Watershed Ecology and the Environment最新文献

{"title":"Rejuvenation of Kalyani River, Uttar Pradesh (India): A Study using Geospatial Modeling","authors":"Akash Pal ,&nbsp;Neeraj Kumar ,&nbsp;Shakti Suryavanshi ,&nbsp;Krishan Tyagi ,&nbsp;Jagadeesh Menon ,&nbsp;Deepak Lal ,&nbsp;Arnab Kundu ,&nbsp;Neeraj Kumar Sharma ,&nbsp;Easterlily Shylla ,&nbsp;Mukesh Kumar","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.09.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.09.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rivers play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and providing essential resources; however, many are facing significant degradation, particularly in India, where urbanization and population growth exacerbate water scarcity. This study focuses on the Kalyani River, located in Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh (India), which spans approximately 69.65 km and is vital for local communities. We employed an integrated approach combining geospatial technology, the HEC-RAS (Hydrologic Engineering Centers-River Analysis System) model, and field verification to assess river conditions and identify restoration needs. Our analysis revealed critical challenges affecting the Kalyani River, including siltation and blockages that hinder flow and contribute to flooding. The results indicate a recommended excavation length of approximately 22.37 km in the Nindora block, along with a total cleaning length of around 47.28 km for both Nindora and Fatehpur blocks. These findings underscore the necessity for immediate eco-restoration efforts to rejuvenate the river ecosystem and mitigate the impacts of human-induced changes. Furthermore, we mapped critical zones requiring intervention, emphasizing the need for community engagement in conservation initiatives. This study highlights the importance of not only addressing the physical restoration of the river but also fostering long-term ecological health through sustainable management practices. By comparing our findings with established river restoration projects, we contextualize the significance of our approach to enhance the resilience of the Kalyani River. Ultimately, this research offers valuable insights and actionable recommendations that can aid local authorities and stakeholders in implementing effective river management strategies, contributing to improved water security and ecological sustainability in the region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 13-22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145222213","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vegetation loss of the muni coastal lagoon: Implications for ecosystem services and climate impacts","authors":"Alexander Nii Adjei Sowah","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.07.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.07.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coastal lagoons are highly productive ecosystems protected under laws of conservations. They provide extensive ecosystem services including fisheries, aquaculture, storm protection and tourism. In spite of the ecological, social, economic and cultural values of coastal lagoons, they suffer multiple pressures that threaten their ecological integrity and function. Population growth and its attendant increased demand for resources, expansion of the built environment to the fringes of such ecosystems and the production of waste are placing coastal lagoons’ ecosystems at the risk of collapse. Relying on Landsat satellite images of Land Cover of the Muni lagoon catchment of the Effutu Municipality of Ghana from 1993 to 2023 alongside field observations, the paper examines vegetation loss and land cover changes and how the observed changes influence/affects the lagoon’s ability to function and provide its ecological and socio-economic services. It was observed that apart from grassland which has steadily increased over the last three decades, marshes and mangroves have consistently reduced in size, from 21% of the total land cover in 1993 to 11% in 2003 and 10% in 2013 to 7% in 2023. A projected analysis of the different land cover for the next decade [2023–2033] indicated further shrinking of the mangrove and size of the lagoon itself. While the lagoon remains viable regarding some of the services it provides, losing mangroves, marshes and swamps have implications for the lagoon’s water holding capacity and ecosystem services it provides. This is especially against the backdrop of dangers posed to coastal communities by sea encroachment arising from climate-induced sea level rise.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 100-109"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145684502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of solvent-free ball milling on sulfur dissolution in groundwater simulants","authors":"Ahmed Said ,&nbsp;Mariama Assoumani ,&nbsp;Mamie Ahmed Matoir ,&nbsp;Thabiti Soudjay Kamal ,&nbsp;Hamidou Hamada Soule ,&nbsp;Qiwu Zhang ,&nbsp;Mouayadi Said Ali Madi ,&nbsp;Abacar Chakira ,&nbsp;Zaïnati Ibrahim","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.05.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.05.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sulfur, the fifteenth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, was activated through solvent-free ball milling to investigate its dissolution behavior and environmental implications. This study evaluated the influence of grinding conditions on sulfur’s phase transformation and solubility in different solvents. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed a significant phase transition to the monoclinic β-sulfur phase (S-β) at a grinding speed of 500 rpm. Remarkably, sulfur solubility reached 807 ppm in water, compared to only 18.6 ppm in an acidic medium, underscoring the importance of solvent chemistry. Additionally, the activated sulfur exhibited self-photocatalytic activity, generating highly reactive oxidizing species crucial for the degradation of Methyl Orange (MO) dye, highlighting its potential for wastewater treatment. Advanced characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) provided insights into the dissolution mechanisms. This study demonstrates the transformative potential of mechanically activated sulfur in environmental remediation and lays the foundation for future research on sustainable water treatment solutions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145099051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of the impacts of climate change on drought intensity and frequency using SPI and SPEI in the Southern Pre-Balkash region, Kazakhstan","authors":"Alimkulov Sayat ,&nbsp;Makhmudova Lyazzat ,&nbsp;Talipova Elmira ,&nbsp;Baspakova Gaukhar ,&nbsp;Monkayeva Gulsara","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2024.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2024.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents a study of droughts in the South Pre-Balkash region that considers climate change and its impact on the intensity and frequency of drought periods. The main objective of this study is to assess changes in climatic parameters and their impact on the development of droughts using standardized precipitation indices (SPI) and precipitation evapotranspiration (SPEI) for the period 1950–2023. Long-term rainfall and temperature data and remote sensing data from the Google Earth Engine platform were used for the analysis. The Mann-Kendall test was applied to assess trends in climatic conditions and drought characteristics.</div><div>The results showed that although both the SPI and SPEI can be used to assess droughts, the SPEI is more effective at capturing changes in air temperature increases. The intensity and frequency of drought periods increased after the 1990 s, especially as measured by the SPEI. Additionally, the results of the present study indicate an increase in the intensity and frequency of dry periods, which is associated with climate change. In the study area, climate change is characterised mainly by an increase in air temperature (0.17–0.39 °C/10 years). The SPEI index is more sensitive to changes in the water balance, as it takes into account the influences of both precipitation and evaporation, in contrast to the SPI index, which considers only the influence of precipitation. Consequently, when drought conditions are analyzed using the SPEI index, a more accurate representation of the depth and severity of drought is obtained. These findings have important implications for the development of adaptation measures in agriculture and water management in the context of increasing drought risk in the Southern Pre-Balkash region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 11-22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transforming desalination brine into highly reactive magnesium oxide and life cycle analysis","authors":"Hasanthi L. Senevirathna ,&nbsp;W.P. Cathie Lee ,&nbsp;Shunnian Wu ,&nbsp;Kewu Bai ,&nbsp;Ping Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.01.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The sustainable production of magnesium oxide (MgO) from reject brine at a desalination facility in Singapore presents a promising alternative to traditional building materials. This study investigates the properties and extraction methods of MgO derived from reject brine, focusing on environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. By utilizing a combination of thermodynamic modelling of concentrated salt aqueous solutions and experimental validation, we optimized the recovery process for Mg²⁺ from reject brine, achieving an impressive 99 % recovery rate to produce MgO with ∼ 98 % purity. The MgO produced, calcined at 700 °C, exhibits high reactivity and a large surface area of 58.01 m²/g, making it a highly viable option for various industrial applications. This approach addresses reject brine disposal challenges and emphasizes brine valorization, aligning with strict environmental regulations by treating both freshwater and concentrated brine as valuable products. The technology enables cost-effective reject brine treatment by recycling Mg²⁺ to produce sustainable Mg-based materials. A comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of MgO production from reject brine. This analysis provides a thorough examination of the transformation process, assessing the sustainability of employing MgO in commercial applications. The findings of this study offer valuable insights for enhancing sustainability in various sectors, underscoring the promise of MgO as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective material.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 36-46"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examining the role of Indonesian major fishing ports on contributing to ocean macroplastic pollution","authors":"Tri Yuwono ,&nbsp;Mutiara Rachmat Putri ,&nbsp;Susanna Nurdjaman ,&nbsp;Sakti Wahyu Trenggono ,&nbsp;Kamaluddin Kasim","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.03.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.03.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plastic pollution in marine environments remains a critical global challenge, with Indonesia playing a significant role due to its extensive fisheries sector. Fishing ports contribute substantially to this issue through waste generated from vessel operations, fish processing, port activities, and riverine pollution. This study examines macro plastic waste production and its sources at four major Indonesian fishing ports—PPS Nizam Zachman (Jakarta), PPN Cilacap, PPN Kejawanan (Cirebon), and PPN Sibolga (North Sumatra)—by integrating field surveys and stakeholder discussions. The results indicate that plastic waste generation varies significantly across ports, with PPS Nizam Zachman producing the highest amount at an average of 700 kg per month, followed by PPN Cilacap (170 kg) and PPN Kejawanan (72 kg). Additionally, riverine plastic pollution plays a critical role in plastic accumulation, particularly at ports near urban river systems. Despite existing regulatory frameworks, including MMAF Decree No. 130 of 2023, challenges persist in waste management due to financial constraints, weak enforcement, and inadequate infrastructure. Based on the research findings, the most effective strategies for mitigating plastic pollution at fishing ports include expanding and institutionalizing waste retrieval programs by linking vessel permits (Surat Layak Operasi/SLO) to waste management compliance, improving waste management infrastructure through public–private partnerships, and strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration among port authorities, regulatory bodies, and local governments. Additionally, integrating riverine waste management into coastal strategies—such as installing floating trash barriers and enhancing upstream waste collection—is crucial to reducing plastic influx into fishing ports. Community engagement and education initiatives, including waste bank programs and awareness campaigns targeting fishers and port workers, are also essential for long-term sustainability. The findings emphasize the urgent need for an integrated waste management system that aligns regulatory enforcement, infrastructure development, and community participation to promote sustainability in Indonesia’s fisheries sector. Addressing these challenges through coordinated government and stakeholder action is paramount to reducing plastic waste leakage into the marine environment and ensuring long-term ecological and economic sustainability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 74-83"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143600162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancing wetland mapping in Argentina: A probabilistic approach integrating remote sensing, machine learning, and cloud computing towards sustainable ecosystem monitoring","authors":"María F. Navarro Rau ,&nbsp;Noelia C. Calamari ,&nbsp;Carlos S. Navarro ,&nbsp;Andrea Enriquez ,&nbsp;María J. Mosciaro ,&nbsp;Griselda Saucedo ,&nbsp;Raul Barrios ,&nbsp;Matías Curcio ,&nbsp;Victorio Dieta ,&nbsp;Guillermo García Martínez ,&nbsp;María del R. Iturralde Elortegui ,&nbsp;Nicole J. Michard ,&nbsp;Paula Paredes ,&nbsp;Fernando Umaña ,&nbsp;Silvina Alday ,&nbsp;Alejandro Pezzola ,&nbsp;Claudia Vidal ,&nbsp;Cristina Winschel ,&nbsp;Silvia Albarracin Franco ,&nbsp;Santiago Behr ,&nbsp;Ditmar B. Kurtz","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.04.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.04.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wetlands, covering 7 % of Earth’s surface, are crucial for providing ecosystem services and regulating climate change. Despite their importance, global fluctuations in wetland distribution highlight the need for accurate and comprehensive mapping to address current and future challenges. In Argentina, a lack of detailed knowledge about wetland distribution, extent, and dynamics impedes effective conservation and management efforts. This study addresses these challenges by presenting a probabilistic wetland distribution map for Argentina, integrating 20 years of satellite imagery with machine learning and cloud computing technologies. Our approach introduces a comprehensive set of biophysical indices, enabling the identification of key wetland characteristics: 1) permanent or temporal surface water presence; 2) water-adapted vegetation phenology; and 3) geomorphology conducive to water accumulation. Our model achieved an accuracy of 89.3 %, effectively identifying wetland areas and delineating “elasticity” zones that reveal temporal wetland behavior. Approximately 9.5 % of Argentina is classified as wetlands, with the Chaco-Mesopotamia region accounting for 43 % of these areas. The performance of the 42 assessed variables varied across macro-regions, highlighting the necessity for region-specific classification methods. In the Andean region, variables such as the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) were key predictors, while in the plains, spectral properties including vegetation and water content indices were more significant. Despite challenges in classifying irrigated areas, the model demonstrated considerable robustness. This study not only enhances our understanding of wetland dynamics but also provides insights into how different regions respond to various environmental factors, offering a more nuanced perspective on wetland behavior. These findings pave the way for refined conservation strategies and further research into the impacts of climate change and land use on wetland ecosystems. The precision, scalability, and representation of wetland elasticity emphasize its importance for decision-making and provide a crucial baseline for future research amid ongoing environmental changes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 144-158"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143816973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chronological development of environmental protection and sustainable development in Ethiopia: Systematic review","authors":"Tsegay Kahsay Gebrekidan ,&nbsp;Muuz Gebretsadik Gebremariam ,&nbsp;Meaza Kidane Teferi ,&nbsp;Selama Gebreslassie Yebyo","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.01.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.01.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It encompasses the continuous growth of political, cultural, economic, social, and environmental sectors. This review investigates the historical progress and actions of sustainable development in Ethiopia by examining various published and unpublished documents, government reports, policies, and legislation. The findings highlight that Ethiopia, with a longstanding history of environmental protection practices such as establishing protected areas, soil and water conservation, and sanitation, has made notable progress, especially since the mid-1990s. The inclusion of environmental rights in the 1995 Constitution led to the development of comprehensive policies, strategies, proclamations, regulations, and guidelines for sustainable development. Despite these advancements, Ethiopia faces numerous environmental challenges, including land degradation, climate change, deforestation, pollution, and inadequate implementation of environmental policies. These issues are further complicated by political instability, financial constraints, a lack of skilled human resources, rapid population growth, traditional agricultural practices, and weak community awareness. However, opportunities for improvement exist. Ethiopia can enhance its environmental goals by utilizing hydropower, investing in solar and wind energy, promoting sustainable agriculture, and accessing international climate finance. Nevertheless, the actions taken by the government and individuals have been inconsistent and scattered, leading to unsuccessful efforts to achieve sustainable development. Moving forward, addressing these persistent challenges requires coordinated efforts, political stability, innovative solutions, and public involvement. Strengthening institutional arrangements, enhancing education and awareness, and fostering collaboration at all levels are essential steps toward achieving sustainable development and environmental protection in Ethiopia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 47-57"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Performance assessment of personal care products industrial effluent treatment plant and its impacts on the environment","authors":"Md. Anowar Hossen,&nbsp;M.G. Mostafa","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.03.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.03.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Personal care products (PCPs) are emerging pollutants (EPs) that are capable of inducing adverse physiological effects on human health. PCPs industries generate a large volume of EPs that pose a significant threat to the aquatic environment. This study assessed PCPs industrial wastewater for physicochemical parameters, EPs, heavy metals (HMs), and the removal efficiency of a biochemical wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in three different seasons. The study also assessed the environmental impacts using several indices, such as the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment water quality index (<em>CCME-WQI</em>), heavy metal pollution index (<em>HPI</em>), heavy metal evaluation index (<em>HEI</em>), and risk quotients index (<em>RQ</em>s). The analysis results showed that the WWTP could reduce only 15.5 % and 24.4 % of COD and BOD₅, respectively, leaving a very high value of 468.3 and 249.9 mg/L, respectively, compared to the <span><span>ECR (2023</span></span>) standard. The removal rates for the HMs were in the order of Mn (5.7 %) &lt; Cr (10.4 %) &lt; Zn (20.0 %) &lt; Ni (23.5 %) &lt; Cd (59.4 %) &lt; Cu (61.9 %) &lt; Fe (73.1 %) &lt; Pb (88.7 %). The discharged effluent contained a number of EPs and HMs, which were poor in quality, unsafe for consumption, and high in environmental risk. Acidic pH and low phosphate concentration in the biological process were found to be the key determining factors for the worst performance of the WWTP, though metal–ligand interaction was assumed to have some contribution. The phosphate recovery concept formulated in this study is assumed to be simple and straight-forward.</div><div>The study argued that if some important parameters, such as pH, phosphate concentration, etc. are maintained properly, the studied biochemical treatment process can be effective for removing both PCPs and HMs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 131-143"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143800359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"SPATIAL and temporal dynamics of groundwater vulnerability to contaminants under climate and land use changes in the Pra and Ankobra basins","authors":"Emmanuel Arthur ,&nbsp;Charles Gyamfi ,&nbsp;Fred Oppong Kyekyeku Anyemedu ,&nbsp;Maxwell Gyampo","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.05.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.05.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Groundwater resources in Ghana’s Pra and Ankobra Basins face growing contamination risks due to the combined effects of climate change and land use/land cover (LULC) modifications, with existing studies often examining these drivers in isolation. This investigation addresses this gap by examining how groundwater recharge variability, influenced by these environmental changes, affects aquifer vulnerability to contaminants. An integrated GIS-based DRASTIC model approach incorporating well logs, precipitation records, geological maps, and land use data assessed and mapped climate-LULC interactions on vulnerability zones across the basins. Results demonstrate significant spatiotemporal variability, with 32 % of the area classified as moderately vulnerable, while high (23 %) and very high (17 %) vulnerability zones concentrate predominantly in the Ankobra Basin, particularly near mining towns like Prestea, Tarkwa, and Bibiani. Model validation confirmed high reliability (85 % accuracy, Kappa = 0.65), with projections indicating a transition toward lower vulnerability under future scenarios. Very low vulnerability areas may expand across all periods (near, mid, and far future), while high and very high zones could decline by 9.58 % and 11.93 % respectively by the far future. The findings highlight the need for targeted strategies in mining-affected areas, including stricter environmental regulations, groundwater protection zones, and sustainable land management. Integrating continuous monitoring with adaptive approaches, such as artificial recharge systems and climate-informed land use planning, can enhance groundwater resilience. This study provides policymakers and water managers with actionable insights to develop robust protection measures, offering a transferable framework for vulnerable basins facing similar climatic and anthropogenic stresses. Science-based monitoring and multi-stakeholder collaboration emerge as critical components for safeguarding groundwater resources under changing environmental conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 208-229"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143941173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}