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Editor’s Choice Articles

Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.

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14 pages, 2439 KiB  
Review
Canadian Continental-Scale Hydrology under a Changing Climate: A Review
by Tricia A. Stadnyk and Stephen J. Déry
Water 2021, 13(7), 906; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13070906 - 26 Mar 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4939
Abstract
Canada, like other high latitude cold regions on Earth, is experiencing some of the most accelerated and intense warming resulting from global climate change. In the northern regions, Arctic amplification has resulted in warming two to three times greater than global mean temperature [...] Read more.
Canada, like other high latitude cold regions on Earth, is experiencing some of the most accelerated and intense warming resulting from global climate change. In the northern regions, Arctic amplification has resulted in warming two to three times greater than global mean temperature trends. Unprecedented warming is matched by intensification of wet and dry regions and hydroclimatic cycles, which is altering the spatial and seasonal distribution of surface waters in Canada. Diagnosing and tracking hydrologic change across Canada requires the implementation of continental-scale prediction models owing the size of Canada’s drainage basins, their distribution across multiple eco- and climatic zones, and the scarcity and paucity of observational networks. This review examines the current state of continental-scale climate change across Canada and the anticipated impacts to freshwater availability, including the role of anthropogenic regulation. The review focuses on continental and regional-scale prediction that underpins operational design and long-term resource planning and management in Canada. While there are significant process-based changes being experienced within Canadian catchments that are equally—if not more so—critical for community water availability, the focus of this review is on the cumulative effects of climate change and anthropogenic regulation for the Canadian freshwater supply. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Past and Future Trends and Variability in Hydro-Climatic Processes)
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34 pages, 2065 KiB  
Review
Modification of the Water Quality Index (WQI) Process for Simple Calculation Using the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) Method: A Review
by Naseem Akhtar, Muhammad Izzuddin Syakir Ishak, Mardiana Idayu Ahmad, Khalid Umar, Mohamad Shaiful Md Yusuff, Mohd Talha Anees, Abdul Qadir and Yazan Khalaf Ali Almanasir
Water 2021, 13(7), 905; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13070905 - 26 Mar 2021
Cited by 155 | Viewed by 19938
Abstract
Human activities continue to affect our water quality; it remains a major problem worldwide (particularly concerning freshwater and human consumption). A critical water quality index (WQI) method has been used to determine the overall water quality status of surface water and groundwater systems [...] Read more.
Human activities continue to affect our water quality; it remains a major problem worldwide (particularly concerning freshwater and human consumption). A critical water quality index (WQI) method has been used to determine the overall water quality status of surface water and groundwater systems globally since the 1960s. WQI follows four steps: parameter selection, sub-indices, establishing weights, and final index aggregation, which are addressed in this review. However, the WQI method is a prolonged process and applied to specific water quality parameters, i.e., water consumption (particular area and time) and other purposes. Therefore, this review discusses the WQI method in simple steps, for water quality assessment, based on two multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods: (1) analytical hierarchical process (AHP); and (2) measuring attractiveness by a categorically based evaluation technique (MACBETH). MCDM methods can facilitate easy calculations, with less effort and great accuracy. Moreover, the uncertainty and eclipsing problems are also discussed—a challenge at every step of WQI development, particularly for parameter selection and establishing weights. This review will help provide water management authorities with useful knowledge pertaining to water usage or modification of existing indicators globally, and contribute to future WQI planning and studies for drinking, irrigation, domestic, and industrial purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Water Quality)
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21 pages, 69677 KiB  
Article
Flood Inundation Assessment in the Low-Lying River Basin Considering Extreme Rainfall Impacts and Topographic Vulnerability
by Thanh Thu Nguyen, Makoto Nakatsugawa, Tomohito J. Yamada and Tsuyoshi Hoshino
Water 2021, 13(7), 896; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13070896 - 25 Mar 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5313
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the change in flood inundation in the Chitose River basin (CRB), a tributary of the Ishikari River, considering the extreme rainfall impacts and topographic vulnerability. The changing impacts were assessed using a large-ensemble rainfall dataset with a high [...] Read more.
This study aims to evaluate the change in flood inundation in the Chitose River basin (CRB), a tributary of the Ishikari River, considering the extreme rainfall impacts and topographic vulnerability. The changing impacts were assessed using a large-ensemble rainfall dataset with a high resolution of 5 km (d4PDF) as input data for the rainfall–runoff–inundation (RRI) model. Additionally, the prediction of time differences between the peak discharge in the Chitose River and peak water levels at the confluence point intersecting the Ishikari River were improved compared to the previous study. Results indicate that due to climatic changes, extreme river floods are expected to increase by 21–24% in the Ishikari River basin (IRB), while flood inundation is expected to be severe and higher in the CRB, with increases of 24.5, 46.5, and 13.8% for the inundation area, inundation volume, and peak inundation depth, respectively. Flood inundation is likely to occur in the CRB downstream area with a frequency of 90–100%. Additionally, the inundation duration is expected to increase by 5–10 h here. Moreover, the short time difference (0–10 h) is predicted to increase significantly in the CRB. This study provides useful information for policymakers to mitigate flood damage in vulnerable areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Influence of Climate Change on Floods)
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15 pages, 4278 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Long-Term Fermentability of PHA-Based Materials from Pure and Mixed Microbial Cultures for Potential Environmental Applications
by Neda Amanat, Bruna Matturro, Marta Maria Rossi, Francesco Valentino, Marianna Villano and Marco Petrangeli Papini
Water 2021, 13(7), 897; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13070897 - 25 Mar 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3790
Abstract
The use of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) as slow-release electron donors for environmental remediation represents a novel and appealing application that is attracting considerable attention in the scientific community. In this context, here, the fermentation pattern of different types of PHA-based materials has been investigated [...] Read more.
The use of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) as slow-release electron donors for environmental remediation represents a novel and appealing application that is attracting considerable attention in the scientific community. In this context, here, the fermentation pattern of different types of PHA-based materials has been investigated in batch and continuous-flow experiments. Along with commercially available materials, produced from axenic microbial cultures, PHA produced at pilot scale by mixed microbial cultures (MMC) using waste feedstock have been also tested. As a main finding, a rapid onset of volatile fatty acids (VFA) production was observed with a low-purity MMC-deriving material, consisting of microbial cells containing 56% (on weight basis) of intracellular PHA. Indeed, with this material a sustained, long-term production of organic acids (i.e., acetic, propionic, and butyric acids) was observed. In addition, the obtained yield of conversion into acids (up to 70% gVFA/gPHA) was higher than that obtained with the other tested materials, made of extracted and purified PHA. These results clearly suggest the possibility to directly use the PHA-rich cells deriving from the MMC production process, with no need of extraction and purification procedures, as a sustainable and effective carbon source bringing remarkable advantages from an economic and environmental point of view. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater and Soil Remediation)
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18 pages, 3104 KiB  
Article
Multi-Country Scale Assessment of Available Energy Recovery Potential Using Micro-Hydropower in Drinking, Pressurised Irrigation and Wastewater Networks, Covering Part of the EU
by Djordje Mitrovic, Miguel Crespo Chacón, Aida Mérida García, Jorge García Morillo, Juan Antonio Rodríguez Diaz, Helena M. Ramos, Kemi Adeyeye, Armando Carravetta and Aonghus McNabola
Water 2021, 13(7), 899; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13070899 - 25 Mar 2021
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4163
Abstract
Studies have shown micro-hydropower (MHP) opportunities for energy recovery and CO2 reductions in the water sector. This paper conducts a large-scale assessment of this potential using a dataset amassed across six EU countries (Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Spain, and Portugal) for [...] Read more.
Studies have shown micro-hydropower (MHP) opportunities for energy recovery and CO2 reductions in the water sector. This paper conducts a large-scale assessment of this potential using a dataset amassed across six EU countries (Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Spain, and Portugal) for the drinking water, irrigation, and wastewater sectors. Extrapolating the collected data, the total annual MHP potential was estimated between 482.3 and 821.6 GWh, depending on the assumptions, divided among Ireland (15.5–32.2 GWh), Scotland (17.8–139.7 GWh), Northern Ireland (5.9–8.2 GWh), Wales (10.2–8.1 GWh), Spain (375.3–539.9 GWh), and Portugal (57.6–93.5 GWh) and distributed across the drinking water (43–67%), irrigation (51–30%), and wastewater (6–3%) sectors. The findings demonstrated reductions in energy consumption in water networks between 1.7 and 13.0%. Forty-five percent of the energy estimated from the analysed sites was associated with just 3% of their number, having a power output capacity >15 kW. This demonstrated that a significant proportion of energy could be exploited at a small number of sites, with a valuable contribution to net energy efficiency gains and CO2 emission reductions. This also demonstrates cost-effective, value-added, multi-country benefits to policy makers, establishing the case to incentivise MHP in water networks to help achieve the desired CO2 emissions reductions targets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Recovery and Hybrid Solutions in the Water Sector)
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22 pages, 7049 KiB  
Article
Effect of Mean Velocity-to-Critical Velocity Ratios on Bed Topography and Incipient Motion in a Meandering Channel: Experimental Investigation
by Nargess Moghaddassi, Seyed Habib Musavi-Jahromi, Mohammad Vaghefi and Amir Khosrojerdi
Water 2021, 13(7), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13070883 - 24 Mar 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2732
Abstract
As 180-degree meanders are observed in abundance in nature, a meandering channel with two consecutive 180-degree bends was designed and constructed to investigate bed topography variations. These two 180-degree mild bends are located between two upstream and downstream straight paths. In this study, [...] Read more.
As 180-degree meanders are observed in abundance in nature, a meandering channel with two consecutive 180-degree bends was designed and constructed to investigate bed topography variations. These two 180-degree mild bends are located between two upstream and downstream straight paths. In this study, different mean velocity-to-critical velocity ratios have been tested at the upstream straight path to determine the meander’s incipient motion. To this end, bed topography variations along the meander and the downstream straight path were addressed for different mean velocity-to-critical velocity ratios. In addition, the upstream bend’s effect on the downstream bend was investigated. Results indicated that the maximum scour depth at the downstream bend increased as a result of changing the mean velocity-to-critical velocity ratio from 0.8 to 0.84, 0.86, 0.89, 0.92, 0.95, and 0.98 by, respectively, 1.5, 2.5, 5, 10, 12, and 26 times. Moreover, increasing the ratio increased the maximum sedimentary height by 3, 10, 23, 48, 49, and 56 times. The upstream bend’s incipient motion was observed for the mean velocity-to-critical velocity ratio of 0.89, while the downstream bend’s incipient motion occurred for the ratio of 0.78. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Erosion and Sediment Transport)
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15 pages, 3586 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Risk of Legionella Infection through Showering with Untreated Rain Cistern Water in a Tropical Environment
by Hunter Quon, Maura Allaire and Sunny C. Jiang
Water 2021, 13(7), 889; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13070889 - 24 Mar 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2794
Abstract
In September 2017, two category-5 hurricanes Irma and Maria swept through the Caribbean Sea in what is now known as the region’s most active hurricane season on record, leaving disastrous effects on infrastructure and people’s lives. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, rain cisterns [...] Read more.
In September 2017, two category-5 hurricanes Irma and Maria swept through the Caribbean Sea in what is now known as the region’s most active hurricane season on record, leaving disastrous effects on infrastructure and people’s lives. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, rain cisterns are commonly used for harvesting roof-top rainwater for household water needs. High prevalence of Legionella spp. was found in the cistern water after the hurricanes. This study carried out a quantitative microbial risk assessment to estimate the health risks associated with Legionella through inhalation of aerosols from showering using water from cisterns after the hurricanes. Legionella concentrations were modeled based on the Legionella detected in post-hurricane water samples and reported total viable heterotrophic bacterial counts in cistern water. The inhalation dose was modeled using a Monte Carlo simulation of shower water aerosol concentrations according to shower water temperature, shower duration, inhalation rates, and shower flow rates. The risk of infection was calculated based on a previously established dose–response model from Legionella infection of guinea pigs. The results indicated median daily risk of 2.5 × 10−6 to 2.5 × 10−4 depending on shower temperature, and median annual risk of 9.1 × 10−4 to 1.4 × 10−2. Results were discussed and compared with household survey results for a better understanding of local perceived risk versus objective risk surrounding local water supplies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Quality and the Public Health)
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15 pages, 2026 KiB  
Article
Detecting Climate Driven Changes in Chlorophyll-a in Deep Subalpine Lakes Using Long Term Satellite Data
by Gary Free, Mariano Bresciani, Monica Pinardi, Nicola Ghirardi, Giulia Luciani, Rossana Caroni and Claudia Giardino
Water 2021, 13(6), 866; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060866 - 23 Mar 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4433
Abstract
Climate change has increased the temperature and altered the mixing regime of high-value lakes in the subalpine region of Northern Italy. Remote sensing of chlorophyll-a can help provide a time series to allow an assessment of the ecological implications of this. Non-parametric multiplicative [...] Read more.
Climate change has increased the temperature and altered the mixing regime of high-value lakes in the subalpine region of Northern Italy. Remote sensing of chlorophyll-a can help provide a time series to allow an assessment of the ecological implications of this. Non-parametric multiplicative regression (NPMR) was used to visualize and understand the changes that have occurred between 2003–2018 in Lakes Garda, Como, Iseo, and Maggiore. In all four deep subalpine lakes, there has been a disruption from a traditional pattern of a significant spring chlorophyll-a peak followed by a clear water phase and summer/autumn peaks. This was replaced after 2010–2012, with lower spring peaks and a tendency for annual maxima to occur in summer. There was a tendency for this switch to be interspersed by a two-year period of low chlorophyll-a. Variables that were significant in NPMR included time, air temperature, total phosphorus, winter temperature, and winter values for the North Atlantic Oscillation. The change from spring to summer chlorophyll-a maxima, relatively sudden in an ecological context, could be interpreted as a regime shift. The cause was probably cascading effects from increased winter temperatures, reduced winter mixing, and altered nutrient dynamics. Future trends will depend on climate change and inter-decadal climate drivers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Lake Primary Producers and Water Quality Using Remote Sensing Techniques)
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22 pages, 10724 KiB  
Article
Assessment of the Impacts of Land Use Change on Non-Point Source Loading under Future Climate Scenarios Using the SWAT Model
by Mao Feng and Zhenyao Shen
Water 2021, 13(6), 874; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060874 - 23 Mar 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4091
Abstract
The Miyun Reservoir is an important source of surface drinking water in Beijing. Due to climate change and human activities, the inflow of Miyun Reservoir watershed (MRW) has been continuously reduced in the past 30 years, which has seriously affected the safety of [...] Read more.
The Miyun Reservoir is an important source of surface drinking water in Beijing. Due to climate change and human activities, the inflow of Miyun Reservoir watershed (MRW) has been continuously reduced in the past 30 years, which has seriously affected the safety of Beijing’s water supply. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the mitigation measures based on the quantification of the integrated impacts of climate and land use change in MRW. The non-point source (NPS) model (soil and water assessment tool, SWAT) was used for the development of future climate scenarios which were derived from two regional climate models (RCMs) under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs). Three land use scenarios were generated by the land use model (conversion of land-use and its effects (CLUE-S)): (1) historical trend scenario, (2) ecological protection without consideration of spatial configuration scenario and (3) ecological protection scenario. Moreover, the reduction of sediment and nutrients under three future land use patterns in future climate scenarios was evaluated. The results showed that an appropriate land use change project led to the desired reduction effect on sediment and nutrients output under future climate scenarios. The average reduction rates of sediment, total nitrogen and total phosphorus were 11.4%, 6.3% and 7.4%, respectively. The ecological protection scenario considering spatial configuration showed the best reduction effect on sediment, total nitrogen and total phosphorus. Therefore, the addition of region-specific preference variables as part of land use change provides better pollutant control effects. Overall, this research provides technical support to protect the safety of Beijing’s drinking water and future management of non-point source pollution in MRW. Full article
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22 pages, 4138 KiB  
Article
The Effect of the Effluent from a Small-Scale Conventional Wastewater Treatment Plant Treating Municipal Wastewater on the Composition and Abundance of the Microbial Community, Antibiotic Resistome, and Pathogens in the Sediment and Water of a Receiving Stream
by Kertu Tiirik, Hiie Nõlvak, Marika Truu, Angela Peeb, Margit Kõiv-Vainik and Jaak Truu
Water 2021, 13(6), 865; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060865 - 23 Mar 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4465
Abstract
The effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are major contributors of nutrients, microbes—including those carrying antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs)—and pathogens to receiving waterbodies. The effect of the effluent of a small-scale activated sludge WWTP treating municipal wastewater on the composition and abundance of [...] Read more.
The effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are major contributors of nutrients, microbes—including those carrying antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs)—and pathogens to receiving waterbodies. The effect of the effluent of a small-scale activated sludge WWTP treating municipal wastewater on the composition and abundance of the microbial community as well as the antibiotic resistome and pathogens in the sediment and water of the receiving stream and river was studied using metagenome sequencing and a quantitative approach. Elevated Bacteroidetes proportions in the prokaryotic community, heightened sulfonamide and aminoglycoside resistance determinants proportions, and an increase of up to three orders of magnitude of sul1–sul2–aadA–blaOXA2 gene cluster abundances were recorded in stream water and sediments 0.3 km downstream of a WWTP discharge point. Further downstream, a gradual recovery of affected microbial communities along a distance gradient from WWTP was recorded, culminating in the mostly comparable state of river water and sediment parameters 3.7 km downstream of WWTP and stream water and sediments upstream of the WWTP discharge point. Archaea, especially Methanosarcina, Methanothrix, and Methanoregula, formed a substantial proportion of the microbial community of WWTP effluent as well as receiving stream water and sediment, and were linked to the spread of ARGs. Opportunistic environmental-origin pathogens were predominant in WWTP effluent and receiving stream bacterial communities, with Citrobacter freundii proportion being especially elevated in the close vicinity downstream of the WWTP discharge point. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Assessment of Water Resources and Food: Microbial Contaminants, Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance Genes)
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19 pages, 4127 KiB  
Article
Modelling Microplastics in the River Thames: Sources, Sinks and Policy Implications
by Paul G. Whitehead, Gianbattista Bussi, Jocelyne M. R. Hughes, Ana T. Castro-Castellon, Magnus D. Norling, Elizabeth S. Jeffers, Cordelia P. N. Rampley, Daniel S. Read and Alice A. Horton
Water 2021, 13(6), 861; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060861 - 22 Mar 2021
Cited by 36 | Viewed by 9737
Abstract
With widespread, long-term historical use of plastics and the presence of microplastics in a range of new and existing products, there is rising concern about their potential impacts on freshwater ecosystems. Understanding how microplastics are transported and distributed along river systems is key [...] Read more.
With widespread, long-term historical use of plastics and the presence of microplastics in a range of new and existing products, there is rising concern about their potential impacts on freshwater ecosystems. Understanding how microplastics are transported and distributed along river systems is key to assessing impacts. Modelling the main flow dynamics, mixing, sedimentation and resuspension processes is essential for an understanding of the transport processes. We use the new, processed based, dynamic, integrated catchments (INCA) microplastics model and apply this to the whole of the freshwater catchment of the River Thames, UK, to evaluate inputs, loads and concentrations along the river system. Recent data from UK water industry studies on microplastics in effluent discharges and sewage sludge disposal has been utilised to drive the INCA microplastics model. Predicted concentrations and microplastic loads moving along the river system are shown to be significant, with a build-up of concentrations along the river, with increasing deposition on the riverbed. The potential impacts on aquatic ecosystems are evaluated and a review of policy implications is explored. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis and Prevention of Microplastics Pollution in Water: Current Research and Future Directions)
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19 pages, 2522 KiB  
Article
Water Quality and Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Some Karst Water Sources in Apuseni Mountains, Romania
by Maria-Alexandra Hoaghia, Ana Moldovan, Eniko Kovacs, Ionut Cornel Mirea, Marius Kenesz, Traian Brad, Oana Cadar, Valer Micle, Erika Andrea Levei and Oana Teodora Moldovan
Water 2021, 13(6), 857; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060857 - 21 Mar 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5190
Abstract
Human activities and natural factors determine the hydrogeochemical characteristics of karst groundwaters and their use as drinking water. This study assesses the hydrogeochemical characteristics of 14 karst water sources in the Apuseni Mountains (NW Romania) and their potential use as drinking water sources. [...] Read more.
Human activities and natural factors determine the hydrogeochemical characteristics of karst groundwaters and their use as drinking water. This study assesses the hydrogeochemical characteristics of 14 karst water sources in the Apuseni Mountains (NW Romania) and their potential use as drinking water sources. As shown by the Durov and by the Piper diagrams, the chemical composition of the waters is typical of karst waters as it is dominated by HCO3− and Ca2+, having a circumneutral to alkaline pH and total dissolved solids ranging between 131 and 1092 mg L−1. The relation between the major ions revealed that dissolution is the main process contributing to the water chemistry. Limestone and dolostone are the main Ca and Mg sources, while halite is the main Na and Cl source. The Gibbs diagram confirmed the rock dominance of the water chemistry. The groundwater quality index (GWQI) showed that the waters are of excellent quality, except for two waters that displayed medium and good quality status. The quality of the studied karst waters is influenced by the geological characteristics, mainly by the water–rock interaction and, to a more limited extent, by anthropogenic activities. The investigated karst waters could be exploited as drinking water resources in the study area. The results of the present study highlight the importance of karst waters in the context of good-quality water shortage but also the vulnerability of this resource to anthropogenic influences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Karst Eco-Hydrology and Sediment)
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16 pages, 2059 KiB  
Article
Water-Saving Soil Conservation Measures Should Be Used in Northern China: Evidence from Runoff Plot Data
by Haiyan Fang
Water 2021, 13(6), 853; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060853 - 20 Mar 2021
Viewed by 2649
Abstract
Most of the current studies on soil conservation measures mainly focus on their soil control effect, neglecting their impact on water quantity. In the present study, the latest seven years (2014–2020) of monitored data from 22 runoff plots in the upstream catchment of [...] Read more.
Most of the current studies on soil conservation measures mainly focus on their soil control effect, neglecting their impact on water quantity. In the present study, the latest seven years (2014–2020) of monitored data from 22 runoff plots in the upstream catchment of the Miyun Reservoir, Beijing were used to evaluate the effects of slope, rainfall, and soil conservation measures on soil and water loss, and some implications were given in this water-scarce region. Excluding the impact of soil conservation measures, soil loss increased with the slope gradient and slope length. Runoff and soil loss were greatly affected by the rainfall amount and maximum 30-min rainfall intensity on the bare and cultivated slopes, or by rainfall amount and rainfall duration on almost all of the plots with soil conservation measures. The results indicated that the bare soil suffered the most severe soil loss, with a mean annual soil loss rate (SLR) of 4325 t km−2 year−1, followed by the cultivated lands without any measure, with an annual SLR of above 3205 t km−2 year−1. Contour tillage cannot effectively control soil loss on steep slopes. The vegetation measures and terrace, level bench, and fish scale pits, as well as their combinations, can decrease runoff by above 86% and decrease soil loss by 95%, respectively. Water-saving measures should be implemented in the study region. The measures, such as vegetation coverage, terracing, contour tillage, etc., should be carefully implemented on slopes. Bare and cultivated lands should further be implemented with soil conservation measures in this and similar regions in the world. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Hydrology)
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14 pages, 4004 KiB  
Article
A Site-Scale Tool for Performance-Based Design of Stormwater Best Management Practices
by Ali Shojaeizadeh, Mengistu Geza, Colin Bell, John McCray and Terri Hogue
Water 2021, 13(6), 844; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060844 - 19 Mar 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3193
Abstract
The objective of this research is to develop a module for the design of best management practices based on percent pollutant removal. The module is a part of the site-scale integrated decision support tool (i-DSTss) that was developed for stormwater management. The current [...] Read more.
The objective of this research is to develop a module for the design of best management practices based on percent pollutant removal. The module is a part of the site-scale integrated decision support tool (i-DSTss) that was developed for stormwater management. The current i-DSTss tool allows for the design of best management practices based on flow reduction. The new water quality module extends the capability of the i-DSTss tool by adding new procedures for the design of best management practices based on treatment performance. The water quality module can be used to assess the treatment of colloid/total suspended solid and dissolved pollutants. We classify best management practices into storage-based (e.g., pond) and infiltration-based (e.g., bioretention and permeable pavement) practices for design purposes. Several of the more complex stormwater tools require expertise to build and operate. The i-DSTss and its component modules including the newly added water quality module are built on an accessible platform (Microsoft Excel VBA) and can be operated with a minimum skillset. Predictions from the water quality module were compared with observed data, and the goodness-of-fit was evaluated. For percent total suspended solid removal, both R2 and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency values were greater than 0.7 and 0.6 for infiltration-based and storage-based best management practices, respectively, demonstrating a good fit for both types of best management practices. For percent total phosphorous and Escherichia. coli removal, R2 and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency values demonstrated an acceptable fit. To enhance usability of the tool by a broad range of users, the tool is designed to be flexible allowing user interaction through a graphical user interface. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cross-Sector Green Infrastructure for Improving Urban Storm Water Quality)
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21 pages, 8151 KiB  
Article
Integrated Technology for Evaluation and Assessment of Multi-Scale Hydrological Systems in Managing Nonpoint Source Pollution
by Henrique Momm, Ron Bingner, Robert Wells, Katy Moore and Glenn Herring
Water 2021, 13(6), 842; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060842 - 19 Mar 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2456
Abstract
Conservation agencies need information to guide planning activities and allocation of limited mitigation resources at regional scales. Utilization of hydrological modeling tools at sub-watershed scales can adequately represent existing conditions, but information on a few discrete uncoordinated efforts cannot be scaled up to [...] Read more.
Conservation agencies need information to guide planning activities and allocation of limited mitigation resources at regional scales. Utilization of hydrological modeling tools at sub-watershed scales can adequately represent existing conditions, but information on a few discrete uncoordinated efforts cannot be scaled up to the entire region. Conversely, large scale modeling studies suffer from overgeneralization caused by needed lumping of information. In this study, a multiscale and standardized procedure was sought to characterize water and nonpoint source pollution spatiotemporal dynamics at basin-scale but through detailed field-scale analysis. The AnnAGNPS watershed pollution model was enhanced with new capabilities for simulation of large areas based on an Integrated Technology for Evaluation and Assessment of Multi-scale-hydrological Systems (ITEAMS) approach. Comparisons between the standard and proposed ITEAMS approach indicated no difference in streamflow and small underestimation of suspended sediments during high intensity rainfall events. The ITEAMS approach was applied to a basin with a total area of 3,268,691 ha which was discretized into 469,628 sub-catchments with an average size of 6.8 ha. The resulting 366 linked AnnAGNPS simulations were executed hierarchically generating estimates of water and suspended sediment yield and loads. This pilot study revealed the ITEAMS approach is a viable alternative for modeling and simulating large areas but at high spatiotemporal resolution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Water Resource System Modeling to Support Sustainable Water Management)
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18 pages, 2452 KiB  
Article
From the Well to the Bottle: Identifying Sources of Microplastics in Mineral Water
by Jana Weisser, Irina Beer, Benedikt Hufnagl, Thomas Hofmann, Hans Lohninger, Natalia P. Ivleva and Karl Glas
Water 2021, 13(6), 841; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060841 - 19 Mar 2021
Cited by 57 | Viewed by 12675
Abstract
Microplastics (MP) have been detected in bottled mineral water across the world. Because only few MP particles have been reported in ground water-sourced drinking water, it is suspected that MP enter the water during bottle cleaning and filling. However, until today, MP entry [...] Read more.
Microplastics (MP) have been detected in bottled mineral water across the world. Because only few MP particles have been reported in ground water-sourced drinking water, it is suspected that MP enter the water during bottle cleaning and filling. However, until today, MP entry paths were not revealed. For the first time, this study provides findings of MP from the well to the bottle including the bottle washing process. At four mineral water bottlers, five sample types were taken along the process: raw and deferrized water samples were filtered in situ; clean bottles were sampled right after they left the bottle washer and after filling and capping. Caustic cleaning solutions were sampled from bottle washers and MP particles isolated through enzymatic and chemical treatments. The samples were analyzed for eleven synthetic and natural polymer particles ≥11 µm with Fourier-transform infrared imaging and random decision forests. MP were present in all steps of mineral water bottling, with a sharp increase from <1 MP L−1 to 317 ± 257 MP L−1 attributed to bottle capping. As 81% of MP resembled the PE-based cap sealing material, abrasion from the sealings was identified as the main entry path for MP into bottled mineral water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Quality and Contamination)
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38 pages, 5145 KiB  
Article
Rethinking Climate, Climate Change, and Their Relationship with Water
by Demetris Koutsoyiannis
Water 2021, 13(6), 849; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060849 - 19 Mar 2021
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 21859
Abstract
We revisit the notion of climate, along with its historical evolution, tracing the origin of the modern concerns about climate. The notion (and the scientific term) of climate was established during the Greek antiquity in a geographical context and it acquired its statistical [...] Read more.
We revisit the notion of climate, along with its historical evolution, tracing the origin of the modern concerns about climate. The notion (and the scientific term) of climate was established during the Greek antiquity in a geographical context and it acquired its statistical content (average weather) in modern times after meteorological measurements had become common. Yet the modern definitions of climate are seriously affected by the wrong perception of the previous two centuries that climate should regularly be constant, unless an external agent acts upon it. Therefore, we attempt to give a more rigorous definition of climate, consistent with the modern body of stochastics. We illustrate the definition by real-world data, which also exemplify the large climatic variability. Given this variability, the term “climate change” turns out to be scientifically unjustified. Specifically, it is a pleonasm as climate, like weather, has been ever-changing. Indeed, a historical investigation reveals that the aim in using that term is not scientific but political. Within the political aims, water issues have been greatly promoted by projecting future catastrophes while reversing true roles and causality directions. For this reason, we provide arguments that water is the main element that drives climate, and not the opposite. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate, Water, and Soil)
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24 pages, 1779 KiB  
Review
The Genetic Component of Seagrass Restoration: What We Know and the Way Forwards
by Jessica Pazzaglia, Hung Manh Nguyen, Alex Santillán-Sarmiento, Miriam Ruocco, Emanuela Dattolo, Lázaro Marín-Guirao and Gabriele Procaccini
Water 2021, 13(6), 829; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060829 - 18 Mar 2021
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 10094
Abstract
Seagrasses are marine flowering plants providing key ecological services and functions in coasts and estuaries across the globe. Increased environmental changes fueled by human activities are affecting their existence, compromising natural habitats and ecosystems’ biodiversity and functioning. In this context, restoration of disturbed [...] Read more.
Seagrasses are marine flowering plants providing key ecological services and functions in coasts and estuaries across the globe. Increased environmental changes fueled by human activities are affecting their existence, compromising natural habitats and ecosystems’ biodiversity and functioning. In this context, restoration of disturbed seagrass environments has become a worldwide priority to reverse ecosystem degradation and to recover ecosystem functionality and associated services. Despite the proven importance of genetic research to perform successful restoration projects, this aspect has often been overlooked in seagrass restoration. Here, we aimed to provide a comprehensive perspective of genetic aspects related to seagrass restoration. To this end, we first reviewed the importance of studying the genetic diversity and population structure of target seagrass populations; then, we discussed the pros and cons of different approaches used to restore and/or reinforce degraded populations. In general, the collection of genetic information and the development of connectivity maps are critical steps for any seagrass restoration activity. Traditionally, the selection of donor population preferred the use of local gene pools, thought to be the best adapted to current conditions. However, in the face of rapid ocean changes, alternative approaches such as the use of climate-adjusted or admixture genotypes might provide more sustainable options to secure the survival of restored meadows. Also, we discussed different transplantation strategies applied in seagrasses and emphasized the importance of long-term seagrass monitoring in restoration. The newly developed information on epigenetics as well as the application of assisted evolution strategies were also explored. Finally, a view of legal and ethical issues related to national and international restoration management is included, highlighting improvements and potential new directions to integrate with the genetic assessment. We concluded that a good restoration effort should incorporate: (1) a good understanding of the genetic structure of both donors and populations being restored; (2) the analysis of local environmental conditions and disturbances that affect the site to be restored; (3) the analysis of local adaptation constraints influencing the performances of donor populations and native plants; (4) the integration of distribution/connectivity maps with genetic information and environmental factors relative to the target seagrass populations; (5) the planning of long-term monitoring programs to assess the performance of the restored populations. The inclusion of epigenetic knowledge and the development of assisted evolution programs are strongly hoped for the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Restore Degraded Marine Coastal Areas in the Mediterranean Sea)
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17 pages, 3441 KiB  
Article
Improving Mean Annual Precipitation Prediction Incorporating Elevation and Taking into Account Support Size
by Gabriele Buttafuoco and Massimo Conforti
Water 2021, 13(6), 830; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060830 - 18 Mar 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2585
Abstract
Accounting for secondary exhaustive variables (such as elevation) in modelling the spatial distribution of precipitation can improve their estimate accuracy. However, elevation and precipitation data are associated with different support sizes and it is necessary to define methods to combine such different spatial [...] Read more.
Accounting for secondary exhaustive variables (such as elevation) in modelling the spatial distribution of precipitation can improve their estimate accuracy. However, elevation and precipitation data are associated with different support sizes and it is necessary to define methods to combine such different spatial data. The paper was aimed to compare block ordinary cokriging and block kriging with an external drift in estimating the annual precipitation using elevation as covariate. Block ordinary kriging was used as reference of a univariate geostatistical approach. In addition, the different support sizes associated with precipitation and elevation data were also taken into account. The study area was the Calabria region (southern Italy), which has a spatially variable Mediterranean climate because of its high orographic variability. Block kriging with elevation as external drift, compared to block ordinary kriging and block ordinary cokriging, was the most accurate approach for modelling the spatial distribution of annual mean precipitation. The three measures of accuracy (MAE, mean absolute error; RMSEP, root-mean-squared error of prediction; MRE, mean relative error) have the lowest values (MAE = 112.80 mm; RMSEP = 144.89 mm, and MRE = 0.11), whereas the goodness of prediction (G) has the highest value (75.67). The results clearly indicated that the use of an exhaustive secondary variable always improves the precipitation estimate, but in the case of areas with elevations below 120 m, block cokriging makes better use of secondary information in precipitation estimation than block kriging with external drift. At higher elevations, the opposite is always true: block kriging with external drift performs better than block cokriging. This approach takes into account the support size associated with precipitation and elevation data. Accounting for elevation allowed to obtain more detailed maps than using block ordinary kriging. However, block kriging with external drift produced a map with more local details than that of block ordinary cokriging because of the local re-evaluation of the linear regression of precipitation on block estimates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling Precipitation in Space and Time)
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26 pages, 32717 KiB  
Article
The “Problem” of New Orleans and Diminishing Sustainability of Mississippi River Management—Future Options
by John W. Day, Rachael Hunter, G. Paul Kemp, Matthew Moerschbaecher and Christopher G. Brantley
Water 2021, 13(6), 813; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060813 - 16 Mar 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 8288
Abstract
Climate change forcings are having significant impacts in coastal Louisiana today and increasingly affect the future of New Orleans, a deltaic city mostly below sea level, which depends on levee and pumps to protect from a host of water-related threats. Precipitation has increased [...] Read more.
Climate change forcings are having significant impacts in coastal Louisiana today and increasingly affect the future of New Orleans, a deltaic city mostly below sea level, which depends on levee and pumps to protect from a host of water-related threats. Precipitation has increased in the Mississippi River basin generally, increasing runoff, so that in recent years the Mississippi River has been above flood stage for longer periods of time both earlier and later in the year, increasing the likelihood that hurricane surge, traditionally confined to summer and fall, may compound effects of prolonged high water on river levees. The Bonnet Carré Spillway, just upstream of New Orleans has been operated more often and for longer periods of time in recent years than ever before in its nearly 100-year history. Because all rain that falls within the city must be pumped out, residents have been exposed to interior flooding more frequently as high-intensity precipitation events can occur in any season. A sustainable path for New Orleans should involve elevating people and sensitive infrastructure above flood levels, raising some land levels, and creating water storage areas within the city. Management of the lower Mississippi River in the future must include consideration that the river will exceed its design capacity on a regular basis. The river must also be used to restore coastal wetlands through the use of diversions, which will also relieve pressure on levees. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management, Conservation and Restoration in Deltaic Ecosystems with Special Emphasis on the Mississippi Delta)
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15 pages, 3124 KiB  
Article
Reservoir Sediment Management Using Artificial Neural Networks: A Case Study of the Lower Section of the Alpine Saalach River
by Markus Reisenbüchler, Minh Duc Bui and Peter Rutschmann
Water 2021, 13(6), 818; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060818 - 16 Mar 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3108
Abstract
Reservoir sedimentation is a critical issue worldwide, resulting in reduced storage volumes and, thus, reservoir efficiency. Moreover, sedimentation can also increase the flood risk at related facilities. In some cases, drawdown flushing of the reservoir is an appropriate management tool. However, there are [...] Read more.
Reservoir sedimentation is a critical issue worldwide, resulting in reduced storage volumes and, thus, reservoir efficiency. Moreover, sedimentation can also increase the flood risk at related facilities. In some cases, drawdown flushing of the reservoir is an appropriate management tool. However, there are various options as to how and when to perform such flushing, which should be optimized in order to maximize its efficiency and effectiveness. This paper proposes an innovative concept, based on an artificial neural network (ANN), to predict the volume of sediment flushed from the reservoir given distinct input parameters. The results obtained from a real-world study area indicate that there is a close correlation between the inputs—including peak discharge and duration of flushing—and the output (i.e., the volume of sediment). The developed ANN can readily be applied at the real-world study site, as a decision-support system for hydropower operators. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sediment Transport and River Morphology)
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25 pages, 9782 KiB  
Article
Is It a Drought or Only a Fluctuation in Precipitation Patterns?—Drought Reconnaissance in Poland
by Emilia Karamuz, Ewa Bogdanowicz, Tesfaye Belay Senbeta, Jarosław Jan Napiórkowski and Renata Julita Romanowicz
Water 2021, 13(6), 807; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060807 - 15 Mar 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3458
Abstract
The process of propagation from meteorological to hydrological drought is studied using the Vistula basin in Poland (193,960 km2) as a case study. The study aims to set a background for the analysis of processes influencing drought propagation in the basin, [...] Read more.
The process of propagation from meteorological to hydrological drought is studied using the Vistula basin in Poland (193,960 km2) as a case study. The study aims to set a background for the analysis of processes influencing drought propagation in the basin, including the availability of data on hydro-meteorological factors, groundwater, and major human activities that might influence the water cycle in the region. A recent history of drought events in the basin is derived based on a statistical analysis of flow measured at nine gauging stations located along the river, starting from upstream downwards in the 1951–2018 period. The study is enhanced by the analysis of the temporal and spatial variability of a number of drought indices. As a result, the factors affecting temporal and spatial variability of drought—with particular emphasis on the interaction between the variability induced by natural processes and human interaction—are identified. The drought dynamics is studied by analysis of the relationships between meteorological and hydrological drought indices. The results indicate that the Vistula River basin has been influenced in its upstream part mainly by the mining industry, and the middle and downstream parts are additionally affected by industry and agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human and Climate Impacts on Drought Dynamics and Vulnerability)
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18 pages, 3674 KiB  
Article
Improving Spatial Landslide Prediction with 3D Slope Stability Analysis and Genetic Algorithm Optimization: Application to the Oltrepò Pavese
by Nunziarita Palazzolo, David J. Peres, Massimiliano Bordoni, Claudia Meisina, Enrico Creaco and Antonino Cancelliere
Water 2021, 13(6), 801; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060801 - 15 Mar 2021
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4756
Abstract
In this study, we compare infinite slope and the three-dimensional stability analysis performed by SCOOPS 3D (software to analyze three-dimensional slope stability throughout a digital landscape). SCOOPS 3D is a model proposed by the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS), the potentialities of which [...] Read more.
In this study, we compare infinite slope and the three-dimensional stability analysis performed by SCOOPS 3D (software to analyze three-dimensional slope stability throughout a digital landscape). SCOOPS 3D is a model proposed by the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS), the potentialities of which have still not been investigated sufficiently. The comparison between infinite slope and 3D slope stability analysis is carried out using the same hydrological analysis, which is performed with TRIGRS (transient rainfall infiltration and grid-based regional slope-stability model)—another model proposed by USGS. The SCOOPS 3D model requires definition of a series of numerical parameters that can have a significant impact on its own performance, for a given set of physical properties. In the study, we calibrate these numerical parameters through a multi-objective optimization based on genetic algorithms to maximize the model predictability performance in terms of statistics of the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) confusion matrix. This comparison is carried out through an application on a real case study, a catchment in the Oltrepò Pavese (Italy), in which the areas of triggered landslides were accurately monitored during an extreme rainfall on 27–28 April 2009. Results show that the SCOOPS 3D model performs better than the 1D infinite slope stability analysis, as the ROC True Skill Statistic increases from 0.09 to 0.37. In comparison to other studies, we find the 1D model performs worse, likely for the availability of less detailed geological data. On the other side, for the 3D model we find even better results than the two other studies present to date in the scientific literature. This is to be attributed to the optimization process we proposed, which allows to have a greater gain of performance passing from the 1D to the 3D simulation, in comparison to the above-mentioned studies, where no optimization has been applied. Thus, our study contributes to improving the performances of landslide models, which still remain subject to many uncertainty factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Modeling Research for Rainfall-Induced Landslides)
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20 pages, 4267 KiB  
Article
Future Flood Hazard Assessment for the City of Pamplona (Spain) Using an Ensemble of Climate Change Projections
by Marco Lompi, Luis Mediero and Enrica Caporali
Water 2021, 13(6), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060792 - 14 Mar 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3206
Abstract
Understanding how the design hyetographs and floods will change in the future is essential for decision making in flood management plans. This study provides a methodology to quantify the expected changes in future hydraulic risks at the catchment scale in the city of [...] Read more.
Understanding how the design hyetographs and floods will change in the future is essential for decision making in flood management plans. This study provides a methodology to quantify the expected changes in future hydraulic risks at the catchment scale in the city of Pamplona. It considers climate change projections supplied by 12 climate models, 7 return periods, 2 emission scenarios (representative concentration pathway RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5), and 3 time windows (2011–2040, 2041–2070, and 2070–2100). The Real-time Interactive Basin Simulator (RIBS) distributed hydrological model is used to simulate rainfall-runoff processes at the catchment scale. The results point to a decrease in design peak discharges for return periods smaller than 10 years and an increase for the 500- and 1000-year floods for both RCPs in the three time windows. The emission scenario RCP 8.5 usually provides the greatest increases in flood quantiles. The increase of design peak discharges is almost 10–30% higher in RCP 8.5 than in RCP 4.5. Change magnitudes for the most extreme events seem to be related to the greenhouse gas emission predictions in each RCP, as the greatest expected changes are found in 2040 for the RCP 4.5 and in 2100 for the RCP 8.5. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Influence of Climate Change on Floods)
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16 pages, 1713 KiB  
Review
Methods in Capturing the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Flow and Biogeochemical Reactivity in Sandy Beach Aquifers: A Review
by Kyra H. Kim and James W. Heiss
Water 2021, 13(6), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060782 - 13 Mar 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3917
Abstract
Sandy beach aquifers are complex hydrological and biogeochemical systems where fresh groundwater and seawater mix. The extent of the intertidal mixing zone and the rates of circulating flows within beaches are a primary control on porewater chemistry and microbiology of the intertidal subsurface. [...] Read more.
Sandy beach aquifers are complex hydrological and biogeochemical systems where fresh groundwater and seawater mix. The extent of the intertidal mixing zone and the rates of circulating flows within beaches are a primary control on porewater chemistry and microbiology of the intertidal subsurface. Interplay between the hydrological and biogeochemical processes at these land-sea transition zones moderate fluxes of chemicals, particulates, heavy metals, and biota across the aquifer-ocean interface, affecting coastal water quality and nutrient loads to marine ecosystems. Thus, it is important to characterize hydrological and biogeochemical processes in beach aquifers when estimating material fluxes to the ocean. This can be achieved through a suite of cross-disciplinary measurements of beach groundwater flow and chemistry. In this review, we present measurement approaches that have been developed and employed to characterize the physical (geology, topography, subsurface hydrology) and biogeochemical (solute and particulate distributions, reaction rates) properties of and processes occurring within sandy intertidal aquifers. As applied to beach systems, we discuss vibracoring, sample collection, laboratory experiments, variable-density considerations, instrument construction, and sensor technologies. We discuss advantages and limitations of typical hydrologic field sampling methods when used to investigate beach aquifers and provide a measurement framework for researchers seeking to sample and collect data from these systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Study and Understanding of Groundwater Discharge to Surface Water)
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12 pages, 2251 KiB  
Article
Coastal Erosion of Arctic Cultural Heritage in Danger: A Case Study from Svalbard, Norway
by Ionut Cristi Nicu, Lena Rubensdotter, Knut Stalsberg and Erich Nau
Water 2021, 13(6), 784; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060784 - 13 Mar 2021
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4454
Abstract
Strong cultural heritage management relies on a thorough evaluation of the threats faced by heritage sites, both in the present and in the future. In this study, we analysed the changes in the position of Hiorthhamn shoreline (Svalbard), which is affecting coastal cultural [...] Read more.
Strong cultural heritage management relies on a thorough evaluation of the threats faced by heritage sites, both in the present and in the future. In this study, we analysed the changes in the position of Hiorthhamn shoreline (Svalbard), which is affecting coastal cultural heritage sites, for a period of 93 years (1927–2020). Shoreline changes were mapped by using maps, ortophotos, drone images, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), and topographic surveys. Also, TLS was used to 3D document the endangered coastal cultural heritage sites. Detailed sedimentological and morphological mapping was made in the field and from the newly acquired drone images in order to understand shoreline-landscape interaction and to depict changes occurring from 2019 to 2020. Short-term (2019–2020) and long-term (1927–2020) shoreline erosion/accretion was made with the help of the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) and prompted a subdivision of three sectors, based on change pattern. Compared to a previous long-term analysis (1927–2019), this year’s average erosion rate analysis (expressed by the EPR parameter) for the 93-year period is −0.14 m/yr. This shift in mean development is due to a newly formed spit-bar in Sector 2. Referring strictly to Sector 1, where the protected cultural heritage objects are located, the erosion rate increased from the previous analysis of –0.76 m/yr to −0.77 m/yr. The shoreline forecast analysis highlights that half of the protected cultural heritage objects will likely disappear over the next decade and almost all the cultural heritage objects analysed in this study will disappear in roughly two decades. This shows the great danger the Arctic’s cultural heritage sites is in if no mitigation measures are undertaken by the local authorities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrology of the Arctic Region)
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24 pages, 11291 KiB  
Article
Hydrogeochemical and Hydrodynamic Assessment of Tirnavos Basin, Central Greece
by Ioannis Vrouhakis, Evangelos Tziritis, Andreas Panagopoulos and Georgios Stamatis
Water 2021, 13(6), 759; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060759 - 11 Mar 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3334
Abstract
A combined hydrogeochemical and hydrodynamic characterization for the assessment of key aspects related to groundwater resources management was performed in a highly productive agricultural basin of the Thessaly region in central Greece. A complementary suite of tools and methods—including graphical processing, hydrogeochemical modeling, [...] Read more.
A combined hydrogeochemical and hydrodynamic characterization for the assessment of key aspects related to groundwater resources management was performed in a highly productive agricultural basin of the Thessaly region in central Greece. A complementary suite of tools and methods—including graphical processing, hydrogeochemical modeling, multivariate statistics and environmental isotopes—have been applied to a comprehensive dataset of physicochemical analyses and water level measurements. Results revealed that the initial hydrogeochemistry of groundwater was progressively impacted by secondary phenomena (e.g., ion exchange and redox reactions) which were clearly delineated into distinct zones according to data processing. The progressive evolution of groundwater was further verified by the variation of the saturation indices of critical minerals. In addition, the combined use of water level measurements delineated the major pathways of groundwater flow. Interestingly, the additional joint assessment of environmental isotopes revealed a new pathway from E–NE (which had never before been validated), thus highlighting the importance of the joint tools/methods application in complex scientific tasks. The application of multivariate statistics identified the dominant processes that control hydrogeochemistry and fit well with identified hydrodynamic mechanisms. These included (as dominant factor) the salinization impact due to the combined use of irrigation water return and evaporitic mineral leaching, as well as the impact of the geogenic calcareous substrate (mainly karstic calcareous formations and dolostones). Secondary factors, acting as processes (e.g., redox and ion exchange), were identified and found to be in line with initial assessment, thus validating the overall characterization. Finally, the outcomes may prove to be valuable in the progression toward sustainable groundwater resources management. The results have provided spatial and temporal information for significant parameters, sources, and processes—which, as a methodological approach, could be adopted in similar cases of other catchments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geo-Environmental Approaches for the Analysis and Assessment of Groundwater Resources at Catchment-Scale)
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16 pages, 1618 KiB  
Article
Design of a MATLAB HEC-RAS Interface to Test Advanced Control Strategies on Water Systems
by Ronan Deshays, Pablo Segovia and Eric Duviella
Water 2021, 13(6), 763; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060763 - 11 Mar 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4956
Abstract
The software package HEC-RAS (Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System) is widely used by the water engineering community to analyze hydraulic systems and perform development planning. Furthermore, it integrates a control module that allows implementing basic controllers. For more complex approaches, developers from [...] Read more.
The software package HEC-RAS (Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System) is widely used by the water engineering community to analyze hydraulic systems and perform development planning. Furthermore, it integrates a control module that allows implementing basic controllers. For more complex approaches, developers from the automatic control and artificial intelligence (AI) communities usually design, implement, and test new algorithms using dedicated software such as MATLAB. However, models of hydraulic systems employed in MATLAB are often very simple. The main objective of the paper is to design a simulation architecture by coupling HEC-RAS with MATLAB, thus improving the accuracy of the dynamics of the hydraulic systems considered in the control simulations. The main feature of the MATLAB HEC-RAS interface design is that it allows one to execute customized code at regular time intervals during the simulation. In this way, closed-loop control and optimization algorithms can be implemented and tested. Moreover, the generic interface allows for any configuration of hydrographical systems. The proposed interface is presented in this paper, and the performance of the approach is demonstrated considering two case studies of different nature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Water Management and Flood Mitigation)
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27 pages, 2563 KiB  
Review
Review of Seawater Intrusion in Western Coastal Regions of South Korea
by Sung-Wook Jeen, Jiyoung Kang, Hyejung Jung and Jeonghoon Lee
Water 2021, 13(6), 761; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060761 - 11 Mar 2021
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 5077
Abstract
Groundwater salinization in coastal aquifers because of seawater intrusion has raised serious concerns worldwide since it deteriorates the quality of drinking water and thereby threatens sustainable economic development. In particular, this problem has been a cause of growing concern in the western coastal [...] Read more.
Groundwater salinization in coastal aquifers because of seawater intrusion has raised serious concerns worldwide since it deteriorates the quality of drinking water and thereby threatens sustainable economic development. In particular, this problem has been a cause of growing concern in the western coastal regions of South Korea. In this paper, we review studies of seawater intrusion in western coastal regions of South Korea conducted over the past 20 years, particularly focusing on studies reported in international journals. We summarize the study locations, methods used, and major findings from individual and regional-scale studies. General methods used to identify and interpret seawater intrusion and subsequent geochemical processes are also presented. On the basis of insights gleaned from the previous studies, future research needs are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seawater Intrusion into Coastal Aquifers)
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15 pages, 2385 KiB  
Article
Nonstationary Analyses of the Maximum and Minimum Streamflow in Tamsui River Basin, Taiwan
by Jenq-Tzong Shiau and Yi-Ting Liu
Water 2021, 13(6), 762; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060762 - 11 Mar 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2308
Abstract
This study aims to detect non-stationarity of the maximum and minimum streamflow regime in Tamsui River basin, northern Taiwan. Seven streamflow gauge stations, with at least 27-year daily records, are used to characterize annual maximum 1- and 2-day flows and annual minimum 1-, [...] Read more.
This study aims to detect non-stationarity of the maximum and minimum streamflow regime in Tamsui River basin, northern Taiwan. Seven streamflow gauge stations, with at least 27-year daily records, are used to characterize annual maximum 1- and 2-day flows and annual minimum 1-, 7-, and 30-day flows. The generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS) are used to dynamically detect evolution of probability distributions of the maximum and minimum flow indices with time. Results of time-covariate models indicate that stationarity is only noted in the 4 maximum flow indices out of 35 indices. This phenomenon indicates that the minimum flow indices are vulnerable to changing environments. A 16-category distributional-change scheme is employed to classify distributional changes of flow indices. A probabilistic distribution with complex variations of mean and variance is prevalent in the Tamsui River basin since approximate one third of flow indices (34.3%) belong to this category. To evaluate impacts of dams on streamflow regime, a dimensionless index called the reservoir index (RI) serves as an alternative covariate to model nonstationary probability distribution. Results of RI-covariate models indicate that 7 out of 15 flow indices are independent of RI and 80% of the best-fitted RI-covariate models are generally worse than the time-covariate models. This fact reveals that the dam is not the only factor in altering the streamflow regime in the Tamsui River, which is a significant alteration, especially the minimum flow indices. The obtained distributional changes of flow indices clearly indicate changes in probability distributions with time. Non-stationarity in the Tamsui River is induced by climate change and complex anthropogenic interferences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Hydrology)
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32 pages, 3654 KiB  
Review
Optimization of Vineyard Water Management: Challenges, Strategies, and Perspectives
by José Manuel Mirás-Avalos and Emily Silva Araujo
Water 2021, 13(6), 746; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060746 - 10 Mar 2021
Cited by 57 | Viewed by 11295
Abstract
Water availability is endangering the production, quality, and economic viability of growing wine grapes worldwide. Climate change projections reveal warming and drying trends for the upcoming decades, constraining the sustainability of viticulture. In this context, a great research effort over the last years [...] Read more.
Water availability is endangering the production, quality, and economic viability of growing wine grapes worldwide. Climate change projections reveal warming and drying trends for the upcoming decades, constraining the sustainability of viticulture. In this context, a great research effort over the last years has been devoted to understanding the effects of water stress on grapevine performance. Moreover, irrigation scheduling and other management practices have been tested in order to alleviate the deleterious effects of water stress on wine production. The current manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of the advances in the research on optimizing water management in vineyards, including the use of novel technologies (modeling, remote sensing). In addition, methods for assessing vine water status are summarized. Moreover, the manuscript will focus on the interactions between grapevine water status and biotic stressors. Finally, future perspectives for research are provided. These include the performance of multifactorial studies accounting for the interrelations between water availability and other stressors, the development of a cost-effective and easy-to-use tool for assessing vine water status, and the study of less-known cultivars under different soil and climate conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Management in Woody Crops: Challenges and Opportunities)
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15 pages, 1925 KiB  
Review
Water Quality and Life Expectancy: Parallel Courses in Time
by Andreas N. Angelakis, Heikki S. Vuorinen, Christos Nikolaidis, Petri S. Juuti, Tapio S. Katko, Riikka P. Juuti, Jim Zhang and George Samonis
Water 2021, 13(6), 752; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060752 - 10 Mar 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 14001
Abstract
Since ancient times, the need for healthy water has resulted in the development of various kinds of water supply systems. From early history, civilizations have developed water purification devices and treatment methods. The necessity for fresh water has influenced individual lives as well [...] Read more.
Since ancient times, the need for healthy water has resulted in the development of various kinds of water supply systems. From early history, civilizations have developed water purification devices and treatment methods. The necessity for fresh water has influenced individual lives as well as communities and societies. During the last two hundred years, intensive and effective efforts have been made internationally for sufficient water quantity and quality. At the same time, human life expectancy has increased all over the globe at unprecedented rates. The present work represents an effort to sketch out how water purity and life expectancy have entangled, thus influencing one another. Water properties and characteristics have directly affected life quality and longevity. The dramatic increase in life expectancy has been, indisputably, affected by the improvement in water quality, but also in other concomitant factors, varying temporally and spatially in different parts of the world throughout the centuries. Water technologies and engineering have an unequivocal role on life expectancy. In some cases, they appear to have taken place earlier than the progress of modern medicine. Among these, improved sanitation, personal hygiene, progress in medicine, and better standards of economic living have played the greatest roles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Scarcity: From Ancient to Modern Times and the Future)
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25 pages, 10113 KiB  
Article
Means and Extremes: Evaluation of a CMIP6 Multi-Model Ensemble in Reproducing Historical Climate Characteristics across Alberta, Canada
by Badrul Masud, Quan Cui, Mohamed E. Ammar, Barrie R. Bonsal, Zahidul Islam and Monireh Faramarzi
Water 2021, 13(5), 737; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050737 - 9 Mar 2021
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 5286
Abstract
This study evaluates General Circulation Models (GCMs) participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) for their ability in simulating historical means and extremes of daily precipitation (P), and daily maximum (Tmax), and minimum temperature (Tmin). Models are evaluated against hybrid [...] Read more.
This study evaluates General Circulation Models (GCMs) participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) for their ability in simulating historical means and extremes of daily precipitation (P), and daily maximum (Tmax), and minimum temperature (Tmin). Models are evaluated against hybrid observations at 2255 sub-basins across Alberta, Canada using established statistical metrics for the 1983–2014 period. Three extreme indices including consecutive wet days (CWD), summer days (SD), and warm nights (WN) are defined based on the peak over the threshold approach and characterized by duration and frequency. The tail behaviour of extremes is evaluated using the Generalized Pareto Distribution. Regional evaluations are also conducted for four climate sub-regions across the study area. For both mean annual precipitation and mean annual daily temperature, most GCMs more accurately reproduce the observations in northern Alberta and follow a gradient toward the south having the poorest representation in the western mountainous area. Model simulations show statistically better performance in reproducing mean annual daily Tmax than Tmin, and in reproducing annual mean duration compared to the frequency of extreme indices across the province. The Kernel density curves of duration and frequency as simulated by GCMs show closer agreement to that of observations in the case of CWD. However, it is slightly (completely) overestimated (underestimated) by GCMs for warm nights (summer days). The tail behaviour of extremes indicates that GCMs may not incorporate some local processes such as the convective parameterization scheme in the simulation of daily precipitation. Model performances in each of the four sub-regions are quite similar to their performances at the provincial scale. Bias-corrected and downscaled GCM simulations using a hybrid approach show that the downscaled GCM simulations better represent the means and extremes of P characteristics compared to Tmax and Tmin. There is no clear indication of an improved tail behaviour of GPD based on downscaled simulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Past and Future Trends and Variability in Hydro-Climatic Processes)
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32 pages, 30439 KiB  
Article
Quaternary Evolution of the Lower Calore and Middle Volturno Valleys (Southern Italy)
by Francesca Filocamo, Natalia Leone, Carmen Maria Rosskopf, Vittoria Scorpio, Santiago Giralt and Pietro Patrizio Ciro Aucelli
Water 2021, 13(5), 741; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050741 - 9 Mar 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3240
Abstract
The lower Calore and middle Volturno valleys preserve stratigraphical and morphological evidence and tephrostratigraphic markers particularly suitable for reconstructing the long-term geomorphological evolution of the central-southern Apennines. Aim of our study is to identify the main steps of the Quaternary landscape evolution of [...] Read more.
The lower Calore and middle Volturno valleys preserve stratigraphical and morphological evidence and tephrostratigraphic markers particularly suitable for reconstructing the long-term geomorphological evolution of the central-southern Apennines. Aim of our study is to identify the main steps of the Quaternary landscape evolution of these valley systems and to improve knowledge about the relationships between fluvial processes and tectonics, volcanic activity, climatic and human influences. To this purpose, we carried out an integrated geomorphological and chrono-stratigraphical analysis of identified fluvial landforms and related deposits, integrated by 230Th/234U datings on travertines from the Telese Plain area. The study highlighted in particular: (1) fluvial sedimentation started in the Middle Pleistocene (~650 ka) within valleys that originated in the lower Pleistocene under the control of high-angle faults; (2) extensional tectonics acted during the Middle and Upper Pleistocene, driving the formation of the oldest fluvial terraces and alluvial fans, and persisted beyond the emplacement of the Campanian Ignimbrite pyroclastic deposits (~39 ka); and (3) from the late Upper Pleistocene onwards (<15 ka), the role of tectonics appears negligible, while climatic changes played a key role in the formation of three orders of valley floor terraces and the youngest alluvial fans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fluvial Geomorphology and River Management)
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23 pages, 2282 KiB  
Article
Natural Background Levels of Potentially Toxic Elements in Groundwater from a Former Asbestos Mine in Serpentinite (Balangero, North Italy)
by Elisa Sacchi, Massimo Bergamini, Elisa Lazzari, Arianna Musacchio, Jordi-René Mor and Elisa Pugliaro
Water 2021, 13(5), 735; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050735 - 8 Mar 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2603
Abstract
The definition of natural background levels (NBLs) for potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in groundwater from mining environments is a real challenge, as anthropogenic activities boost water–rock interactions, further increasing the naturally high concentrations. This study illustrates the procedure followed to derive PTE concentration [...] Read more.
The definition of natural background levels (NBLs) for potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in groundwater from mining environments is a real challenge, as anthropogenic activities boost water–rock interactions, further increasing the naturally high concentrations. This study illustrates the procedure followed to derive PTE concentration values that can be adopted as NBLs for the former Balangero asbestos mine, a “Contaminated Site of National Interest”. A full hydrogeochemical characterisation allowed for defining the dominant Mg-HCO3 facies, tending towards the Mg-SO4 facies with increasing mineralisation. PTE concentrations are high, and often exceed the groundwater quality thresholds for Cr VI, Ni, Mn and Fe (5, 20, 50 and 200 µg/L, respectively). The Italian guidelines for NBL assessment recommend using the median as a representative concentration for each monitoring station. However, this involves discarding half of the measurements and in particular the higher concentrations, thus resulting in too conservative estimates. Using instead all the available measurements and the recommended statistical evaluation, the derived NBLs were: Cr = 39.3, Cr VI = 38.1, Ni = 84, Mn = 71.36, Fe = 58.4, Zn = 232.2 µg/L. These values are compared to literature data from similar hydrogeochemical settings, to support the conclusion on their natural origin. Results highlight the need for a partial rethink of the guidelines for the assessment of NBLs in naturally enriched environmental settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Background Levels in Groundwater)
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11 pages, 1971 KiB  
Review
The Problem of Removing Seaweed from the Beaches: Review of Methods and Machines
by Łukasz Warguła, Bartosz Wieczorek, Mateusz Kukla, Piotr Krawiec and Jakub Wojciech Szewczyk
Water 2021, 13(5), 736; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050736 - 8 Mar 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6064
Abstract
Beach cleaning and algae collection in the shoreline area are important for the tourism industry, mainly for aesthetic reasons, but also to protect human health. In addition, the collected material can be used in many industries such as energy, medicine, cosmetics or catering. [...] Read more.
Beach cleaning and algae collection in the shoreline area are important for the tourism industry, mainly for aesthetic reasons, but also to protect human health. In addition, the collected material can be used in many industries such as energy, medicine, cosmetics or catering. The problem of cleaning the shoreline area concerns the need to clear land, water and the strip of shore and land onto which water is thrown from falling waves. The vast majority of available cleaning methods are adapted to cleaning beaches or waters. There is a lack of solutions and machine designs suitable for cleaning the coastal strip, which includes: land, the area of land on which the wave is thrown, shoal and deep water. This area is particularly important for tourism as it is mainly used for water bathing. Pictures from tourist areas that are exposed to intensive water contamination show that measures taken to clear the shoreline area are not very effective, as seaweed in shallow water is thrown ashore with the waves. The paper presents a review of methods for cleaning coastal waters and beaches from contamination. It also shows the author’s conceptual design adapted to clear the shoreline area and sandy beaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance)
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17 pages, 9236 KiB  
Article
Stratigraphic Analysis of Firn Cores from an Antarctic Ice Shelf Firn Aquifer
by Shelley MacDonell, Francisco Fernandoy, Paula Villar and Arno Hammann
Water 2021, 13(5), 731; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050731 - 8 Mar 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3785
Abstract
In recent decades, several large ice shelves in the Antarctic Peninsula region have experienced significant ice loss, likely driven by a combination of oceanic, atmospheric and hydrological processes. All three areas need further research, however, in the case of the role of liquid [...] Read more.
In recent decades, several large ice shelves in the Antarctic Peninsula region have experienced significant ice loss, likely driven by a combination of oceanic, atmospheric and hydrological processes. All three areas need further research, however, in the case of the role of liquid water the first concern is to address the paucity of field measurements. Despite this shortage of field observations, several authors have proposed the existence of firn aquifers on Antarctic ice shelves, however little is known about their distribution, formation, extension and role in ice shelf mechanics. In this study we present the discovery of saturated firn at three drill sites on the Müller Ice Shelf (67°14′ S; 66°52′ W), which leads us to conclude that either a large contiguous or several disconnected smaller firn aquifers exist on this ice shelf. From the stratigraphic analysis of three short firn cores extracted during February 2019 we describe a new classification system to identify the structures and morphological signatures of refrozen meltwater, identify evidence of superficial meltwater percolation, and use this information to propose a conceptual model of firn aquifer development on the Müller Ice Shelf. The detailed stratigraphic analysis of the sampled cores will provide an invaluable baseline for modelling studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Review and Progress in Hydrological and Meteorological Monitoring of Glaciers)
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22 pages, 3363 KiB  
Article
An Enhanced Innovative Triangular Trend Analysis of Rainfall Based on a Spectral Approach
by Bilel Zerouali, Nadhir Al-Ansari, Mohamed Chettih, Mesbah Mohamed, Zaki Abda, Celso Augusto Guimarães Santos, Bilal Zerouali and Ahmed Elbeltagi
Water 2021, 13(5), 727; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050727 - 7 Mar 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3784
Abstract
The world is currently witnessing high rainfall variability at the spatiotemporal level. In this paper, data from three representative rain gauges in northern Algeria, from 1920 to 2011, at an annual scale, were used to assess a relatively new hybrid method, which combines [...] Read more.
The world is currently witnessing high rainfall variability at the spatiotemporal level. In this paper, data from three representative rain gauges in northern Algeria, from 1920 to 2011, at an annual scale, were used to assess a relatively new hybrid method, which combines the innovative triangular trend analysis (ITTA) with the orthogonal discrete wavelet transform (DWT) for partial trend identification. The analysis revealed that the period from 1950 to 1975 transported the wettest periods, followed by a long-term dry period beginning in 1973. The analysis also revealed a rainfall increase during the latter decade. The combined method (ITTA–DWT) showed a good efficiency for extreme rainfall event detection. In addition, the analysis indicated the inter- to multiannual phenomena that explained the short to medium processes that dominated the high rainfall variability, masking the partial trend components existing in the rainfall time series and making the identification of such trends a challenging task. The results indicate that the approaches—combining ITTA and selected input combination models resulting from the DWT—are auspicious compared to those found using the original rainfall observations. This analysis revealed that the ITTA–DWT method outperformed the ITTA method for partial trend identification, which proved DWT’s efficiency as a coupling method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research on Sustainable Water Resources Management and Planning under Climate Change)
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17 pages, 6352 KiB  
Article
Performance Assessment of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile Restoration Experiment on Dead matte Twelve Years after Planting—Structural and Functional Meadow Features
by Sebastiano Calvo, Roberta Calvo, Filippo Luzzu, Vincenzo Raimondi, Mauro Assenzo, Federica Paola Cassetti and Agostino Tomasello
Water 2021, 13(5), 724; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050724 - 7 Mar 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4553
Abstract
Following the restoration of natural conditions by reducing human pressures, reforestation is currently considered a possible option to accelerate the recovery of seagrass habitats. Long-term monitoring programs theoretically represent an ideal solution to assess whether a reforestation plan has produced the desired results. [...] Read more.
Following the restoration of natural conditions by reducing human pressures, reforestation is currently considered a possible option to accelerate the recovery of seagrass habitats. Long-term monitoring programs theoretically represent an ideal solution to assess whether a reforestation plan has produced the desired results. Here, we report on the performance of a 20 m2 patch of Posidonia oceanica transplanted on dead matte twelve years after transplantation in the Gulf of Palermo, northwestern Sicily. Photo mosaic performed in the area allowed us to detect 23 transplanted patches of both regular and irregular shape, ranging from 0.1 to 2.7 m2 and an overall surface close to 19 m2. Meadow density was 331.6 ± 17.7 shoot m−2 (currently five times higher than the initial value of 66 shoots m−2), and it did not show statistical differences from a close by natural meadow (331.2 ± 14.9). Total primary production, estimated by lepidochronology, varied from 333.0 to 332.7 g dw m2/year, at the transplanted and natural stand, respectively. These results suggest that complete restoration of P. oceanica on dead matte is possible in a relatively short time (a decade), thus representing a good starting point for upscaling the recovery of the degraded meadows in the area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Restore Degraded Marine Coastal Areas in the Mediterranean Sea)
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27 pages, 7155 KiB  
Article
Interdecadal Variability in Myanmar Rainfall in the Monsoon Season (May–October) Using Eigen Methods
by Zin Mie Mie Sein, Irfan Ullah, Farhan Saleem, Xiefei Zhi, Sidra Syed and Kamran Azam
Water 2021, 13(5), 729; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050729 - 7 Mar 2021
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5743
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the interdecadal variability in monsoon rainfall in the Myanmar region. The gauge-based gridded rainfall dataset of the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) and Climatic Research Unit version TS4.0 (CRU TS4.0) were used (1950–2019) to investigate the interdecadal variability [...] Read more.
In this study, we investigated the interdecadal variability in monsoon rainfall in the Myanmar region. The gauge-based gridded rainfall dataset of the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) and Climatic Research Unit version TS4.0 (CRU TS4.0) were used (1950–2019) to investigate the interdecadal variability in summer monsoon rainfall using empirical orthogonal function (EOF), singular value decomposition (SVD), and correlation approaches. The results reveal relatively negative rainfall anomalies during the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, whereas strong positive rainfall anomalies were identified for the 1970s and 2010s. The dominant spatial variability mode showed a dipole pattern with a total variance of 47%. The power spectra of the principal component (PC) from EOF revealed a significant peak during decadal timescales (20–30 years). The Myanmar summer monsoon rainfall positively correlated with Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) and negatively correlated with Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO). The results reveal that extreme monsoon rainfall (flood) events occurred during the negative phase of the PDO and below-average rainfall (drought) occurred during the positive phase of the PDO. The cold phase (warm phase) of AMO was generally associated with negative (positive) decadal monsoon rainfall. The first SVD mode indicated the Myanmar rainfall pattern associated with the cold and warm phase of the PDO and AMO, suggesting that enhanced rainfall for about 53% of the square covariance fraction was related to heavy rain over the study region except for the central and eastern parts. The second SVD mode demonstrated warm sea surface temperature (SST) in the eastern equatorial Pacific (El Niño pattern) and cold SST in the North Atlantic Ocean, implying a rainfall deficit of about 33% of the square covariance fraction, which could be associated with dry El Niño conditions (drought). The third SVD revealed that cold SSTs in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (La Niña pattern) caused enhance rainfall with a 6.7% square covariance fraction related to flood conditions. Thus, the extra-subtropical phenomena may affect the average summer monsoon trends over Myanmar by enhancing the cross-equatorial moisture trajectories into the North Atlantic Ocean. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Use and Scarcity)
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13 pages, 2054 KiB  
Article
Comparison between the Lagrangian and Eulerian Approach in Simulation of Free Surface Air-Core Vortices
by Maryam Azarpira, Amir Reza Zarrati and Pouya Farrokhzad
Water 2021, 13(5), 726; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050726 - 7 Mar 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 7897
Abstract
The problematic consequences regarding formation of air-core vortices at the intakes and the drastic necessity of a thorough investigation into the phenomenon has resulted in particular attention being placed on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) as an economically viable method. Two main approaches could [...] Read more.
The problematic consequences regarding formation of air-core vortices at the intakes and the drastic necessity of a thorough investigation into the phenomenon has resulted in particular attention being placed on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) as an economically viable method. Two main approaches could be taken using CFD, namely the Eulerian and Lagrangian methods each of which is characterized by specific advantages and disadvantages. Whereas many researchers have used the Eulerian approach for vortex simulation, the Lagrangian approach has not been found in the literature. The present study dealt with the comparison of the Lagrangian and Eulerian approaches in the simulation of vortex flow. Simulations based on both approaches were carried out by solving the Navier–Stokes equations accompanied by the LES turbulence model. The results of the numerical model were evaluated in accordance with a physical model for steady vortex flow using particle image velocimetry (PIV), revealing that both approaches are sufficiently capable of simulating the vortex flow but with the difference that the Lagrangian method has greater computational cost with less accuracy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics)
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22 pages, 3422 KiB  
Article
Construction of Critical Periods for Water Resources Management and Their Application in the FEW Nexus
by Val Z. Schull, Sushant Mehan, Margaret W. Gitau, David R. Johnson, Shweta Singh, Juan P. Sesmero and Dennis C. Flanagan
Water 2021, 13(5), 718; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050718 - 6 Mar 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3725
Abstract
Amidst the growing population, urbanization, globalization, and economic growth, along with the impacts of climate change, decision-makers, stakeholders, and researchers need tools for better assessment and communication of the highly interconnected food–energy–water (FEW) nexus. This study aimed to identify critical periods for water [...] Read more.
Amidst the growing population, urbanization, globalization, and economic growth, along with the impacts of climate change, decision-makers, stakeholders, and researchers need tools for better assessment and communication of the highly interconnected food–energy–water (FEW) nexus. This study aimed to identify critical periods for water resources management for robust decision-making for water resources management at the nexus. Using a 4610 ha agricultural watershed as a pilot site, historical data (2006–2012), scientific literature values, and SWAT model simulations were utilized to map out critical periods throughout the growing season of corn and soybeans. The results indicate that soil water deficits are primarily seen in June and July, with average deficits and surpluses ranging from −134.7 to +145.3 mm during the study period. Corresponding water quality impacts include average monthly surface nitrate-N, subsurface nitrate-N, and soluble phosphorus losses of up to 0.026, 0.26, and 0.0013 kg/ha, respectively, over the growing season. Estimated fuel requirements for the agricultural practices ranged from 24.7 to 170.3 L/ha, while estimated carbon emissions ranged from 0.3 to 2.7 kg CO2/L. A composite look at all the FEW nexus elements showed that critical periods for water management in the study watershed occurred in the early and late season—primarily related to water quality—and mid-season, related to water quantity. This suggests the need to adapt agricultural and other management practices across the growing season in line with the respective water management needs. The FEW nexus assessment methodologies developed in this study provide a framework in which spatial, temporal, and literature data can be implemented for improved water resources management in other areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Sustainable Development)
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18 pages, 4720 KiB  
Article
Urban Groundwater Contamination by Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
by Anna Jurado, Enric Vázquez-Suñé and Estanislao Pujades
Water 2021, 13(5), 720; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050720 - 6 Mar 2021
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3820
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and their metabolites, have become a major concern due to their increasing consumption and their widespread occurrence in the environment. In this paper, we investigate the occurrence of NSAIDs and their metabolites in an urban aquifer, [...] Read more.
Pharmaceuticals, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and their metabolites, have become a major concern due to their increasing consumption and their widespread occurrence in the environment. In this paper, we investigate the occurrence of NSAIDs and their metabolites in an urban aquifer, which may serve as a potential resource for drinking water, and propose a methodology to assess the removal of these substances in the river–groundwater interface. Then, risk quotients (RQs) are computed, in order to determine the risk posed by the single NSAIDs and their mixture to human health. To this end, six NSAIDs and two metabolites were collected from an urban aquifer located in the metropolitan area of Barcelona (NE, Spain), in which the major pollution source is a contaminated river. All of the target NSAIDs were detected in groundwater samples, where the concentrations in the aquifer were higher than those found in the river water (except for ibuprofen). Diclofenac, ketoprofen, propyphenazone and salicylic acid were detected at high mean concentrations (ranging from 91.8 ng/L to 225.2 ng/L) in the aquifer. In contrast, phenazone and mefenamic acid were found at low mean concentrations (i.e., lower than 25 ng/L) in the aquifer. According to the proposed approach, the mixing of river water recharge into the aquifer seemed to some extent to promote the removal of the NSAIDs under the sub-oxic to denitrifying conditions found in the groundwater. The NSAIDs that presented higher mean removal values were 4OH diclofenac (0.8), ibuprofen (0.78), salicylic acid (0.35) and diclofenac (0.28), which are likely to be naturally attenuated under the aforementioned redox conditions. Concerning human health risk assessment, the NSAIDs detected in groundwater and their mixture do not pose any risk for all age intervals considered, as the associated RQs were all less than 0.05. Nevertheless, this value must be taken with caution, as many pharmaceuticals might occur simultaneously in the groundwater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Groundwater)
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25 pages, 25677 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Water Social Service and Comprehensive Water Management Linked with Integrated River Evaluation
by Da Ye Kim, Su Hee Park and Chul Min Song
Water 2021, 13(5), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050706 - 5 Mar 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2217
Abstract
Various factors like climate change and population increase have limited water management evaluation. In South Korea particularly, although the management of water quality and water quantity has recently been integrated, a comprehensive policy has not yet been identified. This study, therefore, aims to [...] Read more.
Various factors like climate change and population increase have limited water management evaluation. In South Korea particularly, although the management of water quality and water quantity has recently been integrated, a comprehensive policy has not yet been identified. This study, therefore, aims to propose a methodology for evaluating water social service for 18 basins near major water resources in South Korea. It aims to promote advanced water resource management, secure water equity, and improve inadequate policy implementation. In addition, it proposes a methodology for comprehensive water management evaluation linked with integrated river evaluation with respect to water quality and water quantity. Accordingly, contrary to the common assumption that the entire population has easy access to the supplied water, the status of water service was assessed objectively. The status of water management per sector was also visually represented, through which the vulnerabilities of water management could be intuitively diagnosed. Based on the possibility of utilizing the study results to determine the basic direction for water management, the methodology of this study has been proposed as a tool for establishing an efficient water management policy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance)
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25 pages, 17640 KiB  
Article
Numerical Study on the Hydraulic Properties of Flow over Different Pooled Stepped Spillways
by Amir Ghaderi, Saeed Abbasi and Silvia Di Francesco
Water 2021, 13(5), 710; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050710 - 5 Mar 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3459
Abstract
This work presents numerical simulations carried out to study the influence of geometric characteristics of pooled steps on the energy dissipation performance, flow patterns properties, velocity rates, and pressure distributions over a spillway. The localization of the inception point of air entrainment was [...] Read more.
This work presents numerical simulations carried out to study the influence of geometric characteristics of pooled steps on the energy dissipation performance, flow patterns properties, velocity rates, and pressure distributions over a spillway. The localization of the inception point of air entrainment was also assessed, being a key design parameter of spillways. With this aim, different configurations of steps were taken in account, including flat, pooled, and notch pooled types. The computational procedure was first validated with experimental results from the literature and then used to test the hydraulic behavior derived from different geometric configurations. The flat step configuration showed the best energy dissipation performance as compared with other configurations. With the notched pooled step configuration, the efficiency performance of the pooled structure improved by about 5.8%. The interfacial velocities of the flat stepped spillway were smaller than those of the pooled structure. The pressure value at the beginning of the step in the pooled configuration was larger than the flat configuration, while for the notched pool the maximum pressure values decreased near the step pool. Pool configuration (simple or notched) did not have a significant influence on the location of air entrainment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecohydraulics Modeling and Simulation)
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27 pages, 26491 KiB  
Article
Incorporating the Effects of Complex Soil Layering and Thickness Local Variability into Distributed Landslide Susceptibility Assessments
by Francesco Fusco, Benjamin B. Mirus, Rex L. Baum, Domenico Calcaterra and Pantaleone De Vita
Water 2021, 13(5), 713; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050713 - 5 Mar 2021
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3276
Abstract
Incorporating the influence of soil layering and local variability into the parameterizations of physics-based numerical models for distributed landslide susceptibility assessments remains a challenge. Typical applications employ substantial simplifications including homogeneous soil units and soil-hydraulic properties assigned based only on average textural classifications; [...] Read more.
Incorporating the influence of soil layering and local variability into the parameterizations of physics-based numerical models for distributed landslide susceptibility assessments remains a challenge. Typical applications employ substantial simplifications including homogeneous soil units and soil-hydraulic properties assigned based only on average textural classifications; the potential impact of these assumptions is usually disregarded. We present a multi-scale approach for parameterizing the distributed Transient Rainfall Infiltration and Grid-Based Regional Slope-Stability (TRIGRS) model that accounts for site-specific spatial variations in both soil thickness and complex layering properties by defining homogeneous soil properties that vary spatially for each model grid cell. These effective properties allow TRIGRS to accurately simulate the timing and distribution of slope failures without any modification of the model structure. We implemented this approach for the carbonate ridge of Sarno Mountains (southern Italy) whose slopes are mantled by complex layered soils of pyroclastic origin. The urbanized foot slopes enveloping these mountains are among the most landslide-prone areas of Italy and have been subjected to repeated occurrences of damaging and deadly rainfall-induced flow-type shallow landslides. At this scope, a primary local-scale application of TRIGRS was calibrated on physics-based rainfall thresholds, previously determined by a coupled VS2D (version 1.3) hydrological modeling and slope stability analysis. Subsequently, by taking into account the spatial distribution of soil thickness and vertical heterogeneity of soil hydrological and mechanical properties, a distributed assessment of landslide hazard was carried out by means of TRIGRS. The combination of these approaches led to the spatial assessment of landslide hazard under different hypothetical rainfall intensities and antecedent hydrological conditions. This approach to parameterizing TRIGRS can be adapted to other spatially variable soil layering and thickness to improve hazard assessments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rainfall-Induced Shallow Landslides Modeling and Warning)
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15 pages, 4110 KiB  
Article
Influence of Groundwater Discharge on Temporal Evolution in Two Wetlands of an Intensely Anthropized Area: Analysis Using an Integrated Approach
by Francisco Sánchez-Martos, José Manuel López-Martos, Luis Molina Sánchez, Juan Gisbert-Gallego and Francisco Navarro-Martínez
Water 2021, 13(5), 697; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050697 - 5 Mar 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2520
Abstract
The Campo de Dalías is a coastal plain, which has undergone a significant change in land use and intensive exploitation of groundwater. A series of diverse data has been analyzed: aerial and satellite images (1956–2013), evolution of the water table (1973–2019), and exploitation [...] Read more.
The Campo de Dalías is a coastal plain, which has undergone a significant change in land use and intensive exploitation of groundwater. A series of diverse data has been analyzed: aerial and satellite images (1956–2013), evolution of the water table (1973–2019), and exploitation of different aquifers (1964–2017). The results indicate: (1) increase in the surface area occupied by greenhouses, (2) increase in abstraction of groundwater, and (3) an opposite trend in the piezometric evolution of the two aquifers (deep and shallow). All this has had a significant effect on the evolution of the “Punta Entinas” wetland, which has shown a continuous increase in flooded surface area, especially pronounced since 1994. Its waters have intermediate hydrochemical characteristics between seawater and groundwater and reflect the local influence of groundwater on the wetland. The applied methodology is useful in areas with sustained human activity, land use changes, and intensive groundwater exploitation, and can contribute to the understanding of surface water-groundwater dependence and wetland management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Study and Understanding of Groundwater Discharge to Surface Water)
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16 pages, 7584 KiB  
Article
Integrating GIS-Based MCDA Techniques and the SCS-CN Method for Identifying Potential Zones for Rainwater Harvesting in a Semi-Arid Area
by Hussein Al-Ghobari and Ahmed Z. Dewidar
Water 2021, 13(5), 704; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050704 - 5 Mar 2021
Cited by 38 | Viewed by 5068
Abstract
An increasing scarcity of water, as well as rapid global climate change, requires more effective water conservation alternatives. One promising alternative is rainwater harvesting (RWH). Nevertheless, the evaluation of RWH potential together with the selection of appropriate sites for RWH structures is significantly [...] Read more.
An increasing scarcity of water, as well as rapid global climate change, requires more effective water conservation alternatives. One promising alternative is rainwater harvesting (RWH). Nevertheless, the evaluation of RWH potential together with the selection of appropriate sites for RWH structures is significantly difficult for the water managers. This study deals with this difficulty by identifying RWH potential areas and sites for RWH structures utilizing geospatial and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) techniques. The conventional data and remote sensing data were employed to set up needed thematic layers using ArcGIS software. The soil conservation service curve number (SCS-CN) method was used to determine surface runoff, centered on which yearly runoff potential map was produced in the ArcGIS environment. Thematic layers such as drainage density, slope, land use/cover, and runoff were allotted appropriate weights to produced RWH potential areas and zones appropriate for RWH structures maps of the study location. Results analysis revealed that the outcomes of the spatial allocation of yearly surface runoff depth ranging from 83 to 295 mm. Moreover, RWH potential areas results showed that the study areas can be categorized into three RWH potential areas: (a) low suitability, (b) medium suitability, and (c) high suitability. Nearly 40% of the watershed zone falls within medium and high suitability RWH potential areas. It is deduced that the integrated MCDA and geospatial techniques provide a valuable and formidable resource for the strategizing of RWH within the study zones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Hydrology)
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27 pages, 4363 KiB  
Article
Validation of Water Quality Monitoring Algorithms for Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 in Mediterranean Inland Waters with In Situ Reflectance Data
by Xavier Sòria-Perpinyà, Eduardo Vicente, Patricia Urrego, Marcela Pereira-Sandoval, Carolina Tenjo, Antonio Ruíz-Verdú, Jesús Delegido, Juan Miguel Soria, Ramón Peña and José Moreno
Water 2021, 13(5), 686; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050686 - 3 Mar 2021
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 4558
Abstract
Freshwater quality maintenance is essential for human use and ecological functions. To ensure this objective, governments establish programs for a continuous monitoring of the inland waters state. This could be possible with Sentinel-2 (S2) and Sentinel-3 (S3), two remote sensing satellites of the [...] Read more.
Freshwater quality maintenance is essential for human use and ecological functions. To ensure this objective, governments establish programs for a continuous monitoring of the inland waters state. This could be possible with Sentinel-2 (S2) and Sentinel-3 (S3), two remote sensing satellites of the European Space Agency, equipped with spectral optical sensors. To determine optimal water quality algorithms applicable to their spectral bands, 36 algorithms were tested for different key variables (chlorophyll a (Chl_a), colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), colored dissolved organic matter (TSS), phycocyanin (PC) and Secchi disk depth (SDD)). A database of 296 water-leaving reflectance spectra were used, as well as concomitant water quality measurements of Mediterranean reservoirs and lakes of Spain. Two equal data sets were used for calibration and validation. The best algorithms were recalculated using all database and used the following band relations: SDD, R560/R700; CDOM, R665/R490; PC, R705/R665 for S2 and R620, R665, R709 and R779 for S3, using a semi-analytical algorithm; R700 for TSS < 20 mg/L and R783/R492 (S2) or R779/R510 (S3) for TSS > 20 mg/L; and for Chl_a, the maximum (R443; R492)/R560 for Chl_a < 5 mg/m3 and R700/R665 for Chl_a > 5 mg/m3. A preliminary test with a satellite image in a well-known reservoir showed results consistent with the expected ranges and spatial patterns of the variables. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Methods for Assessing Water Quality and Its Impacts on Ecological Status in Reservoirs)
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15 pages, 6161 KiB  
Article
Minimum Residual Flows for Catchments in the Czech Republic
by Pavel Balvín, Adam Vizina, Magdalena Nesládková, Johanna Blöcher, Marcela Makovcová, Vojtěch Moravec and Martin Hanel
Water 2021, 13(5), 689; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050689 - 3 Mar 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2437
Abstract
The determination of minimum residual flow (MRF) follows diverse methodology in Europe due to differing hydrological conditions, ecosystem requirements, water abstraction requirements, and legislation. Methodologies in individual countries are difficult to compare qualitatively. However, individual approaches can serve as examples for countries undergoing [...] Read more.
The determination of minimum residual flow (MRF) follows diverse methodology in Europe due to differing hydrological conditions, ecosystem requirements, water abstraction requirements, and legislation. Methodologies in individual countries are difficult to compare qualitatively. However, individual approaches can serve as examples for countries undergoing the process of developing new methodologies, either for legislative purposes or to improve environmental standards on watercourses. This is exactly the situation in the Czech Republic which, has been working on the Regulation of the Government of the Czech Republic for ten years, since the amendment to the Water Act in 2010, defines the methods and criteria for determining the MRF on watercourses. T.G. Masaryk Water Research Institute, p.r.i., was commissioned to develop a new methodology to serve as the basis for the wording of aforementioned regulation. The new methodological approach took into account modern trends concerning the preservation of ecological standards, and used standard hydrological characteristics for its calculations. The newly proposed approach is undergoing a complicated approval process as the authors seek to increase the MRF compared to the current approach. The new approach assumes an MRF setting between Q97 and Q90. It defines four areas within the Czech Republic, by their hydrological and hydrogeological conditions, where the MRF is determined in different ways. This article describes the development of a new methodological approach, including the use the available Czech Hydrometeorological Institute data sets, the proposed regional division for MRF calculations, the determination the MRF below reservoirs, and the current state of the issue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance)
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