safe.
A study by North Carolina State University found that surface waters in eastern North Carolina were more likely to face dual contamination from human and swine waste after Hurricane Florence. The presence of Arcobacter, a pathogen not associated with human or swine fecal markers, was also discovered.
Research in the southern Murray-Darling Basin has found a downward spiral in water availability, driven by accelerated changes in climate. Since the 1990s, cool season rainfall and river heights have significantly decreased due to increased evaporation and changed precipitation patterns.
Researchers have mapped a vast freshwater reservoir off the coast of Hawaii Island, revealing a new mechanism for transporting freshwater from onshore to offshore aquifers. This discovery has significant implications for sustainable development on volcanic islands, potentially providing alternative renewable resources.
Flinders University researchers have found a way to convert marine waste into valuable dietary proteins and products. The study suggests that sea cucumbers and other marine animals can be used as a source of protein-rich nutrients.
A novel bacteria effectively removes nitrogen from salty wastewater, suggesting a potential solution for sewage treatment from seawater-based toilets. This finding could help alleviate pressure on freshwater resources as the world's population is expected to grow to 10 billion by 2050.
Tapping into ocean freshwater resources could threaten onshore aquifer systems, lead to diminished groundwater availability and cause land subsidence. This could have devastating effects on coastal population centers, especially in densely populated areas.
Researchers used quantitative spatial modeling to explore the relationship between ahu construction locations and subsistence resources on Rapa Nui. The study found that ahu locations are consistently linked to proximity to freshwater sources, suggesting a critical role for water availability in ancient island society.
Sea-level rise and wave-driven flooding will make freshwater resources non-potable, threatening human populations on low-lying atoll islands. The tipping point for unavailability of potable groundwater is projected to be reached by the middle of the 21st century.
A new study estimates that global inland fishery harvests may be as high as 12 million tons per year, far exceeding previous estimates. This could significantly contribute to global food security and economic stability, as well as provide valuable resources for recreation and tourism.
A new study found that tropical groundwater is replenished disproportionately from heavy rainfalls, making it a climate-resilient source of freshwater. The long-term viability of these resources relies on the replenishment of groundwater supplies.
A new study found that global energy demand has an adverse impact on freshwater resources in less developed nations. The research highlights the need to consider the full range of consequences of the world's demand for energy when designing policies.
A study by University of Toronto researchers highlights areas requiring further conservation due to human impact on freshwater resources. The Canadian watershed regions with the most risk from declining biodiversity are prioritized for monitoring and management.
Michigan State University scientists have developed a pioneering landscape limnology approach that integrates freshwater lakes, streams, and wetlands. This framework uses GIS data and models to provide science-based tools for managing and protecting these bodies of water.