Articles tagged with Groundwater
A new technology that can quickly remove and destroy hazardous PFAS compounds from soil and groundwater has been developed by a team of scientists at the University of Rhode Island. The process, called XCT OxyZone, uses a combination of a sugar molecule and chemical oxidation to break down the compounds.
A recent study led by UC Santa Barbara's Marc Mayes investigates how patterns in tree water loss to the atmosphere relates to groundwater supplies. The results validate at landscape-wide scales ideas that scientists have proposed based on decades of research.
A new research group at the University of Oldenburg is studying subsurface processes on North Sea beaches with high waves and strong tides. The team aims to assess the importance of these underground habitats for coastal ecosystems and global carbon, nutrient, and trace element cycling.
A McGill University-led research team analyzed over 200,000 groundwater samples and found that current guidelines may need revision to reflect modern uses and technologies. The study suggests that existing wells already encroach on 'bases of fresh water' and brackish waters exist within current groundwater basins.
A team of scientists analyzed processes in the root zone to determine nitrogen fate. They found nearly 75% of Europe's agricultural land vulnerable to nitrate leaching during critical months. This study provides more precise information for risk management and adjusting fertiliser regimes.
A new regional model predicts uranium contamination in California's Central Valley aquifers based on calcium concentrations and soil alkalinity. The study suggests that water managers can forecast solutions by including data about soil properties when generating aquifer vulnerability maps for naturally occurring contaminants like uranium.
A new study by Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg reveals that Bavarian groundwater has warmed considerably over the past few decades. The findings show that groundwater temperatures at depths of 20 metres are almost one degree warmer on average than in the 1990s, correlating with a 1.05 degrees Celsius rise in air temperature.
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.
A remote monitoring tool has been developed to predict geological movement and groundwater flow in old coalfields. The tool uses satellite radar imagery to capture millimetre-scale measurements of changes in terrain height, allowing for the monitoring and forecasting of groundwater levels and changes in geological conditions.
Researchers highlight PFAS' widespread presence in the environment, bioaccumulation risks, and difficulty in remediation. Health effects may include increased cancer rates, hormonal disruption, and immune responses.
Researchers have discovered microplastics in groundwater, which can contaminate drinking water sources and harm ecosystems. The presence of microplastics in groundwater has been linked to increased toxicity and bioaccumulation, posing a significant risk to human health and the environment.
Researchers are working to determine how severe coastal storms contribute to water pollution in beach aquifers. The team will use computerized sensors installed at sites along the shoreline to measure groundwater flow and track the effects of saltwater intrusion.
Research led by University of Hawai'i at Mānoa scientists reveals that rain from hurricanes and Kona storms is a key source of fresh water for Hawaii's groundwater. The study analyzed rainfall and stable isotopes to determine the origin of water in aquifers, finding significant amounts of rainwater recharging groundwater.
A new study models groundwater use and crop production as a predator-prey interaction, predicting declining irrigated food production in the US High Plains. By 2050, Nebraska is expected to have nearly 10 times the groundwater-based food production of Texas due to higher recharge rates.
Researchers used satellite imaging to map groundwater use in California's San Joaquin Valley, finding that field crops and pasture crops have higher rates of subsidence than fruit and nut crops. This study provides new insights for irrigation policymaking and sustainable groundwater management in agricultural regions worldwide.
Researchers from Princeton will help lead a project to simulate the nation's natural groundwater system using artificial intelligence, improving hydrologic forecasting and water management. The project combines data science, machine learning, and hydrology to predict how much groundwater is available and its impact on extreme events.
Researchers developed the Effective Catchment Index (ECI) to analyze global data sets and determine how topographic and actual catchment areas differ. The study found that every third catchment has an effective area greater than twice or less than half its topographical area, influenced by water management activities.
Researchers estimated global freshwater supply and demand in 11,000 watersheds, finding that 24% of total consumption exceeds regional capacities. Luxury use accounts for a significant portion of overconsumption, often at the expense of ecosystems.
A new study published in Earth System Dynamics reveals that only a minority of the world's large aquifers are depleting, with most experiencing non-linear and irregular trends in groundwater storage. Extreme rainfall events play a crucial role in replenishing groundwater resources in dry environments.
Researchers investigate connection between manganese exposure and community health, particularly in infants and young children in California's Central Valley and coastal areas. The study aims to quantify the impact of manganese-contaminated water on public health, as current regulations are unenforceable.
Using local producer knowledge helps estimate groundwater use in modelling for mapping sustainable use of scarce resources. Farmers' land use, agricultural practices and water use are key factors in this approach.
Scientists found that ultra-small, parasitic bacteria from the TM7 phylum are present in humans, moose, dogs, cats, dolphins, and groundwater. Despite their diverse environments, these bacteria have minimally changed genomes, indicating recent acquisition by humans.
Researchers from the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries investigated water distribution in the Demnitzer Mühlenfliess sub-catchment area. They found that vegetation plays a significant role in storing and releasing water, with forests having a drier soil than grasslands due to their root depth and leaf canopy.
Researchers from Potsdam and the USA combined gravity field data from GRACE satellites with local measurement methods to track groundwater changes more precisely. This new approach allows for accurate water storage analysis in smaller regions, even for catchments as small as 1000 square kilometers.
Researchers analyzed groundwater level changes around Kumamoto City after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, finding a significant increase in groundwater levels due to increased permeability of the mountain aquifer. The study suggests that earthquakes can alter hydrological environments and release water from mountains.
The University of Minnesota has released the first food-grade wheatgrass variety, MN-Clearwater, allowing farmers to grow this beneficial crop. The new variety provides benefits such as reduced soil loss, fewer chemicals entering groundwater systems, and improved carbon storage, making it an attractive option for sustainable agriculture.
A new study presents a detailed global prediction map of groundwater arsenic concentrations, revealing previously unidentified areas of potential contamination. The map highlights high-risk regions in Asia and South America, where millions are at risk of drinking water containing harmful levels of arsenic.
Researchers found that shrub encroachment on slopes can increase focused groundwater recharge, even under conditions of reduced rainfall due to climate change. This process counterbalances the expected decrease in annual rainfall amounts.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that clay layers do not always protect groundwater from arsenic contamination. In fact, distant municipal pumping can trigger the release of arsenic below such clay layers, putting thousands of people at risk in Bangladesh and potentially other regions worldwide.
Farmers in parts of the western United States will be among the hardest hit by climate change, which will reduce seasonal water availability for irrigation. The study found that basins globally most at risk include the San Joaquin and Colorado river basins, where snowmelt runoff is projected to decrease significantly.
Researchers used computer modeling to understand sources and distribution of arsenic-polluted groundwater, pinpointing the source to river muds that fuelled biogeochemical reactions. The model highlighted four key factors influencing arsenic release at surface water/groundwater interfaces.
A new decontamination method developed by OSU and NC State University uses hydrogel beads containing bacteria and a slow-release food source to transform toxic contaminants into harmless compounds. The system has functioned continuously for over 300 days without maintenance, removing more than 99% of contaminants from groundwater.
A new Duke University study finds that co-occurring contaminants in North Carolina's private wells can heighten health risks for millions of residents. The study highlights the need for more research to better understand the health impacts of geogenic contaminants and mixtures.
The UK Water Resources Portal brings together up-to-date data on river flows, rainfall, soil moisture and groundwater levels, providing insights into floods and droughts. The portal also offers historical records for comparison with previous significant events.
A new study by FSU researchers reveals that groundwater flows on top of frozen permafrost are a significant source of dissolved organic matter entering Arctic coastal waters. This ancient carbon is transported to the ocean without decomposition and provides a new food source for local coastal ecosystems.
Researchers found that groundwater flowing from frozen permafrost carries significant concentrations of carbon and nutrients to Arctic coastal food webs. The discovery suggests a new and potentially important source of fuel for local coastal ecosystems.
Researchers found that type of natural organic matter affects rate and level of arsenic release from sediments. Arsenic contamination in water can cause health issues like poisoning, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
A new UNSW study found that climate change and urbanization are expected to increase groundwater organic carbon, posing a threat to the quality and availability of drinking water for over half of the world's population. Increased groundwater DOC concentrations can lead to higher water treatment costs and health risks.
Groundwater is a vital source of freshwater for crops and drinking water. A new computer model reveals that 20% of the world's sensitive coastal ecosystems are at risk due to groundwater flow carrying pollutants. Fresh groundwater can provide essential resources, but its high variability poses risks to local ecosystems.
A new method helps scientists determine how vulnerable rivers are to drought conditions by analyzing streamflow data, identifying faster and slower components of runoff and their impact on river sensitivity.
Researchers have discovered that contaminated groundwater in Balkan villages is a significant source of human exposure to aristolochic acids, potent kidney toxins. The discovery highlights the urgent need for weed control measures to reduce the incidence of Balkan endemic nephropathy.
Researchers at University of Arizona develop mathematical model to simulate PFAS migration through soil and groundwater. The majority of PFAS accumulate in the soil, where they migrate down slowly, posing a significant risk to human health.
A UTA study found that only five of 36 private water wells showed signs of contamination from unconventional oil and gas development. The study suggests collaborations with trained citizens to collect reliable measurements for better understanding the environmental implications of shale energy extraction.
A recent study found that 91% of stream samples contained artificial sweeteners, tracing 13% of septic wastewater to groundwater, underscoring the need for further testing to detect pathogens and pharmaceuticals
Researchers have discovered a unique CO2 hotspot in the ocean, with readings of up to 95,000 parts per million. The site, known as Soda Springs, is being studied for its potential to understand how coral reefs cope with climate change.
Researchers found that using a leaching fraction test can justify the amount of irrigation applied and provide a way to monitor irrigation efficiency. The study also showed that small daily adjustments to evapotranspiration-based scheduling programs are not beneficial for saving water compared to adjustments made every 1 to 3 weeks.
A new study suggests that cannabis cultivation and residential development can cause significant streamflow depletion, with impacts felt most in late summer. Researchers found that groundwater pumping for cannabis irrigation has a larger impact on streamflow than traditional agriculture, posing a risk to local ecosystems.
A new study estimates that more than half of North Carolina's central region drinking wells contain levels of cancer-causing hexavalent chromium above state safety standards. Over 50% of wells in the Piedmont region are expected to exceed the health advisory level, posing a risk to nearly 4 million people relying on groundwater.
A new study has discovered a direct link between ancient groundwater changes and climate fluctuations over tens of thousands of years. The research, led by Penn State scientists, used advanced dating technology to analyze the mineral sphalerite and found that changes in groundwater levels correlated with movements in Earth's orbit.
A Princeton University-led study shows that solar and wind energy enhance drought resilience and aid in groundwater sustainability by reducing reliance on hydropower. The researchers suggest deploying solar and wind energy simultaneously with regulations on groundwater use can increase overall benefits.
University of Birmingham scientists developed an off-grid desalination system powered by solar energy to combat water shortages in the Jordan Valley. The prototype, built from affordable parts, can recover up to 80% of salinized water for irrigation purposes.
Researchers at ICTA-UAB found that 10% of metals enter the sea through underground discharges, while recirculation transports the rest. Groundwater and sediments are more contaminated by metals than surface marine waters.
Researchers found ubiquitous presence of antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in groundwater samples, despite advanced treatment facility reducing ARGs to below detection limits. The study highlights the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address the global spread of antibiotic resistance and ensure clean water supply.
Researchers discovered 'survivor bias' in groundwater level monitoring, where wells with missing data are excluded, leading to incorrect conclusions. By re-including these wells, the study found that groundwater levels were actually declining in southern India.
A new study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory used supercomputers to analyze the effects of wildfires on hydrological changes in a California watershed. The research found that post-wildfire conditions resulted in greater winter snowpack and subsequent summer runoff, as well as increased groundwater storage.
The book, titled "The Edwards Aquifer: The Past, Present and Future of a Vital Water Resource", compiles research on the aquifer's characterization, hydrogeologic structure, and effects of climate and urbanization. Understanding the aquifer's limitations is key to preserving the resource for future generations.
The Stanford Woods Institute has awarded grants totaling $16 million to support research projects addressing major environmental challenges. These interdisciplinary initiatives aim to combat air pollution, mine wastewater for valuable resources, reduce food waste, and investigate the causes of chronic kidney disease.
Researchers found conventional oil and gas production activities inject more water underground than fracking, leading to a net gain of saline water. This can increase the likelihood of contaminated water reaching freshwater aquifers in water-stressed regions.
A new study reveals that higher rainfall does not necessarily equate to higher groundwater recharge, and that aridity and episodicity play a crucial role in determining groundwater replenishment. The research also finds that some sub-Saharan African countries are experiencing declining groundwater levels due to drying climate trends.
A new study led by UCL and Cardiff University finds that groundwater replenishment depends on heavy rainfalls and flood events amplified by climate change. This knowledge can inform strategies to enhance groundwater supplies in drylands, where it is often the only lasting source of freshwater.