Articles tagged with Water Resources
NASA engineers have completed a critical design review of the Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) instrument, which will help monitor water consumption in the U.S. West. TIRS will extend the Landsat database in the thermal infrared bands needed by various users, providing high-sensitivity cryogenically cooled detector arrays.
The world's waters are facing increasing pressure due to population growth, urbanization, and pollution, threatening food production and water resources. The Mekong River Basin is a prime example of water-related conflicts escalating over access to hydropower production and its impact on local livelihoods.
Researchers found that corn plants in no-till fields experience intense competition for sunlight, water, and nutrients, leading to reduced yields. The leftover corn residue creates patches of soil with lower temperatures and different nutrient content, resulting in significant height differences among plants.
Satellite-based findings reveal nearly enough water lost in California's Central Valley to fill Lake Mead, primarily due to increased irrigation. The region's groundwater storage is declining, with significant losses detected in the San Joaquin basin.
A study by McMaster University reveals that plants prefer to share space with their own kind but divert resources towards leaves when paired with non-kin. This complex behavior allows siblings to access sunlight and compete more effectively for limited resources.
The new NIST database on gas hydrates provides a comprehensive collection of data on the properties of these naturally occurring crystalline materials, which are a potential energy resource and may affect the Earth's climate. The database contains over 12,000 individual data points for 150 compounds and 400 different chemical systems.
A $226,890 grant will fund a study on the effects of eastern redcedar encroachment on Oklahoma's tallgrass prairie ecosystem, which can alter precipitation and water loss patterns. The research aims to provide insights for land managers to better understand the impact of woody plant proliferation on water availability.
Smaller plant species thrive under the canopies of large host plants, utilizing resources and establishing quickly. This challenges traditional views on the role of plant size in competitive ability and community assembly.
A new Army study has improved the ability to predict drinking water needs for troops, potentially cutting costs of operations and improving civilian water planning. The study produced formulations that are 58-65% more accurate than the existing Shapiro equation in laboratory settings.
A series of symposium papers explore AquaCrop and other agronomic models that estimate water use efficiency under varying conditions. The models were shown to adequately simulate WUE under well-watered conditions but tend to overestimate or underestimate WUE under water stress, limiting their usefulness for deficit irrigation scenarios.
Scarab, a robotic system designed for lunar prospecting, will simulate a lunar mission to extract water, hydrogen, and oxygen from Hawaii's Mauna Kea. The robot will use a Canadian-built drill to obtain geologic cores, which will be chemically analyzed on-board instruments developed by NASA.
The new strategy focuses on reducing per capita consumption from 150 litres to 130 litres per day, emphasizing the need for a sociological perspective to understand water usage habits. The report explores the role of metering and price signals in encouraging water efficiency, as well as the development of rising block tariffs.
The Monte Verde site in southern Chile provides conclusive evidence of the earliest known human settlement in the Americas, dating back to 14,220 years ago. The discovery supports the theory that early migrants followed the Pacific Coast and confirms the peopling of the Americas was a slower process than previously thought.
Donald R. Nielsen, University of California-Davis professor, is recognized for his groundbreaking work in linking theory with field measurements and spatial variability of agricultural soils. He has guided 37 students through graduate degrees and authored over 300 scientific publications.
Researchers present applications of radar technology for exploring water beneath the surface, addressing soil erosion, groundwater depletion, and pollution. GPR-derived dielectric permittivity is used as a surrogate measure for soil water content, providing high-resolution subsurface images.
Researchers reveal a climate-driven phenomenon that reverses overexploitation of deep-sea resources, enhancing recruitment and total landings of the shrimp Aristeus antennatus. This finding has significant socio-economic impact and highlights the importance of considering global cascading effects on biological processes.
The study reveals that groundwater in atolls is vulnerable to frequent droughts, making it unreliable for drinking water. The team proposes strategies to increase the resilience of small island communities to water-related changes, including improving institutional management and community participation.
The discovery explains how plants time their growth to take advantage of resources such as light and water. The researchers found that the circadian clock regulates nearly every step in the auxin signaling pathway, with activity peaking late at night when water is most available.
Primates use cognitive abilities to select food sources based on resource quality and social group needs. The study found that white-faced saki monkeys traveled four times further than predicted distances to choose fruit-rich sites, prioritizing the group's dominance and competition.
A team of Yale chemists is working on converting sunlight into chemical fuels with the goal of increasing the nation's energy supply. They are part of a $12.8 million initiative funded by the US Department of Energy to develop efficient photocatalytic cells for water cleavage with visible-light power.
Regenerative agriculture involves reduced inorganic fertilizer use, increased on-farm energy generation, and more human labor. This approach may also reduce overcropping and groundwater contamination.
Researchers found that as cities grow, their creative output increases superlinearly, generating more wealth and innovation. This challenges traditional models of urban growth, suggesting large cities are a source of solutions rather than problems.
Researchers created a model to better understand silica scaling in geothermal wells, providing accurate indicators of its impact. The study aims to control silica scaling and reduce maintenance costs for geothermal power plants, potentially increasing the adoption of this clean energy source.
Researchers estimate that thousands of wind turbines could generate up to 330 gigawatts of average electrical power off the Mid-Atlantic coast, reducing carbon emissions by 68% and greenhouse gases by 57%. The study's findings suggest a significant potential for offshore wind energy in the region.
According to new research, severe climate change was the primary driver of civilization's development. People were forced into close proximity due to diminishing resources, leading to the creation of large urban societies. The transition to urban living resulted in increased inequality, harder lives, and decreased health and nutrition.
New Zealand tops the list with strong commitment to environmental protection, while the US falls short on critical issues like renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions. The report highlights the importance of sound policymaking and good governance in achieving successful pollution control and natural resource management.
The Decision Center for a Desert City (DCDC) will use Geographic Information System-based tools, climate models, and cognitive research to inform water management decisions. DCDC aims to enhance decision-making by investigating relationships between population growth, limited resources, and climatic variability.
Researchers found that in the driest years, desert and forest ecosystems exhibit similar growth rates per unit of precipitation, suggesting water scarcity is the primary factor limiting productivity. This study challenges current global models' ability to predict plant production under climate variability.
Lunar experts from the University of Arizona will testify about the benefits and challenges of an extended human presence for scientific exploration and mining. The hearing will focus on using water as a resource for propulsion, life support, and fueling return trips to Earth.
Agricultural ecologist David Pimentel warns of unimaginable malnutrition and human misery by 2054 if current trends continue. The world's growing population is putting pressure on resources like cropland, fresh water, and energy, threatening food production.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), passed in 1970, has had a significant impact on US environmental policy and is now being revisited in its midlife. NEPA's strength lies in giving groups the power to oppose local projects that may threaten the environment, such as highway development.
The system uses computer models to predict impacts of cities on regional and global land and atmospheric processes. By incorporating local energy and water cycles, predictions can be applied to climate and weather forecasting, agricultural management, and hazard mitigation.
PNNL scientists create a device that detects sarin and other nerve agents using infrared spectrometry. They also mimic the mineralization process to produce replicas with pores and channels, which could increase industrial yields. Additionally, researchers use midge genomes to identify pollutants in water and develop an integrated mode...
The presentation highlights the impacts of major water restrictions and efforts toward community communication during severe droughts. Researchers explore the management of freshwater inflow criteria for affected regions, examining vulnerability to aquatic resources and allocation of water resources in South Africa.
Ancient societies successfully transformed their environments through slow, incremental changes to living, labor, agricultural, and water collection/distribution practices. In Bali, Indonesia, centuries-old environmental/cultural/religious practices remain functional, highlighting the complexity of human ecology in ancient landscapes.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are conducting a large-scale aquifer test to improve groundwater management. They are using GPS antennas and remote-sensing radar satellites to measure land subsidence with millimeter accuracy, which will help managers maintain the elastic range of the aquifer and prevent land subsidence.
A GSA panel will explore critical questions about water usage, including who owns a given resource and how to prioritize uses. The dialogue aims to integrate scientific and religious perspectives on global sustainability.
The conference in Italy will discuss global change's effects on protected areas, including coastal erosions, water resources, and ski resorts. The event will also examine the impact of climate change on biodiversity and explore options for human intervention.