bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of over-pumping and sea level rise on seawater intrusion in Gaza aquifer (Palestine)
Authors: Abd-Elhamid H. F. , Javadi A. A. , Qahman K. M.
Published: December 2015

Seawater intrusion is considered as one of the main processes that degrade water quality by raising salinity to levels exceeding acceptable drinking water standards. Over-abstraction is the main cause of seawater intrusion. Moreover, climate change and sea level rise speed up seawater intrusion. This paper presents the development of a coupled transient finite element model for simulation of fluid flow and solute transport in soils and its application to study seawater intrusion in Gaza aquifer. The effects of likely sea level rise due to climate change and over-pumping on seawater intrusion in Gaza aquifer are studied using three scenarios: rise in sea level due to climate change; decrease in piezometric head on the land side due to over-pumping; and a combination of sea level rise and over-pumping. The results show that a rise of 1 m in sea level has a significant effect on the position of the transition zone and can result in a further 0.5 km seawater intrusion in Gaza aquifer. However, the combination of sea level rise and over-pumping results in movement of the transition zone further inland (nearly 1.0 km). The results show that Gaza aquifer is subjected to severe seawater intrusion from the Mediterranean Sea and there is an urgent need to protect the aquifer from seawater intrusion.
Investigating rainfall trend over India using the wavelet technique
Authors: Paul Ranjit Kumar , Birthal P. S.
Published: December 2015

In this paper, using the wavelet technique we analysed rainfall behaviour in the country across different agro-climatic zones over a century. Findings indicate that at the national level there is no significant trend in rainfall in the long run, but there are pockets of change in the rainfall pattern. There was a significant increase in the rainfall in the arid zone, whereas in the humid, semi-arid tropics and semi-arid temperate zones the trend was downward but insignificant. The behaviour of rainfall was different during this period. Except in the arid zone, we find a similar trend in other zones – increasing initially, tapering off in the middle and then declining but with some difference in time intervals. In the arid zone, the behaviour of rainfall had been erratic. In the short run, the direction of change in trend remains the same as in the long run but the change is statistically significant.
Impacts of rainfall and air temperature variations due to climate change upon hydrological characteristics: a case study
Authors: Ouyang Ying , Zhang Jia-En , Li Yide , Parajuli Prem , Feng Gary
Published: December 2015

Rainfall and air temperature variations resulting from climate change are important driving forces to change hydrologic processes in watershed ecosystems. This study investigated the impacts of past and future rainfall and air temperature variations upon water discharge, water outflow (from the watershed outlet), and evaporative loss in the Lower Yazoo River Watershed (LYRW), Mississippi, USA using the Hydrological Simulation Program-Fortran (HSPF) model. Four future climate change (i.e., rainfall and air temperature change) scenarios, namely the CSIROMK35A1B, HADCM3B2, CSIROMK2B2, and MIROC32A1B scenarios, were used as input data to perform simulations in this study. Results showed that monthly variations of water discharge, evaporative loss, and water outflow were primarily due to the monthly fluctuations of rainfall rather than air temperature. On average, for all of the four scenarios, a 6.4% decrease in rainfall amount resulted in, respectively, 11.8 and 10.3% decreases in water outflow and evaporative loss. Our study demonstrated that rainfall had profound impacts upon water outflow and evaporative loss. In light of this predicted future decrease in water outflow, water resource conservation practices such as reducing ground and surface water usages that help to prevent streams from drying are vitally important in mitigating climate change impacts on stream flow in the LYRW.
Estimation of snow/glacier melt contribution in the upper part of the Beas River basin, Himachal Pradesh, using conventional and SNOWMOD modeling approach
Authors: Saran Ahluwalia Rajeev , Rai S. P. , Jain S. K. , Dobhal D. P. , Kumar Amit
Published: December 2015

In the present study, an attempt has been made to estimate the snow/glacier melt contribution in the head water region of the Beas Basin using a conventional hydrograph approach and a modeling (SNOWMOD) technique. The discharge and other meteorological data from 1996 to 2008 of the Manali site were used for the study. The results of SNOWMOD modeling reveal that snow/glacier melt contribution to the Beas River in the head water region varied between 52 (minimum) and 56% (maximum) with an annual average of 54% during the study period. The results obtained using the conventional approach showed the contribution of snow/glacier melt varied between 48 (minimum) and 52% (maximum) with an annual average of 50%. Results obtained using both techniques corroborate each other. This study reveals that the Beas River is mainly sustained by the snow/glacier melt contribution in the head water region.
Trend analysis in reference evapotranspiration and aridity index in the context of climate change in Togo
Authors: Koffi Djaman , Komla Ganyo
Published: December 2015

Reference evapotranspiration is a key parameter in hydrological and meteorological studies and used to determine the actual water use rate for various crops. The objectives of this study were to explore trend in the grass-reference evapotranspiration (ETo) through years 1961–2011 and to identify trend in the aridity index as an indicator of change in climate in Togo. ETo was calculated using the FAO-56 Penman–Monteith method, and trends analyses were performed with non-parametric statistics proposed by Mann–Kendall and the Sen slope estimator. Results showed that annual ETo varied from 1,440 to 1,690 mm at Lomé, from 1,761 to 1,905 mm at Tabligbo, and from 1,839 to 1,990 mm at Sokode. The Mann–Kendall test revealed significant increase in annual ETo at Tabligbo (Z = 2.89) and Sokode (Z = 2.29). Annual ETo is much more stable at Lomé, with non-significant decrease. In Togo, according to the three study sites, the 1961–2011 period annual aridity index varied from 0.26 to 0.99 at Lomé, 0.38 to 0.98 at Tabligbo, and 0.45 to 1.08 at Sokode. The Mann–Kendall test revealed a declining trend in the ratio of precipitation/ETo which adversely implies an increasing severity of the aridity index at all the sites, prejudicial to rainfed agriculture practiced by about 90% of Togolese crop growers.
Governing the future? The potential of adaptive delta management to contribute to governance capabilities for dealing with the wicked problem of climate change adaptation
Authors: Dewulf Art , Termeer Catrien
Published: December 2015

Due to the long term character of the policy issue, the associated uncertainties and the large variety of affected stakeholders, adapting densely populated delta areas to the impacts of climate change is an important governance challenge and a wicked problem. In this paper, we analyse adaptive delta management (ADM), a policy development approach that relies on adaptation tipping points and adaptation pathways, used by the Dutch Delta Programme to climate proof the Dutch delta. ADM operationalizes adaptive management ideas for the long term governance of river deltas. Taking a governance perspective, we assess the potential of ADM to contribute to each of the five governance capabilities required to deal with wicked problems: reflexivity, responsiveness, resilience, revitalization and rescaling. We conclude that ADM can contribute substantially to the governance capabilities of resilience (through robustness and flexibility) and rescaling (through addressing the time scale mismatch). ADM has the potential to contribute to the governance capabilities of reflexivity and responsiveness, but also has some characteristics that could result in non-reflexivity and non-responsiveness. Enabling ADM as a policy development approach for long term issues requires a long term commitment to iterative policy revision, flexibility and learning in the broader governance system.
Trends in water quality data in the Hawkesbury–Nepean River System, Australia
Authors: Kuruppu Upeka , Rahman Ataur
Published: December 2015

The Hawkesbury–Nepean River System (HNRS) is one of the most important inland river systems in Australia, which supplies over 90% of Sydney's potable water. In this paper, 25 water quality parameters from nine sampling stations in the HNRS covering a period of 12 years are used to examine the trends in the water quality data in the HNRS. It has been found that there is an overall increasing trend of turbidity, chlorophyll-a, alkalinity, total iron, total aluminium, total manganese and reactive silicate, indicating an overall water quality deterioration in the HNRS during the last decade. The parameters such as phosphorus, suspended solids and ammonical nitrogen do not show any marked change over the period of study. Although an improvement in water quality can be seen at some stations downstream of the undisturbed parts of the catchment, there is a clear trend of increased chemical and physical water quality deterioration at many locations in the HNRS. Better land use planning is recommended to achieve an overall improvement in the water quality of the HNRS in future.
Do CMIP5 models hint at a warmer and wetter India in the 21st century?
Authors: Maity Rajib , Aggarwal Ankit , Chanda Kironmala
Published: December 2015

This study diagnoses the spatio-temporal variation of three major hydroclimatic variables (temperature, precipitation and evaporation) estimated from four general circulation models participating in the Fifth Phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparision Project (CMIP5). Changes in climate regime are analyzed across India for the historical scenario (1850–2005) and for the RCP8.5 scenario (2006–2100). The study provides a relative assessment of projected changes in climatic pattern over different zones in India, broadly divided as southern, Eastern, Western, Central, North-Eastern and Himalayan regions. Monthly data for both the scenarios were obtained, and all the data were re-gridded to a common resolution. All the models show a stronger warming in the future as compared to the historical period. The North-Eastern, Northern and Himalayan regions are likely to be severely affected. Though inconsistencies have been observed among the models, the majority of them predict an increase in precipitation in future, with a major increment in southern cities. The Himalayan belt is expected to receive heavy rainfall in the summer season, with little change in the winter season. Most of the regions are not expected to experience change in evaporation in pre-monsoonal months, but substantial change is expected in some regions during monsoonal and post-monsoonal months.
Adaptive capacity, drought and the performance of community-based drinking water organizations in Costa Rica
Authors: Madrigal-Ballestero Róger , Naranjo María A.
Published: December 2015

Community-based drinking water organizations (CBDWOs) are the most important providers of water in rural areas of the developing world. They are responsible for coping with future threats due to climate change, besides other non-climatic drivers of change such as demographic growth. The inherent capacities of CBDWOs to adapt to external drivers of change would be greatly conditioned by their capacities to initiate and catalyze collective processes. The rich background of CDBWOs' actual and historical responses to drought phenomena is an essential starting point for understanding both the processes and the limitations of adapting to future adverse climatic events. In this study, we contrast six CBDWOs located in the Costa Rican dry corridor, in order to analyze their ability to self-organize coping with recent annual periodical droughts. We found that CBDWOs implement hard, soft, and ecosystem-based adaptation measures. The decisions in this regard are reactive, tend to follow a sequential order, and are context dependent. One of the main factors that facilitates capital-intensive adaptation measures is the ability of CBDWOs to mobilize internal or external financial resources, which further depends on social capital and the governance structure.
A cost-effective method to protect the coastal regions from sea level rise. A case study: northern coasts of Egypt
Authors: Abd-Elhamid H. F. , El-Kilany M. E. , Javadi A. A.
Published: December 2015

Sea level rise resulting from climate change represents one of the major challenges for coastal regions, e.g., coastal erosion, submergence of shore cities and saltwater intrusion. This study presents a feasibility study of using a diaphragm wall (DW) to protect the northern coasts of Egypt from sea level rise. The study includes assessment of environmental and socio-economic impacts of the expected sea level rise. A finite element model is developed using the PLAXIS software and used to analyse the effectiveness of using DW in preventing the seepage of saltwater. The results show that the cost of constructing DW along the coast is about 1.0% of the expected losses due to sea level rise by 2100. For Alexandria city with 35 km of coastal line, the economic losses by 2100 is expected to be about $3.5 billion if no action is taken. However, the cost of constructing the DW along Alexandria coasts will be around $35.0 million which represent 1.0% of the expected losses. The total cost of constructing the diaphragm wall along the northern coast of Egypt is estimated to be $1.0 billion for 1,000 km length. This methodology can be applied to protect different coastal areas all over the world.
Influence of human activities and climate variability on green and blue water provision in the Heihe River Basin, NW China
Authors: Zang Chuanfu , Liu Junguo , Gerten Dieter , Jiang Luguang
Published: December 2015

Human activities and climate simultaneously affect water cycling and provision. Here, we study the impacts of climate variability and human activities on green and blue water provision (or the flows of both green water and blue water) in the inland Heihe River Basin as simulated by the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The results show that total green and blue water flow varied significantly from 1980 to 2010. Direct human activities did not significantly change the sum of green and blue water flow volumes. However, land use change led to a transformation of 206 million m3/year in the entire river basin from green to blue water flow, while farmland irrigation expansion resulted in a transformation of 66 million m3 from blue to green water flow. The synchronous climate variability, with an upward precipitation trend, caused an increase of green water flow by 469 million m3/year and an increase of blue water flow by 146 million m3/year at the river basin level over the study period. The results provide a general approach to investigate the impacts of historical human activities and climate variability on water provision at the river basin level.
Effectiveness of measures adopted for the reduction of nonylphenol emission in European river basins: a case study of the River Lambro, Northern Italy
Authors: Rusconi Marianna , Patrolecco Luisa , Valsecchi Sara , Polesello Stefano
Published: December 2015

According to the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC, nonylphenol (NP) has been included in the list of priority hazardous substances and subject to cessation or phasing out of discharges, emissions and losses within an appropriate timetable not exceeding 20 years. The present work analyzed monitoring data on NP and its precursors (mono- and di-ethoxylates, nonylphenol-mono-ethoxylate and nonylphenol-di-ethoxylate) collected in a highly impacted river basin in Northern Italy in order to assess the effectiveness of the adopted measures for NP reduction, during two monitoring campaigns in 2003/04 and 2009/10, respectively, before and after the entry into operation of three new wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Milan. The River Lambro is the main source of pollutants also for the River Po and the Adriatic Sea. Data collected in the present work showed that in the last 7 years the reduction of the different analytes was from 70% to 90%. Most of the reduction can be attributed to the substitution of nonylphenolethoxylates in industrial uses as demonstrated by a survey in the textile industrial district. The entry into operation of the new municipal WWTPs in Milan contributes about 10% of the reduction of the total NP load discharged by the River Lambro.
Reflections on evolving water management institutions and institutional bricolage: a case of irrigation schemes in Iringa Rural and Kilombero districts, Tanzania
Authors: Mosha D. B. , Vedeld P. , Kajembe G. C. , Tarimo A. K. P. R. , Katani J. Z.
Published: December 2015

Over the past 40+ years, evolution of water institutions responsible for allocation and distribution of water has been enormous. This paper analyzes the evolution of both formal and informal water management institutions and how they affect today's processes of allocating and distributing water in farmer-managed irrigation schemes (FMISs). It also assesses how farmers translate and modify introduced formal institutions in the rights of the existing informal institution while trying to solve water management challenges based on the local conditions. In-depth and focus group data for the study were collected using a checklist of questions administered to 40 informants, one group discussion per village in Itunundu, Mboliboli, Mkula and Magombera villages, Tanzania. The basic argument of this paper is that water institutions have changed over time. Drawing from study findings, the evolution process of water institutions might be understood as an outcome of the government efforts to address emerging challenges with respect to increasing water demand and multi-use. However, institutional evolution is accompanied by some negatives outcomes, as they weaken social norms and threaten sound water management. The experiences from the irrigation schemes highlight the need to include locally evolved institutions while re-crafting formal institutions. Such interventions may well have significant outcomes for efficient, equity and power relations among water users.
Investigating the effect of moral norm and self-identity on the intention toward water conservation among Iranian young adults
Authors: Yazdanpanah Masoud , Forouzani Masoumeh , Abdeshahi Abbas , Jafari Ahmad
Published: December 2015

This study aimed to investigate young adults’ intention regarding water conservation in Iran. To achieve this goal, we applied a modified theory of planned behavior, with moral norm and self-identity being two additional determinants of intention and behavior. A face-to-face survey (N = 428) was undertaken in two universities, in south-western Iran. The reliability and validity of the instruments were examined and approved. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The key findings were that self-identity, moral norm, attitude, and perceived behavioral control were all significant in determining intention, while subjective norm was not a significant predictor of intention. The findings of this study provided preliminary support for the theory of planned behavior and an extended model being used as an effective framework for examining water conservation among Iranian citizens. In addition, we found that self-identity and moral norm can capture a significant proportion of the variation in intention regarding water conservation.
Integrated Water Resources Management: contrasting principles, policy, and practice, Awash River Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Nigatu Mersha Adey , de Fraiture Charlotte , Mehari Abraham , Masih Ilyas , Alamirew Tena
Published: December 2015

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) has been a dominant paradigm for water sector reform worldwide over the past two decades. Ethiopia, among early adopters, has developed a water policy, legislations, and strategy per IWRM core principles. However, considerable constraints are still in its way of realization. This paper investigates the central challenges facing IWRM implementation in the Awash Basin analyzing the discrepancy between IWRM principles, the approach followed in Ethiopia and its practice in the Awash Basin. A decade and a half since its adoption, the Ethiopian IWRM still lacks a well-organized and robust legal system for implementation. Unclear and overlapping institutional competencies as well as a low level of stakeholders’ awareness on policy contents and specific mandates of implementing institutions have prevented the Basin Authority from fully exercising its role as the prime institute for basin level water management. As a result, coordination between stakeholders, a central element of the IWRM concept, is lacking. Insufficient management instruments and planning tools for the operational function of IWRM are also among the major hurdles in the process. This calls for rethinking and action on key elements of the IWRM approach to tackle the implementation challenges.
Assessing the vulnerability of different age groups regarding flood fatalities: case study in the Philippines
Authors: Lee Sangeun , Vink Karina
Published: December 2015

This study aimed to identify age groups vulnerable to flood fatalities and quantify their vulnerability by means of statistical methods. First, the study obtained data of 122 victims directly resulting from five flood disasters in the Philippines over the period 2010–2013 which was used to compare the number of flood fatalities in each age group with the population numbers. The chi-square goodness-of-fit test shows that only one age group, people aged ≥70, was vulnerable to flood fatalities. Vulnerabilities of people aged ≥70 and <70, respectively, were quantified in terms of mortality, i.e., the ratio of flood fatalities and affected people. This study obtained two lognormal distribution curves moderately describing histograms built with samples on the mortality of the two age groups. Based on probabilistic parameters of the selected lognormal distribution curves, the study concludes that people aged ≥70 have more than three times the vulnerability to the risk of flood fatality than people aged <70. It is also suggested that the age dependency ratio, which is widely used to consider demographic vulnerability in flood vulnerability studies, should not be applied to the Philippines.
Providing water services at scale: how to move from unsustainable assistance to sustainable development?
Authors: Pezon Christelle
Published: December 2015

This article presents the results of a study of water service performance in four small towns in the Sahel Region in Burkina Faso. It shows that water supplied via small piped water systems to tap stands is cheaper per user than water supplied via hand pumps as well as providing better quality service. The comparison of life-cycle costs highlights that the cost of supporting the organisation and management of hand pump services disqualifies this type of access on an economic level. Furthermore, comparison of the levels of service actually delivered to the people shows that piped water systems meet the demand and can have a positive impact on development, whereas hand pumps are part of a survival-oriented approach that is dependent on international assistance.
China calls for human–water harmony
Authors: Zuo Qiting , Liu Huan , Ma Junxia , Jin Runfang
Published: December 2015

In order to achieve a more sustainable mode of development, the government of China declared its intention to build a harmonious socialist society, and the Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) proposed ‘human–water harmony’. However, some problems still exist in China's water resources management (CWRM), which affect management performance and trigger acute water crisis. Nowadays, the human–water relationship in China is disharmonious and the relationship between human activities and water resources has entered into a vicious cycle. This paper concluded that achieving human–water harmony is a necessary and rational pathway to solve China's water problems on the basis of reviewing the development course of CWRM. In order to achieve human–water harmony in China, many impressive efforts both in terms of policies and measures have been made. Ultimately, they pointed out that human–water harmony can be achieved through our tireless efforts as long as people hold the belief that the idea of ‘human–water harmony’ is the first and the foremost way to deal with the contradiction between human activities and water resources.
Multi-criteria decision making methods for rural water supply: a case study from Bangladesh
Authors: Sikder Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal , Salehin Mashfiqus
Published: December 2015

Multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) is a process of evaluating alternatives against relevant decision making criteria. Several methods are available to facilitate the evaluation steps. This paper deals with a rural water supply problem in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. Three different MCDM methods – weighted summation, analytical hierarchy process, and novel approach to imprecise assessment and decision environments – were used to evaluate the suitable water supply alternative. The ranking of alternatives obtained from these MCDM techniques produced similar results. Among five water supply alternatives evaluated, rainwater harvesting systems and deep tube wells scored first and second, respectively, for all three evaluation methods. In addition, sensitivity analyses were carried out for the MCDM techniques and these results did not show drastic variations either. This finding implies that while selection of MCDM technique is important, when evaluating similar problems more emphasis should be given to defining the problem comprehensively and thus selecting the relevant criteria and priorities to factor into the decision problem.
Misalignment of watershed and jurisdictional boundaries: the importance of scale
Authors: Grigg Neil S.
Published: December 2015

The misalignment of the boundaries of watersheds and jurisdictions is cited often as a barrier to effective water governance, but the validity of the assertion depends on watershed scale and the decisions or processes involved. The paper probes these decision processes and their alignment with scales of natural watersheds and with governance processes. Two examples from the USA provide context and data to inform the discussion, one from the humid eastern part and one from the drier western part. Ultimately, the spatial and governance scales determine the complexity of decisions. The major issue is the level and nature of negotiations and how stakeholders communicate and work with each other to resolve issues in a form of pragmatic federalism, where the concept merges into decentralization to the subwatershed level. At smaller scales, negotiations can be worked out in person-to-person venues but at larger scales institutions have their own trajectories and inertia. Ultimately, watershed boundaries can be effective for joint planning and assessment, but decisions follow governance patterns. Basin boundaries do provide venues for coordination mechanisms to mediate conflicts.
Collaboration as process: a case study of Michigan's watershed permit
Authors: Rinkus Marisa A. , Dobson Tracy , Gore Meredith L. , Dreelin Erin A.
Published: December 2015

Collaborative watershed management has been heavily promoted and widely implemented to address a variety of natural resource concerns, resulting in the adoption and adaptation of the approach to management by regulatory agencies. Although several characteristics or indicators of success for watershed partnerships have been identified in the literature, these often portray a direct cause and effect relationship between partnership characteristics and outcomes. However, partnerships involve dynamic processes that can be influenced by both form and function (internally and externally) throughout various stages of the partnerships' existence. Our study presents an evaluation framework from the group process and evaluation literature to highlight the importance of evaluating ‘intermediate measures of partnership effectiveness’ in watershed partnerships, using the case of Michigan's voluntary watershed-based stormwater permit. Given the increasing use of watershed partnerships in a regulatory setting that is constantly in flux and the difficulty in assessing the effects of such groups on water quality, results suggest the utility of ‘intermediate measures of partnership effectiveness’ for assessing partnership process in order to provide ongoing feedback and incentives to ensure long-term success.
A seasonal waste load allocation policy in an integrated discharge permit and reclaimed water market
Authors: Jamshidi Shervin , Ardestani Mojtaba , Hossein Niksokhan Mohammad
Published: December 2015

This paper intends to assess the seasonal demand for nitrogen discharge permits and its influence on waste load allocation (WLA) strategies. For this purpose, the Sefidrud catchment is analyzed, where the agricultural demands for discharge permits and reclaimed water (RW) are significant and also intermittent. The paper discusses using variable total maximum daily loads and a transferable discharge permit (TDP) with respect to the farming and non-farming seasons to achieve annual economic benefits. However, an integrated TDP and RW market can considerably increase these revenues. Moreover, the latter may provide the flexibility required for practical dynamic WLA and makes it compatible with seasonal demands. The optimal WLA also determines the required wastewater treatment processes. Here, some should be designed and equipped with flexible operational processes. As a result, the novel integrated management approach saves 25% and 13% in comparison with the conventional TDP market in the short and long term, respectively. This framework also recommends the pricing for permits in a year to enhance stakeholders' motivation for active participation. It is concluded that the integrated TDP and RW market, using the recommended treatment processes and dynamic pricing, is an economically attractive and practical policy for seasonal WLA.
Investigation of point source and non-point source pollution for Panjiakou Reservoir in North China by modelling approach
Authors: Huang Jinhui Jeanne , Xiang Wenyan
Published: December 2015

Panjiakou Reservoir is the main water supply source for Tianjin City, which has a population of over 14 million. In order to develop a watershed management strategic plan for source water protection, it is necessary to have reliable information on point source (PS) and non-point source pollution (NPS). The modelling approach has been frequently used in the study of partitioning of PS and NPS pollution on a basin scale. This study employed the Loading Simulation Program in C++ (LSPC) model to investigate the PS and NPS source pollution loadings to Panjiakou Reservoir. The hydrological model and the water quality model were developed and validated using field data from 2006 to 2010. It has been found that the PS pollution is still the major source for chemical oxygen demand (COD) loadings, accounting for about three-quarters of the total annual loadings to the reservoir; while near half of the total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) total annual loadings are from NPS pollution. There is a large seasonal variation for TN and TP loadings from NPS pollution. The contribution of TN and TP from NPS in the flooding seasons can reach 70%, whereas the contribution can also be as low as 4% during the dry season in the winter.
Effect of ionic strength on the ion exchange equilibrium between AMX membrane and electrolyte solutions
Authors: Louati Islem , Guesmi Fatma , Chaabouni Akram , Hannachi Chiraz , Hamrouni Béchir
Published: December 2015

The effect of ionic strength variation on the ion exchange equilibrium between AMX anion exchange membrane and electrolyte solutions containing the most dominant anions on natural waters (Cl−, NO3−, and SO42−) was studied. All experiments were carried out at a constant temperature of 25 °C. Ion exchange isotherms were established, at different ionic strengths from 0.1 to 0.5 M, for the systems (Cl−/NO3−), (Cl−/SO42−) and (NO3−/SO42−). Obtained results showed that for I = 0.1 M the affinity order is SO42 −>NO3−>Cl−. For I = 0.2 M this order is NO3−>SO42−>Cl−. For 0.3 and 0.5 M the AMX membrane becomes more selective for chloride than for nitrate or sulfate. Selectivity coefficients KNO3−Cl−, K2Cl−SO42− and K2NO3−SO42−, thermodynamic constants, and separation factors were calculated and decreased with the increase of ionic strength.
Effects of chemical dispersant and seasonal conditions on the fate of spilled oil – modelling of a hypothetical spill near Saint John, NB
Authors: Niu Haibo , Li Pu , Yang Rujun , Wu Yongsheng , Lee Kenneth
Published: December 2015

The proposed Energy East pipeline project has raised concerns about potential oil spills in Saint John, New Brunswick. While environmental conditions could pose challenges for using mechanical recovery methods if a spill occurs, chemical dispersant could be an alternative. However, the application of chemical dispersant in shallow water and costal zones remains an issue of debate. Furthermore, the effectiveness of chemical dispersant under different seasonal conditions is yet to be determined. This study attempts to describe a modelling effort to understand the probable distribution of petroleum hydrocarbons in Port Saint John following a hypothetical release of crude oil to which dispersant is applied during different seasons. A three-dimensional model was used to simulate the transport of oil with a release of 1,000 m3 of Arabian light crude in the summer and winter. A stochastic approach took into account the uncertainties of environmental inputs. The results were a significant reduction of oil ashore, and enhanced biodegradation with dispersant application. However, these effects were accompanied by an increase of oil in the sediment and water column, which is a concern. While the results are only conclusive for the selected scenarios of summer and winter, the method could be applied to other months and seasons to support more detailed analysis regarding dispersant application.
Management of water resources assessment for nuclear power plants in China
Authors: Ding Xiaowen , Wang Wei , Huang Guohe , Chen Qingwei , Wei Guoliang
Published: December 2015

To deal with global warming and energy shortages, the nuclear power industry has flourished in China. Operation of a nuclear power plant consumes a large amount of water and discharges radioactive wastewater into nearby water bodies. Therefore, assessment and management of water resources are crucial for such projects. This article proposes the contents, procedures and methods of water resources assessment for nuclear power plants in China. Taking a pioneering inland plant as an example, a case study was also developed. It was suggested that assessment of water resources for a nuclear power plant in China should focus on regional water resources analyses, rationality of water-draw and water use of a plant, feasibility of water sources and impacts of water-draw and wastewater discharge on regional water resources. The proposed processes mainly included site survey and data collection, work outline completion and approval, water resources assessment, assessment report completion, expert consultation and public participation, and technological review, as well as administrative approval. The methods presented were referring to legal documents, site survey, model simulation, expert consultation and public participation. Finally, suggestions, including comparing and selecting several optional sites, improving impact assessment of radioactive wastewater discharge and enhancing public participation, were also proposed.
Withdrawn: Effect of sewage sludge and rock dust on strength and workability of concrete
Authors: Shirazi Elham Khalilzadeh , Khezri Mostafa , Marandi Reza , Shariat Mahmoud
Published: December 2015

The Journal of Water Reuse and Desalination issues a formal withdrawal in relation to the above article by Elham Khalilzadeh et al. This decision has been taken as the authors failed to complete the necessary corrections to their paper, and production could not be completed. As a result of this the paper has been withdrawn.
Fate kinetic coefficients and correlation models for tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in membrane bioreactors and conventional activated sludge process
Authors: Islam Mohammad Showkatul , Zhou Hongde , Zytner Richard G.
Published: December 2015

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is a fire retardant with endocrine disruption properties, which unfortunately has been detected in trace amounts in various environmental samples. Studies have shown that TBBPA enters the aquatic environment, sediments, soils and biota predominantly through the wastewater treatment process. The dominant contributor to the fate and transport of TBBPA in wastewater is biosorption by the sludge matrix. Accordingly, the goal of this research was to determine the fate kinetics, biosorption correlation models and mechanisms of TBBPA from both conventional activated sludge (CAS) and membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems. Experiments were conducted to determine different types of partitioning and fate kinetic coefficients such as solid–liquid phase coefficient, log Kp (4.53), sludge matrix organic carbon coefficient, log Koc (6.05) and glass wall partition coefficient, Kw (0.053). The experimental values of these coefficients for TBBPA are not available in the literature for application to the models. The biosorption data were also verified and fitted to Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin, Toth, Redlich–Peterson, Sips, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Jovanovic and Dubinin–Radushkevich biosorption isotherm models to estimate the isotherm constants. These coefficients will allow engineering application for validation of various fate models for TBBPA.
Advanced treatment of heavy oil wastewater for reuse by the combination of microwave enhanced coagulation and iron/carbon micro-electrolysis
Authors: He Yong-Ming , Chen Ke-Yong , Zhang Tian-Yu
Published: December 2015

A combination process was developed in laboratory scale including microwave (MW) coagulation and iron/carbon micro-electrolysis (Fe/C ME) in series for treatment of heavy oil produced water (HOPW) with high concentrations of oil and chemical oxygen demand and high corrosion rates. The effects of coagulant dosage, MW irradiation time, settling time, and Fe:C mass ratio on the actual treatment results were investigated. The use of MW irradiation brought some benefits including enhancing oil removal, reducing coagulation consumption, shortening settling time and lowering corrosion rate. During the 30-day continuous treatment period, the Fe-based metallic glasses/activated carbon (MGs/AC) ME system exhibited high performance stability, whereas the iron shavings/AC ME system had good performance for only 8 days. The total reduction percentages of oil, suspended solids and corrosion rate were 95.5%, 98.3% and 96.5%, respectively, in the combined MW coagulation-MGs/AC ME system, and the corrosion rate of the treated HOPW was only 0.025 mm/year. The quality parameters of the treated heavy oil produced water (HOPW) could completely meet the requirements of the C1 grade in the SY/T 5329-1994 standard for wastewater reinjection in oilfields. Moreover, the biodegradability of the HOPW was greatly improved after treatment, creating favorable conditions for subsequent biological treatment if not reinjection.
Optimization of pyrocatechol violet biosorption by Robinia pseudoacacia leaf powder using response surface methodology: kinetic, isotherm and thermodynamic studies
Authors: Khorshidi Neda , Niazi Ali
Published: December 2015

We have investigated the biosorption of pyrocatechol violet (PCV) from aqueous solutions by Robinia pseudoacacia tree leaves as a low-cost and eco-friendly biosorbent. A full factorial design was performed for screening the main variables and their interactions, which reduces the large total number of experiments. Results of the full factorial design (24) based on an analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated that the initial PCV concentration, contact time, pH and temperature are statistically significant. Box-Behnken design, a response surface methodology, was used for further optimization of these selected factors. The ANOVA and some statistical tests such as lack-of-fit and coefficient of determination (R2) showed good fit of the experimental data to the second-order polynomial model. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were used to describe the equilibrium isotherms. Equilibrium data fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm model (R2 > 0.97). In addition, thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS°) were calculated, these parameters show that the biosorption process was spontaneous (ΔG° = −2.423) and exothermic (ΔH° = −9.67). The biosorption kinetic data were fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 > 0.999). These results confirm that R. pseudoacacia leaves have good potential for removal of PCV from aqueous solution.
Advanced oxidation processes for the treatment of chlorpyrifos, dimethoate and phorate in aqueous solution
Authors: Gandhi Kavita , Lari Summaiya , Tripathi Dhananjay , Kanade Gajanan
Published: December 2015

Photo-chemical-transformations of organophosphate pesticides, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate and phorate, using advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) namely UV photolysis, UV/H2O2, UV/Fenton and Fenton systems in aqueous solution were investigated in this work. A laboratory set-up was designed to evaluate and select the optimal oxidation process. Results show that addition of hydrogen peroxide/Fenton's reagent increased the UV degradation rates of all pesticides, and data were simulated through kinetic modeling. Kinetic results evidence pseudo first-order degradation, with the rate constant of reaction as 3.3 × 10–4, 2.07 × 10–2 and 1.88 × 10–2 for chlorpyrifos, dimethoate and phorate, respectively. Furthermore treatment efficiencies obtained for the studied AOPs indicate that UV/Fenton was most efficient for chlorpyrifos (50.3% degradation) and UV/H2O2 for dimethoate (96.9%) and phorate (89.6%). Finally, the identification of degradation products indicated that the UV/H2O2 technique results in the formation of fewer end products, with low toxicity. However, UV irradiation of phorate results in information of more toxic degradation end products such as phorateoxonsulfone.
Mixed matrix heterogeneous cation exchange membrane filled with clay nanoparticles: membranes’ fabrication and characterization in desalination process
Authors: Hosseini S. M. , Seidypoor A. , Nemati M. , Madaeni S. S. , Parvizian F. , Salehi E.
Published: December 2015

In this research mixed matrix PVC based-co-clay nanoparticles heterogeneous cation exchange membranes were prepared by solution casting technique. The effect of clay nanoparticles concentration in the casting solution on membrane electrochemical properties was studied. Scanning optical microscopy (SOM) images showed uniform particles distribution and relatively uniform surfaces for the prepared membranes. The membrane water content was improved initially by an increase of additive content ratio up to 1%wt in casting solution and then it began to decrease by more additive concentration. Moreover, swelling was measured less than 5% in thickness and negligible in length and width for the prepared membranes. Membrane potential, transport number and permselectivity were improved by increase of nanoparticles loading ratio. Utilizing Cloisite nanoparticles up to 1%wt in the casting solution also led to an increase in permeability and flux for prepared membranes. The ionic permeability and flux were decreased again by a further increase in additive concentration from 1 to 4%wt. Also, membranes exhibited lower permeability and flux for bivalent ions in comparison with monovalent type. The membrane E-conductivity and mechanical strength was enhanced by an increase of nanoparticles concentration in membrane matrix. The modified membrane containing 1%wt clay nanoparticles showed more suitable electrochemical properties compared to others.
The impact of fractionation of hydraulic load on oxidation performances of sand filters
Authors: Bali Mahmoud , Gueddari Moncef
Published: December 2015

Infiltration–percolation is an extensive treatment technique aimed at eliminating organic matter, oxidizing nitrogen, and removing pathogens. The main purpose of this work is to evaluate the impact of fractionation of hydraulic load on oxidation performances of unsaturated sand filters. Experimental results showed that oxidation of organic matter and ammonium nitrogen has mainly occurred in the upper layers of the filter bed. They also showed that treatment efficiency increased with the increase of the thickness of the filtering mass and the fractionation of applied hydraulic load. The experiments pointed out the influence of the fractionation of daily load on oxidation capacity of the intermittent sand filter. Results showed that increasing the fractionation improves the purification capacity of the treatment process. The simulations showed that biomass growth is very sensitive to the fractionation of hydraulic load, and that the increase of the number of feeding–drainage cycles per day leads to accumulate purifying biomass in the upper layers of unsaturated filters.
Organic micro-pollutants’ removal via anaerobic membrane bioreactor with ultrafiltration and nanofiltration
Authors: Wei Chun-Hai , Hoppe-Jones Christiane , Amy Gary , Leiknes TorOve
Published: December 2015

The removal of 15 organic micro-pollutants (OMPs) in synthetic municipal wastewater was investigated in a laboratory-scale mesophilic anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) using ultrafiltration and AnMBR followed by nanofiltration (NF), where powdered activated carbon (PAC) was added to enhance OMPs removal. No significant effects of OMPs spiking and NF connection on bulk organics removal and biogas production were observed. Amitriptyline, diphenhydramine, fluoxetine, sulfamethoxazole, TDCPP and trimethoprim showed readily biodegradable characteristics with consistent biological removal over 80%. Atrazine, carbamazepine, DEET, Dilantin, primidone and TCEP showed refractory characteristics with biological removal below 40%. Acetaminophen, atenolol and caffeine showed a prolonged adaption time of around 45 d, with initial biological removal below 40% and up to 50–80% after this period. Most readily biodegradable OMPs contained a strong electron donating group. Most refractory OMPs contained a strong electron withdrawing group or a halogen substitute. NF showed consistent high rejection of 80–92% with an average of 87% for all OMPs, which resulted in higher OMPs removal in AnMBR-NF than in AnMBR alone, especially for refractory OMPs. Limited sorption performance of PAC for OMPs removal was mainly due to low and batch dosage (100 mg/L) as well as the competitive sorption caused by bulk organics.