Articles tagged with Water Scarcity
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that oil plays produce significantly more water than natural gas plays, posing a challenge for managing produced water. The studies project water demand and produced water volumes for eight major oil-producing areas in the US.
A study by Joep Schyns et al. estimates limits to green water availability due to limited annual rainfall, affecting global food and production systems. The analysis reveals that green water scarcity is a significant concern, particularly in regions with low rainfall.
Researchers from Yangzhou University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences create a metal-free photocatalyst that can purify pathogen-rich water in 30 minutes with over 99.9999% disinfection efficiency under visible light irradiation. The catalyst's high activity and low ecotoxicity make it a promising approach for global clean water sca...
The Water Scarcity Atlas provides an interactive map visualizing water scarcity around the globe, highlighting its evolution over the past century. The tool enables users to explore how their daily choices, such as diet and food waste, affect water resources worldwide.
Researchers developed a decision-making framework addressing water scarcity under climate change, explicitly considering uncertainties. The framework provides guidelines for policy options and helps policymakers make informed decisions on investments and interventions.
Researchers are studying how material-water interfaces impact water quality sensors, filtration membranes, and pipes. New sorbents with high reusability and specificity are being designed to address global clean water accessibility challenges.
Self-assembled block polymer membranes offer customizable pore sizes and can selectively remove contaminants from various water sources. The technology has the potential to advance water treatment technologies, enabling decentralized reuse of wastewater and reducing chemical demands for membrane cleaning.
Researchers at Penn State developed a microengineered slippery rough surface that surpasses current technology in water harvesting applications. The new surface combines the properties of pitcher plants and rice leaves, allowing it to collect tiny water droplets from air at a faster rate.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have improved the traditional design of fog nets to increase their collection capacity by threefold using a 'fog harp' system featuring vertical wire arrays. This innovative design sheds tiny water droplets faster and more efficiently, increasing overall water yield.
A new four-part framework is proposed to value water for sustainable development, guiding better policy and practice. The framework highlights the need to measure, value, trade off, and manage water effectively to achieve safely-managed drinking water and sanitation.
A study by OSU researchers used a coupled modeling approach to analyze the interactions between natural water supply and human demand, revealing key findings including the importance of economics in understanding water scarcity and counterintuitive effects of urban expansion and climate change.
A new study assesses the global impact of human interventions on water scarcity, finding that large-scale water management actions can aggravate water scarcity downstream. The research highlights the importance of considering upstream-downstream linkages in water policy decisions.
Shane Ardo will use the funding to advance his solar-powered desalination innovation, which aims to provide sustainable and inexpensive access to freshwater. The technology has the potential to reduce costs and environmental impact of conventional desalination plants.
Researchers from University of Nebraska-Lincoln developed a novel process to recycle water from whey, demonstrating its safety and effectiveness in food processing plants. The reconditioned water showed comparable cleaning efficiency to potable water.
Researchers from McGill and Utrecht University outline six strategies to reduce water stress, including improving irrigation techniques, increasing water-recycling facilities, and limiting population growth. By applying these strategies simultaneously, significant reductions in water-stressed populations are possible by 2050.
New research reveals that developed regions in China contribute to water depletion in other water-scarce regions through imports of food and water-intensive goods. This study accounts for water scarcity using the concept of virtual water, tracking water flows through trade and agricultural products.
A study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that global food trade can alleviate water scarcity in parts of India, Morocco, and Egypt through imports of agricultural goods. However, exports from countries like Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Afghanistan, and the US exacerbate local water stress.
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.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds that climate change will increase global water scarcity, affecting millions of people worldwide. The study estimates that 40% more people will be at risk of absolute water scarcity due to climate change, with significant regional differences in impacts.
Research teams compared climate simulations to assess drought, water scarcity and river flooding impacts. The study found that frequency of drought may increase by over 20%, while 40% more people are at risk of absolute water scarcity without reduced greenhouse-gas emissions.
A new study warns that current global climate change pledges will lead to increased water scarcity, affecting 668 million people worldwide. The research also reveals that a further 11% of the global population will live in water-scarce river basins or experience aggravated effects in existing regions.
A new study by University of Miami researcher Justin Stoler examines the demographics of sachet water usage in Ghana's capital Accra, revealing how poverty and environmental concerns impact urban water security. The research highlights the unintended social and environmental consequences of widespread sachet water use.
The UFZ has established a Project Office at the Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation to develop an implementation strategy for decentralised wastewater treatment in rural and peri-urban areas. The initiative aims to alleviate water scarcity and groundwater protection issues in Jordan by reclaiming and reusing wastewater locally.
A new assessment reveals large areas in Europe and Africa with insufficient freshwater resources, exacerbating water scarcity issues. The report emphasizes the need for improved water management and forecasting to address future challenges.
Experts recommend accounting for water scarcity and pollution in international trade rules to mitigate its impact. The UNESCO-IHE Institute's special report aims to integrate water management into global trade agreements, considering new concepts like virtual water and water footprint.
A comprehensive study of Asia, Africa, and Latin America's major river basins finds that sufficient water exists to sustainably increase food production. Research suggests focusing on efficient use and rain-fed agriculture can generate two to three times more food.
Professor Martin Melosi's research focuses on the historical management of water supply and sanitation systems in American cities. He argues that cities should be viewed as ecosystems with a physical, biological, and social structure, and explores the role of government in managing water resources.
A new analysis of 30 years of on-ground and satellite observations reveals the onset of water scarcity in southeast Australia around 1993-1996. This finding underscores the importance of good water information for water resource planning and highlights the impact of climate change on the country's current water resources.
The World Health Organization estimates that 2.8 billion people will face water stress or scarcity by 2025. Access to clean water can reduce global disease burden and is essential for health.
A team of researchers led by Susan Cozzens is working to improve water supply and sanitation in developing countries. They aim to create new approaches to water supply and sanitation, focusing on storing, treating, and disinfecting water, as well as developing sanitation systems that minimize pathogen release.
The Comprehensive Assessment reveals that one-third of the world's population lives in areas where water is either over-used or cannot be accessed due to lack of infrastructure. The study calls for radical changes in water management to address the growing water crisis.
A report by Cornell University's David Pimentel and his students highlights the need to conserve water in US agriculture. The study found that irrigation practices can require up to three times more fossil energy than rain-fed crops, highlighting the importance of sustainable water management.