Article
Environmental Sciences
Michael Egge, Idowu Ajibade
Summary: In this study, the researchers used the capabilities approach to analyze a water consolidation project and its effects on water security in East Porterville, California after a severe drought. By combining hydro-social theory and the capabilities approach, the study took a holistic approach to household water security that considered historical context, residents' needs, and areas of life beyond basic water use. Through interviews, archival research, and participant observation, the researchers found that the water consolidation project had mixed results on the community, with both positive and negative effects on residents' social, cultural, and economic life. The study highlights the importance of expanding the concept of water security and consolidation outcomes through needs-based perspectives.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Clare Bales, Andrew S. S. Kinsela, Christopher Miller, Yuan Wang, Yunyi Zhu, Boyue Lian, T. David Waite
Summary: The performance of membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) for the removal of uranium from groundwater was studied. It was found that MCDI can remove up to 98.9% of uranium from groundwater containing 50 μg/L uranium, with most of it retained on the anode. Uranium was found to adsorb to the electrode through physiochemical processes without the application of a potential. A portion of the uranium remained on the electrodes after brine discharge, and conventional cleaning techniques were unable to remove it.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Iwona Klosok-Bazan, Joanna Boguniewicz-Zablocka, Aneta Suda, Ewelina Lukasiewicz, Dorota Anders
Summary: The study presents a method using performance indicators to evaluate water losses, focusing on the assessment that takes into account resources and operating conditions. The results suggest that a comprehensive system improvement strategy can enhance system effectiveness, and that advanced technologies requiring high investment and operating costs may not be feasible for small water supply systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tara M. Webster, Alexander McFarland, Matthew J. Gebert, Angela M. Oliverio, Lauren M. Nichols, Robert R. Dunn, Erica M. Hartmann, Noah Fierer
Summary: This study characterized bacterial communities in showerheads across the United States, finding associations between water supply type, source, and chemistry with bacterial community composition. Public water-supplied showerheads had bacteria enriched in antibiotic resistance genes, while private well water-sourced showerheads had higher levels of genes related to oxidative stress and membrane transporters.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoxia Liu, Bernhard Pollner, Astrid H. Paulitsch-Fuchs, Elmar C. Fuchs, Nigel P. Dyer, Willibald Loiskandl, Cornelia Lass-Floerl
Summary: This study assessed the impact of weak magnetic fields on drinking water microbial communities using flow cytometry. The results showed that the applied magnetic fields selectively promoted the growth of certain microbial groups under nutrient-rich environments and inhibited the growth of others. These findings suggest that magnetic field treatment can enhance biostability and potentially serve as a sustainable method for microbial community management.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Liping Ma, Xiao-Tao Jiang, Lei Guan, Bing Li, Tong Zhang
Summary: This study used deep sequencing of 16S rRNA genes to investigate the microbial diversity and biogeography of household drinking water samples from 29 provinces/regions in China. The results showed that the spatial turnover of drinking water communities is influenced by rainfall and water source river. Potential pathogenic species that may pose health risks were also identified.
Review
Microbiology
Suniti Singh, Robert Pitchers, Francis Hassard
Summary: This mini-review evaluates the types and sources of coliphages and their behavior in aquatic systems. Coliphages, mainly somatic and F+ types, are used as indicators of fecal contamination and reflect the risks of exposure to human enteric viruses. However, coliphage abundances do not consistently correlate with human enteric virus abundance. Coliphages have highly variable surface characteristics that govern their partitioning and removal during water treatment. The potential use of coliphages in aquatic microbiology is also discussed.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ana Carolina Chaves Fortes, Paulo Rubens Guimaraes Barrocas, Debora Cynamon Kligerman
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of commonly used water quality indices (WQIs) in measuring drinking water quality and discussed their benefits and limitations through SWOT analysis. The findings showed that the CCMEWQI has the highest potential and flexibility, which can drive improvements in data collection and information production processes of water monitoring and surveillance systems to fully utilize the potential of WQIs.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Megan M. Coffer, Blake A. Schaeffer, Katherine Foreman, Alex Porteous, Keith A. Loftin, Richard P. Stumpf, P. Jeremy Werdell, Erin Urquhart, Ryan J. Albert, John A. Darling
Summary: This study is the first comprehensive assessment of cyanobacterial frequency and abundance near drinking water intakes across the United States. Satellite imagery was found to be effective in monitoring cyanobacterial blooms and providing information for drinking water treatment operators; in 2019, the average bloom frequency was 2% and reached up to 100%, indicating the need for long-term satellite monitoring data to evaluate environmental changes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
W. W. Huang, X. J. Chen, Y. R. Fan, Y. P. Li
Summary: This review summarizes the efforts made to address the challenges of managing safe drinking water sources in rural communities, focusing on the crises, sustainable management approaches, knowledge gaps, and future perspectives.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATICS
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Qiqi Wan, Gang Wen, Yuhong Cui, Ruihua Cao, Xiangqian Xu, Gehui Wu, Jingyi Wang, Tinglin Huang
Summary: Recently, the contamination of fungi in water has become a matter of concern due to its potential threat to water quality, safety, and the increased risk of diseases in immunocompromised individuals. This review summarizes the characteristics and different physiological states of fungi in water and provides a comprehensive evaluation of the control efficiency and mechanism of commonly used disinfection methods. It also discusses the security strategies against fungal contamination in terms of water sources, treatment plants, and pipe networks. The review suggests future research directions, including the development of rapid detection methods, understanding the production and control of mycotoxins, and investigating outbreak conditions of fungi in water. Exploring efficient, safe, and economical disinfection technologies, particularly advanced disinfection processes, is highlighted as the main direction for future studies in fungal disinfection. This review is valuable for filling the knowledge gap and providing guidance for future research.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Anoop Valiya Veettil, Ashok K. Mishra, Timothy R. Green
Summary: This study provides an overview of water security assessment by focusing on various water security indicators and the concept of water footprint. The application of physically-based hydrological models can offer valuable insights into the impact of climate and anthropogenic activities on water security at different scales.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erick R. Bandala, Maureen I. McCarthy, Nancy Brune
Summary: This study examined the access to plumbed water and water quality in Native American communities in Nevada. The research found an increasing number of community members with no access to plumbing and a higher percentage of homes without indoor plumbing compared to the national average. Additionally, violations of Safe Drinking Water Act were observed in water facilities serving Native Americans, particularly related to volatile organic chemicals and coliform bacteria.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Gillian F. Black, Pam Sykes
Summary: Community engagement is recognized as an ethical and valuable part of health science research, but it can be challenging in marginalized contexts. This case study focuses on an NGO-led community engagement project in South Africa, which used participatory visual methods to facilitate communication between community members and researchers.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jessica A. Bou Nassar, Julien J. Malard, Jan F. Adamowski, Marco Ramirez Ramirez, Wietske Medema, Hector Tuy
Summary: Participatory modeling can enhance understanding of human-water systems by engaging stakeholders, but bias in implementation may lead to exclusion of key actors from marginalized communities.
HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sarah Lavallee, Paul D. Hynds, R. Stephen Brown, Corinne Schuster-Wallace, Sarah Dickson-Anderson, Stephanie Di Pelino, Rylan Egan, Anna Majury
Summary: The study found that private well users have a low awareness of waterborne pathogens, with factors such as geographic location, gender, and well type being associated with attitudes and risk perceptions towards personal well water supply. Residential presence during well construction was linked to higher awareness levels and lower risk perception scores, while previous cases of acute gastrointestinal illness in the household were associated with negative attitudes towards well water and higher risk perception scores regarding the quantity of local groundwater sources.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Ahmed Yosri, Sarah Dickson-Anderson, Ahmad Siam, Wael El-Dakhakhni
Summary: This study introduces a novel approach for mapping transport pathways in fractured systems by analyzing the relationship between solute transport and time series, accurately representing direct paths and identifying hydrogeological characteristics.
ADVANCES IN WATER RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ahmed Yosri, Sarah Dickson-Anderson, Ahmad Siam, Wael El-Dakhakhni
Summary: This study developed an analytical relationship between the deposition coefficient (kappa) and the fraction of colloids retained in single fractures (F-r) for irreversible colloid deposition in groundwater-saturated fractures. The global sensitivity analysis showed that colloid deposition variability is primarily controlled by fracture length, aperture size, and deposition coefficient. The analytical relationship efficiently replicated experimental observations, supporting the understanding that colloid deposition is controlled by physicochemical properties of the system.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sarah Lavallee, Tessa Latchmore, Paul D. Hynds, R. Stephen Brown, Corinne Schuster-Wallace, Sarah Dickson-Anderson, Anna Majury
Summary: Understanding water consumption patterns among private well users in Ontario helps in developing accurate risk assessments for waterborne infections. This study found that factors such as gender and previous experiences with waterborne illnesses can influence well water consumption rates. Additionally, respondents who reported previous testing or ongoing water treatment had higher rates of well water consumption.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Katie White, Sarah Dickson-Anderson, Anna Majury, Kevin McDermott, Paul Hynds, R. Stephen Brown, Corinne Schuster-Wallace
Summary: Groundwater resources in Ontario, Canada are facing increasing threats from contamination and overuse, with well characteristics, sampling frequencies, and microbiological contamination indicators (specifically E. coli) being important factors. Analysis of a dataset from over 250,000 unique wells revealed that bedrock wells in sedimentary or igneous rock are more susceptible to contamination, shallow wells pose a greater risk to consumers, and well testing practices are influenced by previous test results. Further exploration of these trends is needed to understand the bases for such occurrences.
Review
Health Policy & Services
C. J. Schuster-Wallace, E. Nouvet, I. Rigby, G. Krishnaraj, S. de Laat, L. Schwartz, M. Hunt
Summary: This study examines the influence of culture on palliative care, emphasizes the importance of providing culturally sensitive care in humanitarian crises, and provides recommendations to avoid othering and reductionistic understandings.
PALLIATIVE & SUPPORTIVE CARE
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Mohamed Khafagy, Wael El-Dakhakhni, Sarah Dickson-Anderson
Summary: The study introduces a computationally efficient analytical network (AN) model for simulating solute transport in discrete fracture networks (DFNs). The AN model was verified to show excellent agreement with numerical models and investigated the sensitivity of mass sharing methods to dominant transport mechanisms. The model was found to be at least 97% more efficient than numerical models and provides a useful reference tool for verifying numerical dual-porosity fracture network simulations.
COMPUTERS & GEOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gervin A. Apatinga, Corinne J. Schuster-Wallace, Sarah E. Dickson-Anderson
Summary: This article explores the reasons and consequences of water inaccessibility for women in rural sub-Saharan Africa, as well as coping strategies. The study highlights the complex interlinkages between gender, climate, and water accessibility, calling for more comprehensive research to inform policy and practice.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-WATER
(2022)
Review
Development Studies
Indrakshi Tandon, Corinne Wallace, Martina Angela Caretta, Sumit Vij, Alison Irvine
Summary: This paper evaluates the existing literature on climate change adaptation in relation to water and gender in urban and peri-urban contexts. The research highlights the lack of studies in this field, primarily focusing on low- and middle-income countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, with little attention given to South America. Furthermore, there is a lack of evidence demonstrating the interlinkages between gender, climate change adaptations, and gender-sensitive dissemination of disaster warnings. The paper emphasizes the need for practical research assessing the gendered dimensions of all adaptations and promoting gender equality and empowerment through strengthened legislation.
CLIMATE AND DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Emma A. J. Blackburn, Sarah E. Dickson -Anderson, William B. Anderson, Monica B. Emelko
Summary: Water with elevated/altered levels of dissolved organic matter (DOM) after wildfire can be difficult to treat. This study investigated the ability of biological treatment to remove postfire dissolved organic carbon (DOC) resulting from wildfire ash. The results showed that the biofilter effectively removed turbidity and DOC in stable source water, and the biofilters buffered the increase in water extractable organic matter caused by ash addition. However, the balance between readily removed and recalcitrant fractions of DOM may affect the operational resilience of the biofilter.
Review
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Joyashree Roy, Anjal Prakash, Shreya Some, Chandni Singh, Rachel Bezner Kerr, Martina Angela Caretta, Cecilia Conde, Marta Rivera Ferre, Corinne Schuster-Wallace, Maria Cristina Tirado von der Pahlen, Edmond Totin, Sumit Vij, Emily Baker, Graeme Dean, Emily Hillenbrand, Alison Irvine, Farjana Islam, Katriona McGlade, Hanson Nyantakyi-Frimpong, Federica Ravera, Alcade Segnon, Divya Solomon, Indrakshi Tandon
Summary: This paper investigates whether reported climate change adaptation actions contribute to advancing gender equality (SDG 5) or not. The study finds positive links to nine targets under SDG 5 in adaptation actions consciously designed to advance gender equality. However, in certain sectors, more negative links than positive links are found. Intentional consideration of gender-focused targets is necessary for adaptation actions to have positive impacts on gender equality.
HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Emma A. J. Blackburn, Monica B. Emelko, Sarah Dickson-Anderson, Micheal Stone
Summary: Nature-based solutions are increasingly proposed to address societal challenges, but they are not always suitable for providing safe drinking water. Green technologies in the water industry must be evaluated based on attributes such as natural-resource basis, energy consumption, waste production, and footprint, in relation to the environment and other technologies being considered.
BLUE-GREEN SYSTEMS
(2021)