Articles tagged with Hydrology
Agricultural runoff from fertilizer is converted into nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, in rivers and streams. Researchers found that denitrification efficiency and streambed conditions significantly impact N2O emissions, offering potential avenues for reducing climate change.
Groundwater recovery time varies by region and human activity, with some areas taking up to 15 years to recharge. Excessive pumping can cause land subsidence, contaminant mobilization, and decreased water quality.
Researchers found that lake breach floods played a crucial role in shaping the Martian surface, creating river valleys with nearly a quarter of the Red Planet's total volume. The study's findings suggest that these floods had a lasting impact on the surrounding landscape, influencing the formation of other nearby river valleys.
The scientific paper highlights challenges in global food systems, including climate change, production of unhealthy foods, and inadequate nutrition. The authors propose rebalancing agriculture research towards healthy crops, nutrient-rich foods, and nature-positive technologies to create a more sustainable future.
A study published in Biology Letters reveals a drastic fall in the number of aquatic insects in the Paraná River basin due to dam construction. The research, conducted over 20 years, found that dams alter the nutrient balance and provide a clearer water environment, making insects more vulnerable to predation.
The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded $3.1 million in grants to develop improved water data, modeling and forecasting capabilities for water managers in western states. The selected projects will provide accurate and reliable information to support informed decision-making in a changing climate.
Public monitoring of China's water quality reveals significant improvements, particularly among heavily industrialized areas. However, local governments' misaligned incentives hinder effective implementation of pollution standards.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a novel electrocatalyst that can effectively produce hydrogen and oxygen from water at low cost. The catalyst, composed of transition metal phosphates, achieves high surface area and fast charge transfer, making it suitable for commercial on-site production of hydrogen.
A new study by Yale University researchers reveals that rivers are the main source of mercury in coastal areas, rather than atmospheric deposition. The Amazon River, Ganges, and Yangtze are among the top contributors, with levels highest in August and September.
A new study found that Baltimore County's leaky sewage infrastructure delivers tens of thousands of human doses of pharmaceuticals to the Chesapeake Bay annually, affecting aquatic life and behavior. The study estimates that nearly 1% of raw sewage flows into the environment via leaking pipes.
Research by Wuletawu Abera and his team has shown that vegetation cover combined with earthworks like retaining walls or trenches can help increase the amount of carbon stored in the soil. The studies focused on the Ethiopian highlands, where land degradation has led to erosion and loss of soil organic matter.
Recent study reveals significant strengthening of tropical Pacific western boundary currents (WBCs) over the past six decades, primarily driven by temperature change. The WBCs' intensification is attributed to a strengthening of trade winds in the western Pacific Ocean.
New research suggests that reversing global warming quickly enough can prevent abrupt and irreversible changes triggered by climate tipping points. The study found that thresholds could be temporarily exceeded without permanent shifts, providing a lifeline to avoid dangerous climate change.
The study found that granting collective property rights to indigenous territories led to a significant decrease in deforestation, particularly at the border of these areas. Territories waiting for full property rights saw little impact on deforestation levels.
The Noah land surface model with multi-parameterization options (Noah-MP) simulates key hydrological variables across China. The model generally reproduces spatiotemporal patterns of runoff and evapotranspiration, capturing major flood and drought events.
A multinational study has shown that flood events are becoming increasingly severe in north-western Europe, while decreasing in southern and Eastern Europe. The research, which analyzed river flow data from thousands of locations over a 50-year period, provides clear evidence of the link between climate change and flooding.
A new study finds that US water management systems use outdated design guidelines, leading to more frequent and severe flooding. The researchers analyzed data from over 900 weather stations and found that extreme rainstorms are happening 85% more often in the eastern US than in 1950.
A study published in Journal of Avian Biology reveals that puffins, guillemots, and razorbills dive to varying depths during the non-breeding period. Contrary to expectations, puffins dive less deeply than closely related species, suggesting they catch different prey.
Researchers found a slowdown of the Walker cell during solar-cycle maxima, shifting trade winds and precipitation patterns in the tropical Pacific. The study suggests that global hydrology and ocean-atmosphere coupling amplify the solar signal.
A new study reveals that one-third of pollinator species have declined in distribution across Great Britain, while others remain stable or show inconclusive trends. However, an unexpected positive finding is the increase in key bee species responsible for pollinating flowering crops.
A study has identified 66 alien plant and animal species that could pose the greatest threat to European biodiversity in the coming decade. These invasive species are likely to arrive via shipping or trade, with aquatic species being most at risk.
A study of European shag diet composition found a dramatic shift from sandeel to other fish species, with potential implications for survival and population trends. Climate change may be driving this shift, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to mitigate its effects.
A new study suggests that insect pollinators and plants that have survived agricultural intensification are more likely to survive future environmental changes due to their ability to withstand stresses. These species include common weed species like brambles and thistles, as well as generalist pollinators that can feed on a wide varie...
Researchers report significant declines in forest soils' methane uptake, attributed to increased precipitation and hydrological flux. A literature analysis reveals a 77% global average decrease in methane uptake from 1988 to 2015.
A research coordination network is being developed to improve understanding of intermittent rivers' ecology and hydrology. The network, led by OU biologist Daniel Allen, will synthesize existing data on US intermittent rivers to study their structure and function.
Researchers at Utah State University are improving the HydroShare online system for storing and sharing hydrological data. The system, which will also be used to archive flooding and precipitation data from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, aims to facilitate collaboration among scientists.
A recent field study found that neonicotinoid pesticides reduce honeybee colony survival and overwintering success in two European countries. Exposure to treated crops also decreases reproductive success in wild bee species, highlighting the need for further research on mitigation strategies.
A team of researchers has uncovered a hidden world of water conduits and sediment ridges beneath the Antarctic ice sheet. These features are five times larger than those seen in deglaciated landscapes, shaping the ice hundreds of kilometers downstream.
Ecologists at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology have led a study that informs optimal strategies for controlling devastating midge-borne diseases like bluetongue and Schmallenberg virus. The model predicts that timing insecticide treatments over the Autumn midge peak has the greatest effect on population suppression.
Researchers tracked over 1,600 bumblebee families and discovered that access to high-quality food resources is vital for their survival. The study suggests that environmentally-friendly management of farmland can increase the probability of family survival by up to four times.
A UK-based Centre for Ecology & Hydrology study has devised a scientific model to help predict the spread of Xylella fastidiosa, a deadly pathogen threatening Europe's olive trees. The model suggests that wider buffer zones can reduce infection risk but may not stop the spread completely due to disease-spreading insects.
Researchers are seeking volunteers to help investigate the impact of harlequin ladybirds on UK insects, including a wasp parasite. By spotting seven-spot ladybirds in gardens and parks, participants can help track the lifecycle of the wasp and its effects on native species.
Dr. Martinus van Genuchten has made significant contributions to soil physics and vadose zone hydrology, including developing theoretical equations that are now universally used worldwide. His leadership has also supported the careers of countless graduate students and junior scientists.
A study by GFZ researchers reveals that Earth's internal heat is responsible for the rapid flow of Greenland's ice, driven by a geothermal anomaly that originated from the Icelandic mantle plume. The anomaly creates a region with abundant subglacial meltwater, lubricating the base of the ice and making it flow rapidly.
Researchers have developed a toolkit to help boost the likelihood of success for mangrove restoration projects by incorporating local water level data. The study found that considering hydrology is vital in determining a project's chances of success, and tools can be used to measure water levels over a minimum period of 30 days.
A new UK study predicts that severe droughts could lead to the extinction of six butterfly species by 2050, highlighting the urgent need for climate action. However, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and restoring habitats can greatly improve the chances of drought-sensitive butterflies surviving until at least 2100.
A new study reveals that harlequin ladybird, an invasive alien species, prefers urban areas and sunnier habitats. The invasive species has outcompeted native ladybirds due to habitat deterioration and competition.
The project utilizes GPS-equipped cars with varying wiper systems to measure rainfall intensity, offering a promising alternative to traditional rain gauges. By analyzing sensor readings, researchers can create a more extensive network of measurement points, leading to improved flood prediction and prevention.
Increased variability in yearly temperature records has shifted to regions of high population in Europe and North America. Globally, total temperature variability remains relatively stable despite global warming trends.
A recent study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that tropical forests are less likely to lose biomass in response to greenhouse gas emissions. This finding has important implications for the future evolution of tropical rainforests and their role in the global climate system.
Researchers have found a decreasing trend in intense rainfall frequency in the Ebro basin since 1955. This decrease is attributed to a general decrease in rainfall erosivity, suggesting persistent long-term climate changes.
Researchers from Brown University found fossilized conduits on Mars that suggest water once flowed beneath the planet's surface. The conduits, formed by underground cracks, indicate an active hydrology and a possible habitable environment.
A species of Culex modestus, known to transmit West Nile virus in Europe, has been found breeding in the UK's marshes after a 60-year absence. The discovery highlights the need to investigate mosquito-borne risks to human health and informs efforts to track the mosquitoes' spread.
A new study found that kittiwake's summer breeding performance affects their winter distribution, with failed breeders migrating over 3000km to Canada. Successful breeders remained closer to Britain.
Scientists mapped termite mounds to understand vegetation patterns and geology, revealing how changes in rainfall affect the landscape. The research uses termite mounds as indicators of ecological shifts from climate change.
Researchers analyzed nearly 20 terabytes of data to identify major oil and gas sedimentary basins, mineral-rich regions, and hydrologic resources for agriculture. The findings could prove invaluable to Afghanistan's economic redevelopment and contribute to suppressing terrorist activity.
The new field guide highlights complex interconnections between geologic features, including karstification and hydrology, in the Ozark region. It also examines connections to culture, history, and economic development of the area.
The NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System has awarded grants totaling $21 million to support ocean observing efforts in the Southeast US. The funding will be used to develop and enhance data management and modeling systems for coastal flooding, storm surges, and other ocean-related hazards.
The study reveals that human impacts, such as dams and agriculture, are the main cause of sediment accumulation in Catalan rivers. Global warming also exacerbates the problem by reducing river discharge.
Researchers observed a dramatic increase in adult guillemots attacking and killing unattended chicks due to food shortages. The study highlights the previously unsuspected parental dilemma of balancing protection with foraging, leading to brutal attacks on chick populations.
The MIBBI initiative brings together grassroots standardisation groups to create a unified framework for high-throughput biology. By sharing minimal information standards, researchers can increase data reproducibility and analysis power.
New studies reveal a significant decline in UK species diversity, with insects, plants, and birds showing declines of up to 70% over 20 years. The findings support the 'Sixth Extinction' hypothesis and highlight the need for environmental policies to mitigate the effects of human activity.
Fourteen individuals elected to Soil Science Society of America Fellowship for professional achievements and meritorious service in the field. The award honors outstanding contributions to agronomy and soil sciences.
Researchers have discovered that mountain streams follow a rhythmic pattern in their step-pool sequences, dissipating energy through vertical adjustments. This finding sheds new light on the complex dynamics of high-gradient mountain streams.