Article
Environmental Sciences
Pengcheng Qin, Hongmei Xu, Min Liu, Luliu Liu, Chan Xiao, Iman Mallakpour, Matin Rahnamay Naeini, Kuolin Hsu, Soroosh Sorooshian
Summary: This study assesses the impacts of climate change on major dams in the Upper Yangtze River Basin. The findings reveal that dam inflow will increase, hydropower generation will increase with greater interannual variability, and flood events will become more frequent and severe in the future. Additionally, the regulation function of dams will strengthen in the flood season and weaken in the dry season.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Boyan Li, Nengcheng Chen, Wei Wang, Chao Wang, R. J. P. Schmitt, Anwen Lin, Gretchen C. Daily
Summary: This study analyzes the eco-environmental impacts of dams in the Yangtze River Basin in China, finding that the negative environmental effects of existing dams have significantly increased, affecting downstream areas and reservoir regions. The construction of dams has reduced the complexity of runoff and sediment loads in the short term, reflecting a filtering effect on the temporal and spatial patterns.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Akarath Soukhaphon, Ian G. Baird, Zeb S. Hogan
Summary: Hydropower dams in the Mekong River basin are negatively impacting surrounding areas, affecting fish migrations, river hydrology, and sediment transfers. This is leading to long-term economic and food security issues for communities living near the river.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mauro Carolli, Carlos Garcia de Leaniz, Joshua Jones, Barbara Belletti, Helena Hudek, Martin Pusch, Pencho Pandakov, Luca Borger, Wouter van de Bund
Summary: The Balkan region has well-conserved rivers, but faces conflicts between promoting renewable hydropower and prioritising river conservation. To resolve this conflict, reliable information is needed. Using barrier data, the study analysed river fragmentation and simulated dam construction scenarios. The findings show that all dam construction scenarios would result in a loss of connectivity, with the largest loss occurring if all planned dams were built, and small dams contributing disproportionately to fragmentation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jingyi Li, Na Zhang, Peng Wang, Minsu Choi, Qi Ying, Song Guo, Keding Lu, Xionghui Qiu, Shuxiao Wang, Min Hu, Yuanhang Zhang, Jianlin Hu
Summary: The study found that multiphase chemistry of chlorine has significant impacts on the oxidation capacity, ozone, and particulate matter in the Yangtze River Delta region. Ozone is enhanced in some regions while particulate matter increases mainly due to higher levels of chloride, ammonium, organic aerosols, and sulfate. Nitrate exhibits heterogeneous variations in different areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Yinmao Zhao, Kui Xu, Ningpeng Dong, Hao Wang
Summary: This study analyzed the impact of climate change on the hydropower resources of the Yalong River basin, the longest tributary in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. The results showed an increasing trend in precipitation, but a potential decrease in overall power generation.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marie Claire Dusabe, Thomas A. Neubauer, Fabrice A. Muvundja, Beni L. Hyangya, Christian Albrecht
Summary: The study surveyed the impacts of two dams on macroinvertebrate community composition and diversity in the Ruzizi River, revealing little to no immediate effect of the dams on macroinvertebrate diversity. However, macroinvertebrate composition differed slightly below the dams compared to upstream.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shuzhuang Feng, Fei Jiang, Hengmao Wang, Yang Shen, Yanhua Zheng, Lingyu Zhang, Chenxi Lou, Weimin Ju
Summary: This study optimized the emissions in the Yangtze River Delta region using a regional multi-air pollutant assimilation system, improving the reliability of source-tagged source apportionment results and contributing to pollution control in the area.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yu Gao, Wenlong Zhang, Yi Li, Hainan Wu, Nan Yang, Cizhang Hui
Summary: The impact of dams on microbial communities along the Yangtze River was investigated using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, revealing significant effects on microbial distribution patterns and ecological processes. Dams filtered keystone species, reshaped metacommunity distribution, and mediated ecological assembly of microbial communities by controlling suspended sand concentration. The study emphasized the key roles of suspended sand and microbial communities in nitrogen transformation, providing new perspectives for controlling nitrogen in aquatic environments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ziyue Wang, Ying Sun, Xuebin Zhang, Tim Li, Chao Li, Seung-Ki Min, Ting Hu
Summary: Event attribution has become a frontier of climate change research due to the recurrence of high-impact extreme events and growing public demand for understanding their causes. This study conducts a comprehensive attribution analysis on the four heaviest precipitation events in the Yangtze River Valley over the past century. The results show that the impacts of greenhouse gases and anthropogenic aerosols on these events vary over time, with human influence on extreme precipitation gradually increasing.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Xinyue Liu, Xing Yuan, Feng Ma, Jun Xia
Summary: To achieve carbon neutrality and sustainable development goals, the transition to renewable energy is occurring in the energy system, with hydropower being a significant form. However, hydropower is vulnerable to climate anomalies, such as droughts, resulting in energy droughts. This study analyzes the spatiotemporal characteristics of energy droughts over the Yangtze River basin and finds that there are about 10 energy droughts per year during 2007-2021, with a mean duration of 7 days/event and a 26% reduction in daily developed hydropower potential (DHP). The occurrence of energy droughts is influenced by El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and the propagation from meteorological droughts to energy droughts takes several days.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lize Meng, Weiyue Hao, Chu Zhao, Shuaidong Li, Jingya Xue, Jianhong Li, Luyao Tu, Tao Huang, Hao Yang, Zhaoyuan Yu, Linwang Yuan, Changchun Huang
Summary: This study investigates the composition and sources of char and soot in combustion-driven particulate black carbon (PBC) along the Yangtze River. The results show that high refractory PBC in the river is mainly derived from fossil fuel combustion, especially soot. It is estimated that the Yangtze River annually transports 0.15-0.23 Tg of soot and 0.15-0.25 Tg of char to the ocean, which can act as a long-term sink and prolong the residence time of terrigenous carbon.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Baoli Wang, Xinyue Yang, Si-Liang Li, Xia Liang, Xiao-Dong Li, Fushun Wang, Meiling Yang, Cong-Qiang Liu
Summary: The study reveals that the hydraulic load of hydropower reservoirs is a key factor influencing stratification, gas fluxes, nutrient retention efficiency, and microbial diversity. Regulating the hydraulic load can mitigate the environmental impacts of hydropower dams.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Simbidzayi Hatchard, Rafael J. P. Schmitt, Francesca Pianosi, James Savage, Paul Bates
Summary: Dams and reservoirs have both positive and negative impacts on economic development. They fragment rivers and disrupt connectivity, but can also regulate discharge regimes and reduce flood impacts. Strategic planning is crucial in finding a balance between these impacts. This study presents a method to optimize the siting and design of dams in a data-scarce basin to minimize trade-offs between hydropower generation and downstream flood impacts.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Area Studies
Suzanne Ogden
Summary: China has established Yunnan Province as the gateway to Southeast Asia and the hub of transportation and energy-water resources through its cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion as part of the Belt and Road Initiative. Despite China's dominance in institutional development, technology expertise, and financial investment, Mekong countries still maintain their sovereignty and bargaining power. Successful cooperation is achieved through alignment of preferences. However, ongoing debates among China's stakeholders regarding developmental and environmental sustainability models challenge Beijing's dominance.
JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY CHINA
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Eugenio Straffelini, Paolo Tarolli
Summary: The study focuses on identifying the areas at risk of climate change in Northeast Italy, particularly the increasing aridity that poses challenges to agriculture. This research provides valuable information to guide large-scale planning, promote sustainable water management, and inspire localized studies for mitigation measures.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Wenfang Cao, Junguo Liu, Serena Ceola, Ganquan Mao, Mark G. Macklin, Alberto Montanari, Philippe Ciais, Yuanzhi Yao, Paolo Tarolli
Summary: This study reveals the relationship between human settlements and rivers and landforms in China's history. The results show that people in lowland areas have less reliance on rivers, possibly due to higher flood risks, and they rely more on alluvial aquifers distant from rivers for agriculture. Conversely, people in mountainous areas have a stronger reliance on rivers. These findings have important implications for sustainable lifeways in riverine environments.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luca Mauri, Paolo Tarolli
Summary: Windthrows have significant impacts on forest landscapes, affecting hydrological and geomorphological processes. Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) topographic data provides an opportunity to investigate physical processes at the catchment scale. This study examines the interaction between windthrows, runoff alterations, and hillslope failures in a landslide-prone mountain catchment in northern Italy, using hydrological and geomorphological models. Results show that windstorms play a key role in altering local runoff and promoting shallow landslides. It also demonstrates the potential of ALS data for predicting terrain instabilities and guiding interventions in wind-disturbed forest areas.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nufang Fang, Yi Zeng, Lishan Ran, Zhen Wang, Xixi Lu, Zhengang Wang, Xiankun Yang, Jinshi Jian, Qiang Yu, Lingshan Ni, Chun Liu, Chao Yue, Zhihua Shi
Summary: By combining large-scale field surveys and remote sensing techniques, we provide a robust estimate for sediment retention and organic carbon burial of check dams on the Chinese Loess Plateau. Our results show that the 50,226 active check dams have intercepted 10.2 +/- 0.6 Pg eroded sediment during 1970-2020, which equals to 46% of the sediment load of Yellow River. The organic carbon burial efficiency of check dams (about 80%) is significantly higher than in other depositional environments.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Wendi Wang, Eugenio Straffelini, Paolo Tarolli
Summary: Steep-slope vineyards in the Mediterranean region play a crucial role in wine production, economic development, and cultural heritage, but they are threatened by climate change. Rainwater harvesting systems have emerged as valuable solutions, but the selection of suitable installation sites is still a challenge. This study used a simulation model to identify optimal water harvesting structures and evaluate the potential for water storage.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jian Luo, Zicheng Zheng, Tingxuan Li, Shuqin He, Paolo Tarolli
Summary: Tillage-induced microtopography affects hydrological and erosion processes. This study investigated the impact of microtopography on hydrological-sediment connectivity using rainfall simulations and soil boxes with different microtopographic patterns. The results showed that microtopography delayed runoff generation and hindered hydrological processes, and the sediment connectivity was highest on the medium rough surface. The critical hydrodynamic parameters required for soil erosion initiation increased with the increase in microrelief.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Qifei Zhang, Zhifeng Wu, Zheng Cao, Guanhua Guo, Hui Zhang, Cheng Li, Paolo Tarolli
Summary: Urban waterlogging seriously threatens urban sustainable development and human life. This study investigated the effects of landscape elements on urban waterlogging, focusing on their spatial heterogeneity effects. By combining machine learning and geographical detector model, the study examined the dominant driving forces and their spatial distribution of waterlogging, and found that the dominant factors varied across different subgroups. The study also highlighted the importance of considering the combined effects of multiple factors in waterlogging mitigation strategies.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Sumit Das, Satish J. Sangode, Avinash M. Kandekar, Dhananjay C. Meshram, Paolo Tarolli
Summary: This study analyzed the impact of geomorphology, lithology, precipitation, and land use on the spatial variation of sediment yield in the heterogeneous Godavari basin. By utilizing PLSR and VIP methods, the important controlling factors for sediment yield variation were identified. The findings can be useful for erosion and hydrological modeling, as well as erosion management and soil-water conservation measures in similar environments.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Pengzhi Zhao, Daniel J. Fallu, Ben R. Pears, Camille Allonsius, Jonas J. Lembrechts, Stijn Van de Vondel, Filip J. R. Meysman, Sara Cucchiaro, Paolo Tarolli, Pu Shi, Johan Six, Antony G. Brown, Bas van Wesemael, Kristof Van Oost
Summary: Oxyhydroxides, soil texture, and soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions are important for organic carbon cycling in soils. Traditional methods to determine these properties are time-consuming and expensive, but visible near infrared (Vis-NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy offer a promising alternative. This study demonstrates that combining soil infrared spectroscopy with compositional data analysis allows for cost-effective and reliable quantification of these properties, providing a practical opportunity to assess the role of SOC in global carbon cycling.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhenyu Yu, Jinnian Wang, Xiankun Yang, Juan Ma
Summary: Forests are crucial carbon reservoirs on land, playing a significant role in reducing CO2 concentrations and mitigating climate change. This study proposes a semantic segmentation method and a domain adaptation approach based on transfer learning for the identification of needleleaf/broadleaf forests using multi-temporal remote sensing images. The results demonstrate improved accuracy and the ability to address class imbalance issues. This research holds a rating of 8 out of 10 in terms of importance.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yue Xu, Xiankun Yang, Guoliang Xu, Jiafang Fu, Shirong Cai, Xiaolin Mu, Tao Zhou, Wenxin Zhang, Jiaxin Chen, Likuan Li, Zijie Xu
Summary: This study focuses on the Nanxiong Basin in southeastern China and analyzes the effectiveness of soil erosion control measures using satellite images and a model. The results show that implementing treatment for soil erosion control leads to a decrease in soil erosion and integrating soil and water conservation practices with management measures significantly improves soil erosion in the basin.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shirong Cai, Kunlong Niu, Xiaolin Mu, Xiankun Yang, Francesco Pirotti
Summary: This study analyzed the spatiotemporal changes in extreme precipitation in the Pearl River Basin using the long-term APHRODITE dataset. The results showed an increasing trend in annual and seasonal precipitation, with different indices exhibiting different changes in different seasons and regions. The findings are important for flood mitigation, natural hazard control, and water resources management in the Pearl River Basin.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Eugenio Straffelini, Natalia Carrillo, Carlos Schilardi, Regina Aguilera, Maria Jimena Estrella Orrego, Paolo Tarolli
Summary: This article presents an overview of viticulture in Argentina and its relationship to climate change. It highlights the challenges of heatwaves, hail-storms, and heavy rainfall, and proposes mitigation strategies for sustainable development of the industry.
GEOGRAPHY AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Information Systems
Andrea Zanella, Sergio Zubelzu, Mehdi Bennis, Martina Capuzzo, Paolo Tarolli
Summary: The management of water resources is crucial for sustainability in society and economy. Climate change has increased the need for new tools and methodologies to observe and predict water processes. Internet of Things and machine learning can provide significant contributions, but collaboration between hydrologists, data scientists, and communications engineers is necessary. This article aims to bridge the gap between these communities by introducing engineering challenges in hydrology and reviewing existing solutions in the literature. It also presents empirical data results and discusses open problems and potential avenues for future research.
2023 18TH WIRELESS ON-DEMAND NETWORK SYSTEMS AND SERVICES CONFERENCE, WONS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Alessia Giarola, Claudia Meisina, Paolo Tarolli, Francesco Zucca, Jorge Pedro Galve, Massimiliano Bordoni
Summary: This study develops a data-driven algorithm-based method for predicting the runout distance of large-scale shallow landslides, considering geological, geomorphological, and land use heterogeneities. The method was tested in Oltrep`o Pavese, Italy, and the Random Forest algorithm was identified as the best performer. The model provides a probable runout length and can be adaptable to different study areas based on land use scenarios.
