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Like many Mediterranean areas, the Italian island of Sicily faces multiple environmental pressures such as soil loss, fire hazards, and extreme meteorological events, all of which negatively impact local food systems. In response to these threats, a re-thinking of local agriculture and natural resource management is increasingly needed. Agroecology is recognized as a robust proposal for building more resilient food systems grounded in farmers' knowledge and practices. However, agroecological farming experiences struggle to operate and survive in Sicily due to unfavorable political-cultural, environmental, and socio-economic conditions. Learning from small-scale farmers about the ways they perceive, understand, and overcome structural limits and environmental constraints is key for a transition to agroecology in the study area. Understanding its potentials and limits is essential for planning and identifying transformative actions. We approached the problem by adopting a participatory action research methodology involving selected groups of farmers in Western Sicily. We applied a co-creative approach and developed a systemic analysis of the socio-ecological narratives to identify possible leverage points for a transition to agroecology in the study area. We identified a local potential for shifting the current system of water and fire hazards management to new systems of participatory land stewardship. To be effective, these systems should support agroecological farmers' income by altering social practices related to food and reducing the influence of dominant agribusiness actors. Our findings indicate that implementing solutions based on the circulation of local ecological knowledge within systems of participatory guarantees can favor the development of solidarity economies and mutualistic relations between farmers, scientists, and communities. Our work suggests that scientists' facilitation and knowledge cocreation might be of key importance in structuring local, more sustainable food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe storms produce ocean waves with periods of 18–26 s, corresponding to wavelengths 500–1,055 m. These waves radiate globally as swell, generating microseisms and affecting coastal areas. Despite their significance, long waves often elude detection by existing remote sensing systems when their height is below 0.2 m. The new Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite offers a breakthrough by resolving these waves in global sea level measurements. Here we show that SWOT can detect 25‐s waves with heights as low as 3 cm, and resolves period and direction better than in situ buoys. SWOT provides detailed maps of wave height, wavelength, and direction across ocean basins. These measurements unveil intricate spatial patterns, shedding light on wave generation in storms, currents that influence propagation, and refraction, diffraction and reflection in shallow regions. Notably, the magnitude of reflections exceeds previous expectations, illustrating SWOT's transformative impact. Plain Language Summary: Wind storms at sea make waves that increase in size with wind speed, and with the distance over which the high winds have been able to amplify the waves. Once generated these waves propagate as swell around the world ocean: in that stage the wave period remains constant while the wave height decay away from the source. Waves with periods longer than 18 s are relatively infrequent, but they are an important source of seismic waves and coastal impacts. However, current remote sensing techniques miss long waves under 0.2 m high. The Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite mission changes this, spotting 25‐s waves with heights as low as 3 cm. SWOT maps wave height, wavelength, and direction worldwide, revealing the influence of winds, currents and water depth. For example, We found stronger than expected coastal reflection, which will help revise wave forecasting models and their application in seismology. Key Points: Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) data provide the first open ocean spatial measurements of phase‐resolved swells with wavelength 500–1,050 mSwells with heights as low as 3 cm are well detected by SWOT, allowing tracking across oceansSwell reflection off the coast can be separated from incident waves [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective and sustainable water resource management requires flexibility and adaptation to local contexts. Our study analyzes the emergence and evolution of local water self-governing associations, reviewing how their struggles and conflicts, both with the public sector and among locals themselves, have been pivotal to achieving agreements and actions towards sustainable water management. Using an adapted version of the Combined Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) and social–ecological system (SES) framework, also known as CIS, we conducted a comparative analysis of two distinct Chilean cases. This research highlights the critical role of historical factors alongside institutional support, political landscapes, and financial realities in shaping current water management practices. The findings suggest that when the actors are aligned and actions are taken to support local water user management, more efficient, sustainable, and less conflict-ridden water resource management occurs. Furthermore, this study reveals how the experiences, struggles, and successes of these local user associations have shaped national policies, particularly regarding the development of monitoring mechanisms and the promotion of public–private cooperation in water governance. These efforts have not only fostered more resilient water management systems but have also demonstrated the power of grassroots organizations in shaping broader sustainable policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating the counter-current two-phase flow within the anodic porous transport layer (PTL) of polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) is a complex yet intriguing challenge. Until now, the gas-liquid invasion processes inside PTLs are only to a limited extent accessible under operation conditions, usually using sophisticated and expensive optical approaches, i.e., neutron imaging. We propose a model-supported experimental method with a fully operating microfluidic PEMWE, that allows to examine pore-scale oxygen-water distributions at the anode with high spatial and temporal resolution. The microfluidic cell is made of transparent Poly-Methyl-Methacrylate (PMMA), and the PTL is simplified by a quasi-2D pore network (PN) with a uniform pore-throat structure in the first preliminary study. The proposed setup is a significant advancement over previous studies, where gas was only injected at a constant flow rate from a single point. Test cases with current densities of 0.1, 1, and 2 A/cm2 and water flow rates of 1, 3, 5, and 10 ml/min were realized in the novel setup. We found periodically alternating invasion of oxygen (drainage) and water (imbibition), which were analyzed based on image sequences as well as voltage measurements. The experimental data is additionally supported by pore-scale Lattice Boltzmann (LB) and PN simulations. The preliminary results with the simplified PN structure are used to study the dominating transport mechanisms, revealing that drainage and imbibition occur simultaneously and are affected by evaporation and wetting liquid films formed in sharp pore corners. These phenomena are also expected to occur in more complex PTL structures. The preliminary results can, therefore, be regarded as an important basis for PTL studies, which are structurally more complex. • Presentation of a novel PEMWE model cell for the study of two-phase flow inside the anode. • Visualization of dynamic drainage/imbibition cycles in anode at different current densities and water flow rates. • Analysis of the detailed invasion patterns by Pore Network and Lattice Boltzmann simulations. • Quantification of secondary transport through thick wetting capillary liquid films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benthic primary producers (BPP) in inland waters, including aquatic macrophytes and periphyton, are foundational habitats that are highly sensitive to multiple human drivers of environmental change. However, long‐term seasonal monitoring of BPP is limited, leaving us with little information on the cause, directionality, and consequences of the potential shifts in timing of BPP life cycle events. Here, we review the literature on the phenological changes of BPP and show that BPP respond primarily to temperature, but also to other interactive drivers related to climate change and eutrophication. In addition, we present four rare case studies where BPP display strong and earlier shifts in event timing associated with increasing temperature and discuss potential impacts of these changes on ecosystem functioning. Given the responsive nature of BPP to multiple human drivers, we provide suggestions on how to improve basic monitoring to better understand the future impact of phenological changes of this critical habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change will impact mountain watershed streamflow both directly—with changing precipitation amounts and variability—and indirectly—through temperature shifts altering snowpack, melt, and evapotranspiration. To understand how these complex processes will affect ecosystem functioning and water resources, we need tools to distinguish connections between water sources (rain/snowmelt), groundwater storage, and exit fluxes (streamflow/evapotranspiration), and to determine how these connections change seasonally and as climate shifts. Here, we develop novel watershed‐scale approaches to understand water source, storage, and exit flux connections using a dynamic‐flux particle tracking model (EcoSLIM) applied in California's Cosumnes Watershed, which connects the Sierra Nevada and Central Valley. This work develops new visualizations and applications to provide mechanistic understanding that underpins the interpretation of isotopic field data at watershed scales to distinguish sources, flow paths, residence times, and storage selection. In our simulations, streamflow comes primarily from snow‐derived water while evapotranspiration generally comes from rain. Most streamflow starts above 1,000 m while evapotranspiration is sourced relatively evenly across the watershed and is generally younger than streamflow. Modeled streamflow consists primarily of water sourced from precipitation in the previous 5 years but before the current water year, while ET consists primarily of water from precipitation in the current water year. ET, and to a lesser extent streamflow, are both younger than water in groundwater storage. However, snowmelt‐derived streamflow preferentially discharges older water from snow‐derived storage. Dynamic‐flux particle tracking and new approaches presented here enable novel model‐tracer comparisons in large‐scale watersheds to better understand watershed behavior in a changing climate. Plain Language Summary: Climate change will alter the hydrologic cycle: storms will be more intense and higher temperatures will result in less snow, earlier melt, and more early‐season water use by plants. To understand the combined effect of these changes, we need models to simulate water flows and precisely study the effects of rain, snowmelt, subsurface storage, streamflow, and plant water uptake. These models can show us how water flows between different components of the landscape, and how this flow changes seasonally and in response to climate change. This study develops new modeling tools that simulate the Cosumnes River in the Sierra Nevada (California, USA) and will help interpret field data at watershed scales. The majority of simulated streamflow originates from snow while plants rely on rainfall for evapotranspiration (ET). Most streamflow starts as precipitation above 1,000 m while ET comes from water that falls evenly across the watershed. Water used for ET is generally younger than streamflow: most streamflow is 1–5 years old, while most ET is less than 1 year old. Both ET and streamflow are younger than water stored in the subsurface. These new modeling tools, called dynamic‐flux particle tracking, will help us predict how watersheds will behave as climate changes. Key Points: Dynamic‐flux particle tracking (DFPT) is a novel technique to investigate watershed function and connectionWater source wedge plots illustrate connectivity between source water elevation, precipitation phase, and water exit pathways and locationDFPT shows how source phase and watershed conditions influence age‐ranked storage selection behavior [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As global temperatures continue to rise, accurate predicted species distribution models will be important for forecasting the movement of range-shifting species. These predictions rely on measurements of organismal thermal tolerance, which can be measured using classical threshold concepts such as Arrhenius break temperatures and critical thermal temperatures, or through ecologically relevant measurements such as the temperature at which reproduction and growth occur. Many species, including invasive species, exhibit thermal plasticity, so these thresholds may change based on ambient temperature, life stage, and measurement techniques. Here, we review thermal thresholds for 15 invertebrate species invasive to the Gulf of Maine. The high degree of variability within a species and between applied conceptual frameworks suggests that modeling the future distribution of these species in all ecosystems, but especially in the rapidly warming northwest Atlantic and Gulf of Maine, will be challenging. While each of these measurement techniques is valid, we suggest contextualization and integration of threshold measurements for accurate modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate understanding of the current and future water cycle over the Third Pole is of great societal importance, given the role this region plays as a water tower for densely populated areas downstream. An emerging and promising approach for skillful climate assessments over regions of complex terrain is kilometer-scale climate modeling. As a foundational step towards such simulations over the Third Pole, we present a multi-model and multi-physics ensemble of kilometer-scale regional simulations for the hydrological year of October 2019 to September 2020. The ensemble consists of 13 simulations performed by an international consortium of 10 research groups, configured with a horizontal grid spacing ranging from 2.2 to 4 km covering all of the Third Pole region. These simulations are driven by ERA5 and are part of a Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling EXperiment Flagship Pilot Study on Convection-Permitting Third Pole. The simulations are compared against available gridded and in-situ observations and remote-sensing data, to assess the performance and spread of the model ensemble compared to the driving reanalysis during the cold and warm seasons. Although ensemble evaluation is hindered by large differences between the gridded precipitation datasets used as a reference over this region, we show that the ensemble improves on many warm-season precipitation metrics compared with ERA5, including most wet-day and hour statistics, and also adds value in the representation of wet spells in both seasons. As such, the ensemble will provide an invaluable resource for future improvements in the process understanding of the hydroclimate of this remote but important region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The standardization management of large and medium-sized irrigation districts plays a crucial role in the current rural water conservancy and agricultural production sector. The Hanjia Irrigation District located in the Northwest Shandong Plain, which has long been plagued by a series of issues including imperfect management system, inadequate routine maintenance, non-standard engineering monitoring and patrol data, and lack of archive and asset management, These problems render it unable to meet the demands of modern agricultural production. This paper addresses the actual situation of the irrigation district and undertakes standardization management construction and reform efforts. Through diligent endeavors, the standardization management of the Hanjia Irrigation District has successfully passed acceptance, becoming one of the first large and medium-sized irrigation districts in Shandong Province to achieve standardized construction. Building upon this achievement, a comprehensive summary of experiences in standardization management of large and medium-sized irrigation districts is provided, covering aspects such as organizational management, safety management, engineering management, agricultural water conservation and water supply management, information management, and economic management. This aims to provide experiences and engineering references for standardization management in large and medium-sized irrigation districts in the Northwest Shandong Plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Iceland Scotland Overflow Water (ISOW) plume supplies approximately a third of the production of North Atlantic Deep Water and is a key component of the meridional overturning circulation (MOC). The Overturning in the Subpolar North Atlantic Program (OSNAP) mooring array in the Iceland Basin has provided high‐resolution observations of ISOW from 2014 to 2020. The ISOW plume forms a deep western boundary current along the eastern flank of Reykjanes Ridge, and its total transport varies by greater than a factor of two on intra‐seasonal timescales. EOF analysis of moored current meter records reveal two dominant modes of velocity variance. The first mode explains roughly 20% of the variance and shows a bottom intensified structure concentrated in the rift valley that runs parallel to the ridge axis. The transport anomaly reconstructed from the first mode explains nearly 80% of the total ISOW plume transport variance. The second mode accounts for 15% of velocity variance, but only 5% of the transport variance. The geostrophically estimated transport (2.9 Sv) recovers only 70% of the total ISOW transport along the ridge flank estimated from the direct current meter observations (4.2 Sv), implying a significant ageostrophic component of ISOW mean transport and variability. Ageostrophic flow is strongly linked to the leading mode of velocity variability within the rift valley. The ISOW transport variability along the upper and middle part of the ridge is further shown to correlate with changes in the strength of deep MOC limb across the basin‐wide OSNAP array. Plain Language Summary: The Iceland Scotland Overflow (ISOW) as a major component of deep ocean circulation in the North Atlantic. Newly available mooring observations from the Overturning in the Subpolar North Atlantic Program show that this current has significant intra‐seasonal variability. This study shows that the flow is strongly affected by the topography of the Reykjanes Ridge which splits the current into multiple branches on the ridge slope and in the Iceland Basin interior. Most of the ISOW transport occurs along the ridge while the basin interior flow dominates the net variability. The results show that a major portion of the flow variability along the ridge is driven by flow funneled through a rift valley along the ridge slope. Geostrophic estimates of transport (the classic method of estimating large scale transport in the ocean) in this region fail to recover the flow within the rift valley. Key Points: Iceland Scotland Overflow transport variability is governed by a combination of barotropic and topographic effectsTransport variability along the Reykjanes Ridge slope is dominated by deep ageostrophic flow within an axial rift valleyAgeostrophic transport accounts for ∼30% of Iceland Scotland Overflow Water (ISOW) transport along the Reykjanes Ridge flank and is a significant component of net ISOW export [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical descaling devices have been widely used in the industrial field due to their broad applicability, convenience of operation, and cost-effectiveness. However, there are many factors that affect the descaling performance of electrochemical descaling devices, such as the selection of electrode materials, the shape and layout of the anode and cathode, the voltage and current of electrochemical equipment, the flow rate, temperature, and mineral content. Existing research has primarily focused on the influence of electrode materials and current density on descaling efficiency, while neglecting external factors such as water flow rate and temperature. In order to further explore the internal and external factors affecting the descaling performance of descaling machines, this study constructed an experimental platform for a descaling machine fouling device. Different voltages, currents, water flow rates, and temperatures were studied to assess the descaling efficiency of the descaling machine. The results indicated that under the conditions of a temperature of 30 °C, a flow rate of 0.35 m/s, a voltage of 24 V, and a current of 10 A, the fouling resistance effect of the electrochemical descaling device was optimal. This provides a new perspective for further improving the descaling efficiency of descaling machines and conducting parameter optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its initial report in the Philippines in 1981, ice-ice disease (IID) remains a substantial threat to the sustainability of eucheumatoid seaweed production. However, comprehensive investigations into the prevalence, intensity, and potential relationships with physicochemical and meteorological parameters are limited, particularly in open-sea farms. This is the first study to conduct a 12-month monitoring of IID prevalence and intensity in eucheumatoid seaweed farms in Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. The research aimed to elucidate seasonal variations and potential associations with physicochemical and meteorological parameters. The findings revealed significant seasonal variations in IID prevalence, with a higher incidence observed during the dry season compared to the wet season. Additionally, deep-water farms exhibited significantly higher prevalence and ice-ice spot numbers per bundle compared to shallow-water farms. Furthermore, Kappaphycus striatus displayed a significantly greater ice-ice spot length per bundle compared to K. alvarezii. Notably, no interaction effects were observed among season, species, and depth. Interestingly, while no correlations were found between ice-ice disease and most measured physicochemical and meteorological parameters (temperature, salinity, pH, water current velocity, wind speed) or nutrient concentrations (phosphate, nitrate, nitrite), an inverse correlation (p < 0.05) emerged between ammonium levels and IID intensity parameters (number and length of ice-ice spot per bundle). Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between monthly rainfall and IID intensity. These findings offer valuable insights into the dynamics of IID in open-sea eucheumatoid seaweed (Kappaphycus) farming, highlighting the influence of seasonality, depth, and species susceptibility, as well as the relationship between IID severity and ammonium levels and rainfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zhoushan Archipelago, the largest archipelago in China, harbors a significant tidal stream resource due to robust tidal currents coursing through numerous channels between its islands. Nevertheless, the tidal energy resource in the Zhoushan Archipelago has not been systematically characterized considering both topography and energy flow density. This study presents a modeling study aimed at characterizing the tidal energy resource in the whole Zhejiang coast, including Zhoushan Archipelago, employing a high-resolution tidal hydrodynamic model, i.e. MIKE 21. Through a comparison of the model output with observed data from two tidal stations and three current stations, the accuracy of the numerical model was confirmed. The study identified areas with robust currents and suitable water depths, both essential factors for the advancement of tidal current energy. The findings showed that many channels in Zhoushan Archipelago and Wenzhou Bay in Zhejiang experience the highest tidal power density, reaching nearly 5500 W/m2. Furthermore, the study estimated the theoretical tidal current energy production for the whole area, highlighting Loutou channel, Cezi channel, Taohuagang, and the channel between Xiushan island and Daishan island as regions with high potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) constitutes an emerging water safety issue globally. However, the effectiveness of current water treatment techniques in the control of ARGs dissemination remains controversial. Here, we develop a dual-zone strategy based on piezoelectric membrane filtration to efficiently eliminate waterborne antibiotic resistance. Following complete ARB inactivation and effective ARGs reduction in the retentate near the membrane surface (zone 1), a subsequent trans-membrane process (zone 2) further promotes ARGs elimination in the permeate, due to boosted interactions between ARGs and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from piezoelectric peroxymonosulfate activation and minimized ROS competition from inactivated ARB within piezocatalytic channels. The abundance of ARGs was largely reduced to ~1.0 × 103 copies·mL−1 in the permeate from ~5.0 × 106 copies·mL−1 in the feed solution. The singlet oxygen (1O2) is demonstrated to be primarily responsible for ARB inactivation, while 1O2, hydroxyl radical (•OH), sulfate radical (SO4·−) and superoxide radical (·O2−) can all participate in ARGs degradation. Our work demonstrates that the piezoelectric membrane-based dual-zone strategy has great potential to control the risk of ARGs dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recognizable shapes of landforms arise from processes such as erosion by wind or water currents. However, explaining the physical origin of natural structures is challenging due to the coupled evolution of complex flow fields and three-dimensional (3D) topographies. We investigate these issues in a laboratory setting inspired by yardangs, which are raised, elongate formations whose characteristic shape suggests erosion of heterogeneous material by directional flows. We combine experiments and simulations to test an origin hypothesis involving a harder or less erodible inclusion embedded in an outcropping of softer material. Optical scans of clay objects fixed within flowing water reveal a transformation from a featureless mound to a yardang-like form resembling a lion in repose. Phase-field simulations reproduce similar shape dynamics and show their dependence on the erodibility contrast and flow strength. Through visualizations of the flow fields and analysis of the local erosion rate, we identify effects associated with flow funneling and the turbulent wake that are responsible for carving the unique geometrical features. This highly 3D scouring process produces complex shapes from simple and commonplace starting conditions and is thus a candidate explanation for natural yardangs. The methods introduced here should be generally useful for geomorphological problems and especially those for which material heterogeneity is a primary factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is now recognized as the primary alternative to fossil fuels due to its renewable, safe, high-energy density and environmentally friendly properties. Efficient hydrogen production through water splitting has laid the foundation for sustainable energy technologies. However, when hydrogen production is scaled up to industrial levels, operating at high current densities introduces unique challenges. It is necessary to design advanced electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs) under high current densities. This review will briefly introduce the challenges posed by high current densities on electrocatalysts, including catalytic activity, mass diffusion, and catalyst stability. In an attempt to address these issues, various electrocatalyst design strategies are summarized in detail. In the end, our insights into future challenges for efficient large-scale industrial hydrogen production from water splitting are presented. This review is expected to guide the rational design of efficient high-current density water electrolysis electrocatalysts and promote the research progress of sustainable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal mining has a certain influence on and causes disturbances in groundwater. To investigate the variation trend of groundwater around the open-pit mine in grassland area, taking Shengli No. 1 open-pit mine as an example, the impact and variation trend of groundwater level in Quaternary aquifer around the mine area was studied by using the data of hydrological monitoring wells. The results show that the water level around the mining area varies from one year to the next. Since 2008, the water level has experienced a process of reduction, stability and increase. Compared with the background water level value, the current water level of each monitoring well is lower than the background water level. The influence radius calculated by Kusakin formula ranges from 94.15 m to 906.80 m, and the aquifer is heterogeneous. On the basis of the correlations between changes in waterline in monitoring wells and the stope distance, the disturbance radius of open-pit mining on surrounding diving water in grassland area is less than 2000 m. Based on the comprehensive analysis of the alteration of diving waterline and its influencing factors, the main factors affecting the variation in the phreatic water level are atmospheric precipitation, evaporation, groundwater usage and dewatering water. All factors act on the diversification of diving water level synthetically. The internal waste dump of an open-pit mine has a positive effect on the surrounding groundwater recovery. The aim of this study is to reveal the impact of open-pit mining on surrounding groundwater and providing scientific basis for future mining in other open-pit mines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outstanding overall mechanical properties are essential for the successful utilization of hydrogels in advanced applications such as human-machine interfaces and soft robotics. However, conventional hydrogels suffer from fracture toughness-stiffness conflict and fatigue threshold-stiffness conflict, limiting their applicability. Simultaneously enhancing the fracture toughness, fatigue threshold, and stiffness of hydrogels, especially within a homogeneous single network structure, has proven to be a formidable challenge. In this work, we overcome this challenge through the design of a loosely cross-linked hydrogel with slight dehydration. Experimental results reveal that the slightly-dehydrated, loosely cross-linked polyacrylamide hydrogel, with an original/current water content of 87%/70%, exhibits improved mechanical properties, which is primarily attributed to the synergy between the long-chain structure and the dense dehydration-induced entanglements. Importantly, the creation of these microstructures does not require intricate design or processing. This simple approach holds significant potential for hydrogel applications where excellent anti-fracture and fatigue-resistant properties are necessary. For use in a range of applications, hydrogel properties are vital, but it can be challenging to balance different aspects. Here, the authors report the use of a dehydration strategy to prepare hydrogels with desirable fracture toughness, fatigue threshold, and modulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrification mode is one of the important factors affecting the energy consumption and drainage effect of the electroosmosis method. In this work, a series of laboratory tests were performed to explore the impact of continuous changes in the electric field on the migration of ions and electrons, as well as the migration of electroosmotic flow. The results show that different electrification modes had a significant impact on the current and water discharge. An electrode reversed from anode to cathode, from one circuit to another, is beneficial to drainage, while an electrode reversed from cathode to anode, from one circuit to another, is unfavorable to drainage. The drainage effect of the specific cyclic and progressive electroosmosis (CPE) is not as good as the conventional electroosmosis method. However, combining the two electrification modes can further enhance the shear strength of the soil near a designated electrode. The generation of transverse cracks in soil is mainly due to the drainage difference caused by the electroosmotic flow, which is caused by the adjacent electric field at that location. When the electroosmotic flow is strong, longitudinal cracks will occur in the soil along the strongest electroosmotic flow path. In practical in situ engineering applications, the electrification mode of CPE will be more energy‐efficient than conventional electrification modes with the same processing time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tidal asymmetry in estuaries and other tidally dominated coastal systems is commonly evaluated to assess system states or their development. Based on different methods, local states are classified as either flood or ebb dominant. An increasing number of descriptors for deriving tidal asymmetry in recent years calls for a comparison and discussion of their sensitivity on input data and its quality. We compared tidal asymmetry from water level and current velocity using various descriptors that deduce from harmonic, ratio, and skewness methods. Computed from one-year measurements at different stations along the Ems estuary, their comparability was enabled by a new approach of scaling. Our results on the variation of sampling intervals demonstrated a highly site-specific sensitivity of the descriptors that led up to changes in the asymmetry direction in tidal duration asymmetry and phase lag. The slack water asymmetry appeared most sensitive to the studied parameter settings. As expected, variability of tidal asymmetry reduced with an increasing number of analyzed tides. At the same time, uncertainty from the asymmetry during spring or neap phases compared to spring-neap periods remained in all analyzed descriptors. Hence, the characterization of the estuary in terms of flood- or ebb-dominance depends critically on the quality and extent of the input data. For all parameter settings, the impact of river discharge on tidal asymmetry was pronounced but varied depending on the location in the estuary. The actual characterization of the effect of asymmetry, e.g., on sediment transport, is not conducted in this study. We propose that this requires a more comprehensive dataset, such as depth and cross-sectional variability of currents and sediment concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses an exhibition at the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art featuring the work of artist Jacqueline Poncelet. Poncelet's retrospective exhibition showcases her diverse practice over fifty years, highlighting her use of various mediums and themes such as jazz music, weaving, ceramics, and sculpture. The exhibition explores the continuity and evolution of Poncelet's work, emphasizing her unique approach to pattern-making and exploration of consciousness through art. The article provides insights into Poncelet's artistic journey and the influences that have shaped her creative process. [Extracted from the article]

Aiming at the problem of start-up failure caused by icing during the cold start of proton exchange membrane fuel cell, COMSOL Multiphysics software is used to establish a cold start transient model of three-dimensional multiphase flow with multi-physics field coupling for proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Through the cold-start model simulation, the effects of the initial membrane water content on the current density, icing rate, temperature and other characteristics of the battery cold-start are investigated. The numerical results show that the higher the initial water content, the greater the initial current density and a faster temperature rises. However, it is accompanied by a larger icing rate and earlier icing time, which leads to a faster decline in battery performance. Lower initial water content is helpful to delay icing, and the battery temperature rises higher, which is more beneficial to cold start. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research deals with increasing agricultural water productivity in Tajen basin of Mazandaran province by using optimal allocation. In the current research, to find the most optimal allocation of water from the available water sources in the study area, the optimization method with genetic algorithm with non-superior ranking was used and SWMM model was used to estimate the runoff resulting from precipitation. Since the model of optimal allocation of water resources is multi-objective and has more than one optimal response, none of which is superior to the other, and the appropriate response is selected based on the management conditions, three responses were selected from the optimal responses in the form of three scenarios to be compared with the current conditions of water allocation. The results showed that the optimization of water allocation caused an increase in agricultural water productivity by 76 percent for citrus fruits, 47 percent for rice, 60 percent for oilseeds, 59 percent for corn, 65percent for wheat, 77 percent for vegetables and 76 percent for cotton for the third scenario. which is a desert scenario. Also, the economic profit has increased by 33 percent on average. According to the results, wheat products, vegetables and oilseeds after rice and citrus have the highest production and yield compared to other products in the study area. The optimal cultivated area for these products is equal to 3200, 2700, 5523 hectares, respectively. By optimizing the allocation of water resources while saving significant water consumption, the production product per water consumption as well as the economic profit can be increased depending on the chosen solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early Cretaceous brittle stars (ophiuroids) have not been systematically studied in the territory of the Czech Republic yet. The studied fauna comes from three thick limestone bodies in the immediate proximity of the town of Štramberk. Most localities with ophiuroid finds (Fig. 1) belong to the Kopřivnice Formation of Late Valanginian age (sensu Houša 1976) in the Kotouč Quarry (localities 6, 20 and 25), in the Obecní Quarry (locality 3) and in the lower Blucher Quarry (locality 1). Locality 2 in the Obecní Quarry pertains to the Hradiště Formation according to Svobodová et al. (2011), being of Hauterivian and Barremian age. The herein preliminarily described material was gathered from old rock samples, tentative old rock washings and sets of Štramberk Early Cretaceous fossils collected and studied in the 1960s-1980s. During many years of research, only three hundred disarticulated skeletal elements of brittle stars have been found here. They are therefore extremely rare in the Štramberk area. Several assemblages of ophiuroid ossicles from the Kopřivnice Formation contain only arm vertebrae. As suggested by the wide morphological variety of the vertebrae, the presence of many species now lacking a closer systematic classification can be expected here. However, the assemblage from the Hradiště Formation (Obecní Quarry, locality 2) contains taxonomically important lateral arm plates, which enabled the study of ophuiroid diversity. Here, the dominant genera are Ophiotitanos (Ophiodermatina) and Squamophis? (Euryalidae). On the other hand, taxa Ophiomusa sp. (Ophiomusaidae), Dermocoma sp. (Ophiodermatina) and Ophiacanthina fam. et gen. indet. are rare. As concerns the drawings by Mauric Remeš (1902), it is evident that his specimens were only two fragmentary vertebrae, but due to the poor state of preservation, they cannot be assigned to any taxon. The places of deposition of these specimens are not known today. As far as palaeoecology concerns, we cannot determine why Ophiotitanos was so abundant in Štramberk (especially in the Hradiště Formation) and what type of food it preferred. The occurrence of Squamophis? in the Kopřivnice and Hradiště Formations points to at least partly similar living conditions in a wider area, their survival for a prolonged time interval (Late Valanginian, Hauterivian, Barremian) or the re-establishment of the necessary living conditions. These euryalids are able to attach to objects rising above the bottom, spread their arms into the water current and feed on zooplankton. Fauna from the Obecní Quarry, locality 2, is very different from the ophiuroid assemblages of the Aptian of Cuchía (Spain) and Wizard Way (Texas) (Thuy et al. 2014) but is very similar to the fauna from the Barremian of Serre de Bleyton (France; Thuy - Kroh 2011). Fauna from Blake Nose (Aptian and Albian, Atlantic Ocean off Florida; Thuy et al. 2012, Thuy 2013) also bears some resemblance to the aforementioned ophiuroid assemblage. It is also remarkable that, much like the localities of the nearshore depositional environments of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin (Upper Cenomanian and Lower Turonian) (e.g., Štorc 1997), the assemblage from the Hradiště Formation comprises euryalids, ophiomusaids and ophiacanthins, with Ophiotitanos being the most frequent taxon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sea of Okhotsk is a marginal sea that plays a major role in the ventilation of the North Pacific, being the key location where Dense Shelf Water (DSW) forms at the surface and sinks to the intermediate layer. The Okhotsk Sea Intermediate Water (OSIW) is a key water mass because it includes large amounts of DSW, outflows to the North Pacific, and supplies the ocean with the micronutrient iron. OSIW has been warming over the past few decades, which is attributed to a decreasing trend in DSW production. The acquisition of numerous hydrographic data after 2000 in the Kuril Basin, especially dissolved oxygen from profiling floats, offers an opportunity to better quantify the water mass composition of OSIW, and the changes in OSIW properties and DSW volume. Here, we used all available hydrographic records and a mapping technique specially adapted to polar and sub‐polar regions to revisit the Sea of Okhotsk water properties and document their long‐term changes. Our analysis revealed that the volume of heavier DSW (potential density above 26.9 kg.m−3) has decreased over the past three decades by 3,600 km3, or 15% of the volume present before 1990. This decline is nearly entirely compensated for by an increase in lighter DSW. This shift toward lighter DSW is possibly a sign of the weakening of the intermediate overturning circulation starting in the Okhotsk Sea. Additionally, we found that dense Soya Current Water only accounts for about 1% of OSIW, against the 5% previously estimated. Plain Language Summary: The water of the Sea of Okhotsk is a mix of several water masses which includes the Dense Shelf Water (DSW), a water mass generated in winter via sea ice formation. When sea ice forms, the surface water salinity and density increase, and the cold DSW is generated as the surface water sinks to the bottom of the continental shelf while micronutrients, especially iron, are also incorporated. DSW mixes with other water masses and becomes the Okhotsk Sea Intermediate Water (OSIW) before being exported to the North Pacific where it plays an important role for both the climate and the biological productivity. In this study, we used all the temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen data acquired since 1930 to evaluate how global warming may have affected the composition of OSIW. We found that, over the past century, the amount of denser DSW has strongly decreased whereas that of lighter DSW has increased, which is consistent with the decline in sea ice production in the Sea of Okhotsk. This also suggests that the ventilation of the Sea of Okhotsk and the circulation of the intermediate layer of the North Pacific is weakening, which could indirectly affect the ocean's biological productivity. Key Points: The composition of the Okhotsk Sea Intermediate Water (OSIW) is reevaluated using an updated data set and a new mapping techniqueOSIW properties have changed in the long‐term (≥50 years) scale, with a decrease (increase) in the amount of heavy (light) Dense Shelf WaterThis suggests that the North Pacific intermediate overturning is weakening, which could affect the ocean's biological productivity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Previous studies have introduced a resonant caisson designed to enhance wave energy extraction in regions with low wave energy density; however, its operational mechanism remains poorly understood. This paper seeks to elucidate the operational mechanism of the resonant caisson by leveraging Star-CCM+ for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, focusing on the influence of guides and their dimensions on the water levels, flow velocities, and vortex dynamics. The findings demonstrate the remarkable wave-amplification capabilities of the resonant caisson, with the maximum amplification factor reaching 2.31 at the calculated frequency in the absence of guides. Incorporating guides and expanding their radii substantially elevate the flow rates, accelerate the water currents, and alter the vortex patterns, thereby further enhancing the amplification factor. This study will provide a reference for optimizing the design of resonant caissons and wave energy converters based on resonant caissons, thus promoting the effective use of wave energy resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using the direct coexistence method, we have calculated the melting points of ice Ih at normal pressure for three recently proposed water models, namely, TIP3P-FB, TIP4P-FB, and TIP4P-D. We obtained Tm = 216 K for TIP3P-FB, Tm = 242 K for TIP4P-FB, and Tm = 247 K for TIP4P-D. We revisited the melting point of TIP4P/2005 and TIP5P obtaining Tm = 250 and 274 K, respectively. We summarize the current situation of the melting point of ice Ih for a number of water models and conclude that no model is yet able to simultaneously reproduce the melting temperature of ice Ih and the temperature of the maximum in density at room pressure. This probably points toward our both still incomplete knowledge of the potential energy surface of water and the necessity of incorporating nuclear quantum effects to describe both properties simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk of water erosion in mainland China is intensifying due to climate change. A high-precision rainfall erosivity dataset is crucial for revealing the spatiotemporal patterns of rainfall erosivity and identifying key areas of water erosion. However, due to the insufficient spatiotemporal resolution of historical precipitation data, there are certain biases in the estimation of rainfall erosivity in China, especially in regions with complex terrain and climatic conditions. Over the past decade, the China Meteorological Administration has continuously improved its ground-based meteorological observation capabilities, forming a dense network of ground-based observation stations. These high-precision precipitation data provide a solid foundation for quantifying the patterns of rainfall erosivity in China. In this study, we first performed rigorous quality control on the 1-minute ground observation precipitation data from nearly 70,000 stations nationwide from 2014 to 2022, ultimately selecting 60,129 available stations. Using the precipitation data from these stations, we calculated event rainfall erosivity and generated a national mean annual rainfall erosivity dataset with a spatial resolution of 0.25°. This dataset shows that the mean annual rainfall erosivity in mainland China is approximately 1241 MJ·mm·ha−1·h−1·yr−1, with areas exceeding 4000 MJ·mm·ha−1·h−1·yr−1 mainly concentrated in the southern China and southern Tibetan Plateau. Compared to our study, previously released datasets overestimate China's mean annual rainfall erosivity by 31 %~65 %, and there are significant differences in performance across different river basins. In summary, the release of this dataset facilitates a more accurate assessment of the current water erosion intensity in China. The dataset is available from the National Tibetan Plateau/Third Pole Environment Data Center (https://doi.org/10.11888/Terre.tpdc.301206 ; Chen, 2024). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates water consumption in two areas with limited water resources—the Salar de Atacama and Salar de Atacama-Vertiente Pacifico basins in Chile's Antofagasta Region—with the aim of developing strategies that incorporate social and environmental aspects into water management. A qualitative approach was employed that involved a focus group with twelve water management representatives and surveys of the general population (468 responses). Additionally, the current state of water rights in the two basins was examined and the feasibility of the proposed strategies was assessed. The findings reveal that the mining industry's development approach is mostly viewed as negative, mainly due to inadequate community engagement, confidential consumption data, and limited government oversight. The quantitative findings indicate that 53.8% of respondents see the main obstacle as the lack of a solution satisfying both parties. Additionally, 35.3%, 24.4%, and 22.4% believe transparency, objective information provision, and detailed resource usage disclosure by mining companies would help. Adopting a comprehensive water stewardship approach that considers social and environmental factors would enable a novel contribution to a more effective and sustainable water resource management system in northern Chile, mitigating communities' negative perceptions of the industry and facilitating the integration of communities and involved agents. Therefore, improved management and transparent collaboration among stakeholders are essential for responsible water resource use in mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater availability is essential, and its maintenance has become an enormous challenge. Due to population growth and climate changes, freshwater sources are becoming scarce, imposing the need for strategies for its reuse. Currently, the constant discharge of waste into water bodies from human activities leads to the dissemination of pathogenic bacteria, negatively impacting water quality from the source to the infrastructure required for treatment, such as the accumulation of biofilms. Current water treatment methods cannot keep pace with bacterial evolution, which increasingly exhibits a profile of multidrug resistance to antibiotics. Furthermore, using more powerful disinfectants may affect the balance of aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, there is a need to explore sustainable ways to control the spreading of pathogenic bacteria. Bacteriophages can infect bacteria and archaea, hijacking their host machinery to favor their replication. They are widely abundant globally and provide a biological alternative to bacterial treatment with antibiotics. In contrast to common disinfectants and antibiotics, bacteriophages are highly specific, minimizing adverse effects on aquatic microbial communities and offering a lower cost-benefit ratio in production compared to antibiotics. However, due to the difficulty involving cultivating and identifying environmental bacteriophages, alternative approaches using NGS metagenomics in combination with some bioinformatic tools can help identify new bacteriophages that can be useful as an alternative treatment against resistant bacteria. In this review, we discuss advances in exploring the virome of freshwater, as well as current applications of bacteriophages in freshwater treatment, along with current challenges and future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the current urban water shortage, increasing the willingness of urban residents to use recycled water for flushing is one proposed approach. This study developed a risk perception measurement model of recycled water for toilet flushing to explore which risk triggered people's risk perception of recycled water, and then analyzed the interaction among information provision, trust, risk perception, and willingness to use recycled water. The main results were as follows. First, the risk perception of recycled water for flushing mainly come from four types of risks, which were performance risk, health risk, service risk and financial risk in order of importance. Second, reducing the perceived risk can improve public willingness to use recycled water for flushing, and greater trust in the water authorities and recycled water enterprises reduces the public's perception of the risk of recycled water. A higher level of initial trust is related to higher willingness to use recycled water. Third, information provision can enhance the risk perception of recycled water and enhance trust in the water authorities and recycled water enterprises, but information provision does not directly affect the willingness to use recycled water. This indicates that reducing performance risk and health risk of recycled water, will be the key to controlling the overall risk perception of recycled water and promoting willingness to use. Effective risk communication strategies combine information provision and trust in information providers, which together affect risk perception and thus the willingness to use recycled water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The improper and inadequate treatment of industrial, agricultural, and household wastewater exerts substantial pressure on the existing ecosystem and poses a serious threat to the health of both humans and animals. To address these issues, different types of materials have been employed to eradicate detrimental pollutants from wastewater and facilitate the reuse of water resources. Nevertheless, owing to the challenges associated with the degradation of these traditional materials post‐use and their incompatibility with the environment, natural biopolymers have garnered considerable interest. Silk protein, as a biomacromolecule, exhibits advantageous characteristics including environmental friendliness, low carbon emissions, biodegradability, sustainability, and biocompatibility. Considering recent research findings, this comprehensive review outlines the structure and properties of silk proteins and offers a detailed overview of the manufacturing techniques employed in the production of silk‐based materials (SBMs) spanning different forms. Furthermore, it conducts an in‐depth analysis of the state‐of‐the‐art SBMs for water treatment purposes, encompassing adsorption, catalysis, water disinfection, desalination, and biosensing. The review highlights the potential of SBMs in addressing the challenges of wastewater treatment and provides valuable insights into prospective avenues for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise in cyanobacterial blooms due to eutrophication and climate change has increased cyanotoxin presence in water. Most current water treatment plants do not effectively remove these toxins, posing a potential risk to public health. This study introduces a water treatment approach using nanostructured beads containing magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for easy removal from liquid suspension, coated with different adsorbent materials to eliminate cyanotoxins. Thirteen particle types were produced using activated carbon, CMK-3 mesoporous carbon, graphene, chitosan, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidised cellulose nanofibers (TOCNF), esterified pectin, and calcined lignin as an adsorbent component. The particles' effectiveness for detoxification of microcystin-LR (MC-LR), cylindrospermopsin (CYN), and anatoxin-A (ATX-A) was assessed in an aqueous solution. Two particle compositions presented the best adsorption characteristics for the most common cyanotoxins. In the conditions tested, mesoporous carbon nanostructured particles, P1-CMK3, provide good removal of MC-LR and Merck-activated carbon nanostructured particles, P9-MAC, can remove ATX-A and CYN with high and fair efficacy, respectively. Additionally, in vitro toxicity of water treated with each particle type was evaluated in cultured cell lines, revealing no alteration of viability in human renal, neuronal, hepatic, and intestinal cells. Although further research is needed to fully characterise this new water treatment approach, it appears to be a safe, practical, and effective method for eliminating cyanotoxins from water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of hydro-geochemical parameters in snow and glacier fed Himalayan rivers is crucial to understand the changes in water quality due to natural and anthropogenic stressors in the context of global climate change. Hence, the hydro-geochemical conditions of river water were assessed in a snow-fed Himalayan Watershed, Marshyangdi, located in western Nepal for the current and predicted future scenarios based on multiple regional climate models under the medium and pessimistic representative concentration pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) scenarios. This study was conducted in two seasons: pre- and post-monsoon in 2019. Of the total 21 sites, the river flow at each sampling site was estimated by Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrological model, and subsequently the water quality for the future scenarios is predicted. A descriptive analysis of water quality along with Piper and Gibbs plots were applied to evaluate the hydro-geochemical status of the river water for the current and future scenarios. The results reveal alkaline river water based on pH. In the both seasons, Piper plots depict ionic dominance of Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Na+ + K+ for cations and HCO3− > Cl− > SO42− for anions indicating the carbonate dominated lithology in the Marshyangdi Watershed for the current scenario. The predictions for future scenarios illustrate that the dominance of cations in the pre- and post-monsoon seasons that follow the order of Ca2+ > Na+ + K+ > Mg2+ and Na+ + K+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+, respectively, while the anion composition corresponds to current scenarios for both seasons under both RCPs scenarios. Furthermore, under both RCPs, Gibbs diagrams show that rock weathering is prevalent in the present and future scenarios for the both seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We herein report the fabrication of mixed oxide Cu2O/CuO nanowire electrodes through the anodisation of Cu-mesh. These synthesised electrodes are then coated with a protective carbon layer to enhance hydrogen production via photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Our study addressed Cu2O/CuO nanowire surface modification via anodisation voltage adjustment and analyzed annealing effects on carbon-coated electrodes under controlled temperatures in a nitrogen environment. Optimisation at 5V anodisation potential yielded enhanced photocurrents, with the Cu2O/CuO mixed phase proving crucial for improved PEC activity. XRD, SEM and TEM analyses were conducted to evaluate the structural and morphological characterisation of the synthesised samples. A thin carbon coated sample annealed at 550 °C enhances the photoelectrochemical efficacy of Cu2O nanowires, obtaining a peak photocurrent density of ∼4 mA cm−2 at 0 V (vs. RHE). In contrast, as prepared pristine optimised Cu2O/CuO nanostructured electrodes deliver a photocurrent density of ∼ 2 mA cm−2 at 0 V (vs. RHE) under AM 1.5G light solar irradiation with an intensity of 100 mWcm-2. The Mott–Schottky analysis exhibits p-type semiconducting nature of carbon coated Cu2O/CuO electrodes. The photocurrent stability test alsoconfirms that carbon coated Cu2O/CuO electrodes are one of the best candidates for improving the photoelectrochemical water splitting reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crop water stress index (CWSI) is widely used for assessing water status in vineyards, but its accuracy can be compromised by various factors. Despite its known limitations, the question remains whether it is inferior to the current practice of direct measurements of Ψstem of a few representative vines. This study aimed to address three key knowledge gaps: (1) determining whether Ψstem (measured in few vines) or CWSI (providing greater spatial representation) better represents vineyard water status; (2) identifying the optimal scale for using CWSI for precision irrigation; and (3) understanding the seasonal impact on the CWSI-Ψstem relationship and establishing a reliable Ψstem prediction model based on CWSI and meteorological parameters. The analysis, conducted at five spatial scales in a single vineyard from 2017 to 2020, demonstrated that the performance of the CWSI- Ψstem model improved with increasing scale and when meteorological variables were integrated. This integration helped mitigate apparent seasonal effects on the CWSI-Ψstem relationship. R2 were 0.36 and 0.57 at the vine and the vineyard scales, respectively. These values rose to 0.51 and 0.85, respectively, with the incorporation of meteorological variables. Additionally, a CWSI-based model, enhanced by meteorological variables, outperformed current water status monitoring at both vineyard (2.5 ha) and management cell (MC) scales (0.09 ha). Despite reduced accuracy at smaller scales, water status evaluation at the management cell scale produced significantly lower Ψstem errors compared to whole vineyard evaluation. This is anticipated to enable more effective irrigation decision-making for small-scale management zones in vineyards implementing precision irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clam Macridiscus multifarius is ecologically and economically important in the coastal regions of China. In this study, the IIB-RAD method was used to investigate the population diversity and structure of M. multifarius along the coast of China. Genomic DNA was extracted, sequenced, and subjected, resulting in 110.88 Gb of clean reads. Analysis showed that the M. multifarius populations along the coast of China exhibited a moderate to high level of genetic diversity (mean: H O = 0.272, H E = 0.365, π = 0.390, and F IS = 0.268). Further analysis of high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms was used to generate a maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree, principal component analysis, and F ST values. The results revealed that there is no notable genetic differentiation among the nine M. multifarius populations south of the Yangtze River estuary. However, the Yancheng population shows clear genetic differentiation compared with the other nine populations, possibly linked to the barrier effect of the Yangtze dilution water and ocean current system. We believe that these results provide genetic insights for fisheries management to plan fisheries policies for M. multifarius and conserve natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An assessment on the fluctuations in abundance of the striped venus clam (Chamelea gallina) in the southern Adriatic Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea), and the northern Gargano area, has been conducted through both historical information and recent data from monitoring surveys during the period 1997–2019. Production trends, conditions of the commercial stock biomass, and depth distribution pattern of juveniles and commercial sizes were analysed testing temporal differences. Moreover, the exploitation of the clam beds and recruitment events were investigated in 2018–2019. Changes in abundance were analysed using non-parametric tests for both juvenile (length class, LC < 22 mm) and commercial (LC ≥ 22 mm) fractions. Hydrodynamic changes, temperature and salinity variations were explored using a 3D hydrodynamic numerical model (MIKE 3 FM-HD) and statistical analysis, as well as changes in benthic assemblages impacted by hydraulic dredges were investigated through PERMANOVA and other multivariate analysis. The results showed a temporal decline of production and biomass of C. gallina during the 1997–2019 period, and a regression of the depth limit in the clams' distribution towards shallower waters. A significant reduction in juveniles was observed during 2018–2019 with a very limited recruitment. The fishing exploitation showed high impacts on the commercial stock and benthic assemblages in the summer of 2018. Overall, water currents were predominantly directed offshore in 2018, during the C. gallina spawning period. This could affect the larval dispersal and settlement on unsuitable bottoms. Anomalies in temperature (high peaks in August 2018, > 28 °C) and salinity (low values in spring 2018, < 37 PSU) could have induced stress and mortality events on the entire clam bed in the study area. This first study highlights the need to integrate environmental information in the assessment of commercial stocks of clams in the Adriatic Sea, to better understand climate change effects on the fluctuations and to support effective ecosystem-based fishery management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organization and management of political space through administrative divisions play a crucial role in effectively managing natural territories and their interconnected ecosystems. Failure to align political-administrative boundaries with the natural characteristics of regions, particularly the borders and boundaries of basins, poses a significant threat to ecosystem connectivity. In this study, by employing a descriptive-analytical approach and drawing on library sources, we examined the impacts of political organization of space, specifically national divisions and their changes, on the ecosystem of the Bakhtegan Lake and Tashk Basin. As the second-largest lake in the country, this basin served as a critical case study. The research findings revealed that frequent and arbitrary changes in the country's administrative divisions, particularly the creation of new units and cities in the upstream areas of the basin, had resulted in an increase in political-administrative territories, predominance of a sectoral development approach at the basin level, proliferation of local actors, passage of water currents across multiple political-administrative territories, escalation of hydropolitical tensions, hindrance of integrated basin management, loss of natural homogeneity, and failure to align the basin's natural borders with political-administrative borders. Consequently, this trend had facilitated the unrestrained exploitation of water resources in the upstream territories, disregarding environmental and ecosystem linkages with the lake and ultimately leading to its depletion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many states in the Eastern U.S. have limited water withdrawal regulations, posing significant risks to water supply management during periods of low flows. While these states require water withdrawal permits, exemptions for grandfathered withdrawals that allow unregulated access to surface water are common. Such permit exemptions present a challenge to water supply management, as full utilization of allowable withdrawals by permit‐exempt users could pose risks to maintaining adequate water supplies for current and projected demand. This study used reported permit exemption data in Virginia to understand the extent, volume, and potential impact of permit‐exempt withdrawals on 30‐ and 90‐day low flows. The permit‐exempt withdrawal values used in this study were obtained from Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Maximum permit‐exempt withdrawal volumes were significantly higher than projected future demands in permitted users. The impacts of these withdrawals on drought flows were compared with the impacts presented by climate change and demand growth. Widespread reduction in flows was observed with the "dry" future climate change scenario, while impacts were more localized in the exempt users and the demand growth scenarios. The impacts of exempt users exceeded the impact of climate change and demand growth scenarios in many regions during low‐flow periods. Therefore, more comprehensive water planning, policy and research is needed to address the impact of permit exemptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity in estuaries varies naturally due to tides, weather, geomorphology, freshwater flow, climate, and sea level. Before the 1950s, water management in southern Florida focused on diverting freshwater to the ocean to make historic wetlands more amenable to development and to protect human life. However, current water management activities aim to restore wetlands and estuaries while maintaining flood control and drinking water for the human population. Due to anthropogenic alteration, the spatiotemporal variability in salinity within Biscayne Bay, Florida, is a significant concern for ecosystem restoration under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). This study aims to analyze daily seasonal salinity trends within the Bay and quantify the change in salinity per year (salinity slope). Salinity data, collected at 30 stations within the central and southern regions of Biscayne Bay over 16 years (2005–2020), were examined for trends. The nonparametric seasonal Kendall trend test, at a 0.05 significance level, was used for the analysis. Results of the trend analysis show that salinity slopes were consistently positive (indicating increasing salinity over time) in the southern portion of the study area and negative (indicating decreasing salinity over time) in the northern portion of the study area. Throughout the study region, most salinity slopes were positive in the wet season and negative in the dry season. The study results show trends in seasonal salinity, which helps in understanding changes in this region. This study will aid future management efforts within Biscayne Bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across the globe, environmental water has been allocated with the purpose of preserving the health and vitality of floodplain vegetation. However, the influences of environmental water volume and environmental water delivery strategies have not been studied widely because of shortage of on‐ground monitoring data. Remotely sensed data can bridge this gap by providing long‐term and continuous information; Landsat imagery from 1988 to 2020 was used in this research. We used the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) as an indicator of physiological condition of lake‐fringing trees on the Hattah Lakes floodplain, south‐east Australia. We employed the random forest (RF) regression method to model the relationship between NDVI and various climate and hydrological factors, such as the volume of water delivered to the connected lakes system as environmental water allocations or natural floods. The RF models performed well overall, with a mean R2 value of 0.73. The analysis identified the monthly total of environmental water delivered 3 months prior to the Landsat image date as a more crucial factor than natural floods over the same period for driving vegetation condition. Environmental water from 3 months previously exerts a positive influence on NDVI until the volume reaches a specific threshold. We have observed significant improvements in floodplain vegetation through the current environmental water strategy, particularly since the construction of pumping infrastructure in 2013. We suggest that managers aim to inundate the lake fringing area every 3 years, specifically from August to September, by delivering environmental water up to the modelled threshold volume. Finally, the use of infrastructure has proven to be an effective and efficient method for irrigating floodplain lakes, leading to improvements in vegetation condition while conserving water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decomposition of allochthonous dead organic matter is a key process for the metabolism and functioning of stream and spring ecosystems. The litter breakdown process is influenced by several abiotic and biotic factors. Among abiotic parameters, the role of current velocity and physical abrasion was poorly investigated. Field studies gave contrasting results, mainly because of the covariation and the interaction of current velocity with other biotic/abiotic variables. For these reasons, we assessed leaf‐litter breakdown and the structure of crenic assemblages in two nearby reaches (erosional vs. depositional) of a physicochemically stable rheocrene spring. The two zones investigated were characterized by similar environmental conditions, but water current velocity was about four times greater in the erosional reach. We found substantial differences in the structure and functional organization of crenic assemblages. Overall taxa richness and density were higher in the depositional reach, while diversity and abundance of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera were taller in the erosional zone. Shredders were more abundant in the erosional zone, and scrapers were more represented in the slow current sector of the spring. We also demonstrated that water flow may promote a faster decomposition of leaf detritus in the spring erosional reach mainly through indirect effects: higher richness and abundance of shredder detritivores. Our results indicate that water current velocity may have a key role in affecting both spring assemblage composition and ecosystem processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]