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Microcystins are produced by multifaceted organisms called cyanobacteria, which are integral to Africa’s freshwater environments. The excessive proliferation of cyanobacteria caused by rising temperature and eutrophication leads to the production and release of copious amounts of microcystins, requiring critical management and control approaches to prevent the adverse environmental and public health problems associated with these bioactive metabolites. Despite hypotheses reported to explain the phylogeography and mechanisms responsible for cyanobacterial blooms in aquatic water bodies, many aspects are scarcely understood in Africa due to the paucity of investigations and lack of uniformity of experimental methods. Due to a lack of information and large-scale studies, cyanobacteria occurrence and genetic diversity are seldom reported in African aquatic ecosystems. This review covers the diversity and geographical distribution of potential microcystin-producing and non-microcystin-producing cyanobacterial taxa in Africa. Molecular analyses using housekeeping genes (e.g., 16S rRNA, ITS, rpoC1, etc.) revealed significant sequence divergence across several cyanobacterial strains from East, North, West, and South Africa, but the lack of uniformity in molecular markers employed made continent-wise phylogenetic comparisons impossible. Planktothrix agardhii, Microcystis aeruginosa, and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (presently known as Raphidiopsis raciborskii) were the most commonly reported genera. Potential microcystin (MCs)-producing cyanobacteria were detected using mcy genes, and several microcystin congeners were recorded. Studying cyanobacteria species from the African continent is urgent to effectively safeguard public and environmental health because more than 80% of the continent has no data on these important microorganisms and their bioactive secondary metabolites.

Compared with wood pulp, straw pulp and papermaking, because of lower cost and abundancy of raw material, has become an indispensable approach in paper industry of China. However, its further application is limited by huge water consumption and wastewater discharge. By employing substance flow analysis, this study built up an optimization model and a performance evaluation system of water saving for the water-use network of a straw pulp and paper enterprise, after identifying the problems in present water consumption. Accordingly, an optimization plan was proposed to combine man-made water circulation with natural water circulation system. Additionally, a contrast analysis between the present and optimized water use was conducted. At last, we applied the proposed optimization plan to one of the most important and largest enterprises of straw pulp and paper industry in China as an illustration. Theoretically, water consumption could be reduced by 75.4 % without wastewater discharge after optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp and paper industry consumes enormous quality of freshwater, leading to wastewater. It must be treated to remove pollutants, particularly residual dyestuffs, before releasing them to water bodies to avoid adverse environmental effects. The traditional wastewater treatment methods used for the pulp and paper industry are less efficient in colour and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. The current study is aimed at developing a novel catalyst for the catalytic ozonation of pulp and paper wastewater with better colour and COD removal for sustainable resources of clean water. The proposed catalyst is impregnated by iron on natural zeolites. Various parameters such as catalyst dose, pH, ozone dose, initial COD concentration, and reaction time are studied and optimized. The performance was evaluated by comparing the results with the single ozonation process (SOP) and catalytic ozonation process (COP). The highest COD and colour reduction efficiencies have been achieved, i.e., 71%, and 88% at a natural pH of 6.8. The proposed process achieved higher COD and colour efficiencies than the single ozonation process and catalytic ozonation process using raw zeolites. The improvement in efficiencies are 23% and 29% for SOP and 17% and 19% for COP, respectively. Hence, the results proposed the sustainability and applicability of COP to treat paper and pulp sector effluent. [Display omitted] • A novel Fe-zeolite catalyst was developed for catalytic ozonation process. • Performance of single ozonation process and catalytic ozonation process was evaluated. • Under optimized condition the catalyst remains efficient even after 5 cycles. • 71% of COD were eliminated using Fe/NZ as catalyst in catalytic ozonation process. • The optimum ozone dose for COD and color removal was 0.3 mg/ml of wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the Essential Science Indicators (ESI) database, this study analyzed 798 top papers in the subject category of Water Resources from 2008 to 2018. The 798 top papers include 797 highly cited papers and 21 hot papers in the field. Distributions of document type, language of publication, scientific output, and publication of journals are reported in this article. Co-authorship network visualization of author, organizations and countries, co-occurrence network visualization of all keywords was visualized using VOS viewer software. Results showed that 798 papers, all written in English, were from 2,845 authors, 80 countries/territories and 1,107 organizations, listed in 49 journals in the field of water resources. Top 5 core journals with higher impact factor ranked as Water Research, Journal of Hydrology, Desalination, Catena and Advances in Water Resources. Top 5 countries and regions were USA, China, Australia, England and Germany. Top 5 organizations were Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of California System, Helmholtz Association, Delft University of Technology and Eth Zurich. Based on the analysis of network map of VOSviewer, there is cooperation for authors, organizations and countries or regions. The analysis of keywords showed that the research of water resource was separated 6 clusters. This study demonstrates that there are more top papers come from journals with the higher IF and higher rank in Category of Water Resources. Therefore, authors can choose their ideal Journal with a high impact factor to publish papers in the English language related to this research field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As climate change strains the world's freshwater resources, access to safe and clean water becomes limited. The use of alternative water sources, such as rooftop-harvested rainwater, has become one mechanism to address freshwater scarcity in the American Southwest, particularly when it comes to home gardening. The University of Arizona's Project Harvest, in partnership with the Sonora Environmental Research Institute, Inc., is a multi-year, co-created citizen science project aimed at increasing current understanding of harvested rainwater quality. Citizens in four Arizona, USA, communities (Hayden/Winkelman, Globe/Miami, Dewey-Humboldt, and Tucson) submitted harvested rainwater samples over 3 years. The harvested rainwater samples were then analyzed using IDEXX Colilert® for total coliforms and E. coli and using Hach PathoScreen™ test for sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). This study design allows for the validation of a low-cost, at-home alternative methodology for testing rainwater for bacteria that may indicate fecal contamination. In total, 226 samples were tested using both methodologies, revealing a positive correlation (r=0.245; p<0.002) between total coliform MPN and SRB MPN, but no discernable correlation between E. coli MPN and SRB MPN. This work indicates a potential value of SRB testing for harvested rainwater if cost, laboratory access, and fecal contamination are of concern., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

An accidental or intentional contamination event can raise health and sociopolitical concerns, erode public trust, and affect the operation of water distribution systems. In this regard, emergency management plans are required to describe the necessary measures in order to deal with a threat. This study was carried out to investigate the best ways to manage intrusion in a water distribution network. In this research, the optimal management approach to deal with chemical contamination in a water distribution network was examined under three scenarios using the particle swarm optimization method. In each scenario, three management solutions were used to manage the contamination, including closing the pipe, opening the fire hydrant, and using a combination of pipe closure and fire hydrant opening. Contamination risk impact on consumers' health was assessed in the network's emergency status and after implementation of the best pollution management scenarios. The results showed that in the benchmark network, pipe closure was slightly more successful than opening of the fire hydrant valve. In pollution management of a real network, pipe closure was less effective than the hydrant opening in all scenarios. Generally, all applied scenarios were successful in reducing the contamination risk among the exposed people, so that carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks reduced by 100% in all scenarios compared to the non-management state., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Identifying suitable zones for surface water storage and groundwater recharge is needed to enhance irrigation water availability. This study was undertaken to map rainwater harvesting (RWH) potential zones using geospatial tools and analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The suitable locations for RWH were also mapped using the Boolean logic concept. The surface runoff is a vital factor to demarcate the appropriate zones for RWH. The curve number approach was used to estimate the surface runoff potential. The runoff coefficient (RC) map was generated based on rainfall and surface runoff depth. Weights have been allocated to selected themes of RC, drainage density, and slope. The themes were integrated using geographic information system (GIS) and AHP to demarcate the suitable zones for RWH. The derived RWH potential map was categorized into zones like "very good," "good," "moderate," "poor," and "very poor" with an aerial extent of 14.3%, 24.7%, 28.3%, 20.2%, and 12.6%, respectively. The area suitable for farm ponds was found to be about 9% (408 km 2 ), 13% (329 km 2 ), and 4% (244 km 2 ) in Mirzapur, Chandauli, and Sonbhadra districts, respectively. Furthermore, 22, 15, and 21 locations were found suitable for check dams in Mirzapur, Chandauli, and Sonbhadra districts, respectively. At a large scale, effective planning of water management strategies based on multicriteria decision analysis and GIS offers increased availability of surface and groundwater resources and may help for enhancing the agricultural land use options. The higher resolution maps may be further utilized to plan RWH strategies at village level., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Copyright of Revista Caatinga is the property of Revista Caatinga and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Thermal aging of insulation paper occurs during transformer operation, with the water produced during aging accelerating the thermal aging process. Insulation paper aging largely determines the operational life of a transformer pressboard; accordingly, research pertaining to insulation paper enhancement is significant with respect to the functional safety of transformers. Within molecular research, particularly that focusing on molecular simulation, appropriate force field selection is paramount in order to acquire accurate results, in addition to appropriately reflecting cellulose thermal stability and associated degradation mechanisms. In the current study, two diverse cellulose models (water only; water, dicyandiamide, melamine and polyacrylamide) are developed and analyzed. Numerous model variables, including the diffusion coefficient of water and cellulose chain distance, are collated, in order to examine the effects of amines on the thermal stability of cellulose. Additionally, a novel insulation paper is formulated by combining traditional insulation paper with three diverse amines; an accelerated aging experiment is thus undertaken, comparing traditional and modified insulation paper samples at 110 °C, together with periodic assessment of both microwater content and the degree of polymerization (DP). Results indicate that during transformer operation, a higher degree of elasticity is associated with the modified insulation paper, thus significantly increasing its toughness and extensibility, in parallel with decreasing it brittleness. Results also show that the DP associated with cellulose comprising the modified insulation paper decreases at a reduced rate, with measured water content significantly less than that of traditional insulation paper. Simulation results are consistent with experimental findings. Therefore, it may be concluded that the thermal aging properties of cellulose significantly improve upon addition of dicyandiamide, melamine, and polyacrylamide as thermal stabilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common perception of people about recycling involves reusage of aluminum cans, glass bottles, and newspapers, whereas recycling of water resources is a most important aspect nowadays. Water recycling is known to reuse cleaned wastewater for beneficial applications including agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial activities, and replenishing a groundwater using the latest technologies. The current methods have some flaws in the evaluations of water resources' recycling systems such as large mean square error, time complexity, and low-evaluation efficiency; therefore, this paper proposes an online evaluation method for the recycling process of water resources in urban landscaping. The health model of water resources recycling in urban landscaping has been analyzed using fuzzy-based approach. Second, the evaluation index system of water resources' recycling is also analyzed using the ecological water-level analysis results, water resource quality, water resource abundance, and water resource utilization rate. Then, the extension of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is utilized to calculate the weight of water recycling evaluation index. Then a fuzzy-based comprehensive evaluation method is used to find the online evaluation model of the water recycling. Eventually, the evaluation of the effect of water recycling in urban landscaping is performed and analysis is made for decision-making. The results prove that the proposed AHP and fuzzy method has a low mean square error and high accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recycled paper industry produces tons of waste whose disposal is a cost for industry and the environment. This research examines the suitability of de-inked paper sludge (DPS), after pelletization, as a sustainable alternative component to a peat-based growing media, creating ideal root conditions for tree development (e.g. high water storage, low compaction). DPS, tested on Lepidium sativum L. germination, did not show toxicity effects. Three species, Quercus ilex L., Lagerstroemia indica L. and Prunus serrulata "Kanzan", were planted in 40 cm Ø pots filled with a control (peat, pumice and zeolite) and the experimental substrate (compost, DPS pellets, pumice and zeolite). After two years in the nursery, the trees were planted in situ. The physical and chemical properties of substrates were analyzed. Plant morphological and physiological parameters were monitored: trunk diameter, leaf dry matter, leaf nitrogen, chlorophyll, and photosynthetic efficiency. The new substrate showed higher C org (+135%), total N (+73%) and easily available water (+19%), compared to the control substrate used in the nursery. In this new substrate, the trees showed similar radial growth values to the control in the nursery and after transplanting in situ improved their photosynthetic performance in terms of quantum yield of photosystem II (+36%, and +29% in P. serrulata and L. indica , respectively) and electron transport rate (+39%, +25%, and +32% in P. serrulata , Q. ilex and L. indica , respectively). Pelletization represents an attractive amendment for growing media, which enhances the plant's physiological health status. This study proposes alternative recovery methods for paper industry waste with low environmental impact. As the process is developed locally, it should also contribute to reducing energy-related CO 2 emissions from transport. Pelletization represents an attractive novelty in the use of DPS as amendment for growing media, which enhances the plant's physiological health status. This study proposes alternative recovery methods for paper industry waste with low environmental impact. As the process is developed locally, it should also contribute to reducing energy-related CO 2 emissions from transport. Image 1 • De-inked paper sludge and mature compost mixed were tested as a new substrate. • The new substrate showed high organic carbon, nitrogen and water availability. • Holm oak, Crape myrtle and Kanzan cherry grew healtlhy in the new substrate. • The new substrate is suitable for tree growth to overcome transplanting stress. • The study proposes alternative recovery methods for paper industry waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microcystins are produced by multifaceted organisms called cyanobacteria, which are integral to Africa's freshwater environments. The excessive proliferation of cyanobacteria caused by rising temperature and eutrophication leads to the production and release of copious amounts of microcystins, requiring critical management and control approaches to prevent the adverse environmental and public health problems associated with these bioactive metabolites. Despite hypotheses reported to explain the phylogeography and mechanisms responsible for cyanobacterial blooms in aquatic water bodies, many aspects are scarcely understood in Africa due to the paucity of investigations and lack of uniformity of experimental methods. Due to a lack of information and large-scale studies, cyanobacteria occurrence and genetic diversity are seldom reported in African aquatic ecosystems. This review covers the diversity and geographical distribution of potential microcystin-producing and non-microcystin-producing cyanobacterial taxa in Africa. Molecular analyses using housekeeping genes (e.g., 16S rRNA, ITS, rpoC1, etc.) revealed significant sequence divergence across several cyanobacterial strains from East, North, West, and South Africa, but the lack of uniformity in molecular markers employed made continent-wise phylogenetic comparisons impossible. Planktothrix agardhii, Microcystis aeruginosa, and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (presently known as Raphidiopsis raciborskii) were the most commonly reported genera. Potential microcystin (MCs)-producing cyanobacteria were detected using mcy genes, and several microcystin congeners were recorded. Studying cyanobacteria species from the African continent is urgent to effectively safeguard public and environmental health because more than 80% of the continent has no data on these important microorganisms and their bioactive secondary metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how participatory science helps address water supply challenges in developing countries suffering from water shortages. In the absence of technical capacity to monitor the water supply system, this participation constitutes an excellent alternative to involve citizens in data collection and evaluation of the quality of the water service. The paper presents the design and implementation of a participatory science platform that enables data about the quality of the water supply in the city of Kharas in Palestine to be collected. Thanks to significant citizen participation, the study demonstrates that participatory science enhances the management of the water supply system and public awareness and engagement. Temporal and spatial analysis of collected data helped us to better understand the water supply system and identify the causes of the water service degradation. The study shows that the success of citizen participation requires cooperation between the water staff and citizens, including continuous dialogue and training and the construction of a friendly citizen participation platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the importance of groundwater quality in coastal areas, particularly in China. It highlights the impact of geogenic contaminants and human-induced pollutants on groundwater quality, which is crucial for sustaining agriculture, industries, and drinking water services. The research papers in this special issue explore various aspects of groundwater quality, including the occurrence of fluoride and nitrate in agricultural areas, the impact of land use on groundwater quality, the natural background levels of contaminants, and the hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in different regions. The studies suggest that agricultural contamination and infiltration of domestic sewage and industrial wastewater are significant factors affecting groundwater quality in coastal areas. The findings recommend measures to address nitrate contamination and seawater intrusion, and emphasize the importance of considering organic contaminants in coastal groundwater. [Extracted from the article]

This paper takes up the qanat of Hassan Abad and its special peculiarities which made it eligible to be nominated as UNESCO World Heritage in 2015. Hasan Abad originates from Ebrahim Abad valley near the town of Mehriz and travels 40 kilometers to Yazd. The water of this qanat is shared out between the town of Mehriz, the village of Dehno and Yazd (district of Hasan Abad). One of the most important properties of this qanat is its territorial cooperation which is resulted from a lax territorial behavior caused by the qanat's dynamics. Dormant territorial behavior can pave the way for a high sense of cooperation and social capital, which are all associated with the peculiarities of the qanat. In the region, the social foundation which has been formed and evolved around the water resources management could have increased the sense of cooperation. Through the research method of grounded theory, this paper tries to answer the question of how a water current like the qanat of Hasan Abad can pave the way for such social convergence and cooperation between three beneficiary territories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper of [6], maps of suitability predictions for a handful relevant tree species in 30 × 30 m resolution are presented based on ecograms that are linked with interpolated, modeled soil data (subsoil pH, subsoil texture and derived plant available water to 160 cm). We ignore statistical principles if we accept interpolated tree species suitability predictions based on limited sets of soil properties without verifying them with observed, local site and soil data. Commentary to the paper by Roell, Nord-Larsen et al. 'Mapping tree species ecograms based on soil pH and soil water availability across Denmark'. [Extracted from the article]

Mountains are the water towers of the world, supplying a substantial part of both natural and anthropogenic water demands 1,2 . They are highly sensitive and prone to climate change 3,4 , yet their importance and vulnerability have not been quantified at the global scale. Here we present a global water tower index (WTI), which ranks all water towers in terms of their water-supplying role and the downstream dependence of ecosystems and society. For each water tower, we assess its vulnerability related to water stress, governance, hydropolitical tension and future climatic and socio-economic changes. We conclude that the most important (highest WTI) water towers are also among the most vulnerable, and that climatic and socio-economic changes will affect them profoundly. This could negatively impact 1.9 billion people living in (0.3 billion) or directly downstream of (1.6 billion) mountainous areas. Immediate action is required to safeguard the future of the world's most important and vulnerable water towers.

Groundwater is the world's largest freshwater resource and is critically important for irrigation, and hence for global food security 1-3 . Already, unsustainable groundwater pumping exceeds recharge from precipitation and rivers 4 , leading to substantial drops in the levels of groundwater and losses of groundwater from its storage, especially in intensively irrigated regions 5-7 . When groundwater levels drop, discharges from groundwater to streams decline, reverse in direction or even stop completely, thereby decreasing streamflow, with potentially devastating effects on aquatic ecosystems. Here we link declines in the levels of groundwater that result from groundwater pumping to decreases in streamflow globally, and estimate where and when environmentally critical streamflows-which are required to maintain healthy ecosystems-will no longer be sustained. We estimate that, by 2050, environmental flow limits will be reached for approximately 42 to 79 per cent of the watersheds in which there is groundwater pumping worldwide, and that this will generally occur before substantial losses in groundwater storage are experienced. Only a small decline in groundwater level is needed to affect streamflow, making our estimates uncertain for streams near a transition to reversed groundwater discharge. However, for many areas, groundwater pumping rates are high and environmental flow limits are known to be severely exceeded. Compared to surface-water use, the effects of groundwater pumping are markedly delayed. Our results thus reveal the current and future environmental legacy of groundwater use.

The virtual water flow behind product trade provides researchers with ideas to alleviate water problems in China's coastal areas, with accompanying resource and economic implications. This paper adopts a multi-region input–output model to calculate virtual water flows in coastal areas and analyses resource benefits and economic benefits, by combining the water stress index and shadow price, to measure gains and losses of virtual water flow. This study shows that (1) China's coastal areas depends on external water supplies; (2) virtual water flows between coastal and inland areas generated 38.26 billion m3 of net scarce water savings and CNY 31,751 billion of net economic benefits, indicating that coastal areas benefited from virtual water flows from both resource and economic perspectives; (3) virtual water flows among coastal provinces and cities caused 11.10 billion m3 of net scarce water losses, but generated CNY 9784 billion of net economic gains, indicating that a further intensification of water stress in coastal areas, but such a virtual water flow pattern was beneficial from an economic perspective. This paper reveals the resource and economic impacts of virtual water flow at the national scale and among coastal provinces and cities and further proposes suggestions for promoting the beneficial flow of virtual water in coastal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relay node placement algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) for water supply distribution control and monitoring is an important requirement. The researchers have used the connectivity-aware approximation algorithm for relay node placement in WSN. This paper discusses about implementation results of existing Local Search Approximation Algorithm (LSAA). The experimentations have been carried out for varying number of nodes Relay Node Single Cover (RNSC) problem to remove implemented local search approximation algorithm (LSAA). In LSAA algorithm, N number of sensor nodes and M number of relay nodes to allocated for a set cover (SC) for each group. Main contribution of this paper to discuss this work in algorithm form and to make easy and better to related work. To find out the different and approachable result increases the nodes with 100,150,200etc. Mat lab clearly to explain the result in the graphically form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing countries, including Small Island Developing States (SIDSs) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), are exceptionally vulnerable to climate change due to their distinct geographical and environmental characteristics. Escalating sea levels and heightened salinity levels imperil freshwater reserves, while warmer ocean temperatures and acidification disrupt water demand, tourism, health services, and fisheries. Concurrently, these countries bear the brunt of water shortages, flooding, and declining water quality. However, significant barriers such as limited financing capacities to fund water security initiatives, exacerbated by a growing debt crisis marked by escalating interest rates and inflation, hinder developmental progress and investments in climate adaptation and mitigation endeavors. Consequently, there arises a critical necessity to harness innovative financial mechanisms to transform these debts into opportunities that support effective climate action. This paper explores the potential of debt-for-climate swaps as a catalyst for advancing transformative wastewater projects, focusing on their strategic deployment to underpin critical initiatives. Through case studies and empirical evidence, the paper elucidates how debt-for-climate swaps can enhance sustainable wastewater management systems in developing countries and delineates best practices for leveraging these mechanisms and the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders, including governments, policymakers, the private sector, communities, and climate financial institutions. Combining theoretical insights with tangible examples, this paper furnishes a comprehensive framework for harnessing debt-for-climate swaps to enhance water security and resilience in developing countries. It offers actionable strategies for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to navigate the complex terrain of climate change and engender sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yangtze River (hereafter referred to as the YZR), the largest river in China, is of paramount importance for ensuring water resource security. The Yangtze River Basin (hereafter referred to as the YRB) is one of the most densely populated areas in China, and complex human activities have a significant impact on the ecological security of water resources. Therefore, this paper employs theories related to ecological population evolution and the Driving Force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model to construct an indicator system for the ecological security of water resources in the YRB. The report evaluates the ecological security status of water resources in each province of the YRB from 2010 to 2019, clarifies the development trend of its water resource ecological security, and proposes corresponding strategies for regional ecological security and coordinated economic development. According to the results of the ecological population evolution competition model, the overall indicator of the ecological security of water resources in the YRB continues to improve, with the safety level increasing annually. Maintaining sound management of water resources in the YRB is crucial for sustainable socioeconomic development. To further promote the ecological security of water resources in the YRB and the coordinated development of the regional economy, this paper proposes policy suggestions such as promoting the continuous advancement of sustainable development projects, actively adjusting industrial structure, continuously enhancing public environmental awareness, and actively participating in international ecological construction and seeking cooperation among multiple departments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In urban areas exposed to high-magnitude earthquakes, the drinking water supply would be severely damaged, and domestic services would be disrupted for a large part of the population in the event of an earthquake. The Lima-Callao metropolitan area in Peru, South America, is expected to experience an 8.8 Mw earthquake, and it is estimated that approximately 90% of the population would not have immediate access to emergency water in the case of such an event. The main objective of this paper is to define criteria for a spatial analysis method to guide the design criteria for an Emergency Water Supply System (EWaSS). Methods: This paper combines territorial, urban resilience and participatory approaches and presents the results of an interdisciplinary research with social impact. Thus, it examines the urban territory at macro-, meso- and micro scales; physical-spatial variables indicating risk levels and possible public spaces to implement the system; and socio-spatial variables regarding the population, risk perception and participation in management to strengthen urban resilience. Normative tools and the Geographic Information System are used to spatialize and systematize quantitative and qualitative information. Results and discussion: The EWaSS is an alternative for safe water supply in a post-disaster situation that would provide immediate and autonomous operation during the first 72 h of the emergency. The results show the physical-spatial and social viability of urbanized areas and the system design criteria that guide local actors in making decisions at the three levels of emergency management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of digital twins is one of the fundamental pillars of Industry 4.0. Digital twin allows the realization of a virtual model of a real system, enhancing the relevant performance (e.g., in terms of production rate, risk prevention, energy saving, and maintenance operation). Current literature presents many contributions pointing out the advantages that may be achieved by the definition of a digital twin of a water supply system. The Reference Architecture Model for Industry 4.0 introduces the concept of the Asset Administration Shell for the digital representation of components within the Industry 4.0 ecosystem. Several proposals are currently available in the literature considering the Asset Administration Shell for the realization of a digital twin of real systems. To the best of the authors' knowledge, at the moment, the adoption of Asset Administration Shell for the digital representation of a water supply system is not present in the current literature. For this reason, the aim of this paper is to present a methodological approach for developing a digital twin of a water supply system using the Asset Administration Shell metamodel. The paper will describe the approach proposed by the author and the relevant model based on Asset Administration Shell, pointing out that its implementation is freely available on the GitHub platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article announces awards given to 2015 water best papers including "Atmospheric Rivers, Floods and the Water Resources of California," by Michael D. Dettinger and colleagues, "The Global Dimension of Water Governance: Why the River Basin Approach Is No Longer Sufficient and Why Cooperative Action at Global Level Is Needed," by Arjen Y. Hoekstra, and "The Impact of Ocean Acidification on Reproduction, Early Development and Settlement of Marine Organisms," by Pauline M. Ross and colleagues.

This document is an editorial from the Vadose Zone Journal, announcing a special section on soil physics in agricultural production, water resources, and waste management. The special section includes nine papers, some of which focus on African scenarios. The papers cover topics such as catchment hydrology, modeling of hydrological processes, uncertainty in modeling and measuring vadose zone hydrological processes, and nutrient dynamics. The special section aims to advance soil physics knowledge and its practical applications in agricultural and environmental management. The editorial also acknowledges the contributions of the authors and the legacy of Don and Betty Kirkham, who supported the 2022 Kirkham conference where the research was presented. [Extracted from the article]

• Extension of single contaminant material Cascade Table to multi-contaminants. • New ways of arranging the sources/sink in the Cascade Table are proposed. • Pre-targeting procedure to determine the source prioritisation for a specific sink • Problems of fixed flowrate and fixed load operations are explored. • Sequential sink targeting directly determines the source allocation. Process Integration tools have served the process industries by identifying resource conservation solutions that minimise process waste, reducing the environmental impacts and costs. For dealing with water and wastewater minimisation, Pinch-based targeting and network design approaches are well established to handle single-quality water conservation problems. The Cascade Table Analysis, which has been an extension of the method used for targeting and designing single-quality material recycling networks, has evolved to handle multiple qualities. Based on previous analysis, multiple cascades with individual contaminant/quality indicators are analysed sequentially. Each contaminant is assigned a cascade table. Each sink is classified into the proper contaminant cascade based on their limiting contaminant, and the sources are prioritised based on the contaminant. This work also proposes a new way of arranging the Cascade Table streams to adapt for the multiple contaminants, which is by determining whether they belong to the high quality (Below the Pinch) region and the probable Pinch-causing source. The overall framework has been first identifying preliminary resource targets for each sink, followed by specific heuristics for additional reduction of the fresh resource. The proposed algorithm could yield an accurate minimum resource target and the associated network design. This work also explores the water-using processes with fixed load and fixed flowrate operations. An illustrative study and a real case study from a Brazilian paper mill are used to demonstrate the approach. The fresh water resource identified for the case study is 2,822 kg/h. The developed approach provides an informative interface to the user for the exact allocation of sources to the sinks. The numerical approach also shows directly the location of the Pinch Point(s), the overall fresh resource intake and the waste generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

His current research interests include operation, management and cyber security analysis of smart grids, microgrid, smart city, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. In recent years, due to the grid modernizations, high penetration of renewable energies, and using smart sensors in the main structure of the power grids, a large amount of data has been generated that can potentially lead to the complexity of the network. His current research interests include power system operation, reliability, resiliency, renewable energy sources, cybersecurity analysis, machine learning, smart grids, and microgrids. TOPIC 1: OPTIMAL OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF MULTI-MICROGRIDS USING BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY Paper 1 by Misagh Dehghani Ghotbabadi et al. investigates the optimal operation of a networked microgrid from the reliability perspective in a correlated atmosphere for the wind generators using an advanced machine learning technique. [Extracted from the article]

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This paper analyses the effects of environmental flows on water quality within a highly regulated basin, focusing on the Turia River basin in the eastern Iberian Peninsula. Through water management and water quality models, a series of simulations were conducted, introducing variations in the outflows of the Loriguilla reservoir to evaluate the effects of different environmental flow scenarios on water quality, particularly at the location of the intake for the water supply to Valencia. Three environmental flow scenarios were analyzed, alongside an alternative management scenario, considering their implications on water quality and reliability of water demand. The findings of this paper, particularly the nitrate (NO3−) concentration evolution, highlight the influence of minimum e-flow and e-flow regimes on water quality within the basin. These results suggest that while modifying the current flow regime can lead to some improvements in nitrate concentrations at the Valencia supply intake point, the primary cause of high nitrate concentrations is attributed to irrigation return flow and the pre-existing contamination of the aquifer. This analysis offers valuable insights into the complexities of water quality management in regulated basins, emphasizing the need for a multi-faceted approach to address the diverse factors influencing water quality and demand supply reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sectorization of a water distribution network (WDN) into district meter areas (DMAs) is considered a key strategy for an efficient management of WDNs. Typically, it involves a two-stage procedure: a clustering stage, in which the division of the WDN into clusters is performed, and a dividing stage, which involves the placement of valves and flow meters on the cluster's boundary pipes to define the DMAs. While recently published methods attempt to enhance both the clustering and dividing stages, they fail to provide decision-making flexibility. They also neglect to consider the presence of existing valves in the WDN, which can significantly affect the evaluated implementation cost, often considered the primary decision-driving factor. This paper presents improvements to the previously introduced DeNSE method for sectorization of WDNs, aiming to address these deficiencies. The methodology consists of a clustering stage, based on the network uniformity index, and a dividing stage, in which the originally used heuristic procedure is replaced with Genetic Algorithm (GA) optimization, minimizing implementation cost. Consideration of existing valves in WDN and criteria for water supply security are also included in the dividing stage to offer a better estimate of implementation costs and post-sectorized operational efficiency of the WDN. Finally, GIS visualization is implemented, and a hydraulic model of the sectorized WDN (EPANET file) is generated, providing practitioners with valuable insights and decision-making flexibility. The methodology is tested on a part of the Amsterdam WDN in the Netherlands, serving as a pilot for methodology evaluation. A range of feasible sectorization solutions is generated and compared based on implementation cost and three performance indicators (PIs). The paper provides an in-depth discussion on the selection of preferable sectorization solution. The reported results demonstrate the method's efficiency in optimizing sectorization solutions with minimum implementation cost whilst preserving the WDN operational efficiency and meeting the local design criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate assessment and prediction of water shortage risk are essential prerequisites for the rational allocation and risk management of water resources. However, previous water shortage risk assessment models based on copulas have strict requirements for data distribution, making them unsuitable for extreme conditions such as insufficient data volume and indeterminate distribution shapes. These limitations restrict the applicability of the models and result in lower evaluation accuracy. To address these issues, this paper proposes a water shortage risk assessment model based on kernel density estimation (KDE) and copula functions. This approach not only enhances the robustness and stability of the model but also improves its prediction accuracy. The methodology involves initially utilizing kernel density estimation to quantify the random uncertainties in water supply and demand based on historical statistical data, thereby calculating their respective marginal probability distributions. Subsequently, copula functions are employed to quantify the coupled interdependence between water supply and demand based on these marginal probability distributions, thereby computing the joint probability distribution. Ultimately, the water shortage risk is evaluated based on potential loss rates and occurrence probabilities. This proposed model is applied to assess the water shortage risk of the Yuxi water receiving area in the Central Yunnan Water Diversion Project, and compared with existing models through experimental contrasts. The experimental results demonstrate that the model exhibits evident advantages in terms of robustness, stability, and evaluation accuracy, with a rejection rate of 0 for the null hypothesis of edge probability fitting and a smaller deviation in joint probability fitting compared to the most outstanding model in the field. These findings indicate that the model presented in this paper is capable of adapting to non-ideal scenarios and extreme climatic conditions for water shortage risk assessment, providing reliable prediction outcomes even under extreme circumstances. Therefore, it can serve as a valuable reference and source of inspiration for related engineering applications and technical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water-resource challenges, encompassing both quality and quantity, pose significant threats to Florida's ecosystems, especially in the face of climate change, rising sea levels, and rapid urbanization. This paper explores the innovative stormwater-management system implemented at Naples Botanical Garden as a model for addressing these challenges. The Garden's approach, treating stormwater as a valuable resource, involves dry and wet retention areas, created lakes, and a unique River of Grass, mimicking natural ecosystems. This system not only mitigates flooding, but also effectively removes pollutants, recharges the aquifer, and provides a habitat for diverse wildlife. The paper emphasizes the economic, environmental, and social impacts of traditional stormwater-management practices in Florida. Naples Botanical Garden's case serves as a guide for botanical gardens and zoos globally, showcasing the pivotal role these institutions can play in sustainable water-resource management. The collaborative design process involving landscape architects, engineers, and horticulturists ensures a holistic and aesthetically pleasing approach to stormwater management. The paper underscores the role of botanical gardens in promoting nature-based solutions, educating the public, and offering tangible steps for implementing similar systems worldwide. It can help guide regional adaptation strategies to manage stormwater as a resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: This paper helps to summarize the most relevant information on reactive transport models used to simulate the transport of hydrocarbons. The authors hope that this paper will be very useful for future modelers, stakeholders, and scientists, and will help them to select the most appropriate tools or to create new models. The pollution of groundwater and soil by hydrocarbons is a significant and growing global problem. Efforts to mitigate and minimise pollution risks are often based on modelling. Modelling-based solutions for prediction and control play a critical role in preserving dwindling water resources and facilitating remediation. The objectives of this article are to: (i) to provide a concise overview of the mechanisms that influence the migration of hydrocarbons in groundwater and to improve the understanding of the processes that affect contamination levels, (ii) to compile the most commonly used models to simulate the migration and fate of hydrocarbons in the subsurface; and (iii) to evaluate these solutions in terms of their functionality, limitations, and requirements. The aim of this article is to enable potential users to make an informed decision regarding the modelling approaches (deterministic, stochastic, and hybrid) and to match their expectations with the characteristics of the models. The review of 11 1D screening models, 18 deterministic models, 7 stochastic tools, and machine learning experiments aimed at modelling hydrocarbon migration in the subsurface should provide a solid basis for understanding the capabilities of each method and their potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main challenges regarding the prediction of groundwater resource changes is the climate change phenomenon and its impacts on quantitative variations of such resources. Groundwater resources are treated as one of the main strategic resources of any region. Given the climate change phenomenon and its impacts on hydrological parameters, it is necessary to evaluate and predict future changes to achieve an appropriate plan to maintain and preserve water resources. In this regard, the present study is put forward by utilizing the Statistical Down-Scaling Model (SDSM) to forecast the main climate variables (i.e., temperature and precipitation) based on new Rcp scenarios for greenhouse gas emissions within a period from 2020 to 2060. The results obtained from the prediction of climate parameters indicate different values in each emission scenario, so the limit, minimum and maximum values occur in the Rcp8.5, Rcp2.6 and Rcp4.5 scenarios, respectively. Also, a model is developed by utilizing the GMDH artificial neural network technique. The developed model predicts the average groundwater level based on the climate variables in such a way that by implementing the climate parameters forecasted by the SDSM model, the groundwater level within a time period from 2020 to 2060 is predicted. The results obtained from the verification and validation of the model imply its proper performance and reasonable accuracy in predicating groundwater level based on the climate variables. The findings derived from the present paper indicate that compared to the years prior to the prediction period, the groundwater level of the Sahneh Plain has dramatically dropped so that based on the Rcp scenarios, the groundwater level values are in their lowest state within the period from 2046 to 2056. The findings of this paper can be used by managers and decision makers as a layout for evaluating climate change effects in the Sahneh Plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With ongoing climate change, new threats appear to the operation of water supply systems (WSSs), which are related to the amount of available drinking water resources, its quality, the operation of existing water supply infrastructure and changes in consumer behavior. The paper presents a bibliometric analysis of the state of knowledge on the impact of climate change on the failure of water supply infrastructure. The bibliometric analysis was performed based on the VOSviewer program. The results of the analysis indicate current research trends in this area around the world and allow the identification of strengths and weaknesses. Most research concerns the identification of factors related to the impact of climate on the failure rate of water distribution systems. A popular research topic was also the prediction of water supply network failures, taking into account the impact of climatic factors. The main research gap is determining the impact of climate change on water quality. The acquired knowledge can be used by water companies, policy-makers and other researchers to plan adaptation strategies to climate change, which pose new challenges for the operation of water supply systems. The conducted bibliometric analysis also allowed for identifying research gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This special issue of the journal "Water" focuses on the management and sustainable development of the Yellow River basin in China. It includes twenty academic papers covering various aspects of Yellow River basin management, such as water resources allocation, ecological protection, and environmental restoration. The papers provide insights into topics such as climate change's impact on the river's natural runoff and the challenges and potential solutions for water resource allocation and efficient utilization. The document emphasizes the need for coordinated development, ecological protection, and sustainable management of the Yellow River Basin. It also highlights the challenges of managing pollutants and understanding the water-sediment relationship in the basin. Additionally, the governance of the Yellow River Basin should consider cultural preservation and integrate it into the water management strategies. [Extracted from the article]

This document discusses the challenges that plants face in coping with environmental fluctuations, such as changes in temperature, light, and water availability. While most studies have focused on plant responses to stable stress conditions, this collection of scientific papers explores the effects of fluctuating conditions on photosynthesis. The papers offer diverse viewpoints and insights, covering topics such as the evolution of antenna systems, the impact of fluctuating light intensity on carbon assimilation, and the response of plants to heat stress. The authors hope that these papers will contribute to the understanding of photosynthesis in an ever-changing environment. [Extracted from the article]

The urban water resource utilization efficiency is of great significance to solve the water crisis and promote the sustainable development of cities. The current paper aims to help areas with low water utilization efficiency in China to improve cross-regional coordination and improve water resource efficiency. Therefore, the current paper uses an SBM-undesirable model to study the water utilization efficiency of 14 cities in Gansu Province from 2010 to 2018. Then the Dagum Gini coefficient and kernel density estimation methods are used to study the regional differences in efficiency and its evolution trend. The results of the study are as follows: (1) There is a relatively large gap in water resource utilization efficiency among cities in Gansu Province. (2) The overall regional differences in water resource utilization efficiency in Gansu Province generally show a trend of increasing and then shrinking between 2010 and 2018. The inter-regional differences generally show an upward trend. (3) Water resource utilization efficiency of three regions has the characteristics of divergent distribution, and the degree of differentiation continues to decline. The conclusions and suggestions were provided for improving the sustainable development of urban water systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a transboundary river basin, downstream states frequently express concerns regarding the potential utilization of water resources by upstream states as a tool for exerting coercion. This fact contributes to instilling doubt in the applicability of negotiations, even in transboundary basins that possess strong international agreements. In an effort to address the issue, this paper introduces the painted water concept. It divides upstream states' available water into three triage color volumes before reaching downstream states in ascending order of negotiability: green, yellow, and red. Additionally, downstream states must consider the dynamics of transitions of painted water classes over time when developing their negotiation strategies and water policies. In order to assess the concept's contribution in practice, we analyze trilateral riparian negotiations along the Blue Nile River basin, based on a "what-if" analysis approach under four global future scenarios. These results could shed light on part of the complexity of the Blue Nile negotiation and mainstream the water policies and perspectives of riparian states. Here, this paper shows that the painted water concept can provide multidisciplinary insights into proactive water negotiations. The inclusion of such a concept can help to deepen theories, approaches principals, and any disciplines pertinent to transboundary water negotiations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terrestrial Water Storage (TWS) plays a pivotal role in water resource management by providing a comprehensive measure of both surface water and groundwater availability. This study investigates changes in TWS driven by human activities from 2003 to 2023, and forecasts future TWS trends under various climate change and development scenarios. Our findings reveal a continuous decline in China's TWS since 2003, with an average annual decrease of approximately 1.36 mm. This reduction is primarily attributed to the combined effects of climate change and human activities, including irrigation, industrial water use, and domestic water consumption. Notably, TWS exhibits significant seasonal and annual fluctuations, with variations ranging ±10 mm. For the future period (2024-2030), we project greater disparities between water resource supply and demand in specific years for the Songliao, Southwest, and Yangtze basins. Consequently, future water resource management must prioritize water conservation during wet seasons, particularly in years when supply-demand conflicts for limited water resources intensify. This study is valuable for effective planning and sustainable utilization of water resources., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Chunmiao Zheng reports financial support was provided by the Ministry of Education of China and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)