Search Results (2,342)

Cascading landslides are specific multi-hazard events in which a primary movement triggers successive landslide processes. Areas with dynamic and quickly changing environments are more prone to this type of phenomena. Both the kind and the evolution velocity of a landslide depends on the materials involved. Indeed, rockfalls are generated when rocks fall from a very steep slope, while debris flow and/or mudslides are generated by fine materials like silt and clay after strong water imbibition. These events can amplify the damage caused by the initial trigger and propagate instability along a slope, often resulting in significant environmental and societal impacts. The Morino-Rendinara cascading landslide, situated in the Ernici Mountains along the border of the Abruzzo and Lazio regions (Italy), serves as a notable example of the complexities and devastating consequences associated with such events. In March 2021, a substantial debris flow event obstructed the Liri River, marking the latest step in a series of landslide events. Conventional techniques such as geomorphological observations and geological surveys may not provide exhaustive information to explain the landslide phenomena in progress. For this reason, UAV image acquisition, InSAR interferometry, and pixel offset analysis can be used to improve the knowledge of the mechanism and kinematics of landslide events. In this work, the interferometric data ranged from 3 January 2020 to 24 March 2023, while the pixel offset data covered the period from 2016 to 2022. The choice of such an extensive data window provided comprehensive insight into the investigated events, including the possibility of identifying other unrecorded events and aiding in the development of more effective mitigation strategies. Furthermore, to supplement the analysis, a specific finite element method for slope stability analysis was used to reconstruct the deep geometry of the system, emphasizing the effect of groundwater-level flow on slope stability. All of the findings indicate that major landslide activities were concentrated during the heavy rainfall season, with movements ranging from several centimeters per year. These results were consistent with numerical analyses, which showed that the potential slip surface became significantly more unstable when the water table was elevated. Full article

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a serious growing concern in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Mauritania, recent gold discoveries in the north and northwest have led to an increase in ASGM centers, reflecting trends across the region and posing considerable risks of mercury (Hg) contamination. Notwithstanding this fact, the extent of mercury contamination in the region remains unclear due to insufficient knowledge on the mechanisms of Hg dispersion in hyper-arid regions. In light of this, the present study aimed to acquire fundamental knowledge to elucidate the dispersion mechanism of mercury through conducting soil and groundwater sampling in and around Chami town, Mauritania, where ASGM activities have intensified. We analyzed 180 soil samples and 5 groundwater samples for total mercury (total Hg) using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) methods. The total Hg levels in soil samples ranged from 0.002 to 9.3 ppm, with the highest concentrations found at ASGM sites. Groundwater samples exhibited low total Hg levels (0.25–1.25 ng/L). The total Hg content in soil and groundwater samples was below Japanese standards, yet soil samples from hotspot points exceeded other international standards. Our study emphasizes the Hg dispersion patterns around Chami town, suggesting a gradual decrease in total Hg with increasing distance from ASGM sites and a potential influence of wind dynamics. The knowledge accumulated in this study provides essential insights into the Hg dispersion mechanisms in Chami town, laying the foundation for establishing a predictive model of Hg contamination in hyper-arid regions. Full article

Based on the Xiaolangdi North Bank Irrigation Area Project, this study combines numerical simulation and BP neural network methods to investigate the sensitivity of tunnel soil and its parameter inversion under continuous heavy rainfall. The research results indicate that changes in water-level and soil strength parameters have a significant impact on the deformation of tunnel surrounding rock. By comparing the sensitivity factors of different parameters, the main parameter sensitivities affecting the displacement of tunnel surrounding rock were determined to be water level, internal friction angle, and cohesion. The mechanical characteristics of the tunnel construction process were analyzed using finite difference method numerical analysis software FLAC3D, and the results were used as a sample dataset for inversion analysis. Through neural network inverse analysis based on orthogonal design method, the cohesion and internal friction angle of loess layer ④, loess layer ④-1, and loess layer ⑤ were determined, and the data of groundwater level elevation were obtained. Field applications proved the effectiveness and rationality of this method. Full article

Emerging contaminants (ECs) present a significant risk to both the ecological environment and human health. Landfill leachate (LL) often contains elevated EC levels, posing a potential risk to localized groundwater. This study aimed to characterize ECs in municipal solid waste landfills (MSWLs) and hazardous waste landfills (HWLs) in northeast (NE) China. One and three HWLs and MSWLs in NE China with varying types, operational years, and impermeable layers were selected as case studies, respectively. Statistical analysis of 62 indicators of nine ECs in leachate and the groundwater environment indicated the presence of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), antibiotics, alkylphenols (APs), and bisphenol A (BPA). The leachates of the four landfills exhibited elevated concentrations of ECs of 21.03 μg/L, 40.04 μg/L, 14.54 μg/L, and 43.05 μg/L for PFCs, antibiotics, Aps, and BPA, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the highest concentrations of ECs in groundwater and those in leachate as well as with operational duration of the landfill; in contrast, groundwater EC was negatively correlated with the degree of impermeability. This study can guide future management of ECs in landfills and hazardous waste sites in China, particularly in NE China. Full article

Large Language Models (LLMs) combined with visual foundation models have demonstrated significant advancements, achieving intelligence levels comparable to human capabilities. This study analyzes the latest Multimodal LLMs (MLLMs), including Multimodal-GPT, GPT-4 Vision, Gemini, and LLaVa, with a focus on hydrological applications such as flood management, water level monitoring, agricultural water discharge, and water pollution management. We evaluated these MLLMs on hydrology-specific tasks, testing their response generation and real-time suitability in complex real-world scenarios. Prompts were designed to enhance the models’ visual inference capabilities and contextual comprehension from images. Our findings reveal that GPT-4 Vision demonstrated exceptional proficiency in interpreting visual data, providing accurate assessments of flood severity and water quality. Additionally, MLLMs showed potential in various hydrological applications, including drought prediction, streamflow forecasting, groundwater management, and wetland conservation. These models can optimize water resource management by predicting rainfall, evaporation rates, and soil moisture levels, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practices. This research provides valuable insights into the potential applications of advanced AI models in addressing complex hydrological challenges and improving real-time decision-making in water resource management Full article

Septic-derived nitrogen (N) sources have harmful effects on water resources, humans, and ecosystems in several countries. On Jeju Island, South Korea, the rapid increase in personal sewage treatment facilities (PSTFs, also known as on-site septic systems) raises concerns regarding the deterioration of groundwater quality, as groundwater is the sole water resource on the island. Therefore, this study employed a field study and numerical modeling to assess the impact of PSTF effluents on groundwater quality in the Jocheon area of northeastern Jeju. Water quality analysis revealed that the total nitrogen (T-N) concentrations in the effluent exceeded the effluent standards (75–92% PSTFs). The numerical model simulated the transport of N species, showing limited NH₄⁺ and NO₂⁻ plume migration near the surface due to nitrification and adsorption. However, NO₃⁻ concentrations increased and stabilized over time, leaching on the water table with higher levels in lowland areas and clustered PSTFs. The predictive model estimated a 79% reduction in NO₃⁻ leaching when the effluents followed standards, indicating the necessity of effective PSTF management. This study highlights the importance of managing improperly operated septic systems to mitigate groundwater contamination based on an understanding of the behavior of N species in subsurface hydrologic systems. Full article

Groundwater contamination poses a severe public health risk in Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city, where over-exploited aquifers are the primary municipal and domestic water supply source. This study presents the first comprehensive district-wide assessment of groundwater quality across Lahore using an innovative integrated approach combining geographic information systems (GIS), multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), and water quality indexing techniques. The core objectives were to map the spatial distributions of critical pollutants like arsenic, model their impacts on overall potability, and evaluate targeted remediation scenarios. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) methodology was applied to derive weights for the relative importance of diverse water quality parameters based on expert judgments. Arsenic received the highest priority weight (0.28), followed by total dissolved solids (0.22) and hardness (0.15), reflecting their significance as health hazards. Weighted overlay analysis in GIS delineated localized quality hotspots, unveiling severely degraded areas with very poor index values (>150) in urban industrial zones like Lahore Cantt, Model Town, and parts of Lahore City. This corroborates reports of unregulated industrial effluent discharges contributing to aquifer pollution. Prospective improvement scenarios projected that reducing heavy metals like arsenic by 30% could enhance quality indices by up to 20.71% in critically degraded localities like Shalimar. Simulating advanced multi-barrier water treatment processes showcased an over 95% potential reduction in arsenic levels, indicating the requirement for deploying advanced oxidation and filtration infrastructure aligned with local contaminant profiles. The integrated decision support tool enables the visualization of complex contamination patterns, evaluation of remediation options, and prioritizing risk-mitigation investments based on the spatial distribution of hazard exposures. This framework equips urban planners and utilities with critical insights for developing targeted groundwater quality restoration policies through strategic interventions encompassing treatment facilities, drainage infrastructure improvements, and pollutant discharge regulations. Its replicability across other regions allows for tackling widespread groundwater contamination challenges through robust data synthesis and quantitative scenario modeling capabilities. Full article

Small-scale open-pit, non-artisanal mining of low-value ores is an understudied practice despite its widespread occurrence and potential impact on freshwater resources due to mining-induced land-use/cover changes (LUCCs). This research investigates the long-term impacts of andesite mining in Pasuruan, Indonesia, on the Umbulan Spring’s water discharge within its watershed. System Dynamics (SD) modeling captures the systemic and systematic impact of mining-induced LUCCs on discharge volumes and groundwater recharge. Agricultural and reservoir-based land reclamation scenarios then reveal post-mining temporal dynamics. The no-mining scenario sees the spring’s discharge consistently decrease until an inflection point in 2032. With mining expansion, reductions accelerate by ~1.44 million tons over two decades, or 65.31 thousand tons annually. LUCCs also decrease groundwater recharge by ~2.48 million tons via increased surface runoff. Proposed post-mining land interventions over reclaimed mining areas influence water volumes differently. Reservoirs on reclaimed land lead to ~822.14 million extra tons of discharge, 2.75 times higher than the agricultural scenario. Moreover, reservoirs can restore original recharge levels by 2039, while agriculture only reduces the mining impact by 28.64% on average. These findings reveal that small-scale non-artisanal andesite mining can disrupt regional hydrology despite modest operating scales. Thus, evidence-based guidelines are needed for permitting such mines based on environmental risk and site water budgets. Policy options include discharge or aquifer recharge caps tailored to small-scale andesite mines. The varied outputs of rehabilitation scenarios also highlight evaluating combined land and water management interventions. With agriculture alone proving insufficient, optimized mixes of revegetation and water harvesting require further exploration. Full article

Groundwater flow and transport models are essential tools for assessing and quantifying the migration of organic contaminants at polluted sites. Uncertainties in the hydrodynamic and transport parameters of the aquifer have a significant effect on model predictions. Uncertainties can be quantified with advanced sensitivity methods such as Sobol’s High Dimensional Model Reduction (HDMR) and Variogram Analysis of Response Surfaces (VARS). Here we present the application of VARS and HDMR to assess the global sensitivities of the outputs of a transient groundwater flow model of the Gállego alluvial aquifer which is located downstream of the Sardas landfill in Huesca (Spain). The aquifer is subject to the tidal effects caused by the daily oscillations of the water level in the Sabiñánigo reservoir. Global sensitivities are analyzed for hydraulic heads, aquifer/reservoir fluxes, groundwater Darcy velocity, and hydraulic head calibration metrics. Input parameters include aquifer hydraulic conductivities and specific storage, aquitard vertical hydraulic conductivities, and boundary inflows and conductances. VARS, HDMR, and graphical methods agree to identify the most influential parameters, which for most of the outputs are the hydraulic conductivities of the zones closest to the landfill, the vertical hydraulic conductivity of the most permeable zones of the aquitard, and the boundary inflow coming from the landfill. The sensitivity of heads and aquifer/reservoir fluxes with respect to specific storage change with time. The aquifer/reservoir flux when the reservoir level is high shows interactions between specific storage and aquitard conductivity. VARS and HDMR parameter rankings are similar for the most influential parameters. However, there are discrepancies for the less relevant parameters. The efficiency of VARS was demonstrated by achieving stable results with a relatively small number of simulations. Full article

We study the interrelations between salt karst and landscape evolution at the Ze’elim and Hever alluvial fans, Dead Sea (DS), Israel, in an attempt to characterize the ongoing surface and subsurface processes and identify future trends. Using light detection and ranging, interferometric synthetic aperture radar, drone photography, time-lapse cameras, and direct measurements of floodwater levels, we document floodwater recharge through riverbed sinkholes, subsurface salt dissolution, groundwater flow, and brine discharge at shoreline sinkholes during the years 2011–2023. At the Ze’elim fan, most of the surface floodwater drains into streambed sinkholes and discharges at shoreline sinkholes, whereas at the Hever fan, only a small fraction of the floodwater drains into sinkholes, while the majority flows downstream to the DS. This difference is attributed to the low-gradient stream profiles in Ze’elim, which enable water accumulation and recharge in sinkholes and their surrounding depressions, in contrast with the higher-gradient Hever profiles, which yield high-energy floods capable of carrying coarse gravel that eventually fill the sinkholes. The rapid drainage of floodwater into sinkholes also involves slope failure due to pore-pressure drop and cohesion loss within hours after each drainage event. Surface subsidence lineaments detected by InSAR indicate the presence of subsurface dissolution channels between recharge and discharge sites in the two fans and in the nearby Lynch straits. Subsidence and streambed sinkholes occur in most other fans and streams that flow to the DS; however, with the exception of Ze’elim, all other streams show only minor or no recharge along their course. This is due to either the high-gradient profiles, the gravelly sediments, the limited floods, or the lack of conditions for sinkhole development in the other streambeds. Thus, understanding the factors that govern the flood-related karst formation is of great importance for predicting landscape evolution in the DS region and elsewhere and for sinkhole hazard assessment. Full article

The Brazilian savanna (Cerrado Biome) is one of the most important regions in the world in terms of food production, with the use of fertilizers based on nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK). When not applied properly, fertilizers can alter and affect water quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of these compounds in surface and groundwater in the Upper Jardim River Hydrographic Unit, Federal District, thus characterizing seasonal variations during the dry and rainy seasons in two periods. A total of 207 groundwater samples and 23 surface water samples were collected in the years 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2020. The parameters analyzed were pH and nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, phosphate and potassium ions. In groundwater samples, pH values were significantly higher and ion levels lower in samples collected during the early years (except for nitrate), and the ammonium concentrations were lower in the dry season than the rainy (in 2014 and 2019). In surface samples, total phosphorus levels were significantly higher in the rainy/2019 compared to the rainy/2020 season, while this tendency was inverted for potassium during the dry season. The use of NPK-based fertilizers has increased considerably in recent years in the region due to the expansion of the agricultural area, and although the results of the study show that concentrations in water are much lower than the maximum values allowed by Brazilian legislation, continuous monitoring is necessary to guarantee water quality. Full article

Freshwater, vital for life and ecosystems, accounts for only 2.5% of Earth’s water, and is primarily located in polar caps, underground reservoirs, and surface water. Its quality varies due to environmental interactions, especially in groundwater. Tenerife, located in the Canary Islands, Spain, relies mainly on underground aquifers and tunnels capturing 51.6 cubic hectometers annually. Ensuring safe drinking water is a global challenge due to health risks from poor water quality, including diseases and cancer. Fluoride, sodium, and potassium are essential for health, and are mainly derived from groundwater as fluoride ions (F⁻) and sodium and potassium cations (Na⁺, K⁺). However, excessive F⁻, Na⁺, and K⁺ in drinking water is harmful. The World Health Organization limits F⁻ to 1.5 mg/L, Na⁺ to 8.70 meq/L, and K⁺ to 0.31 meq/L. Geological, climatic, and human factors control the presence and transport of F⁻, Na⁺, and K⁺ in groundwater. Seismic events can impact water quality, with long-term effects linked to aquifer structure and transient effects from gas and fluid expansion during earthquakes. This study was motivated by a 3.8 mbLg earthquake in Tenerife in 2012, which allowed its impact on groundwater quality, specifically F⁻, Na⁺, and K⁻ concentrations, to be examined. Post-earthquake, F⁻ levels alarmingly increased to 8.367 meq/L, while Na⁺ and K⁺ showed no significant changes. This research quantifies the influence of earthquakes on increasing F⁻ levels and evaluates F⁻ reduction during low seismic activity, emphasizing the importance of water management on volcanic islands. Full article

The quality and level of groundwater tables have rapidly declined because of intensive pumping in Punjab (Pakistan). For sustainable groundwater supplies, there is a need for better management practices. So, the identification of potential groundwater recharge zones is crucial for developing effective management systems. The current research is based on integrating seven contributing factors, including geology, soil map, land cover/land use, lineament density, drainage density, slope, and rainfall to categorize the area into various groundwater recharge potential zones using remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS), and analytical hierarchical process (AHP) for Punjab, Pakistan. The weights (for various thematic layers) and rating values (for sub-classes) in the overlay analysis were assigned for thematic layers and then modified and normalized using the AHP. The result indicates that about 17.88% of the area falls under the category of very high groundwater potential zones (GWPZs). It was found that only 12.27% of the area falls under the category of very low GWPZs. The results showed that spatial technologies like remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS), when combined with AHP technique, provide a robust platform for studying GWPZs. This will help the public and government sectors to understand the potential zone for sustainable groundwater management. Full article

The Arabian Desert is characterised by very low rainfall and high evaporation, yet over 210 springs are on its northeastern edge in central Iraq along the Abu Jir lineament, which represents the western depositional margin of a foreland basin infilled by the floodplain sediments of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; there is little evidence of faulting. The springs discharge from gently east-dipping Paleocene–Eocene limestones, either where groundwater flowpaths intersect the ground surface or where groundwater flow is forced to the surface by confining aquitards. Calculated annual recharge to the aquifer system across the Arabian Desert plateau (130–500 million m³) is significant, largely due to rapid infiltration through karst dolines, such that karst porosity is the primary enabler of groundwater recharge. The recharge is enough to maintain flow at the Abu Jir springs, but active management of groundwater extraction for agriculture is required for their long-term sustainability. The hydrochemistry of the springs is determined by evaporation, rainfall composition (high SO₄ concentrations are due to the dissolution of wind-blown gypsum in rainfall), and plant uptake of Ca and K (despite the sparse vegetation). Limestone dissolution has relatively little impact; many of the springs are undersaturated with respect to calcite and lack tufa/travertine deposits. The springs at Hit-Kubaysa contain tar and high levels of H₂S that probably seeped upwards along subvertical faults from underlying oil reservoirs; this is the only location along the Abu Jir lineament where deep-seated faults penetrate to the surface. The presence of hydrocarbons reduces the Hit-Kubaysa spring water and converts the dissolved SO₄ to H₂S. Full article

Coal mining has led to escalating ecological and environmental issues in significant coal and grain production areas, posing a severe danger to food security. This study examines the disturbance patterns of soil factors and microbial communities in coal and grain production areas, and attempts to understand the impact of subsidence and water accumulation stress on soil characteristics and microbial communities in coal mining subsidence areas with high subsidence levels. Five specific regions of Zhao Gu Yi Mine, situated in Henan Province and under the ownership of Jiaozuo Coal Group, were chosen. Aside from the control group (CK), the study blocks situated in the coal mining subsidence zones consisted of perennial subsidence ponding (PSP), seasonal subsidence ponding (SSP), the neutral zone (NZ), and the horizontal deformation zone (HDZ). The soil nutrient indices and the stoichiometric properties of soil C, N, and P were assessed on the surface of each block. The organization of the soil microbial community was identified using high-throughput sequencing. The findings indicate that: 1. Substantial disparities exist in soil properties and microbial community structure between the subsidence and non-subsidence zones. The levels of soil organic mater (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), available nitrogen (AN), and available phosphorus (AP) all decrease to different extents in the subsidence area. Additionally, the coal mining subsidence waterlogged area exhibits higher levels compared to the coal mining subsidence non-waterlogged area. Conversely, the soil water content (SWC), C/N ratio, C/P ratio, and N/P ratio all increase to varying degrees. 2. Regarding the composition of the community, the presence of Proteobacteria is considerably greater in the non-water-logged area of coal mining subsidence (NZ, HDZ) compared to the water-logged area and control group (p < 0.05). The prevalence of Firmicutes in the subsidence water area was substantially greater compared to both the subsidence non-waterlogged area and the control group (p < 0.05). The prevalence of Gemmatimonadota is markedly greater in the waterlogged area of mining subsidence compared to the non-waterlogged area and CK (p < 0.05). The Ascomycota population reached its highest value in the neutral zone (NZ), which was significantly greater than the values observed in the seasonal subsidence ponding (SSP) and perennial subsidence ponding (PSP) regions (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the Rozellomycota population had its highest value in the SSP region, which was significantly greater than the values observed in the other regions (p < 0.05). 3. The abundance and variety of soil bacteria and fungi, as well as their important populations, are associated with different levels of soil characteristics. The primary elements that influence the alteration of microbial communities are soil nutrients and soil water content. The presence of coal mine subsidence and water accumulation has a notable impact on the properties of the soil in the surrounding area. This study offers a scientific foundation for reclaiming land affected by subsidence caused by coal mining in regions where coal and grain production are the dominant industries. Full article