Articles tagged with Hydrology
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.
A critical water source for the Northern Territory is experiencing significant losses since 2014, with groundwater levels reaching their lowest recorded storage level in 2021. The study, published in Ecological Informatics, uses satellite data to track groundwater depletion and highlights the need for improved water regulation.
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 study by Washington State University researchers reveals declining groundwater levels across Eastern Washington's complex aquifer system, threatening its sustainability. The study measures the water accessible to current wells and highlights areas of greatest concern, such as the Odessa region and Yakima Basin.
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.
A new framework identifies key causes of changes affecting river deltas, including climate change, sea level rise, and human activities. The framework provides a basis for prioritizing timely, locally grounded action to address the complex challenges facing these critical ecosystems.
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 led by RMIT University found that restoring southern Australian reefs from urchin barrens is feasible and beneficial for improved water quality, fisheries, and carbon sequestration. Economic modelling showed an AU$50 million investment would return up to AU$92 million in economic benefits.
A new dataset doubles documented stream miles in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, allowing for more accurate characterization of water flow and land use. The high-resolution data will help prioritize restoration projects, such as streamside tree plantings and pollutant filtering.
Research shows that island rivers shape reef passes, allowing seawater and nutrients to flow in and out. The locations of reef passes align with where rivers funnel out from an island's coast, providing circulation throughout the reef.
The Global Declaration of Commitment for Scientific Ocean Drilling aims to promote global cooperation and collaboration in ocean science. The declaration sets out core principles for transparent access to data and samples, inclusive participation, environmental responsibility, and alignment with the UN SDGs.
The Florida Atlantic University Sensing Institute's SEA Econet network provides accurate rainfall and flood forecasting, supporting public safety during severe weather events. With over 160 atmospheric stations and more than 30 water-level stations across Florida, the network delivers real-time data to inform forecasts and warnings.
A study by Göttingen University researchers combined satellite data with manual measurements to better understand forest soil moisture. The findings show that soil moisture is strongly influenced by weather and season, not exact location, and highlight the importance of monitoring soil moisture over time for effective forest management.
A team of researchers from Syracuse University and MIT has uncovered evidence that oxygenation in the ocean—crucial for life as we know it—may have occurred earlier than previously thought. This finding provides new insights into the pace of biological evolution in response to rising oxygen levels.
Scientists on IODP³-NSF Expedition 501 aim to validate hypotheses about water origin and better understand offshore aquifer systems. The expedition will collect sediment samples and water from beneath the ocean floor, shedding light on the dynamics of these groundwater systems.
A groundbreaking expedition aims to validate hypotheses about the origin of freshened groundwater in offshore aquifers. Researchers will collect sediment and water samples from beneath the ocean on the New England Shelf, shedding light on the dynamics of these systems and their influence on nutrient and element cycling.
Researchers Mohammad Afzal Shadab and Eric Hiatt developed a computer model that calculates the time it took for water on early Mars to percolate from the surface down to the aquifer, finding a 50-200 year timeframe. This process could have covered Mars with at least 300 feet of water.
A PolyU research team found a rapid decline in global soil moisture over the past 40 years, resulting in significant water loss and sea level rise. The study suggests that precipitation deficits, global warming, and changing rainfall patterns are key factors behind this depletion.
Most spring runoff heading to reservoirs is actually several years old, indicating that most mountain snowfall has a years-long invisible journey as groundwater before it leaves the mountains. The findings indicate there is an order of magnitude more water stored underground than most Western water managers account for.
Researchers from the University of Waterloo have developed a method to restore tens of thousands of oil and gas exploration sites in western Canada using native moss. The technique involves transplanting moss onto decommissioned well pads, effectively recreating peatlands and supporting ecosystem development.
The proposed elimination of NOAA Research would drastically undercut the scientific backbone needed for accurate weather forecasts and services. Key stakeholders like the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association urge action to maintain competitiveness in weather forecasting.
A new numerical computer model tracks how pollution travels through Galveston Bay, helping scientists understand water movement in estuaries. The model is critical for evaluating climate variability and sea level fluctuation impacts on coastal communities, guiding better decisions to keep water clean and prevent flooding.
Researchers studying ancient rhino teeth found at Nebraska's Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park discovered that prehistoric rhinos lived in large herds. The animals' limited mobility suggests they didn't respond to the volcanic eruption or migrate seasonally, instead likely dying from prolonged exposure to ash and lack of food.
Researchers developed a machine learning-powered fluid simulation model that significantly reduces computation time without compromising accuracy. The new surrogate model maintains the same level of accuracy as traditional particle-based simulations while reducing computation time from approximately 45 minutes to just three minutes.
Three UVA Engineering faculty members have been elected as AAAS Fellows for their groundbreaking work in computer architecture, energy transport, and hydrology. Sandhya Dwarkadas, Patrick E. Hopkins, and Venkataraman Lakshmi were recognized for their innovative research and contributions to their respective fields.
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.
A new study reveals that two dam failures and flawed risk assessment amplified the Derna Flood, which was nearly twentyfold more destructive than expected. The research highlights the urgent need for improved flood mitigation strategies, especially in dryland regions.
Scientists develop a method to create high-quality activated carbon from gasification char, which can be used in wastewater treatment. The process involves physical activation and achieves a surface area of 800 m²/g, making it comparable to fossil-based activated carbons.
Researchers studied Aurora Subglacial Basin's subglacial hydrology, finding dynamic rivers that change over time. This new insight may alter predictions of rising sea levels and the role of subglacial water in ice dynamics.
Researchers used reinforcement learning to simulate coastal defense strategies against sea level rise and flooding, finding dynamic seawalls to be more cost-effective than traditional methods. The study aimed to address uncertainty in long-term climate change mitigation efforts and provide a flexible approach for communities to prepare...
The US weather enterprise faces significant risks due to federal science funding cuts, which could lead to reduced weather forecasting accuracy and increased vulnerability to hazardous weather. The value of weather information to the US economy exceeds $100 billion annually.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new membrane that allows water to flow eight times faster while maintaining high salt rejection rates. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective desalination systems, lowering costs and increasing access to clean water.
Researchers generated a dataset of water flow beneath the entire Antarctic Ice Sheet, improving projections of sea level rise. The model predicts higher degrees of glacier melt and mass loss by the end of the century.
A small amount of Arctic groundwater releases an estimated 230 tons of organic carbon per day along Alaska's coastline, contributing to climate change and ocean acidification. This discovery highlights the significant role of freshwater discharge in the Arctic Ocean.
Researchers analyzed tropical storm-related precipitation to understand its impact on local water resources and provide insights into climate predictions. The study aims to help communities prepare for extreme storms and manage water resources before and after the storms.
A new study reveals that climate change can dramatically alter how grasslands use and move water. Under drought conditions and warmer temperatures in a CO2-rich climate, plants conserve more water by releasing less to the atmosphere through transpiration.
A study published in Environmental Microbiology sheds light on how microbial communities in coastal groundwater respond to changes in seawater. The research found that these microbes play a crucial role in maintaining coastal water quality, but their resilience is vulnerable to climate change.
A survey conducted by Professor Takahiro Endo at Osaka Metropolitan University found that Hiroshima Prefecture provided a free water inspection service for well owners after the 2018 floods, promoting their initiative to open inspected wells to the public. This collaborative effort supplemented local governments' emergency water supply...
A simulation mapping underground water on a continental scale reveals that rainfall and snowmelt flow much farther underground than previously thought. The study also shows that more than half of the water in streams originates from aquifers previously believed to be too deep for streams.
The 105th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will address key issues in weather, water, and climate. The meeting features a Presidential Forum on physical, social, cultural, and economic impacts of climate change, with experts from the region of the Mississippi River Delta.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University identified clogging in a geothermal well due to accidental venting, highlighting the need for regular inspection and monitoring of water quality. The study emphasizes the importance of geochemical analysis of groundwater for stable and widespread use of aquifer thermal energy storage systems.
Roman Krzysztofowicz, a professor of systems engineering at the University of Virginia, has written a new book that combines his decades-long research on probabilistic forecasts and optimal decisions. His work builds on his early studies in hydrology and computer programming, which laid the foundation for his later studies in decision ...
Large-scale wildfires in radiologically contaminated areas enhance the mobility of radionuclides like · 137 Cs and ¹ 90 Sr in rivers. This increases radiation exposure for residents, particularly after a fire in the Chornobyl exclusion zone in Ukraine.
New research maps 35 years of river changes on a global scale, revealing 44% of downstream rivers saw decreases in water flow, while 17% of upstream rivers saw increases. This shift has significant implications for flooding, ecosystem disruption, and freshwater supplies.
Researchers found a link between El Niño events and increased fire risk in the Amazon region, particularly where groundwater storage is compromised. The study highlights the critical role of groundwater in sustaining vegetation during droughts, emphasizing the need for prevention efforts during extreme climatic conditions.
A new NASA-led study found that plants' responses to changing rainfall patterns are crucial for understanding their role in the carbon cycle. Daily rainfall variability drove growth globally, with certain ecosystems thriving under conditions of infrequent but intense rain.
A new study finds that heavy rains deliver the greatest amounts of fertilizer-derived nitrogen through creeks and rivers into the northern Gulf of Mexico. The research can be used to develop policies to protect the gulf from nutrient overloading, harmful algal blooms, and oxygen-depleted 'dead zones'.
Researchers suggest a scientific framework to operate the Nile's mega dams during droughts, balancing sustainable hydropower generation with minimizing downstream water deficit. The framework aims to increase resilience for over 300 million inhabitants in the Eastern Nile Basin living under uncertain climatic projections.
Recent studies analyze hurricane damage, water flow into dams, marine heatwaves, and the impact of air pollution on vegetable market prices in South Korea. Hurricane Katrina remains the most damaging U.S. hurricane, while a new system predicts extreme air pollution episodes in India's New Delhi megacity.
Parks have been found to be the most effective solution for reducing overall air pollution, cutting it by 22% in city-wide studies. However, other green spaces like trees and green walls showed mixed results, with some even worsening air quality.
Researchers have developed a liquid moisture adsorbent that can efficiently harvest water from the air at near ambient temperatures. The technology, which uses random copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, has the potential to provide clean drinking water in arid regions and during disasters.
A new analysis finds that sustainable rates of groundwater withdrawal were surpassed 20 years prior to declining groundwater levels being generally recognized. Limiting groundwater pumping rates by nearly half can stabilize groundwater conditions, eliminating drying up of non-irrigation wells and stabilizing environmental flows.
Scientists at Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ have discovered chimney-shaped vents on the Dead Sea floor, emitting shimmering fluid. The chimneys are similar to black smokers but originate from surrounding aquifers, providing a new tool for predicting sinkhole formation.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have estimated carbon dioxide emissions from inland waters to 22 million US lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Their new modeling approach reveals previous methods may have overestimated CO2 emissions by as much as 25%.
According to a new USGS study, approximately 71-95 million people in the Lower 48 states may rely on groundwater containing detectable concentrations of PFAS for their drinking water supplies. The predictive model helps understand the potential for PFAS contamination and informs strategic planning for water resources.
A new study discovered toxic 'Forever Chemicals' in tap and bottled water from around the world, with 99% of samples containing PFOA and PFOS. Treatment methods such as boiling and activated carbon filtration can substantially reduce PFAS concentrations, with removal rates ranging from 50-90%.
A new study by Harvard researchers finds alarmingly high PFAS concentrations in fish tissues even up to 8 km from the military base. The results underscore the urgent need for more comprehensive monitoring of PFAS in aquatic ecosystems, particularly in regions where freshwater fishing is an important food source.
The SUPERSLUG initiative aims to forecast the impact of sediment slugs on river catchments and communities. The project will use a range of sensors and numerical models to provide comprehensive predictions of where and how long-term effects might be felt, up to decades or centuries after an event.
Closing Colorado's 'free river conditions' loophole could save millions of cubic meters of water and reduce stress in the region. The loophole allows anyone to take as much water as they want from the river, threatening the success of any payment program for farmers not irrigating their land.
A recent study by Stockholm University reveals that warming temperatures can speed up carbon dioxide emissions from ecosystems, but only if the environment is sufficiently moist. This finding highlights the critical role of water in the feedback loop between temperature and ecosystem metabolism.