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As the urban population increases, the consumption of water resources is also increasing. Safely and effectively supplying water to cities has become an issue that urgently needs to be addressed. The purpose of this research is to substantially reduce the number of contaminants in water distribution networks (WDNs) by using valve control, ensuring that the water infrastructure is not impacted by the adverse effects of wastewater. In addition, an improved parallel binary gannet algorithm (IPBGOA) is proposed and combined with this approach to solve the optimization problem of WDN contamination efficiently. The proposed method is compared with the gannet optimization algorithm (GOA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), differential evolution (DE), the grey wolf optimization (GWO), and the genetic algorithm (GA) on synthetic benchmark networks in simulation experiments. The evidence from the study indicates that the algorithm proposed in this paper is significantly more efficient and reliable than the comparison methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low organic matter content is one of the main constraints in arid and semiarid regions. This constraint and its negative influences on soils and plant growth may be alleviated by biochar (BC). Furthermore, improving soil physical and hydraulic attributes by application of biochar has received increased attention. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of sugarcane bagasse-derived biochar on the structural stability, water availability, and pore-size distribution (PSD) of three texturally different calcareous soils collected from different agro-climatologically regions were examined during a long-term experiment. Low and high-temperature biochars, produced in a muffle furnace by the traditional slow pyrolysis method at 300 °C (BC300) and 600 °C (BC600) were evaluated. Pots (15 kg) were filled with three different silty-clay Inceptisols (SCInc), silty-clay-loam Alfisols (SCLAlf), and loam Aridisols (LArid) soils mixed with 0 (control), 1, 2, and 3 w/w% of BC300 and BC600 during 540 days of incubation. The high energy moisture characteristic (HEMC) data was modeled using a modified van Genuchten function to quantify aggregate stability through stability ratio (SR) and structural stability index (SSI). The plant available water (PAW), least limiting water range (LLWR), and integral water capacity (IWC) were calculated with two matric suctions (h) of 330 cm for field capacity (FC) and 15,000 cm for permanent wilting point (PWP). Then the integral energy (EI) values were calculated (EIIWC). Results indicated that the incorporation of 3 w/w% biochar significantly (p < 0.01) increased SR (35 to 100%) and SSI (21 to 28%) indices in all three soils. Biochar significantly increased modal suction (MS) in LArid soils (5 to 158%); whereas, decreased MS of the other soils (3 to 43%). MS, SR, and SSI of BC300 and BC600-treated soils were not significantly different. PAW, LLWR, and IWC significantly decreased in the SCInc (18 to 61%, 8 to 44%, and 6 to 35%) and SCLAlf (8 to 44%, 18 to 35%, and 20 to 47%) soils and increased in LArid (4 to 54%, 3 to 61%, and 24 to 111%) soil with increasing biochar doses. There were no changes in EIIWC in biochar-treated LArid soil where PAW, LLWR, and IWC increased. Biochar increased EIIWC across the studied soil from 1% to 3.38 folds, thereby increasing the gradient of water potential to absorb the available water. Soil and soil-biochar mixtures exhibited heterogeneous and multimodal pore-size distribution (PSD). Biochar promoted the PSD peaks related to water-transmitting pores in SCInc and SCLAlf soils while decreased in LArid soil. In conclusion, results indicated that among the applied levels of biochar, the application of 3 w/w% biochar is suggested as a suitable way to improve soil physical behavior and structural stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the prospective effect of ApnA enzyme under different concentrations (µL/100 mL soymilk) compared to chemical (pH, MgCl2, and K-carrageenan, respectively) as tofu coagulants. The resultant tofu samples were analyzed for compositional analysis, thermal properties, water distribution, and microstructure properties. The higher concentration of enzyme used, the higher resulted moisture content of tofu. ApnA enzyme increased the cross-linking through protein molecules and trapped more water within the gel network. Tofu samples prepared by different concentrations of ApnA enzyme displayed significantly less freezable water content (15.44, 12.84, and 19.46 g/100 g). In particular, 800 µL ApnA/100 mL soymilk formed an interconnected gel matrix with regular distribution with almost invisible cavities. The thermal pretreatment and the increased coagulation time might encourage this irregular structure. On the other hand, the gel network coagulated using the reduction of pH showed a weaker gel due to an accelerated acidification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground deformation induced by frost heave is a matter of concern in cold region engineering construction since it affects surrounding structures. Frost heave, which is related to the heat-water-stress interaction, is a complicated process. In this study, a heat-water-stress coupling model was established for saturated frozen soil under different stress levels to quantify the water redistribution, heat transfer, frost heave, and water intake. An empirical formula for the soil permeability considering the confining and deviator pressures was employed as an indispensable hydraulic equation in the coupling model. The Drucker-Prager yield criterion matched with the Mohr-Coulomb criterion was employed in the force equilibrium equation to investigate the deformation due to the deviator and confining pressures. The anisotropic frost heave during unidirectional freezing was further considered in the coupling model by introducing an anisotropic coefficient. Subsequently, based on the above coupling relationship, a mathematical module in COMSOL Multiphysics was applied to calculate the governing equation numerically. Finally, the proposed model was validated through an existing frost heave experiment conducted under various temperature gradients and stress levels. The results of the freezing front, water redistribution, water intake, and frost heave ratio predicted using the proposed model were found to be consistent with the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate estimation of leakages in water distribution networks is of primary importance for the definition of strategies aimed at ensuring an efficient management of water resources and avoiding water waste. However, in the case of methods based on water balance—such as the Minimum Night Flow method—inaccurate assessment of the minimum night consumption (MNC), e.g. the assumption of fixed MNC values from the literature, can heavily mislead the quantification of leakage level. This study aims at providing insights into the variability of MNC and the related drivers. In greater detail, hourly water consumption data of approximately 200 users are collected over a period of two years and subjected to a multi-phase methodology to obtain a detailed characterization of MNC, with and without considering the users affected by post-meter leakages. The study demonstrates that factors such as seasonality or the presence of post-meter leakages may strongly impact the MNC—the values of which can significantly deviate from the literature references—and thus lead to significant misestimation of network leakages in water systems. Highlights: A methodology for the statistical analysis of minimum night consumption (MNC) based on the daily water-consumption profiles at the user level is proposed. The methodology is applied to hourly-resolution water-consumption data collected over two years in a sample of over 200 users. Occupancy rate, seasonality, and presence of post-meter leakages affect MNC statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of the reactant gas flow field structure in bipolar plates significantly influences the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In this study, we introduced four innovative U-shaped flow field designs, namely: In-Out Multi-U, Out-In Multi-U, Distro In-Out Multi-U, and Distro Out-In Multi-U. To investigate the impact of these various flow fields on PEMFC performance, we conducted computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulations, validated through model experiments. Our results indicate that the Distro Out-In Multi-U flow field offers notable advantages compared to the conventional parallel flow field (CPFF) and conventional serpentine flow field (CSFF). These benefits include reduced inlet and outlet pressures, lower liquid water content, more uniform liquid water distribution, and a more even current density distribution. Furthermore, the Distro Out-In Multi-U design demonstrates improved efficiency, consuming less H2 (91.9%) than the CSFF while achieving a higher net power density output (10.1%). As a result, for the same power output, the Distro Out-In Multi-U utilizes only 83.5% of the H2 consumed by the CSFF. In summary, the U-shaped structured flow field exhibits superior output performance, enhanced energy efficiency, and improved resistance to flooding. These findings suggest that the U-shaped flow field design holds significant potential as a reactive flow field for PEMFCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water film thickness (WFT) is a primary factor influencing the flowability of cement mortar and gypsum slurry. However, conventional WFT calculation models have overlooked the impact of fiber surface properties on flowability. This study addresses this issue by introducing a parameter called the residual moisture distribution coefficient into the residual moisture distribution coefficient (RMDC) and the WFT calculation model. Thirty-six groups of basalt fiber-Phosphogypsum composite slurry with varied mix proportions were designed and assessed for their flowability and packing density. The RMDC and WFT were derived from fitting with the improved model. Finally, a basalt fiber-Phosphogypsum composite slurry flowability prediction model based on WFT was established, laying a foundation for the design and further application of fiber-gypsum composite flowability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of a PEM fuel cell that uses hydrogen as the fuel and pure oxygen as the oxidant strongly depends on water management, which has been primarily studied in a single-channel domain. Therefore, there is a need to examine water distribution throughout the entire fuel cell domain, including both the anode and cathode sides. Liquid water can cause flooding in the gas diffusion layer, catalyst layer, and channels, reducing the active surface area of the catalyst and, consequently, the reaction rate. Phase transfer between liquid water and water vapor influences the buildup of liquid water in these domains. In the present work, a three-dimensional, non-isothermal, two-phase numerical model incorporating both the cathode and anode domains has been developed to study water distribution. This model includes water phase transition in the gas diffusion layer, catalyst layer, and channels. The mixed flow distributor is used to analyze water formation and distribution throughout the domain. The study shows that using pure oxygen at the inlet increases the ohmic region in the polarization curve and decreases concentration losses, which could be important for applications such as spacecraft. Additionally, the effects of liquid water accumulation in the porous layers on reactant transport and cell performance are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is limited existing research that identifies the optimum rehabilitation strategy, taking utility decision-makers' risk attitudes into account. The objective of this study is to detect the critical pipes of a water distribution network (WDN) for rehabilitation, maximizing the post-earthquake serviceability of the WDN while minimizing the risk of choosing a specific rehabilitation strategy. For that purpose, a multi-objective optimization framework is formulated. System Serviceability Index (SSI) is quantified to represent the serviceability of a WDN after an earthquake. One of the two objective functions in the optimization problem maximizes the expected SSI value. The second objective function minimizes the value at risk (VaR) or conditional value at risk (CVaR) of the decision-making. The solution methodology comprises five steps: pipe seismic repair rate calculation, hydraulic modeling, and analysis, Monte Carlo simulation, nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA) for optimization, and nondominated or Pareto-optimal rehabilitation strategies identification. The proposed approach is applied to a WDN to demonstrate its effectiveness. The proposed approach offers a range of nondominated or Pareto-optimal rehabilitation strategies facilitating the decision-making based on tradeoffs between post-earthquake serviceability and risk within a specific budget limit. The proposed approach outperforms existing methods by providing risk-averse decision-makers with a set of optimal rehabilitation strategies with known risk levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single-channel-serpentine proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) has the potential to be a crucial element in the linking of power, transport, heating, and chemical industries in the foreseeable future of sustainable energy systems. Its performance is influenced by a number of factors. Within the many factors affecting their performance, the external operating parameters have a significant effect on the temperature distribution of the internal components as well as the moisture distribution. In this paper, a single-channel-serpentine flow field electrolyzer (SFFE) is built to address the simulation deficiencies of a conventional single-channel proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, and to more intuitively represent the effects of single-channel-serpentine external environmental parameters on the internal performance of the electrolyzer, in order to assess the effects of different voltages, operating temperatures, and inlet flow rates on the distribution of heat, the distribution of liquid water and gases, and the susceptibility to cross-penetration sites. The results show that when the operating voltage drops below 2.2 V, the liquid-saturated water undergoes a greater impact. Specifically, the voltage increase from 1.6 to 2.2 V results in a significant decrease from 0.97 to 0.79, corresponding to an 18.6% drop. That is, when the voltage is 2.2 V, the liquid water content ensures the adequacy of the reaction, while the inhibitory effect of bubble formation occurs at the beginning. Therefore, 338.15 K and 2.2 V are the most recommended experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South Korea, performance of irrigation systems can be improved through hardware changes, such as canal linings and the installation of control structures, as well as through operational improvements, such as proper and timely operation, and improved communication between water supply agencies and water users. Improving irrigation water delivery performance through canal networks is one of the most economically essential options in meeting growing water demands and sustaining the productivity of irrigated agriculture. In this study, for the purpose of evaluating the efficient use of water resources in agricultural productions and operations, we analyzed the distribution of amount of water for each irrigated area and irrigation efficiency using a hydraulic-hydrological model, EPA-SWMM (United States Environmental Protection Agency Storm Water Management Model). In addition, we assessed agricultural water supply and water supply vulnerability using irrigation efficiency indicators. As a result of the agricultural water distribution simulation, the canals located in the upstream showed a high irrigation efficiency of more than 60%, and the canals located in the downstream showed a low irrigation efficiency of less than 50%. Based on the results, the critical areas can be successfully identified where water is scarce in the irrigation area and monitoring the spatio-temporal agricultural water distribution can be more effectively realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benthic macroinvertebrates play a crucial role in river ecosystems. The cascading dams had altered the characteristics of the river environment, consequently impacting the spatial distribution of these organisms. We compared water physicochemical and benthic macroinvertebrates collected in July 2021 among sites located above and below a series of dams. The impact of high-density cascading dams on benthic macroinvertebrates and physicochemical characteristics were analyzed in the Oujiang River mainstem. Our results revealed a noticeable change in the benthic macroinvertebrates from upstream to downstream in the Oujiang River. Due to the construction of dams, with the increase of water depth, the ecologically sensitive taxa (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera) disappeared as we moved from the natural river sections to the upstream sections of the dams. In contrast, Bivalves and Oligochaetes, which are well-suited for still water, exhibited an increasing trend. However, the species number, biomass, and biodiversity index significantly decreased. The downstream sections of dams affected by the discharge of low-temperature water had a relatively low number of Oligochaete species. The CCA analysis revealed that total nitrogen, water depth, and water temperature were the main factors influencing benthic macroinvertebrates in the mainstream of Oujiang River. The contribution rates of these factors were 21.1, 16.4, and 4.5%, respectively. These findings can be valuable for supporting ecological management and biodiversity conservation in mountainous rivers with high-density barrage dams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safeguarding the drinking water quality remains a challenge from the production site to the tap. Alternatively to chemical disinfection, biostable drinking water could serve as a more sustainable approach to produce microbially safe drinking water and to maintain the microbial quality in the drinking water distribution system (DWDS). In this study, the potential of hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria (HOB) to produce biostable drinking water was examined in a continuous trickling filter supplied with hydrogen gas. A biofilm was naturally enriched for 5 months and the bacterial regrowth, invasion potential, and nutrient composition of the water were determined. Treatment improved the biostability significantly, and it is hypothesized that nutrient limitation, especially phosphorous, was a driving force. As a result, the regrowth and invasion potential were lowered, as shown with specific biostability bioassays. Overall, this study demonstrates the proof-of-concept of HOB for producing biostable drinking water through nutrient limitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, more and more lakes around the world are experiencing outbreaks of cyanobacterial blooms, and high-precision and rapid monitoring of the spatial distribution of algae in water bodies is an important task. Remote sensing technology is one of the effective means for monitoring algae in water bodies. Studies have shown that the Floating Algae Index (FAI) is superior to methods such as the Standardized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) in monitoring cyanobacterial blooms. However, compared to the NDVI method, the FAI method has difficulty in determining the threshold, and how to choose the threshold with the highest classification accuracy is challenging. In this study, FAI linear fitting model (FAI-L) is selected to solve the problem that FAI threshold is difficult to determine. Innovatively combine FAI index and NDVI index, and use NDVI index to find the threshold of FAI index. In order to analyze the applicability of FAI-L to extract cyanobacterial blooms, this paper selected multi-temporal Landsat8, HJ-1B, and Sentinel-2 remote sensing images as data sources, and took Chaohu Lake and Taihu Lake in China as research areas to extract cyanobacterial blooms. The results show that (1) the accuracy of extracting cyanobacterial bloom by FAI-L method is generally higher than that by NDVI and FAI. Under different data sources and different research areas, the average accuracy of extracting cyanobacterial blooms by FAI-L method is 95.13%, which is 6.98% and 18.43% higher than that by NDVI and FAI respectively. (2) The average accuracy of FAI-L method for extracting cyanobacterial blooms varies from 84.09 to 99.03%, with a standard deviation of 4.04, which is highly stable and applicable. (3) For simultaneous multi-source image data, the FAI-L method has the highest average accuracy in extracting cyanobacterial blooms, at 95.93%, which is 6.77% and 13.26% higher than NDVI and FAI methods, respectively. In this paper, it is found that FAI-L method shows high accuracy and stability in extracting cyanobacterial blooms, and it can extract the spatial distribution of cyanobacterial blooms well, which can provide a new method for monitoring cyanobacterial blooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: A method to investigate water consumption based on pressure data is developed. The method exploits the headloss-flowrate equation to obtain water-consumption data. The method is validated on a real case study, resulting in an average error of 2.3%. Limitations affecting the installation of domestic flow meters are overcome. Insights into the features of individual water-consumption events are provided. In the era of digital transformation of water distribution networks, an increasingly important role is played by smart metering technologies, which allow detailed characterization of water consumption up to the end-use (i.e., domestic-fixture) level. To this end, smart flow meters make the collection of water-consumption data at high temporal resolution possible, but their installation can be unfeasible due to technical and economic limitations. As an alternative to the traditional flow-measurement-based methods for end-use characterization, a pragmatic method to obtain information about end-use water consumption exclusively based on pressure data is proposed in this study. In particular, a dual-phase methodology is developed, exploiting (i) pressure data collected at two sections of the user's inlet pipeline and (ii) the pressure-flowrate relationship to discriminate between internal and external water-use events and estimate the household water-consumption time series, which is then subjected to individual-event analysis. The results obtained on a real case study undergone to 1-s resolution pressure monitoring over about one month and a half confirm the method's effectiveness in obtaining the flowrate time series with an average error of about 2.3% and successfully identifying water-consumption events along with their features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After precipitation, reference evapotranspiration (ETO) plays a crucial role in the hydrological cycle as it quantifies water loss. ETO significantly impacts the water balance and holds great importance at the basin level because of the spatial distribution of managing water resources. Large scale teleconnection indices (LSTIs) play a vital role by influencing climatic variables and can be pivotal in determining ETO and its predictive variables. This study aimed to model and forecast annual ETO in Iran's basins by utilizing LSTIs and employing various machine learning models (MLMs) such as least squares support vector machine, generalized regression neural network, multi-linear regression (MLR), and multi-layer perceptron (MLP). Initially, climate data from 122 synoptic stations covering six and 30, main and sub basins were collected, and annual ETO values were computed using the Food and Agriculture Organization 56 (PMF 56) Penman–Monteith equation. The correlations between these values and 37 LSTIs were examined within lead times ranging from 7 to 12 months. Through a stepwise approach, the most influential predictor indices (LSTIs) were selected as input datasets for the MLMs. The findings revealed the significant influence of factors such as carbon dioxide (CO2), Atlantic multidecadal oscillation, Atlantic Meridional Mode, and East Atlantic on annual ETO. Overall, all MLMs performed well in terms of the Scatter Index during both training and testing phases across all sub-basins. Furthermore, the MLP and MLR models displayed superior performance compared to other models in the training and testing evaluations based on various assessment metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estuaries are generally considered to be important sources of atmospheric CO2. However, the differences between estuaries, and inadequate observations of partial pressure of CO2 in estuarine water (pCO2water) hamper global estuarine CO2 budgeting. In this study, the longitudinal distribution of CO2 in the waters of Modaomen (MSE) and Lingdingyang (LSE), two sub-estuaries of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), and its influencing mechanism are studied. The change in the distribution of pCO2water along the distance from the upstream estuary to the ocean between LSE and MSE was significantly different. pCO2water at the LSE ranges from 238 to 7267 µatm, whereas the MSE ranges from 406 to 3078 µatm. Stronger microbial respiration and relatively long water retention times were the main influences that led to higher pCO2water at LSE than at MSE. Seasonally, the increase of soil CO2 into the water in the upstream basin caused by precipitation is the potential influencing factor that the water pCO2water in the flood season is higher than in the dry season. PRE was a net source of atmospheric CO2 with an average annual water–air flux of 41.2 ± 33.3 mmol m−2 day−1. Our results suggest that the differences in longitudinal gradients of pCO2water between estuaries in the same region and the effects of different gas transport velocity models on CO2 emission estimates need to be considered in estuarine CO2 emission budgeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drinking water distribution systems must safely meet the expected demand for water. However, sudden pipe breaks can limit the continuous supply of drinking water. As operating pressure is among the factors affecting the probability of pipe breaks, a methodology was developed in this study to identify the pressure covariates that affect the frequency of water distribution pipe breaks. Five pressure covariates obtained from hydraulic simulations based on measured pressure and flow rate time series were evaluated using a likelihood ratio test to compare the maximum likelihood function values of a pipe break model calibrated with no covariates with those of the same model calibrated with a single pressure covariate. This pipe break model was calibrated using the recorded history of pipe breaks over a six-year period and applied to two district metered areas in the water distribution network of Quebec, Canada. The results indicated that the maximum and mean pressure covariates were significantly associated with the occurrence of pipe breaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their superior technical and hydraulic performance and minimal environmental impact, porous weirs have emerged as a feasible alternative to traditional impermeable solid weirs in water transmission and distribution systems. This research study assesses the hydraulic performance of porous broad-crested weirs (PBCWs) with sloping crests. To accomplish this, 30 PBCW models were designed and tested under various operating conditions, including free and submerged flow scenarios. A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the performance of PBCWs with and without sloping crests, with the results being compared against a solid broad-crested weir (SBCW) model. The findings revealed that PBCWs with an upstream crest slope exhibited an average increase of 38% in the discharge coefficient compared to similar SBCWs. Similarly, PBCWs with a downstream crest slope demonstrated an average increase of 28% in the discharge coefficient. Additionally, PBCWs with sloping crests showcased heightened sensitivity to changes in tailwater levels compared to PBCWs with horizontal crests, with PBCWs featuring an upstream crest slope being more responsive than those with a downstream crest slope. Finally, leveraging extensive experimental data, empirical equations were derived using nonlinear multi-variable regression and gene-expression programming techniques to accurately represent the free flow discharge coefficient and submerged flow discharge reduction factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study exploits a convenient, stable, accurate estimation of the spatio-temporal distribution of ocean wave heights by stereo observation using a single unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with two independent optical cameras fixed to it. To accurately estimate the spatio-temporal distribution of water levels, the photographing rate of each camera is set to 240 frames per second (fps), and luminescence captured during flight is used to realize the time synchronization within ~ 4 ms between the cameras. Based on the setting of the UAV and the cameras, we carry out aerial stereo observation of the spatio-temporal distribution of nearshore water levels. The estimated water levels showed good agreement with ground truth observation. We examine the dependence of the estimation accuracy on the photographing time difference between the cameras. Simulations were conducted to increase the time difference by decreasing the photographing rate. The estimation based on low photographing rates (e.g., 60 and 30 fps) likely failed when breaking wave crests prevailed in the optical images. This indicates that strict time synchronization (e.g., ~ 4 ms) between the cameras is an important, necessary condition to accomplish accurate stereo observation of ocean waves including wave breaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water governance demands multi-sector participation beyond the state; and, appropriate laws, policies, regulations, and institutions need to be developed and put in place for sustainable use of water resources. A good water policy, a critical and integral instrument of water governance, guides water use schemes and ensures equitable water distribution among users. The Ethiopian Central Rift Valley (CRV) is rich in water resources, but these water resources are currently under severe strain owing to an imbalance in human-water interactions. This study examined the state of water resources governance framework, policy coherence, actors' engagement and transparency, accountability, and participation in irrigation water supply in the CRV of Ethiopia. Key informant interviews (KII), focused group discussions, and document reviews were used to gather data for the study. The NVivo 11 program was used to organize, code, and analyze the data. The results revealed that water resources governance practices such as water allocation and apportionment, water resources protection, and conservation activities were inappropriately exercised. Water resources management policy mechanisms were not fully put in place. Lack of coherence in water policy implementation, absence of clear roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, absence of transparency and accountability in irrigation water service delivery, and lack of meaningful participation of key actors in water governance decision-making were observed. As a result, over-abstraction, deterioration of buffer zone areas, and chemical erosion from surrounding farming are attributed to the reduction in water volume and quality in the CRV. These challenges have influenced aquatic ecosystem services and threaten the livelihoods of the surrounding communities. Hence, reforms relating to policy coherence and enforcement, stakeholder engagement, water distribution strategies, and the implementation of water governance principles must be given adequate emphasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution and availability of water resources have been greatly impacted by global climate change and unsustainable human activities. This has resulted in increased pressure on surface water supplies, human consumption and socioeconomic growth. Although water management requires monitoring, a substantial amount of water consumption globally, including both groundwater and surface water, remains unmeasured. Madhya Pradesh (MP) has a very varied semi-arid geographical region in Central India. Recent studies have found that 36 out of 51 districts in the state of MP have been facing severe hydrological drought conditions. Despite the challenges in the MP region, there is little understanding of the permanent and seasonal changes in surface water and the overall availability of surface water resources in each district. Field-based monitoring of surface water bodies in large regions such as MP poses considerable difficulties. However, gaining knowledge about changes in the distribution of water on the Earth's surface across time and space can be enhanced by analysing data obtained via remote sensing. To understand the long-term changes in surface water in different districts of Madhya Pradesh, India, over the past 38 years, we analysed a publicly accessible global surface water dataset provided by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) European Commission. This dataset is based on Landsat imagery and covers the period from 1984 to 2021. This research study examines the associations between variations in the permanent surface water level and the extent of land being irrigated, the intensity of agricultural activities and the seasonal oscillations in surface water for several districts in Madhya Pradesh. The findings from this research will be beneficial for assessing several significant MP districts in terms of their water footprint and sustainable management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metaheuristic methods have emerged as powerful tools for solving complex optimization problems in various domains, including the sustainability of water distribution systems. They provide efficient and effective solutions by mimicking natural processes and searching for the optimal option within a large solution space. Despite the existence of these methods in the water distribution field for several years, a direct comparison between the various proposed solutions often proves challenging, due to the different parameter definitions used by the authors. The present review presents the solutions proposed by a total of 36 research papers taken from the Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar databases focusing on the application of metaheuristic methods for leakage reduction and energy saving in water distribution networks. The review is intended to facilitate comparative analysis among the solutions proposed by authors concerning key aspects of the optimization process. These aspects include the definition of the algorithm, the specification of the objective function, and the strategies employed for reducing the search space. The characteristics of the networks used as case studies by the reviewed papers are also presented to allow the reader to evaluate the applicability of the solutions to specific networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fungi in water distribution systems and drinking water have already been reported and can produce mycotoxins. In this study, a wash-free immunochromatographic test strip (ICTS) based on magnetic rice husk biochar for the ultrasensitive detection of Aflatoxin B1(AFB1) in water and grain has been developed. Magnetic rice husk biochar (MB) was a green nanomaterial, which was synthesized from rice hull and characterized. Fe3O4 was formed within the amorphous and granular MB. Used as an enrichment tool for AFB1 in water and food, the MB-based ICTS method could detect MB-AFB1 complex without washing steps depending on the high affinity of the antibody. Compared with the diluted method, the developed ICTS method acquired sensitivity improvement 4-fold for the qualitative detection of AFB1 in rice. The absorption process was finished within 5 min. Interference of rice matrix showed minimum effect compared with brown rice and maize. This study provided a facile approach to prepare MB from rice husk for effective enrichment/removal of AFB1 in water and based on it, the wash-free magnetic pretreatment method will be an alternative tool for multiple target enrichment and quantitative determination in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residual chlorine has a bactericidal effect, but it may react with natural organic matter in water to produce harmful substances. In this work, we report an efficient residual chlorine removal filter with activated carbon fiber (ACF) as adsorption carrier and CuO as residual chlorine degradation catalyst. Experimental results show that CuO has high catalytic efficiency and no attenuation of catalytic performance in 2924 h. The CuO is loaded on the surface of ACF by dipping-calcinating method. When the loading rate is 1.5%, the CuO distribution is uniform without defects and agglomeration. Continuous-flow experiment result shows that 1.5%-CuO/ACF filter can treat water amount 2.2 times as long as that for single ACF filter (residual chlorine concentration < 0.1 mg/L). Weak acidity and rising temperature can improve the reaction activity and increase the degradation amount of residual chlorine. The composite filter has excellent adsorption performance for Cu2+, showing the Cu2+ concentration in the produced water is less than 0.1 mg/L after filter treatment, which is in line with the National Drinking Water Standards, and in agreement with the Standard for Safety Assessment of Water Transmission and Distribution Equipment and Protective Materials for Drinking Water (GB/T17219-1998) of Immersion Experiment, indicating that 1.5%-CuO/ACF filter has good stability and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ectoparasitic salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis Krøyer, 1837) persists as a major hindrance for continued growth of the Norwegian salmon industry. Shielding technologies or management strategies are being used to reduce the likelihood of contact in the net pens between the salmon and the sea lice's infectious copepodid stage. Knowledge about the vertical distribution and diel migration patterns of the planktonic sea lice stages are inevitably a premise for such water-depth-dependent avoidance technologies to be efficient; however, not many studies have investigated diel vertical migration patterns of sea lice in situ or in relevant scales. In this work, we aimed to monitor the diel migration of L. salmonis copepodids in the vertical plane without the influence of hydrographical forces, using sufficient water column depth of 11 m, natural thermoclines, and natural exogenous light conditions. We followed a cohort of copepodids over the course of 4 days and measured their vertical distribution in the water column twice per hour in a custom made mesocosm, using automatic particle detection and machine learning to analyse position and migration patterns. The L. salmonis copepodid population displayed reverse diel migration, and we found a statistically significant interaction between depth and time. During the day, copepodids were found in the upper 1 m of the water column, before the majority of the population descended to 1–2 m depth during night-time. A small fraction of the population remained in the upper part of the water column also during night-time. A significantly higher fraction of the copepodid population resided in the upper metre during daylight hours compared to other depths. These results could be utilised as input in sea lice dispersal models which are important management tools in today's sea lice prevention strategies and regulatory frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In multicellular organisms, tissue outgrowth creates a new water sink, modifying local hydraulic patterns. Although water fluxes are often considered passive by-products of development, their contribution to morphogenesis remains largely unexplored. Here, we mapped cell volumetric growth across the shoot apex in Arabidopsis thaliana. We found that, as organs grow, a subpopulation of cells at the organ-meristem boundary shrinks. Growth simulations using a model that integrates hydraulics and mechanics revealed water fluxes and predicted a water deficit for boundary cells. In planta, a water-soluble dye preferentially allocated to fast-growing tissues and failed to enter the boundary domain. Cell shrinkage next to fast-growing domains was also robust to different growth conditions and different topographies. Finally, a molecular signature of water deficit at the boundary confirmed our conclusion. Taken together, we propose that the differential sink strength of emerging organs prescribes the hydraulic patterns that define boundary domains at the shoot apex. Combining cell volumetric analysis, growth simulation, and in planta water flow tracing, the authors reveal the correlation between water flux distribution and cell growth rate in Arabidopsis shoot apex, suggesting the potential contribution of hydraulic patterns to morphogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silica aerogel incorporated Cementitious composites (AICs) are extensively utilized in construction, yet their long-term effectiveness is compromised by significant capillary water absorption. Notably, research seldom explores how varying amounts of aerogel affect these properties through changes in the material's internal pore structure, compounded by a scarcity of experimental data. Consequently, this study investigates the impact of silica aerogel incorporation on the water content distribution and capillary water absorption characteristics of AICs, utilizing SEM, MIP, and BET characterization techniques. The findings indicate that the water absorption profile of AICs typically follows a three-phase pattern: a rapid increase, a slow rise, and a relatively stable phase. Despite an increase in the static contact angle, neither the capillary absorption coefficient (Scap) nor the diffusion coefficient of liquid water (DL) decreased with higher aerogel content. Instead, there was an increase in the percentage of micro-mesoporous pore volume within the AICs, along with a more tortuous pore structure, which restricted the movement of water molecules through the pore channels, thereby progressively diminishing the material's capillary water absorption. These results may provide both a theoretical and experimental foundation for enhancing the long-term performance of AICs in building applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Features of the formation of vertical stratification of water masses in reservoirs caused by the heterogeneity of the distribution of water mineralization are considered. These effects with different geneses are considered using the example of three specific significantly different water bodies. As a first example, the Kama Reservoir in the confluence of the Sylva and Chusovaya rivers is considered, characterized in winter by a significantly different hydrochemical regime. In the zone of their confluence in winter, vertical stratification of water masses is formed, which is used to significantly reduce the rigidity of water masses. It has been shown that the intraday unevenness of the operation of the Kama hydroelectric power plant (HPP) significantly affects the fluctuations in the boundary of water masses. At the same time, the position of the water mass interface itself is very stable relative to the seasonal operation of the reservoir. As a second example, a small reservoir located in the zone of active technogenesis is considered, characterized by filtration discharges of highly mineralized groundwater. If the stratification of water masses in these examples is quite stable throughout the entire season, then in the third example—the Kama Reservoir in the area of Berezniki, located in the zone of support pinching out—it is very short-lived; it can only be observed for several days. Despite its relative short duration, it is very significant for ensuring a sustainable water supply. Factors determining the duration of observation of vertical heterogeneity of water masses of water bodies are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Northeast region of Brazil, especially the state of Maranhão, remains poorly explored concerning its local fauna. This transition zone certainly has great diversity due to the complexity of the biomes. However, there are significant gaps in knowledge, for species taxonomy (Linnean) and distribution (Wallacean) in this area. Here, we aim to contribute to the understanding of water scorpions (Nepidae) in the region. The genus Ranatra includes bugs that predominantly inhabit the margins of lentic or lotic ecosystems close to leaves, roots, and macrophytes. We report four species of Ranatra from the state of Maranhão, which represent the first records for the Northeast Region of Brazil: Ranatra lanei De Carlo 1946; R. magna Kuitert 1949; R. oliveiracesari De Carlo 1946d signoreti Montandon 1905. The description of the male of R. oliveiracesari is presented. Also, pictures of the diagnostic characters and distribution maps for the four species are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron oxyhydroxides extracted from present-day biofilms with the Fe-oxidizing bacteria Arthrobacter spp., Gallionella spp., and Leptothrix ochracea in the northwest of the East European Platform display a significant content of rare earth elements (up to 1100 ppm). The REE concentration in oxyhydroxides produced by active bacterial communities increases by one order of magnitude during 1 yr, suggesting a high sorption capacity of the newly formed iron mineral phases. Values of (La/Yb)N, Ce, and Y anomalies in the iron oxyhydroxides are consistent with the REE distribution in surface waters accommodating the bacterial communities. The Nd isotope composition of the studied bacterial iron oxyhydroxides inherits the isotopic composition in the ambient water; 143Nd/144Nd values in the bacterial iron minerals vary from 0.511570 to 0.512220; and εNd(0) from –21.8 to –9.2. The maximum proportion of radiogenic Nd is typical for the samples taken from areas marked by the presence of Paleozoic carbonate rocks in Quaternary glaciolacustrine sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inter-basin water transfers are implemented to counter the uneven geographical distribution of natural water sources. This paper's novelty consists of providing a system-dynamics framework to evaluate inter-basin water transfers based on integrated water governance. The Big Karun Basin, Iran, has long been of interest to water managers due to its discharge potential. It houses several water-transfer projects that are under operation or under study for possible future implementation. This study implements system dynamics modeling (SDM) in the Big Karun Basin considering existing inter-basin water transfers. This study's results estimate an average annual 8 to 10 billion cubic meters of water are transferred from the Karun River to the Persian Gulf. Part of this flow can be used to meet some of the water demands in Iran's central and eastern basins subject to social and environmental assessment of impacts. SDM modeling was also implemented accounting for the existing water transfers plus the under-study water transfers. This study's results indicate the firm energy from hydropower produced by the Big Karun Basin system would decrease by 28% relative to existing water transfer conditions. This issue raises concerns given the Big Karun Basin contribution to electricity production Iran. The water supply to several sectors would be marginally impacted by future water tranfers, yet water quality would be compromised in some instances. Therefore, the Big Karun Basin water system was simulated considering inter-basin water governance based on hedging rules for the under-study water transfers. Results indicate the minimum drinking and industrial demands could be met. In addition, the firm energy from hydropower produced by the Big Karun Basin system would decline by 12% relative to existing water-transfer conditions and the vulnerability of the water system would decline in terms of required quality for downstream demands and water users in comparison with the full-transfer water condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurately calculating the characteristics of impulse-dispersed currents in cross-river tower grounding devices is a fundamental work. This paper presents the dynamic model of impulse characteristics of grounding device considering the coupling of river seepage, water velocity and current dispersion. Firstly, a finite-element model is established for the flow field, taking into account the dynamic process of river seepage to surrounding soils, and which calculates the distribution of soil water saturation. Next, an electrical finite-element model is established to calculate the impulse-dispersed current process. To simulate the effects of river water seepage and soil ionization on soil parameters, a dynamic function for soil resistivity with changes in electric field strength and soil water saturation is suggested. The influence of water velocity on seepage was quantitatively simulated by Bernoulli's principle. Finally, based on the proposed method, a model for a representative tower grounding device located near a river is developed to analyze the impact of seepage and soil structure on soil resistivity, current density, and electric field strength distribution. The findings indicate that the seepage of river water into the surrounding soil significantly changes the soil's resistivity and its spatial distribution characteristics. Additionally, the dispersion current tends to dissipate in areas underneath the river, thus changing the distribution of electric field strength within the soil. The aquifuge has a significant impact on groundwater seepage. However, if the aquifuge is situated more than 90 m below the ground, its effect can be ignored. In contrast, soil structure without an aquifuge can closely approximate a vertically structured soil. In practical engineering, appropriate models should be selected based on the specific characteristics of the soil structure and water velocity to ensure the pre-work accuracy of lightning protection optimization design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vietnam's coastal aquifers face the challenge of saltwater intrusion due to factors like climate change, sea level rise, and over-exploitation. This issue is particularly prominent in the Central Coastal Region, where the plains are narrow and water resources are limited. In order to ensure sustainable management of groundwater, it is crucial to assess the vulnerability of Quaternary aquifers to saltwater intrusion. For evaluation of salt, fresh water distribution in the aquifers, we applied geophysical methods, along with water sampling and analysis from boreholes and wells. Additionally, we employed Geographic Information System (GIS) to delineate vulnerability zones to seawater intrusion. The GALDIT method, incorporating the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP), was used to assign weights to key indicators. The results indicate that saltwater intrusion has changed in recent years. In the North-central coastal plains, over half of the area (56.8% or 4061.8 km2) exhibits high vulnerability, while the South-central coastal plains show high vulnerability in approximately one-fifth of the area (18.8% or 1699 km2). Groundwater occurrence and the impact of existing seawater intrusion play pivotal roles in determining coastal aquifer vulnerability to saltwater intrusion. This underscores the significance of narrow, steep plains, and thin aquifers as key influential factors. To mitigate the risk of saltwater intrusion in production wells, it is crucial to consider regulating groundwater extraction in high vulnerability areas. This would limit capacity and minimize the possibility of saltwater intrusion. Effective management and exploitation of groundwater resources are essential for the sustainable development of Vietnam's coastal regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chloride deposits are markers for early Mars' aqueous past, with important implications for our understanding of the martian climate and habitability. The Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) onboard ESA's Trace Gas Orbiter provides high-resolution color-infrared images, enabling a planet-wide search for (small) potentially chloride-bearing deposits. Here, we use a neural network to map potentially chloride-bearing deposits in CaSSIS images over a significant fraction of the planet. We identify 965 chloride deposit candidates with diameters ranging from <300 to >3000 m, including previously unknown deposits, 136 (~14%) of which are located in the highlands north of the equator, up to ~36°N. Northern chloride candidates tend to be smaller than in the south and are predominantly located in small-scale topographic depressions in low-albedo Noachian and Hesperian highland terranes. Our new dataset augments existing chloride deposit maps, informs current and future imaging campaigns, and enables future modelling work towards a better understanding of the distribution of near-surface water in Mars' distant past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustenance of rice cultivation in a region is highly dependent on future water availability under changing climate. The dams and reservoirs can play a major role in regional water availability since their storage capacity can cushion the water stress due to changes in rainfall and temperature patterns. The current study developed a simulation modelling framework to quantify the water availability and demand on a taluk scale in the command area of the Malampuzha Irrigation Project (MIP). The Blue and Green water footprint concept is used to analyse the water availability and demand in the region. The loosely coupled framework of SWAT, DSSAT, and a Reservoir Simulation Module helps to generate the hydrological and crop yield projections of the region according to the CMIP6 climate model projections. The analysis is carried out at a seasonal scale on decadal basis with a historical period spanning from 2016 to 2019 and a future period spanning from 2020 to 2100. The results suggest that eastern side of MIP command area experiences lower water availability due to lower green and blue water distribution, particularly affecting the regions of Palakkad and Chittur taluk. The study introduces an integrated water footprint score (IWFS) at taluk scale, which combines green and blue water footprint to assess the annual water demand variations in the region. The taluks Alathur and Palakkad are in the high risk category towards the end of the century as per the water footprint score. Towards the end of the century, an increase in rainfall by 67% and temperature by 6% has resulted in a decrease in rice yield by 13.2% during kharif and 52.5% during rabi season under SSP585 scenario. The study helps to identify critical water stress zones within the command area and prioritize the implementation of adaptation measures within the command area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel integrated sustainability index (ISI) and a related criticality index (CI) are proposed to assess the performance of nodes in a water distribution network (WDN). The ISI integrates information discerned from two hydraulic indicators (reliability and redundancy) and a topological measure (closeness centrality), which are critical for defining WDN performance. The hydraulic indicators focus on demand satisfaction with desired pressure at nodes, whereas topologic measures account for the interdependencies and interconnectedness of the network components. The CI aids in differentiating nodes with similar hydraulic or topologic characteristics to identify the most critical nodes in a WDN, whose maintenance and management are essential to ensure the smooth operation of the network. The potential of ISI over the conventional hydraulic indicators-based sustainability index and efficacy of the CI over five existing indices (betweenness centrality, closeness centrality, eigenvector centrality, demand centrality, and demand-adjusted entropic degree) is illustrated through case studies on one hypothetical and two real networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research presents an innovative and practical technical performance evaluation method to analyze surface water distribution adequacy, equity, efficiency, and dependability across various water scarcity scenarios within an irrigation district (ID). The method uses an integral-delay simulation model to simulate hydraulic flow in main, secondary, and tertiary irrigation canals. The temporal analysis employs three indices: Adequacy, Dependability, and Efficiency, while the Equity of water distribution index is used for spatial analysis of the simulated agricultural water distribution among farmers' cooperatives. The method also uses two commonly used multicriteria decision-making methods, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Shannon Entropy (SE), to develop a Holistic Appraisal Index (HAI) to assess the overall performance of the operational system. The study applies the developed method to the NekooAbad ID in Isfahan, comprising thirteen United Farmers' Cooperative Companies and 149 farmers' cooperatives through secondary and tertiary canals, serving as a case study. The hydraulic flow simulation model has been calibrated and verified based on three operational periods from 2000–2001, 2010–2011, and 2021–2022. Temporal analysis reveals that adequacy decreases and dependability increases downstream in the main and lateral canals. The daily average variability range of the adequacy and dependability indices for surface water distribution ranged from 95–64%, 56–90%, 54–89%, 50–89%, 49–86%, 46–86%, and 77–33% for normal scenarios to water scarcity scenarios of > 10%, 10–15%, 15–20%, 20–30%, 30–40%, and < 40%, respectively. According to the HAI's spatiotemporal evaluation, the reliability of the MOS decreases significantly in water scarcity scenarios. Smart ID managers can use the proposed spatiotemporal performance evaluation approach to identify and prioritize vulnerable areas at risk of surface water distribution failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pressure reducing valves (PRVs) are essentially used to reduce operational pressures in water distribution systems (WDSs) to minimize water leakage. However, water age in a WDS is an important variable describing the water quality and should be kept as low as possible. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the possibility and potential of simultaneously minimizing both pressure and water age by using PRVs. To determine the optimal location and setting of PRVs, a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem is formulated with minimization of the sum of the weighted total water age and pressure as the objective function, where the weighting factor can be defined by the user's preference. The equality constraints consist of the hydraulic equations and water age functions to describe pressure and water age in the distribution network, while the inequality constraints ensure them in the defined operating ranges, respectively. Applying the proposed approach to two case studies, the results show that both water age and pressure can indeed be significantly reduced by the optimized position and setting of the PRVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rivers play pivotal role in transporting plastic litter into the ocean. The present study aimed to estimate microplastics (MPs) in Palar River (PR), that receives waste inputs of agricultural, industries, fishing, and domestic origin. Water and sediment samples were collected during low tide, at seven locations from inner check dam to mouth region. Highest concentration of MPs in water are observed at PR-6 (28.01 × 104 particles.km−2) and the lowest was recorded at PR-4 (2.6 × 104 particles.km−2). In sediment, highest count was detected at PR-1 (8.8 × 102 ± 226 particles.kg−1 d.w) and the lowest was recorded in PR-6 (2.5 × 102 ± 14 particles.kg−1d.w). MPs distribution in water is more in the outer mouth (PR-6) in comparison to inner region (PR-4). Fibres were dominating morphotype of MPs, comprised of 79.4% in water and 89.8% in sediment samples. According to size classification, the majority of particles (41.02% in water and 56.1% in sediment) were in the size range of 1 μm to 1000 μm. Characterization of MPs through Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is the dominant polymer indicating the use of plastic fishing nets and ropes along with the outfall from nearby industries may be the main contributor to the microplastic pollution in the river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the spatial distribution patterns of water engineering facilities along the Grand Canal during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It employs the entropy method to assess the social development status of prefectures during these periods and uses the Tobit model to examine the primary indicators influencing the distribution of water engineering facilities. The results show that the spatial distribution pattern of water engineering facilities was characterized by aggregation during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In contrast, the Qing dynasty's distribution was more dispersed, with a shift in the construction focus of water engineering facilities towards the south. The spatial distribution pattern of water engineering facilities in the Ming Dynasty centered around the hotspot areas of Shuntian Prefecture, Yanzhou Prefecture, and Yangzhou Prefecture. During continuous improvements, these facilities exhibited a multi-point-regional aggregation phenomenon.The influence of commercial development indicator on the spatial distribution of water engineering facilities is positively correlated in both the Ming and Qing dynasties. However, the impacts of the indicator on different types of water engineering facilities vary between the two dynasties. During the Ming Dynasty, the indicators of transportation accessibility and cultural prosperity facilitated the construction of regional water engineering facilities, whereas in the Qing Dynasty, they significantly influenced several types of water engineering facilities. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, neither the agricultural development indicator nor the population size indicator significantly affected the distribution of water engineering facilities. However, there was a negative correlation between the population size indicator and the distribution of water distribution facilities in the Ming Dynasty. This study enhances the importance of environmental protection in historical societies and provides a valuable reference for other international studies of linear cultural and material heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) firestorm systems have been shown to inject significant amounts of black carbon (BC) to the stratosphere with a residence time of several months. Injected BC warms the local stratospheric air, consequently perturbing transport and hence spatial distributions of ozone and water vapor. A distinguishing feature of BC-containing particles residing within pyroCb smoke is their thick surface coatings made of condensed organic matter. When coated with non-refractory materials, BC's absorption is enhanced, yet the absorption enhancement factor (Eabs) for pyroCb BC is not well constrained. Here, we perform particle-scale measurements of BC mass, morphology, and coating thickness from inside a pyroCb cloud and quantify Eabs using an established particle-resolved BC optics model. We find that the population-averaged Eabs for BC asymptotes to 2.0 with increasing coating thickness. This value denotes the upper limit of Eabs for thickly coated BC in the atmosphere. Our results provide observationally constrained parameterizations of BC absorption for improved radiative transfer calculations of pyroCb events. In situ particle-scale measurements show that black carbon absorption enhancement asymptotes to 2.0 inside a pyrocumulonimbus cloud. This value denotes the upper limit of absorption enhancement for thickly coated black carbon in the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internal pipe corrosion within water distribution systems leads to iron oxide deposits on pipe walls, potentially contaminating the water supply. Consuming iron oxide-contaminated water can cause significant health issues such as gastrointestinal infections, dermatological problems, and lymph node complications. Therefore, non-destructive and continuous monitoring of pipe corrosion is imperative for water sustainability initiatives. This study introduces a dual-mode methodology utilizing advanced ultrasound technology and convolutional neural networks (CNN) to quantify pipe corrosion. Scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) employs high-frequency ultrasound to generate high-resolution images of pipe thickness, indicating iron oxide accumulation. SAM also captures internal pipe data to measure iron oxide concentration in the water. This data, analyzed by CNN, achieves an impressive 95% accuracy. This dual-mode system effectively assesses both the extent of pipe corrosion and water contamination, exemplifying the successful integration of SAM and CNN for precise and reliable monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moisture content of rock/coal can change its mechanical properties and absorption capacities, which can directly affect gas diffusivity, change the stress distribution and hence cause significant impacts on the overall gas or coal extraction process. Observation of the water penetration process and water distribution in the coal matrix will be beneficial for the understanding of the fluid-solid coupling mechanism in hydraulic fracturing, aquifer cracking and coal seam infusion. However, the observation of water penetration process and the determination of water distribution mode were hard to be non-destructively achieved as coal is a non-uniform, inhomogeneous and un-transparent material. µ-CT imaging, which is based on variation of X-ray attenuation related to the density and atomic composition of the scanned objects, enables a four-dimensional (spatial-temporal) visualise of the heterogeneous and anisotropic coal samples. The primary aim of this paper is extending the application of µ-CT imaging to explore the moisture penetration and distribution within coal samples during water infusion process, which has been reported by very little literature. The working principle and procedures of CT imaging was firstly introduced. Then, the determination equation of moisture distribution based on density profile was established. The CT determined moisture content has been compared with weighting method for verification. The paper has demonstrated that µ-CT can be used for non-destructively imaging the moisture distribution within coal samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the pore structure and oil-water phase seepage characteristics of sandstone reservoirs of the Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin were deeply analyzed. Through scanning electron microscopy observation, oil-water phase percolation experiments and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments on 30 core samples, the pore structure was categorized into uniform macroporous, striated, microfractured and dense types. The experimental results show that the uniform macroporous type pore structure shows the strongest seepage capacity, and its ratio of liquid-measured to gas-measured permeability is 0.724 on average, while the dense type pore structure has the weakest seepage capacity, and the ratio is 0.091 on average; NMR T2 spectral analysis reveals that the cores with different types of pore structure show significant characteristic differences in the water-driven oil drive process, especially in the substitution of oil in the macroporous and micrometer pore In particular, the oil substitution in large pores and micron pores is remarkable, that is, the oil-water seepage process and the response of seepage and suction of cores with different types of pore structure are obviously different, which is a better way to study the characteristics of oil-water seepage and distribution of oil and water; the uniform macroporous type and the striptype pore structure are more effective in oil-water two-phase seepage, and the microfracture type and the dense type are relatively poor. This paper provides a basis for the exploitation of tight reservoirs in the study area, which is of great theoretical and practical significance for optimizing the oilfield development strategy and improving the efficiency of oil and gas exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1D moisture diffusivity of porous materials may strongly depend on the content of moisture in the materials, varying over an order of magnitude or more. In this paper we present a new model from which the diffusivity can be evaluated, using the pore size distribution and water absorption coefficient. We point out that this is a more efficient approach than the standard Boltzmann–Matano (BM) method, because measurements of pore curves and water absorption are much shorter and rather accurate compared to moisture profile experiments needed in the BM method. As an example, we apply our model to two samples of a ceramic brick for which experimental data on both pore curves and moisture profiles had been measured. A very good quantitative agreement in the diffusivity is obtained for early stage profiles. For later stages, however, the model predicts three to four times higher diffusivity than the BM method. The reasons for this discrepancy are discussed and further tasks to validate the effectiveness of the new model are proposed. We also compare our model with the pore models of Burdine and Mualem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Selection for root traits has become a target in (pre-)breeding programs aiming at improving crop ability to capture soil resources. However, the benefit of selected traits in heterogeneous target environments will depend on spatial and temporal interactions between root systems, the soil environment (fertility and water supply) and management (fertiliser placement). Methods: We assessed growth and phosphorus acquisition of durum wheat (Triticum durum L.) lines defined by contrasting seminal root angles (41° 'Narrow' vs 82° 'Wide'), in response to different soil phosphorus placements and seasonal water dynamics. Responses were evaluated in clear pots (seedlings), rhizoboxes (late-tillering stage) and a custom lysimeter system (flowering stage). Results: The Narrow genotype increased deep soil exploration (down to 50 cm) during early growth, with a tendency to more rapidly acquire phosphorus placed as a deep fertiliser band (25 cm depth). However, genotypic differences in shoot biomass or phosphorus uptake were not apparent at anthesis, in part due to phosphorus-induced changes in phenological development. Contrastingly, the wide genotype increased root growth in the topsoil (0–10 cm) when phosphorus was stratified in this layer and produced greater biomass at anthesis under these conditions. Shoot and root biomass and phosphorus uptake decreased when the topsoil dried out, with the greatest effect observed for phosphorus stratified in this layer. Conclusion: The benefits of the selected root angle trait strongly depend on nutrient and water distributions and dynamics in the target environment. Ideotype breeding efforts and farmer selection of genotypes should consider the context in which genotypes will be deployed. Highlight: The interaction between root system architecture and heterogeneous distributions of phosphorus and available water determine the relative performance of durum wheat genotypes with contrasting root angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the product quality, manufacturers of dried fruits are dedicated to developing reliable methods for assessing ripeness. In this study, a densimetric flotation method was employed to categorize mulberries into five distinct ripening stages (D1–D5, 0.905–1.055 g/cm³). The influence of ripening on mulberry water status, distribution, microstructure, drying characteristics, and product quality was examined. Heat pump drying, utilizing a temperature of 60 °C, relative humidity of 15%, and air velocity of 2 m/s, was employed as the drying technique for mulberries. As ripening progressed, the water binding capability initially decreased and then increased. Simultaneously, water distribution and cell microstructure shifted, resulting in an initial reduction followed by an extension in drying time. The drying time initially decreased and then increased with increasing maturity, with D4 fruits displaying the shortest drying time (13.9 h). This was 35.05%, 24.04%, 20.14%, and 6.47% shorter than the drying times observed in stages D1, D2, D3, and D5, respectively. Ripeness significantly affected the volatile composition, color, texture, and sensory attributes of dried fruits. D1 fruits were not suitable for drying due to their intact cellular structure, lengthy drying time, and poor sensory quality of the resulting product. Conversely, D4 and D5 fruits exhibited shorter drying times and their products possessed a robust fruity aroma, improved palatability, and overall acceptance. This rendered them ideal candidates for the drying process. The findings of this research have practical implications for effective identification and drying procedures during mulberry ripening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rarity as a multidimensional concept has not been discussed for the ostracods along with the effects of physicochemical factors and sedimentation rates of waters on their distribution. We randomly sampled 91 aquatic sites including eight habitat types in the Çanakkale Province to study ostracod species rarity, commonness, and ecological preferences, and to test the relationships between the rarity index (average of geographic range, habitat specificity, and population size indices) and environmental factors. A total of 44 ostracod taxa (25 living) were reported from 75 sites. Among the species, Candonocypris caledonica was recorded for the first time in Türkiye. Sixty percent of 25 living species exhibited cosmopolitan characteristics, making significant contributions to the diversity of ostracods. The well-known cosmopolitan species, Heterocypris salina (rr = 0.268), Cypridopsis vidua (rr = 0.289), Limnocythere inopinata (rr = 0.330), Ilyocypris bradyi (rr = 0.370), and Psychrodromus olivaceus (rr = 0.390), were identified as common species based on the rarity index (rr) values. Of the environmental variables, only sediment grain sizes (×2000, ×500, and ×63 μm) were found to be effective on the distribution of ostracod species. The Shannon index exhibited a positively significant association with ×2000, while the population size index displayed a linear relationship with ×63 μm grain size, indicating a small population size and rarity. Associations among index values, sediment grain size, and water quality variables showed that comprehensive studies on ostracods, analyzing both water and sediment, can provide a clearer and more precise information for evaluating the rarity and ecological preferences of species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: To investigate the influence of different concentrations of surfactants on the adsorption of anthracite, the nonionic surfactant alkyl polyglucoside (APG) was selected. The study examined the adsorption characteristics of different concentrations of APG on the surface of anthracite. The results revealed the existence of two modes of APG adsorption on anthracite. Under the action of 0.06 wt% APG, APG was found to adsorb in a monolayer state on the anthracite surface, with a saturation adsorption capacity of 20.06 mg/g. When the solution concentration exceeded 0.14 wt%, APG exhibited a double-layer saturation adsorption state on anthracite, with a saturation adsorption capacity of 71.71 mg/g. Molecular dynamics simulations complemented these findings, demonstrating that low concentrations of APG could reduce the mobility of water molecules and enhance the hydrophilicity of anthracite. With an increase in the number of APG molecules, multi-layer adsorption occurred on the anthracite surface, making it more hydrophobic. Therefore, the differences in wettability of anthracite induced by different concentrations of APG were primarily attributed to the spatial distribution of the surfactant at the water/coal interface. Methods: This study analyzed the adsorption capacity of the surfactant through adsorption experiments and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) experiments. Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to construct six concentration levels of water/APG/anthracite systems. Various aspects, including APG adsorption configurations, interaction energies, relative concentrations of each component, and the diffusion coefficient of water molecules, were discussed to elucidate the reasons for the differential wettability of anthracite induced by different concentrations of APG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]