Impact of climate change on the surface water of Kaidu River Basin

To reveal the changing trend and annual distribution of the surface water hydrology and the local climate in the Bayanbuluk alpine-cold wetlands in the past 50 years, we used temperature, precipitation, different rank precipitation days, evaporation, water vapor pressure, relative humidity, dust storm days and snow depth to analyze their temporal variations. We conclude that there were no distinct changes in annual mean temperature, and no obvious changes in the maximum or minimum temperatures. Precipitation in warm season was the main water source in the wetlands of the study area and accounted for 92.0% of the annual total. Precipitation dropped to the lowest in the mid-1980s in the past 50 years and then increased gradually. The runoff of the Kaidu River has increased since 1987 which has a good linear response to the annual precipitation and mean temperature in Bayanbuluk alpine-cold wetland. Climate change also affected ecosystems in this area due to its direct relations to the surface water environment.     

Assessment on the sustainability of water resources utilization in Central Asia based on water resources carrying capacity

Situated in the hinterland of Eurasia, Central Asia is characterized by an arid climate and sparse rainfall. The uneven spatial distribution of water and land resources across the region has pressured economic and social development. An accurate understanding of Central Asia’s water resources carrying capacity(WRCC) is vital for enhancing the sustainability of water resources utilization and guiding regional economic and social activities. This study aims to facilitate the sustainability of wate...     

Effect of apple production base on regional water cycle in Weibei upland of the Loess Plateau

Weibei upland of the Loess Plateau containing Xianyang city, northern part of Weinan city, southern part of Yan'an city and a part of Tongchuan city covers a total area of 30,000 km2 with an elevation of 900 to 1500 m above sea level and annual average precipitation is from 550 to 600 mm. The Luochuan and Changwu uplands are two of those large uplands in Weibei region. These uplands have been identified as a commercial apple production base for its special features of topography and climate…     

The water regime of the Ust’-Ilimsk reservoir under normal operation conditions

Based on experimental data on the level and elements of the water balance of the Ust’-Ilimsk reservoir, we outline the characteristic properties of the long-term and seasonal regimes of its impounding and drawdown under normal operation conditions (1977–2008). We demonstrate the role played by the individual components of water input and output in the formation of the reservoir’s water regime.     

Landscape pattern dynamics of water body in Kaifeng city in the 20th century

Landscape spatial pattern mainly refers to the distribution of patches, which are different in size and shape in space owing to the interaction of various ecological activities. In landscape ecology study, landscape pattern has been one of the key study areas. Water body landscape plays an important role in the development history of a city, but at present city water body landscape in many cities has been destroyed, hence protecting water body in the city is becoming more and more important. In order to protect city water body landscape reasonably, the precondition is to probe the dynamics of water body landscape. Based on historical data and remote sensing data, six indexes including patch number, patch area, landscape dominance index, fractal dimension, patch density and connectivity index etc. were used to analyze landscape pattern dynamics of water body in Kaifeng city since the end of the Qing Dynasty (in the 20th century). The results showed: (1) Since the end of the Qing Dynasty, landscape area of water body in Kaifeng city increased first and then decreased from 1898 to 2002AD; the landscape dominant degree had the same changing tendency with the area. (2) Patch number of water body landscape in Kaifeng city had an increase from 1898 to 2002, but maximum area of patch, minimum area of patch and average area of patch decreased, which resulted in an increase in landscape fragment degree. (3) Connectivity index decreased and fractal dimension increased from 1898 to 2002. The reasons for these changes were the repeated overflows and flooding of the Yellow River and the influence of human activities.     

Water quantity-quality combined evaluation method for rivers＇ water requirements of the instream environment in dualistic water cycle： A case study of Liaohe River Basin

In this article the meaning of the quantity and quality of environmental flows of river in dualistic water cycle is discussed, and compared with the meaning of unitary water cycle. Based on the analysis of the relationship between environmental flows of river requirements, the efficiency of water resource usage, the consumption coefficient, and the concentration of waste water elimination, the water quantity and water quality calculation method of the environmental flows of river requirements in dualistic water cycle is developed, and the criteria for environmental flows of river requirements are established, and therefore the water quantity-quality combined evaluation of natural river flows requirements are realized Taking the Liaohe River as a model, the environmental flows of river requirements for Xiliao River, Dongliao River, mainstream Liaohe River, Huntai River and northeast rivers along the coasts of the Yellow and Bohai seas in unitary water cycle are calculated, each taking up 39.3%, 63.0%, 43.9%, 43.3% and 43.5% of runoff respectively. Evaluated according to Tennant recommended flow, the results show that： except Xiliao River is ＂median＂, the rest are all upon ＂good＂, the Dongliao River is even ＂very good＂. The corresponding results in dualistic water cycle are that, the proportion of natural flows for each river is 57.5%, 74.1%, 60.8%, 60.3% and 60.4%; while the combined evaluation results show that： considering ＂quantity＂, except Xiliao River, the rest rivers can all achieve the ＂quantity＂ criteria of the en- vironmental flows of river requirements, but if considering the aspect of ＂quality＂, only Dongliao River can reach the ＂quality＂ standard. By water quantity-quality combined evaluation method, only Dongliao River can achieve the criteria. So the water quality is the main factor that determines whether the environmental flows can meet the river ecosystem demands.     

Dynamical variations in groundwater chemistry influenced by intermittent water delivery at the lower reaches of the Tarim River

The water of Bosten Lake was released to lower reaches of the Tarim River for 5 times from 2000 to 2002. The changes of total dissolved solid (TDS) and the major ions (SO4^2-, Cl^-, Na^-,Ca^2 , Mg^2- and HCO3^- ) were analyzed during this period. It was found out that TDS and the concentrations of the major ions initially and quickly increased and then decreased, but finally increased again. These changes were different at different distances from the river, which indicated that the groundwater changes relied on the distance from the river. In addition, the salt in groundwater was only diluted but not removed by the water. It was suggested that ecological measures should be sought to really promote the quality of the groundwater at the lower reaches of the Tarim River.     

Assessment and utilization of soil water resources

1 IntroductionIt is well known that the major problem of water resources at present is water shortage in the North China Plain. The development of agricultural production certainly increased the water consumption, so level of groundwater table declined year by year. Crop use water directly from soil water, while rainwater, surface water, and groundwater should be firstly transformed and changed into soil water and then be used by crops. Therefore, water interactions, water balance and soil w…     

A long-term annual water balance analysis of the Araçuaí River Basin,Brazil

Semi-arid and arid areas exhibit great temporal variability in water availability. In some of these regions, a one- or two-day rainfall is followed by intervening dry periods of variable length. In recent decades, many rivers of the semi-arid portion of the Jequitinhonha Basin have been undergoing a progressive discharge reduction, mainly of their base flow, the Araçuaí River is one of them. In order to understand this transformation, a long-term analysis of the annual water balance of the Araçuaí River Basin was performed, the results of which are presented herein. Satellite images, hydrometeorological and river discharge data were analyzed; mean and variance tests were conducted to determine temporal homogeneity. Historical pluviometric data analysis shows no corresponding precipitation reduction and temperature undergoes only a slight increase in the same period. On the other hand, evaporation is extremely high, higher than precipitation during most of the year, leaving almost no water for infiltration (aquifer recharge) and runoff. Furthermore, the Araçuaí headwaters of its tributaries are now occupied by a monoculture, Eucaliptus sp., used for paper production. Because of the decreased fluvial discharges, its lowlands, usually used for agriculture and pasture, are abandoned and partially eroded.     

Is salinity the only water quality parameter affected when saline water is disposed in rivers?

The effect of saline lake water disposal from the Lough Calvert Drainage Scheme on water quality of the Barwon River, in south west Victoria, Australia, was investigated. The Scheme is used to regulate the levels of several saline lakes outside the Barwon's catchment. This study found that the disposal of saline lake water was associated with increased total phosphorus, PO₄, TKN, suspended solids, electrical conductivity and stream discharge and lower NOx in the Barwon River. Thus, when disposing of saline water, factors other than salinity should be considered in order to prevent an impact on the aquatic environment. At present this is generally not done. The results are discussed with reference to the effects of saline water disposal on aquatic biota and how the effect of saline lake water disposal on water quality may differ from the disposal of saline groundwater.     

Historical drought and water disasters in the Weihe Plain

Through detailed statistics and analysis of drought and water disasters in the Weihe Plain in the historical period, we discovered that in more than 2300 years (from 370 BC to 2000 AD), natural disasters occurred most frequently in two periods. One is from 610 to 850 AD (from the late Sui Dynasty to the late Tang Dynasty) and the other is from 1580 to 2000 AD (after the late Ming Dynasty). Different natural disasters occurred synchronously, that is to say, when the drought occurred frequently, water disasters occurred frequently in the same periods. Frequencies of natural disasters, on the one hand, connected with climate changes and development course of ancient cities, while on the other, related closely to population changes. The excessive exploitation of natural resources and human disturbance and damages to ecological environment are the major reasons for the increased drought and water disasters.     

An environmental decision‐support system for the management of water pollution in a tidal river network

This paper is about the development of a decision‐support system for water‐pollution management and environmental planning. More specifically, the paper first presents the overall concept and the system architecture of a generic environmental decision‐support system (EDSS) and then develops an EDSS especially for analysing the tidal flow pattern and water quality of China's Pearl River Delta. The EDSS developed here employs the object‐oriented approach to design the environmental database and utilizes the system integration technology to develop the overall user‐friendly system that operates in the Windows environment. Furthermore, the system can be expanded to facilitate automated model selection and analysis. The EDSS should be of value for managing water quality of river networks with complicated flow patterns, such as that found in the Pearl River Delta.     

On the organic compounds in water of Mochou Lake and Heart Lake in Larsemann Hills,Antarctica

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A simple and effective method for preserving the sediment–water interface of sediment cores during transport

We describe a method for preserving the upper sediments of fragile sediment cores during transport from field sites and assess potential effects on subsequent laboratory analyses. This method addresses the need to minimize disturbance to the surfaces of unfrozen sediment cores used for paleoenvironmental or other high-resolution sedimentological analyses during transport. A polymer gel (sodium polyacrylate) applied above the sediment surface acts as a barrier to movement while also preserving surface undulations. The gel seal can preserve even exceptionally fine sedimentary structures (<0.2 mm) in the upper sediments of lacustrine and fiord sediment cores, but may react with organic material (e.g. algal mats) present on some sediment surfaces. This reaction creates an adhesive layer at the gel’s base but it can be handled effectively during sampling. The gel seal minimizes surface deformation and preserves surficial sediments better than traditional seals made of water-absorbent floral foam, wax or paper towel. In addition to permitting detailed sedimentary and subfossil investigations of the sediment–water interface, this method shows no detectable effects on measurements of total organic carbon or total nitrogen values in the sediment. This method is inexpensive, non-hazardous and applicable to many coring systems and sediment types.     

Sociotechnical imaginaries of urban development: social movements around “traditional” water infrastructure in the Kathmandu Valley

This article examines the role of so-called traditional stone waterspout technologies in struggles over urban modernization in Lalitpur, Nepal. In doing so, this article questions the status of tradition in urban theorizing and mobilizes the concept of sociotechnical imaginaries as a framework for understanding the contested spatial visions of urban development. In advancing this approach, this article analyses infrastructure as a visual discourse of materials, practices, and texts, including the label “tradition.” Findings indicate that stone spouts represent material and symbolic sites for residents to express discontent with hegemonic visions of modernization, legitimize certain cultural practices, and make claims on urban space. We argue that an alternate imaginary of urban development has emerged through the prism of traditional infrastructure. This article forwards sociotechnical imaginaries as a framework for situating the multiple and contested trajectories of urban modernization, particularly the ways in which past technologies come to shape desired urban futures.     

Study on the relationship between the diameter of the compound eye and the growth of the Antarctickrill

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The differences of water balance components of Caragana korshinkii grown in homogeneous and layered soils in the desert–Loess Plateau transition zone

Soil texture greatly influences soil water movement, thus may affect the water balance and vegetation growth in the desert–Loess Plateau transition zone. This study is to determine if the water balance differs in homogeneous and layered soils with Caragana korshinkii stands in semiarid region. Soil water measurements up to 500-cm depth were taken in 2006 and 2007 on homogeneous sandy soil, homogeneous silt loam soil, and layered soil with sand overlying silt loam. HYDRUS-1D was used to simulate the soil water balance. The results indicated the annual water balance components were greatly affected by soil layering. The ratio of average actual evapotranspiration (ET_a) to precipitation (P) during the two years in the layered soil was slightly lower than that in homogeneous soils. The ratios of annual actual transpiration (T_r) to evapotranspiration were 50.9%, 41.2% and 30.6% in layered soil, homogeneous sandy soil, and homogeneous silt loam soil, respectively. C. korshinkii grown in layered soil had deeper soil water recharge and higher T_r/ET_a ratio, thus had more available water for transpiration than that in homogeneous soils. This study suggested the layered soil with sand overlying silt loam is more favorable to C. korshinkii growth in terms of water use than homogeneous soils in the desert–Loess Plateau transition zone.     

Fluorescence characteristics of water soluble organic carbon in eastern China

1 Introduction Water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) was defined as the entire pool of water soluble organic carbon either sorbed on soil or sediment particles or dissolved in interstitial pore water[1]. It has been recognized that dissolved organic carbon acts as a carrier for trace metals and persistent organic contaminants in soil and surface water[2,3]. Besides, dissolved organic carbon in water is one of the important precursors for generating trihalomethanes and other chlorinated produc…