Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenguang Shi, Quanrong Wang, Musa Salihu Danlami
Summary: This study presents a novel analytical model of solute transport in aquifer-aquitard systems by incorporating new sets of models that describe mixing processes. The model considers various components of solute transport and first-order chemical reaction. The reliability of the model is evaluated by comparing the finite-difference solution with experimental data, showing good agreement. The new model outperforms previous models in interpreting experimental data.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lurong Yang, Jason P. Hnatko, Jack L. Elsey, John A. Christ, Kurt D. Pennell, Natalie L. Capiro, Linda M. Abriola
Summary: This study explores the influence of subsurface heterogeneity on microbial reductive dechlorination (MRD) and evaluates the suitability of microcosm-derived rate parameters for modeling complex heterogeneous systems. The results show that using microcosm-derived rate parameters in modeling can effectively predict the dechlorination process in aquifer cells and reveal spatial variations in methane generation associated with regions of longer residence times. Model sensitivity analysis suggests that natural dissolved organic carbon plays a crucial role as a fermentable substrate under electron donor limiting conditions, providing reducing equivalents for MRD.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Guillaume Lorette, David Viennet, David Labat, Nicolas Massei, Matthieu Fournier, Mathieu Sebilo, Pierre Crancon
Summary: This study aims to understand the hydrodynamical and geochemical variations at the outflow of karst systems, using a multi-proxy approach to trace water origins, evaluate mixing phenomena, and consider contributions from both autogenic and allogenic recharge sources. The research conducted in the Ouysse karst system in western France showcases how water-mixing processes in binary karst systems can be studied and analyzed using global water chemistry, hydrograph and chemograph analysis, and source-mixing calculation during a flood event. The information obtained can be valuable for forecasting and management actions related to water resource management.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mitchell A. Davidson, Kevin G. Mumford, Nathan Mullins, Madeline M. Calvert
Summary: This study aims to develop a more accessible method for generating geologically realistic microheterogeneous structures for light transmission experiments. A 3D printer was modified and used to create replicate packs that were similar to those produced in previous studies. The reproducibility of gas distributions in these packs was also assessed. The results showed that macroscopic features of the sand packs and gas distributions were reproducible, but local-scale features of the gas distribution were more variable.
VADOSE ZONE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhijia Ci, Yongguang Yin, Wenjie Shen, Baowei Chen
Summary: Coastal ecosystems are important storage zones and hotspots for the production and accumulation of neurotoxic methylmercury. This study explores the dynamics and biogeochemical transformation of mercury in two distinct subterranean estuaries (STE) in northern China. The results show non-conservative mixing behaviors of mercury in the groundwater flow paths of the STEs and highlight the significance of the hydrological shifts and biogeochemical processes in driving the transport and transformation of mercury. These findings have implications for accurately calculating mercury fluxes to coastal waters and understanding the impacts of human activities and climate change on the mercury biogeochemical cycle in coastal aquifers.
Article
Environmental Sciences
D. W. S. Tang, S. E. A. T. M. Van der Zee
Summary: The study investigates the recovery efficiency of aquifer storage systems with radial flow fields for heterogeneous aquifers, with a focus on the impact of macrodispersion. It is found that recovery efficiency is significantly influenced by macrodispersion, while recovery efficiency is positively correlated with injection-extraction rate and duration when local dispersion dominates. As macrodispersion becomes increasingly dominant with scale, the recovery efficiency may exhibit nonmonotonic behavior.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ellen D. Zhong, Tristan Bepler, Bonnie Berger, Joseph H. Davis
Summary: cryoDRGN is an algorithm that uses the representation power of deep neural networks to directly reconstruct continuous distributions of 3D density maps and map per-particle heterogeneity of single-particle cryo-EM datasets. It can uncover residual heterogeneity in high-resolution datasets and visualize large-scale continuous motions of protein complexes, while also offering interactive tools for dataset visualization and analysis.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuying Hu, Shihao Zhang, Xin Wang, Xiaoming Peng, Fengping Hu, Chuqiao Wang, Jing Wu, Souhila Poncin, Huai Z. Li
Summary: This study proposed a novel approach for experimentally quantifying the mass transfer in the mixing process of HSAD using the Laser Induced Fluorescence technique. The results showed that the feedstock tended to accumulate around the impeller in the HSAD system, and diffusion around the 1st impeller was rapid while around the 2nd impeller was tough. Prolonging mixing time did not significantly improve the flow pattern and mixing in HSAD.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mostafa Naderi, Hoshin V. Gupta
Summary: We investigate the sensitivity of aquifer-scale transmissivity and storativity estimates to aquifer heterogeneity by analyzing pumping test data. We find that to obtain reliable estimates, pumping should continue until the test-induced cone of depression exceeds 15 times the correlation length scale of heterogeneity. Regardless of solution type, the estimates for transmissivity converge to the geometric mean, while the estimates for storativity converge to the arithmetic mean beyond a representative distance.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lamine Boumaiza, Safouan Ben Ammar, Romain Chesnaux, Randy L. Stotler, Bernhard Mayer, Frederic Huneau, Karen H. Johannesson, Jana Levison, Kay Knoeller, Christine Stumpp
Summary: This study investigates the sources and transformation processes of nitrate (NO3) contamination in a typical Mediterranean coastal agricultural area in Tunisia using multiple isotopic tracers and a Bayesian isotope MixSIAR model. The results show that the measured NO3 concentrations in groundwater are above the natural baseline threshold, indicating anthropogenic influence. The isotopic analysis suggests that manure, soil organic matter, and sewage are the potential sources of NO3, with manure-derived NO3 being the dominant source. The study also reveals the occurrence of denitrification and nitrification in the groundwaters, reflecting the complexity of interactions within the coastal aquifer.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Linlin Qi, Mateusz Kwiatkowski, Huihuang Chen, Lukas Hoermayer, Scott Sinclair, Minxia Zou, Charo del Genio, Martin F. Kubes, Richard Napier, Krzysztof Jaworski, Jiri Friml
Summary: The phytohormone auxin is a crucial signal in plant development, and its transcriptional reprogramming is mediated through a canonical signaling pathway. The TIR1/AFB receptors, in addition to their known function as auxin receptors, also possess adenylate cyclase (AC) activity. Mutations in the AC motif of the TIR1 C-terminal region affect the receptor's function, leading to impaired gravitropism and auxin-induced growth inhibition in plants.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Shahad Al-Yaqoubi, Ali Al-Maktoumi, Anvar Kacimov, Osman Abdalla, Mohammed Al-Belushi
Summary: This study investigated the interaction between saline water, natural fresh groundwater, and freshwater injected in managed aquifer recharge (MAR) through sand tank experiments. The research found that injecting water near the saltwater-freshwater interface was more effective in reducing seawater intrusion, and the created freshwater bubble could act as a barrier against intrusion. Optimization of MAR is crucial in combating seawater intrusion effectively.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Alexander Paul Fellows, Debashis Puhan, Janet S. S. Wong, Michael T. L. Casford, Paul B. Davies
Summary: This study combines atomic force microscopy (AFM) with an IR laser (AFM-IR) and thermal cantilever probes (nanoTA) to investigate the nanoscale structure and interface of a blend of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polybenzimidazole (PBI). The results reveal the chemical heterogeneity and mixing extent within the blend for the first time, providing valuable insights into the origin of the blend's desirable properties.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Guilherme E. H. Nogueira, Christian Schmidt, Daniel Partington, Philip Brunner, Jan H. Fleckenstein
Summary: Riparian zones play an important role in modulating water quality in stream corridors by acting as buffers or facilitating solute turnover. This study used a numerical model and hydraulic mixing cell method to investigate the source composition of water and its spatiotemporal evolution in Selke stream. The results showed the importance of discharge events and event intensity in increasing mixing potential.
HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Dhanya Narayanan, T. I. Eldho
Summary: This study validates the physical accuracy of the boundary layer solution provided by Paster and Dagan (2007) and Paster (2010) for saltwater intrusion problems in coastal regions. It quantifies the influence of mixing zone width on marine discharge and saline circulation through experimental and numerical analysis. The findings show that the boundary layer solution can effectively predict marine discharges in buoyancy-dominated, high Peclet number flow circumstances.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Auli Niemi, Jesus Carrera, Philippe Gouze, Chin-Fu Tsang
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREENHOUSE GAS CONTROL
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Jingjing Wang, Jesus Carrera, Maarten W. Saaltink, Cristina Valhondo
Summary: The presence of low permeability regions within porous media affects solute transport and species concentrations distribution. Multirate Mass Transfer (MRMT) models represent this anomalous transport process, which conceptualizes the medium as one mobile zone and multiple immobile zones. The numerical solution with MRMT for reactive transport is developed, incorporating chemical kinetics into the governing equations, and the efficiency of the proposed algorithm allows for significant savings in CPU time. The validity of the developed solution is tested by comparison with other numerical and analytical solutions.
COMPUTERS & GEOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jesus Carrera, Maarten W. Saaltink, Joaquim Soler-Sagarra, Jingjing Wang, Cristina Valhondo
Summary: Reactive transport (RT) is a highly multidisciplinary field that combines bio-geo-chemical reactions and transport. This paper reviews the basic conceptual issues in RT and discusses the limitations of the standard advection-dispersion equation. Alternative transport formulations and solving methods are examined. The challenges and fundamental issues in representing kinetic reactions, particularly in biochemistry, are highlighted.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Laura Martinez-Perez, Linda Luquot, Jesus Carrera, Miguel Angel Marazuela, Tybaud Goyetche, Maria Pool, Andrea Palacios, Fabian Bellmunt, Juanjo Ledo, Nuria Ferrer, Laura del Val, Philippe A. Pezard, Jordi Garcia-Orellana, Marc Diego-Feliu, Valenti Rodellas, Maarten W. Saaltink, Enric Vazquez-Sune, Albert Folch
Summary: In this study, a detailed characterization of a coastal aquifer was conducted using different methods and approaches from various hydrogeological disciplines. The findings revealed that the aquifer behaves as a multi-aquifer and reactive system, with freshwater discharging beneath saltwater at multiple depths. The impact of thin silt layers in the aquifer is significant, opening new avenues for coastal aquifer management and marine ecology.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Joaquim Soler-Sagarra, Jesus Carrera, Enrique Bonet, Carles Roig, Pablo Becker
Summary: This paper proposes a formulation based on the Water Mixing Approach to model solute transport in heterogeneous porous media. The formulation takes into account the scale dependence of dispersion and the separation of mixing from spreading. It introduces velocity as an independent variable, allowing concentration to depend on time, space, and velocity. The formulation, termed the Multi-Advective Water Mixing Approach, incorporates a new mixing term between velocity classes. Experimental results demonstrate the high accuracy of the formulation in both dispersion and mixing, with the mixing process exhibiting Markovianity in space despite being modeled in time.
TRANSPORT IN POROUS MEDIA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Amy Kryston, Marc F. Muller, Gopal Penny, Diogo Bolster, Jennifer L. Tank, M. Shahjahan Mondal
Summary: Climate change affects water allocations in international river treaties. This study presents a method to design climate-robust treaty solutions by considering multiple objectives and uncertainties. The approach is applied to the Ganges water agreement, providing insights for improving transboundary allocations.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Tybaud Goyetche, Maria Pool, Jesus Carrera, Linda Luquot
Summary: Tidal analysis is a low-cost alternative to pumping tests for evaluating aquifer hydraulic parameters. It can be done through analytical solutions or numerical simulations. However, analytical solutions are rarely used in practice as they are based on a conceptual model that neglects important factors in real-world conditions.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tybaud Goyetche, Linda Luquot, Jesus Carrera, Laura Martinez-Perez, Albert Folch
Summary: In coastal aquifers, seawater intrusion and submarine groundwater discharge are two opposing processes that require characterization and quantification to assess the quality and composition of the water. This study proposes a methodology using principal component analysis to identify water sources and reactions, and quantify mixing ratios and the extent of chemical reactions. The research highlights the importance of cation exchange and its impact on other reactions, as well as the spatial distribution of reactions in the aquifer.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liming Xing, Diogo Bolster, Haifei Liu, Thomas Sherman, David H. Richter, Kyle Rocha-Brownell, Zhiming Ru
Summary: This study investigates the transport of microplastics in open-channel flows by implementing three Markov models. The models are validated using numerical simulations and laboratory experiments, demonstrating their effectiveness and high efficiency. The research provides new insights into preventing and reducing the environmental hazards of microplastics.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pedro F. P. Brandao-Dias, Daniel M. C. Hallack, Elise D. D. Snyder, Jennifer L. L. Tank, Diogo Bolster, Sabrina Volponi, Arial J. J. Shogren, Gary A. A. Lamberti, Kyle Bibby, Scott P. P. Egan
Summary: Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a powerful tool for detecting target organisms remotely. This study explores the possibility of obtaining longitudinal dynamics information on targets by separating different size components of eDNA within a sample. The results show that medium-sized particles decay more slowly and increase in proportion over time. Different sizes of eDNA particles do not decay independently, but a parsimonious mathematical model best explains the data. A framework for discerning target distance and abundance with eDNA data is proposed.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Connor Mullen, Marc F. Mueller, Gopal Penny, Fengwei Hung, Diogo Bolster
Summary: The common-pool nature of groundwater resources leads to over-pumping. In transboundary aquifers, differences in economic and hydrogeologic conditions between users can either dampen or amplify incentives to over-pump. Combinations of different types of user asymmetry can enhance common-pool overdraft.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Daniel Gutierrez-Martin, Ruben Gil-Solsona, Maarten W. Saaltink, Valenti Rodellas, Rebeca Lopez-Serna, Albert Folch, Jesus Carrera, Pablo Gago-Ferrero
Summary: This study evaluates the presence and distribution of a wide range of chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) in a Mediterranean coastal aquifer near Barcelona, Spain, and identifies potential markers and tracers for anthropogenic contamination in groundwater and seawater. The results highlight the importance of submarine groundwater discharge as a source of CECs and suggest new approaches for studying the fate and transport of pollutants.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michela Trabucchi, Daniel Fernandez Garcia, Jesus Carrera
Summary: Wormholes are conductive channels formed in highly soluble rocks, playing a crucial role in the sustainability of saline karst aquifers. The dynamics of wormholes depend on the hydrodynamic and geochemical conditions during formation, as well as the competition for flow. However, there is a lack of direct observation and quantification of wormhole dynamics. In this study, an experimental set-up was proposed to visualize and characterize the growth of multiple wormholes, providing insights into the changes in flow and transport behavior of aquifers.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Adria Sunyer-Caldu, Barbara Benedetti, Cristina Valhondo, Lurdes Martinez-Landa, Jesus Carrera, Marina Di Carro, Emanuele Magi, M. Silvia Diaz-Cruz
Summary: The need and availability of freshwater is a major environmental issue, aggravated by climate change. Alternative sources of freshwater, such as wastewater, require extensive treatment to remove contaminants. It is urgent to develop sustainable wastewater treatment techniques and water quality assessment methods.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Tybaud Goyetche, Maria Pool, Jesus Carrera, Marc Diego-Feliu, Laura Martinez Perez, Albert Folch, Linda Luquot
Summary: This study applies a simplified numerical methodology to analyze tidal response in a Mediterranean coastal aquifer, considering both hydraulic and mechanical effects. The results demonstrate that mechanical effects play a strong role in the aquifer's response to tides.
HYDROGEOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)