Journal Description
Water
Water
is a peer-reviewed, open access journal on water science and technology, including the ecology and management of water resources, and is published semimonthly online by MDPI. Water collaborates with the International Conference on Flood Management (ICFM) and Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). In addition, the American Institute of Hydrology (AIH), The Polish Limnological Society (PLS) and Japanese Society of Physical Hydrology (JSPH) are affiliated with Water and their members receive a discount on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), Ei Compendex, GEOBASE, GeoRef, PubAg, AGRIS, CAPlus / SciFinder, Inspec, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Water Resources) / CiteScore - Q1 (Water Science and Technology)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 16.5 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.9 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Companion journals for Water include: GeoHazards and Hydrobiology.
Impact Factor:
3.4 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.5 (2022)
Latest Articles
Inter-Comparison of Multiple Gridded Precipitation Datasets over Different Climates at Global Scale
Water 2024, 16(11), 1553; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111553 - 28 May 2024
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Comprehensive evaluations of global precipitation datasets are imperative for gaining insights into their performance and potential applications. However, the existing evaluations of global precipitation datasets are often constrained by limitations regarding the datasets, specific regions, and hydrological models used for hydrologic predictions. The
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Comprehensive evaluations of global precipitation datasets are imperative for gaining insights into their performance and potential applications. However, the existing evaluations of global precipitation datasets are often constrained by limitations regarding the datasets, specific regions, and hydrological models used for hydrologic predictions. The accuracy and hydrological utility of eight precipitation datasets (including two gauged-based, five reanalysis and one merged precipitation datasets) were evaluated on a daily timescale from 1982 to 2015 in this study by using 2404 rain gauges, 2508 catchments, and four lumped hydrological models under varying climatic conditions worldwide. Specifically, the characteristics of different datasets were first analyzed. The accuracy of precipitation datasets at the site and regional scale was then evaluated with daily observations from 2404 gauges and two high-resolution gridded gauge-interpolated regional datasets. The effectiveness of precipitation datasets in runoff simulation was then assessed by using 2058 catchments around the world in combination with four conceptual hydrological models. The results show that: (1) all precipitation datasets demonstrate proficiency in capturing the interannual variability of the annual mean precipitation, but with magnitudes deviating by up to 200 mm/year among the datasets; (2) the precipitation datasets directly incorporating daily gauge observations outperform the uncorrected precipitation datasets. The Climate Precipitation Center dataset (CPC), Global Precipitation Climatology Center dataset (GPCC) and multi-source weighted-ensemble precipitation V2 (MSWEP V2) can be considered the best option for most climate regions regarding the accuracy of precipitation datasets; (3) the performance of hydrological models driven by different datasets is climate dependent and is notably worse in arid regions (with median Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE) ranging from 0.39 to 0.65) than in other regions. The MSWEP V2 posted a stable performance with the highest KGE and Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) values in most climate regions using various hydrological models.
Full article
Open AccessArticle
Monthly Runoff Prediction for Xijiang River via Gated Recurrent Unit, Discrete Wavelet Transform, and Variational Modal Decomposition
by
Yuanyuan Yang, Weiyan Li and Dengfeng Liu
Water 2024, 16(11), 1552; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111552 - 28 May 2024
Abstract
Neural networks have become widely employed in streamflow forecasting due to their ability to capture complex hydrological processes and provide accurate predictions. In this study, we propose a framework for monthly runoff prediction using antecedent monthly runoff, water level, and precipitation. This framework
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Neural networks have become widely employed in streamflow forecasting due to their ability to capture complex hydrological processes and provide accurate predictions. In this study, we propose a framework for monthly runoff prediction using antecedent monthly runoff, water level, and precipitation. This framework integrates the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) for denoising, variational modal decomposition (VMD) for sub-sequence extraction, and gated recurrent unit (GRU) networks for modeling individual sub-sequences. Our findings demonstrate that the DWT–VMD–GRU model, utilizing runoff and rainfall time series as inputs, outperforms other models such as GRU, long short-term memory (LSTM), DWT–GRU, and DWT–LSTM, consistently exhibiting superior performance across various evaluation metrics. During the testing phase, the DWT–VMD–GRU model yielded RMSE, MAE, MAPE, NSE, and KGE values of 245.5 m3/s, 200.5 m3/s, 0.033, 0.997, and 0.978, respectively. Additionally, optimal sliding window durations for different input combinations typically range from 1 to 3 months, with the DWT–VMD–GRU model (using runoff and rainfall) achieving optimal performance with a one-month sliding window. The model’s superior accuracy enhances water resource management, flood control, and reservoir operation, supporting better-informed decisions and efficient resource allocation.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managing Water Resources and Socio-Hydrologic Systems: New Understanding and Solutions)
Open AccessArticle
Experimental Study on the Sloshing of a Rectangular Tank under Pitch Excitations
by
Kun Liu, Xianshu Li, Peng Peng, Zefeng Zhou and Zhenguo Gao
Water 2024, 16(11), 1551; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111551 - 28 May 2024
Abstract
Fluid sloshing within containers subjected to external motion is a crucial yet intricate phenomenon with implications across various industries. This study investigates sloshing in a rectangular liquid tank through a series of experiments examining pitch excitations with diverse excitation frequencies and amplitudes across
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Fluid sloshing within containers subjected to external motion is a crucial yet intricate phenomenon with implications across various industries. This study investigates sloshing in a rectangular liquid tank through a series of experiments examining pitch excitations with diverse excitation frequencies and amplitudes across different liquid carrying rates. By analyzing pressure data and imagery of the free liquid surface, statistical trends in peak pressure at measurement points within the tank are identified, revealing the nonlinear behavior of the fluid. Spectral analysis generates power spectrum curves that delineate frequency components and energy distribution within the sloshing dynamics. Key findings include the identification of resonance-induced violent sloshing at a 20% liquid-carrying rate and a resonant frequency shift at a 70% liquid-carrying rate due to nonlinearity, displaying a “soft spring” characteristic in the frequency response. The free liquid surface exhibits four distinct waveforms depending on frequency. Notably, at a 70% liquid-carrying rate and resonant frequency excitation, three-dimensional vortex waves emerge, highlighting a complex three-dimensional effect within the tank. The power spectrum shows that the dominant response frequency aligns with the excitation frequency and its multiples. This investigation enhances our understanding of the intricate nature of sloshing in various liquid-carrying conditions, offering insights valuable for diverse industrial applications.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Hydraulics and Hydrodynamics)
Open AccessFeature PaperArticle
Microorganisms Directly Affected Sediment Carbon–Nitrogen Coupling in Two Constructed Wetlands
by
Yan Wang, Jiaohui Fang, Xin Li, Changchao Li, Yongkang Zhao and Jian Liu
Water 2024, 16(11), 1550; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111550 - 28 May 2024
Abstract
Clarifying the carbon–nitrogen coupling pattern in wetlands is crucial for understanding the driving mechanism of wetland carbon sequestration. However, the impacts of plants and environmental factors on the coupling of carbon–nitrogen in wetland sediments are still unclear. Sediment samples from plant (Typha
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Clarifying the carbon–nitrogen coupling pattern in wetlands is crucial for understanding the driving mechanism of wetland carbon sequestration. However, the impacts of plants and environmental factors on the coupling of carbon–nitrogen in wetland sediments are still unclear. Sediment samples from plant (Typha angustifolia and Phragmites australis)-covered habitats and bare land were collected in two constructed wetlands in northern China. The contents of different forms of carbon and nitrogen in sediments and plants, and the sediment microbial community were detected. It was found that the sediment carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios did not differ significantly in the bare sites of different wetlands, but did in the plant-covered sites, which highlighted the different role of plants in shifting the carbon–nitrogen coupling in different constructed wetlands. The effects of plants on the sediment carbon–nitrogen coupling differed in two constructed wetlands, so the structural equation model was used and found that sediment microorganisms directly affected sediment C/N ratios, while water and sediment physicochemical properties indirectly affected sediment C/N ratios by altering sediment microbial functions. Multiple linear regression models showed that water pH, sediment moisture content, water dissolved oxygen, and water depth had a greater influence on the carbon metabolism potential of the sediment microbial community, while sediment moisture content had the greatest impact on the sediment microbial nitrogen metabolism potential. The study indicates that variations in environmental conditions could alter the influence of plants on the carbon and nitrogen cycles of wetland sediments. Water environmental factors mainly affect microbial carbon metabolism functions, while soil physicochemical factors, especially water content, affect microbial carbon and nitrogen metabolism functions.
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Open AccessArticle
Investigating the Hydrological Relationship between the North Taihang Tunnel and Tianshengqiao Nine Falls
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Xinfeng Wang, Lei Gong, Yuanqing Liu, Yan Wang, Qingang Wang, Mian Song, Pan Xiao and Zheming Shi
Water 2024, 16(11), 1549; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111549 - 28 May 2024
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The impact of a tunnel construction on the groundwater system depends on various parameters and cannot be easily predicted. Along these lines, a deep understanding of the hydrological relationship between tunnels and surface water is considered of vital importance for ensuring safety during
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The impact of a tunnel construction on the groundwater system depends on various parameters and cannot be easily predicted. Along these lines, a deep understanding of the hydrological relationship between tunnels and surface water is considered of vital importance for ensuring safety during railway construction. Upon completion, the North Taihang Tunnel will be one of four extra-long railway tunnels running through the natural ecotope and level-3 protection areas of the Tianshengqiao National Geological Park in Fuping County, Hebei Province. It will be 1 km away from the Tianshengqiao Nine Falls, which is known as a breathtaking landscape feature in Northern China. Local government, societies, and railway design units have raised concerns about whether the construction and operation of the North Taihang Tunnel will affect the Tianshengqiao Nine Falls. To effectively address this issue, in this work, hydrogeological mapping and hydraulic potential-energy calculations were performed in conjunction with hydrochemical and geological structure analyses. The groundwater system units in the study area were divided and the water source of the nine-level waterfall was determined retrospectively. In addition, the recharge of groundwater to the nine-level waterfall was calculated, the hydrogeological properties of the linear structure were analyzed, and the dominant channels of underwater discharge in surface water were compared and studied. The extracted results indicated that: (1) The Tianshengqiao Nine Falls represent a seasonal fall landscape, which is mainly supplied by surface water formed by precipitation and a low proportion of groundwater supply. (2) The water bodies of the North Taihang Tunnel project and Tianshengqiao Nine Falls belong to two independent groundwater systems. (3) No linear structure that connects these two groundwater systems has yet been discovered. It is widely accepted that a minor possibility of hydraulic connection might be present between the North Taihang Tunnel and Tianshengqiao Nine Falls. This work analyzed the water quantity of Nine Falls, determined the hydraulic relationship between the tunnel project and the waterhead of the Nine Falls, and addressed all stakeholder concerns. The conclusions could provide technological support for the scheduled construction projects.
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Open AccessArticle
Comparing Four Evapotranspiration Partitioning Methods from Eddy Covariance Considering Turbulent Mixing in a Poplar Plantation
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Xin Wang, Yu Zhou, Hui Huang, Xiang Gao, Shoujia Sun, Ping Meng and Jinsong Zhang
Water 2024, 16(11), 1548; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111548 - 28 May 2024
Abstract
Evapotranspiration is a key link in the water cycle of terrestrial ecosystems, and the partitioning of evapotranspiration is a prerequisite for diagnosing vegetation growth and water use strategies. In this study, we used double-layer eddy covariance (DLEC) measurements within and above the canopy
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Evapotranspiration is a key link in the water cycle of terrestrial ecosystems, and the partitioning of evapotranspiration is a prerequisite for diagnosing vegetation growth and water use strategies. In this study, we used double-layer eddy covariance (DLEC) measurements within and above the canopy of poplar plantations to divide evapotranspiration into transpiration and evaporation during the growing season. We diagnosed the coupling state of airflows in the canopy vertical layer and found that the daytime coupling state at the half-hourly scale can mask nighttime decoupling. Furthermore, we investigated the daytime and nighttime vertical layer airflow coupling states separately and quantified the effects of coupling states on the DLEC of resolved transpiration. The partitioning results of the DLEC method were taken as the standard after the airflow coupling test. Then, the performance and accuracy of evapotranspiration partitioning for the modified relaxed eddy accumulation (MREA), the conditional eddy covariance (CEC), and the flux variance similarity (FVS) with DLEC were compared. Transpiration calculated from MREA showed the best agreement with DLEC, and the other methods showed different degrees of underestimation (1:1 slope = 0.64–0.83). Evaporation calculated from FVS showed the best agreement with DLEC, while CEC and FVS made an overestimation of more than 26% (1:1 slope = 1.26–1.99), but MREA made an underestimation from 5% to 35% (1:1 slope = 0.65–0.95). The correlation coefficients between DLEC and MREA for transpiration were 0.95–0.97 with RMSEs of 15.52–17.04 W m−2, and those between DLEC and FVS for transpiration were 0.73–0.78 with RMSEs of 10–21.26 W m−2 at the daily half-hourly scale. A detailed comparison of the differences between DLEC and evapotranspiration partitioning methods from high-frequency eddy covariance data under the condition of canopy vertical layer airflow mixing provides knowledge about the consistency of results for evapotranspiration partitioning in poplar plantation forests.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ecohydrology)
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Open AccessArticle
Physical and Numerical Modeling of Flow in a Meandering Channel
by
Cem Yılmazer and H. Anıl Arı Güner
Water 2024, 16(11), 1547; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111547 - 28 May 2024
Abstract
In this study, flow behavior in a meandering channel was investigated experimentally and numerically. The experiments were carried out for nine different cases on a channel consisting of 180° and 120° angle bends following successively. Measurements were conducted employing Acoustic Doppler Velocimetry (ADV)
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In this study, flow behavior in a meandering channel was investigated experimentally and numerically. The experiments were carried out for nine different cases on a channel consisting of 180° and 120° angle bends following successively. Measurements were conducted employing Acoustic Doppler Velocimetry (ADV) at 13 different points in the inner, middle, and outer bends of the sections located at significant bends along the channel. Depth-averaged velocity, velocity profiles, bed shear stress, and turbulence kinetic energy parameters were considered to understand the flow behavior in the meandering channel. A 1:1 scale numerical model of the experimental setup was generated using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method through the verified FLOW-3D software (HYDRO 2022R1). It was found to be successful in estimating all parameters and was capable of investigating the flow behavior in the meandering channel. Additionally, a mesh independence study was performed, and four different turbulence models were compared. As a result, as the flow encountered the first meander in the channel, secondary flow occurred, and lateral momentum transfer took place. Therefore, velocity increased by approximately 30% from the first meander of 180° angles to the second meander of 120° angles. Therefore, the most critical zone was the inner bend of the 120-angle meander.
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(This article belongs to the Section Hydraulics and Hydrodynamics)
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Open AccessArticle
Evaluation of Water and Sediment Quality in Lake Mogan, Türkiye
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Kagan Ozdemir, Mirac Nur Ciner, Huseyin Kurtulus Ozcan and Serdar Aydın
Water 2024, 16(11), 1546; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111546 - 28 May 2024
Abstract
The wetlands, with their delicate ecosystems, play a crucial role in regulating water regimes and supporting diverse plant and animal communities, particularly those associated with water habitats. Mogan Lake, located within the Gölbaşı Special Environmental Protection Area, stands out as a unique habitat,
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The wetlands, with their delicate ecosystems, play a crucial role in regulating water regimes and supporting diverse plant and animal communities, particularly those associated with water habitats. Mogan Lake, located within the Gölbaşı Special Environmental Protection Area, stands out as a unique habitat, hosting over 200 bird species. This study aimed to assess the current water quality of Mogan Lake by analysing various water quality variables. Three sampling sites, representing the northern, middle, and southern parts of the lake, were selected to examine both surface water and bottom sludge characteristics through the analysis of 29 pollutant variables. Water samples were collected from 30 cm beneath the water surface and 50 cm above the bottom of the lake. Sediment samples were collected from the sludge at the lake basin. Additionally, to understand their impact on the lake’s water quality, 26 pollutants were also measured in water samples taken from the five main streams that feed the lake. The results reveal a significant level of organic pollution in the lake, along with elevated nitrogen levels indicating hypertrophic conditions. Although organic pollutants were detected in the lake bottom sediment through analysis, they are considered non-hazardous in terms of heavy metals and other inorganic variables.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Quality Studies: Assessing the Presence of Nutrients and Pollutants)
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Open AccessArticle
Behavior of PCDD/Fs and PCBs from Wastewater Treatment Plants during Sewage Sludge Composting: Study of Semi-Anaerobic Conditions and Different Stages of the Process
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Maria Francisca Gomez-Rico, Teresa Hernandez, Maria Angeles Garrido and Rafael Font
Water 2024, 16(11), 1545; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111545 - 27 May 2024
Abstract
Composting is a common treatment for the high amounts of sewage sludge produced in wastewater treatment plants, and the product is used in agriculture. Composting reduces the levels of biodegradable organic pollutants, although other compounds present in wastewater and not eliminated previously by
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Composting is a common treatment for the high amounts of sewage sludge produced in wastewater treatment plants, and the product is used in agriculture. Composting reduces the levels of biodegradable organic pollutants, although other compounds present in wastewater and not eliminated previously by conventional physical–chemical and chemical treatments, such as polychorodibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), have been found in the final compost at higher levels than those observed in the initial sludge. Their formation was studied during composting under unfavorable aeration conditions and paying attention to different stages of the process. Experiments were carried out in small vessels inside a controlled oven for three types of sewage sludge. Pentachlorophenol was previously added as a dioxin precursor. A clear formation of PCDD/Fs was found, especially during the maturation stage for two experiments. Mainly octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) and 1234678-heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1234678-HpCDD) to a lesser extent were formed. OCDD levels in the final samples were around 10 times higher than those of the initial mixture after removing the concentration effect. No clear formation nor degradation of PCBs was observed. The toxicity values due to PCDD/Fs and PCBs found in the initial mixtures were 1.20–2.46 ng WHO-TEQ/kg, and those from the final samples were 2.30–7.86 ng WHO-TEQ/kg. Although the toxicity values are below the most restrictive limits found in Europe in this case, toxicity could increase considerably with the presence and concentration of other precursors. Compost from sewage sludge is an ecological product, but the operating conditions must be controlled to avoid PCDD/F formation and facilitate degradation of persistent organic pollutants.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical–Chemical Wastewater Treatment Technologies)
Open AccessArticle
Priority Setting and Resource Allocation in Coastal Local Government Marine Regulatory Reform: Application of Machine Learning in Resource Optimization
by
Yingying Tian and Qi Wang
Water 2024, 16(11), 1544; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111544 - 27 May 2024
Abstract
This study investigates the prioritization and resource allocation strategies adopted by the coastal local governments of Qingdao, Dalian, and Xiamen in the context of marine regulatory reform aimed at enhancing regulatory efficiency. Data on relevant opinions, departmental requirements, and existing resource allocations were
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This study investigates the prioritization and resource allocation strategies adopted by the coastal local governments of Qingdao, Dalian, and Xiamen in the context of marine regulatory reform aimed at enhancing regulatory efficiency. Data on relevant opinions, departmental requirements, and existing resource allocations were collected through a questionnaire survey. A backpropagation (BP) neural network was then applied to analyze the survey data, prioritize regulatory tasks, and propose resource allocation schemes. The findings demonstrate that integrating machine learning into marine regulation can significantly improve resource utilization efficiency, optimize task execution sequences, and enhance the scientific and refined nature of regulatory work. The BP neural network model exhibited strong predictive capabilities on the training set and demonstrated good generalization abilities on the test set. The performance of the BP neural network model varied slightly across different management levels. For the management level, the accuracy, precision, and recall rates were 85%, 88%, and 82%, respectively. For the supervisory level, these metrics were 81%, 83%, and 78%, respectively. At the employee level, the accuracy, precision, and recall rates were 79%, 81%, and 76%, respectively. These results indicate that the BP neural network model can provide differentiated resource allocation recommendations based on the needs of different management levels. Additionally, the model’s performance was assessed based on the employees’ years of experience. For employees with 0–5 years of experience, the accuracy, precision, and recall rates were 82%, 84%, and 79%, respectively. For those with 5–10 years of experience, the metrics were 83%, 86%, and 80%, respectively. For employees with over 10 years of experience, the accuracy, precision, and recall rates were 85%, 88%, and 82%, respectively. These data further confirm the applicability and effectiveness of the BP neural network model across different experience groups. Thus, the adoption of machine learning technologies for optimizing marine regulatory resources holds significant practical value, aiding in the enhancement of regulatory capacity and effectiveness within coastal local governments.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Water–Energy–Carbon–Economy–Health Relationships)
Open AccessReview
Nutrient Removal from Aqueous Solutions Using Biosorbents Derived from Rice and Corn Husk Residues: A Systematic Review from the Environmental Management Perspective
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José Lugo-Arias, Sandra Bibiana Vargas, Aymer Maturana, Julia González-Álvarez, Elkyn Lugo-Arias and Heidy Rico
Water 2024, 16(11), 1543; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111543 - 27 May 2024
Abstract
This review critically analyzed the use of biosorbents derived from rice husks and corn residues for nutrient removal from aqueous solutions. Additionally, this review highlighted the use of such biosorbents in wastewater treatment. Furthermore, novel approaches for sustainable nutrient removal from aqueous solutions
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This review critically analyzed the use of biosorbents derived from rice husks and corn residues for nutrient removal from aqueous solutions. Additionally, this review highlighted the use of such biosorbents in wastewater treatment. Furthermore, novel approaches for sustainable nutrient removal from aqueous solutions were identified. A comprehensive understanding of the implementation of biosorption processes using agro-industrial residues based on corn and rice crops is critical for the sustainable management of residues and water bodies in the world to protect and conserve natural resources. Specifically, the review focuses on the exploration, preparation and application of innovative biosorbents to remove various forms of nutrients such as total nitrogen, total phosphorus, nitrates, ammonium and phosphates from aqueous solution, analyzing the sustainability of treatments applied to biomass, such as thermal transformation or chemical modification to reduce environmental impacts. It was found that 95 to 99% of nitrogen and phosphorus can be removed with biosorbents made from rice husks and corn residues, analyzing approximately 50 scientific articles related to these plant materials. Research opportunities were identified, such as the recovery of removed nutrients for soil improvement, life cycle analysis to assess the concept of zero waste, among other aspects. Finally, a scheme is proposed for the selection and application of sustainable biosorbents for the removal of nutrients from aqueous solutions.
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(This article belongs to the Section Wastewater Treatment and Reuse)
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Open AccessArticle
Do Submerged Macrophytes Influence the Response of Zooplankton and Benthic Ostracoda to NaCl Salinity Gradients in Shallow Tropical Lakes?
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Tao Chen, Liyan Yin, Wei Li, Jiaquan Huang, Xiaohang Zhang and Yu Cao
Water 2024, 16(11), 1542; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111542 - 27 May 2024
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Both the increasing salinity levels and the decline of submerged macrophytes represent growing concerns in global freshwater ecosystems, posing a threat to water quality and various aquatic organisms. However, there is a limited understanding of the interactive effects of salinity and submerged macrophytes
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Both the increasing salinity levels and the decline of submerged macrophytes represent growing concerns in global freshwater ecosystems, posing a threat to water quality and various aquatic organisms. However, there is a limited understanding of the interactive effects of salinity and submerged macrophytes on zooplankton and benthic Ostracoda in tropical zones. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a controlled experiment spanning 6 months, comparing the biomass of zooplankton (including copepods, cladocerans, and rotifers) and benthic Ostracoda in mesocosms with three levels of salinity, at the presence or absence of submerged macrophytes. Our results showed that in tropical zones, both zooplankton and benthic Ostracoda biomass exhibited a noteworthy decrease in response to increasing salinity, but the presence of submerged macrophytes did not have a significant influence on the zooplankton biomass. However, the presence of submerged macrophytes had a positive effect on the benthic Ostracoda biomass. Interestingly, submerged macrophytes had a strong interaction with salinity on the Ostracoda biomass, which increased with macrophyte presence under intermediate salinity conditions (2 g/L). In summary, our study sheds light on the interplay between salinity, submerged macrophytes, and the biomass of zooplankton and benthic Ostracoda in tropical freshwater ecosystems.
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Open AccessArticle
Groundwater Depletion. Are Environmentally Friendly Energy Recharge Dams a Solution?
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Nerantzis Kazakis, Diamantis Karakatsanis, Maria Margarita Ntona, Konstantinos Polydoropoulos, Efthymia Zavridou, Kalliopi Artemis Voudouri, Gianluigi Busico, Kyriaki Kalaitzidou, Thomas Patsialis, Martha Perdikaki, Panagiotis Tsourlos, Andreas Kallioras, Nicolaos Theodossiou, Fotios-Konstantinos Pliakas, Panagiotis Angelidis, Theodoros Mavromatis, Olga Patrikaki and Konstantinos Voudouris
Water 2024, 16(11), 1541; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111541 - 27 May 2024
Abstract
Groundwater is a primary source of drinking water; however, groundwater depletion constitutes a common phenomenon worldwide. The present research aims to quantify groundwater depletion in three aquifers in Greece, including the porous aquifers in the Eastern Thermaikos Gulf, Mouriki, and the Marathonas basin.
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Groundwater is a primary source of drinking water; however, groundwater depletion constitutes a common phenomenon worldwide. The present research aims to quantify groundwater depletion in three aquifers in Greece, including the porous aquifers in the Eastern Thermaikos Gulf, Mouriki, and the Marathonas basin. The hypothesis is to reverse the phenomenon by adopting an environmentally acceptable methodology. The core of the suggested methodology was the simulation of groundwater using MODFLOW-NWT and the application of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) by using water from small dams after the generation of hydropower. Surface run-off and groundwater recharge values were obtained from the ArcSWAT simulation. The predicted future climatic data were obtained from the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX), considering the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and the climate model REMO2009. Groundwater flow simulations from 2010 to 2020 determined the existing status of the aquifers. The simulation was extended to the year 2030 to forecast the groundwater regime. In all three sites, groundwater depletion occurred in 2020, while the phenomenon will be exacerbated in 2030, as depicted in the GIS maps. During 2020, the depletion zones extended 11%, 28%, and 23% of the aquifers in Mouriki, the Eastern Thermaikos Gulf, and the Marathonas basin, respectively. During 2030, the depletion zones will increase to 50%, 42%, and 44% of the aquifers in Mouriki, the Eastern Thermaikos Gulf, and the Marathonas basin, respectively. The simulation was extended to 2040 by applying MAR with the water from the existing dams as well as from additional dams. In all sites, the application of MAR contributed to the reversal of groundwater depletion, with a significant amount of hydropower generated. Until 2040, the application of MAR will reduce the depletion zones to 0.5%, 9%, and 12% of the aquifers in Mouriki, the Eastern Thermaikos Gulf, and the Marathonas basin, respectively. Apart from over-pumping, climatic factors such as long periods of drought have exacerbated groundwater depletion. The transformation of dams to mini-scale hydropower facilities combined with MAR will benefit clean energy production, save CO2 emissions, and lead to an economically feasible strategy against groundwater depletion.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eye4water—Strengthening the Water Management Practices (in EMT-R) through the Development of Innovative ICT Methodologies and Improvement of Research Infrastructures)
Open AccessArticle
Investigation of the Influence of Reed Vegetation on the Hydraulic Characteristics of the Huai River Inflow Channel
by
Jin Zhang, Li Cheng, Bowen Zhang, Mingbin Yuan, Shuo Jia, Deyin Miao and Caian Huang
Water 2024, 16(11), 1540; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111540 - 27 May 2024
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When there is vegetation on the beach or main channel bed, it will have a significant impact on the river channel. This study was based on physical model experiments to investigate the flow conditions of the Jinhu section of the Huaihe River estuary,
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When there is vegetation on the beach or main channel bed, it will have a significant impact on the river channel. This study was based on physical model experiments to investigate the flow conditions of the Jinhu section of the Huaihe River estuary, revealing the influence of reed vegetation on water flow resistance. A new comprehensive roughness formula was proposed, and the predictive effectiveness of the formula was verified. The theoretical results indicate that under the condition of vegetation not being submerged, the comprehensive roughness is directly proportional to the square root of vegetation density in areas with vegetation coverage, the square root of water surface vegetation coverage, and the 2/3 power of the hydraulic radius. The bottom slope does not affect it. Under the condition of vegetation inundation, the comprehensive roughness is smaller than that under the condition of no inundation. The experimental prediction results of the influence of reeds on roughness indicate that the measured roughness values and theoretical roughness calculation values are in good agreement. Under the same operating conditions, the roughness gradually decreases with an increase in flow rate. Under the full-reed working condition, the calculated roughness value and the measured roughness value have the same trend of change, both decreasing with the increase in flow rate. The experimental prediction results of the influence of reeds on the relationship between water level and flow rate show that the roughness value of 0 increases with the increase in reed grass surface coverage rate Ki, and an increase in Ki can lead to an increase in comprehensive roughness.
Full article
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Open AccessReview
Clarifying the Role of Phosphorus Management Strategies in Enhancing the Sustainability of Wastewater Treatment Plants
by
Huanlun Zhang, Qiangqiang Li, Dingrong Han and Ranbin Liu
Water 2024, 16(11), 1539; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111539 - 27 May 2024
Abstract
With the emphasis on climate change and society’s goals of carbon neutrality, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are facing new challenges to be more sustainable and particularly to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In addition, the increasingly stringent discharge standard, especially the phosphorus
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With the emphasis on climate change and society’s goals of carbon neutrality, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are facing new challenges to be more sustainable and particularly to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In addition, the increasingly stringent discharge standard, especially the phosphorus removal target, also puts lots of pressure on WWTPs. The key solution is to tailor and/or optimize the phosphorus management strategies to balance removal targets and sustainability. As such, the present study systematically summarizes and analyzes different phosphorus management approaches and their impacts on the costs and operation of whole plants. The summary shows that precipitate scaling is a common issue that can be alleviated by proper phosphorus management strategies and operation optimization. Biological phosphorus removal and chemical phosphorus removal processes have their respective advantages and disadvantages. Most importantly, each phosphorus removal process probably has countering impacts on wastewater and sludge treatment lines. Thus, the evaluation of a specific phosphorus removal process should consider all factors in choosing a suitable technology, which is also true for phosphorus recovery, and the recovery from incineration ash seems to be a trend that is more feasible from a regulatory perspective.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Wastewater Treatment Process and Nutrient Recovery)
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Open AccessArticle
Water–Energy–Milk Nexus: Empirical Evidence from Saudi Arabia
by
Raga M. Elzaki, Mohammed Al-Mahish and Fahad Alzahrani
Water 2024, 16(11), 1538; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111538 - 27 May 2024
Abstract
Dairy farming plays a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s agricultural industry. However, the intensive milk production process exerts pressure on local water and energy resources. This study aims to examine the impact of water stress and renewable energy consumption shocks on milk production
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Dairy farming plays a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s agricultural industry. However, the intensive milk production process exerts pressure on local water and energy resources. This study aims to examine the impact of water stress and renewable energy consumption shocks on milk production in Saudi Arabia by using data from 2000 to 2021. The empirical analysis used the VAR model, Granger causality, forecast error variance decompositions (FEVDs), and impulse response functions (IRFs). The presence of a negative significant interdependence between total milk production and water stress levels in agriculture was observed. Significant bidirectional causality relationships among the variables were noted. The FEVD results show that water stress levels in agriculture are becoming a more dominant driver of variations in total milk production in Saudi Arabia, while the empirical evidence of the IRFs implies that milk production increases when both water stress levels and renewable energy are present. The adoption of water recycling and reuse systems on dairy farms can help farmers to improve water use efficiency. The encouragement of decision makers to formulate policies to support sustainable water resource management, reduce environmental impact, accelerate technological advancements, and initiate positive socioeconomic outcomes for the dairy industry is highly recommended.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Tools and Models for Water Energy Food Nexus (WEF) Assessment)
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Open AccessArticle
Study on the Annual Runoff Change and Its Relationship with Fractional Vegetation Cover and Climate Change in the Chinese Yellow River Basin
by
Lin Xu, Hongxu Mu, Shengqi Jian and Xinan Li
Water 2024, 16(11), 1537; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111537 - 27 May 2024
Abstract
In the context of global climate change and ecological restoration projects, significant changes have been observed in the fractional vegetation cover (FVC) in the Yellow River basin. The increased vegetation growth accelerates water consumption, exacerbating drought and water scarcity issues, thereby heightening regional
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In the context of global climate change and ecological restoration projects, significant changes have been observed in the fractional vegetation cover (FVC) in the Yellow River basin. The increased vegetation growth accelerates water consumption, exacerbating drought and water scarcity issues, thereby heightening regional water resource shortage risks. This study targets the Yellow River basin in China, employing a pixel-based model to convert NDVI into FVC datasets. We establish a pixel-wise mathematical model for annual runoff and environmental factors based on residual analysis and methods like multiple linear regression. Using climate model data from CMIP6 as independent variables, in conjunction with the statistical model, we elucidate the spatiotemporal characteristics of annual runoff in the Yellow River basin under future climate scenarios. Our results indicate that, under four different climate scenarios, the average annual runoff in the Yellow River basin is projected to increase. The increases are quantified as 0.008 mm/a, 0.065 mm/a, 0.25 mm/a, and 0.24 mm/a for SSP126, SSP245, SSP370, and SSP585 scenarios, respectively. From 2022 to 2040, the spatial distribution of the runoff change rates under the SSP245 and SSP370 scenarios show an increasing trend in upstream areas such as the Qinhe and Longmen regions, with rates ranging from 6.00 to 8.61 mm/a. During the period from 2041 to 2060, all four climate scenarios indicate minimal changes in the runoff depth in the northern part of the Yellow River basin. From 2061 to 2080, under the SSP126 and SSP245 scenarios, the spatial distribution of the runoff shows significant increases in the river source area and a decreasing trend in the middle reaches, with rates ranging from 4.52 to 11.39 mm/a. For the period from 2081 to 2100, the runoff change rates vary significantly under the four climate scenarios. These findings provide a detailed understanding of how future climate scenarios could impact water resource distribution in the Yellow River basin, offering critical insights for regional water management and policy making to mitigate potential water scarcity challenges.
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(This article belongs to the Section Water and Climate Change)
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Open AccessArticle
Optimizing the Numerical Simulation of Debris Flows: A New Exploration of the Hexagonal Cellular Automaton Method
by
Zheng Han, Qiang Fu, Nan Jiang, Yangfan Ma, Xiulin Zhang and Yange Li
Water 2024, 16(11), 1536; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111536 - 27 May 2024
Abstract
Debris flow, driven by natural events like heavy rainfall and snowmelt, involves sediment, rocks, and water, posing destructive threats to life and infrastructure. The accurate prediction of its activity range is crucial for prevention and mitigation efforts. Cellular automata circumvent is the cumbersome
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Debris flow, driven by natural events like heavy rainfall and snowmelt, involves sediment, rocks, and water, posing destructive threats to life and infrastructure. The accurate prediction of its activity range is crucial for prevention and mitigation efforts. Cellular automata circumvent is the cumbersome process of solving partial differential equations, thereby efficiently simulating complex dynamic systems. Given the anisotropic characteristics of square cells in the simulation of dynamic systems, this paper proposes a novel approach, utilizing a hexagonal cellular automaton for the numerical simulation of debris flows, where the direction judgment efficiency increased by 25%. Employing cubic interpolation, the model thereby determines the central elevation of each hexagonal cell. By modifying the flow direction function and stopping conditions, it achieves more accurate predictions of the debris flow run-out extent. This method was applied to the 2010 Yohutagawa debris flow event and the flume test. To evaluate the simulation’s accuracy, the value and score were used. The value is a comprehensive evaluation factor that takes into account missed or misjudgment areas. On this basis, the score emphasizes that the missed identification of debris flow areas will bring greater harm. Research indicates that the value showed improvements of 6.47% and 3.96%, respectively, while the score improved by 3.10% and 4.61%.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Crisis and Risk Management of Extreme Floods)
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Open AccessTechnical Note
Reach-Based Extrapolation to Assess the Ice-Jam Flood Hazard of an Ungauged River Reach along the Mackenzie River, Canada
by
Karl-Erich Lindenschmidt, Anna Coles and Jad Saade
Water 2024, 16(11), 1535; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111535 - 27 May 2024
Abstract
Many communities along rivers in the Northwest Territories do not have water-level gauges, making flood hazard analyses difficult at these sites. These include the communities of Jean Marie River, Tulita and Fort Good Hope on the Mackenzie River, Nahanni Butte on the Liard
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Many communities along rivers in the Northwest Territories do not have water-level gauges, making flood hazard analyses difficult at these sites. These include the communities of Jean Marie River, Tulita and Fort Good Hope on the Mackenzie River, Nahanni Butte on the Liard River and Fort McPherson on the Peel River. However, gauges do exist at other sites upstream and downstream of these communities, from which flood hazard assessments can be extrapolated to the ungauged communities. Reach-based extrapolation becomes particularly challenging when analysing ice-jam flood hazards since data sparsity is an additional challenge at these locations. A simple empirical approach using non-dimensional stage and discharge was implemented, which allowed only a minimum of the required data from all sites to be extracted. From the gauged sites, water-surface elevations and slopes from digital elevation models, channel widths, thalweg elevations and ice thicknesses from under-ice flow measurement surveys and recorded water levels were obtained. As a test case, results from the gauged reach of Fort Simpson were extrapolated to the ungauged reach of Jean Marie River and are presented in this technical note.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing the Monitoring and Modelling of Freshwater Systems with New Remote Sensing Technologies)
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Open AccessReview
Leakages in Water Distribution Networks: Estimation Methods, Influential Factors, and Mitigation Strategies—A Comprehensive Review
by
Athanasios V. Serafeim, Nikolaos Th. Fourniotis, Roberto Deidda, George Kokosalakis and Andreas Langousis
Water 2024, 16(11), 1534; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111534 - 27 May 2024
Abstract
While only a minimal fraction of global water resources is accessible for drinking water production, their uneven distribution combined with the climate crisis impacts leads to challenges in water availability. Leakage in water distribution networks compounds these issues, resulting in significant economic losses
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While only a minimal fraction of global water resources is accessible for drinking water production, their uneven distribution combined with the climate crisis impacts leads to challenges in water availability. Leakage in water distribution networks compounds these issues, resulting in significant economic losses and environmental risks. A coherent review of (a) the most widely applied water loss estimation techniques, (b) factors influencing them, and (c) strategies for their resilient reduction provides a comprehensive understanding of the current state of knowledge and practices in leakage management. This work aims towards covering the most important leakage estimation methodologies, while also unveiling the factors that critically affect them, both internally and externally. Finally, a thorough discussion is provided regarding the current state-of-the-art technics for leakage reduction at the municipal-wide level.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Supplies, Sewerage and Stormwater Networks: New Challenges and Advances in Modelling and Management)
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