Articles tagged with Water Management
Pitt researchers found that orthophosphate additions in drinking water treatment can leak into urban streams, increasing phosphorus concentrations by over 600% and trace metals like copper and iron by nearly 3,500%. The study suggests urgent corrective actions to address phosphate leakage from buried infrastructure systems.
A recent study at the University of Gothenburg discovered that two medications, cholestyramine and colesevelam, can rapidly eliminate perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from the body. The findings suggest a potential therapeutic application for these medicines in reducing PFAS levels.
Researchers developed a gravity-driven biochar microreactor from rattan, achieving ultrahigh flux and complete degradation of common pollutants. The system activated peroxymonosulfate through a non-radical pathway, with boundary-like defects as primary active sites.
A new analytical framework separates how nitrogen moves through three key hydrological pathways—surface flow, subsurface flow, and baseflow—and found that each pathway behaves differently across landscapes and seasons. The study offers crucial guidance for policymakers to adapt strategies to reduce nitrogen loss.
Researchers at Seoul National University of Science and Technology have discovered fluorinated covalent organic polymers (FCOPs) that can remove 67.3% of beta-blockers like atenolol and metoprolol within the first minute. The FCOPs' strong adsorption performance is attributed to their rich structure, which enables multiple synergistic ...
An AI-driven irrigation management system developed by Texas A&M University students uses soil sensors, crop data, and weather forecasts to optimize watering. The system conserves water, reduces costs, and increases crop yields, addressing global issues of water scarcity and inequity.
A new study argues that plants cannot survive without a minimum water supply, regardless of their genetic drought tolerance. Effective water management strategies, such as modern irrigation systems and soil mulching, have consistently stabilized or boosted yields, while genetic advances provide little protection once soil moisture fall...
Researchers analyzed 11 international constructed floating wetlands projects and found that they can be a competitive solution for improving water quality, especially for nitrogen removal. The cost of removing nitrogen was consistently cheaper than phosphorus, making floating wetlands a more economical option over time.
Research reveals community management effectively protects vast areas of Amazonian forest, safeguarding biodiversity and supporting local communities. Community-led conservation efforts are crucial for long-term sustainability, but require recognition and financial support.
Six Japan-led programs will be presented at the Science Summit UNGA80, addressing global challenges such as food and water security, rare diseases, inclusive education, and research ethics. The programs are open to a global audience and offer free registration.
A 2,800-year-old study using Carbon-14 dating reveals that the Siloam Pool and Dam were constructed as part of a comprehensive water management system for ancient Jerusalem. The findings point to early urban planning and impressive engineering skills in addressing climate change.
A new study by the University of Surrey found that AI technologies can give hotels, restaurants, and cruise lines a competitive edge while improving environmental and social impact. The research calls for targeted staff training, industry-wide partnerships, and government-backed incentives to speed up AI adoption.
A new Virginia Tech study reveals that toxic well water primarily affects household pets, with 64% of dog drinking water samples containing high levels of potentially toxic heavy metals. Researchers found a correlation between untreated well water and poor health in dogs, highlighting the need for households to test and treat their water.
Researchers at UniSA propose a predictive analytics approach to identify high-risk areas before damage occurs, reducing pipe blockages and environmental contamination. The study suggests that traditional removal methods are not effective and can cause more harm.
A new tool helps understand original landscape functioning and supports current land use strategies by generating realistic drone footage of past landscapes. The study uses AI to create photorealistic depictions of the Great Hungarian Plain before water regulations.
New research reveals that lakes relying on groundwater connections maintain stable water levels and buffer climate change impacts. Shallow lakes are vulnerable to rising temperatures and reduced rainfall due to high evaporation rates.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that large rain events combined with sea level rise could cause severe flooding across 70% of Waikīkī, contaminating stormwater inlets and disrupting transportation. By 2050, the entire Waikīkī storm drainage system is expected to fail, posing a health hazard from contaminated water.
A new study introduces the SESBI index to measure stream health based on ecosystem services provided to humans. The tool evaluates six indicators directly tied to stream benefits, enabling decision-makers to quickly understand a stream's condition and prioritize investments.
A new study from Tulane University reveals that parts of New Orleans are sinking at an alarming rate, with some areas experiencing up to 2 inches of elevation loss annually. The findings highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the city's flood defenses remain effective.
Two Purdue researchers received funding to advance university innovations. Andrew Mesecar aims to develop new treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma using patented enzyme inhibitors. Meanwhile, Pablo Zavattieri is working on a patent-pending system to address saltwater intrusion in the Panama Canal.
A new market-based approach to managing water in the Colorado River basin could provide more reliable supplies for farmers, communities, and industry amid ongoing drought and excess demand. Strategic water transactions that reduce water use would benefit over 380 miles of restorable river reaches.
New research from Tulane University finds that global riverine mercury pollution has more than doubled since the pre-industrial era, with primary drivers including wastewater discharge, soil erosion, and industrial activities. This increase poses significant health risks to humans and wildlife through consumption of contaminated fish.
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a novel oxidation process using sonicated carbon nanotubes to remove industrial and municipal pollutants from contaminated water. The nonradical pathway achieves unprecedented removal rates within five minutes, targeting distributed water sources.
Researchers developed a new deep learning framework to predict extreme water levels during hurricanes, enabling smarter decisions and potentially saving lives. The framework, LSTM-SAM, analyzes patterns from past storms to make accurate predictions in areas with limited data, using transfer learning techniques.
A new Fenton system introduces a pH-responsive mechanism that produces hydroxyl radicals only within a specific pH range, preventing side reactions and improving treatment efficiency. The system's automatic shutdown in acidic conditions minimizes chemical overuse and reduces reliance on energy-intensive methods.
Researchers have developed a material that can collect moisture from the air and release it onto surfaces without external energy input. The material works through capillary condensation, where water vapor condenses inside tiny pores at lower humidity levels, creating a feedback loop of water harvesting.
A study published in Land Economics found that farmers in rural areas of Pennsylvania are more likely to adopt best management practices for clean water conservation when provided with financial incentives. However, farms in urban areas are also adopting these practices voluntarily without incentives.
The University of Texas at Arlington's (UTA) Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) has developed a real-time sensor data system to track environmental impact. The program helps Texas manufacturers reduce pollution, lower emissions, and save costs by identifying energy waste, water consumption, and air leaks.
Researchers at Rice University have created a scalable, low-maintenance desalination system that harnesses sunlight and recycles heat for a steady supply of fresh drinking water. The new technology, STREED, can handle high-salinity brines without significant decreases in water production or quality.
A new global model shows that targeted interventions across emissions, diets, food waste, and water efficiency could halter environmental degradation by 2050. The study identifies five measures to reduce transgression: climate mitigation, food-consumption change, reduced food waste, improved water-use efficiency, and improved nitrogen-...
Viruses that infect and kill toxic algal blooms can cause the release of high levels of toxin microcystin-LR into water, posing a significant risk to human health and ecosystems. The finding highlights the need for better understanding of these interactions to inform forecasting and mitigation strategies for harmful algal blooms.
A team of scientists has developed a new method for desalination that uses liquid tin to simultaneously purify water and recover valuable metals. The process, powered by concentrated solar energy, can transform desalination brine into a valuable resource.
A new study found that animal manure is a preferable option for limiting metal contamination in agricultural soils. In contrast, oestrogenic activity in the Scheldt estuary decreases downstream, indicating the impact of wastewater treatment and European regulations.
A new study from UMass Amherst found significant variability between at-home water testing kit abilities to detect contaminants. Single-parameter tests generally had more accurate results than multi-parameter ones, but users should interpret the results with skepticism, especially if testing for high levels of metals.
A long-term shift towards drier conditions is reshaping landscapes and livelihoods globally, affecting 40% of Earth's land and 2.3 billion people. The research highlights solutions to adapt to a future where water is no longer guaranteed, including smarter irrigation strategies, data analytics, and restoring degraded land.
A study published in Water & Ecology evaluates international practices in water ecological assessment, highlighting its importance for aquatic ecosystems and human activities. The assessment's core indicators and methodologies should retain commonality and uniformity to influence strategies for protection and conservation.
Researchers used satellite data to analyze the impact of dust on snowmelt in the Colorado River Basin. The study found that dust-driven melting tends to peak earliest and be most intense in central-southern Rocky Mountains, accelerating spring melt rates by up to 1 mm water-equivalent per hour.
Researchers found significant implications for water management and wildlife due to the decline in snowpack, affecting the Sainte-Anne River and its streamflow patterns. The study's findings align with historical records of droughts and heavy precipitation, highlighting the importance of protecting old growth forests.
A study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and collaborators in Arizona and Colorado found notable groundwater gains in Central Arizona despite long-term water stress. The policies have helped bank over 25 cubic kilometers of groundwater from 1989-2019, but the Colorado River faces uncertain future due to climate change.
Researchers developed a new geospatial intelligence methodology to accurately delineate areas of natural vegetation and agricultural production by crop type. The results showed 95% accuracy in mapping, providing support for public policies aimed at agricultural production and environmental conservation.
Research uncovering rapid changes in river temperatures across the US highlights importance of observational records for environmental variability. The findings provide insights into managing habitats and understanding impacts on socioeconomic activities.
Prof. Günter Blöschl's research has made significant contributions to understanding the drivers of increasing flood risks under climate change and reveals that the last two decades have been markedly flood-prone compared to historical records.
Researchers confirm that some returning salmon to Putah Creek are born there, marking a significant finding for restored streams worldwide. The study's results show that restored waterways can help restore and even create salmon runs.
Experts at Flinders University are calling for a new approach to water security on Pacific islands, where rising sea levels threaten local water supplies. Infiltration galleries, which extract fresh groundwater from shallow depths, may provide a solution, but more research is needed on their optimal design and performance.
A new study shows that climate change affects short-term precipitation events lasting hours by significantly increasing their frequency, while longer-term rainfall events lasting days are influenced by global weather phenomena like El Niéo. This distinction is crucial for assessing the risk of flooding in different regions.
New Delhi's air pollution is more severe than previously estimated, with particles absorbing atmospheric water vapor leading to significant underestimation of particulate matter levels. The study highlights the importance of considering hygroscopic growth and its impact on air quality assessments.
Consistent sand applications reduce organic matter by diluting thatch, forming a mat layer that contributes to soil carbon sequestration. This practice enhances turfgrass health while tailoring topdressing programs to specific growth patterns.
Researchers found that fog water can be harvested in the Atacama Desert to ease water scarcity affecting vulnerable populations. The collected water can be used for drinking, irrigation, and local food production, with potential yields of up to 300,000 liters per week.
A study of 17,972 wells in Brazil reveals that more than half of the country's rivers could suffer reduced flow due to groundwater seepage. The São Francisco River basin and MATOPIBA region are particularly critical areas, with intensive agricultural activity and climate change exacerbating the problem.
A new analysis of seismic data shows that historic rainfall in 2023 nearly refilled surface reservoirs and shallow aquifers but failed to replenish deeper aquifers, leaving them 25% full. The study developed a new Seismic Drought Index to quantify water deficits at different depths, providing a potential tool for groundwater management.
Researchers have found a new method to remove PFAS from drinking water by heating them with granular activated carbon at 572 degrees Fahrenheit. This process achieves 90% mineralization of the PFAS, breaking them down into harmless inorganic fluorine.
Research reveals that Eurasian Steppe grasslands are more susceptible to drought than North American Great Plains due to lower plant diversity. The study found a 43% reduction in annual productivity in Eurasia compared to a 25% reduction in North America under similar extreme drought conditions.
Researchers have created custom-made adsorbent materials that can pull harmful phosphorus out of water by transforming cyanobacterial biomass into chemically modified activated carbon. The lanthanum-modified materials showed promise in removing excess phosphorus, even at high concentrations.
A study published in Science of the Total Environment found that stormwater detention basins in Northern Virginia face significant salt stress due to road salts. Native plant species, such as cattails, showed promise in tolerating high salt concentrations, but their impact on overall salt removal was limited.
Researchers analyzed tropical storm-related precipitation to understand its impact on local water resources and provide insights into climate predictions. The study aims to help communities prepare for extreme storms and manage water resources before and after the storms.
Researchers have identified a critical link between tropical ocean temperatures and rainfall patterns in the Middle East, shedding light on the complexities of forecasting seasonal weather. The study found that positive phases of the El Niño Southern Oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole significantly increase rainfall, while negative ph...
A Politecnico study proposes a global model that optimizes agricultural and water resources, making the EAT-Lancet diet a sustainable possibility. The model suggests crop redistribution and trade flow improvements could reduce global cropland by 37-40% and irrigation water use by 78%.
A recent study demonstrates the effectiveness of a new environmental policy, known as the Resident Work (RW) policy, in improving water quality in the Yangtze River Basin. The policy, launched in 2018, involved deploying scientific experts to cities across the region, resulting in significant reductions in total phosphorus concentration.
A recent study found a 59% decrease in river antibiotic pollution due to improved manure recycling and reduced direct discharge. However, this reduction came with an unintended consequence: increased antibiotic leaching into groundwater by 15%, mainly from expanded manure use as fertilizer.
A new publication provides comprehensive guidance for public drinking water system staff on responding to wildfire damage, outlining key findings from previous disasters. The guidance aims to improve detection of chemical contamination, reduce customer notification delays, and restore safe drinking water delivery quickly.