Climate Change and Human Impact on Freshwater Water Resources: Rivers and Lakes

Abstract submission deadline

30 July 2025

Manuscript submission deadline

30 September 2025

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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The different patterns of phenomena observed in rivers (water stages, discharges, water temperature and chemistry, ice phenomena, etc.) in an average annual cycle, determined by climate and catchment properties, are relatively stable. Under the influence of changing climatic conditions and increasing human impact, a flow regime might destabilize and turn to another with sometimes quite different seasonal patterns, thus disturbing the established hydroecological conditions and availability of water resources. Depending on the sensitivity of a particular river regime model, its changes are temporarily and spatially diversified. In order to identify a change in any pattern (regardless of the reason), it is first necessary to adequately describe its initial state and the state after the transformation. There are diverse pattern-recognition methods, and both supervised and nonsupervised approaches can be applied to describe the flow regime patterns.

The hydrological regime of lakes can be analyzed in terms of their thermal conditions, formation of ice, and water levels. The quantitative, physical, and biological transformation of lake ecosystems may result from both natural (changes in precipitation, evaporation etc.) and human-induced (water intakes and discharges, hydraulic structures) processes. The regime of lakes in many regions of the world has been destabilized by intensive land use and regulation of water relations. Fluctuations in water levels, and thus changes in the lake area and the amount of stored water in the lake, are crucial in many physical–chemical (mixing, dissolution of substances, water transparency, etc.), biological (extent of ecotone zones, extent of photic zone, etc.) or economic (possibility of water withdrawals for industrial, domestic, agricultural purposes, etc.) processes.

The main aim of this Topic is to share the results of research on the impact of climate change and human activity on the characteristics of the flow regime of rivers in different regions of the world, mainly in terms of the transformation of the flow regime characteristics, their stability and predictability, and quantitative and qualitative assessments of water resources. Papers focusing on methods of detection changes and classifying the river regimes are particularly invited.

At the same time, this Topic addresses the impact of climate change and human activity on the lake regime characteristics in various regions of the world, mainly in terms of long-term changes in the amount of water resources, seasonal changes in water levels, and thermal and ice conditions.

Prof. Dr. Leszek Sobkowiak
Prof. Dr. Arthur Mynett
Dr. David Post
Topic Editors

Keywords

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Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
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Hydrology hydrology	3.1	4.9	2014	15.3 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Remote Sensing remotesensing	4.2	8.3	2009	23.9 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Water water	3.0	5.8	2009	17.5 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Climate climate	3.0	5.5	2013	19.7 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Earth earth	2.1	3.3	2020	23.7 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	6.8	2009	19.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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All Energies Hydrology Remote Sensing Water Climate Earth Sustainability

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24 pages, 5707 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Future Evolutions of Precipitation and Temperature Using the Statistical Downscaling Model (SDSM), Case of the Guir and the Ziz Watershed, Morocco

by Safae Dafouf, Abderrahim Lahrach, Hassan Tabyaoui and Lahcen Benaabidate

Earth 2025, 6(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/earth6010004 - 24 Jan 2025

Viewed by 470

Abstract

The current study is essential for obtaining an accurate representation of weather conditions in the Ziz and Guir watersheds, characterized by an arid climate. This study combined climate data from the ERA5 model with data from observation stations in order to evaluate the [...] Read more.

The current study is essential for obtaining an accurate representation of weather conditions in the Ziz and Guir watersheds, characterized by an arid climate. This study combined climate data from the ERA5 model with data from observation stations in order to evaluate the ERA5 model in Morocco’s arid environment and increase the temporal and geographical coverage of climate data. From the data collected, precipitation, minimum and maximum temperatures were predicted under the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios by applying the SDSM model in the two watersheds for the 2025 and 2100 periods. These forecasts contribute to the development of adaptation strategies in the face of climate change by giving precise indications of future trends and providing local communities with tools for enhancing their resilience capacity. At all climatic stations, the temperature changes predicted under these scenarios showed a marked positive trend for both minimum and maximum temperatures. By the end of the century, minimum temperatures may increase by 1.84 °C and 2.39 °C under the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively. Similarly, maximum temperatures may increase by 1.78 °C and 2.9 °C under the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively. In addition, the precipitation forecast under the RCP 4.5 scenario showed a significant negative trend at the Ait Haddou station, while under the RCP 8.5 scenario, significant negative trends were predicted for the Sidi Hamza, Ait Haddou, Tit N’Aissa, and Bouanane stations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Human Impact on Freshwater Water Resources: Rivers and Lakes)

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13 pages, 1598 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Nitrite Cycling in Freshwater Ecosystems: A Case Study of an Artificial Reservoir in Eastern China Using Nitrite Dual Isotopes Combined with a Geochemical Model

by Xinwei Li, Xingzhou Zhang, Yuanyuan Yang, Yingying Li, Lujie Jia and Yangjun Chen

Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11099; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411099 - 18 Dec 2024

Viewed by 647

Abstract

Reservoirs are hotspots for emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide; however, the nitrite cycling processes associated with nitrous oxide production therein remain poorly understood, limiting a better assessment of the potential for reservoirs to emit nitrous oxide. Accordingly, this study presents the [...] Read more.

Reservoirs are hotspots for emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide; however, the nitrite cycling processes associated with nitrous oxide production therein remain poorly understood, limiting a better assessment of the potential for reservoirs to emit nitrous oxide. Accordingly, this study presents the application of the natural abundance isotope technique combined with a geochemical model to elucidate the nitrite cycling in the freshwater aquaculture and non-aquaculture zones of a large artificial reservoir in eastern China. We employed nitrite dual isotopes to identify nitrite transformation processes. Additionally, a steady-state model was used to estimate the rates of these processes as well as the residence time of nitrite. Our findings indicate that nitrite production in this reservoir may be primarily driven by ammonia oxidation. However, the pathways of nitrite removal differ notably between the aquaculture and non-aquaculture zones, suggesting a significant impact of the aquaculture activities. The steady-state model calculations revealed that nitrification may be more pronounced in the aquaculture zones compared to the non-aquaculture zones, which may be related to the altered balance of competition for substrates between phytoplankton and microbes induced by aquaculture activities. Moreover, we observed a latitude-dependent increase in the significance of nitrite oxidation in natural environments, highlighting potential implications for regional and global nitrogen cycling. Our study highlights the complexity of the nitrite cycle and emphasizes the roles of both natural and anthropogenic factors in shaping nitrogen dynamics within freshwater reservoirs. This understanding contributes to a more accurate assessment of the greenhouse gas emission potential of reservoirs, offering valuable implications for the adoption of sustainable aquaculture practices to mitigate climate impacts and support global sustainable development goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Human Impact on Freshwater Water Resources: Rivers and Lakes)

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20 pages, 3426 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Using Two Water Quality Indices for Evaluating the Health and Management of a Tropical Lake

by Meareg D. Nerae, Fasikaw A. Zimale, Tammo S. Steenhuis and Mebrahtom G. Kebedew

Hydrology 2024, 11(12), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11120212 - 8 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1075

Abstract

With increasing pressure on freshwater resources in developing countries due to population growth, further research and potential interventions are crucial. Lake Tana, located in the headwaters of the Blue Nile, serves as a critical example of these precious freshwater resources. This study evaluated [...] Read more.

With increasing pressure on freshwater resources in developing countries due to population growth, further research and potential interventions are crucial. Lake Tana, located in the headwaters of the Blue Nile, serves as a critical example of these precious freshwater resources. This study evaluated the water quality of Lake Tana for both ecological health and drinking purposes using the Arithmetic Weighted Water Quality Index (AW WQI) and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI). Samples were collected from 20 lake sampling stations four times between July 2018 and June 2019 to calculate the two water quality indices using ten measured parameters. The average annual AW WQI ranged from good to very poor for ecological health and very poor to unsuitable for drinking water. The CCME WQI categorized Lake Tana’s water quality as poor to fair for both uses. According to the water quality indices, the water quality was most impacted by turbidity, dissolved oxygen, ammonium, and phosphorus. However, except for ammonium, these factors were immaterial for lake management because the lake was nitrogen-limited, and the turbidity resulted from sediment stirred up by waves from the lake bottom, which cannot be managed easily. Dissolved oxygen is related to turbidity. Moreover, the WQIs did not identify two pesticides in the lake that negatively affected the fish. Thus, WQI indices may document water quality changes over time. Therefore, in addition to a favorable economic and political climate, improving lake water management requires insights from experts, the scientific literature, and possibly additional monitoring in addition to what is provided by the WQIS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Human Impact on Freshwater Water Resources: Rivers and Lakes)

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14 pages, 4414 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Carbon Stocks in Two Aquatic Marshes on the Caribbean and Pacific Coast of Panama

by Andrés Fraiz-Toma, Paola Gastezzi-Arias, Brillit Della Sera, Antonio Clemente, Mileika González, Alex Espinosa, Benjamín Braghtley, Edgar Arauz and Karen Domínguez

Climate 2024, 12(11), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12110171 - 25 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1124

Abstract

Wetlands are critical ecosystems globally, boasting significant ecological and economic value. They play a crucial role in the hydrological cycle by storing water and carbon, thereby helping to mitigate climate variability. But in Panama, little is known about the carbon stored in freshwater [...] Read more.

Wetlands are critical ecosystems globally, boasting significant ecological and economic value. They play a crucial role in the hydrological cycle by storing water and carbon, thereby helping to mitigate climate variability. But in Panama, little is known about the carbon stored in freshwater wetlands. This research presents the estimation of the carbon stocks of two freshwater wetlands in Panama, located on both sides of the Caribbean (Portobelo) and Pacific (Tonosi) coasts. The methodology consisted of transects of 125 m and 40 m wide, with six circular plots every 25 m; in each transect, the diameter of the tree trunk was measured at breast height (1.3 m) and the species was recorded, and in the same plots, soil samples were collected in triplicate by depth intervals. The average total ecosystem carbon storage (TECS) for the aquatic wetlands of Tonosí was 106.26 ± 18.3 Mg C ha⁻¹, and for Portobelo, it was 355.09 ± 70.02 Mg C ha⁻¹. These recorded values can contribute to the conservation of wetlands, supporting Panama’s nationally determined NDC contributions. However, despite the acceptance that wetlands are important nature-based solutions, national data on soil carbon stocks in freshwater wetlands are still scarce and their protection should be increased. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Human Impact on Freshwater Water Resources: Rivers and Lakes)

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16 pages, 2390 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Index-Based Alteration of Long-Term River Flow Regimes Influenced by Land Use Change and Dam Regulation

by Raoof Mostafazadeh, Mostafa Zabihi Silabi, Javanshir Azizi Mobaser and Bita Moezzipour

Earth 2024, 5(3), 404-419; https://doi.org/10.3390/earth5030023 - 31 Aug 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1155

Abstract

The growing population and expansion of rural activities, along with changing climatic patterns and the need for water during drought periods, have led to a rise in the water demand worldwide. As a result, the construction of water storage structures such as dams [...] Read more.

The growing population and expansion of rural activities, along with changing climatic patterns and the need for water during drought periods, have led to a rise in the water demand worldwide. As a result, the construction of water storage structures such as dams has increased in recent years to meet the water needs. However, dam construction can bring significant alterations to the natural flow regime of rivers, and it is therefore essential to understand the potential effects of human structures on the hydrological regime of rivers to reduce their destructive impacts. This study analyzes the hydrological changes in the Shahrchai River in response to the Shahrchai Dam construction in Urmia, Iran. The study period was from 1950 to 2017 at the Urmia Band station. The Indicators of Hydrological Alteration (IHA) were used to analyze the hydrological changes before and after regulating, accounting for land use changes and climatic factors. The results revealed the adverse effects of the Shahrchai Dam on the hydrological indices. The analysis showed an increase in the average flow rate during the summer season and a decrease in other seasons. However, the combined effects of water transferring for drinking purposes, a decrease in permanent snow cover upstream of the dam, and an increase in water use for irrigation and agricultural purposes resulted in a decrease in the released river flow. Furthermore, the minimum and maximum daily flow rates decreased by approximately 85% and 65%, respectively, after the construction of the Shahrchai Dam. Additionally, the number of days with maximum flow rates increased from 117 days in the pre-dam period to 181 days in the post-dam period. As a concluding remark, the construction of the Shahrchai Dam, land use/cover changes, and a decrease in permanent snow cover had unfavorable effects on the hydrological regime of the river. Therefore, the hydrological indicators should be adjusted to an acceptable level compared to the natural state to preserve the river ecosystem. The findings of this study are expected to guide water resource managers in regulating the sustainable flow regime of permanent rivers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Human Impact on Freshwater Water Resources: Rivers and Lakes)

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18 pages, 10092 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Quantifying Drought Impacts Based on the Reliability–Resiliency–Vulnerability Framework over East Africa

by Hassen Babaousmail, Brian Odhiambo Ayugi, Zulfiqar Hammad, Donnata Alupot, Kokou Romaric Posset, Richard Mumo and Adharsh Rajasekar

Climate 2024, 12(7), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12070092 - 27 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1538

Abstract

Drought poses a significant threat to water resources in East Africa, necessitating a comprehensive assessment of its impacts for effective mitigation strategies. This study utilizes two global gridded SPEI datasets to analyze drought characteristics (i.e., frequency, duration, and severity) in East Africa from [...] Read more.

Drought poses a significant threat to water resources in East Africa, necessitating a comprehensive assessment of its impacts for effective mitigation strategies. This study utilizes two global gridded SPEI datasets to analyze drought characteristics (i.e., frequency, duration, and severity) in East Africa from 1981 to 2021. To estimate the sustainability of water resources over the region, the study employed the Reliability–Resiliency–Vulnerability framework (RRV) that aggregates the drought characteristics (i.e., frequency, duration, and severity). Drought is deemed to have occurred when the SPEI value falls below −1, so the threshold for water demand (RRV) is also computed at a threshold level of −1. The findings indicate pronounced changes in drought patterns across East Africa, with evidence of varying degrees of recovery and resilience in different regions. Employing the RRV framework over the East Africa region to determine how the region can cope with the effects of drought revealed a median range of RRV of 0.61 to 0.80, indicating a sustainable situation during the study period. This indicates that despite the recorded drought incidences, the water catchments of lakes, rivers, and major water towers are not threatened and, thus, less vulnerable. Although certain regions exhibit declining resilience and vulnerability to drought impacts, there is a need for targeted mitigation measures and policy interventions to safeguard water resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Human Impact on Freshwater Water Resources: Rivers and Lakes)

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19 pages, 5203 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Water Temperature Variations in the Yangtze River’s Upper and Middle Reaches in the Context of Cascade Hydropower Development

by Zhangpeng Wang, Jun Ma, Shengde Yu, Yaqian Xu, Zeyi Tao, Jiaqi Zhang, Ran Xiao, Hao Wei and Defu Liu

Water 2024, 16(12), 1669; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121669 - 12 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1456

Abstract

The establishment and operation of cascade reservoirs in the mainstream of the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River have changed the river’s thermal regimes. This study analyzed the correlation between water temperature and its influencing factors and employed various evaluation indexes—including [...] Read more.

The establishment and operation of cascade reservoirs in the mainstream of the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River have changed the river’s thermal regimes. This study analyzed the correlation between water temperature and its influencing factors and employed various evaluation indexes—including $∆T$ (the temperature-increasing index, °C/100 km), $I_{EC}$ (the extreme fluctuation index), $I_{BD}$ (the baseline deviation index), and $I_{PO}$ (the phase offset time index). The aim was to uncover the variation characteristics and influencing factors of water temperature and quantify the impact of cascade reservoir construction on annual and seasonal water temperature rhythms. Our findings show that the construction and operation of cascade reservoirs weaken the synchronization of water temperature and air temperature downstream. The construction and operation of cascade reservoirs in the middle and lower reaches of the Jinsha River led to obvious homogenization, baseline deviation, and lagging effects on water temperature downstream, which intensified with the increase in storage capacity. These effects were more pronounced in colder months compared to warmer months. Additionally, the influence of tributaries and water–air heat exchange on these effects is alleviated to different degrees. These results are significant for assessing river ecological health in the context of cascade hydropower development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Human Impact on Freshwater Water Resources: Rivers and Lakes)

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19 pages, 7762 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Distribution and Seasonal Variation of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in an Urban River in Northeast China

by Qingshan Xiao, Xin Wang, Chongxin Xu, Wei Chen, Qianchi Huang and Xin Wang

Water 2024, 16(9), 1268; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16091268 - 28 Apr 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1546

Abstract

As the largest freshwater river flowing through Harbin, the Songhua River is a standby water source. It is very important to know the species and distribution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in the river. In this study, five antibiotics were selected to screen and [...] Read more.

As the largest freshwater river flowing through Harbin, the Songhua River is a standby water source. It is very important to know the species and distribution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in the river. In this study, five antibiotics were selected to screen and identify ARB in spring and autumn. The results showed that the concentration of cefotaxime-resistant bacteria was the highest, and the maximum concentration at S6 in spring was up to 1.40 × 10⁴ CFU/mL. In spring and autumn, bacteria resistant to three antibiotics were screened at S1 of the Songhua River, and bacteria resistant to five antibiotics were screened at S6. No multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria (MARB) were screened in the other four sites in autumn, while MARB were screened in the other three samples except S2 in spring. In all sample areas in spring and autumn, the probability of screening MARB at S1 and S6 was the highest, reaching 100%. The identification results of 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of ARB showed that a total of 51 ARB strains from 15 bacterial genera were screened in the Songhua River, of which 20 ARB strains were from Pseudomonas. Among the 15 bacterial genera, bacteria from 8 bacterial genera have pathogenicity. The results of this study revealed the concentration, spatial distribution, and seasonal variation of culturable ARB in the Songhua River, providing data support for the remediation of antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) pollution in the river. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Human Impact on Freshwater Water Resources: Rivers and Lakes)

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24 pages, 8029 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Analyses on Characteristics of Spatial Distribution and Matching of the Human–Land–Water–Heat System on the Yunnan Plateau

by Jinming Chen, Xiao Yang, Haiya Dao, Haowen Gu, Gang Chen, Changshu Mao, Shihan Bai, Shixiang Gu, Zuhao Zhou and Ziqi Yan

Water 2024, 16(6), 867; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16060867 - 18 Mar 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1391

Abstract

Water, soil, and heat are strategic supporting elements for human survival and social development. The degree of matching between human-land-water-heat elements directly influences the sustainable development of a region. However, the current evaluation of the matching of human-land-water-heat elements overlooks the influence of [...] Read more.

Water, soil, and heat are strategic supporting elements for human survival and social development. The degree of matching between human-land-water-heat elements directly influences the sustainable development of a region. However, the current evaluation of the matching of human-land-water-heat elements overlooks the influence of elevation factors on the matching results, especially evident in mountainous areas. Taking the Yunnan Plateau with distinctive mountainous features as the research subject, divided into 11 elevation ranges, the Lorenz Gini coefficient, asymmetry coefficient, matching distance, and imbalance index are used to assess the spatial matching and balance of human-land-water-heat elements. A projection tracing model is employed to analyze its water resource carrying capacity. Analyses revealed that the Gini coefficient of monthly precipitation from the 1950s to 2022 on the Yunnan Plateau increases with increasing latitude, whereas the correlation with elevation is notably lower. The asymmetry coefficient increases gradually from west to east with change in longitude. The mismatch of the human–land–water–heat system in regions at different elevations is in the order 1800–2000 m > 2000–2200 m > 1400–1600 m > 800 m > other areas. The matching of the human–land–water–heat system in different wet–dry years and seasons also fluctuates with elevation, resulting in serious seasonal drought and water shortage problems in mountainous areas with elevations of 1200–1600, 1800–2000 m, and >2600 m. The spatial equilibrium of temperature and precipitation in regions of different elevations is best, followed by that of cultivated land, while that of the population is the worst. The Gini coefficients for different water cycle processes of precipitation, surface runoff, and regulating storage capacity for water supply continue to increase. Specifically, the Gini coefficient of industrial water supply is the highest, reaching 0.576, and that of agricultural irrigation is the lowest (0.424). Through artificial regulation of lake and reservoir water, seasonal changes in the demand for agricultural irrigation water are offset to achieve a demand–supply balance and matching of land and water resources. The water resource capacity of different elevation ranges is evenly underloaded. However, the potential of the water resource capacity varies obviously with elevation in the order 2000–2200 m < 1800–2000 m < 1600–8000 m < 1400–1600 m < other areas. It appears that the greater the human–land–water–heat system mismatch, the smaller the regional potential of the water resource capacity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Human Impact on Freshwater Water Resources: Rivers and Lakes)

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21 pages, 7741 KiB  

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Thermal Regime and a Water Circulation in a Very Deep Lake: Lake Tazawa, Japan

by Kazuhisa A. Chikita, Hideo Oyagi and Kazuhiro Amita

Hydrology 2024, 11(3), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11030040 - 16 Mar 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1932

Abstract

A thermal system in the very deep Lake Tazawa (maximum depth, 423 m) was investigated by estimating the heat budget. In the heat budget estimate, the net heat input at the lake’s surface and the heat input by river inflow and groundwater inflow [...] Read more.

A thermal system in the very deep Lake Tazawa (maximum depth, 423 m) was investigated by estimating the heat budget. In the heat budget estimate, the net heat input at the lake’s surface and the heat input by river inflow and groundwater inflow were considered. Then, the heat loss by snowfall onto the lake’s surface was taken into account. Meanwhile, the lake water temperature was monitored at 0.2 m to the bottom by mooring temperature loggers for more than two years. The heat storage change of the lake from the loggers was calibrated by frequent vertical measurements of water temperature at every 0.1 m pitch by a profiler with high accuracy (±0.01 °C). The heat storage change (W/m²) obtained by the temperature loggers reasonably accorded to that from the heat budget estimate. In the heat budget, the net heat input at lake surface dominated the heat storage change, but significant heat loss by river inflow sporadically occurred, caused by the relatively large discharge from a reservoir in the upper region. How deeply the vertical water circulation in the lake occurs in winter was judged according to the differences between water temperatures at 0.2 m depth and at the bottom and between vertical profiles of dissolved oxygen over winter. It is strongly suggested that the whole water circulation process does not occur every winter, and if it does, it is very weak. A consistent increase in the water temperature at the bottom is probably due to the conservation of geothermal heat by high frequency of incomplete vertical water circulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Human Impact on Freshwater Water Resources: Rivers and Lakes)

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24 pages, 5186 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change and Water Extraction on Thermal Stratification and Water Quality of a Subtropical Lake Using the GLM-AED Model

by Chao Deng, Hong Zhang and David P. Hamilton

Water 2024, 16(1), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16010151 - 30 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1958

Abstract

This study combined a catchment model and one-dimensional lake model (GLM-AED) to simulate the response of hydrodynamics and water quality of subtropical Advancetown Lake (South-East Queensland, Australia) to future changing climates from 2040 to 2069 and 2070 to 2099 under Representative Concentration Pathway [...] Read more.

This study combined a catchment model and one-dimensional lake model (GLM-AED) to simulate the response of hydrodynamics and water quality of subtropical Advancetown Lake (South-East Queensland, Australia) to future changing climates from 2040 to 2069 and 2070 to 2099 under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 and increased water demand from a 50% increase in population over current levels. The simulation adequately reproduced water temperature (RMSE of 0.6 °C), dissolved oxygen (DO) (RMSE of 2 mg/L), and other water quality variables, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and chlorophyll a (Chl-a). Warming temperatures dominated the change in thermal structure and hydrodynamic status of the lake under future climate change conditions. Projected changes in precipitation and hydrological response from the upstream catchment might, however, partly offset the warming temperatures under future climate change. Increased water withdrawal due to population growth, which involved water extraction from the epilimnion, showed antagonistic effects on water stability compared to those from climate change. Under a high emission scenario of RCP8.5 during the 2080s, there is an increased likelihood of winter turnover failure in Advancetown Lake. Nutrient concentrations were simulated to decrease from reduced catchment loads under future climate change conditions. However, Chl-a concentrations were simulated to increase, especially during the period after winter turnover, under these future conditions. The depth of the hypoxia front during stratification is expected to decrease and move towards the water surface, attributable to the warming water temperatures and prolonged thermal stratification, which might affect biogeochemical processes and exchange fluxes between the hypolimnion and bottom sediments. These potential changes may present challenges for water resource management under future conditions of climate change and population growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Human Impact on Freshwater Water Resources: Rivers and Lakes)

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12 pages, 2930 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Human Activities Increased Microplastics Contamination in the Himalaya Mountains

by Bangshuai Han, Moayad Yacoub, Aihua Li, Kirsten Nicholson, Joshua Gruver, Klaus Neumann and Subodh Sharma

Hydrology 2024, 11(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11010004 - 29 Dec 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3504

Abstract

Microplastic pollution is an emerging environmental concern, and has been found in remote regions, including the high Himalaya mountains. However, the abundance and sources of microplastics in the region are not well documented. This research investigated the abundance, types, and potential sources of [...] Read more.

Microplastic pollution is an emerging environmental concern, and has been found in remote regions, including the high Himalaya mountains. However, the abundance and sources of microplastics in the region are not well documented. This research investigated the abundance, types, and potential sources of microplastics in the Sagarmatha National Park (SNP), a rural and sparsely populated region of Nepal on the southern side of the Himalaya mountains. Water samples were collected from streams and tributaries in SNP in May of 2022. The average microplastic concentration among all samples was 2.0 ± 1.7 pieces/L, similar to that of water samples collected in other high mountain areas and is in the lower range of that found in water samples across the globe. Microplastic abundance is higher in water samples collected near settlements than in streams far from human settlements, indicating the impact of human activities. The presence of microplastics in all samples, including headwaters immediately beneath glaciers, illustrates the widespread distribution of microplastics and suggests the potential for airborne sources. While the concentration of microplastics does not change dramatically from upstream tributaries to downstream rivers, the total load of microplastics increases due to higher discharge downstream. This research demonstrates the anthropogenic and air-borne influences on microplastics contamination on the southern side of the Himalayan range and contributes to filling the data gaps towards a better understanding of the global fate and transport of microplastics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Human Impact on Freshwater Water Resources: Rivers and Lakes)

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17 pages, 8038 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Macroinvertebrate Spatial Diversity Patterns of Shore Habitats in Italian High-Altitude Natural and Permanent Lakes and Ponds

by Angela Boggero, Silvia Zaupa, Giulia Cesarini, Matteo Ruocco, Ivano Ansaloni, Daniela Prevedelli and Riccardo Fornaroli

Water 2023, 15(21), 3814; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15213814 - 31 Oct 2023

Viewed by 2861

Abstract

A comparative analysis of environmental conditions between Alpine and Apennine lakes/ponds which represent different faces of European mountain regions was conducted. The data set was created on the basis of previous works carried out by national and international institutions including biological, physical–chemical, geographic, [...] Read more.

A comparative analysis of environmental conditions between Alpine and Apennine lakes/ponds which represent different faces of European mountain regions was conducted. The data set was created on the basis of previous works carried out by national and international institutions including biological, physical–chemical, geographic, and precipitation data from 27 lakes/ponds placed at altitudes ranging from 2334 ± 294 m a.s.l. (in the Alps) and 1541 ± 154 m a.s.l. (in the Apennines), with mean maximum depths of about 5.5 ± 4.6 m. A specific focus was dedicated to chironomids as outstanding sentinels for local and global changes in habitat conditions. Species richness and Taxonomic Distinctness Indices were applied to lakes/ponds macroinvertebrates to highlight differences in the biodiversity of the two areas. Subsequently, associations between descriptors of the mountain region climate, lithology, water chemistry, lake morphology, geography, macroinvertebrate assemblage richness, and distinctness were examined through Principal Component Analysis, Analysis of Variance, and Non-metric Multi-dimensional Scaling. Results showed strong positive correlations between mean annual precipitation and temperature with lake macroinvertebrate biodiversity as a whole and with chironomid in particular. Thus, these shore habitats face a threat under climate change conditions (impacting thermal and precipitation regimes). These results are also central in showing that even small ecosystems are important sources of biodiversity for the lower altitudes, stressing the urgency of including them within targeted monitoring and action plans to preserve their peculiar habitat, flora, and fauna. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Human Impact on Freshwater Water Resources: Rivers and Lakes)

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