 Subjects -> WATER RESOURCES (Total: 160 journals)
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- Revisioning and reinvigorating a hydrogeology distinguished lecture tour
through learner-engaged workshops
Abstract: Abstract As geoscience and water related enrollment and degrees continue to decline, new methods are needed to recruit and engage students in these interesting and challenging interdisciplinary fields. An existing water-themed distinguished lecture tour was reinvented and reinvigorated to include a workshop to (1) promote interdisciplinary collaboration and (2) increase student engagement in earth sciences. The Geological Society of America has dedicated foundation support for a domestic and international lecture tour to promote the scientific discipline of hydrogeology. In addition to the lecture tour with a standard presentation and meetings with faculty, staff, and students, a half-day, interactive field demonstration of the inventory and assessment techniques for springs ecosystems was conducted at a spring near the lecture site. Local faculty hosts were encouraged to engage students in the planning and implementation of the demonstration workshop. The students were provided additional training to enter the interdisciplinary ecosystem data into a cloud-sourced database and to be actively engaged in producing a publication related to the springs ecosystems inventories and assessments. Of the participants of the demonstration workshops, students at eight of the host institutions became co-authors of the resulting manuscript. With the significant investment of time, resources, and logistics to implement a lecture tour, an additional interactive, hands-on, demonstration workshop is a cost-effective way to increase student engagement and provide interdisciplinary collaboration.
PubDate: 2023-11-28
- Flow alterations due a constructed reservoir in the Menik Ganga basin, Sri
Lanka
Abstract: Abstract Natural water flows and their ecosystems are altered due to manmade hydraulic structures like dams. However, limited research on hydrologic alteration has been carried out in developing countries. This research explores the hydrologic alterations which occurred in the Menik Ganga basin, Sri Lanka due to the Weheragala reservoir constructed in 2009 for inter basin transfer. The hydrologic variations of the flow regime due to the construction of the reservoir was analyzed using Indicators of Hydrologic Alterations (IHA). For this purpose, we compared the calculated IHAs for streamflow at the Kataragama station (located downstream of Weheragala) during pre-construction (1990–2009) and post construction (2010–2019) periods. Also, the IHAs of simulated flows from the Water Evaluation And Planning (WEAP) model during 2010–2019 was compared with observed gauge discharge during the same period. The monthly observed flows in the “Maha” rainfall season (September to March) demonstrated a decreasing trend in post dam period with respect to pre dam period (highest decrease of 77 m3/s during October), whilst it showed an increasing trend (highest increase of 5 m3/s during August) in the Yala season (May to August) in the post-reservoir construction scenario. This was further visualized by comparing the indicators of the simulated flows with observed for post reservoir period, in which highest percentage differences occurred in June (− 4000% in 2016) and November (− 300% in 2010) for Yala and Maha periods respectively. Large alterations of the river flow due to the impoundment depicted by higher percentage differences. These alterations are extensively examined by other indicators as well. The fluctuations of flows have been decreased due to the construction of the reservoir which resulted in reductions of low and high pulses. The results are highly appealing to the authorities who are in water resources management to reach sustainable goals.
PubDate: 2023-11-17
- Assessment of sachet water quality in Kumasi, Ghana
Abstract: Abstract This study assessed the physicochemical and microbiological quality of sachet drinking water samples in Kumasi, a major city in Ghana. Samples were collected from various sources within the city. Physicochemical properties, including pH, total dissolved solids, and concentrations of calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium ions, were analyzed following established protocols. Additionally, fluoride concentration was determined. The assessment criteria for water quality were based on the World Health Organization’s and the Ghana Standards Authority’s recommended standards for drinking water. The samples were also subjected to microbial analysis to detect the presence of E. coli and coliforms, and to evaluate microbial quality. The findings indicated that most physicochemical properties of the samples met the World Health Organization’s standards for safe drinking water, except for the slightly acidic pH. Total dissolved solids and the concentrations of calcium, sodium, potassium, fluoride and magnesium ions were within acceptable ranges. Strong positive correlations were observed among various physicochemical parameters of sachet water. However, microbial analysis revealed that 67% of the samples were contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms, including E. coli and coliforms, indicating poor microbiological quality. While sachet water samples generally meet physicochemical safety standards, addressing microbial quality is essential to ensure the safety of drinking water in Kumasi.
PubDate: 2023-11-14
- Blockage slope and ratio effects on box culvert hydraulics
Abstract: Abstract Culvert blockage at the inlet can dramatically alter the local hydraulic characteristics that often increase backwater rise, change the flow patterns, and thereby increase the risk of upstream flooding. The impact of culvert blockage is not usually included in the initial hydraulic design, although it can cause significant losses once the culvert becomes blocked. Culvert hydraulics including backwater rise with respect to blockage slope and ratio has been neglected in the studies conducted so far. In this study, we conducted a series of narrow flume tests to investigate the effects of four bottom blockage slope angles and five blockage ratios on the hydraulic characteristics of box culverts, including backwater rise, and upstream mean velocity at various Froude numbers. The results showed that Froude number, blockage ratio, and slope angle were regarded as the controlling variables for culvert backwater rise. Backwater rise increased dramatically with increasing blockage ratio and Froude number. Compared to blockage ratio B = 0.20, ΔH/hu increased by 2, 5, 9, and 13 times for B = 0.40, 0.60, 0.80, and 1, respectively. However, when the blockage slope angle decreased, the backwater rise reduced and upstream mean velocity increased in compared with vertical blockage. The relative backwater rise reduced from 0.32 to 0.29, when blockage slope angle decreased from 90° to 18.44° at B = 1 and Fo = 0.10. In addition, the length and maximum depth of water surface depression inside the culvert itself were larger with increasing blockage ratio and Froude number. For Fo = 0.10, d/ho = 0.13 and L/ho = 0.94 for B = 0.20 compared to d/ho = 0.32 and L/ho = 4.34 for B = 1. The results were also combined to develop an equation to predict backwater rise in the range 0.10 ≤ Fo ≤ 0.25, 0 ≤ B ≤ 1, and 18.44° ≤ α ≤ 90°. To enhance the accuracy, it is recommended to apply the equation for ΔH/hu ˃ 0.10. It is useful and practical in applications to add the probability of backwater rise or losses owing to culvert blockage within accounting of losses during the hydraulic design of culverts, especially in channels exposed to debris.
PubDate: 2023-11-06
- Zonation of groundwater quality in terms of drinkability, using Fuzzy
Logic and Schoeller deterministic method for Northern Dezful - Andimeshk
Plain, Iran
Abstract: In the Northern Dezful-Andimeshk Plain, the primary source of drinking water is groundwater, which has low quality in some places. Thus, groundwater quality in this area needs an accurate evaluation. In this research, the fuzzy and Schoeller deterministic method assessed the Northern Dezful-Andimeshk Plain drinking water, and the results of both methods were used to zone and compare the drinking quality of the plain groundwater in the Arc GIS environment. The deterministic method classifies drinking water quality from good to bad. According to this method, 56.81% of the total area of the plain has good quality, 20.83% of the total area is acceptable, 18.77% of the total area has inappropriate quality, and 3.57% of the total area has bad quality. However, in the fuzzy method, groundwater in 21.6% of the total area of the plain with a confidence percentage of 70% to 81% is desirable, in 75.23% of the total area of the plain with a confidence percentage of 32% to 70% is acceptable, and 3.69% of the total area of the plain with drinking confidence of 20% to 22% is nonacceptable. The results showed that the fuzzy method is better than the Schoeller deterministic method because it reduces uncertainties, increases accuracy in the evaluation, increases flexibility in the threshold limits of water quality parameters, and provides a quantitative and qualitative assessment of drinking water. Also the zoning map obtained from this method is more compatible with environmental and pollution realities. Graphical 
PubDate: 2023-11-02
- Sorghum stover and winery solid wastes co-digestion: application of iron
oxide nanoparticles for biogas yield optimisation
Abstract: One approach to addressing energy security issues is to produce renewable and sustainable bioenergy using abundant waste resources through anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD). However, the lignocellulosic nature of these biomass resources makes them recalcitrant, and pretreatment is required to make them more amenable to conversion. Iron oxide nanoparticles (ION) have been shown to increase methane yield significantly when added to biomass resources. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ION application on Sorghum stover (SS) and Winery solid waste (WSW) under mesophilic conditions. Hydrothermal synthesis was used to obtain Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Biomethane potential (BMP) tests were carried out in semi-continuous batch reactors with and without ION singly and combined SS: WSW (1:1) during a 30-day retention period. The results showed that the ION application on WSW delivered a higher biogas yield (380 mL), indicating an increase of 162% in biogas production compared to the sample without ION (145 mL). In addition, CH4 generation went from 30 to 114 mLCH4, indicating a 280% increase. However, adding ION to SS inhibited CH4 production. The study found that ION addition significantly improved biogas yield, especially with WSW, where the increase was more than triple, of interest to bioenergy and waste management practitioners. Graphic 
PubDate: 2023-11-02
- A comprehensive study of the estuary sea environment in the Bay of Bengal,
near the Mahanadi River confluence
Abstract: This study focuses on the environmental conditions of the Mahanadi Estuary near Paradeep Harbor and the adjacent sea. Data collected from May 2013 to April 2020 from 32 GPS fixed stations was analyzed to assess the water quality in different zones (estuarine, mixed zone, mixed zone south, and mixed zone north) of study area. Parameters such as pH, SST, TSS, nitrite, phosphate, silicate, TOC, chlorophyll, fecal coliform, and heavy metals were used to estimate the Water Quality Index (WQI) for each zone. The study found a deterioration (> 30%) in the overall water quality of the Mahanadi Estuary from 2013 to 2020, potentially attributed to river inflows, port activities, and industrial outflows in to the coastal ecosystem. Seasonal variations in temperature, salinity, turbidity, nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia were observed. The water quality showed a deteriorating trend in estuarine, mixed zone, mixed zone south, and mixed zone north. Based on the water quality indices, the ecosystem shows moderate levels of stress. The degraded water quality highlights the need for a targeted mitigation plan to reduce external pressures and enhance the overall ecosystem quality. Graphical 
PubDate: 2023-10-31
- Women: guardians of water and cultural link amid drinking water scarcity
in Gboguhé Sub-Prefecture, Central-West Côte d'Ivoire
Abstract: Abstract In rural Ivorian communities, women are considered as the guardians of water, undertaking an essential role deeply rooted in local cultural values, ensuring the preservation and management of this vital resource. However, the scarcity of potable water places them under significant pressure, exposing them to heightened risks. Within this context, this study conducted in the Sub-Prefecture of Gboguhé explores the critical link between the cultural values of Bete women and the issue of access to potable water in the region, with a specific focus on the impacts they experience. To achieve this, the study adopts a primarily qualitative approach based on documentary research, direct observations, in-depth semi-structured interviews, and focus groups. The findings reveal that the scarcity of potable water disproportionately affects women in these communities, leading to significant socio-economic consequences. Water points often become scenes of verbal and physical aggression among women, given the difficulties in accessing water in the area, thereby limiting their daily activities and economic participation. Furthermore, they face heightened health risks due to water supply hardships and the consumption of non-potable water from unimproved sources. Additionally, this study offers novel perspectives for transformative actions aimed at addressing the scarcity of potable water, promoting women's social and cultural values, and preserving the essential cultural ties within the Bete communities of Gboguhé and beyond.
PubDate: 2023-10-19
- Evaluation of total infiltration and storage capacities for different soil
types in Sarawak using SWMM
Abstract: Abstract Climate change and irresponsible urbanization practices are anticipated to further exacerbate flood risk. The different soil types’ physical, chemical, and biological characteristics significantly impact surface water movement, porosity, permeability, and infiltration potential. Therefore, soil infiltration is perhaps the most challenging and crucial process to characterize on a field scale. Various methods have been developed to measure the infiltration rate empirically and theoretically. However, the relationship between different soil types and infiltration rates in Sarawak remains unknown as no previous study has been conducted. This study uses the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) to evaluate the infiltration rates for five different soil types: clay, clay loam, loam, sandy loam, and sand. 30 samples of various types and soil depths were examined at intervals of 0.5 m, 1.0 m, 1.5 m, 2.0 m, 2.5 m, and 3 m. The study was carried out using a standardized slope of 0.7% and an impervious land of 25% with a catchment size of 2 acres. Extreme rainfall data on the 5th and 6th of December 2021 was input into the infiltration model. Results showed that the difference between initial and final water storage of all the investigated soil depths for clay, clay loam, loam, sandy loam, and sand was found to be 48.42 mm, 51.20 mm, 58.01 mm, 66.96 mm, and 115.54 mm, respectively. The findings demonstrated that clay has the lowest water storage capability, followed by clay loam, loam, and sandy loam. Sand could store a comparatively large amount of rainwater. In contrast, sand has the highest infiltration rate with 2.541 mm/h, followed by sandy loam with 1.835 mm/h, loam with 1.432 mm/h, clay loam with 1.039 mm/h. Clay has the lowest infiltration rate, with 0.852 mm/h. This research concluded that sandy soil could significantly reduce surface runoff and help reduce flood risk in urban regions.
PubDate: 2023-10-16
- Bibliographic review on drought and water level articles
Abstract: Abstract This bibliographic article on Drought and Water Level examined the relationship between organizations, nations, institutions, authors, references, and publishers. It examined 742 papers from Web of Science at the Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology’s. The total annual publication volume of articles was increased steadily from 2012 to 2021, with China and the United States ranking first and second in terms of publication volume and citations but in quality Switzerland and England were top-level. Institutional-partnership analyses indicated disparities in network density and connections, with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2012) receiving the highest citations and degrees. The document co-citation analysis (DCA) network was created to improve understanding of the frequency and amplitude of bursts of various publications in separate clusters. The most cited work was J Hydrol (2012), with 302 citations. The analytical tool from CiteSpace collected high-frequency keywords and performed co-occurrence, grouping, and emerging word recognition. Gorges Dam is the most crowded cluster, followed by drought stress. The greatest burst duration and most significant phrase is reservoir (2019), followed by “water quality,” which has a 5 year burst period. Estuaries perform important functions such as water purification and coastal. “Reservoir, water quality, restoration, phytoplankton, temperature, wetland, time series, diversity and carbon dioxide” are the most important terms, while “climate change, drought, water level, impact, growth, variability, response, dynamics, management and model” are the most frequently used keywords. In terms of citations, references, and academic influence, Zhang Q. (2012), the R Core team (2014), and Jappen E. (2015) were the top three contributors. Cook, ER (2013), and Allen, R.G. (2019) ranked first and second in terms of frequency, respectively. In this review work, significant information gaps were discovered in the areas of microbiological dynamics, environmental variables, fen peat incubation, lake water, drought risk reduction, biological ecology, lake acidification, salinity variations, and attribution. Future researchers should focus on these and similar topics, while Chinese and USA authors should concentrate on article quality rather than publishing numbers.
PubDate: 2023-09-21
- Insights from a comparative GIS-MCDA groundwater vulnerability assessment
in a granitic and metasedimentary fractured rock media
Abstract: Abstract This work proposes a comprehensive methodology for evaluating fissured hard-rock groundwater resources through an integrative approach based on fieldwork techniques, Geographic Information System (GIS)-based mapping, geospatial analysis and multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). The study sites comprise distinct geological settings and geographic contexts, i.e. granitic rocks (NW Portugal) and metasedimentary rocks (SW Spain). A similar methodological approach was used in both areas to compare and assess the methodological approaches’ effectiveness. The cartographic, field, and laboratory data were analysed through GIS overlay and multi-criteria spatial analysis. This GIS-integrated analysis allowed the calculation of the Infiltration Potential Index (IPI) and groundwater vulnerability indexes: GOD-S, DRASTIC-Fm, SI and DISCO, as well as the development and improvement of the hydrogeological conceptual models. At the Entre-os-Rios site (NW Portugal), the IPI index showed that the most favourable areas for infiltration are the fractured granitic regions, where the slope has the lowest values, combined with forest areas. The recharge values are around 70 to 90 mm/year. Considering hydraulic connection with the borehole data, the DISCO index identified the geostructures with the most important trending to NNE-SSW, NE-SW and WNW-ESE in the area. The highest IPI values were identified in the regional aquifer quartzite unit at Herrera del Duque (SW Spain). The recharge values are around 60 to 80 mm/year. The DISCO index identified zones where discontinuities have a higher hydraulic connection to the borehole, mainly trending NW-SE and NE-SW. The models developed could be helpful for decision-making and sustainable water resources management regarding the planning of hydrogeological investigations, delineating potential contamination areas, and the definition of catchment protection areas.
PubDate: 2023-09-04
DOI: 10.1007/s43832-023-00040-2
- Factors and mechanisms regulating heavy metal phycoremediation in polluted
water
Abstract: Abstract Rapid advances to industrialization and population increases have put aquatic ecosystems at high risk of pollution from various industrial and municipal effluents. The effluents consist of heavy metals (HM), micropollutants, nutrients, microorganisms, solids, particulates and dissolved matter. To this effect, pollutant remediation in such ecosystems is inevitable and of interest in global research. In this study, phycoremediation and its potential to bioremediate HM from polluted aqueous solutions is of focus. The factors influencing the process and the mechanisms involved are explored. The study established that available functional groups in microalgae, cell surfaces characteristics, type of microalgae species used, nutrient availability, size of biosorbent and metal concentration are some environmental factors, which influence phycoremediation success. Uptake of HM from contaminated water is regulated by mechanisms such as volatilization, bio-methylation, enzyme catalyzation, compartmentalization, extracellular polymeric substances-complexation, extracellular biosorption and intracellular bioaccumulation. To ensure high pollutant removal efficacy, improved adaptability of microalgae to HM-polluted systems and high resilience to attack by foreign agents, a number of mechanisms can be adopted. These include microalgal pretreatment with chemicals, bioengineering and biotechnological advances such a gene encoding, synthesis of transgenic proteins, gene overexpression, modification of microalgal cell surfaces with nanoparticles and the use of a consortium of microbes. This study noted that optimizing the discussed factors and mechanisms will promote field-scale application of phycoremediation in water treatment to remove HM.
PubDate: 2023-08-31
DOI: 10.1007/s43832-023-00041-1
- Hydro-chemometrics of the Nubian Aquifer in Sudan: an integration of
groundwater quality index, multivariate statistics, and human health risk
assessment
Abstract: Abstract This research employed the groundwater quality index (GWQI), multivariate statistical methods, and human health risk assessment model to investigate the suitability of groundwater for domestic uses in northern Khartoum state, Sudan. The groundwater samples were analyzed for eleven physiochemical parameters, including pH, EC, TDS, TH, Cl−, SO42−, NO3−, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, HCO3− and the primary investigation indicated the deviation of these parameters from World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The hydrochemical analysis revealed different groundwater facies with the dominance of Ca–Mg–HCO3 water type. Consequently, the groundwater samples were classified, based on GWQI, into three categories as 76.4% of the samples fall in the excellent water class, 17.6% are projected in the good water class, and 5.9% of groundwater samples are considered unsuitable for human consumption. The multivariate statistical methods were applied, including Pearson’s correlation analysis, principal component analyses (PCA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Three principal components (PCs) explaining 86.07% of total variances are extracted. These PCs indicated that rock-water interactions and agricultural practices influence groundwater quality in the study area. Additionally, HCA is used to categorize groundwater samples based on the concentration of the physiochemical parameters. Consequently, three types of groundwater were identified as low, medium, and highly mineralized. In the final stage, the non-carcinogenic human health risk was assessed based on the concentration of NO3− using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) models. The obtained hazard quotient for children indicated that 64.7% of groundwater samples are beyond the permissible limit (1 <), and the use of these samples may result in health consequences. Therefore, remedial measures are suggested for the sustainable use of groundwater.
PubDate: 2023-08-31
DOI: 10.1007/s43832-023-00039-9
- Feasibility of nitrate adsorption from aqueous solution by nitrogen and
oxygen-modified pine bark biochar: experimental and computational approach
Abstract: Efficient and economical wastewater treatment has presented itself as a global challenge. In this context, adsorption is one of the most effective methods to remove contaminants from wastewater. The present study evaluated the feasibility of chemically modified pine bark biochar’s nitrate adsorption ability. Pine bark biochar was modified with urea and sulfuric acid to remove nitrate from an aqueous solution. The physicochemical properties of the biochar samples, such as pH, pH at point of zero charges, surface atomic composition, surface morphology, and surface area, were evaluated. The equilibrium adsorption data were fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The kinetic data were fitted to different kinetic models (pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, intraparticle diffusion, and Elovich). The adsorption data fitted well with the Langmuir and pseudo-first order models. The maximum nitrate adsorption capacity was found to be 1.548 mg g−1. Mass transfer studies were conducted to identify the rate-limiting step, values of the external mass transfer coefficient, and diffusion coefficient in the nitrate adsorption process by the modified biochar. The external mass transfer coefficients were in the range of 2.2 × 10–11–2.86 × 10–10 m s−1. The intraparticle diffusion coefficient ranged from 6.53 × 10–10 to 1.78 × 10–9 m2 s−1. The Biot number value less than 100 indicated that the adsorption was controlled by film diffusion. Interaction energies between nitrate ions and model biochar structures were calculated DFT-based quantum chemical software (Gaussian). The positive interaction energy values (2.3485–2.485 eV) suggested nitrate adsorption on model biochar structures was thermodynamically not feasible. Graphical 
PubDate: 2023-08-29
DOI: 10.1007/s43832-023-00037-x
- Evaluation of the effect of different conventional roof types and
industrial activity on harvested rainwater in Southern Nigeria
Abstract: Abstract Harvested rainwater is still the only source of acceptable drinking water for rural communities in Nigeria and in some countries, where there are no water networks and it is the rooftop rainwater harvesting that is being exercised for the potable and non-potable usages. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of roof types and industrial activity on rainwater quality by analysing the physico-chemical/bacteriological characteristics, heavy metals and investigating the metal composition of the roof types. Rainwater was harvested from long-span aluminium, asbestos, corrugated iron, Cameroon zinc, stone-coated tiles roof run-offs and directly from the sky in the urban and rural areas of Imo State between the months of April-July, 2017. The results were compared with water quality standards (NAFDAC, USEPA, WHO and NSDWQ) for drinking water and Water Quality Index (WQI) ratings since there is no standard for rainwater quality. Roofs ages from < 5, 5–10, 15–20, and > 25 years in use were considered. Heavy metals were analysed using Flame-AAS; other parameters were analysed using standard methods. The WQI ratings were calculated using the weighted arithmetic method. Results show mean values ranging from 5.70 to 6.60 for pH, E.coli (not detected) and heavy metals (mg/L) burden of 0.00–0.09 for Pb, Cr (0.00–0.79), Zn (0.00–0.06), Fe (0.00–0.50) and Al (0.00–0.63). The WQI ratings gave excellent water to unfit for drinking water quality in both urban and rural areas. Since the harvested rainwater was not free of contamination, a few helpful recommendations were suggested for positive impacts in Nigeria as a whole.
PubDate: 2023-08-18
DOI: 10.1007/s43832-023-00036-y
- Detection of spatial and temporal precipitation patterns using remotely
sensed data in the Paranapanema River Basin, Brazil from 2000 to 2021
Abstract: Abstract Precipitation is the major input of the hydrological cycle in tropical regions. Changes in the spatial and temporal patterns of precipitation should be investigated in order to provide in-time information for both water and land use planning. Climate and land use changes have been influencing modification in the water cycle, demanding adaptations and increasing the vulnerability of water-dependent systems. This study investigated spatial and temporal changes in precipitation patterns in the Paranapanema River Basin (PPRB), Brazil. The PPRB region is an important agricultural and hydroelectric power generation hub and has been suffering from water crises in recent years, and more intensely in the last 5–10 years. The analysis used remote sensing precipitations data from September 2000 to August 2021 (summing up twenty-one hydrological years) at 0.1° resolution. Exploratory Spatial and Temporal Data Analysis (ESTDA) were applied to verify spatial local autocorrelation and hot/cold spots clusters, and temporal trends, homogeneity, and change points in the time series at Hydrological Planning Unit (HPU) scale level. The significant results were discussed based on statistical tests and land use cover change data. There is a strong presence of precipitation spatial patterns in the PPRB. Also, the PPRB presented modifications in the precipitation regime over the analyzed period, with significant change points around 2015—2017. Further monitoring is recommended in order to confirm these results in the long term, however, the provided information can already be used as an award to local and regional water bodies installed in the river basin, supporting informative water management.
PubDate: 2023-07-28
DOI: 10.1007/s43832-023-00035-z
- Hydrogeochemical characterization of ground and surface water in the
eastern part of the Adamawa-Yade domain, Bertoua-Cameroon
Abstract: Abstract Groundwater and surface water are major sources of water supply to the inhabitants of Bertoua. Hydrogeochemical study conducted in the study area aimed at identifying the processes that control the chemistry of groundwater sources and to examine the quality of the water sources for domestic and agricultural purposes. Fifty water samples were collected from boreholes, open wells, springs, and rivers within the study area in January 2022 (the dry season). The samples were analyzed for physicochemical characteristics including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and major ions. The water samples were acidic with 94% of pH values less than 6.5. The EC varied from 21 to 776 µS/cm and TDS (8.5–388 mg/l). The low EC and TDS indicate low mineralization and fresh water. The relative abundance of major ions (meg/l) was Ca2+> Mg2+> K+>Na+ for cations and \({\text{H}\text{C}\text{O}}_{3}^{-}\) >Cl−>NO3−>SO42− for anions. These major ions concentrations were low and within the WHO guideline values for drinking water. From Piper diagram three water facies were observed; Ca-SO4, Ca-HCO3 and mixed Ca-Mg-Cl. Rock-water interaction, ion exchange, silicate weathering and anthropogenic activities were the processes responsible for the groundwater chemistry with some minor evaporative effects. Based on Sodium Adsorption Ratio and Residual Sodium Bicarbonate all samples fall in the excellent category for agriculture.
PubDate: 2023-07-13
DOI: 10.1007/s43832-023-00034-0
- Economic attractiveness of domestic rainwater harvesting in Brazilian
cities
Abstract: Abstract Brazil is the fifth largest country by area in the world, with a variety of climates in its territory. This work assesses the economic attractiveness of domestic rainwater harvesting direct feed systems, for the replacement of non-drinking water, in 148 locations of the Brazilian territory considering hourly rainfall data for the 14-year period between 2008 and 2021. The water tariff and consumption data for each location were also considered along with estimated hourly and monthly consumption patterns. With annual operating expenses at 1% of the capital expenditure and an annual discount rate of 8%, the net present value for the 14-year period is positive in only 15 locations, which are among those with the highest water tariffs in the country. The results of these base case simulations discourage the installation of domestic RWH systems in most of the Brazilian locations considered. However, the results also show that, depending on house occupancy, filtration equipment cost, water tariff, and catchment area, outcomes more favorable to the installation of RWH systems are obtained, especially in cities of Brazil’s southern and southeastern regions.
PubDate: 2023-06-01
DOI: 10.1007/s43832-023-00033-1
- Use of a simple passive monitoring system to assess detention basin
stormwater
Abstract: Abstract The ability to monitor stormwater quality while in detention basins would be useful for stormwater managers. A simple passive method of monitoring vertical elevations of pooled stormwater in detention basins was developed. The simple method used plastic buckets with holes drilled into them to collect water as stormwater filled the basin from first flush to peak. The method was installed at three different detention basins and stormwater was collected using the simple passive system at different vertical pool elevations for three storm events. Total suspended solids were found to decline from first flush in keeping with other studies on stormwater. In addition, total phosphorous and E. coli were found to differ among storm events and pool elevations. The simple passive vertical water quality assessment system was found to produce reliable results similar to what others have found. The advantages of this assessment method were that it reduced exposure of personnel to hazardous conditions, was low cost, and was a simple, uncomplicated way to sample stormwater.
PubDate: 2023-05-11
DOI: 10.1007/s43832-023-00032-2
- Aquifer recharge capacity assessment of a anthropogenically impacted
wetland by the DC resistivity geophysical method
Abstract: Abstract Population growth and social and economic development demand increasing volumes of water for public supply, especially in scenarios where surface sources such as rivers may not meet the basic demands for the population. In southeastern Brazil, with emphasis on the Piracicaba region, there is a conflict over water use regarding agricultural and industrial activities, where the sugar-alcohol sector is widely highlighted. The region has thousands of hectares of sugarcane cultivated, which requires intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides, in addition to the need for large volumes of water in the production of sugar and ethanol, where the main effluent produced is represented by vinasse, used as fertilizer complement and soil hydration in sugarcane fields. This work presents the results of a geophysical diagnosis in a closed wetland, located in a sugarcane field region, to evaluate the hydrogeological function of this environment in aquifer recharge and the risks that land use can cause in the quality and availability of surface and underground water resources. The geophysical survey consisted of nine lines of electrical resistivity tomography in Schlumberger arrangement, submitted to 2D processing and inversion followed by interpolation and generation of 3D visualization models. The results indicate a direct connection between water accumulated in the wetland and the aquifer underneath, separated by an aquitard interface about 44 m thickness. The study points out to the high vulnerability to the input of pesticides and vinasse effluent from the surrounding sugarcane fields to the interior of the wetland, given the absence of riparian forest or buffer zone, in addition to the risk of contamination of surface and groundwater. Understanding the local hydrological dynamics should subsidize the sustainable use of the soil providing preservation of water resources, with emphasis on aquifers, a source of increasing importance in the face of the imminent scarcity of surface resources.
PubDate: 2023-04-11
DOI: 10.1007/s43832-023-00031-3
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