Articles tagged with Groundwater
A new study reveals how cannabis farming in California's Emerald Triangle is changing streams by pumping groundwater for irrigation. Researchers found that this practice can cause seasonal streams to stop flowing up to five weeks earlier and dry out streams that normally flow year-round, threatening salmon habitat.
Two Lehigh University AI projects have been selected for funding from the Department of Energy's Genesis Mission. The RIVER-AI project will improve flood- and water-level prediction, while the REACT project aims to accelerate reactor-scale fusion energy by developing an AI-enabled digital twin. These awards strengthen Lehigh University...
Researchers found that when bedding strata incline above the topographic slope, rainwater infiltrates deep into the subsurface through fractures. In contrast, on dip slopes with aligned bedding direction, landslide landforms develop due to rapid runoff after rainfall events.
A recent study reveals that over 90% of the Mar Menor's key nutrients degrading the ecosystem come from recirculated underground flows, not traditional sources like streams or groundwater. This discovery highlights a previously overlooked pathway of contamination and its impact on eutrophication episodes.
Researchers at the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa have discovered large volumes of natural hydrogen in the Canadian Shield, which could provide a domestic source of cost-effective energy. The study suggests that harnessing this resource could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support local industry hubs.
A high-resolution model developed by University of Pennsylvania researchers shows that river levels once expected every 50 years now occur every few years due to climate change. The 1-in-100-year threshold marks a tipping point when flooding spreads rapidly across the urban landscape.
A study by Dartmouth researchers shows that annual rainfall is increasingly concentrated into bigger and wetter storms with longer dry periods in between. This means less water is available for land, soil can only absorb so much at once, and what's not soaked up evaporates more readily.
Snow cover on Greek mountains has declined by 58% over the past four decades due to rising temperatures. The research found that warmer air causes more precipitation to fall as rain instead of snow at high altitudes.
Researchers discovered that the river flowed into an upstream lake before flowing into the Grand Canyon, marking its transition to a continental-scale river. The study provides new insights into the formation of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River's path.
A recent study reveals that over-abstraction of groundwater and rising sea levels are causing significant changes in coastal groundwater levels globally. The study, which analyzed data from approximately 480,000 wells, found that more than 20% of coastal areas showed significant changes in groundwater levels between 1990 and 2024.
The Re-Analysis of Water for Society (RAWS) project seeks to create a detailed daily record of the world's freshwater systems spanning 60 years. By combining advanced water modeling with artificial intelligence and integrated global datasets, RAWS aims to provide a clearer picture of how water systems have changed over time.
Researchers found that most successful initiatives incorporated multiple intervention categories, with over 80% involving alternative water sources. Implementing policies and environmental markets were also effective strategies. The study highlights the importance of multi-pronged approaches to address declining groundwater resources.
Two-thirds of private wells in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area are not formally registered, posing a risk to groundwater consumption. The area is contaminated by toxic industrial waste, including chlorinated solvents used for cleaning machines.
Researchers used airborne electromagnetic surveys to characterize a deep freshwater reservoir beneath Farmington Bay and Antelope Island. The study revealed that freshwater saturates the sediments beneath the lake's hypersaline surface to depths of 3-4 kilometers, extending towards the interior of the lake.
Researchers deploy electrical resistivity tomography to characterize subsurface groundwater under the playa, revealing a complex patchwork of fresh and salty aquifers. The study aims to understand the groundwater's volume and flux, advancing knowledge of terminal lakes and their ecological importance.
Conventional oil and gas infrastructure leaves a deeper mark on freshwater biodiversity than shale gas development in Pennsylvania, according to a new study. The research analyzed over 6,800 benthic macroinvertebrate samples and found conventional development was linked with fewer species and a decline in ecosystem health.
A new collaborative study evaluates potential dust control measures for the Great Salt Lake, considering effectiveness, cost, water demand, maintenance needs, and ecological impacts. The analysis emphasizes the importance of long-term planning, sustained maintenance, and careful consideration of unintended consequences.
An international team has successfully documented and sampled freshened water within a zone nearly 200 metres thick beneath the ocean floor. This discovery sheds light on offshore freshened groundwater systems and their relevance to coastal communities relying on groundwater for freshwater supply.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that some bottled water contains significantly higher levels of microplastics than tap water. The study used a novel method for detecting tiny particles and analyzed water samples from four treatment plants near Lake Erie and six different brands of bottled water.
A new tool estimates how much water plants draw from groundwater, helping managers plan for sustainable water use and protect habitats. The tool takes into account factors like soil, climate, and plant growth, providing insights into the impact of changing precipitation and temperature on ecosystems.
A recent study found that nearly every major river delta is experiencing subsidence, with at least some portion sinking faster than the sea level in 18 of the 40 deltas examined. This phenomenon poses a significant threat to the lives of over 236 million people, particularly in regions such as the Mekong and Nile river systems.
New research reveals that land subsidence caused by humans is the main culprit behind delta sinking, posing increased flooding risk to 236 million people. The study identifies groundwater extraction as the dominant cause of subsidence, highlighting the need for urgent local interventions.
Researchers at Princeton University and the University of Arizona created a detailed map of groundwater levels across the US using direct measurements and AI methods. The map estimates 306,000 cubic kilometers of water, more than 13 times the volume of all Great Lakes combined.
A team of geoscientists has identified a massive underground reservoir of freshwater beneath the Great Salt Lake, extending thousands of feet below the playa. The aquifer is believed to contain water dating back to the Ice Age, which could provide a new source for restoring lakebed crusts and reducing dust storms.
Researchers traced nitrate pollution in the Yangtze River Delta using an integrated multi-tracer approach. Manure was identified as a dominant source of nitrate in traditional agricultural areas, while aquaculture effluent emerged as a main pollutant in industrialized zones.
A University of Arizona-led study finds that PFAS contamination in drinking water costs the US at least $8 billion annually in social costs, with negative impacts on infant health and long-term economic benefits from cleanup and regulation.
A new study found the Rio Grande basin is severely depleted, with only half of used water being replenished by natural processes. The primary cause of overconsumption is irrigated agriculture, particularly cattle-feed crops like alfalfa and grass hay.
A team of researchers, led by Lijing Wang, used field data and modeling to explore the factors influencing mountain headwater streams. They found that evergreen forests act as a buffer for excessive snowmelt flow, while subsurface conditions like permeability control streamflow dynamics.
The Willcox Basin in Arizona is experiencing rapid subsidence due to excessive groundwater pumping for irrigation, with some areas sinking at rates of up to six inches per year. State management efforts, such as declaring an Active Management Area, may help slow subsidence and improve water levels.
A new University of California, Davis study finds that drought in California pushes the price of water from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs up by $487 per acre-foot, more than triple the cost during an average wet year. Managing groundwater and surface water together could keep water prices steady and support the state's economy.
Researchers track benthic nutrient fluxes using a new device called CAROSEL, which measures nitrogen released from sediments in real-time. The findings reveal daily rhythms in oxygen fluxes and highlight the importance of understanding sediment-water interactions in managing aquatic ecosystems.
A new study finds that gradual land subsidence poses a growing threat to buildings across India's largest cities. Over 2,400 structures in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai are already at high risk of damage, while up to 23,529 buildings could face very high risk if current trends continue for the next 50 years.
Researchers found 'roof drainage' to be the main cause of radioactive cesium flow, with baseflow varying by air temperature. The study provides insights for improving monitoring systems and environmental management.
A study published in Water Resources Research reveals that human groundwater pumping has depleted Tucson-area aquifers more than natural climate variation over the past few decades. The research team reconstructed groundwater ages, recharge rates, and water table depths using chemical and isotopic markers.
Researchers at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa identified Caulobacter inopinatus, a previously unknown species found in seawater collected near Oʻahu's south shore. The discovery highlights the connection between land and sea ecosystems through microbial exchanges.
A study by Brazilian scientists predicts that climate change will significantly impact the country's underground reservoirs, reducing groundwater supply across Brazil. This will increase the risk of water shortages in several regions, especially the Southeast and South.
Non-compliance with law facilitated by errors in environmental licensing has led to the loss of over 580,000 hectares of native vegetation. Cerrado wetlands perform crucial hydrological functions and are essential natural reservoirs that maintain river flow through groundwater.
The EU's Farm to Fork strategy aims to halve the nitrogen surplus by 2030 but calculations show a 10-16% reduction is necessary. Countries like Germany and the Netherlands would need to reduce fertilizer use, while others might see yield losses, impacting food production.
A recent study in Nature Geoscience offers important new insights into the hidden role of ancient groundwater beneath the ocean floor. Researchers found that fossil groundwater changed its composition after the retreat of the Fennoscandian ice sheet, becoming vulnerable to mixing with seawater.
The study reveals that grasslands adopt more aggressive strategies than forests when facing water shortages, with plants in grasslands using water aggressively until it's gone. In contrast, forests adopt more conservative strategies, cutting back on water use early to avoid disaster.
A new global study reveals unprecedented freshwater loss since 2002, with four continental-scale mega-drying regions in the northern hemisphere. The findings warn of severe consequences for water security, agriculture, and sea level rise.
A University of Florida team will create a decision-support system to help local leaders make science-based choices on land use, infrastructure, and climate adaptation. The project aims to reduce flood risk and protect groundwater using nature-based strategies.
New research reveals that lakes relying on groundwater connections maintain stable water levels and buffer climate change impacts. Shallow lakes are vulnerable to rising temperatures and reduced rainfall due to high evaporation rates.
Researchers developed a nonlinear model that captures plants' dynamic response to water stress, revealing 'water spenders' and 'water savers.' The model improves climate predictions and informs water management, providing insights into plant adaptations and soil drydowns.
A new study found that submarine groundwater discharge increases nutrient availability, alters seawater acidity, and impacts coral skeleton calcification. This research provides insights into the complex interactions between land and ocean, highlighting the importance of keeping groundwater free of contaminants for coral reef health.
New research from Tulane University finds that global riverine mercury pollution has more than doubled since the pre-industrial era, with primary drivers including wastewater discharge, soil erosion, and industrial activities. This increase poses significant health risks to humans and wildlife through consumption of contaminated fish.
A new study uses satellite imagery to identify where winter floods occur in California's Central Valley, revealing areas of high flood risk and potential for groundwater recharge. The research aims to improve flood risk awareness and inform strategies for redirecting floodwaters to replenish depleted aquifers.
Gold mining in the Amazon depletes land of its water, creating harsh conditions where replanted seedlings can't survive. Researchers suggest flattening sand piles and filling in ponds could improve moisture retention and boost regrowth.
A study by Virginia Tech found that all 28 major US cities are sinking, with 20-65% of urban areas affected, impacting structural integrity and flood risks. The research highlights the importance of integrating land subsidence monitoring into urban planning policies to mitigate infrastructure risks.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a way to reduce fluid pressure in the geothermal reservoir under Campi Flegrei, leading to earthquakes. By managing surface runoff and water flow, they aim to prevent cyclic unrest altogether.
Researchers from the University of the Basque Country's MikroIker group explored microorganism diversity in Añana Salt Valley springs using molecular techniques. They found that archaea predominate in salty waters and bacteria in brackish waters, with similar microbiological profiles between similarly salinated waters.
Computer simulations show that captured CO2 can be permanently stored underground by mixing with groundwater, creating a denser liquid that sinks and remains there. Suitable geological conditions, such as impermeable rock layers and porous aquifers, are necessary for effective CO2 storage.
A study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and collaborators in Arizona and Colorado found notable groundwater gains in Central Arizona despite long-term water stress. The policies have helped bank over 25 cubic kilometers of groundwater from 1989-2019, but the Colorado River faces uncertain future due to climate change.
Dr. Rita Okoroafor's research integrates geochemistry, geomechanics, and reservoir engineering to improve understanding of fluid-rock interactions in subsurface technologies. Her work enhances hydrogen storage efficiency, optimizes geothermal reservoir performance, and improves CO2 storage security.
Experts at Flinders University are calling for a new approach to water security on Pacific islands, where rising sea levels threaten local water supplies. Infiltration galleries, which extract fresh groundwater from shallow depths, may provide a solution, but more research is needed on their optimal design and performance.
A recent PNAS study suggested Mars has a significant amount of liquid water in its mid-crust, but LASP Senior Research Scientist Bruce Jakosky challenges this conclusion. Using InSight mission data, the team found that the presence of water is not required by the data.
The ARRAKIS project team aims to understand how microbial life thrives in extreme environments by studying the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes in Alaska. Researchers will use Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to identify and quantify organic compounds and measure ATP and total DNA.
New Jersey Institute of Technology biologist Xiaonan Tai receives a $1.16 million NSF CAREER Award to study how groundwater influences forest survival during climate stress, integrating ecology and hydrology perspectives.
A USC study has found a drastic increase in building collapses in Alexandria, Egypt, due to rising sea levels and seawater intrusion. The researchers used a three-pronged approach to assess the impact of shoreline changes on the city's buildings.
A study of 17,972 wells in Brazil reveals that more than half of the country's rivers could suffer reduced flow due to groundwater seepage. The São Francisco River basin and MATOPIBA region are particularly critical areas, with intensive agricultural activity and climate change exacerbating the problem.