Perceptions of Bark Beetle Landscape Disturbance Effects on Natural Resources and Drinking Water: Assessing Communication and Knowledge Exchange in the Rocky Mountain Region, USA

Widespread changes to forested watersheds affected by the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) epidemic across western North America raised concerns about the effects of this climate-induced disturbance on drinking water and natural resources. Effective communication and knowledge exchange across scientists and stakeholders (i.e., drinking water managers) is essential for constructively responding to such landscape scale disturbances, providing improved adaptive capacity through knowledge sharing. An assessment of stakeholder knowledge levels, information needs, primary concerns, and suggested communication strategies were conducted via an online elicitation survey and World Science Café workshops. Knowledge levels, assessed via a survey of local water managers and experts, were relatively low with approximately half of the respondents reporting little to no knowledge of the effects of mountain pine beetle on drinking water quality and quantity, thereby indicating limited knowledge exchange between scientists and drinking water stakeholders. Increased accessibility and dissemination of research findings pertinent to the mountain pine beetle epidemic’s effects on drinking water quality and quantity is necessary for natural resource management. Recommendations for improved communication among scientists and drinking water stakeholders in particular and forest health in general include dispersal of non-academic research summaries, information exchange through existing media and community resources, demonstration projects, and information clearinghouses. This information provides a better understanding of the challenges, concerns, and first-hand experience of stakeholders of a landscape disturbance issue to apply this knowledge to enhance land management practice and how researchers on this overall project enhanced science communication efforts.

The Influence of Weather and Climate Variability on Groundwater Quality in Zanzibar

Climate change and variability have been inducing a broad spectrum of impacts on the environment and natural resources including groundwater resources. The study aimed at assessing the influence of weather, climate variability, and changes on the quality of groundwater resources in Zanzibar. The study used the climate datasets including rainfall (RF), Maximum and Minimum Temperature (Tmax and Tmin), the records acquired from Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) Zanzibar office for 30 (1989-2019) and 10 (2010-2019) years periods. Also, the Zanzibar Water Authority (ZAWA) monthly records of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), and Ground Water Temperature (GWT) were used. Interpolation techniques were used for controlling outliers and missing datasets. Indeed, correlation, trend, and time series analyses were used to show the relationship between climate and water quality parameters. However, simple statistical analyses including mean, percentage changes, and contributions to the annual and seasonal mean were calculated. Moreover, t and paired t-tests were used to show the significant changes in the mean of the variables for two defined periods of 2011-2015 and 2016-2020 at p ≤ 0.05. Results revealed that seasonal variability of groundwater quality from March to May (MAM) has shown a significant change in trends ranging from 0.1 to 2.8 mm/L/yr, 0.1 to 2.8 μS/cm/yr, and 0.1 to 2.0℃/yr for TDS, EC, and GWT, respectively. The changes in climate parameters were 0.1 to 2.4 mm/yr, 0.2 to 1.3℃/yr and 0.1 to 2.5℃/yr in RF, Tmax, and Tmin, respectively. From October to December (OND) changes in groundwater parameters ranged from 0.2 to 2.5 mm/L/yr 0.1 to 2.9 μS/cm/yr, and 0.1 to 2.1℃/yr for TDS, EC, and GWT, whereas RF, Tmax, and Tmin changed from 0.3 to 1.8 mm/yr, 0.2 to 1.9℃/yr and 0.2 to 2.0℃/yr, respectively. Moreover, the study has shown strong correlations between climate and water quality parameters in MAM and OND. Besides, the paired correlation has shown significant changes in all parameters except the rainfall. Conclusively, the study has shown a strong influence of climate variability on the quality of groundwater in Zanzibar, and calls for more studies to extrapolate these results throughout Tanzania.

The Influence and Implications of Climate Change on Water Quality in a Large Water Reservoir in the Southwest, USA

Maintaining water quality in large reservoirs is crucial to ensure continued delivery of high-quality water to consumers for municipal and agricultural needs. Lake Mead, a large reservoir in the desert southwest, USA, is projected to be affected by both loss of volume and rising air temperatures through the end of the 21st century. In this study, reductions in lake volume, coupled with downscaled climate projections for rising air temperatures through the end of the 21st century, are incorporated into the 3D hydrodynamic and water quality model for Lake Mead. If current management practices continue in the future, simulations indicate water temperatures will increase in all scenarios and could increase by as much 2℃under the most pessimistic scenarios, but nutrient loads would not increase to concerning levels. Releases from the dam to downstream users are projected to be much warmer, and warmer water temperatures and significant dissolved oxygen in the water column are expected to cause challenges for ecosystem and recreation in the future. Surprisingly, during the Winter and Autumn, retention of heat in Lake Mead is more pronounced at higher surface elevations than the lower elevations as expected. The effects of these projections on the lake water quality and consequently, lake management decisions, are discussed.

The Hydrodynamic Behaviour of Euboean Gulf Coastal Areas and the Mixing of the Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Urban Sewage Discharged into Them under the Influence of Climate Change

The hydrodynamic circulation within the marine environment is a complex phenomenon, characterized by the interplay of strong tidal forces, atmospheric influences, and bathymetric features. The physical and hydrodynamic attributes of this flow play a pivotal role in promoting vertical mixing of seawater masses, thereby facilitating the integration of their physical and chemical parameters, including nutrients and oxygen. Additionally, they are instrumental in governing the dispersion and diffusion of pollutants originating from urban sewage, contributing to the overall water renewal process and environmental quality. This study investigates the potential impact of anticipated increases in average air temperatures on water column stratification in coastal regions susceptible to these dynamic influences. These areas receive treated urban sewage, and the study aims to assess how these temperature changes might influence the dispersion and mixing of pollutant loads present in these coastal waters.

Water Quality Index Assessment under Climate Change

Surface water quality may change in the future due to climatic variability as natural processes will most likely be modified by anthropogenic activities. As such, stream temperature is very likely to change as well which will impact on surface water quality and aquatic ecosystem dynamics. The present study focused on improving modelling of surface water quality indices and water quality parameters under various climate change scenarios in relationship with stream temperature. Future climate data were extracted from the Canadian Coupled General Climate Model (CGCM 3.1/ T63) under the greenhouse emission scenarios B1 and A2, as defined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This study illustrates the usefulness of the stream temperature models, coupled with Climate Change Scenarios to predict the evolution of future stream water temperature regimes and associated biogeochemical water quality parameters pertaining to drinking water quality. The specific objectives of the present study were to analyze the surface water quality of 15 rivers in New Brunswick (Canada) on the basis of 9 parameters under climate change. A Weighed Method and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) Method were used to assess the water quality for each river under present and future climate. The knowledge gained from this study will enable engineers and water resources managers to better understand river thermal regimes and climate change impact on water quality related to Drinking Surface Water.

Linking Environmental Water Scarcity and Options for Adaptation in the MENA Region

Contamination of surface and underground water by sea level rise, surface runoff, and land use activities such as industrial and agricultural activities can lead to water scarcity. Water could be available and accessible but not suitable for human use. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region countries, the agriculture sector depends massively on water for farming activities, which consumes about 80% of the available water resources. In this context, the issue of environmental water scarcity is under highlighted, though the use of this term itself is still lacking in an international context (FAO). Meanwhile, the international goal of universal access to clean freshwater is included in global development targets (SDGs). This study provides some insights and deepens our understanding on environmental water scarcity, particularly MEN-A region countries. This review paper begins with an introduction to water scarcity and continues with a discussion of environmental issues associated with water scarcity in MENA region countries. Finally, we suggest some adaptive measures in two distinct areas such as agriculture sectors and policy makers and conclude that the lack of implementation of this particular term is hindering sustainable development in MENA region countries.

南畹河迭撒国控断面水质污染状况评价及污染特征分析

为评价南畹河水质污染状况并分析其变化特征,选取南畹河迭撒国控断面为研究对象,2013—2018年间每月对水质进行监测,并采用单因子评价法、综合污染指数法、内梅罗污染指数法三种方法对水质进行评价。结果表明,按单因子评价法评价6年均值达到《地表水环境质量标准》(GB 3838—2002)Ⅱ类水质要求,水质总体达标,个别年份水质超标;6年平均浓度对应综合污染指数P=0.33,表明南畹河迭撒国控断面综合水质检出值在标准内,个别项目接近或超标;6年平均浓度对应内梅罗综合污染指数P_(N)=0.70,2015、2018年P_(N)>0.7。采用秩相关系数法对水质时间变化规律进行分析,结果表明评价时段内综合水较为平稳。结合降水情况,探讨气候对水质的影响,结果表明,COD_(Mn)、Tp、Cu、Zn与降水有显著相关性。

Climate change impacts on streamflow,water quality,and best management practices for the Shell and Logan Creek Watersheds in Nebraska,USA

Improvements in the management of water,sediment,and nutrients under future climatic conditions are needed to ensure increased crop and livestock production to meet greater global needs and the future availability of water for competing demands and protection against adverse water quality impairments.This study determined the impacts of future climate change scenarios on streamflow,water quality,and best management practices(BMPs)for two watersheds in Nebraska,USA.The Soil and Water Assessment Tool(SWAT)was employed to simulate streamflow,sediment,total nitrogen(N)and total phosphorus(P)from the Shell Creek Watershed near Columbus,Nebraska and the Logan Creek Watershed near Sioux City,Iowa.Available streamflow and water quality records for the two watersheds were used to calibrate model parameters that govern streamflow,sediment,and nutrient responses in SWAT.For each watershed,precipitation,air temperature,and CO2 concentrations were input to SWAT for four climatic conditions:a baseline condition for the 1980 to 2000 period and the SRES A2,A1B,and B1 climate scenarios for a future period from 2040 to 2059.Findings from this study suggest that under the three future climate change scenarios,sediment losses are expected to be about 1.2 to 1.5 times greater than the baseline condition for Shell Creek and 2 to 2.5 times greater for Logan Creek;total N losses are expected to be about 1.2 to 1.4 times greater for Shell Creek and 1.7 to 1.9 times greater for Logan Creek.Relative to the baseline,total P losses under the future climate scenarios are projected to be about the same for Shell Creek and 1.5 to 1.7 times greater for Logan Creek.Findings from this study also suggest that future projected increases in both precipitation and CO2 concentration account for net increases in streamflow,but in different ways on each watershed.

A brief review on SWAT applications in the Great Lakes Watersheds

Soil and Water Assessment Tool(SWAT)is an efficient model to simulate hydrology and water quality in large watersheds. During the past decades, SWAT has been used as a decision support tool to evaluate environmental effects of land usage change, BMPs, and hydraulic structures in Great Lakes watersheds. In addition, it has been increasingly used to predict water resources under different climate change scenarios. This paper briefly reviewed SWAT applications in various watersheds draining into the Great Lakes and intended to provide readers with insights regarding water quality issues in the Great Lakes concerned by researchers and capability of SWAT in dealing with those problems. Future development of SWAT with respect to dealing with cold region climate and vegetation conditions was also discussed.

气候变化和污染防治政策对岷江流域水质的影响研究

在气候变化的背景下,水质安全一直是全球关注的热点问题,同时,人类活动也增加了水质安全的不确定性。本研究以岷江流域为例,运用了seasonal Mann-Kendall(SMK)趋势分析和Sen’s slope趋势估计,系统分析了在气候变化和人类活动(污染防治政策)的影响下,本研究选定酸碱度(pH)、高锰酸盐指数(COD_(Mn))、溶解氧(DO)、五日生化需氧量(BOD_(5))、氨氮(NH_(3)-N)、总磷(TP)和化学需氧量(COD_(Cr))作为岷江流域水质表征指标。本研究表明岷江流域在2011~2020期间,水质得到显著改善。同时,SMK检验确定了pH无明显变化趋势,DO有上升趋势,COD_(Mn),BOD_(5),NH_(3)-N,TP和COD_(Cr)均呈现显著下降趋势。基于SMK的结果,Sen’s slope评估了具有趋势变化的水质参数的平均变化强度(△Mean):COD_(Cr)>BOD_(5)>COD_(Mn)>DO>NH_(3)-N>TP。其中,COD_(Mn)、BOD_(5)、NH_(3)-N、TP和COD_(Cr)平均每年降低0.16 mg/L、0.23 mg/L、0.06 mg/L、0.02 mg/L和0.88 mg/L,DO则平均每年增加了0.11 mg/L。因此,我们通过气候变化、污染排放政策与水质变化的相关分析,揭示了气候变化会增加降水的不均一性,从而影响水质变化的时空变异性,但是污染防治政策(人类活动)依然是岷江流域水质变化的主要驱动因子。此研究为流域污染防控、水质安全和科学决策提供了数据和方法支撑。

浅谈环境监测技术的应用及质量控制方法

本文总结了环境监测技术在环境保护中的应用及其质量控制方法。环境监测技术的广泛应用包括对气候变化、水质和土壤质量等方面的监测。通过收集实时和准确的数据,环境监测技术有助于我们了解和评估环境状况,从而采取适当的保护措施。为确保监测数据的准确性和可靠性,相关人员需要进行数据验证和校准,分析和降低误差,并对监测设备实施维护和校准等质量控制措施。通过案例研究和评估,本文展示了环境监测技术在实际工程中的应用以及质量控制方法的有效性。环境监测技术在环境保护中起着重要作用,通过合理的质量控制方法可以确保监测数据的准确性和可靠性,因而本研究对推动环境保护工作的科学和有效实施具有重要的参考价值。

全球气候变化对地表水环境质量影响研究进展

全球气候变化对水文循环有着重要的影响,由气候变化所引起水资源量的时空分布和水质变化等问题已成为各国科学家和政府关注的热点。目前,气候变化对水资源的影响研究多集中于水量,而有关水质方面的影响研究相对较少。全球气候变化主要包括降水,气温,辐射和风速等气象因子的变化。本文综述了温度的升高、降水的增多或减少、风速和风型的变化、光照时间长短以及辐射增强等变化对地表水环境质量影响的研究进展;阐述了气候变化背景下,气象因子如何通过影响水体中污染物的来源、迁移转化方式、生化反应速率和生态效应等过程而直接或间接对地表水环境质量产生影响。并在对现有研究成果进行总结分析的基础上,从微观、中观和宏观的角度提出了气候变化对水环境质量影响的研究展望。

油松幼苗对干旱胁迫的生理生态响应

在适宜水分(田间持水量为80%)、轻度干旱(60%)、中度干旱(40%)和重度干旱(20%)4种土壤水分条件下研究了油松的生理生态特征,结果显示;油松各器官(根、茎、叶)的干物质积累量、干物质积累总量、相对生长率、株高和基径均表现为适宜水分>轻度干旱>中度干旱>重度干旱,而根冠比大小顺序与其相反.气体交换参数(净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率)随干旱程度的加剧显著下降,并且净光合速率的下降主要受气孔因素限制.油松的瞬时水分利用效率和长期水分利用效率(稳定碳同位素含量,δ13C)表现适宜水分<轻度干旱<中度干旱<重度干旱,而且中度和重度干旱显著提高油松的水分利用效率.另外,单位干重叶片氮元素含量(N%)随胁迫增加呈下降趋势,而单位干重碳元素含量(C%)却与之相反,从而导致碳氮比随胁迫增加而增加,并且我们的结果显示光合速率与氮含量存在显著正相关.结果表明,油松可以通过调节自身生长特征、生物量分配模式和叶片营养元素的含量及提高水分利用效率而增强应对干旱胁迫的能力.

基于HSPF模型的流域水文水质模拟研究进展

HSPF模型是基于BASINS平台的半分布式的综合水文模型,能够准确模拟流域水文水质状况,并已在水资源和水环境领域中得到广泛的普及和应用.介绍了HSPF模型对水文、泥沙侵蚀及污染物的迁移模拟机理,对其在径流、污染物迁移、土地利用覆被变化及气候变化对流域水文水质的影响等领域的最新进展进行了评述.初步探讨了完善HSPF模型的研究方向,主要包括加强污染物迁移转化机理、参数的不确定性及与多学科模拟模型整合等方面的研究.

蒙新高原湖泊水质状况及变化特征

蒙新高原位于干旱/半干旱气候区,区内湖泊众多,但多为盐湖和咸水湖.近年来,由于湖泊咸化、萎缩甚至干涸的过程加快,区内多数湖泊水资源严重短缺,湖泊及其流域的生态环境遭遇巨大破坏.本文选取蒙新地区11个淡水和微咸水湖泊,通过对不同区域和不同类型的湖泊水质状况分析和对比研究,揭示蒙新地区湖泊水质现状及其变化特征与原因.结果表明,新疆地区湖泊类型多样,湖水阴、阳离子涵盖了各种水化学类型,而内蒙湖泊均为钠组-氯化物型.不同湖泊间湖水离子浓度和矿化度差异较大,湖水交换是蒙新地区湖泊水体矿化度的主要影响因素;与1988年相比,哈纳斯湖、阜康天池和赛里木湖等山地湖泊矿化度无明显变化或呈下降趋势,反映了区域气候变化特征;柴窝堡湖和红碱淖湖水矿化度快速升高,而达里诺尔水体矿化度增幅较小,其差异反映了修筑水库、地下水开采等人类活动在湖泊水环境变化中的不同作用.近50年来,乌伦古湖、博斯腾湖、吉力湖和乌梁素海水体矿化度波动升高,尤其近年来矿化度升高趋势加快,反映了流域内工农业等人类活动增强而导致入湖污染物增加以及气候干旱引起湖水浓缩两个方面所产生的叠加效应.

气候变化对高原寒区水质影响机理研究进展及展望

气候变化可通过多种途径影响水环境质量,而识别气候变化对水质的影响机理是气候变化影响领域的研究前沿和热点问题。针对气候变化敏感的高原寒区,通过研究相关参考文献,系统综述了气候变化对水质的总体影响、高寒流域水量水质演变机理与数值模拟、纳木错流域水量水质演变规律等方面的研究进展。在此基础上,进一步讨论了气候变化对高原寒区水质影响机理研究方面亟待加强的科研项目和主要研究内容。

气候变化和经济发展对九龙江流域水质变化的影响

为分析九龙江流域经济发展和气候变化对流域水质变化趋势的影响,采用主成分分析法分析了水质指标氮磷营养盐、COD含量等与气候因素和经济发展的关系。结果表明,随着九龙江流域经济的不断增长,河口区DIN和DIP浓度显著增加,水质不断恶化;经济发展对流域水质变化起主导作用,同时气候变化的影响也不可忽视;气候变化对COD浓度变化的影响超过经济发展主成分;随着气温升高和风速降低,DIN和DIP浓度显著上升,气候变化对河口区水质恶化起叠加促进作用。研究结果为流域水环境污染控制与治理提供理论基础。

气候变化对地表水环境质量影响研究综述

目前,国际社会比较重视气候变化对水资源的影响,但多数研究主要集中在水量的变化方面,而关于水环境质量变化方面的研究相对较少。根据国内的研究成果,阐述了一些主要气候因子(温度、降水、光照、风速、辐射等)对地表水环境质量可能带来的影响。在此基础上,提出了未来关于气候变化对水环境质量影响方面研究的一些设想:深入开展地表水环境质量对气候变化响应机理研究,改进气候变化对水环境质量影响评价中不确定性的处理,加强应对气候变化对水环境质量影响的研究,综合考虑其他因素对地表水环境质量的影响等。

湖泊遥感研究进展

湖泊萎缩、湖泊污染以及湖泊富营养化是人类面临的主要湖泊环境问题。遥感技术的诞生给大范围的、全面深入的湖泊环境变化研究带来了巨大的福音 ,它克服了人类对湖泊有限的考察和小范围定点观测实验研究的局限性。本文简要综述了国内外遥感技术在湖泊动态变化、湖区洪涝灾害、湖泊物理参数、湖泊生物生态、湖泊水文水质、湖泊冰情等方面的研究进展情况 ,并论述了遥感技术在湖泊环境变化研究中的未来发展趋势。

论气候压力下的跨国水体协议

全球气候变化无疑会影响河流的来水过程和供水过程,改变河流的水质、水量和水系统运行,使当今跨国水体可持续管理复杂化。然而,目前大部分跨国水体协议缺少处理应对气候挑战的重要措施,没有充分考虑不断变化的气候、社会、经济和状况。跨国水体的分享可能会导致两国或多国之间发生冲突,但也可以成为合作和谈判的源泉。共同应对气候的挑战,为未来的跨国水体管理找到新的方法提供了一个平台。尽管各流域国之间存在政治和社会差异、利益冲突等,但制定灵活而又有效的跨国水体协议以减轻气候变化的不利影响是极其需要且完全有可能的,措施有:①灵活的水分配策略;②精确的数据和信息交换;③综合的水质管理;④应对极端事件的策略;⑤对原有跨国水体协议的修订;⑥联合管理委员会的成立和完善。