Articles tagged with Groundwater
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A recent study found that groundwater extraction is harming floodplain forests in Europe by reducing tree growth and increasing drought sensitivity. The research suggests that adapting to climate change requires reducing groundwater extraction, not increasing it, to protect these critical ecosystems.
Researchers measured groundwater loss and storage capacity during 2012-2015 drought, finding a permanent loss of up to three percent of the aquifer's storage capacity. The study provides water resource managers with better tools to monitor groundwater health and implement sustainable practices.
A new DNA analysis technique reveals insights into how ecosystems respond to climate change and environmental shifts by studying microbial genes. Microorganisms play a vital role in shaping ecosystems, and analyzing their plasmidome helps scientists understand the history of an environment.
A study by Joep Schyns et al. estimates limits to green water availability due to limited annual rainfall, affecting global food and production systems. The analysis reveals that green water scarcity is a significant concern, particularly in regions with low rainfall.
The Collaborative Laboratories for Environmental Analysis and Remediation at UTA is analyzing surface and groundwater quality in West Texas, supported by Apache Corporation's continued sponsorship. The research aims to comprehensively monitor water resources in the region, including San Solomon Springs.
Researchers have identified microplastic fibers and various contaminants in two groundwater systems in Illinois, revealing the widespread presence of microplastics in the world's drinking water supply. The study highlights the need for further research into the impact of microplastics on human health.
Research reveals over half of global groundwater flows won't respond to climate change until after 100 years, posing long-term water security risks for millions. This finding emphasizes the need for proactive water management policies and climate adaptation strategies.
Three new species of groundwater salamanders discovered in Central Texas, including one critically endangered, have been identified as highly vulnerable to extinction. The discovery highlights the need to protect these keystone species, which maintain aquifer ecosystem health.
A study analyzing 303 Texas salamanders found that complex aquifer hydrogeology drives population divergence and speciation. The authors predict that Edwards-Trinity Eurycea may become extinct within 100 years due to habitat loss from groundwater depletion.
A four-year scientific study by a University of Arizona-led binational team has provided a road map for restoration in the Colorado River Delta. The report documents the effects of environmental flows on native plants and groundwater, revealing increased bird diversity and recharge of groundwater.
A recent study found that Tehran is experiencing rapid land subsidence due to groundwater depletion and exploitation. The city's surface has sunk by several meters, posing significant environmental concerns, including cracks in building walls and crevices in the ground.
Studies found that at least one hormone or pharmaceutical contaminant was present in untreated groundwater at 6% of sites, with higher exposure risks for individuals using domestic wells. The presence of chemicals also threatens ecosystems, particularly through stormwater management practices.
New research by UC Santa Barbara scientists reveals that the world's supply of fresh water may be more limited than previously thought. The study finds that drilling increasingly deeper wells risks pumping saline water in some regions, highlighting the need to protect deep fresh groundwater.
In Bangladesh, villagers have taken matters into their own hands to drill deeper wells to avoid arsenic-contaminated water. Since 2000, the proportion of safe wells has increased from 25% to 70%, thanks to individual efforts and government well drilling at greater depths.
Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology have identified a new bacterium capable of degrading both 1,4-Dioxane and 1,1-DCE simultaneously. The microbe, Azoarcus sp. DD4 (DD4), has shown impressive efficiency in reducing levels of these toxic chemicals in contaminated groundwater samples.
The study reveals that the islanders used coastal groundwater discharge as their main source of drinkable water, making it possible for humans to collect freshwater directly at the coast. This finding is crucial in understanding how the island's large population was sustained.
Scientists from GEOMAR and University of Malta are collaborating on a three-year project to develop a best practice guide for detecting, characterizing, and monitoring offshore aquifers. The goal is to assess the sustainability of using these aquifers as an alternative source of freshwater in coastal regions.
Researchers used visible/near-infrared spectroscopy to predict breakthrough curves of dissolved chemicals in intact soil columns. The new technology estimated mass transport with a high degree of accuracy and has potential for cost-effective and efficient monitoring of dissolved chemical transport.
The High Plains landscape was formed 20 million years ago through geological uplift and erosion, resulting in a unique ecosystem with hundreds of thousands of ephemeral lakes. These lakes provide crucial breeding and wintering habitats for millions of birds and recharge the Ogallala aquifer, North America's largest groundwater reservoir.
A new Cornell University study reveals that the San Joaquin Valley in central California is sinking by up to a half-meter annually due to drought and ongoing groundwater extraction. Groundwater depletion has been estimated at 10 miles cubed between 2012 and 2016, posing significant engineering problems and threatening water quality.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new method to monitor water levels in underground aquifers using seismic noise. They were able to measure the water depth of an aquifer in California to within a centimeter, and estimated that half a cubic kilometer of water was pumped out during a drought. This technique has the poten...
Researchers at Berkeley Lab developed a low-cost method for real-time monitoring of pollutants using commonly available sensors. The Kalman filter-based approach allows continuous monitoring in situ, enabling the detection of sudden changes in contaminant levels and providing an early warning system.
A Stanford study reveals that Native American tribes are increasingly asserting their rights to groundwater, with potential implications for Western US water management. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians' victory in federal court sets a precedent for tribal groundwater claims, which could lead to more tribes seeking resolution...
Researchers found that nearly 25% of monsoon rainfall percolates into groundwater systems, recharging aquifers near their point of origin. The study used field instrumentation and hydrological modeling to demonstrate the importance of small stream beds in this process.
A study led by Penn State researchers found low levels of pharmaceuticals in drinking water from private wells in north central Pennsylvania. The most frequently detected compounds were ofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole, with at least one compound detected at all sites.
Researchers found that liquid hog manure increases water infiltration depth into cracking clay soils, but not beyond 39 inches. This discovery suggests not all clay-rich soils behave the same, and knowledge gaps remain about soil water flow in vertisols, especially with organic additions.
Researchers found that natural sources of hexavalent chromium affect a larger area and more wells in California than industrial sources, highlighting the need for new groundwater management strategies.
A team of ASU and JPL scientists used satellite-based Earth remote sensing techniques to map California's Central Valley aquifer system. The analysis revealed significant drops in groundwater levels and permanent loss of storage capacity during the 2007-2010 drought period.
Researchers used satellite-based measurements to track changes in groundwater levels and storage capacity in the Central Valley aquifer system, revealing permanent loss of water storage capacity. The study provides new tools for water resource managers to monitor aquifers and mitigate the effects of drought.
A recent study suggests that Mars' river networks were shaped by superficial run-off of rainwater, contradicting previous hypotheses about groundwater seepage. The researchers found similarities in the branching angles of Martian valleys with those in arid landscapes on Earth.
Methane levels in groundwater were found to be mostly unaffected by hydraulic fracturing operations, with concentrations rarely exceeding regulatory action levels. Groundwater salinity and isotopic data suggest natural shifts in aquifer recharge may have contributed to increased methane concentrations.
A new study of groundwater in Bradford County shows improving water quality despite heavy Marcellus Shale development. Researchers used data-mining techniques to find rare instances of possible gas contamination near seven out of 1,385 shale wells.
Researchers have found that certain colloids can stick to sediment grains due to decorative nanoscience, allowing for predictable attachment and removal of contaminants. This discovery could help improve prediction of contaminant transport distances and protect water resources.
A new study by Duke University has found widespread uranium contamination in India's groundwater, with levels exceeding the World Health Organization's safe drinking water standard. The contamination is linked to human activities such as over-pumping of aquifers and nitrate pollution.
Research reveals that intensive groundwater pumping can lead to arsenic contamination in aquifers supplying 1 million people's drinking water and irrigation for crops. Satellite-derived measurements predict arsenic concentrations in groundwater by monitoring ground sinking.
A population epidemiology study found no association between high-lithium concentration groundwater and diagnoses of bipolar disorder or dementia. The study accounted for local healthcare resources and demographics, a factor known to influence mental health diagnosis rates.
Researchers from University of Cincinnati studied methane concentrations in groundwater and found no relationship with proximity to natural gas wells. In most cases, methane in drinking water was attributed to underground coal or biological production.
Scientists combined NASA satellite observations with data on human activities to map freshwater changes globally. Freshwater is getting wetter in high latitudes and tropics while drying up in between regions, with some areas experiencing groundwater depletion.
A new study using satellite observations reveals that Earth's wet areas are getting wetter while dry areas are getting drier. Human water management practices, human-caused climate change, and natural climate cycles contribute to this pattern.
A study published in Toxicological Sciences suggests that exposure to fracking chemicals during pregnancy may impair female offspring's ability to fend off diseases. Fracking chemicals have been found in ground water near fracking sites and are linked to reproductive and developmental defects, hormone disruption, and immune system damage.
A recent study found that high levels of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) can harm coral reefs by causing stress and accelerating bioerosion. However, when SGD is at low levels, corals can actually thrive on the reef, suggesting a potential solution to mitigate reef degradation in urban areas like Maunalua Bay.
Study finds that 17 state oil and gas regulations leave the nation's water supply vulnerable to contamination. Groundwater resources are increasingly being used for drinking, food-crop irrigation, and household uses due to increased demand and climate change impacts.
Researchers found that artificial sweeteners in wastewater can indicate contamination of groundwater with septic system pollutants. The study suggests regular inspection and maintenance of septic systems and well water testing are necessary to ensure safe drinking water.
Researchers found high methane concentrations in groundwater near a 1965 gas well blowout site in the Netherlands, suggesting ongoing methane leakage from the reservoir. Methane oxidation reduced isotope concentrations with increasing distance from the blowout site.
The University of Texas at Arlington has extended its partnership with Apache Corporation to study the Alpine High region's surface and groundwater quality. The project aims to provide baseline data for ongoing monitoring efforts and evaluate stimulation additives to optimize oil and gas well efficiency.
Farouk El-Baz, a NASA scientist and geologist, will receive the 2018 Inamori Ethics Prize for his pioneering work in applying space images to groundwater exploration in arid lands. His research has led to the discovery of critical groundwater resources worldwide.
The Vega de Granada area in SE Spain sinks up to one centimeter per year during dry periods. This land subsidence is caused by the exploitation of the aquifer and is a concern for village residents.
Researchers at University of California - Santa Barbara found that about half of hydraulically fractured wells exist within 2 to 3 kilometers of domestic groundwater systems. The study analyzed data from nearly 27,000 wells in 14 states and suggests increased water monitoring efforts are needed to protect water quality.
Researchers at UTA have found harmful pathogenic bacteria in Texas groundwater near unconventional natural gas extraction sites, particularly resistant to antibiotics and disinfection. The studies identify novel treatments and bioremediation strategies for contaminated waters.
A new study projects that groundwater recharge will increase in the northern US and decrease in the south as climate change takes hold. The research used global climate models and found varying effects across different hydro-climatic regions, highlighting the need for better management and policy.
A new University of Washington study reveals that Don Juan Pond in Antarctica is fed by a regional deep groundwater system, not from moisture seeping down from local valley slopes. This finding has significant implications for understanding the formation of similar environments on Mars.
A study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that over 30% of rural groundwater wells contained artificial sweeteners, indicating contamination from local septic systems. This suggests that human wastewater is affecting shallow groundwater in the area, posing a health risk to aquatic organisms.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a novel gene cluster in Mycobacterium dioxanotrophicus PH-06 that expresses an enzyme capable of initiating dioxane biodegradation. This finding could lead to the development of a cost-effective tool for treating contaminated groundwater sites.
Researchers from Duke University and Ohio State University found that high levels of molybdenum in Wisconsin drinking water wells come from natural sources, not coal ash. The study used forensic isotopic 'fingerprinting' and age-dating techniques to determine the contamination's origin.
A 70-year analysis of Danish data reveals a clear connection between nitrogen utilization and groundwater quality. The study found that reduced nitrogen applications lead to lower nitrate concentrations in groundwater, suggesting that economic growth can be achieved without negative environmental impacts.
Researchers used satellite data to track groundwater levels in Silicon Valley, discovering the aquifer rebounded quickly after a severe drought due to aggressive conservation measures. The study lays groundwork for low-cost monitoring of subterranean water reserves globally.
Researchers warn that US East Coast cities are under threat from more frequent and severe flooding due to the region's slow subsidence into the Atlantic Ocean. Human activities such as groundwater extraction and reservoir creation have accelerated this process, with some areas sinking at a rate of up to three millimeters per year.
A recent study by University of California, Riverside researchers found high levels of manganese in groundwater wells in the US and three Asian countries, exceeding World Health Organization guidelines. The study suggests public health officials should monitor manganese levels to ensure safe drinking water, particularly for children.
A comprehensive study found high arsenic concentrations in groundwater throughout the Indus Plain, threatening public health. The researchers recommend urgent action, including testing and treating affected wells, to address this significant global health risk.
Researchers discover high arsenic concentrations in groundwater supplies along the Indus River, posing a significant health risk to millions. The study suggests irrigation practices and soil pH may contribute to arsenic enrichment, highlighting the need for urgent testing and mitigation measures.