Experimental study on the effect of water absorption level on rockburst occurrence of sandstone

To investigate the mechanism of rockburst prevention by spraying water onto the surrounding rocks,15 experiments are performed considering different water absorption levels on a single face.High-speed photography and acoustic emission(AE)system are used to monitor the rockburst process.The effect of water on sandstone rockburst and the prevention mechanism of water on sandstone rockburst are analyzed from the perspective of energy and failure mode.The results show that the higher the ab-sorption degree,the lower the intensity of the rockburst after absorbing water on single side of sand-stone.This is reflected in the fact that with the increase in the water absorption level,the ejection velocity of rockburst fragments is smaller,the depth of the rockburst pit is shallower,and the AE energy is smaller.Under the water absorption level of 100%,the magnitude of rockburst intensity changes from medium to slight.The prevention mechanism of water on sandstone rockburst is that water reduces the capacity of sandstone to store strain energy and accelerates the expansion of shear cracks,which is not conducive to the occurrence of plate cracking before rockburst,and destroys the conditions for rockburst incubation.

Assessment of Climate Change Impact on Water Requirement and Rice Productivity

Assessing the impact of climate change(CC)on agricultural production systems is mainly done using crop models associated with climate model outputs.This review is one of the few,with the main objective of providing a recent compendium of CC impact studies on irrigation needs and rice yields for a better understanding and use of climate and crop models.We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of climate impact studies on agricultural production systems,with a particular focus on uncertainty and sensitivity analyses of crop models.Although the new generation global climate models(GCMs)are more robust than previous ones,there is still a need to consider the effect of climate uncertainty on estimates when using them.Current GCMs cannot directly simulate the agro-climatic variables of interest for future irrigation assessment,hence the use of intelligent climate tools.Therefore,sensitivity and uncertainty analyses must be applied to crop models,especially for their calibration under different conditions.The impacts of CC on irrigation needs and rice yields vary across regions,seasons,varieties and crop models.Finally,integrated assessments,the use of remote sensing data,climate smart tools,CO_(2)enrichment experiments,consideration of changing crop management practices and multi-scale crop modeling,seem to be the approaches to be pursued for future climate impact assessments for agricultural systems。

Grain yield and N uptake of maize in response to increased plant density under reduced water and nitrogen supply conditions

The development of modern agriculture requires the reduction of water and chemical N fertilizer inputs.Increasing the planting density can maintain higher yields,but also consumes more of these restrictive resources.However,whether an increased maize density can compensate for the negative effects of reduced water and N supply on grain yield and N uptake in the arid irrigated areas remains unknown.This study is part of a long-term positioning trial that started in 2016.A split-split plot field experiment of maize was implemented in the arid irrigated area of northwestern China in 2020 to 2021.The treatments included two irrigation levels:local conventional irrigation reduced by 20%(W1,3,240 m^(3)ha^(-1))and local conventional irrigation(W2,4,050 m^(3)ha^(-1));two N application rates:local conventional N reduced by 25%(N1,270 kg ha^(-1))and local conventional N(360 kg ha^(-1));and three planting densities:local conventional density(D1,75,000 plants ha^(-1)),density increased by 30%(D2,97,500 plants ha-1),and density increased by 60%(D3,120,000 plants ha^(-1)).Our results showed that the grain yield and aboveground N accumulation of maize were lower under the reduced water and N inputs,but increasing the maize density by 30% can compensate for the reductions of grain yield and aboveground N accumulation caused by the reduced water and N supply.When water was reduced while the N application rate remained unchanged,increasing the planting density by 30% enhanced grain yield by 13.9% and aboveground N accumulation by 15.3%.Under reduced water and N inputs,increasing the maize density by 30% enhanced N uptake efficiency and N partial factor productivity,and it also compensated for the N harvest index and N metabolic related enzyme activities.Compared with W2N2D1,the N uptake efficiency and N partial factor productivity increased by 28.6 and 17.6%under W1N1D2.W1N2D2 had 8.4% higher N uptake efficiency and 13.9% higher N partial factor productivity than W2N2D1.W1N2D2 improved urease activity and nitrate reductase activity by 5.4% at the R2(blister)stage and 19.6% at the V6(6th leaf)stage,and increased net income and the benefit:cost ratio by 22.1 and 16.7%,respectively.W1N1D2 and W1N2D2 reduced the nitrate nitrogen and ammoniacal nitrogen contents at the R6 stage in the 40-100 cm soil layer,compared with W2N2D1.In summary,increasing the planting density by 30% can compensate for the loss of grain yield and aboveground N accumulation under reduced water and N inputs.Meanwhile,increasing the maize density by 30% improved grain yield and aboveground N accumulation when water was reduced by 20% while the N application rate remained constant in arid irrigation areas.

Investigation of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene propellant breaking characteristics and mechanism impacted by submerged cavitation water jet

A submerged cavitation water jet(SCWJ)is an effective method to recycle solid propellant from obsolete solid engines by the breaking method.Solid propellant's breaking modes and mechanical process under SCWJ impact are unclear.This study aims to understand those impact breaking mechanisms.The hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene(HTPB)propellant was chosen as the research material,and a self-designed test system was used to conduct impact tests at four different working pressures.The high-speed camera characterized crack propagation,and the DIC method calculated strain change during the impact process.Besides,micro and macro fracture morphologies were characterized by scanning electron microscope(SEM)and computed tomography(CT)scanning.The results reveal that the compressive strain concentration region locates right below the nozzle,and the shear strain region distributes symmetrically with the jet axis,which increases to 4% at first 16th ms,the compressive strain rises to 2% and 6% in the axial and transverse direction,respectively.The two tensile cracks formed first at the compression strain concentrate region,and there generate many shear cracks around the tensile cracks,and those shear cracks that develop and aggregate cause the cracks to become wider and cut through the tensile cracks,forming the tensile-shear cracks and the impact parts eventually fail.The HTPB propellant forms a breaking hole shaped conical after impact 10 s.The mass loss increases by 17 times at maximum,with the working pressure increasing by three times.Meanwhile,the damage value of the breaking hole remaining on the surface increases by 7.8 times while 2.9 times in the depth of the breaking hole.The breaking efficiency is closely affected by working pressures.The failure modes of HTPB impacted by SCWJ are classified as tensile crack-dominated and tensile-shear crack-dominated damage mechanisms.

Decoupled water electrolysis:Flexible strategy for pure hydrogen production with small voltage inputs

Hydrogen gas is widely regarded as an ideal green energy carrier and a potential alternative to fossil fuels for coping with the aggravating energy crisis and environmental pollution.Currently,the vast majority of the world's hydrogen is produced by reforming fossil fuels;however,this hydrogen-making technology is not sustainable or environmentally friendly because ofits high energy consumption and large carbon emissions.Renewables-driven water splitting(2H_(2)0-2H_(2)+0_(2))becomes an extensively studied scheme for sustain-able hydrogen production.Conventional water electrolysis requires an input voltage higher than 1.23 V and forms a gas mixture of H_(2)/O_(2),which results in high electricity consumption,potential safety hazards,and harmful reactive oxygen species.By virtue of the auxiliary redox mediators(RMs)as the robust H^(+)/e^(-)reservoir,decoupled electrolysis splits water at a much lower potential and evolves O_(2)(H_(2)O+RMS_(ox)-O_(2)+H-RMS_(red))and H_(2)(H-RMS_(red)-H_(2)+RMS_(ox))at separate times,rates,and spaces,thus pro-ducing the puretarget hydrogen gas safely.Decoupled electrolysis has accelerated the development ofwater electrolysis technology for H_(2) production.However,itis still lack of a comprehensive and in-depth review in this field based on different types of RMs.This review highlights the basic principles and critical progress of this emerging water electrolysis mode over the past decade.Several representative examples are then dis-played in detail according to the differences in the RMs.The rational choice and design of RMs have also been emphasized.Subsequently,novel applications of decoupled water splitting are briefly discussed,including the manufacture of valuable chemicals,Cl_(2) production,pollutant degradation,and other half-reactions in artificial photosynthesis.Finally,thekey characteristics and disadvantages of each type of mediator are sum-marized in depth.In addition,we present an outlook for future directions in decoupled water splitting.Thus,the flexibility in the design of mediators provides huge space for improving this electrochemical technology.@2024 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences.Published by ELSEVIER B.V.and Science Press.All rights reserved.

Recent advances and future prospects on Ni_(3)S_(2)-Based electrocatalysts for efficient alkaline water electrolysis

Green hydrogen(H_(2))produced by renewable energy powered alkaline water electrolysis is a promising alternative to fossil fuels due to its high energy density with zero-carbon emissions.However,efficient and economic H_(2) production by alkaline water electrolysis is hindered by the sluggish hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER).Therefore,it is imperative to design and fabricate high-active and low-cost non-precious metal catalysts to improve the HER and OER performance,which affects the energy efficiency of alkaline water electrolysis.Ni_(3)S_(2) with the heazlewoodite structure is a potential electrocatalyst with near-metal conductivity due to the Ni–Ni metal network.Here,the review comprehensively presents the recent progress of Ni_(3)S_(2)-based electrocatalysts for alkaline water electrocatalysis.Herein,the HER and OER mechanisms,performance evaluation criteria,preparation methods,and strategies for performance improvement of Ni_(3)S_(2)-based electrocatalysts are discussed.The challenges and perspectives are also analyzed.

Recent advances in cobalt phosphide-based materials for electrocatalytic water splitting:From catalytic mechanism and synthesis method to optimization design

Electrochemical water splitting has long been considered an effective energy conversion technology for trans-ferring intermittent renewable electricity into hydrogen fuel,and the exploration of cost-effective and high-performance electrocatalysts is crucial in making electrolyzed water technology commercially viable.Cobalt phosphide(Co-P)has emerged as a catalyst of high potential owing to its high catalytic activity and durability in water splitting.This paper systematically reviews the latest advances in the development of Co-P-based materials for use in water splitting.The essential effects of P in enhancing the catalytic performance of the hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction are first outlined.Then,versatile synthesis techniques for Co-P electrocatalysts are summarized,followed by advanced strategies to enhance the electrocatalytic performance of Co-P materials,including heteroatom doping,composite construction,integration with well-conductive sub-strates,and structure control from the viewpoint of experiment.Along with these optimization strategies,the understanding of the inherent mechanism of enhanced catalytic performance is also discussed.Finally,some existing challenges in the development of highly active and stable Co-P-based materials are clarified,and pro-spective directions for prompting the wide commercialization of water electrolysis technology are proposed.

Towards high-performance and robust anion exchange membranes(AEMs)for water electrolysis:Super-acid-catalyzed synthesis of AEMs

The increasing demand for hydrogen energy to address environmental issues and achieve carbon neutrality has elevated interest in green hydrogen production,which does not rely on fossil fuels.Among various hydrogen production technologies,anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer(AEMWE)has emerged as a next-generation technology known for its high hydrogen production efficiency and its ability to use non-metal catalysts.However,this technology faces significant challenges,particularly in terms of the membrane durability and low ionic conductivity.To address these challenges,research efforts have focused on developing membranes with a new backbone structure and anion exchange groups to enhance durability and ionic conductivity.Notably,the super-acid-catalyzed condensation(SACC)synthesis method stands out due to its user convenience,the ability to create high molecular weight(MW)polymers,and the use of oxygen-tolerant organic catalysts.Although the synthesis of anion exchange membranes(AEMs)using the SACC method began in 2015,and despite growing interest in this synthesis approach,there remains a scarcity of review papers focusing on AEMs synthesized using the SACC method.The review covers the basics of SACC synthesis,presents various polymers synthesized using this method,and summarizes the development of these polymers,particularly their building blocks including aryl,ketone,and anion exchange groups.We systematically describe the effects of changes in the molecular structure of each polymer component,conducted by various research groups,on the mechanical properties,conductivity,and operational stability of the membrane.This review will provide insights into the development of AEMs with superior performance and operational stability suitable for water electrolysis applications.

Pt nanoclusters modified porous g-C_(3)N_(4)nanosheets to significantly enhance hydrogen production by photocatalytic water reforming of methanol

For the use of green hydrogen energy,it is crucial to have efficient photocatalytic activity for hydrogen generation by water reforming of methanol under mild conditions.Much attention has been paid to gC_(3)N_(4)as a promising photocatalyst for the generation of hydrogen.To improve the separation of photogenerated charge,porous nanosheet g-C_(3)N_(4)was modified with Pt nanoclusters(Pt/g-C_(3)N_(4))through impregnation and following photo-induced reduction.This catalyst showed excellent photocatalytic activity of water reforming of methanol fo r hydrogen production with a 17.12 mmol·g^(-1)·h^(-1)rate at room temperature,which was 311 times higher than that of the unmodified g-C_(3)N_(4).The strong interactions of Pt-N in Pt/g-C_(3)N_(4)constructed effective electron transfer channels to promote the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes effectively.In addition,in-situ infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate the intermediates of the hydrogen production reaction,which proved that methanol and water eventually turn into H_(2)and CO_(2)via formaldehyde and formate.This study provides insights for understanding the photocatalytic hydrogen production in the water reforming of methanol.

Some Indicators of the Water Regime in Some Varieties Belonging to the Monarda didyma L. Genus in the Conditions of Tashkent (Uzbekistan)

In this article, the names of 3 varieties of Monarda didyma L., which are considered to be introduced species, some indicators of the water regime in the climatic conditions of Uzbekistan: the amount of water in the leaves, water deficit, water storage capacity were studied in spring and summer, and seasonal changes were determined. According to these indicators of the water regime, the studied varieties belong to the labile water regime, high green mass (centner), seed yield (how many grams), resistance to diseases and pests have been determined, which shows that it is promising for introduction in the conditions of our republic. Therefore, it is recommended to breed these varieties in the foothills and hilly regions of Uzbekistan, where the amount of precipitation is more than 400 - 500 mm.

Towards a new avenue for rapid synthesis of electrocatalytic electrodes via laser-induced hydrothermal reaction for water splitting

Electrochemical production of hydrogen from water requires the development ofelectrocatalysts that are active,stable,and low-cost for water splitting.To address these challenges,researchers are increasingly exploring binder-free electrocatalytic integratedelectrodes (IEs) as an alternative to conventional powder-based electrode preparation methods,for the former is highly desirable to improve the catalytic activity and long-term stability for large-scale applications of electrocatalysts.Herein,we demonstrate a laser-inducedhydrothermal reaction (LIHR) technique to grow NiMoO4nanosheets on nickel foam,which is then calcined under H2/Ar mixed gases to prepare the IE IE-NiMo-LR.This electrode exhibits superior hydrogen evolution reaction performance,requiring overpotentials of 59,116 and143 mV to achieve current densities of 100,500 and 1000 mA·cm-2.During the 350 h chronopotentiometry test at current densities of 100 and 500 m A·cm-2,the overpotentialremains essentially unchanged.In addition,NiFe-layered double hydroxide grown on Ni foam is also fabricated with the same LIHR method and coupled with IE-NiMo-IR to achieve water splitting.This combination exhibits excellent durability under industrial current density.The energy consumption and production efficiency of the LIHR method are systematicallycompared with the conventional hydrothermal method.The LIHR method significantly improves the production rate by over 19 times,while consuming only 27.78%of the total energy required by conventional hydrothermal methods to achieve the same production.

Collaborative Efforts and Strategies for Cholera Outbreak Control in Garissa County, Kenya: Implementation of Water Quality Monitoring Interventions

A multi-faceted Case Area Targeted Intervention (CATI) approach emphasizing the integration of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions and Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaign was employed to respond to the outbreak of cholera in Garissa County. Drinking water sources in areas heavily impacted by cholera were systematically mapped and tested for microbiological quality. The quality assessment was carried out in April 2023 during an ongoing cholera outbreak in the county. A total of 109 samples were collected and tested for thermotolerant coliforms and other in situ parameters. The finding revealed that more than 87% of the samples did not meet the World Health Organization (WHO) standard for thermotolerant coliforms;and 30% had turbidity values above the recommended threshold values. None of the 109 samples had any traceable residual chlorine. Following these findings, the county government implemented the targeted interventions which resulted in a positive impact in the fight against cholera. The WHO supported key interventions which included capacity building in water quality monitoring and prepositioning of critical WASH commodities to the cholera affected areas.

Design and Sizing of an Ecological Wastewater Treatment System in a School Environment: A Case Study of Ndiebene Gandiol 1 School

The primary objective of this study was to design and size a sustainable sanitation solution for the Ndiebene Gandiol 1 school located in the eponymous commune in northern Senegal. Field investigations led to the collection of wastewater samples. Their analysis revealed specific pollutant loads, including loads of BOD5 3.6966 kgO2/day and COD of 12.8775 kgO2/day, which were central to the design phase. Following a rigorous assessment of the existing sanitation infrastructure, constructed wetland (CWs) emerged as the most appropriate ecological solution. This system, valued for its ability to effectively remove contaminants, was tailored to the specific needs of the site. Consequently, the final design of the filter extends over 217.16 m2, divided into two cells of 108.58 m2 each, with dimensions of 12.77 m in length and 8.5 m in width. The depth of the filtering medium is approximately 0.60 m, meeting the standards while ensuring maximized purification. Typha, an indigenous and prolific plant known for its purification abilities, was selected as the filtering agent. Concurrently, non-crushed gravel was chosen for its proven filtration capacity. This study is the result of a combination of scientific rigor and design expertise. It provides a holistic view of sanitation for Ndiebene Gandiol. The technical specifications and dimensions of the constructed wetland filter embody an approach that marries indepth analysis and practical application, all aimed at delivering an effective and long-lasting solution to the local sanitation challenges. By integrating precise scientific data with sanitation design expertise, this study delivers a holistic solution for Ndiebene Gandiol. The detailed dimensions and specifications of the constructed wetland filter reflect a methodology that combines meticulous analysis with practical adaptation, aiming to provide an effective and sustainable response to the challenges of rural and school sanitation in the northern region of Senegal.

Flow Dynamics during the Hydrocarbon Exploitation for Prevention and Management of Water Venues in Oil Field: A Study Case of Crystal Field in Badila/Chad

The southern part of the Lake Chad basin is under the gas and oil petroleum industry due to its hydrocarbon potential for about twenty years. This project stands out as the main challenges of the hydrocarbon production and the management of fluxes particularly the groundwater venues. A comprehensive study is thus conducted to develop a dynamic and analytic model for diagnosing the production performances with a particular view on the management of groundwater venues. The three main concerned reservoirs subdivided on subunits evidence their proper characteristics. The porous media, their densities, the internal flows and the water injection techniques such as water flooding were thus adopted. The oil viscosity variability within the reservoirs creates different levels of mobility between water and oil, highlighting the challenges of water management. The material balance model and the behavior of the well analysis were taken in consideration within the identified aquifer, emphasizing the importance of keeping the pressure through injection. The control of water productions, the management of the reservoir, the well strategical position and the specific completions lead to the model functioning. In addition, the CO log and the Pulsed Neutron indicate their limitations as a result of the water salinity and the porosity of the aquifer. The management of groundwater venues at Badila requires various approaches throughout the lifetime of the Crystal field such as the data acquisition and remediation actions and prevention, under a permanent monitoring of the dynamic fluxes in the reservoirs.

“One Water”理念下的城市内涝防治对策思考

随着极端天气频发,暴雨天气概率增加,给城市内涝防治工作带来严峻挑战。“One Water”理念是指用维度提升法来系统做好城市内涝防治工作,除了实现城市排水安全,还要实现城市水资源科学利用、水环境持续改善、水生态有效修复等综合目标。分析了导致城市内涝的三方面原因:因洪致涝、长历时和短历时强降雨致涝;探讨了“One Water”理念下城市内涝防治目标;提出了“绿、灰、蓝、管”的具体措施。

Chronological Study of Coal-seam Water and its Implication on Gas Production in the South Qinshui Basin

The knowledge of the residence time of formation water is fundamental to understanding the subsurface flow and hydrological setting.To better identify the origin and evolution of coal seam water and its impact on gas storage and production,this study collected coalbed methane co-produced water in the southeast Qinshui Basin and detected chemical and isotopic compositions,especially 36Cl and 129I concentrations.The calculated tracer ages of 129I(5.2–50.6 Ma)and 36Cl(0.13–0.76 Ma)are significantly younger than the age of coal-bearing formation(Pennsylvanian-Cisuralian),indicating freshwater recharge after coal deposition.The model that utilises 129I/I and 36Cl/Cl ratios to constrain the timing of recharge and the proportion of recharge water reveals that over 60%of pre-anthropogenic meteoric water entered coal seams since 10 Ma and mixed with residue initial deposition water,corresponding to the basin inversion in Cenozoic.The spatial distribution of major ion concentrations reveals the primary recharge pathway for meteoric water from coal outcrops at the eastern margin to the basin center.This study demonstrates the occurrence of higher gas production rates from wells that accept water recharge in recent times and suggests the possible potential of the non-stagnant zones for high gas production.

Monitoring Surface Water Change in Northeast China in 1999–2020:Evidence from Satellite Observation and Refined Classification

As a typical region with high water demand for agricultural production,understanding the spatiotemporal surface water changes in Northeast China is critical for water resources management and sustainable development.However,the long-term variation characteristics of surface water of different water body types in Northeast China remain rarely explored.This study investigated how surface water bodies of different types(e.g.,lake,reservoir,river,coastal aquaculture,marsh wetland,ephemeral water) changed during1999–2020 in Northeast China based on various remote sensing-based datasets.The results showed that surface water in Northeast China grew dramatically in the past two decades,with an equivalent area increasing from 24 394 km^(2) in 1999 to 34 595 km^(2) in 2020.The surge of ephemeral water is the primary driver of surface water expansion,which could ascribe to shifted precipitation pattern.Marsh wetlands,rivers,and reservoirs experienced a similar trend,with an approximate 20% increase at the interdecadal scale.By contrast,coastal aquacultures and natural lakes remain relatively stable.This study is expected to provide a more comprehensive investigation of the surface water variability in Northeast China and has important practical significance for the scientific management of different types of surface water.

Spatial Heterogeneity of Embedded Water Consumption from the Perspective of Virtual Water Surplus and Deficit in the Yellow River Basin,China

Virtual water trade(VWT)provides a new perspective for alleviating water crisis and has thus attracted widespread attention.However,the heterogeneity of virtual water trade inside and outside the river basin and its influencing factors remains further study.In this study,for better investigating the pattern and heterogeneity of virtual water trade inside and outside provincial regions along the Yellow River Basin in 2015 using the input-output model(MRIO),we proposed two new concepts,i.e.,virtual water surplus and virtual water deficit,and then used the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index(LMDI)model to identify the inherent mechanism of the imbalance of virtual water trade between provincial regions along the Yellow River Basin and the other four regions in China.The results show that:1)in provincial regions along the Yellow River Basin,the less developed the economy was,the larger the contribution of the agricultural sector in virtual water trade,while the smaller the contribution of the industrial sector.2)Due to the large output of agricultural products,the upstream and midstream provincial regions of the Yellow River Basin had a virtual water surplus,with a net outflow of virtual water of 2.7×10^(8) m^(3) and 0.9×10^(8) m^(3),respectively.3)provincial regions along the Yellow River Basin were in a virtual water deficit with the rest of China,and the decisive factor was the active degree of trade with the outside.This study would be beneficial to illuminate the trade-related water use issues in provincial regions along the Yellow River Basin,which has farreaching practical signific-ance for alleviating water scarcity.

Temporal and spatial variation and prediction of water yield and water conservation in the Bosten Lake Basin based on the PLUS-InVEST model

To comprehensively evaluate the alterations in water ecosystem service functions within arid watersheds,this study focused on the Bosten Lake Basin,which is situated in the arid region of Northwest China.The research was based on land use/land cover(LULC),natural,socioeconomic,and accessibility data,utilizing the Patch-level Land Use Simulation(PLUS)and Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs(InVEST)models to dynamically assess LULC change and associated variations in water yield and water conservation.The analyses included the evaluation of contribution indices of various land use types and the investigation of driving factors that influence water yield and water conservation.The results showed that the change of LULC in the Bosten Lake Basin from 2000 to 2020 showed a trend of increasing in cultivated land and construction land,and decreasing in grassland,forest,and unused land.The unused land of all the three predicted scenarios of 2030(S1,a natural development scenario;S2,an ecological protection scenario;and S3,a cultivated land protection scenario)showed a decreasing trend.The scenarios S1 and S3 showed a trend of decreasing in grassland and increasing in cultivated land;while the scenario S2 showed a trend of decreasing in cultivated land and increasing in grassland.The water yield of the Bosten Lake Basin exhibited an initial decline followed by a slight increase from 2000 to 2020.The areas with higher water yield values were primarily located in the northern section of the basin,which is characterized by higher altitude.Water conservation demonstrated a pattern of initial decrease followed by stabilization,with the northeastern region demonstrating higher water conservation values.In the projected LULC scenarios of 2030,the estimated water yield under scenarios S1 and S3 was marginally greater than that under scenario S2;while the level of water conservation across all three scenarios remained rather consistent.The results showed that Hejing County is an important water conservation function zone,and the eastern part of the Xiaoyouledusi Basin is particularly important and should be protected.The findings of this study offer a scientific foundation for advancing sustainable development in arid watersheds and facilitating efficient water resource management.

The Economics of Competing Water Uses under a FERC Licensing Agreement: Estimation of Property Value, Recreation, and Hydroelectric Impacts

Reservoirs provide a variety of services with economic values across multiple sectors. As demands for reservoir services continue to grow and precipitation patterns evolve, it becomes ever more important to consider the integrated suite of values and tradeoffs that attend changes in water uses and availability. Section 316 (b) of the Clean Water Act requires that owners of certain water cooled power plants evaluate technologies and operational measures that can reduce their impacts to aquatic organisms. The studies must discuss the social costs and benefits of alternative technologies including cooling towers (79 Fed. Reg. 158, 48300 - 48439). Cooling towers achieve their effect through evaporation. This manuscript estimates the property value, recreation, and hydroelectric generation impacts that could result from the evaporative water loss associated with installing cooling towers at the McGuire Nuclear Generating Station (McGuire) located on Lake Norman, North Carolina. Although this study specifically evaluates the effects of evaporative water loss from cooling towers, its methods are applicable to estimating the economic benefits and costs of a new water user or reduced water input in any complex reservoir system that supports steam electric generation, hydroelectric generation, residential properties, recreation, irrigation, and municipal water use.