Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education最新文献

In developing countries in Africa and Asia, meeting challenges of water scarcity and pollution has often been hampered by shortcomings in higher education, including insufficient research productivity and funding, lack of opportunity for university graduates, and a mismatch between university activities and societal needs. To address these issues, we developed novel programs integrating technical instruction and preparation for professional practice in hydrology for cohorts of graduate students from Morocco and Egypt (2012–2013) and from Türkiye and Indonesia (2013–2014). Students participated in an initial online course and a follow-up workshop featuring geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and hydrologic modeling with internet-based data sets. Field activities in the USA (first cohort) and in the students’ home countries (second cohort) included stream gauging, measurement of water levels in wells, water sampling, and measurement of hydrochemical parameters. A subsequent online course focused on research ethics, preparing proposals and publications, and presenting findings to technical audiences and the public, culminating in presentations at conferences in the USA. Participants mentored other students at their home institutions and at K-12 schools in Türkiye and Indonesia. Participant feedback during and after the programs tended to be strongly positive, and participants have continued to engage with project leaders and mentor students in their home countries and the USA. Our modular, hybrid approach offers a template for students in hydrology and related fields to develop relevant skills and engage internationally.

Algae, an important foundation of aquatic ecosystems, can become a nuisance or harmful when it grows in excess. Many government agencies have a role in monitoring, responding to, and confirming a harmful algal bloom (HAB). HAB scientists have important information to share, however, given the complexities of HABs, which often involve decoupled drivers from observed impacts, presents challenges to outreach and engagement. Understanding key audience information needs can help scientists prioritize key science communication and engagement opportunities to maximize the impact of such efforts. Scientists may need additional science communication training or support for scientist-community partnerships. This will be evermore important into the future with the likely range expansion of HABs due to climate change.

This study presents the first report of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water samples collected in the Arroyo Colorado (n = 15), irrigation canals (n = 6), stormwater and wastewater retention ponds (n = 7), as well as drinking waters (n = 2) across the Arroyo Colorado watershed. Of the 30 PFAS monitored in this study, 14 were detected in the samples in various combinations. Short-chain PFAS (less than 8 carbon atoms) were observed in most samples. Water collected from the Arroyo Colorado showed significant spatial variabilities, with high total PFAS concentrations observed near possible point sources - a municipal airport and wastewater treatment facilities. PFAS concentrations were generally higher in water samples collected in stormwater and wastewater retention ponds than in the Arroyo Colorado and irrigation canals. PFAS in stormwater retention ponds likely came from roadway runoff. Short-chain PFAS were observed in the two municipal water samples, but they were below the current U.S. EPA regulation limits or are not currently regulated. This study provides useful information for water quality in this region and provides insights into PFAS occurrence in a rapidly urbanizing area.

The use and the share of water applied from several irrigation water sources correlate with the irrigation practices in use by the peers of Arkansan farmers. From a sample of producers from an irrigation survey in Arkansas, a bivariate sample selection model accounts for how peer use of numerous irrigation practices affects the use and the share of irrigation that comes from a water source. The bivariate sample selection model controls for the bias in the statistical estimates that occur because producers who volunteer for an irrigation survey are likely to know about and use irrigation more than the population. We find that peer influence operates through multiple irrigation practices, and peer influence through an irrigation practice depends on an irrigator's location and current farm practices. For example, peer use of a tail-water recovery system and peer use of alternate wetting and drying both increase the probability of surface water use alone.

In recent years, there has been much focus on the use of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) in urban centers, particularly for SARS-CoV-2 monitoring. However, less is known about the application of WBE in rural settings or in areas of limited resources. Most WBE programs in low-resource communities have occurred outside the United States. To reap the benefits, WBE would need to be tailored to better reflect the socioeconomic challenges, technical barriers, communication limitations, and variable wastewater infrastructures associated with rural communities. The objective of this review is to evaluate the potential opportunities and challenges of deploying the current SARS-CoV-2 monitoring methodologies in small, rural communities, with a particular focus on rural Texas. For this, we conducted an inventory of rural communities in the state of Texas and their wastewater infrastructure. Based on specific rural examples, we evaluated the potential of current WBE methodologies used in urban settings to monitor for emerging biological agents of concern such as SARS-CoV-2. Our findings include an overview of rural wastewater capacity across rural Texas, a look at current WBE efforts to detect SARS-CoV-2, and recommendations for future implementation in two cities in rural counties, Kerrville and Valentine. WBE is a rapidly evolving public health tool with several notable advantages associated with cost, access, and adaptability. It is of particular use in resource-limited communities that often exhibit healthcare disparities. This study presents the first overview of the feasibility of implementing WBE in the rural settings of Texas. We provide several recommendations and suggest alternatives that may be of use when planning an expansion of WBE into these areas.

Elevated concentrations of phosphorus (P) and other nutrients common in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent have been shown to contribute to the proliferation of harmful algal blooms, which may lead to fish kills related to aquatic hypoxia. Increased understanding of the negative effects associated with elevated P concentrations have prompted more strict regulation of WWTP effluent in recent years. The use of low-cost and potentially regenerative adsorptive phosphate filters has the potential to decrease P concentrations in WWTP effluent released to natural waters. This research focuses on assessing the capacities of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), expanded slate, and expanded clay to remove phosphate from P-amended WWTP effluent. Results from a flow-through column study indicate that RCA consistently removed an average of 97% of phosphate over 20 weeks of continuous flow at an 8-hour hydraulic retention time (HRT). Expanded clay removed an average of 63% of introduced phosphate but decreased in removal capacity from 91 to 42% over the 20-week duration. Sorption data from batch studies were fitted to Langmuir models and RCA was shown to have the highest maximum sorption capacity (6.16 mg P/g), followed by expanded clay (3.65 mg P/g). RCA and expanded clay are promising options for use in passive filters for further reduction of phosphate from WWTP effluent.

Undergraduate hands-on research can foster innovation and critical thinking among young scholars to delve into real-world challenges. Specifically, exploring the critical nexus between water usage and agricultural yield, can foster academic growth and holds the key to addressing global food security in an era of increasing environmental constraints, where students can unlock insights crucial to enhancing crop yield and sustainability. Investigating the intricate relationship between water management and crop productivity through undergraduate research is exemplified in this article. Undergraduate students acquired hands-on research experience by collecting, processing, and analyzing destructive (crop biomass samples) and non-destructive (plant height, nodes, and leaf chlorophyll content) cropping system data on soybeans under irrigated and dryland production systems, where they worked closely with the farmer. Identifying the current research problem and study site selection, scientific decision-making during the field study, developing critical thinking while ensuring research communication skills, and quality assurance and quality control through technology during data collection and analysis were learning outcomes. The research highlights the observed distinct performance between irrigated and non-irrigated soybeans using non-destructive plant health and growth indicators with plant biomass, following appropriate quality control and assurance steps. Statistically, irrigated soybeans outperformed non-irrigated soybeans in terms of average plant height at maturity (irrigated: 97.0±1.7 cm vs. non-irrigated: 37.4±0.6 cm; p<0.01) and number of nodes on the mainstem (irrigated: 19.5±1.2 vs. non-irrigated: 12.6±0.8; p<0.01). Findings from this study can help ensure quality control and assurance in future cropping system projects. Through the agroecosystem study, we exhibit the importance and role of undergraduate research opportunities in developing the next generation of problem solvers.

Since 1901, heavy rainfall events have increased in the United States in both intensity and frequency, and human population in the United States has increased, resulting in significant land use changes. Both trends contribute to an increase in observed flood magnitude and frequency. To determine if a relationship exists between land use/land cover and changing stream flows in northwest Arkansas, this study analyzed temporal changes in various flow statistics for 14 stream gages and compared the rates of change in flow statistics from gages on streams with watersheds that have varying land uses, i.e., urban, agricultural, and undeveloped. Mann-Kendall analysis was used to determine statistically significant changes in flow statistics, which were then compared to National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD) watershed land uses from 2001 and 2019. All analyzed gages had one or more flow statistics with at least a moderately significant increase, and all analyzed flow statistics showed at least moderately significant streamflow increases at two or more gages (P < 0.100). There were no decreases of any significance in any flow statistic at any gage. In general, urban land development did not happen on native prairies and forests but on previously agricultural land. Significant positive relationships were found between maximum yearly flow and 2019 urban land use, urban land use change from 2001 to 2019, and 2019 Human Development Index (HDI). A similar relationship was found to exist between yearly minimum flow and 2019 HDI. These results highlight the importance of considering the cost of potential stream bank erosion and flooding in future land use planning, permitting, and zoning.

Urban water managers and policymakers have adopted demand management strategies to reduce water use and buffer against short-term water supply shortfalls. This article provides a systematic review of publications from 1978-2022 that examine the effectiveness of residential water use restrictions as the primary demand-side management tool. Our results indicate the significant overall effect of restrictions on reducing water consumption, with an average reduction of 12.3% from the 23 studies reviewed in this article. When evaluating effect strength by restriction type (mandatory versus voluntary), voluntary restrictions have a significantly lower effect than mandatory restrictions on water use. We also find an inverse correlation between the number of irrigation days allowed and the estimated effect strength.