Articles tagged with Water Resources
Research found that unsustainable irrigation can increase global BECCS potential by 60-71%, but sustainably constrained irrigation only boosts it by 5-6%. The study suggests a reexamination of the role of BECCS in achieving climate goals due to its environmental impacts.
A new study develops a machine learning method that incorporates physical world rules to make more accurate environmental predictions, particularly in river temperature prediction. The model can handle sparse data and generalize well across different time periods.
Panayiotis 'Panos' Diplas, a Lehigh University professor, has been awarded the 2021 Hunter Rouse Hydraulic Engineering Award for his fundamental contributions to turbulence in sediment transport and ecohydraulics. The award is presented by ASCE's Environmental and Water Resources Institute.
Researchers at West Virginia University are developing a technology to extract rare earth elements from acid mine drainage, producing up to 400 tons annually. This process could help address water pollution and dependence on imports, as the US currently imports nearly all its rare earth elements.
Research highlights human-induced drying trend in Central Asia since 1950s, linked to climate change and air pollution. Enhanced greenhouse gas emissions shift subtropical westerly jet, leading to descending motion and drought.
Developed countries heavily rely on imported pollination services from developing nations with high crop export rates, indicating a global dependence on biodiversity. Countries that export most pollinator-dependent crops also experience fastest cropland expansion and highest biodiversity decline rates.
A new study finds that eastern forests are more responsive to climate change, with younger trees increasing their seed production. In contrast, older western trees have been less responsive, which could limit their ability to regenerate after diebacks. The study reveals a continental divide in forest responses to climate change.
Researchers developed a low-cost, portable microscopy system using transparent microspheres and affordable objective lenses to detect pathogens in water sources. The assembly can be customized for various applications, including on-site antibiotic testing.
Researchers captured rare footage of a jaguar killing an ocelot at a waterhole in Guatemala, highlighting competition for scarce resources. Climate change and droughts are predicted to worsen, putting wildlife survival at risk.
Research studies have detected microplastics in drinking water globally, particularly in California and New York. These findings highlight the urgent need for standardization of methods to analyze microplastics and implementation of regulations to mitigate their impact on human health.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have analyzed satellite imagery to study vegetation trends in arid regions, finding a clear trend of declining vegetation growth in developing countries, while wealthier nations experience increased growth. This uneven impact may lead to food shortages and climate refugees.
A study on vulturine guineafowl found that democratic decision-making allows subordinate birds to lead the group away from dominant-controlled food patches, forcing dominants to abandon their rich resources. This mechanism helps maintain a balance of power in the group, ensuring all members can access essential resources.
Researchers uncovered evidence of human occupations along South Africa's eastern seaboard from 35,000 years ago to 10,000 years ago, providing insights into coastal foraging during glacial periods. The study reveals that people had access to the sea and could live near coastlines even during the Last Glacial Maximum.
Scientists warn that limited resources on the moon could lead to overcrowding and conflict as site selection and extraction become reality. A framework for managing these challenges already exists, drawing from analogs on Earth like common-pool resources.
The University of Texas at El Paso has received a $1.18 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study abiotic carbon dioxide (CO2) dynamics in dryland systems through irrigated pecan orchards. The project aims to understand the conditions that enhance CO2 production and develop methods to model and predict its impact.
GAIN4CROPS project uses nature-inspired approaches to enhance photosynthetic efficiency in sunflowers, promoting climate-resilient crops and sustainable agriculture. The research could lead to decreased land, nitrogen, and water usage, aligning with efforts to conserve biodiversity and reduce environmental impact.
Researchers found that feeding animals is the strongest influence on animal activity in yards, with species like squirrels and raccoons being most common. The study confirms the urban-wildlife paradox, showing that suburban areas can have an abundance of wildlife compared to wild areas.
A new study reveals that countries relying heavily on global trade are more vulnerable to resource scarcity, especially in the face of climate change. The research highlights the need for a systemic approach to examining pressures on water, energy, and land resources.
Climate change may lead to increased sedimentation (39-69%) and higher peak streamflows carrying more pollutants into the Bay-Delta. The added sediment could also support wetland habitats and native species as sea levels rise.
Researchers study how SMEs successfully commercialize inventions, identifying key factors such as clear clients and open innovation culture. The project aims to develop interventions like training programs to increase licensing of external solutions.
Researchers explored ways to ensure power supply in Spain, considering the scarcity of interconnection with neighboring countries. They found that flexible management of hydropower plants could alleviate supply shortages due to renewable energy's intermittency.
A new study suggests that farmland requiring irrigation could increase to 1.8 billion hectares, far exceeding current projections, with potential consequences for water resources, biodiversity, and climate change.
Researchers analyzed sediment yield data from 14 rivers in the Middle Volga Region to assess erosion trends over 50 years. The study found a decrease in erosion activity and volumes of its products, as well as reduced unevenness in river water flow, prompting practical applications for land use planning and resource management.
Research by WEARE at University of Córdoba reveals methods to sustainably manage groundwater, such as monitoring systems and high-added value crops, that can help recover over-exploited aquifers. Governance is also crucial in ensuring sustainable use.
The UK Water Resources Portal brings together up-to-date data on river flows, rainfall, soil moisture and groundwater levels, providing insights into floods and droughts. The portal also offers historical records for comparison with previous significant events.
Researchers developed a biodegradable film from fish scales to create flexible electronic displays. The film was found to be transparent, flexible and environmentally friendly, dissolving in hot water and degrading within 24 days.
The World Karst Spring hydrograph dataset (WoKaS) offers a comprehensive collection of over 400 karst spring discharge data, providing valuable insights into the world's fastest-flowing groundwater. This database supports trend analyses, impact studies, and model evaluations for sustainable water management.
Climate-driven farming in 'frontiers' could pollute downstream water resources and decrease biodiversity, threatening 1.8 billion people and accelerating global warming.
Researchers from Kazan Federal University have developed a new reagent to combat hydrate formation in Arctic oil production, reducing environmental harm. The chitosan-graft-Polyacrylamide reagent slows down hydrate formation and ensures safe transportation of products in optimal temperature ranges.
Research reveals sand mining on the Mekong River is causing significant erosion, with riverbanks collapsing when lowered by just two meters. Excessive sand mining poses environmental and social risks, emphasizing the need for stronger regulations to protect communities.
A new model of animal energy budgets reveals that resource variation is a key mechanism driving evolutionary body size. By considering factors such as metabolism, reproduction costs, and offspring energy delivery, the model shows that larger bodies provide more room for energy storage, helping animals survive uncertain environments.
New research from the University of Adelaide reveals that climate and economic factors are driving farmers out of their properties in the Murray-Darling Basin. The study found no significant association between reduced water extraction and farmer numbers.
A Rutgers study found that creating a sustainable neurosurgical program in Santarém, Brazil requires recruiting and training local doctors, who can navigate healthcare barriers with limited resources. The five-year residency program has improved conditions and access for patients.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to analyze the performance of pore-filled ion-exchange membranes in reverse electrodialysis. The 'Conductive Traveling Length' concept enabled accurate prediction of ion transfer and performance, impacting commercialization of salinity gradient power technology.
Researchers discovered the water conditions that drive snakeheads onto land, where they can survive for up to 20 hours. The study's findings can inform natural resources agencies' population management strategies.
The Permafrost Discovery Gateway provides a detailed picture of Arctic change, combining satellite data with air temperature and precipitation maps. The platform helps inform policies and management in the Arctic by offering a user-friendly tool to explore rapid climate changes.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that positioning employees in different units enables them to learn from innovative colleagues and adopt new skills. This approach promotes organizational learning for sustainability without the need for top-down hierarchy or extensive training.
A study by University of Queensland researchers found that most conservation initiatives follow a slow-fast-slow model, where adoption is slow initially but grows quickly as early adopters connect with potential adopters. The research aims to help designers create initiatives that reach scale and have a lasting impact on biodiversity.
A new study suggests that a majority of lunar ice deposits are likely billions of years old, but some may be more recent, posing implications for exploration and resource utilization.
A new study published in Icarus suggests that the majority of ice deposits at the lunar south pole are likely billions of years old, while some may be much more recent. The researchers used data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to determine the ages of large craters and found evidence for both ancient and fresh ice deposits.
A study published in Nature Sustainability found that most conservation initiatives follow a slow-fast-slow model, where initial adoption is slow but grows quickly as more adopters connect with potential adopters. This understanding can help policymakers design and promote effective conservation programs.
Researchers found that applying normal tap water to the chest, arms, back, legs, and face with a sponge lowered cardiovascular strain and halved dehydration rates compared to just drinking water. Immersing feet in water was also effective, but not as effective as self-dousing.
Researchers at Imperial College London identified key factors for successful conservation initiatives, including facilitating contact between adopters and potential adopters. Most initiatives followed a slow-fast-slow model, where initial adoption is slow but grows quickly as more early adopters connect with potential adopters.
A new mathematical model developed by Fan et al. suggests that environmental taxes can stimulate economic growth, decrease emissions, and improve resource utilization in China. The model's findings support the use of carbon taxes as an effective strategy to promote environmentally friendly practices.
Researchers developed a new method to measure pore structure and water flow in soil, providing more accurate estimates of contaminant movement. This approach has implications for efficient resource use and understanding environmental toxins.
Wild African elephants demonstrate distinct movement patterns in response to environmental changes, with some targeting resources while others avoid them. The study found that landscape conservation efforts should consider the diverse tactics employed by individual elephants.
A new analysis suggests that migration can promote cooperation among individuals by creating heterogeneous patterns in their spatial distribution. This allows populations to thrive despite the threat of exploitation, as defectors avoid cooperators or form communities with public goods.
A University of Queensland study found that environmental defenders are being killed at an alarming rate due to conflict over natural resources. The research highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability from corporations and governments in protecting these defenders.
A workshop at the University of Texas at Arlington aims to develop a holistic approach to urban watershed management in North Texas. The event will bring together experts from various disciplines to discuss the environmental impacts of infrastructure, climate change, and economic growth on the Trinity River Watershed.
Researchers discovered a tree stump that remained alive due to grafting with nearby trees, exchanging water and resources. This finding suggests a reevaluation of trees as individuals towards understanding forest ecosystems as superorganisms.
Oregon State University researchers developed a new model to calculate snowpack water content, utilizing snow depth data and climate normals. The model performed better than existing ones against validation datasets, providing a valuable tool for vast areas lacking weather instrumentation.
Researchers at KIT develop a new process to quantify groundwater state/level using tidal effects, reducing costs and increasing coverage of subsurface properties. The method uses automated water pressure data loggers and can be applied globally to manage resources more sustainably.
Researchers from the University of Granada developed a new forest treatment technique that helps trees adapt to extreme climates by reducing competition for resources. The method, based on measuring tree trunk diameters, has been shown to improve forest growth and resilience in Mediterranean areas.
Researchers developed a micelle-type nano-container that can be switched between assembled and disassembled states via light irradiation. The system demonstrated the release of guest molecules in water, showcasing its potential for non-invasive drug delivery.
A recent study by Elic Weitzel found that humans transitioned from hunting and gathering to agriculture in response to changes in their environment, including declining food sources and shifting climates. The research analyzed animal bones and pollen data from Eastern United States sites, revealing a link between population growth and ...
Scientists propose a new benchmark skill to improve decadal prediction of terrestrial water storage. The study suggests that incorporating decadal climate prediction significantly improves baseline skill over major river basins at various lead times.
A recent study published in BioScience analyzed international food trade data from 1986 to 2010 to assess its impact on equitable access to food. The researchers found that trade plays a significant role in distributing food more equitably across the planet.
A new study found that giraffes living near human settlements have larger home ranges than those living far from towns, while areas with more rain have smaller home ranges. This suggests that humans are impacting giraffe habitat and forcing them to travel longer distances to access critical resources.
A team of researchers developed an online survey tool to assess the reproducibility of published research in hydrology studies. The tool evaluates data availability, result reproducibility, and replicability of findings, providing insights into the low rates of reproducibility in this field.
A UCF study found that high general intelligence is not enough to stop ecological disasters, highlighting the importance of social intelligence in managing shared resources. The research used a digital game to simulate an ecosystem and found that teams with high social intelligence were more effective at optimizing resource use.