Articles tagged with Hydrological Cycle
Researchers have reconstructed a global history of water over the past 2,000 years, showing that the global water cycle has changed during periods of higher and lower temperatures. The study found that when global temperature is higher, rain and other environmental waters become more isotopically heavy.
A new study led by University of Maryland Professor Sujay Kaushal reveals that human activities are making the planet's air, soil, and freshwater increasingly salty. This acceleration of the natural salt cycle poses an 'existential threat' to ecosystems and human health if current trends continue.
Researchers have developed a new method to measure the duration and severity of hydrological droughts in streams and rivers, which can persist for up to 3.5 years after drought conditions end. The study found that baseflow droughts are strongly tied to groundwater levels and can impact water management and ecosystem services.
A team of researchers has made breakthroughs in harnessing low-grade heat sources for efficient energy conversion. They developed a highly efficient Thermally Regenerative Electrochemical Cycle (TREC) system that converts small temperature differences into usable energy.
The State of the Climate report confirms record highs in greenhouse gas concentrations, global sea levels, and ocean heat content. Scientists from over 60 countries contributed to the annual review, providing a comprehensive update on Earth's climate indicators and notable weather events.
A new study by Goethe University Frankfurt found that effluents from treated wastewater treatment plants alter invertebrate communities in Hesse's waters. Pollution-tolerant taxa like worms and crustaceans increase, while sensitive species like stonefly and caddisfly larvae decline.
Researchers highlight the importance of human observation of storm events to understand wet weather's impact on the natural world. Direct observation can enhance understanding, incite curiosity, and strengthen bonds with nature, enriching environmental education and inspiring research.
Daniel Herwartz receives 2 million euros funding from ERC Consolidator Grant for his project KinO, which explores temperature fluctuations associated with mass extinction and improves temperature reconstructions of ancient ocean temperatures.
Research reveals that soot particles in the Amazon rainforest come primarily from African bushfires, not regional fires. This discovery highlights the significant role of atmospheric transport in distributing pollutants across continents.
A recent study identified orthophosphate as a contaminant in some antiscalants that promotes bacterial growth, while HEDP-based antiscalants showed no biofouling effect. The research aims to develop simple low-tech tests for desalination plants to reduce energy consumption and extend membrane lifespan.
Researchers analyzed decades' worth of Landsat imagery to globally attribute recent river regime changes to morphological or hydrological signals. Global-scale prioritization guidance is provided for future river protection and restoration efforts under the UN 2030 Agenda.
A recent review study led by UT Austin examines the planet's freshwater supplies and strategies for sustainably managing them. The study emphasizes the importance of recognizing surface water and groundwater as a single resource to ensure future water resilience.
Research reveals a clear link between tropical forest loss and reduced rainfall, with potential consequences for agriculture, hydropower plants, and local communities. The study estimates that continued deforestation in the Congo could lead to a 8-12% reduction in rainfall by the end of the century.
River temperature is a critical measure of water quality, regulating physical, chemical, and biological processes in flowing waters. Rising temperatures are linked to climate change and human activities, impacting ecosystems, human health, and industries.
A study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics found that phytoplankton productivity in the Southern Ocean contributes to dense clouds that reflect sunlight. The high density of water droplets in these clouds helps regulate global temperatures and precipitation patterns.
A study using tree rings reveals a 400-year trend of increasing droughts and floods in the Kabul River Basin, with severe events becoming more frequent. The research suggests that climate change is intensifying hydrological cycles, leading to devastating consequences for natural resources management.
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...
Two crops, celery and cordifolium, were cultivated using reused medium from domestic wastewater and standard Hoagland nutrient solution. The results showed that the reused medium was effective in promoting plant growth, with cordifolium exhibiting better performance than celery, despite initial salt toxicity issues.
A new study by researchers at the Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research found that commercial dishwashers' rinse agents can damage the gut's epithelial barrier, leading to chronic diseases. The study used human intestinal organoids and analyzed the effect of detergents and rinse aids on gut cells.
A new study tracks deuterium in raindrops to better understand the Earth's water cycle and its changes due to global warming. The researchers shed light on how regional climate conditions impact deuterium excess.
A team of researchers led by Goethe University Frankfurt analyzed a diamond from Botswana, revealing significant amounts of water stored in the transition zone. The discovery has far-reaching consequences for the dynamic situation inside the Earth, potentially altering global material circulation.
A team of researchers has discovered 1.2-billion-year-old groundwater containing radiogenic helium, neon, and xenon, which could sustain subsurface microbial communities. The study reveals how energy stored in the Earth's subsurface can be released and distributed through its crust.
Researchers found that shallow lakes are linked to fertile plains, high anthropogenic disturbances, and strong water-sediment interactions, making them susceptible to eutrophication. Lake depth also predicts external nutrient load and sensitivity to human disturbance, with shallower lakes being more sensitive.
A recent study suggests that tree density in the Cerrado biome has been controlled mainly by the length of the dry season over the past 45,000 years. The research found a link between changes in the dry season and variations in Earth's axial tilt, which may lead to similar trends in the late 21st century.
Researchers found that global warming is accelerating the water cycle, leading to increased storm intensity and ice melting at the poles. Satellite data revealed a significant increase in surface salinity, indicating a stronger interaction between the atmosphere and ocean.
A new global variable-resolution model helps meteorologists understand the hydrological cycle in the Tibetan Plateau, revealing complex topography's impact on moisture transport and precipitation. The study shows that resolving topography at a few kilometers improves precipitation simulations by 11%.
A new UNSW-led study reveals that global warming has amplified the water cycle, with an estimated 46,000-77,000 cubic kilometers of freshwater transported from the equator to the poles since 1970. This finding suggests broader changes to the global water cycle and highlights the need for improved climate models.
Research reveals Arctic rivers are discharging much more water than previously thought, with acceleration up to three times higher than estimated. The RADR project assimilates satellite information into hydrologic models for the entire pan-Arctic region.
A new study led by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School found that changes in ocean salinity due to a more intensified water cycle lead to reduced surface warming. This phenomenon enhances ocean heat uptake into the deep ocean, moderating the pace of global warming.
The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded $3.1 million in grants to develop improved water data, modeling and forecasting capabilities for water managers in western states. The selected projects will provide accurate and reliable information to support informed decision-making in a changing climate.
A new study using convection-permitting models reveals improved simulations of precipitation and atmospheric circulation over the Tibetan Plateau. The models reduce the wet bias in simulated precipitation by 47% and improve the simulation of large-scale circulation, leading to better moisture transport into and out of the plateau.
A 2 MWel power plant will be built in Saudi Arabia, combining CSP and desalination techniques to achieve unprecedented efficiencies. The DESOLINATION project aims to provide low-cost renewable electricity and fresh water for the GCC region.
A new study reveals that humans are responsible for a majority of the seasonal surface water storage variability on Earth, accounting for 57% of total changes. Human-managed reservoirs have a significant impact, especially in arid regions where human control surges to 90% and above.
Analysis of satellite data reveals that humans have a dominant effect on Earth's water cycle, causing 57% of seasonal variability in freshwater storage. Human-managed reservoirs fluctuate by nearly four times more than natural lakes and ponds, affecting regions with high water stress.
A study of 251 FLUXNET sites revealed that vegetation and soil characteristics control transpiration to evapotranspiration ratio, with a trade-off between precipitation interception and soil evaporation. The results provide new insights into the role of plants in global water and carbon cycles during climate change.
The METRIC model was used to simulate and evaluate surface evapotranspiration in Nepal, showing good applicability and accuracy. The study found an inverse relation between elevation and ET, highlighting its potential for irrigation management and soil moisture assessment in the country's mountainous regions.
A new study has found substantial amplification of the global water cycle, with increased evaporation and precipitation rates, due to changes in ocean salinity. This change is largely driven by human influence and has significant implications for future climate, including more extreme weather events and droughts.
A new study by researchers from the University of Göttingen and IPB University reveals that land use change leads to more frequent and severe flooding in Indonesia. The expansion of monocultures such as oil palm and rubber plantations causes soil degradation, changes in precipitation patterns, and increased water runoff.
A deep-Earth water cycle is possible if a key mineral called stishovite can store and transport large amounts of water under extreme conditions. This discovery indicates that water could be present far into the lower mantle, altering our understanding of planetary evolution.
A study published in Journal of Climate reveals that global warming will accelerate the water cycle over global land monsoon regions, enlarging the wet-dry season contrast. This could lead to increased crop yields in some areas and food security threats due to depleted soil water.
Researchers created new water cycle diagrams to promote better understanding of human impact on the 21st century water cycle. The diagrams depict human activities such as consumption, land use changes, and climate change, highlighting the need for accurate representation.
Experts argue that current water cycle diagrams are misleading due to lack of human interaction representation, leading to a false sense of water security. A new set of diagrams shows human influence on nearly all parts of the cycle, highlighting the need for better understanding and global solutions to the world's water crisis.
A study by UC Riverside researchers predicts climate-induced reduction in large soil pores, leading to increased surface runoff and erosion. Climate change may also exacerbate flash flooding, threatening human health, food security, and biodiversity.
Climate change-induced tropical circulation slowdowns are linked to poleward Hadley cell expansion and intertropical convergence zone shifts. Regional precipitation redistribution involves complex thermodynamic and dynamical processes, including surface warming effects over oceans and land.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that vegetation plays a dominant role in Earth's water cycle, regulating future dryness and water resources. Plants' physiological responses to increasing CO2 levels have a major impact on evapotranspiration, long-term runoff, and soil moisture.
A new study reveals that large-scale water cycles in California have a modest impact on small-scale earthquake activity. Slight changes in ground stress associated with snow accumulation, snowmelt, runoff, and irrigation for agriculture influence earthquake likelihood.
The Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) shows promise in representing actual precipitation events, with ~28% of AWS snow height measurements reproduced. Significant correlation was found between AMPS and AWS coincident event sizes at five stations.
Research from the University of Southampton found that the world's wet regions are getting wetter and dry regions are getting drier, with a change of about 2% over the last 60 years. This process is called amplification of the water cycle, which is happening at a slower rate than previously predicted.
Researchers found that lateral groundwater flow uniquely affects plant transpiration, making it up to 30 times greater than evaporation from shallow soil. Including this process in earth system models is crucial as changes in the water table become more common.
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that climate change is redistributing global water resources, with more water originating from the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans. This shift can drastically affect the availability of potable water and contribute to increased coastal flooding.
A Dartmouth-led study examines the Midwest's agricultural output and global food security in relation to climate change. The research finds that the response of soil moisture and still fewer have assessed soil moisture using a combination of model simulations and regional observations.
A new study reveals that changes in the water cycle were the main drivers of widespread environmental change during the Younger Dryas period in western Europe. The researchers used a novel method to analyze organic remains extracted from lake sediments, showing that dry polar air intrusion led to ecosystem collapse and mass extinctions.
Researchers found that geoengineering methods to reduce temperature by reflecting sunlight are unlikely to restore the planet's original climate. This is because altering sunlight can have unwanted effects on the Earth's water cycle and rainfall patterns.
Researchers at Columbia University developed a method to map evaporation globally using weather stations, enabling scientists to evaluate water resource management and assess recent trends. The technique uses air temperature and humidity measurements to obtain daily evaporation rates.
Researchers found significant differences between global models and measurement data sets, with uncertainties increasing due to a shrinking global network of measurement stations. This study emphasizes the need for better understanding of evaporation, clouds, and precipitation interactions on regional levels.
Recent advances in Earth observation satellite technologies enable monitoring of the global water cycle. The European Space Agency's EO for Water Cycle Science Conference assessed current research capabilities and identified key gaps. Novel missions, precipitation, and soil moisture will improve our understanding of the water cycle.
A new study suggests that geoengineering schemes could lead to a decline in the intensity of the global water cycle. The research found that reducing sunlight through
Researchers studied ancient Arctic water cycles during a period of rapid, extreme global warming 55 million years ago. The study found that increased precipitation led to lower ocean salinity and drastically lower oxygen levels in the Arctic Ocean, similar to predicted effects of greenhouse gases.
Researchers are testing remote sensing technology to measure the Earth's water cycle on a small scale, with a focus on soil moisture levels. The goal is to improve crop yields and drought predictions by evaluating the use of various remote sensing devices.
A study by J. Marshall Shepherd found a significant increase in rainfall in arid cities like Phoenix and Riyadh due to urbanization and human activities. This change has real implications for water resource management, agricultural efficiency and urban planning.