Articles tagged with Water Quality
A new study identifies distinct hotspots in the US coastline where freshwater discharge from underground water sources can contaminate coastal waters. These hotspots, which account for half of all freshwater discharge, are particularly vulnerable to groundwater-borne contamination and affect 12% of the coastline.
A new study suggests that improvements in air quality over the Potomac watershed led to recent progress on water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. Researchers found a nearly universal improvement in water quality, with decreasing nitrate concentrations and reversing nitrogen saturation in the basin.
A new study reveals that California's drought-stricken Central Valley harbors three times more groundwater than previously estimated. The researchers found approximately 2,700 cubic kilometers of usable water, which is almost triple the state's current estimates.
Recent testing indicates that Flint drinking water quality is improving, with decreasing levels of DNA markers for Legionella. However, pathogenic forms of the bacteria were still culturable at some sampling points, highlighting the need for continued vigilance.
A series of studies published in Water Research assesses the ecological and chemical responses to geo-engineering in lakes. While some case studies report dramatic improvements, others show little effect or short-lived responses. The approach is promising when used correctly, but its potential side effects are not well understood.
A simple paper sheet can remove resistant viruses from water, improving access to safe drinking water for millions. The mille-feuille filter uses cellulose nanofibers and has a unique layered internal architecture.
A study found that crayfish increase macroinvertebrate density in polluted streams. The presence of crayfish also reduces sediment settling, creating a more favorable habitat for these organisms. This research highlights the potential benefits of invasive species like crayfish in alleviating problems in impaired streams.
The US Department of Agriculture has awarded over $8.5 million in grants to support research, education, and outreach on improving water resource quality and quantity, particularly in areas affected by drought. The grants will help communities develop regional systems for sustainable use, reuse, flow, and management of water.
The university is leading an independent study on the association between changes in Flint's water system and public health issues, including a recent Legionnaires' disease outbreak. Researchers will conduct enhanced surveillance and engage with the community to investigate potential connections.
A new study found that no disinfectant completely removes bacterial biofilms from dental water lines, posing a significant infection risk. Researchers recommend preventing the formation of biofilms as key to keeping lines clean, and suggest using good quality water, prevention disinfectants, and avoiding stagnation.
Paul West will discuss how global and regional data sets can be used to enhance productivity while considering climate change and environmental impact on subsistence farmers. The talk aims to provide insights into the opportunities and risks related to improving food security and sustainability in data-limited areas.
Researchers at Duke University found that 40 years of mountaintop coal mining has made parts of Central Appalachia 40% flatter than before excavation. The study suggests that this change could lead to increased water quality issues due to the creation of valley fills and changes in water movement.
A new study reveals that heavy weather events trigger 'pulse-shunt' of organic matter past small streams, affecting water chemistry and phytoplankton levels. This framework challenges existing concepts in watershed ecology and has implications for managing nutrient pollution and mercury inputs.
A long-term analysis of water quality monitoring data reveals that climate change is affecting Buzzards Bay's ecosystem by increasing average summertime temperatures by almost 2 degrees Celsius. This warming fueling an increase in algae growth, which in turn worsens water quality and poses challenges for coastal ecosystems.
Harmful algal blooms are becoming a major threat to inland water quality, with increasing frequency and severity due to climate change and nutrient enrichment. Inland surface waters lack formal monitoring programs, hindering efforts to protect aquatic ecosystems and human health.
A new study by Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that nutritionally improved kid's meals at Disney World resulted in 48% of diners opting for the healthier option. The healthier alternatives reduced calories, fat, and sodium by 21.4%, 43.9%, and 43.4%, respectively.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University found that informal water vendors, when organized into unions, can improve water pricing, quality, and delivery. The study suggests that these markets have the potential to bridge supply gaps in urban water systems.
A Syracuse University study, Project SWIFT, aims to establish a baseline for groundwater quality and develop geochemical fingerprinting tools to analyze water quality in areas with potential shale gas drilling. The researchers are analyzing flow-back water to uncover unique chemistry not found in well water.
A recent study by the University of the Basque Country found that altering lettuce growing conditions can enhance its nutritional quality. By subjecting plants to short-duration stresses, researchers were able to boost antioxidant compounds and increase biomass production without compromising productivity.
A study found that ultrasonic humidifiers emit aerosols with dissolved contaminants, including minerals and metals, which are 90% respirable. The quality of the water source affects the health consequences of inhaling these contaminants.
Researchers have identified new, potentially toxic molecules created by cooking with chloraminated tap water and iodized table salt. Limiting cooking time and temperature, using fortified salt instead of iodide, can minimize their formation.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that reducing cropland to below 60% or restoring wetlands to above 6% can bring about significant improvements to surface water quality. Small tweaks to landscape composition may also enhance freshwater benefits in urban areas by adding rain gardens or parks.
A study by Kari Pohl and colleagues found that extreme climate indices, such as increased frequency of warmer-than-normal days and wet days, are strongly correlated to shallow water environment changes. These changes may impact environmental boundaries and vulnerable organisms in Chesapeake Bay.
Researchers find hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-BDEs) in San Francisco Bay, suggesting human activity enhances natural production. Elevated levels of OH-BDEs are linked to higher nutrients and water temperatures in populated areas.
Research published in PLOS ONE suggests that restricting wildlife access to rivers and floodplains in dryland regions can impact water quality and human health. The study found significant relationships between increased concentrations of E. coli and animal densities, fecal counts, and land characteristics.
Researchers have developed a model to predict the risk of waterborne diseases in flooding rivers, which can affect millions of people worldwide. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding the complex interactions between environmental and human factors in shaping disease dynamics.
The influence of citizen science is growing, with some states actively encouraging local residents' participation in environmental monitoring. However, not all states share this enthusiasm, with laws limiting or prohibiting citizen scientists from collecting data near agricultural sites.
Marc Edwards, a renowned expert on municipal water quality, is studying severe iron and lead corrosion in Flint's water system. The investigation aims to understand the 'perfect storm' of problems affecting residents, including high levels of lead in tap water.
A new handheld device replaces traditional methods with a safer, more accurate, and affordable testing procedure. It is adaptable for different chemical measurements and can be used by schools and individuals to gather real data in their communities.
A 16-year-old scientist has created a solution to remove pharmaceutical drugs from contaminated water, using a plastic adsorbent that can capture the chemicals. The innovative technique, tested over six years, shows promise for scaling up and applying it in real-world water treatment.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a method to quickly and reliably identify organisms in flowing waters using DNA barcodes. This approach sheds light on the quality of habitats and can be used to assess water quality, even when species abundance is uncertain.
A new study by engineers at the University of Sheffield has proven conclusively that contaminants can enter pipes through leaks and be transported through the pipe network. Groundwater with harmful contaminants can be sucked in and remain in the pipe, potentially reaching consumers' taps at low concentrations.
A promising new solution for improving water quality is the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF), a systematic approach to identifying best options for reducing nutrient losses and erosion within a watershed. The framework provides an inventory of conservation possibilities, allowing farmers and stakeholders to choose th...
A new study from Iran recommends treatments of hot water with calcium to extend storage life and improve quality in kiwifruit. The research evaluated the effect of hot water combined with Ca solution treatments on qualitative characteristics of kiwifruit during cold storage, showing that these treatments significantly suppressed color ...
Geographically isolated wetlands provide significant benefits to water quality, including sediment retention and nutrient transformation. The loss of these wetlands would likely cause serious harm to North American waters.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research found that water is the biggest factor affecting corn silage quality in the region. Irrigation levels between 65-75% of evapotranspiration resulted in decreased yield and quality.
A new study uses Flickr photos to calculate the value of clean water, finding that higher-quality lakes receive more visits and users are willing to travel farther to reach them. The research also highlights the potential for social media data to inform social-ecological research.
The expanded module will help high school students learn how land use impacts freshwater quality in their own geographic regions. The website, funded by a $2.9 million dollar grant, provides students with hands-on learning experience using real data and geospatial analysis tools.
Researchers found that Bougainvillea can tolerate moderate deficit irrigation, reducing water consumption while improving plant quality. The study tested three varieties of potted Bougainvillea under full and deficit irrigation treatments.
The Department of Environmental Quality has awarded a $1.6 million grant to continue the water cleanup project at the Tar Creek Superfund site, led by Professor Robert Nairn and his team. The project aims to restore balance to the communities and wildlife in northeast Oklahoma.
A team of researchers led by D.J. Seo will integrate data from advanced weather radar systems, wireless sensors, and crowdsourced cell phone data to create high-resolution models of urban water systems. The project aims to produce a suite of products for flash flood forecasting, water quality monitoring, and storm management.
A recent study shows that the ecological risks posed by toxic chemicals are considerably greater than assumed on a pan-European scale. Chemical toxicity represents an ecological threat to almost half of all European bodies of water.
Steinberg's book examines the massive changes to land and water that began with Henry Hudson's 1609 adventure, transforming wetlands and water quality. The city's dense, urban development has engulfed areas once home to 55 distinct ecological communities.
Over 2300 British rivers have shown significant improvements in cleanliness, with many clean-water organisms returning to previously polluted areas. Improved water quality has helped offset the negative impacts of climate change on river ecosystems.
A comprehensive review found that improved water sources in low- and middle-income countries often contain fecal contamination. The study's findings suggest a large proportion of the world's population uses unsafe water, highlighting the need for alternative indicators of safe water.
Researchers applied a geostatistical approach to assess headwater stream chemistry at high resolution, finding patterns that vary over short and long distances. The analysis reveals the influence of landscape processes on stream network chemistry, challenging traditional assumptions about water quality.
Research by hydrologists and scientists found that the death of millions of trees in Rocky Mountain regions due to bark beetles increases groundwater flow and changes water quality. The study used water chemistry to identify the source of streamflow and found a significant increase in late-summer groundwater contributions.
A new study suggests that oyster aquaculture can remove nearly half of the incoming nutrients from the Potomac River estuary if only 15-20% of its bottom is cultivated. This approach could provide a solution to long-term water quality problems and promote ecosystem balance.
A new study found that most schools in the US meet the USDA drinking water mandate, but additional measures are needed to promote better access and encourage students to drink more water. The study suggests that collaboration among school staff and educational activities can be effective strategies to promote water consumption.
The Academy of Natural Sciences will oversee monitoring and fieldwork for the William Penn Foundation's $35M grant-funded programs in eight designated geographic areas in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware. The project aims to improve water quality and citizen awareness among 15 million residents.
Virginia Tech researchers uncover complexities of the chemical spill, determining the odor threshold concentration of the trans-isomer to be 350 parts per trillion by volume in the air. This finding highlights the need for independent measurement of cis and trans isomers to understand their properties.
Bacterial community composition at two beaches shows distinct differences but also similarities, suggesting regional human impact variations. Higher bacterial diversity at one site indicates better ecological health and resiliency to sewage contamination.
Researchers at NC State developed a new technique that uses existing technology to collect detailed water quality data more frequently. The approach allows researchers to measure key parameters like organic nitrogen, phosphates, total phosphorus, and salinity, offering insights into nutrient pollution.
The MARSOL project aims to address water shortage in the Mediterranean region by storing excess water in aquifers, reducing crop losses and mitigating droughts. Eight field sites across Greece, Portugal, Spain, Malta, Italy, and Israel are being studied for their specific approaches to water storage.
Melinda Daniels joins Stroud Water Research Center to lead climate-based water-sustainability research project and advise the US Army Corps of Engineers on environmental impacts. She will investigate water sustainability in the Smoky Hill basin and develop a policy optimization strategy.
A government-run clean water program in Beijing has improved water quality and quantity, benefiting millions. Farmers were paid to switch from rice to corn, reducing fertilizer runoff and increasing the amount of water available to city residents.
A University of Oklahoma biologist is studying how Daphnia, a small crustacean, adapts to changes in nutrient levels and water quality. The research aims to improve forecasting models of global environmental change and inform effective management of natural resources.
A USGS report identifies crucial factors influencing public-supply well vulnerability to contamination, including geochemical conditions, groundwater age, and human-induced changes in aquifer conditions. Understanding these factors can help anticipate future water quality issues and inform water management strategies.
A four-year EU-funded project has developed a response programme to rapidly restore drinking water networks following a deliberate contamination event. The SecurEau toolbox includes tools for detecting water quality changes, identifying sources of contamination, and cleaning distribution systems.
Ecologists Monica Turner and Jiangxiao Qiu mapped ecosystem services in the Yahara River watershed, finding complex interactions between provisioning, cultural, and regulating services. The study identifies areas with high levels of multiple services, suggesting a holistic approach to land management.