Articles tagged with Hydrology
Researchers propose a new approach to operationalize the Water Planetary Boundary to guide water management and planning at the river-basin level. The framework focuses on key water functions and considers local social and environmental needs to prevent water overuse and cascading effects.
A global study analyzed high-resolution groundwater models to determine drought recovery patterns, finding 57% of locations exhibit resilient systems. Vulnerable regions face frequent, successive drought events, while unstable areas show reduced recovery capacity and strong impacts.
Researchers found that anti-flooding infrastructure can sometimes make floods worse, especially during lighter rain. The study used computer simulations to analyze the impact of modern terrain modifications on flood hazards and exposure.
Researchers found that montmorillonite inhibits chloropyromorphite aggregation by increasing negative surface charge, while goethite promotes rapid aggregation through charge neutralisation. Divalent calcium ions accelerate CPY settling through charge screening and cation bridging.
Research highlights advances in global weather modeling, sea ice convergence, and changes in seasonal drought patterns. Tornado emergencies are also explored, with a focus on Latinx communities and the importance of building trust and partnerships.
A global analysis of catchments reveals complex behavior in 87% of rivers, with rainfall rhythm and water availability playing key roles in determining runoff responses. Simple catchments with consistent behavior are rare, concentrated in areas with steep terrain.
A new study reveals that collisions between individual pieces of Arctic sea ice provide a simple explanation for its movement, which could help scientists predict its transport as the Arctic warms. The study's framework may also be applied to other systems involving many objects colliding in unpredictable environments.
Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences traced 240,000 years of lake history, finding two brief freshwater phases, including Lake Bonneville, which lasted longer and was fresher than an earlier lake phase. The study suggests that the lake's future is threatened by human water use and climate change.
Researchers found that the river has not settled into a stable state, with species disappearing and new ones arriving, despite 23 campaigns of monitoring
Microplastics have been found throughout a protected Florida wetland, with concentrations highest along waterways. The study reveals that water movement plays a crucial role in transporting and concentrating microplastics within the ecosystem.
New measurements show that human-induced carbon dioxide emissions have penetrated deep into the North Atlantic, altering the ocean's isotopic signature. The Suess effect is detectable in nearly all North Atlantic water masses, with strongest signals in young, subsurface waters.
A study by HKU hydrogeologists identified microbial fermentation as the primary pathway for ammonium production in sediments beneath the Pearl River Delta, contributing to the region's exceptionally high natural groundwater ammonium levels. The research found that fermentation-related genes were most abundant across different sediment ...
Researchers used eDNA metabarcoding to study fish biodiversity in heavily damaged mountainous cascade dammed rivers. The study found 97 fish species, including 14 IUCN threatened taxa, with seasonal differences in species detection rates and community composition.
Scientists propose a colossal cliff across ancient North America may have exposed Grand Canyon's oldest rocks nearly a billion years before it was carved by the Colorado River. The study suggests the 'great escarpment' of steep rocky cliffs formed when the supercontinent Rodinia broke apart 800 million years ago.
Climate researchers have discovered a significant increase in neighborhood-level hurricane warnings, widespread wildfires in the US, and unprecedented changes in Earth's energy budget. These findings suggest that greenhouse gases are driving these trends, with smoke and fire-related carbon emissions rising due to increased aridity.
The 36th annual State of the Climate report reveals record highs in greenhouse gas concentrations, global sea level, and ocean heat content. Greenhouse gas concentrations reached a 53% increase from preindustrial levels, with fossil fuel emissions reaching a record high in 2025.
A new study by UBC researchers found that watersheds with greater variation in elevation are less prone to flooding after tree harvesting, while flatter landscapes are more vulnerable. The study also highlights the role of fog in influencing flood behavior and suggests a targeted approach to forest management.
Researchers identify subtropical lakes as natural laboratories for tracking biodiversity, water quality, and ecosystem resilience in a rapidly changing world. The study highlights the global scientific importance of these largely overlooked lakes, which can serve as 'sentinel ecosystems' revealing early signs of environmental change.
The American Meteorological Society recognizes individuals and organizations making a positive difference in the world through fundamental research, public engagement, teaching, and informed decision-making. This year's honorees include Rong Fu, Paola Cessi, Sharon Nicholson, Renhe Zhang, Christian Kummerow, and David Thompson.
Researchers used Landsat thermal infrared imagery to study river temperatures over 250 dams in the US, finding temperature differences in 71% of observations and varying impacts based on dam type and season. This new approach can help better understand freshwater ecology and water resource management.
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 analyzed the 2025 Texas Hill Country floods, which killed at least 135 people, including 28 at Camp Mystic. Experimental models showed they could have predicted extreme flows with greater lead time.
Researchers developed a self-powered platform combining electrically assisted forward osmosis with microbial desalination cells, recovering water and nutrients without increasing external power consumption. The system used bioelectricity generated during organic matter oxidation to drive ion migration and fertilizer formation.
The report provides an ecological characterisation of two contrasting habitat groups: inland peat-forming wetlands and coastal lagoons. Hydrology is identified as the dominant control on ecosystem functioning, with a persistently high water table sustaining anoxic conditions in peatlands.
A simple outdoor flood alarm is being developed by a UT Hydrology professor to detect life-threatening floods as water rises on individual properties. The low-tech alarm triggers a loud warning and light when water reaches a preset height, making it reliable during emergencies.
Researchers used experimental models to forecast 2025 Texas floods, which killed over 120 people. Models also project increased U.S. thunderstorm threat and severe weather season starts earlier in a warmer climate.
Researchers found that anaerobic decolorization of RB5 dye by Clostridium sp. strain T4 increased acute toxicity, despite efficient color removal. The study highlights the importance of integrating subsequent aerobic or oxidative treatment to achieve further detoxification in azo dye-containing wastewater management systems.
Researchers developed an AI model to optimize water usage in agriculture and semiconductor manufacturing. The model identifies cause-and-effect relationships between water availability, crop needs, and industrial expansion, generating recommendations for each state.
This study found that households in metropolitan areas with higher population density and income levels show stronger voluntary water conservation during drought. The AI-based scenario analysis showed that increased drought-related news coverage leads to significant water savings in these regions, but has a limited impact on rural areas.
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) has released a statement expressing concerns about the proposed OMB rule on federal grantmaking changes. The rule could reduce public access to weather information, slow commercialization of advances in weather science, and limit scientific collaboration.
Satellite remote sensing allows researchers to monitor water quality by tracking changes in light spectrum, identifying nutrients in the water. This technology holds promise for studying global river health and detecting toxic algal blooms that can shut down water treatment plants.
Climate change is projected to increase frequency and intensity of hydroclimatic whiplash events, with regions experiencing both floods and droughts. This may lead to increased flash flooding, water quality deterioration, and soil erosion, as well as challenges for flood and drought planning.
A new study from the Batten School & VIMS provides a detailed analysis of marine heatwaves (MHWs) in the Chesapeake Bay, going beyond surface-water datasets to include subsurface patterns. The research introduces a classification scheme that reveals the complex nature of MHWs and their impact on ecosystem health.
Scientists have developed a framework combining multiscale reservoir ecological operations, ecological flow reconstruction, and innovative irrigation techniques to balance ecological sustainability with socioeconomic demands. The approach has successfully revitalized ecosystems in China's Tarim and Irtysh River Basins, offering lessons...
Dissolved black carbon's colloidal behavior can decide whether carbon and associated contaminants travel long distances or become trapped in sediments. Understanding this behavior is essential for predicting environmental risks and carbon cycling.
A new study by Tulane University researcher Sönke Dangendorf found that human-caused sea-level rise has significantly increased the frequency of extreme coastal flooding worldwide. Coastal flooding events expected once every 100 years now occur on average about 12 times more likely to occur globally.
Climate change and large-scale land and water use are accelerating changes in the freshwater cycle, exceeding its ability to support vital Earth system processes. Regional patterns vary, with increasing dryness in tropical regions and anomalously wet conditions in northern boreal zones.
Researchers used the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model to predict internal tide sea-surface height signatures and improve SWOT satellite observations of small-scale ocean eddies. The new approach accounts for 60% more internal tide signal, yielding a clearer picture of these important ocean patterns.
Thawing permafrost is causing Arctic rivers to turn toxic with orange iron particles, suffocating insects and smothering fish. The process also involves acid rock drainage, where pyrite breaks down into sulfuric acid and sulfate, creating rust-like particles.
Climate change is accelerating Himalayan river migration rates by nearly doubled, with increased risk of flooding, erosion, and damage. The study reveals that thawing frozen ground and glacier melt are driving these changes, posing implications for water security and infrastructure planning.
A new study by University of East London researchers aims to gather data on microplastic contamination across the Thames, combining new sampling with existing datasets. The findings could inform discussions around wastewater management, river protection, and plastic pollution policy.
Researchers in Brazil's Cerrado biome found that reducing stream sampling from 11 to 6 transects maintained reliable classification of streams as least-disturbed, moderately disturbed, or severely disturbed. The study suggests a streamlined approach can reduce field time and processing costs while preserving ecological indicators.
Researchers develop automated plasma-bubble technology that intensifies cold plasma-liquid interaction to transform industrial wastewater into a reusable fertigation medium. The technology fixes vital bioavailable nitrogen in wastewater, reducing organic loads and suspended particles while increasing plant growth rates.
Researchers from the University of Tokyo developed SplashTune, a gamified rainfall–runoff model that simulates water movement and environmental effects on river flow. The interactive tool improves students' self-reported understanding of complex flood processes, including soil moisture and land use impact.
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.
Recent studies investigate the relationship between weather conditions and extreme events like heat-related mortality, tropical cyclone hazards, and changes in precipitation patterns. Researchers also explore new modeling methods to predict visually appealing atmospheric phenomena like 'ornamental twilight'.
A new approach using Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics offers a direct fix for estimating nutrient uptake length in streams. The zero-order method substantially outperforms the first-order approach under saturation, providing more accurate estimates of stream filtration capacity.
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.
Researchers have created a three-dimensional lattice that captures water from the air and stores it using ultraviolet light. The material can store up to 5% of its mass in water molecules, with potential for scalability to impact global water stress.
A study by Ohio State University found that certain tree species, such as red maple and northern catalpa, are more resilient to heat and water stress. Urban forests can provide natural cooling, reducing summer electricity usage, but require careful management and investment in irrigation systems.
University of Missouri researchers developed an irrigation strategy that allows farmers to conserve water while maintaining crop quality. By tailoring water amounts based on plant growth stages, farmers can reduce water usage and costs.
The University of Michigan study reveals that Napata, an ancient city in Sudan, benefited from the Nile's relatively stable flow and deposits of clay and silt. This landscape feature reduced flood risk while maintaining access to water, allowing for successful settlement and cultural development.
Researchers discovered high concentrations of tire- and rubber-related chemicals in Lake Sihwa sediments, with patterns reflecting changes in industrial activity and pollution control measures. The study provides a baseline for sediment concentrations, enabling understanding of future trends and potential risks to aquatic organisms.
Researchers use tree rings and satellites to date changes beavers make to the tundra landscape as they spread northwards. The study provides evidence of beaver colonization in the region starting in 2008, with satellite analysis revealing a significant expansion of surface water between 2015 and 2019.
A new study finds that warmer winters will lead to faster water transit times in the western United States, negatively impacting summer water levels and quality. The research focuses on the Naches River basin, where snowpack declines have already resulted in earlier spring discharges.
Scientists found that habitable planets must have sufficient water to support a geologic carbon cycle, which stabilizes surface temperatures. Arid planets in the habitable zone are unlikely to be good candidates for life due to carbon cycle disruption, which can lead to runaway warming.
A machine learning technique identifies optimal spots for tree planting to inform climate mitigation strategies. Optimised afforestation can reduce river peaks by up to 43% while preserving groundwater by up to 60%. The study's findings highlight the importance of data-driven technologies in supporting large-scale, smarter planning.
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.
A University of Oklahoma researcher is leading a global water modeling project to create advanced tools and datasets for managing fresh water sustainably. The Re-Analysis of Water for Society (RAWS) project aims to shed light on how humans can best manage fresh water for long-term sustainability.
Researchers predict that glaciers in High Mountain Asia may threaten future water security due to rapid melting caused by warming temperatures. The study found significant losses in glacier mass between 2002 and 2023, which could intensify short-term flood risks and reduce long-term meltwater availability.