Articles tagged with Groundwater
Researchers at OU WaTER Center address global water dilemmas with focus on climate change, treatment and cleanup methods. The Center's work has impact in four areas: teaching, research, service, and international leadership.
A new sensor developed by ORNL can detect chlorinated hydrocarbons in water with high accuracy and low cost, reducing the need for lengthy laboratory testing. The system combines membrane extraction and ion mobility analysis to provide a single, compact device for on-site monitoring of groundwater contaminants.
USDA ARS scientists collaborated with NRC experts to model radioactive material movement in the vadose zone. They found that gaps in fine-material layers significantly affect tracer transport in soils and shallow groundwater.
Recent AGU research finds prolonged low solar activity will not offset global warming, with a potential temperature decrease of only 0.3 degrees Celsius in 2100. Heat waves have also increased in the Mediterranean region since 1960, with significant increases in number, length, and intensity.
A new study reveals that springs in the Edwards Plateau have increased their stream flows by twice as much as prior to 1950, contradicting common assumptions. The recovery of the landscape from intensive livestock grazing has led to an increase in groundwater recharge and spring flow.
Researchers pinpoint the origin of dissolved arsenic in Bangladesh's drinking water to ponds excavated for village construction and irrigated agriculture. The study suggests that these ponds mobilize organic carbon, leading to arsenic dissolution in groundwater, with rice fields acting as a buffer but also contributing to arsenic levels.
Researchers found that employees participating in a large-scale worksite wellness program had significantly reduced absenteeism days due to illness. The study also estimated cost savings of $414.90 per employee per year.
The world will need a 'Blue Revolution' to address the massive pressure on its water resources due to population growth, changing diets, and climate change. Investments in water can reduce poverty and improve agricultural productivity by refurbishing irrigation systems and promoting rainfed agriculture.
A new analysis by Oregon State University researchers highlights the scope of the US groundwater crisis, which threatens drinking water for half the world's population. Experts say lessons from the oil industry could help manage this crisis through techniques like unitization and maximizing water value.
Researchers are empowering Bengali women and children to identify contaminated water sources, helping them make informed decisions about where to dig wells. They're also providing testing kits to detect high levels of arsenic in the water.
Research papers published in Geophysical Research Letters highlight a surge in Arctic ozone-destroying gas levels and the discovery of lunar subsurface features. Climate models are also being revised to account for ozone variations, improving our understanding of atmospheric interactions.
Researchers at North Carolina State University are using phytoremediation to clean up a contaminated site in Elizabeth City, N.C. through the planting of fast-growing trees like hybrid poplars and willows. The process has shown promising results, with fuel levels decreasing faster than anticipated.
Using NASA satellite data, scientists found that groundwater levels in northern India have been declining by as much as one foot per year over the past decade. Human activities such as irrigation are being blamed for this loss, which is equivalent to filling Lake Mead three times.
A recent study using satellite data has found that groundwater in northern India has been receding by up to 1 foot per year over the past decade, primarily due to human consumption for irrigation. This depletion poses a significant threat to the region's agricultural output, potable water supplies, and social stability.
A team of Queen's scientists will train thousands of people in Eastern India on a novel chemical-free arsenic removal method over the next three years. The program aims to empower local communities to manage natural resources and address deeply entrenched arsenic contamination of groundwater.
A new study aims to improve understanding of plutonium transport in groundwater, which is crucial for addressing radionuclide contamination at Department of Energy (DOE) sites. The research will use advanced techniques to measure minute amounts of plutonium and identify geochemical processes controlling its mobility.
A new instrument, MTDEM, uses induction to generate electrical currents in the ground, detecting subsurface water on Mars. The system has potential to find habitable zones for microbes and unlock secrets of Mars' ancient surface.
Recent research includes the documentation of Holocene rupture on major faults in Lake Tahoe Basin and evidence for a large paleolake in Western Desert, Egypt. A study on groundwater system in southern Colorado Plateau-Arizona Transition Zone also sheds light on seismic hazards in western Washington State.
A Canada-wide sustainability framework is crucial for managing groundwater, as climate change and increasing demands threaten its quality and quantity. The Council of Canadian Academies recommends provincial, territorial, and federal cooperation to build scientific knowledge and improve governance.
Researchers found that bacteria in the soil and sediment of river basins in Asia convert iron and arsenic into a form that readily dissolves in water, contaminating groundwater. This discovery has significant implications for policymakers trying to reverse the mass poisoning crisis.
Engineers at the University of Leeds have discovered a method to clean contaminated water by adding vinegar, stimulating the growth of naturally-occurring bacteria that alter chemical make-up of chromium compounds. This treatment reduces the risk of cancer, kidney problems, and other health issues associated with chromate chemicals.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that ancient groundwater in Jordan's Disi aquifer contains up to 20 times the safe level of radiation, threatening long-term human consumption. To make it safe, experts recommend diluting or treating the water with technologies like ion exchange and desalination.
Researchers find methanol enhances uranium reduction in contaminated ground water and sediment. Methanol use results in almost complete uranium reduction compared to ethanol or glucose, suggesting potential for improved long-term bioremediation stability.
Researchers investigated ancient soils in Big Bend National Park, Texas, and found increased chemical weathering during the initial Eocene thermal maximum. The study suggests that increased humidity and CO2 levels led to hydrolysis reactions, potentially serving as a negative feedback to reduce atmospheric CO2.
A new USGS study published in the Journal of Environmental Quality shows that pesticide contamination in groundwater has decreased over the past decade. Only six compounds were detected in ground water from at least 10 wells during the study period, with concentrations less than 0.12 parts per billion.
A nationwide study found statistically significant increases in nitrate concentrations in 7 of 24 well networks, with median concentrations exceeding the USEPA maximum contaminant level. The study highlights the importance of long-term monitoring programs to protect ground water quality.
Researchers have installed a sophisticated monitoring array near the Hanford Site to investigate uranium plume contamination. The array will enable comprehensive characterization of the subsurface and provide insights into the processes contributing to persistent groundwater contamination.
Scientists have made significant progress in understanding the impact of dust on climate, with a new study using CALIPSO data to map global dust distribution. Another study found that a new Earth System Model can better represent global climate effects in the Amazon basin. Additionally, researchers have identified key dust sources in A...
The Gaza Strip's drinking water has been found to contain high levels of nitrate, posing a significant risk to infant health. The contamination is primarily attributed to the use of manure and wastewater in farming practices.
The USGS conducted a holistic study on agricultural chemicals in the environment, collecting field data and employing numerical models to simulate water and chemical transport. The results show that modifications to agricultural practices can profoundly alter chemical transport rates, affecting contaminant dilution and transformation.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered the structure of plutonium nanoclusters, which are responsible for contaminating groundwater. The clusters, made up of 38 plutonium atoms, can spread contamination further than expected and are difficult to remove.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed genetically engineered poplar plants capable of taking up to 91% of trichloroethylene, a common groundwater contaminant. The transgenic plants can break down pollutants into harmless byproducts at rates 100 times faster than unaltered plants.
Simulated climate change scenarios show varying effects on groundwater recharge, with some areas experiencing dramatic increases and others minor changes. The study highlights the importance of considering both surface and underground climate impacts in resource management and government policies.
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois found that tetracycline resistance genes migrate from hog waste lagoons into groundwater wells, often diluting or amplifying these genes. The study, published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, tracks the passage of these genes across species and environments.
A four-year study found that sunn hemp cover crop significantly reduces contamination levels of atrazine and its products in groundwater. The use of sunn hemp can help mitigate the risk of groundwater contamination in Southern Florida, where soil and water conditions indicate potential for leaching from atrazine-based herbicides.
A US EPA study found that wider vegetated borders around streams are the most effective way to protect wetlands from nitrogen pollution. The study showed that wide buffers (>50 meters) removed more nitrogen than narrow buffers (0-25 meters), and that herbaceous and forest vegetation were more effective when wider.
A new University of Georgia study reveals that sewage-contaminated groundwater is contaminating coral reefs up to six miles offshore in the Upper Florida Keys. The study found common fecal indicator bacteria and human viruses in surface water, groundwater, and corals.
The Department of Energy has awarded $27.5 million for two field research studies to investigate contaminated groundwater at the Hanford Site in Washington and a uranium mill tailings site in Colorado. The studies aim to identify new approaches to resolve questions about subsurface contaminant movement.
Researchers from Boston University used satellite topographic data to discover an ancient mega-lake in the Darfur province of northwestern Sudan. The lake, which existed for a long period when rainfall was plentiful, holds significant implications for improving knowledge of continental climate change and regional palaeohydrology.
Researchers Twan Gielen designed a simulation programme to study the interactions between oil and water in a controlled environment. The model shows how capillary pressure affects oil and water movement, providing insights into contaminated groundwater behaviour.
A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researchers has found significant amounts of dissolved mercury entering coastal waters through groundwater, contrary to previous assumptions. The discovery has implications for understanding the environmental impact of mercury pollution and its effects on marine ecosystems.
A team of researchers led by Susan Cozzens is working to improve water supply and sanitation in developing countries. They aim to create new approaches to water supply and sanitation, focusing on storing, treating, and disinfecting water, as well as developing sanitation systems that minimize pathogen release.
The American Chemical Society's Environmental Science & Technology journal highlights emerging contaminants such as nanoparticles, which can damage DNA, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which accumulate in aquatic food chains. These substances can have severe consequences for human health and the environment.
A Princeton-led research group found an isolated community of bacteria nearly two miles underground that derives all its energy from the decay of radioactive rocks. The bacteria's ability to thrive in extreme conditions suggests life might exist on other worlds, including Mars.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a new catalyst that efficiently removes and destroys harmful perchlorate in contaminated groundwater. The catalyst, composed of palladium and rhenium supported on activated carbon, operates at room temperature and can eliminate perchlorate altogether.
Researchers develop a sophisticated computer model to combine individual, small-scale simulations and analyze real-world problems on the pore scale. This advancement enables more accurate predictions of contaminant movement and fate in groundwater.
Researchers will investigate the health effects of arsenic exposure in groundwater, particularly in New England and South Asia, with a focus on children's health. The grant renewal aims to mitigate public health problems associated with arsenic contamination.
A new mathematical model, devised by Phil Ham, calculates the size of a polluted groundwater plume and assesses natural degradation capacity. This scientifically-supported method enables predictions about the effectiveness of natural degradation as an alternative to aquifer remediation.
A hydrological mapping study found that the Judea Group Aquifer in Israel's desert has an average yearly volume of 100 million cubic meters, with only 20% currently used. The remaining water could supply 5% of Israel's total freshwater needs and meet the potable water needs of several towns at a lower cost.
A team of Rutgers University researchers has made a breakthrough in finding a microbial approach to clean up MTBE contaminated groundwater. By employing carbon isotope fractionation, the team can identify the key bacteria capable of breaking down MTBE and potentially speed up the process.
Researchers suggest that effective delta and wetland management is crucial for reducing vulnerability to hurricanes. By combining wetland restoration and flood-protection efforts, levees can be used more effectively to protect high-value infrastructure, allowing humans to continue living in precarious coastal communities.
Researchers developed effective methods to remove arsenic from drinking water using zero-valent iron and granular titanium dioxide adsorbent. The studies demonstrated that high DO content and low solution pH increase iron corrosion, while TiO2 adsorbent is very effective for removing arsenic in groundwater.
Researchers study bacteria's sticking efficiencies on minerals using atomic force microscopes, revealing the impact of pH levels on stickiness. The findings have implications for understanding toxin mobility in geosystems.
Hydrologists use a simple apparatus of ¼-inch-diameter plastic tubing to collect groundwater samples along the Columbia River's edge. The aquifer tube method provides an accurate picture of vertical distribution of contaminants in groundwater, allowing for effective monitoring at difficult-to-access sites.
Researchers detected high concentrations of MTBE in ground water throughout the Northeast US, particularly in urban areas. These findings highlight the potential health risks associated with low levels of MTBE in drinking water.
Researchers discovered Geobacter's ability to transfer electrons outside cells through microbial nanowires. These ultrafine conductive structures could enable mini-power grids and nano-manufacturing.
Researchers at Rice University and Georgia Institute of Technology developed bimetallic nanoparticles that can break down TCE, a toxic organic pollutant found in US groundwater. The particles increase the efficiency of TCE remediation by several orders of magnitude compared to bulk catalysts.
A new study by OHSU researchers suggests that two types of iron nanoparticles can effectively degrade carbon tetrachloride, a toxic contaminant in groundwater. The study found that one type of nanoparticle quickly and effectively broke down carbon tetrachloride into harmless products.
A study by Kevin Svitana found that an underground aquifer containing toxic chemicals is being kept trapped beneath old riverbeds, preventing them from reaching the Ohio River. The unique interaction between the aquifer and river appears to be due to the presence of permeable sands and gravels in the subsurface geology.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are investigating the transport of arsenic in a headwater stream adjacent to an old mine site. The team has discovered that groundwater is releasing arsenic into the stream, but some of it is being retained in the streambed.