Water Self-Purification in the Mozhaisk Reservoir in Winter

The results of determinations of the concentration and demand of oxygen for the decomposition of organic substances in water masses and bottom sediments of the low-flowage Mozhaisk reservoir are presented. The considerable spatiotemporal variability of these characteristics within this ice-covered water body is shown to be controlled by differences in the temperature, salinity, and organic matter content of different water masses constituting this ecosystem. It is noted that this water body forms a winter-type density stratification and oxygen-bearing circulation of waters that is caused by a density current. On the basis of daily O₂ budgets calculated by means of a quasi-two-dimensional hydrological model of the reservoir, the processes of the winter self-purification of water are shown to account for 50% of the oxygen supply. The discrepancy of this model was shown to be < 5.5% both for the entire water body and for its four constituent regions.     

Water resources and food program

Data on the volumes of renewable water resources and the specific dependable water supply are given for countries with the least water resources available. Data on the current volumes of water resources withdrawal, irrigated land area, and the population size in largest world countries are given. Measures taken by various countries with the aim to enhance water resources availability for agriculture are described. The further increase in the area of arable and irrigated lands, with the current technologies still in use in the agriculture, is shown to be inadmissible. The role of reclamation in the ensuring of food safety in Russia is demonstrated.     

Groundwater Resources and Their Role in Water Supply to Crimea

The processes of formation and distribution of the resources of fresh groundwater and surface water in the territory of Crimea Peninsula are considered. Water availability in the natural–historic and administrative regions of the republic is characterized. The proportions between different categories of groundwater resources are shown with their role in water supply to Crimea taken into account. The presentday development of groundwater resources is analyzed and the possible increase in water consumption meeting geoecological requirements is substantiated.     

Spatial and Temporal Variability of Biogenic Elements Flow and Water Quality in a Small River

Regularities of the formation of biogenic elements flow and water quality in the Istra River (downstream of the Istrinskoye Reservoir) and its tributaries are revealed. Temporal variability in water quality parameters is shown to be closely related to fluctuations in the river water abundance, whereas spatial variability is determined by different intensity of anthropogenic load on river watersheds. It was found that the mean annual (for the period of 1991–1995) concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus mineral compounds do not always meet the requirements of drinking water supply. A method of estimating the environmental state of the main river, taking into account biogenic elements input from its basin is suggested.     

An Analytical Method to Determine Ground Water Supply Well Network Designs

An analytical method is provided where the ground water practitioner can quickly determine the size (number of wells) and spacing of a well network capable of meeting a known ground water demand. In order to apply the method, two new parameters are derived that relate theoretical drawdown to the maximum drawdown that is achievable without mining the aquifer. The size of a well network is shown to be proportional to the ground water demand and inversely proportional to the transmissivity and available head. The spacing between wells in a supply well network is shown to be most sensitive to a derived parameter r _{HA/ 3}, which is related to the available head and the propagation of drawdown away from a theoretical well if the total ground water demand was applied to that well. The method can be used to quickly determine the required spacing between wells in well networks of various sizes that are completed in confined aquifers with no leakance.     

南北同枯场景下南水北调中线丹江口水库供水调度方式

南北同枯场景下南水北调中线丹江口水库供水调度是保障水源工程有效供给、优化配置供水水源的重要课题,如何科学制定不同供水对象的供水水量、兼顾水源区及受水区用水需求、充分发挥丹江口水利枢纽的调蓄作用,是南水北调中线工程功能效益发挥的关键.以南水北调中线水源工程丹江口水库为研究对象,深入分析了中线工程通水后丹江口水库供水现状及面临的技术难题,从而提出南北同枯场景的判别标准及相应水库供水调度的方法,揭示了汉江中下游、清泉沟和南水北调中线供水对水库起始供水水位的响应机理,提出"蓄丰补枯、均衡减少"的方法是南北同枯场景下丹江口水库的供水调度方式,不同供水起始水位及供水方式情况下供水调度仿真结果表明,本文所得结论可为丹江口水库在实际运行中制定调度方案提供参考.     

Water Resources of the Crimea

Crimean water resources are limited, failing to fully meet the drinking and economic needs of the region. Over 50 years, the problems of water resources in Crimea were solved by using Dnieper water supplied through North-Crimean Canal; however, after the integration of Crimea into Russia, Ukraine suspended water supply. At the aggravation of political situation between Russia and Ukraine, the situation in the water-management sphere in the Republic of Crimea looks very complicated. The water-management problems of Crimea should be solved based on its own potential. Groundwater resources are the leading factor of sustainable development of Crimean Region at the present stage.     

Naturally Occurring Arsenic in Sandstone Aquifer Water Supply Wells of Northeastern Wisconsin

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 50 μg/L for arsenic was exceeded in 86 of 2125 water supply wells sampled over a broad geographic range in pails of Drown. Outagamie and Winnebago Counties, Wisconsin. The hydrologic and geochemical properties of the area were examined and the source of arsenic was determined to be natural, Ground water collected from two geologic formations, the St. Peter Sandstone and the overlying Platteville/Galena Dolomite, was found to be the principal source of the elevated arsenic concentrations. These two Formations supply a large portion of eastern Wisconsin private wells with their drinking water.
Three wells were found within Outagamie County to have an unusually low pH. Results suggest that the cause of the low pH in these wells is of natural origin induced by the oxidation of iron sulfide minerals. In this reaction iron sulfide minerals are oxidized. forming sulfuric acid causing a low pH and a high concentration of various metals to leach from native rock formations into the water supply.
Based on the data gathered from this study, an arsenic advisory area was designated for both Outagamie and Winnebago Counties. Guidelines were developed for well drillers and owners constructing new wells within the advisory area to reduce the likelihood of arsenic presence in the water supply. Fifteen wells containing arsenic exceeding the MCL were successfully reconstructed or new wells were constructed based on the guidelines developed. These constructions substantially reduced arsenic levels in the well water supplies.     

Natural Water Quality Formation in Forest-Covered Divide Areas in Northern Taiga

The space and time variations in the acidity and composition of the natural water in forest-covered water-divide areas in northern taiga are considered. The initial stages of natural water quality formation are analyzed. The external (climate and anthropogenic) and internal (biogeocenotic) factors governing the formation of natural water quality are characterized. The most pronounced transformations of natural waters are shown to take place in the snowless period. The contribution of tree species to the formation of the environmental characteristics and the anisotropy of natural waters in the forest is characterized. The natural regularities in soil water composition within selected profiles are shown to persist to the point of destruction of forest biocenoses. It is shown that the commonly accepted notions of the natural water quality formation in forest water divide areas need to be revised with allowance made to their spatial structure and time variations. The soil waters under tree crowns are shown to give the best data for early assessing the conditions of forest biocenoses in spring and autumn.     

Water yield issues in the jarrah forest of south-western Australia

The jarrah forest of south-western Australia produces little streamflow from moderate rainfall. Water yield from water supply catchments for Perth, Western Australia, are low, averaging 71 mm (7% of annual rainfall). The low water yields are attributed to the large soil water storage available for continuous use by the forest vegetation. A number of water yield studies in south-western Australia have examined the impact on water yield of land use practices including clearing for agricultural development, forest harvesting and regeneration, forest thinning and bauxite mining. A permanent reduction in forest cover by clearing for agriculture led to permanent increases of water yield of approximately 28% of annual rainfall in a high rainfall catchment. Thinning of a high rainfall catchment led to an increase in water yield of 20% of annual rainfall. However, it is not clear for how long the increased water yield will persist. Forest harvesting and regeneration have led to water yield increases of 16% of annual rainfall. The subsequent recovery of vegetation cover has led to water yields returning to pre-disturbance levels after an estimated 12–15 years. Bauxite mining of a high rainfall catchment led to a water yield increase of 8% of annual rainfall, followed by a return to pre-disturbance water yield after 12 years. The magnitude of specific streamflow generation mechanisms in small catchments subject to forest disturbance vary considerably, typically in a number of distinct stages. The presence of a permanent groundwater discharge area was shown to be instrumental in determining the magnitude of the streamflow response after forest disturbance. The long-term prognosis for water yield from areas subject to forest thinning, harvesting and regeneration, and bauxite mining are uncertain, owing to the complex interrelationship between vegetation cover, tree height and age, and catchment evapotranspiration. Management of the forest for water yield needs to acknowledge this complexity and evaluate forest management strategies both at the large catchment scale and at long time-scales. The extensive network of small catchment experiments, regional studies, process studies and catchment modelling at both the small and large scale, which are carried out in the jarrah forest, are all considered as integral components of the research to develop these management strategies to optimise water yield from the jarrah forest, without forfeiting other forest values.     

Optimal Allocation of Water Resources Considering Water Quality and the Absorbing Pollution Capacity of Water

Water Resources - A water resource allocation model coupling quantity and quality is a topic of concern in China. The water resources supply modelling is set up according to the water quality, and...     

Water availability for the greening of Kuwait

Water resources for agricultural development and landscape enhancement in Kuwait are very scarce; the quality is saline (brackish), and the soil texture is sandy, incapable of holding nutrients and moisture. Most of the rainfall in Kuwait either evaporates due to the high temperatures or percolates through the soil. The rainfall is not sufficient to recharge the underground water supply. A variety of alternative water sources have been studied, including seawater desalination and wastewater treatment. Wastewater treatment proved to be convenient due to the relatively low salinity detected in the treated water. Furthermore, the amount of wastewater is expected to increase as more residential areas are connected to the sewage system as the population increases.

The development of a greenery plan for Kuwait requires intensive water management. This goal can be achieved through manpower training in landscape development, selection of plants tolerant to arid environments, usage of appropriate irrigation and drainage systems, promotion of greenery programs within public and the governmental agencies for their direct participation in urban area beautification, and extension of wastewater treatment techniques.     

Geological Zoning of Water Catchment Area: Istra Reservoir Case Study

The possibilities for taking into account the interaction between natural and anthropogenic components within the system of water body–catchment are discussed along with the method for geoenvironmental zoning of the area of its maximum manifestation in terms of the impact on the water quality of a water object. Methodical approaches to the problem are considered using the Istra Reservoir as an example. This reservoir is incorporated into the Moskva River system of water supply for the city of Moscow.     

Changes in Hydrochemical Characteristics of Water Bodies in the Southern Aral Region

Based on the hydrochemical characteristics of water bodies in the northwestern part of the southern Aral Sea region, limnic ecosystems are shown to be liable to anthropogenic changes. The dynamics of the salinity, ionic composition, oxygen content of water, and nutrients under human impact on water bodies of the southern Aral Sea region are shown.     

Biological Test for the Detection of Low Concentrations of Infectious Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts in Water

An in vivo SCID mouse infectivity assay was used to determine its capacity to detect the infectivity of low concentrations of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in water. This biological test can be applied to demonstrate oocysts infectivity in water samples derived from drinking water supply and/or environmental sources.     

Use of Groundwater Level Fluctuations near an Operating Water Supply Well to Estimate Aquifer Transmissivity

We developed a method to estimate aquifer transmissivity from the hydraulic-head data associated with the normal cyclic operation of a water supply well thus avoiding the need for interrupting the water supply associated with a traditional aquifer test. The method is based on an analytical solution that relates the aquifer's transmissivity to the standard deviation of the hydraulic-head fluctuations in one or more observation wells that are due to the periodic pumping of the production well. We analyzed the resulting analytical solution and demonstrated that when the observation wells are located near the pumping well, the solution has a simple, Dupuit like form. Numerical analysis demonstrates that the analytical solution can also be used for a quasi-periodic pumping of the supply well. Simulation of cyclic pumping in a statistically heterogeneous medium confirms that the method is suitable for analyzing the transmissivity of weakly or moderately heterogeneous aquifers. If only one observation well is available, and the shift in the phase of hydraulic-head oscillations between the pumping well and the observation well is not identifiable. Prior knowledge of aquifer's hydraulic diffusivity is required to obtain the value of the aquifer transmissivity.     

Water supply dynamics and quality of alternative water sources in low-income areas of Lilongwe City,Malawi

Recent studies in many developing countries have shown that Small Scale Independent Providers (SSIPs) in low-income areas (LIAs) are practical alternatives to water utilities. This study explored supply dynamics and quality of alternative water sources in four LIAs of Lilongwe City in Malawi using qualitative and quantitative methods. Household-level surveys (n = 120) and transect walks were employed to determine the socio-economic activities in the areas. One-on-one discussions were made with water source owners (SSIPs) (n = 24). Data on policy and institutional frameworks was collected through desktop study and Key Informant Interviews (n = 25). Quality of the water sources (shallow wells and boreholes) was determined by collecting grab samples (n = 24) in triplicate using 500 mL bottles. Selected physico-chemical and microbiological parameters were measured: pH, EC, TDS, turbidity, water temperature, salinity, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cl⁻, F⁻, NO₃⁻, alkalinity, water hardness, Fecal coliform (FC) and Faecal Streptococci (FS) bacteria. Water quality data was compared with Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for drinking water. Shallow wells were reported (65%, n = 120) to be the main source of water for household use in all areas. Some policies like prohibition of boreholes and shallow wells in City locations were in conflict with other provisions of water supply, sanitation and housing. High levels of FC (0–2100 cfu/100 mL) and FS (0–1490 cfu/100 mL) at several sites (>90%, n = 24) suggest water contamination likely to impact on human health. This calls for upgrading and recognition of the water sources for improved water service delivery.     

Effect of Water Acidification on the Calcium and Magnesium Concentrations in Caddis Fly Larvae

Data on small lakes in the Finnish Laplandia are used to examine the dependence of Ca and Mg concentrations in caddis fly larvae (Polycentropodidae family) on the concentrations of these elements in water, pH, and the extent of water humification. The concentration of Ca is shown to be virtually independent of its concentration in water, and Mg concentrations are found to be inversely related. The coefficients of accumulation demonstrate a strong inverse dependence on the concentrations of these cations in water, as well as on water pH. The decrease in Ca and Mg concentration in the larvae caused by an increase in pH is shown to be slower than that in water, which is an indirect indication to the presence of mechanisms that maintain the macroelement concentrations in the living organisms at the level required for their normal functioning under the conditions of anthropogenic acidification of water bodies.     

Speciation and Kinetics of Trihalomethane Formation in Drinking Water in Mexico

Water chlorination continues to be one of the most common water disinfection processes, especially in developing countries. When natural organic matter (NOM) is present, the process produces disinfection by-products (DBPs), some of them being trihalomethanes (THMs). This study determined the presence, speciation, and kinetics of THMs formation in the water supply for the northern area of the city of Toluca, Mexico. The results show that the concentrations of THMs are below the maximum allowable limits of 200 μg/L in accordance with NOM-127-SSA1-1994. Regarding THMs speciation, the presence of chloroform was more frequently observed in domestic water; furthermore, in one sample in which bromoform was present, it dominated over the chlorine species. Regarding the kinetics of THMs formation, a maximum concentration of THMs (THMs_Max) of 13.02 μg/L was obtained, and the time required to reach 50% THMs_Max ( t ₅₀) was 39.45 min.     

Effect of variations in net basin supply on lake levels and outflows

Starting from a simplified version of the water balance equation, it is shown how the levels and outflows from a open lake can be related to the magnitude and statistical characteristics of the annual net basin supply series, which is defined as the net inflow arising from tributary inflows, rainfall on the lake surface and the lake evaporation. Using the models, estimates are derived for the response time for several large open lakes in Africa and Asia. Also, the observed net basin supply series for three major lakes (Victoria, Malawi and Toba) are investigated in detail. It is suggested that, on an annual basis, the assumption of a random normally distributed series of net basin supply can provide a reasonable first guess for the equilibrium response of a lake and for the likely range of variation of levels. These estimates are likely to be useful in water resources assessments and for investigations of the effects of land use and climate change on lake levels. The effects of departures from this simplified approach are discussed and are illustrated with some practical examples. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.