Articles tagged with Rivers
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%.
A mathematical model developed by researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University predicts how the environment affects the life choices of salmon, revealing a complex impact on population evolution. The model correctly forecasts changes in migration patterns in response to environmental conditions, shedding light on eco-evolutionary respo...
Researchers at Loma Linda University found the Salton Sea's shoreline is retreating at an increasing rate, creating more polluted dust from agricultural runoff. The study forecasts parts of the North Shore will retreat up to 172 meters by 2041, posing health risks to nearby communities.
A new study reveals that invasive silver carp reduce their movement in Chicago-area water due to stress caused by contaminants. The fish's behavior changes when introduced to water from the Illinois River north of Kankakee, suggesting they are avoiding pollutants from the Chicago Area Waterway.
Researchers confirm Rottnest Island and Swan River geological histories through ancient mineral grains. The study offers insights into the coast's transformation over thousands of years and its future adaptations to rising sea levels.
Researchers combined GPS and GRACE-based data to develop a new multivariate drought indicator, which showed strong temporal consistency with traditional drought indicators. This approach enabled the detection of previously unidentified drought events and their cascading impacts on freshwater systems.
A new policy brief argues that citizen scientists are crucial for meeting global water quality targets, providing valuable data and community involvement. Successful case studies show how collaboration with locals can improve water quality monitoring, education, and rapid response.
Researchers have developed AI-enabled detection software that can accurately detect natural debris, litter, or waste blocking culverts. The system can be integrated to existing CCTV systems to provide proactive flood defense, improving safety for response teams.
Researchers discovered that wastewater bacteria can break down plastic into small pieces called nanoplastics and use a specialized enzyme to further degrade it. The bacteria then use the broken-down plastic as a food source, providing new possibilities for developing bioengineering solutions to clean up difficult-to-remove plastic waste.
Researchers used satellite images to derive a global dataset of river width data, expanding the understanding of at-a-station hydraulic geometry. The study found that a 1% increase in discharge leads to a median 0.2% increase in river width worldwide, with weaker responses in areas with cohesive soil and high forest coverage.
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.
Researchers at Lund University found that grazing zooplankton and phytoplankton diatoms are severely impacted by nanoplastic particles, while cyanobacteria remain unaffected. The study's findings have significant implications for food chains and ecosystem processes.
Researchers have made key insights into river avulsion phenomenon, shedding light on conditions that create sudden changes in river course. The study provides a novel framework for predicting avulsion hazards using satellite technology and topographic data.
Research by FAU Harbor Branch reveals that managing both phosphorus and nitrogen is crucial for tackling toxic cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Okeechobee. Human waste is identified as a major source of nutrients, with elevated nitrogen levels found in urbanized estuaries and the Kissimmee River.
The Cary Institute will collect data on invasive mussels, water quality, and other species to support fisheries and inform management decisions. The three-year project will provide vital information for managing the river and its fisheries.
Researchers found that recreational activities like tubing and swimming temporarily introduce chemicals and microscopic organisms into local waterways. The study suggests that these changes can have significant impacts on plants and animals along the way, even if they are short-lived.
A new study by UCL researchers surveyed 1,114 UK women aged 16-80 who enjoy cold water swimming, finding most swim in the sea year-round and that longer swims occur in summer. The authors highlight pollution risks and call for improved safety measures and accessibility.
New research reveals a dangerous combination of warming waters and nutrient overload is degrading freshwater ecosystem functioning. This simplification leads to shorter food chains and vulnerable top predators, emphasizing the urgent global need to reduce pollution levels.
Researchers at USC Dornsife introduce a new method to measure mercury released from permafrost, estimating the total amount awaiting release. The study finds that sediment samples provide a reliable measure of mercury content and offer deeper insight into the permafrost's hidden dangers.
A recent study by UT Arlington scientist Nathan D. Brown shows Alaskan land is eroding faster than it can be replaced due to climate change. The team mapped and dated floodplain deposits, determining permafrost extent, to model how permafrost formation varies with air temperature.
A new study by Utah State University explores the potential of collaborative modeling to improve reservoir operations and adapt to variable inflow and declining storage. The research involved 26 Colorado River Basin managers and experts who used Google Sheets during video calls to discuss consuming, banking, and trading water.
Researchers discovered an estimated 400 billion microplastic fibers in Frenchman Bay and its tributaries, with concentrations highest in the bay itself. The study found that microplastics were transported from land through rivers and estuaries into the bay, posing a significant threat to marine life and humans.
Researchers have identified two new species of hillstream suck-loach, Beaufortia granulopinna and Beaufortia viridis, from the upper Pearl River system in southwest China. These species exhibit unique morphological specializations, including suction cup-like fins that enable them to adhere to rocky substrates.
A recent study found that nearly 50% of non-Indigenous localities and 54% of Indigenous villages in the Brazilian part of the Amazon basin are prone to isolation during severe droughts. Severe droughts result in extended periods of low water levels, affecting communities' access to goods, services, healthcare, education, and livelihoods.
A new study suggests that implementing effective water quality management measures could halve future water scarcity in the Pearl River Basin. The research highlights the importance of addressing water pollution and other environmental factors to mitigate water scarcity and support sustainable development.
A new study reveals that the Supreme Court's ruling weakening the Clean Water Act leaves many US waterways vulnerable to pollution. Ephemeral streams, which only flow during weather events, contribute significantly to river systems' total output, with 55% of water coming from them on average.
Researchers used a weather model to pinpoint the source of wintertime precipitation in Arizona, finding it comes from a central Pacific moisture source rather than El Niño/La Niña events. The study's findings could improve seasonal precipitation forecasts for the region and potentially other areas globally.
Researchers used simulations to model the erosion of Titan's shorelines, finding that waves are the most likely explanation for the moon's lakes and seas. The team found that wave activity could have shaped the coastlines of lakes and seas on Titan.
A massive earthquake 2,500 years ago caused the Ganges River to change its course abruptly, affecting densely populated Bangladesh. The study suggests that a similar event could occur again in the future, with potentially devastating consequences.
A team of researchers led by Virginia Tech's Shuhai Xiao discovered a 550 million-year-old sea sponge that challenges previous theories about its evolution. The fossil, found in China, suggests that early sponges may have had soft-bodied skeletons and only later developed mineralized structures.
A new study found that human impacts on waterways are accelerating decomposition rates, releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and disrupting food chains. The study suggests that reducing human activity could improve water quality and help fight climate change.
A study found that pharmaceuticals like metoprolol and atenolol, as well as illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine, were present in over 60% of water samples from Hudson and East Rivers. Enterococci bacteria and rainfall also contributed to drug presence, highlighting the need for improved water management systems
A new BU study links sewage overflows to increased risk of acute gastrointestinal illnesses in downstream communities. Residents are at a 62% higher risk of developing AGI within four days after large-volume combined sewer overflows, regardless of drinking water source.
Researchers have documented 75 locations across northern Alaska's Brooks Range where remote streams and rivers are turning from crystal clear blue to cloudy orange. The staining is likely caused by minerals exposed by thawing permafrost, resulting in highly acidic and corrosive conditions.
The study reveals that the pyramids were concentrated in a narrow desert strip due to a former river branch, known as Ahramat, which is now buried beneath farmland and desert. The findings suggest that the river branch was used for transporting construction materials and could help prioritize archaeological excavations along its banks.
Researchers found that natural shorelines support a higher number of fish species and abundance compared to armored shores. The study suggests de-arming and restoring shorelines can aid aquatic biodiversity.
A new study predicts climate change will lead to an overall decrease in areas suitable for malaria transmission from 2025 onwards. The research used several climatic and hydrological models to create a more in-depth picture of malaria-friendly conditions on the African continent.
Researchers found that oil palm plantations in Indonesia's Kais River Watershed are causing significant increases in precipitation, runoff, and soil moisture, leading to dramatically worse water quality. The transition from tropical rainforest to oil-palm plantation has resulted in a 16.9% increase in sedimentation, 78.1% increase in n...
Research found that oil spills in freshwater produce more chemical changes, creating compounds that can persist longer in the environment. The study simulated a freshwater oil spill and analyzed water samples using mass spectrometry, revealing higher concentrations of oxygen-loaded chemicals.
Researchers from UC Santa Barbara found a global-scale trend between sediment load and river migration rates, contrasting with previous work that emphasized the stabilizing effect of vegetation. The study reveals that meandering rivers migrate faster when carrying more sediment relative to their size.
Researchers at Linköping University discovered a specific reaction called oxidative dearomatisation that transforms biomolecules into millions of diverse molecules, making organic matter resistant to degradation. This process explains the substantial organic carbon sinks on our planet, reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
A study published in Nature reveals that oxidative dearomatization is the key mechanism behind this transformation, resulting in millions of diverse molecules with stable structures. This process allows the organic matter to persist for long periods, preventing it from rapidly returning to the atmosphere.
Researchers have developed a radar analysis method to detect open water zones and other changes in Alaska's frozen rivers, providing current hazard maps for improved winter river safety. The approach is automated, applicable across the Arctic and sub-Arctic, and can be customized for any northern latitude rivers.
A new study reveals that retention ponds and wetlands can significantly reduce the amount of tyre particles entering aquatic environments, with an average reduction of 75%. The research found that tyre wear particles outweigh other forms of microplastics, but are also removed in greater quantities.
A review of current research on Australia's non-perennial rivers highlights the need for a new type of research attention due to emerging threats from climate change and human impacts. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing knowledge gaps to preserve and protect these vital waterways.
Mark Torres' $612,930 grant aims to analyze variations in river water chemistry using machine learning approaches and bridge the gap between theory and practical application. The project will inform policy decisions and drive sustainable solutions for safeguarding our planet's waterways.
The Colorado River's water is mostly consumed by agriculture, with over 70% used for irrigation and 32% for cattle feed crops. The river's water budget reveals the need for significant reductions in water use to avoid future shortages.
A new water quality analysis technique can detect organic chemicals in rivers and lakes, identifying their source and predicting their impact. This method uses high-resolution mass spectrometry to analyze water samples within an hour, providing a comprehensive overview of all organic molecules present.
The UK's 2022 drought, the worst since 1976, emphasized the importance of early mitigation measures due to its rapid onset and extensive impacts on water resources, wildlife, and people. Improved monitoring and forecasting systems can help prevent similar extreme weather events in the future.
Researchers analyzed over 3,500 river basins worldwide, finding that precipitation was the sole determining factor in only 25% of flood events. Soil moisture and air temperature were decisive factors in around 10% and 3% of cases, respectively. The study suggests that more extreme floods are caused by multiple factors interacting.
Researchers develop hypothetical extreme flooding scenarios by shifting precipitation events, showing regions previously spared could have been hit hard. The approach aims to motivate society to prepare for exceptional flooding events in a warming world.
A new species of freshwater dolphin, Pebanista yacuruna, was found in the Peruvian Amazon region and is dated to be 16 million years old. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of freshwater dolphins, revealing a deep connection with South Asian river dolphins.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have created a unique way to measure CO2 emissions in streams and rivers, providing valuable information for land use planning and climate action. The adapted sensors can capture frequent measurements, helping understand extreme precipitation events and their impact on water bodies.
Scientists at UMass Amherst used satellite data, field observations, and numerical modeling to predict the Arctic's future ecosystem changes due to thawing permafrost. The study reveals up to 30% more subsurface runoff and altered river flows, impacting ecosystems and potentially slowing climate change.
Research published in Science found that 21% of rivers worldwide showed significant alterations in seasonal water levels due to climate change. This threatens freshwater biodiversity and water security as river flow seasonality weakens.
A team of researchers proposes a new method to track the elusive origins of CO2 emissions from streams, accounting for 60% of emissions under alkaline conditions. Using carbonate buffering, scientists can better understand the balance of CO2, water, and carbonate in stream systems.
Scientists at UKCEH developed a robust method to detect and measure toxic chemical 6PPD in river sediments, which has been linked to salmon and trout deaths. The method uses gas chromatography mass-spectrometry techniques to accurately quantify 6PPD concentrations.
Research by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign suggests that phosphorus legacy in riverbeds can delay water quality improvements in the Gulf of Mexico. It may take years or even decades for the reductions to be seen at the Gulf, according to a study published in Science of the Total Environment.
Researchers found that warmer water edges out antibiotic-resistant bacteria from wastewater in natural biofilms, suggesting a defense mechanism against their spread. The study suggests temperature can influence microbial competition in rivers.
New research reveals permafrost's dominant role in shaping Arctic rivers and storing massive amounts of carbon. Thawing permafrost could unleash billions of tons of CO2, exacerbating climate change.