| 1. |
- Barron, Jennie
(author)
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Establishing irrigation potential of a hillside aquifer in the African highlands
- 2020
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In: Hydrological Processes. - : Wiley. - 0885-6087 .- 1099-1085. ; 34, s. 1741-1753
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Feeding 9 billion people in 2050 will require sustainable development of all water resources, both surface and subsurface. Yet, little is known about the irrigation potential of hillside shallow aquifers in many highland settings in sub-Saharan Africa that are being considered for providing irrigation water during the dry monsoon phase for smallholder farmers. Information on the shallow groundwater being available in space and time on sloping lands might aid in increasing food production in the dry monsoon phase. Therefore, the research objective of this work is to estimate potential groundwater storage as a potential source of irrigation water for hillside aquifers where lateral subsurface flow is dominant. The research was carried out in the Robit Bata experimental watershed in the Lake Tana basin which is typical of many undulating watersheds in the Ethiopian highlands. Farmers have excavated more than 300 hand dug wells for irrigation. We used 42 of these wells to monitor water table fluctuation from April 16, 2014 to December 2015. Precipitation and runoff data were recorded for the same period. The temporal groundwater storage was estimated using two methods: one based on the water balance with rainfall as input and baseflow and evaporative losses leaving the watershed as outputs; the second based on the observed rise and fall of water levels in wells. We found that maximum groundwater storage was at the end of the rain phase in September after which it decreased linearly until the middle of December due to short groundwater retention times. In the remaining part of the dry season period, only wells located close to faults contained water. Thus, without additional water sources, sloping lands can only be used for significant irrigation inputs during the first 3 months out of the 8 months long dry season.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Bieroza, Magdalena
(author)
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Fingerprinting hydrological and biogeochemical drivers of freshwater quality
- 2020
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In: Hydrological Processes. - : Wiley. - 0885-6087 .- 1099-1085. ; 35
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Understanding the interplay between hydrological flushing and biogeochemical cycling in streams is now possible owing to advances in high-frequency water quality measurements with in situ sensors. It is often assumed that storm events are periods when biogeochemical processes become suppressed and longitudinal transport of solutes and particulates dominates. However, high-frequency data show that diel cycles are a common feature of water quality time series and can be preserved during storm events, especially those of low-magnitude. In this study, we mine a high-frequency dataset and use two key hydrochemical indices, hysteresis and flushing index to evaluate the diversity of concentration-discharge relationships in third order agricultural stream. We show that mobilization patterns, inferred from the hysteresis index, change on a seasonal basis, with a predominance of rapid mobilization from surface and near stream sources during winter high-magnitude storm events and of delayed mobilization from subsurface sources during summer low-magnitude storm events. Using dynamic harmonic regression, we were able to separate concentration signals during storm events into hydrological flushing (using trend as a proxy) and biogeochemical cycling (using amplitude of a diel cycle as a proxy). We identified three groups of water quality parameters depending on their typical c-q response: flushing dominated parameters (phosphorus and sediments), mixed flushing and cycling parameters (nitrate nitrogen, specific conductivity and pH) and cycling dominated parameters (dissolved oxygen, redox potential and water temperature). Our results show that despite large storm to storm diversity in hydrochemical responses, storm event magnitude and timing have a critical role in controlling the type of mobilization, flushing and cycling behaviour of each water quality constituent. Hydrochemical indices can be used to fingerprint the effect of hydrological disturbance on freshwater quality and can be useful in determining the impacts of global change on stream ecology.
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| 4. |
- Chen, Aifang, 1990, et al.
(author)
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Multidecadal variability of the Tonle Sap Lake flood pulse regime
- 2021
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In: Hydrological Processes. - : Wiley. - 0885-6087 .- 1099-1085. ; 35:9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Tonle Sap Lake (TSL) is one of the world's most productive lacustrine ecosystems, driven by the Mekong River's seasonal flood pulse. This flood pulse and its long-term dynamics under the Mekong River basin's (MRB) fast socio-economic development and climate change need to be identified and understood. However, existing studies fall short of sufficient time coverage or concentrate only on changes in water level (WL) that is only one of the critical flood pulse parameters influencing the flood pulse ecosystem productivity. Considering the rapidly changing hydroclimatic conditions in the Mekong basin, it is crucial to systematically analyse the changes in multiple key flood pulse parameters. Here, we aim to do that by using observed WL data for 1960-2019 accompanied with several parameters derived from a Digital Bathymetry Model. Results show significant declines of WL and inundation area from the late 1990s in the dry season and for the whole year, on top of increased subdecadal variability. Decreasing (increasing) probabilities of high (low) inundation area for 2000-2019 have been found, in comparison to the return period of inundation area for 1986-2000 (1960-1986). The mean seasonal cycle of daily WL in dry (wet) season for 2000-2019, compared to that for 1986-2000, has shifted by 10 (5) days. Significant correlations and coherence changes between the WL and large-scale circulations (i.e., El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)), indicate that the atmospheric circulations could have influenced the flood pulse in different time scales. Also, the changes in discharge at the Mekong mainstream suggest that anthropogenic drivers may have impacted the high water levels in the lake. Overall, our results indicate a declining flood pulse since the late 1990s.
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| 5. |
- Chen, Haorui, et al.
(author)
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Forecasting the human and climate impacts on groundwater resources in the irrigated agricultural region of North China Plain
- 2023
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In: Hydrological Processes. - : Wiley. - 0885-6087 .- 1099-1085. ; 37:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Climate change has caused significant impacts on water resource redistribution around the world and posed a great threat in the last several decades due to intensive human activities. The impacts of human water use and management on regional water resources remain unclear as they are intertwined with the impacts of climate change. In this study, we disentangled the impact of climate-induced human activities on groundwater resources in a typical region of the semi-arid North China Plain based on a process-oriented groundwater modelling approach accounting for climate-human-groundwater interactions. We found that the climate-induced human effect is amplified in water resources management ('amplifying effect') for our study region under future climate scenarios. We specifically derived a tipping point for annual precipitation of 350 mm, below which the climate-induced human activities on groundwater withdrawal will cause significant 'amplifying effect' on groundwater depletion. Furthermore, we explored the different pumping scenarios under various climate conditions and investigated the pumping thresholds, which the pumping amount should not exceed (4 x 10(7) m(3)) in order to control future groundwater level depletion. Our results highlight that it is critical to implement adaptive water use practices, such as water-saving irrigation technologies in the semi-arid regions, in order to mitigate the negative impacts of groundwater overexploitation, particularly when annual precipitation is anomalously low.
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| 6. |
- Chen, Yuanying, et al.
(author)
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Nutrient source attribution : Quantitative typology distinction of active and legacy source contributions to waterborne loads
- 2021
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In: Hydrological Processes. - : Wiley. - 0885-6087 .- 1099-1085. ; 35:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Distinction between active and legacy sources of nutrients is needed for effective reduction of waterborne nutrient loads and associated eutrophication. This study quantifies main typological differences in nutrient load behaviour versus water discharge for active and legacy sources. This quantitative typology is used for source attribution based on monitoring data for water discharge and concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorous (TP) from 37 catchments draining into the Baltic Sea along the coastline of Sweden over the period 2003-2013. Results indicate dominant legacy source contributions to the monitored loads of TN and TP in most (33 of the total 37) study catchments. Dominant active sources are indicated in 1 catchment for TN, and mixed sources are indicated in 3 catchments for TN, and 4 catchments for TP. The TN and TP concentration contributions are quantified to be overall higher from the legacy than the active sources. Legacy concentrations also correlate well with key indicators of human activity in the catchments, agricultural land share for TN (R-2 = 0.65) and population density for TP (R-2 = 0.56). Legacy-dominated nutrient concentrations also change more slowly than in catchments with dominant active or mixed sources. Various data-based results and indications converge in indicating legacy source contributions as largely dominant, mainly anthropogenic, and with near-zero average change trends in the present study of catchments draining into the Baltic Sea along the coastline of Sweden, as in other parts of the world. These convergent indications emphasize needs to identify and map the different types of sources in each catchment, and differentiate strategies and measures to target each source type for possible achievement of shorter- and longer-term goals of water quality improvement.
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| 7. |
- Coluccio, K., et al.
(author)
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Mapping groundwater discharge to a coastal lagoon using combined spatial airborne thermal imaging, radon (Rn-222) and multiple physicochemical variables
- 2020
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In: Hydrological Processes. - : Wiley. - 0885-6087 .- 1099-1085.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Coastal lagoons are significant wetland environments found on coastlines throughout the world. Groundwater seepage may be a key component of lagoon water balances, though only a few studies have investigated large (>100 km(2)) coastal lagoons. In this study, we combined airborne thermal infrared imagery with continuous measurements of radon (Rn-222-a natural groundwater tracer), conductivity, water temperature and dissolved oxygen to map groundwater seepage to a large coastal lagoon in New Zealand. We found evidence of seepage along the margins of the lagoon but not away from the margins. Our findings confirmed previously known seepage zones and identified new potential locations of groundwater inflow. Both point source and diffuse seepage occurred on the western and northwestern margins of the lagoon and parallel to the barrier between the lagoon and sea. These observations imply geologic controls on seepage. The combination of remote sensing and in-situ radon measurements allowed us to effectively map groundwater discharge areas across the entire lagoon. Combined, broad-scale qualitative methods built confidence in our interpretation of groundwater discharge locations in a large, dynamic coastal lagoon.
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| 8. |
- Destouni, Georgia, et al.
(author)
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Distinguishing active and legacy source contributions to stream water quality : Comparative quantification for chloride and metals
- 2021
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In: Hydrological Processes. - : Wiley. - 0885-6087 .- 1099-1085. ; 35:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Hydrochemical constituents in streams may originate from currently active sources at the surface and/or legacy sources from earlier surface inputs, waste deposits and land contamination. Distinction and quantification of these source contributions are needed for improved interpretation of tracer data and effective reduction of waterborne environmental pollutants. This article develops a methodology that recognizes and quantifies some general mechanistic differences in stream concentration and load behavior versus discharge between such source contributions. The methodology is applied to comparative analysis of stream concentration data for chloride (Cl-), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), and corresponding data for water discharge, measured over the period 1990-2018 in multiple hydrological catchments (19 for Cl-, 11 for Cu and Zn, 10 for Pb) around the major Lake Malaren in Sweden. For Cl-, the average load fraction of active sources is quantified to be 19%, and the average active and legacy concentration contributions as 2.9 and 11 mg/L, respectively. For the metals, the average active load fractions at outlets are 1%-3% over all catchments and 9%-14% in the relatively few catchments with mixed metal sources. Average active and legacy concentration contributions are 0.14 and 3.2 mu g/L for Cu, 0.05 and 1.5 mu g/L for Pb, and 1.4 and 12 mu g/L for Zn, respectively. This multi-catchment analysis thus indicates a widespread prevalence of legacy sources, with greater legacy than active concentration contributions for both Cl- and the metals, and active contributions playing a greater role for chloride than for the metals. The relatively simple first-order methodology developed and applied in the study can be used to screen commonly available stream monitoring data for possible distinction of active and legacy contributions of any hydrochemical constituent in and across various hydrological catchment settings.
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| 9. |
- Eklöf, Karin, et al.
(author)
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Land-use dominates climate controls on nitrogen and phosphorus export from managed and natural Nordic headwater catchments
- 2020
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In: Hydrological Processes. - : Wiley. - 0885-6087 .- 1099-1085. ; 34, s. 4831-4850
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Agricultural, forestry-impacted and natural catchments are all vectors of nutrient loading in the Nordic countries. Here, we present concentrations and fluxes of total nitrogen (totN) and phosphorus (totP) from 69 Nordic headwater catchments (Denmark: 12, Finland:18, Norway:17, Sweden:22) between 2000 and 2018. Catchments span the range of Nordic climatic and environmental conditions and include natural sites and sites impacted by agricultural and forest management. Concentrations and fluxes of totN and totP were highest in agricultural catchments, intermediate in forestry-impacted and lowest in natural catchments, and were positively related %agricultural land cover and summer temperature. Summer temperature may be a proxy for terrestrial productivity, while %agricultural land cover might be a proxy for catchment nutrient inputs. A regional trend analysis showed significant declines in N concentrations and export across agricultural (-15 mu g totN L-1 year(-1)) and natural (-0.4 mu g NO3-N L-1 year(-1)) catchments, but individual sites displayed few long-term trends in concentrations (totN: 22%, totP: 25%) or export (totN: 6%, totP: 9%). Forestry-impacted sites had a significant decline in totP (-0.1 mu g P L-1 year(-1)). A small but significant increase in totP fluxes (+0.4 kg P km(-2) year(-1)) from agricultural catchments was found, and countries showed contrasting patterns. Trends in annual concentrations and fluxes of totP and totN could not be explained in a straightforward way by changes in runoff or climate. Explanations for the totN decline include national mitigation measures in agriculture international policy to reduced air pollution and, possibly, large-scale increases in forest growth. Mitigation to reduce phosphorus appears to be more challenging than for nitrogen. If the green shift entails intensification of agricultural and forest production, new challenges for protection of water quality will emerge possible exacerbated by climate change. Further analysis of headwater totN and totP export should include seasonal trends, aquatic nutrient species and a focus on catchment nutrient inputs.
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| 10. |
- Fischer, Benjamin M. C., et al.
(author)
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Investigating the impacts of biochar on water fluxes in a rice experiment in the dry corridor of Central America, Costa Rica
- 2022
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In: Hydrological Processes. - : Wiley. - 0885-6087 .- 1099-1085. ; 36:12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Amending soils with biochar, a pyrolyzed organic material, is an emerging practice to potentially increase plant available water and reduce the risks associated with climatic variability in traditionally-rainfed tropical agricultural systems. To investigate the impacts of biochar amendment on soil water storage relative to non-amended soils, we performed an upland rice field experiment in a tropical seasonally dry region of Costa Rica consisting of plots with two different biochar amendments and a control plot. Across all plots, we collected hydrometric and isotopic data (δ18O and δ2H of rain, mobile soil, ground and rice xylem water). We observed that the soil water retention curves for biochar treated soils shifted, indicating that rice plants had 2% to 7% more water available throughout the growing season relative to the control plots and thus could withstand dry spells up to seven extra days. Furthermore, the isotopic composition of plant water in biochar and control treatments were rather similar, indicating that rice plants in different treatments likely consumed similar water. Hence, we observed that biochar amendments can stabilize water supplies for the rice plants; however, still supplemental irrigation was required to facilitate plant growth during extended dry periods. Ultimately, our findings indicate, that biochar amendments can complement, but not necessarily replace, other water management strategies to help reduce the threat of rainfall variability to rainfed agriculture in tropical regions.
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