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Volume 16
Issue 12
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Water, Volume 16, Issue 12 (June-2 2024) – 123 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Organic charge concentration, measuring dissolved natural organic matter (DNOM), may be determined through charge balance calculations (Org.−) or modelled (OAN−) using conceptual models based on the density of the weak acid functional sites (SD) present in DNOM. These models use SD as a key parameter for empirically fitting the modelled OAN− to Org.−. The charge density (CD) is governed by SD as well as protonation and complexation reactions in the functional groups. Utilizing extensive water chemistry datasets, this study shows that spatial and temporal differences in SD and CD are influenced by variations in DNOM’s humic-to-fulvic ratio, organic aluminium (Al) complexation, and the acidity-governed mole fraction of CD to SD. Over 34 years of monitoring, the CD increased by 70%, likely due to rising pH and declining Al complexation with DNOM. View this paper
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26 pages, 3116 KiB  
Article
Screening Rainwater Harvesting Potentialities in the EU Industrial Sector: A Framework for Site-Specific Assessment
by Daniel F. C. Dias, Morgan Abily, João M. Ribeiro, Hussam Jouhara and Evina Katsou
Water 2024, 16(12), 1758; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121758 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 356
Abstract
The industrial sector’s water consumption is projected to increase by 400% by 2050, placing significant stress on freshwater reserves. To address this challenge, innovative solutions for water management are crucial. This paper proposes a comprehensive framework for Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) in industrial settings, [...] Read more.
The industrial sector’s water consumption is projected to increase by 400% by 2050, placing significant stress on freshwater reserves. To address this challenge, innovative solutions for water management are crucial. This paper proposes a comprehensive framework for Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) in industrial settings, offering a methodology to assess the potential for RWH implementation across EU industrial sites. The framework integrates internal and publicly available datasets, including EU climate change monthly average rainfall data from the Copernicus Climate Data Store, to create current and prospective scenarios for RWH. The methodology evaluates critical parameters co-created with industrial stakeholders, such as catchment area, water quality, and industrial water requirements. This approach allows for site-specific assessments, enabling industries to reduce freshwater consumption and support sustainability goals within the Horizon 2050 framework. Our findings indicate that implementing RWH systems can significantly contribute to a sustainable and circular economy by reducing annual freshwater consumption, promoting resource reuse, and lowering industrial water costs. This framework provides industries with a tool to assess RWH feasibility, supporting their efforts to prepare for increased water demands and contribute to environmental conservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change Impact on Hydrological Cycle and Water Resources Management, 2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 9028 KiB  
Article
Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation of a Two-Phase Supercritical Open Channel Junction Flow
by Marko Blagojevič, Marko Hočevar, Benjamin Bizjan, Primož Drešar, Sabina Kolbl Repinc and Gašper Rak
Water 2024, 16(12), 1757; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121757 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 326
Abstract
This study investigates the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of supercritical open channel junction flow using two different turbulence models: k-ω shear stress transport (SST) and k-ω SST scale-adaptive simulation (SAS), in conjunction with Volume of Fluid (VOF) and mixture multiphase models. The [...] Read more.
This study investigates the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of supercritical open channel junction flow using two different turbulence models: k-ω shear stress transport (SST) and k-ω SST scale-adaptive simulation (SAS), in conjunction with Volume of Fluid (VOF) and mixture multiphase models. The efficacy of these models in predicting the intricate free surface fluctuation and free surface elevation in a supercritical junction is evaluated through a comprehensive analysis of time-averaged free surface data obtained from CFD simulations and Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) measurements. The dimensionless Reynolds (Re) and Froude (Fr) numbers of the investigated scenario were Fr = 9 and Re = 5.1 × 104 for the main channel, and Fr = 6 and Re = 3.3 × 104 for the side channel. The results of the analysis demonstrated a satisfactory level of agreement with the experimental data. However, certain limitations associated with both CFD and LIDAR were identified. Specifically, the CFD performance was limited by the model’s incapacity to consider small-scale turbulent effects and to model air bubbles smaller than the cell size while the LIDAR measurements were limited by instrument range, inability to provide insight into what is happening below the water surface, and blind spots. Nonetheless, the k-ω SST turbulent model with the VOF multiphase model most closely matched the LIDAR results. Full article
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13 pages, 2078 KiB  
Article
Analyzing the Vertical Recharge Mechanism of Groundwater Using Ion Characteristics and Water Quality Indexes in Lake Hulun
by Hengshuai Gao, Sheng Zhang, Wenbao Li and Yulong Tao
Water 2024, 16(12), 1756; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121756 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 297
Abstract
The water level of Lake Hulun has changed dramatically in recent years. The interannual interaction between groundwater and lake water is an important factor affecting Lake Hulun’s water level. Vertical recharge between groundwater and the lake is particularly important. Based on an analysis [...] Read more.
The water level of Lake Hulun has changed dramatically in recent years. The interannual interaction between groundwater and lake water is an important factor affecting Lake Hulun’s water level. Vertical recharge between groundwater and the lake is particularly important. Based on an analysis of differences between the hydrogeochemical and water quality characteristics of the spring water, the lake water, and the surrounding groundwater, the source and recharge mechanism of the spring water in the vertical recharge lake are determined. The results show that spring water is exposed at the bottom of Lake Hulun, and there are obvious differences between spring water and lake water in lake ice thickness, ion characteristics, and water quality characteristics. For example, the ice thickness at the spring site is only 6.8% of the average ice thickness of the lake, and there is a triangular area directly above the spring water area that is not covered by ice; the ion contents of the spring water at the lake bottom were less than 50% of those in the lake water; and the NH4+-N content of the spring water at the lake bottom was only 3.0% of the mean content of the lake water. In addition, the total nitrogen (TN), dissolved oxygen (DO), and NH4+-N contents of the spring water at the lake bottom all fall outside the range of contents of the surrounding groundwater. In general, the source of the spring water at the lake bottom is not recharged by the infiltration recharge of the phreatic aquifer but by the vertical recharge of the confined aquifer. Additionally, the Lake Hulun basin may be supplied with confined water through basalt channels while it is frozen. The vertical groundwater recharge mechanism may be that spring water at the lake bottom is first supplied by the deep, confined aquifer flowing through the fault zone to the loose-sediment phreatic aquifer under the lake, and finally interacts with the lake water through the phreatic aquifer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydroinformatics in Hydrology)
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21 pages, 13275 KiB  
Article
A Remote Sensing Water Information Extraction Method Based on Unsupervised Form Using Probability Function to Describe the Frequency Histogram of NDWI: A Case Study of Qinghai Lake in China
by Shiqi Liu, Jun Qiu and Fangfang Li
Water 2024, 16(12), 1755; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121755 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 337
Abstract
With escalating human activities and the substantial emissions of greenhouse gases, global warming intensifies. This phenomenon has led to increased occurrences of various extreme hydrological events, precipitating significant changes in lakes and rivers across the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. Therefore, accurate information extraction about [...] Read more.
With escalating human activities and the substantial emissions of greenhouse gases, global warming intensifies. This phenomenon has led to increased occurrences of various extreme hydrological events, precipitating significant changes in lakes and rivers across the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. Therefore, accurate information extraction about and delineation of water bodies are crucial for lake monitoring. This paper proposes a methodology based on the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and Gumbel distribution to determine optimal segmentation thresholds. Focusing on Qinghai Lake, this study utilizes multispectral characteristics from the US Landsat satellite for analysis. Comparative assessments with seven alternative methods are conducted to evaluate accuracy. Employing the proposed approach, information about water bodies in Qinghai Lake is extracted over 38 years, from 1986 to 2023, revealing trends in area variation. Analysis indicates a rising trend in Qinghai Lake’s area following a turning point in 2004. To investigate this phenomenon, Pearson correlation analysis of temperature and precipitation over the past 38 years is used and unveils the fact that slight precipitation impacts on area and that there is a positive correlation between temperature and area. In conclusion, this study employs remote sensing data and statistical analysis to comprehensively investigate mechanisms driving changes in Qinghai Lake’s water surface area, providing insights into ecological shifts in lake systems against the backdrop of global warming, thereby offering valuable references for understanding and addressing these changes. Full article
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18 pages, 3128 KiB  
Article
Activation of Peroxymonosulfate by P-Doped Cow Manure Biochar for Enhancing Degradation of 17β-Estradiol
by Wu You, Gongduan Fan, Junhou Zhou, Ruiyu Lin, Xingfeng Cao, Yiqing Song, Jing Luo, Jianyong Zou, Zhanglin Hong, Kai-Qin Xu and Quanda Luo
Water 2024, 16(12), 1754; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121754 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 328
Abstract
Sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes exhibit great potential for the degradation of organic pollutants. In this study, P-doped biochar (PBC500) was successfully synthesized by the pyrolysis of H3PO4-impregnated cow manure waste and was employed to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for [...] Read more.
Sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes exhibit great potential for the degradation of organic pollutants. In this study, P-doped biochar (PBC500) was successfully synthesized by the pyrolysis of H3PO4-impregnated cow manure waste and was employed to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the elimination of 17β-estradiol (E2). The characterization results showed that the surface area, defective structure, and functional groups (C=O and phosphorus-containing groups) of biochar increased after H3PO4 modification. PBC500 exhibited high PMS activation activity and excellent E2 degradation capacity; 97.91% of 3 mg/L E2 can be removed within 90 min using 0.2 g/L PBC500 and 1 mM PMS. Based on the quenching experiments and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, defective structures, C=O, and P-C groups on biochar act as active sites to promote the catalytic oxidation of E2 by generating O2− and 1O2. In addition, PBC500 displayed excellent reusability, achieving 65.15% E2 degradation after three reuse cycles. Overall, this study presented a new technique that supports a high efficiency, environmentally friendly, and low cost treatment method for E2 wastewater and simultaneously provided a new option for the resource utilization of livestock waste. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Biochar and Activated Carbon in Water Treatment)
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29 pages, 56805 KiB  
Article
Establishing a Geo-Database for Drinking Water and Its Delivery and Storage Components with an Object-Based Approach
by Yakup Emre Coruhlu and Sait Semih Altas
Water 2024, 16(12), 1753; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121753 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 476
Abstract
Infrastructure facilities that serve the city as a whole and should be considered as a whole should be built in an orderly and planned manner, just as cities are. Infrastructure facilities become obsolete over time. Aging infrastructure facilities may become unserviceable over time. [...] Read more.
Infrastructure facilities that serve the city as a whole and should be considered as a whole should be built in an orderly and planned manner, just as cities are. Infrastructure facilities become obsolete over time. Aging infrastructure facilities may become unserviceable over time. When the need for maintenance and repair arises, it is mandatory to renew or replace infrastructure facilities. In this case, necessary maintenance/repair and renovation works should be completed as soon as possible. These infrastructure facilities may not be transferred to maps in the digital environment and may often be managed with person-oriented information, not institutional. There is a problem for decision makers, namely, that the construction, maintenance, repair and governance of infrastructure facilities cannot be carried out systematically, on time and effectively. The only way to provide such a service is through the combined use of today’s informatics, Geographical Information System (GIS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies, unlike the classical methods of the past. The aim of the study is to effectively manage the scarce resource of drinking water and its facilities, which are an important component of infrastructure facilities, with a method that uses current mapping technologies and informatics facilities. Especially after Infrastructure for Spatial Information (INSPIRE) and the transformation of Land Administration Domain Model (LADM) to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard, Turkish National Geographic Information System (TNGIS) studies and many academic studies carried out in Türkiye have been modelled with Unified Modelling Language (UML) diagrams in accordance with LADM. Similarly, within the scope of this study, UML diagrams were prepared, and then a GIS database was established. Thanks to field workers, chiefs, engineers and others working on water pipelines, all necessary data, classic, as-built and digital, were gathered. These were collected in different ways in order to conduct spatial and non-spatial analysis in the study area of Trabzon. The most important result from the study is that the entire drinking water infrastructure of Trabzon has been transferred to the system in a structure that allows spatial queries, ensuring that damage detection on water components, maintenance and repair processes are carried out in the shortest time and at the lowest cost. The investigation and application of a sensor-integrated GIS-aided system, making it possible to control and monitor the use of lost and illegal water to be controlled as well as inform consumers who will be affected by possible maintenance and repair, is recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance)
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14 pages, 1811 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Assessment of Eutrophication and the Mechanisms Driving Phytoplankton Blooms in Multifunctional Reservoirs
by Ronghui Li, Kaibang Xiao, Guoli Zhao, Xianyu Huang, Zheng Li, Heng Wu, Xusheng Huang, Yue Pan and Li Liang
Water 2024, 16(12), 1752; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121752 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 394
Abstract
In this study, changes in abiotic environmental factors were analyzed based on measured data from Dawangtan Reservoir in Nanning City during 2021–2022. The Carlson Integrated Trophic State Index method was applied to evaluate water quality and eutrophication in the reservoir, considering both exogenous [...] Read more.
In this study, changes in abiotic environmental factors were analyzed based on measured data from Dawangtan Reservoir in Nanning City during 2021–2022. The Carlson Integrated Trophic State Index method was applied to evaluate water quality and eutrophication in the reservoir, considering both exogenous inputs and internal water quality conditions. Additionally, by investigating water quality and biological factors (zooplankton and fish) in the reservoir, this study identified the main drivers influencing phytoplankton outbreaks in Dawangtan Reservoir through redundancy analysis (RDA) and Pearson correlation analysis. The results showed that the combined trophic state index of the reservoir varied between 29.2 and 56.5 throughout the year, with each water quality indicator performing worse during the summer months when temperatures were higher. There was a positive correlation between zooplankton biomass and phytoplankton biomass, and the increase in the proportion of phytophagous fish contributed to the reduction in phytoplankton. The redundancy analysis revealed that the distribution of phytoplankton species was significantly correlated with total phosphorus (TP), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and chlorophyll a (Chl-a), with different phytoplankton species responding variably to these environmental factors. Finally, a multiple stepwise regression analysis was used to construct the optimal response equation between Chl-a concentration and environmental factors. The results indicated that pH, Secchi disk (SD), DO, and biological oxygen demand (BOD) were the main factors affecting Chl-a concentration. Therefore, the outcomes of abiotic environmental factors and lake biological resources should be considered in the restoration of eutrophic lakes to achieve the desired restoration effect. Full article
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22 pages, 6552 KiB  
Article
Research on Bi-Level Objective Programming Model of Water Resources Uncertainty Based on Water Rights Trading—A Case Study of the Yehe Irrigation District in Hebei Province, China
by Shuoxin Li, Meiqin Suo, Leilei Fan and Dongkun Liu
Water 2024, 16(12), 1751; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121751 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 390
Abstract
Water resource allocation systems typically involve multi-level decision-making, with each level having distinct goals and interests, while being influenced by various factors such as social, economic, environmental, and policy planning. The decision-making in water resource allocation systems is characterized by complex uncertainty factors [...] Read more.
Water resource allocation systems typically involve multi-level decision-making, with each level having distinct goals and interests, while being influenced by various factors such as social, economic, environmental, and policy planning. The decision-making in water resource allocation systems is characterized by complex uncertainty factors and dynamic changes. In light of this, this study integrates stochastic chance-constrained programming, dynamic programming, bi-level programming, goal programming, and water rights trading to construct a bi-level objective programming model of water resource uncertainty based on water rights trading. The model not only effectively represents the random uncertainty, dynamic characteristics, interests of decision-making levels, and planning requirements of policies in water resource allocation systems but also utilizes market mechanisms to enable compensated transfer of water rights, fully leveraging the role of water rights marketization in water resource allocation. Taking the Yehe River Irrigation District in Hebei Province of China as an illustrative case study, the specific allocation scheme of each stage under the guaranteed rate of 50% in 2025 and the water rights trading results of each sub-region are obtained. Compared with the bi-level objective programming model of water resources uncertainty without water rights trading, the results show that the water consumption per CNY ten thousand GDP(WG)of the irrigation district decreased by 3.42%, and the economic benefits of Luquan District, Jingxing County, Pingshan County, and Yuanshi County in each sub-region increased by 19.17%, 7.19%, 15.11%, and 4.94%, respectively. This improves regional water use efficiency and economic benefits and provides a scientific basis for regional water resource allocation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Hydrological Modelling and Water Resources Management)
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9 pages, 229 KiB  
Review
Occurrence and Removal of Microplastics in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Perspectives on Shape, Type, and Density
by Khumbelo Mabadahanye, Mwazvita T. B. Dalu and Tatenda Dalu
Water 2024, 16(12), 1750; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121750 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 640
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) contamination has grown to be a serious environmental issue in recent years. Microplastics are plastic particles, with a size of less than 5 mm, that are either produced specifically for use in a variety of products or emerge through the decomposition [...] Read more.
Microplastic (MP) contamination has grown to be a serious environmental issue in recent years. Microplastics are plastic particles, with a size of less than 5 mm, that are either produced specifically for use in a variety of products or emerge through the decomposition of larger plastic items. Data from prior research conducted in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) regarding the abundances of microplastics across different treatment stages of WWTPs in different countries were compiled using online scientific databases. This research found that although Turkey only managed to attain a removal rate of 48.0%, Iran and the United States were able to reach removal rates of over 90.0%. It was discovered that two plants in Morocco had relatively high removal efficiencies, with one achieving a remarkable 74.0% removal rate and the other an 87.0% removal rate. The predominance of fibers and fragments in the influent and effluent across all studied locations shows the difficulty in effectively removing them from wastewater. The widespread abundance of microplastic polymers from diverse sources poses a significant challenge for wastewater treatment facilities in efficiently managing and eliminating these pollutants. This research further demonstrated regional differences in the color composition of microplastics, with black, transparent, blue, and red being prominent colors in the influent and effluent of some regions. These color variations can influence the detection and identification processes, which are crucial for developing targeted removal strategies. In conclusion, it is essential to address the pervasiveness of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants. Improving treatment procedures, protecting the ecosystem, and conserving water quality for a sustainable future all depend on addressing the various sources of these contaminants. Full article
28 pages, 4868 KiB  
Review
Hydrothermal Carbonization Technology for Wastewater Treatment under the “Dual Carbon” Goals: Current Status, Trends, and Challenges
by Guoqing Liu, Qing Xu, Salah F. Abou-Elwafa, Mohammed Ali Alshehri and Tao Zhang
Water 2024, 16(12), 1749; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121749 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 699
Abstract
Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) technology transforms organic biomass components, such as cellulose and lignin, into valuable carbon materials, gases and inorganic salts through hydrolysis, degradation and polymerization, with significant advantages over traditional methods by reducing energy consumption, lowering pollutant emissions and enhancing carbonization efficiency. [...] Read more.
Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) technology transforms organic biomass components, such as cellulose and lignin, into valuable carbon materials, gases and inorganic salts through hydrolysis, degradation and polymerization, with significant advantages over traditional methods by reducing energy consumption, lowering pollutant emissions and enhancing carbonization efficiency. In the context of global climate change, HTC plays a critical role in water environment management by addressing industrial, agricultural, and domestic wastewater challenges. The application of HTC extends to wastewater treatment, where hydrochar effectively adsorbs heavy metals, organic compounds, and anions, thereby improving water quality. However, challenges remain, such as optimizing the process for diverse raw materials, managing economic costs, and addressing environmental and social impacts. Future research and policy support are essential for advancing HTC technology. By enhancing reaction mechanisms, developing catalysts, and promoting international cooperation, HTC can significantly contribute towards achieving carbon neutrality goals and fostering sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and the Circular Economy)
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18 pages, 5109 KiB  
Article
Vulnerability Assessment of Guarani Aquifer Using PESTICIDE-DRASTIC-LU Model: Insights from Brotas Municipality, Brazil
by João Vitor Guerrero, Alberto Gomes, Reinaldo Lorandi, José Augusto Di Lollo, Guilherme Mataveli and Luiz Eduardo Moschini
Water 2024, 16(12), 1748; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121748 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 331
Abstract
Free aquifers have become an important water supply option for underdeveloped and developing countries, due to the resource quality and relatively low extraction prices. However, overexploitation and the lack of territorial planning guidelines in these areas endanger groundwater availability and quality. In this [...] Read more.
Free aquifers have become an important water supply option for underdeveloped and developing countries, due to the resource quality and relatively low extraction prices. However, overexploitation and the lack of territorial planning guidelines in these areas endanger groundwater availability and quality. In this context, this study aimed to analyze the vulnerability to groundwater contamination and contribute to the conservation of the ecosystem services, provided by the Guarani aquifer in Brotas, Brazil, by applying the PESTICIDE-DRASTIC-LU model. The application of this model allowed the identification of priority conservation areas within the context of ecosystem services that groundwater provides to local inhabitants. To this end, we collected, treated, and analyzed seven different hydrogeological data to understand the environmental dynamics of the system and to identify which areas are most vulnerable to aquifer contamination. The results pointed out that 64% of the study area presents zones of high and very high vulnerability to contamination, due to the local hydrogeological characteristics (sandy soils and rocks) and the various anthropogenic activities, mainly with large plantations of sugar cane and eucalyptus. In addition, the mapping allowed the spatial demonstration of the places that should be considered a priority for the conservation of ecosystem services provided by local groundwater. Thus, our results can serve as a baseline to define public action strategies for the preservation and sustainable management of the Guarani aquifer areas. Full article
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14 pages, 4142 KiB  
Article
Surface Modification of PVDF and PTFE Hollow Fiber Membranes for Enhanced Nitrogen Removal in a Membrane-Aerated Biofilm Reactor
by Wenfeng Zai, Yangman Chen, Qingdong Qin, Xiangkun Li and Dezhao Liu
Water 2024, 16(12), 1747; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121747 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 343
Abstract
Microporous membranes such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) often exhibit suboptimal hydrophilicity and microbial adhesion, which impede effective nitrogen removal in membrane-aerated biofilm reactors (MABRs), particularly during initial operational phases. To address this issue, the present study introduced acrylic acid (AA) [...] Read more.
Microporous membranes such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) often exhibit suboptimal hydrophilicity and microbial adhesion, which impede effective nitrogen removal in membrane-aerated biofilm reactors (MABRs), particularly during initial operational phases. To address this issue, the present study introduced acrylic acid (AA) following plasma treatment (P) to enhance membrane performance, thereby engineering a novel composite material optimized for MABR applications. Four MABRs—Reactor with pristine PVDF membrane (R-PVDF), Reactor with composite PVDF membrane (R-PVDF-P-AA), Reactor with pristine PTFE membrane (R-PTFE), and Reactor with composite PTFE membrane (R-PTFE-P-AA)—were evaluated. The modified membranes displayed enhanced roughness and hydrophilicity, which improved biocompatibility and variably increased the oxygen transfer efficiency. Notably, the R-PVDF-P-AA configuration showed a significant enhancement in the removal rates of NH4+-N and total nitrogen (TN), achieving 78.5% and 61.3%, respectively, which was markedly higher than those observed with the original membranes. In contrast, the modified R-PTFE-P-AA exhibited lower removal efficiencies, with NH4+-N and TN reductions of approximately 60.0% and 49.5%. Detailed microbial community analysis revealed that the R-PVDF-P-AA membrane supported robust commensalism between ammonia-oxidizing and denitrifying bacteria, underpinning the improved performance. These findings highlight the critical role of surface chemistry and microbial ecology in optimizing the function of MABRs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Purification Processes: Principles, Methods and Applications)
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19 pages, 6040 KiB  
Article
Impact Assessment of Climate Change on Water Supply to Hsinchu Science Park in Taiwan
by Tsung-Yu Lee, Yun-Pan Lai, Tse-Yang Teng and Chi-Cheng Chiu
Water 2024, 16(12), 1746; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121746 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 400
Abstract
The Hsinchu Science Park (HSP) in Taiwan plays a vital role in the chain of semiconductor production, but water scarcity has been challenging semiconductor manufacturing. The Baoshan Reservoir (BS) and the Baoshan Second Reservoir (BSR) are two major sources of water supply to [...] Read more.
The Hsinchu Science Park (HSP) in Taiwan plays a vital role in the chain of semiconductor production, but water scarcity has been challenging semiconductor manufacturing. The Baoshan Reservoir (BS) and the Baoshan Second Reservoir (BSR) are two major sources of water supply to the HSP. However, the impacts of climate change on the water supply have not been analyzed. In this study, a hydrological model (i.e., SWAT) and an operation model of the BR and the BSR were coupled to assess the climate change impacts on the inflow, outflow, and water storage volume (WSV) of the reservoirs. The simulations were based on the weather data for the RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5 scenarios of AR5 for the Periods of 2021–2040, 2041–2060, 2061–2060, and 2081–2100 derived from up to 33 GCMs/EMSs. It is found that more intensified global warming would generally result in more apparent rainfall seasonality that is wetter in the wet season and dryer in the dry season and more magnified seasonality in river flow. During the hotspot period of water shortage in the HSP from February to May, future water scarcity is expected to worsen. Among the 16 combinations of scenarios and Periods, 13 indicate lower WSV in the future compared to the Baseline. The annual mean number of ten-day periods with WSV lower than the operation rule curve ranges from 4.84 to 6.95 ten-day periods, higher than the Baseline of 4.81 ten-day periods. Overall, RCP6.0 has the most significant impact on the study area, with the highest annual economic loss occurring during the 2041-2060 period, reaching USD 1 billion (~2.37% of the 2023 annual production value) for the HSP. This study also provides a three-month cumulative rainfall threshold as an operational warning indicator for the HSP. Our assessment results indicate that future water supply to the HSP should be a serious concern for stabilizing the manufacturing processes and hence the global semiconductor component supply. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance)
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15 pages, 1056 KiB  
Article
The Water Management Impacts of Large-Scale Mining Operations: A Social and Environmental Perspective
by Katherine Arenas-Collao, Héctor Valdés-González, Lorenzo Reyes-Bozo and José Luis Salazar
Water 2024, 16(12), 1745; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121745 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 488
Abstract
This study investigates water consumption in two areas with limited water resources—the Salar de Atacama and Salar de Atacama-Vertiente Pacifico basins in Chile’s Antofagasta Region—with the aim of developing strategies that incorporate social and environmental aspects into water management. A qualitative approach was [...] Read more.
This study investigates water consumption in two areas with limited water resources—the Salar de Atacama and Salar de Atacama-Vertiente Pacifico basins in Chile’s Antofagasta Region—with the aim of developing strategies that incorporate social and environmental aspects into water management. A qualitative approach was employed that involved a focus group with twelve water management representatives and surveys of the general population (468 responses). Additionally, the current state of water rights in the two basins was examined and the feasibility of the proposed strategies was assessed. The findings reveal that the mining industry’s development approach is mostly viewed as negative, mainly due to inadequate community engagement, confidential consumption data, and limited government oversight. The quantitative findings indicate that 53.8% of respondents see the main obstacle as the lack of a solution satisfying both parties. Additionally, 35.3%, 24.4%, and 22.4% believe transparency, objective information provision, and detailed resource usage disclosure by mining companies would help. Adopting a comprehensive water stewardship approach that considers social and environmental factors would enable a novel contribution to a more effective and sustainable water resource management system in northern Chile, mitigating communities’ negative perceptions of the industry and facilitating the integration of communities and involved agents. Therefore, improved management and transparent collaboration among stakeholders are essential for responsible water resource use in mining. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Management in Arid and Semi-arid Regions)
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19 pages, 5158 KiB  
Article
Changes in the Hydrological Regime of the Volga River and Their Influence on Caspian Sea Level Fluctuations
by Elnur Safarov, Said Safarov and Emil Bayramov
Water 2024, 16(12), 1744; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121744 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 778
Abstract
In this study, spanning from 1938 to 2020, the hydrological changes in the Volga River and their repercussions on the Caspian Sea level were examined. Analysis reveals a correlation between high Volga River runoff and increased atmospheric precipitation in its basin. However, in [...] Read more.
In this study, spanning from 1938 to 2020, the hydrological changes in the Volga River and their repercussions on the Caspian Sea level were examined. Analysis reveals a correlation between high Volga River runoff and increased atmospheric precipitation in its basin. However, in recent years (2005–2020), a significant decline in the runoff coefficient at the Verkhneye Lebyazhie hydrological station, attributable to climate warming surpassing global temperature anomalies, has been observed. This warming’s impact on river flow and sea level was quantified, resulting in a 133 cm decrease in sea level from 1977 to 2020. Notably, while, historically, Caspian Sea level changes mirrored Volga River runoff fluctuations until 2005, since 2006, the sea level has markedly dropped, decoupling from river runoff variations. Comparison with recent studies suggests that altered wind characteristics over the Caspian Sea, influencing surface evaporation, may have significantly contributed to this rapid sea level decline in recent years. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Oceans and Coastal Zones)
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18 pages, 3229 KiB  
Review
Research Progress and Perspectives on Wastewater-Based Epidemiology: A Bibliometric Analysis
by Fang Yang, Fangyuan Jin, Nannan Song, Weilong Jiang, Miaoxin Bai, Chenxing Fu, Jinxia Lu, Yuxin Li and Zhonghong Li
Water 2024, 16(12), 1743; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121743 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 470
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) evaluates the health status, environmental exposure, and lifestyle habits of community inhabitants through the investigation of chemical or biological markers present in urban wastewater systems. This approach is frequently employed in discerning drug abuse, disease prevalence, and the presence of [...] Read more.
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) evaluates the health status, environmental exposure, and lifestyle habits of community inhabitants through the investigation of chemical or biological markers present in urban wastewater systems. This approach is frequently employed in discerning drug abuse, disease prevalence, and the presence of environmental contaminants. To comprehend the current state and developmental trajectories in WBE research, the current study utilizes the source literature of the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database. Implementing the Bibliometrix toolkit in R language and employing CiteSpace and VOSviewer for bibliometric analysis, this investigative pursuit effectuates an all-encompassing evaluation of the WBE literature, traversing a substantial time span of 16 years, encompassing 2008 through 2023. The results of this bibliometric analysis illuminate annual propensities and disciplinary distribution related to WBE research, while discerning the most impactful and prolific contributors, including authors, institutions, countries, and scholarly journals. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has engendered the expedited progression of WBE, leading to a substantial escalation in research endeavors in the past three years. By meticulously evaluating highly-cited publications, co-occurrence network of keywords, and keyword burst analysis, it is concluded that the research hotspots in this field focus on the monitoring of illicit drugs, psychoactive substances, and viruses in sewage. Subsequent investigations possess the capacity to propel the advancement of emerging methodologies for biomarker identification and analytical techniques. By concurrently integrating big data technologies (including artificial intelligence and cloud computing) with epidemiological and clinical data sets, a more expansive, precise, and efficacious rendition of WBE research can be realized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health and Water Quality)
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16 pages, 2325 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Climate Change on Glacial Lake Outburst Floods
by Jiajia Gao, Jun Du, Yuxuan Bai, Tao Chen and Yixi Zhuoma
Water 2024, 16(12), 1742; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121742 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 389
Abstract
Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) hazards in alpine areas are increasing. The effects of climate change on GLOF hazards are unclear. This study examined 37 glacial lakes and climate data from 15 meteorological stations and explored the correlation between climate variations at different [...] Read more.
Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) hazards in alpine areas are increasing. The effects of climate change on GLOF hazards are unclear. This study examined 37 glacial lakes and climate data from 15 meteorological stations and explored the correlation between climate variations at different temporal scales. The results indicate that 19 GLOFs hazards occurred in El Niño (warm) years, 8 GLOFs hazards occurred in La Niña (cold) years, 3 GLOFs hazards occurred in cold/warm or warm/cold transition years, and 7 GLOFs hazards occurred in normal years. The higher the fluctuations, the higher the probability of GLOF hazards. Climatic conditions can be divided into three categories: extreme temperature and precipitation, as represented by the Guangxie Co GLOF; extreme precipitation, as represented by the Poge Co GLOF; and extreme temperature, as represented by the Tsho Ga GLOF. Full article
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12 pages, 2736 KiB  
Brief Report
Identifying a Minimum Time Period of Streamflow Recession Records to Analyze the Behavior of Groundwater Storage Systems: A Study in Heterogeneous Chilean Watersheds
by Víctor Parra, Enrique Muñoz, José Luis Arumí, Yelena Medina and Robert Clasing
Water 2024, 16(12), 1741; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121741 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 351
Abstract
Aquifers are complex systems that present significant challenges in terms of characterization due to the lack or absence of watershed-scale hydrogeological information. An alternative to address the need to characterize watershed-scale aquifer behavior is recession flow analysis. Recession flows are flows sustained by [...] Read more.
Aquifers are complex systems that present significant challenges in terms of characterization due to the lack or absence of watershed-scale hydrogeological information. An alternative to address the need to characterize watershed-scale aquifer behavior is recession flow analysis. Recession flows are flows sustained by groundwater release from the aquifer. Aquifer behavior can be characterized using recession flow records available from gauging stations, and therefore an indirect measure of aquifer behavior is obtained through watershed-scale recession flow records and analysis. This study seeks to identify the minimum time period necessary to characterize the behavior of groundwater storage systems in watersheds with different geological, morphological, and hydrological characteristics. To this end, various watersheds in south-central Chile underwent recession flow analysis, with eight time periods considered (2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years). The results indicate that 25 years of records are sufficient for the characterization of watershed-scale aquifer behavior, along with the representation of the groundwater storage-release (S-Q) process in watersheds with different geological, morphological, and hydrological characteristics. Additionally, the results show that an initial characterization of the groundwater system behavior in watersheds with different geological characteristics can be carried out with two years of records. This information could be important for practical engineering and the study of groundwater systems in watersheds with limited hydrological and hydrogeological information. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydrogeological Research)
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13 pages, 1942 KiB  
Article
Ozonation as Pretreatment of Digested Swine Manure Prior to Microalgae Culture
by César Ruiz Palomar, Alfonso García Álvaro, Daphne Hermosilla, Antonio Gascó, Raúl Muñoz and Ignacio de Godos
Water 2024, 16(12), 1740; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121740 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 361
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion of animal manure generates biogas and removes biodegradable organic matter, while most of the nitrogen and phosphorous remains at very high levels after the process. A subsequent microalgae culture in the digestate provides nutrient uptake at very low operational and installation [...] Read more.
Anaerobic digestion of animal manure generates biogas and removes biodegradable organic matter, while most of the nitrogen and phosphorous remains at very high levels after the process. A subsequent microalgae culture in the digestate provides nutrient uptake at very low operational and installation costs. However, the dark color of manure digestate prevents light penetration, reducing the rates of algae growth. Ozonation was researched as a strategy for color removal followed by microalgae culture. Although similar biomass production was achieved in treated and untreated digestates (1.09 vs. 0.99 g L−1), the positive effect of ozonation was evidenced by the significantly higher rates of photosynthetically produced oxygen: 0.804 and 0.18 mg O2 mg−1 TSS min−1, respectively, in ozonated and untreated digestates, revealing a four times higher rate of algae activity. However, this considerable higher activity was not correlated with better performance in nutrient removal since the microalgae treatment was assayed at a considerably reduced scale with a high ratio of illumination per volume. An operational costs analysis revealed that ozonation could be competitive against other strategies of color reduction such as dilution or coagulation/flocculation processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Wastewater Treatment and Reuse)
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19 pages, 9161 KiB  
Article
Performance of Iron-Doped Titanium Dioxide-Loaded Activated Carbon Composite Synthesized by Simplified Sol–Gel Method for Ciprofloxacin Degradation under Ultraviolet Light
by Ye Yuan, Jianguo Cui and Feng Zhang
Water 2024, 16(12), 1739; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121739 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 372
Abstract
Low-concentration antibiotic wastewater is difficult to treat rapidly using conventional photocatalysts. For this reason, this paper simplified the traditional sol–gel method to prepare Fe3+-TiO2/AC composites and characterized the properties of the composites using FT-IR, XRD, SEM, BET, and TEM. [...] Read more.
Low-concentration antibiotic wastewater is difficult to treat rapidly using conventional photocatalysts. For this reason, this paper simplified the traditional sol–gel method to prepare Fe3+-TiO2/AC composites and characterized the properties of the composites using FT-IR, XRD, SEM, BET, and TEM. The results demonstrated that iron was uniformly dispersed on the surface of the composites, and the activated carbon (AC) was successfully loaded with iron-doped titanium dioxide. Afterward, ciprofloxacin (CIP) was used as the target degradant, and the effects of different activated carbon loadings, iron-doping, pH, initial concentrations, and UV light intensities on the removal of ciprofloxacin were investigated. The repetitive photocatalytic stability of the composites was studied, and the reaction mechanism was explored by using free radical quenching experiments. The results demonstrated that while iron doping reduced the rate at which photogenerated electrons and holes could combine, loading AC increased the usage efficiency of the composites’ adsorption and catalytic active sites. According to the parameter tests, the circumstances that led to the highest CIP degradation efficiency (94.59%) were as follows: 10 mg/L CIP, 0.5 g/L 0.2%Fe3+-TiO2/20%AC, and solution pH of 7 under 40 min of UV light irradiation. In addition, the Fe3+-TiO2/AC composite material has excellent cyclic stability, the degradation rate of CIP can still reach 87.73% at 60 min after four repeated degradation tests under the same conditions. The applicability of this method could be expanded to the treatment of various industrial organic pollutants in water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photocatalysis and Advanced Oxidation Processes in Water)
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13 pages, 4948 KiB  
Article
On-Site Chlorine: A Promising Technology in Drinking Water Treatment in Santa Cruz, Bolivia
by Guzmán Siomara, Quispe Wilber, Esenarro Doris and Ramiro Torrico-Irahola
Water 2024, 16(12), 1738; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121738 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 475
Abstract
Water availability and quality are still challenges around the world, but access to safe drinking water is essential for human development. This study analyzed the chemical parameters of drinking water quality in the Santa Cruz de la Sierra region of Bolivia. Residual chlorine, [...] Read more.
Water availability and quality are still challenges around the world, but access to safe drinking water is essential for human development. This study analyzed the chemical parameters of drinking water quality in the Santa Cruz de la Sierra region of Bolivia. Residual chlorine, pH and concentration of dissolved solids were measured in water supplied by drinking water and basic sanitation service providers (EPSA). The water quality results indicated that the water supplied met the requirements established by the Bolivian Standard NB 512 in terms of residual chlorine, pH and concentration of dissolved solids. However, a decrease in residual chlorine concentration was observed as the water moved away from the disinfection point. Microbiological testing is recommended to ensure the absence of viable organisms in the distributed water. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of chlorination, as the only treatment performed in the study area, the pH and the concentration of dissolved solids as indicators of drinking water quality. Automation of chlorination processes and continuous monitoring of these parameters is suggested to ensure a safe and high-quality water supply in the study area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Quality Monitoring and Public Health)
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16 pages, 3540 KiB  
Article
An Optimal Upgrading Framework for Water Distribution Systems Operation
by Abdulaziz H. Alsanad, Abdulrahman A. Bin Mahmoud and Saad I. Aljadhai
Water 2024, 16(12), 1737; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121737 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 377
Abstract
Water distribution systems (WDSs) are essential elements for the prosperity and development of societies around the globe. However, over time, the pipeline network starts to age and deteriorate, which results in an increasing rate of breaks and water loss due to leakages. Many [...] Read more.
Water distribution systems (WDSs) are essential elements for the prosperity and development of societies around the globe. However, over time, the pipeline network starts to age and deteriorate, which results in an increasing rate of breaks and water loss due to leakages. Many countries have started government-funded plans to upgrade and rehabilitate their WDS network components to overcome these challenges. This study proposes an optimization framework that addresses these issues and offers potential benefits. It aims to achieve the optimal upgrading strategies considering network operation (hydraulic) performance and upgrading cost, including investment and non-revenue water costs. The upgrade of the WDS network in the model consists of replacing pipes and controlling the pressure-reducing valve (PRV) settings to reduce leakages. The proposed framework is demonstrated using a small-sized benchmark WDS. The study’s outcomes provide the utilities’ operators and municipalities’ decision-makers with a guiding tool to choose the optimal upgrading strategy for their WDS networks at the lowest cost and optimum operation performance. The methodology involves simulating various leakage scenarios and applying optimization techniques to find the best combination of pipe replacements and PRV settings. This approach ensures a balance between minimizing leakage rates and controlling upgrading costs. The framework achieved a reduction of leakage up to 20% from the original leakage with a 70% probability for the tested benchmark network. The optimization framework can also offer a range of upgrading strategies, with a trade-off between the WDS network leakage reduction and the required cost of the upgrading strategy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Water Distribution Systems)
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14 pages, 2232 KiB  
Article
Trophic Status of Lake Niesłysz (Poland) and Related Factors
by Arkadiusz Nędzarek and Michał Budzyński
Water 2024, 16(12), 1736; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121736 - 19 Jun 2024
Viewed by 333
Abstract
In order to ensure the protection of lakes against eutrophication, an ongoing global problem, its causes should be determined on an individual basis. In this study, we investigated Lake Niesłysz in northwestern Poland in terms of (i) the impact of nitrogen and phosphorus [...] Read more.
In order to ensure the protection of lakes against eutrophication, an ongoing global problem, its causes should be determined on an individual basis. In this study, we investigated Lake Niesłysz in northwestern Poland in terms of (i) the impact of nitrogen and phosphorus on primary production, (ii) the Trophic State Index (TSI), and (iii) the hydromorphological characteristics and watershed features. We determined the thermal conditions, dissolved oxygen, organic matter, and selected forms of nitrogen and phosphorus. TSI was determined using Secchi depth (SD), chlorophyll a, total phosphorus (TP), and total nitrogen (TN). Hypolimnetic anoxia was observed in summer. Surface concentrations of chlorophyll a and organic carbon, total inorganic nitrogen (TIN), and total reactive phosphorus (TRP) were 5 μg L−1, 11.7 mg C L−1, 0.049 mg N L−1, and 0.018 mg P L−1, respectively. The TN:TP ratio was >30, while TIN:TRP was <10. The TSIs for chlorophyll a, SD, and TP ranged from 42 to 59, and for TN it was >145. The total trophic state index (T-TSI) exceeded 72. In conclusion, Lake Niesłysz has an average resistance to degradation and the catchment has little influence on the release and transport of biogenic matter into the lake. The limiting nutrient for primary production was phosphorus, but the influence of nitrogen or covariates of nitrogen cannot be excluded. Based on the oxygen conditions in the hypolimnion, the lake should be classified as eutrophic. Most of the TSIs were in the mesotrophic range, while the TSIs for TN and T-TSI classified the lake as hypertonic. The results show that Lake Niesłysz is currently at a critical stage of progressive degradation, and it is advisable to develop and implement protective measures immediately. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Ecosystem: Problems and Benefits—2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 7162 KiB  
Article
Automatic Rainwater Quality Monitoring System Using Low-Cost Technology
by Luis Daniel Mejía-Ferreyra, Liliana García-Romero, Sonia Tatiana Sánchez-Quispe, José Apolinar-Cortés and Julio César Orantes-Avalos
Water 2024, 16(12), 1735; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121735 - 19 Jun 2024
Viewed by 454
Abstract
Water quality monitoring serves diverse purposes, such as assessing water safety for drinking or agriculture. However, traditional methods are often time-consuming and costly. Additionally, assessing water quality on demand is not always feasible, and parameter variations are not consistently documented. With the advent [...] Read more.
Water quality monitoring serves diverse purposes, such as assessing water safety for drinking or agriculture. However, traditional methods are often time-consuming and costly. Additionally, assessing water quality on demand is not always feasible, and parameter variations are not consistently documented. With the advent of affordable equipment capable of efficient performance with minimal resources, remote monitoring sans physical access to the environment has become viable. This has led to reduced inspection and control costs. Understanding the applications, characteristics, and limitations of these devices is crucial for maximizing their benefits. Rainwater quality remains understudied in many areas, leaving its physical, chemical, and microbiological conditions unknown. These conditions are influenced by various atmospheric factors, including both human and natural activities. This research paper develops monitoring stations employing low-cost technology to assess rainwater quality in Morelia City. A prototype was developed based on low-cost technology implementation. Additionally, basic parameters measured include pH, total dissolved solids, turbidity, and temperature, utilizing an Arduino microcontroller for data processing. Data collected from these stations are transmitted via a Wi-Fi communication module to a web platform, enabling real-time visualization of measurements both spatially and temporally. Utilizing such a device offers several advantages compared to standard methods of assessing rainwater quality. It enables continuous measurements and provides a record of how rainwater quality is affected over time by human and natural activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Hydrology)
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18 pages, 1803 KiB  
Article
Measuring First Nations Engagement in Water Governance in Manitoba
by Warrick Baijius, Robert J. Patrick and Chris Furgal
Water 2024, 16(12), 1734; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121734 - 19 Jun 2024
Viewed by 352
Abstract
Water governance and ecosystem function in the Canadian prairies are in a state of crisis. Compounding this crisis, and adding complexity, is the relationship between the water governance authority of the state with Canada’s First Peoples. Meaningful engagement of Indigenous peoples in water [...] Read more.
Water governance and ecosystem function in the Canadian prairies are in a state of crisis. Compounding this crisis, and adding complexity, is the relationship between the water governance authority of the state with Canada’s First Peoples. Meaningful engagement of Indigenous peoples in water governance is a necessary requisite to effective water management. This research characterizes the extent and depth of Indigenous engagement in watershed planning in the province of Manitoba, Canada, and examines the degree to which Indigenous rights are incorporated in that engagement. To do so, we analyze evidence of First Nation people’s inclusion in water governance, planning, and management processes. We conducted latent and manifest content analyses of watershed plans to identify the themes and frequency of content related to First Nations and Métis engagement and triangulated results with key informant semi-structured interviews and document reviews of water governance policies and legislation. Overall, we find that Indigenous engagement in Manitoba water governance has increased over time but is still lacking adequate recognition and implementation of Aboriginal and Treaty rights. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Governance: Current Status and Future Trends)
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21 pages, 2402 KiB  
Article
Carbon Emission Reduction of Reclaimed Water Use Substitution for Inter-Basin Water Transfer and Sustainability of Urban Water Supply in Valley Area
by Nian Ma and Yongxin Xu
Water 2024, 16(12), 1733; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121733 - 19 Jun 2024
Viewed by 358
Abstract
Urbanization confronts the dual challenges of water scarcity and environmental degradation, prompting the exploration of diverse water sources for mitigating these impacts. Inter-basin water transfer (IBWT) has emerged as a solution to balance urban water demand and supply in areas with local water [...] Read more.
Urbanization confronts the dual challenges of water scarcity and environmental degradation, prompting the exploration of diverse water sources for mitigating these impacts. Inter-basin water transfer (IBWT) has emerged as a solution to balance urban water demand and supply in areas with local water shortages. While IBWT can deliver high-quality water over long distances, it is costly, often contributing significantly to carbon emissions. Reclaimed water use (RWU) presents a promising alternative to address this dilemma. In this paper, a valley region of Chongqing municipality in Southwest China, which is confronted with water and environmental risks resulting from rapid urbanization, was explored and discussed as a case study to assess the potential impact of RWU on reducing carbon emissions as compared to IBWT. A method of accumulative accounting was adapted to calculate and sum up carbon emission intensities at various stages, revealing that the operational carbon emission intensities of IBWT and RWU are 0.7447 KgCO2/m3 and 0.1880 KgCO2/m3, respectively. This indicates that RWU substitution can reduce carbon emissions by 0.5567 KgCO2/m3 or 75%. This paper further elucidates the mechanism behind carbon emission reduction, highlighting the energy-saving benefits of using reclaimed water locally without recourse to extensive transportation or elevation changes. Additionally, this result presents three scenarios of reclaimed water use, including urban miscellaneous water, river flow replenishment, and agricultural irrigation in relation to their substitution effects and environmental impacts. Estimates of carbon emission reductions from reclaimed water use were projected at the planned scale, with the maximum potential of reclaimed water utilization predicted. Finally, this paper proposes an enhanced strategy to identify and prioritize factors affecting reclaimed water utilization and the effect of carbon emission reduction. This paper aims to facilitate the establishment of a robust legal, institutional, and managerial framework while fostering interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral cooperation mechanisms in valley urban areas. The methodology employed can be universally applied to other regions grappling with severe water stress, thereby facilitating endeavors toward carbon reduction and contributing significantly to the attainment of water sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Urban Water Management)
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15 pages, 9489 KiB  
Article
Comparative Evaluation of the Application Effectiveness of Intelligent Production Optimization Methods in Offshore Oil Reservoirs
by Chen Liu, Qihong Feng, Kai Zhang, Jialin Wang and Jingqi Lin
Water 2024, 16(12), 1732; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121732 - 19 Jun 2024
Viewed by 318
Abstract
The development of offshore oil fields confronts challenges associated with high water cut and low displacement efficiency. Reservoir injection-production optimization stands out as an effective means to reduce costs and enhance efficiency in offshore oilfield development. The process of optimizing injection and production [...] Read more.
The development of offshore oil fields confronts challenges associated with high water cut and low displacement efficiency. Reservoir injection-production optimization stands out as an effective means to reduce costs and enhance efficiency in offshore oilfield development. The process of optimizing injection and production in offshore oil reservoirs involves designing strategies for a large number of wells and optimization time steps, constituting a large-scale, complex, and costly optimization computation problem. In recent years, with the rapid advancements in big data and artificial intelligence technologies, sophisticated evolutionary computation methods have found widespread application in reservoir injection-production optimization problems. However, the abundance of intelligent optimization algorithms raises the question of how to choose a method suitable for the complex optimization background of offshore oilfield injection-production optimization. This paper provides a detailed overview of the application of an existing differential evolution algorithm (DE), conventional surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithm (CSAEA), and global–local surrogate-assisted differential evolution (GLSADE) in the context of practical offshore oilfield injection-production optimization problems. A comprehensive comparison of their performance differences is presented. The study concludes that the global–local surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithm is the most suitable method for addressing the current challenges in offshore oilfield injection-production optimization. Full article
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15 pages, 558 KiB  
Article
A Water Demand Forecasting Model Based on Generative Adversarial Networks and Multivariate Feature Fusion
by Changchun Yang, Jiayang Meng, Banteng Liu, Zhangquan Wang and Ke Wang
Water 2024, 16(12), 1731; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121731 - 19 Jun 2024
Viewed by 309
Abstract
Accurate long-term water demand forecasting is beneficial to the sustainable development and management of cities. However, the randomness and nonlinear nature of water demand bring great challenges to accurate long-term water demand forecasting. For accurate long-term water demand forecasting, the models currently in [...] Read more.
Accurate long-term water demand forecasting is beneficial to the sustainable development and management of cities. However, the randomness and nonlinear nature of water demand bring great challenges to accurate long-term water demand forecasting. For accurate long-term water demand forecasting, the models currently in use demand the input of extensive datasets, leading to increased costs for data gathering and higher barriers to entry for predictive projects. This situation underscores the pressing need for an effective forecasting method that can operate with a smaller dataset, making long-term water demand predictions more feasible and economically sensible. This study proposes a framework to delineate and analyze long-term water demand patterns. A forecasting model based on generative adversarial networks and multivariate feature fusion (the water demand forecast-mixer, WDF-mixer) is designed to generate synthetic data, and a gradient constraint is introduced to overcome the problem of overfitting. A multi-feature fusion method based on temporal and channel features is then derived, where a multi-layer perceptron is used to capture temporal dependencies and non-negative matrix decomposition is applied to obtain channel dependencies. After that, an attention layer receives all those features associated with the water demand forecasting, guiding the model to focus on important features and representing correlations across them. Finally, a fully connected network is constructed to improve the modeling efficiency and output the forecasting results. This approach was applied to real-world datasets. Our experimental results on four water demand datasets show that the proposed WDF-mixer model can achieve high forecasting accuracy and robustness. In comparison to the suboptimal models, the method introduced in this study demonstrated a notable enhancement, with a 62.61% reduction in the MSE, a 46.85% decrease in the MAE, and a 69.15% improve in the R2 score. This research could support decision makers in reducing uncertainty and increasing the quality of water resource planning and management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Urban Water Management)
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25 pages, 1238 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Marine Pastures on Green Aquaculture in China
by Wei Wang, Wei Mao and Renhong Wu
Water 2024, 16(12), 1730; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121730 - 18 Jun 2024
Viewed by 290
Abstract
Under the double pressures of economic growth and ecological environment protection, sea green transformation and the sustainable development of mariculture are critical. This paper constructs an evolutionary game model with the government as the main body and mariculture farmers (enterprises) as the main [...] Read more.
Under the double pressures of economic growth and ecological environment protection, sea green transformation and the sustainable development of mariculture are critical. This paper constructs an evolutionary game model with the government as the main body and mariculture farmers (enterprises) as the main body and puts forward the research hypothesis. Based on 2006–2019 longitudinal data of nine provinces along China’s coast, using multi-period Difference-in-Difference (DID) and dual robust estimation, we empirically investigate the national oceanic ranch demonstration zones for the influence of the green sea aquaculture and their mechanism of action. The results showed that (1) the efficiency of green level of mariculture industry in China is not high, and the establishment of national marine pasture demonstration zone has not effectively promoted the improvement of green level of mariculture industry; (2) the institutional environment, unreasonable industrial structure, and lack of scientific and technological innovation have an effect on the national oceanic ranch demonstration area as the main causes of failure to effectively promote marine green farming; (3) the establishment of the national multi-period demonstration area in the north significantly hindered the growth of the green level of mariculture and fell into the “policy trap”, while the establishment of the national multi-period demonstration area in the south significantly promoted the growth of the green level of mariculture. The conclusions of this paper provide an empirical basis and reference for the improvement of the national marine pasture demonstration zone policy and the green transformation of mariculture to a certain extent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Ecological Monitoring, Assessment and Protection)
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21 pages, 8536 KiB  
Article
Multi-Model Comparison in the Attribution of Runoff Variation across a Humid Region of Southern China
by Qiang Wang, Fang Yang, Xiaozhang Hu, Peng Hou, Yin Zhang, Pengjun Li and Kairong Lin
Water 2024, 16(12), 1729; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121729 - 18 Jun 2024
Viewed by 278
Abstract
The natural hydrological cycle of basins has been significantly altered by climate change and human activities, leading to considerable uncertainties in attributing runoff. In this study, the impact of climate change and human activities on runoff of the Ganjiang River Basin was analyzed, [...] Read more.
The natural hydrological cycle of basins has been significantly altered by climate change and human activities, leading to considerable uncertainties in attributing runoff. In this study, the impact of climate change and human activities on runoff of the Ganjiang River Basin was analyzed, and a variety of models with different spatio-temporal scales and complexities were used to evaluate the influence of model choice on runoff attribution and to reduce the uncertainties. The results show the following: (1) The potential evapotranspiration in the Ganjiang River Basin showed a significant downward trend, precipitation showed a significant upward trend, runoff showed a nonsignificant upward trend, and an abrupt change was detected in 1968; (2) The three hydrological models used with different temporal scales and complexity, GR1A, ABCD, DTVGM, can simulate the natural distribution of water resources in the Ganjiang River Basin; and (3) The impact of climate change on runoff change ranges from 60.07% to 82.88%, while human activities account for approximately 17.12% to 39.93%. The results show that climate change is the main driving factor leading to runoff variation in the Ganjiang River Basin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue China Water Forum 2024)
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