Groundwater for Sustainable Development最新文献

{"title":"Proposal for a managed aquifer recharge feasibility index for southern Portugal using multi-criteria decision analysis","authors":"Tiago N. Martins ,&nbsp;Teresa E. Leitão ,&nbsp;Manuel M. Oliveira ,&nbsp;Constantinos F. Panagiotou ,&nbsp;Catalin Stefan ,&nbsp;Anis Chkirbene ,&nbsp;Maria Manuela Portela","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101280","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101280","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Water scarcity in the Mediterranean region requires the adoption of new and optimized water resources management tools that allow a progressive climate change adaptation, being one of the main drivers for the employment of alternative water storage measures such as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR). To promote the implementation of these measures, this study evaluates the application of a MAR feasibility index mapping to southern Portugal, employing Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). A participatory approach – developed within the AGREEMAR project – aims for the characterization of the intrinsic site suitability, water availability and demand, where the stakeholder inputs are embedded in the weighting computation process.</p><p>The results obtained demonstrate prevalent moderate MAR feasibility across the entire region (78% of the area) with an increased percentage of the area corresponding to high MAR feasibility (22%) strongly related to highly suitable geological features. A comparative analysis with the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) showed minor high MAR feasibility areas (7%), and feasibility class transitions between the directly above or below classes.</p><p>A sensitivity analysis, conducted based on a one-at-a-time (OAT) variation of the criteria weights, assessed the impact of the weighting methods on feasibility class changes. For the AGREEMAR method, changes in the weight of 10 of the 28 considered criteria resulted in negligible changes when compared to the original feasibility map, while for AHP 3 out of 28 produced minor changes. The remaining criteria showed important modifications in the feasibility maps, which underlined AGREEMAR method weights provided higher stability in the results.</p><p>The study provides information about a MAR site selection process procedures, allowing replication. The dissemination of the results is expected to raise awareness of MAR among stakeholders and support scientifically-based water resources management decision-making.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 101280"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352801X24002030/pdfft?md5=581a0e4dad9e52bfc7ecc534fd15cd38&pid=1-s2.0-S2352801X24002030-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141630827","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Groundwater modelling in SWAT+: Considerations for a realistic baseflow simulation","authors":"Alejandro Sánchez-Gómez ,&nbsp;Christoph Schürz ,&nbsp;Eugenio Molina-Navarro ,&nbsp;Katrin Bieger","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101275","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101275","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Hydrological models are valuable tools that support the evaluation and management of water resources. Among catchment scale models, SWAT has been widely used, and a revision of this model, SWAT+, was recently released. Groundwater simulation has been pointed out as one of the main weaknesses of these models, and despite the introduction of some improvements in the new version, an accurate simulation of groundwater flow is still a pending task. One of the most common issues is the inability of the model to maintain baseflow during long dry periods. Baseflow is common in aquifer areas and has great relevance for water quality and ecosystems. Although some authors proposed different solutions to its inaccurate simulation (e.g., editing aquifers configuration, coupling with other models, etc.) this work aimed to determine if a realistic groundwater simulation is possible using SWAT+ and determine the reasons why this is not being achieved. For this purpose, a groundwater dominated catchment was modelled, and different calibration approaches were carried out and compared, including strategies such as hard calibration, soft calibration, or sensitivity analysis. A comprehensive analysis of model outputs was crucial to achieve a model with a realistic simulation of groundwater contribution to the streamflow, both in amount and timing. The properly parameterization of some parameters (<em>perco</em>, <em>latq_co</em>, <em>lat_ttime</em>, and especially <em>alpha</em>) was key. Limitations of hard calibration were evidenced, such as the necessity of complementing this strategy with an evaluation of the simulation of hydrological processes. For those parameters governing streamflow components simulation, a detailed description of its functioning is included in this manuscript, together with some guidelines to achieve a statistically accurate model with a realistic groundwater flow simulation. Follow these recommendations will be useful for SWAT users, and will serve to create more reliable models.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 101275"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352801X2400198X/pdfft?md5=b201dd64d1acb5b580ac1bd76a8211f4&pid=1-s2.0-S2352801X2400198X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141606017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Satellite gravimetry observations on the state of groundwater level variability in the Arabian Peninsula Region and the associated socio-economic sustainability challenges","authors":"Muhammad Usman ,&nbsp;Kosuke Heki","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101270","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101270","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Groundwater is an important resource for the Arabian Peninsula Region. The population increase, rise in agricultural activities, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) inclination towards economic diversification and tourism promotion have heightened the freshwater demand. As a result of climate change and varying weather patterns, the situation has become more complicated. Due to arid conditions, recharge is mostly less than withdrawal which consequently results in underground water level decline over time. In the research, we have used Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE/GRACE-FO) MASCON solutions, Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) soil moisture, and the Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for Global Precipitation Mission (IMERG) rainfall data to observe the Equivalent Water Thickness (EWT), and rainfall patterns in this region for the past two decades (2002–2023). The results indicate that in Saudi Arabia the water level is declining nearly at a linear rate and the linear regression model fits well with the data (R² value, the coefficient of determination, for different cities of Saudi Arabia is ≥ 0.94). In the Al Jouf Area, the water decline is the highest at −1.69 cm/year which is 43% greater than the previous calculations. The lowest decline rate is in Sanaa (Yemen) which is −0.13 cm/year. Furthermore, all the other studied locations show a groundwater declining trend. In Saudi Arabia's Makkah, Madina, Riyadh, and Damam the reduction rate is −0.36, −0.48, −0.72, and −0.48 (cm/year) respectively. Kuwait, UAE's Dubai, and Al Ain show a similar groundwater reduction rate of −0.19 cm/year. In Oman's Masqat, the groundwater decline rate is −0.22 cm/year. Also, in the recent data, one can see the higher seasonal amplitudes that are indicative of greater fluctuations in EWT data in recent times. If water mining continues at the same pace, this important resource can become a rare commodity. Limited water supply can likely become a limiting factor for further social, agricultural, and industrial development. That's why major reviews and shifts are necessary in the current policies related to water resource management and conservation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 101270"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141623508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An eco-friendly approach harnessing Trichoderma lixii ORT2 for reducing chemical phosphatic fertilizer dependency and groundwater phosphorus management through integrated in silico, in vitro and omic studies","authors":"Shalini Tiwari ,&nbsp;Barkha Sharma ,&nbsp;Seema Bisht ,&nbsp;Divya Pant ,&nbsp;Sunil Kumar ,&nbsp;Lakshmi Tewari","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101278","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101278","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Groundwater pollution has become an escalating global issue, with excessive application of phosphorus (P) fertilizers emerging as a major contaminant. The overuse of chemical phosphatic fertilizers has intensified the problem of P infiltration into water table, compromising soil health and exacerbating groundwater pollution. This underscores the urgent need to explore sustainable alternatives to chemical fertilizers to safeguard groundwater and soil health. The enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) plays important role in efficient P-solubilization achieved by <em>Trichoderma</em> sp. a soil fungus known for its gradual transportation of P from fixed sources to plants. This mechanism not only minimizes P leaching into groundwater but also reduces dependency on fertilizers. To investigate the active role of fungal ALP in P-solubilization, amino acid/gene sequences of enzyme from 20 <em>Trichoderma</em> strains were retrieved from NCBI. Molecular docking revealed strong catalytic interaction (−6.93 kcal/mol) between complex-bound P and the ALP, involving two hydrogen bonds and key residues Gln286 and Arg340. To confirm ALP-mediated P-solubilization, 12 newly isolated <em>Trichoderma</em> spp., were assessed <em>in vitro</em> using media amended with tri-calcium phosphate (TCP), zinc phosphate (Zn₃(PO₄)₂), or ferric phosphate (FePO₄) as sole phosphorus source. <em>Trichoderma lixii</em> ORT2 demonstrated highest P-solubilization, yielding 547.40 μg/mL phosphate from TCP, 538.6 μg/mL from Zn₃(PO₄)₂, and 423.45 μg/mL from FePO_4, in 72 h. Solubilization was accompanied by simultaneous expression of ALP and siderophore in the same aliquot. TCP induced maximum expression of ALP (9.47 U/mL), followed by Zn₃(PO₄)₂ and FePO₄ showing 8.65 and 5.64 U/mL, respectively, in culture filtrates at 72h, that was further confirmed through proteomic analysis. FESEM micrographs confirmed P binding and biosorption into fungal mycelia as P-globules. Furthermore, <em>Cicer arietinum</em> inoculated with <em>Trichoderma lixii</em> ORT2 bio-formulations showed significant enhancement in growth parameters in TCP amended soil as compared to di-ammonium phosphate (DAP). The integrated approach of microbial P-solubilization and further utilization by plants for their growth as major nutrients merges microbial and phyto-remediation to address sustainability issues related to the management of soil health and phosphorus contamination. This strategy aims to substitute chemical phosphatic fertilizers, which are significant contributors to rising dissolved total phosphorus (DTP) in groundwater. This approach directly supports SDG 6 by reducing P leaching and improving groundwater quality, ensuring sustainable water and sanitation management for all.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 101278"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141606016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mapping and modeling groundwater potential using machine learning, deep learning and ensemble learning models in the Saiss basin (Fez-Meknes region, Morocco)","authors":"Hind Ragragui ,&nbsp;My Hachem Aouragh ,&nbsp;Abdellah El-Hmaidi ,&nbsp;Lamya Ouali ,&nbsp;Jihane Saouita ,&nbsp;Zineb Iallamen ,&nbsp;Habiba Ousmana ,&nbsp;Hajar Jaddi ,&nbsp;Anas El Ouali","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101281","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101281","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The Saïss basin in the Fez-Meknes region of Morocco, covering approximately 2100 km², faces increased water demand due to population growth, economic development, and climate change, making groundwater a crucial resource. This study aims to delineate areas with groundwater potential (GWP) and evaluate the performance of various machine learning, deep learning, and hybrid ensemble models in predicting GWP. Using a dataset of 440 springs and wells, and 20 groundwater conditioning factors (GWCF) including topographical, hydrological, geological, and hydrogeological features, the study employed multi-collinearity analysis, variance inflation factor (VIF), tolerance (Tol) assessments, and an Information Gain (IG) test to analyze these factors. The study compared the performance of three machine learning algorithms (Gaussian Naive Bayes (GNB), k-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Gradient Boosting Classifier (GBC)), three deep learning algorithms (Deep Learning Neural Networks (DLNN), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN)), and a hybrid ensemble model (Random Forests (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Logistic Regression (LR)) using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) as the evaluation metric. The results showed that the hybrid ensemble model had the highest AUC of 0.86, followed by GBC (AUC = 0.85), DLNN (AUC = 0.84), CNN (AUC = 0.83), KNN (AUC = 0.79), RNN (AUC = 0.78), and GNB (AUC = 0.75). The study revealed that 45% of the Saïss Basin exhibits high to very high GWP, particularly in Ain Taoujdat, Haj Kaddour, and Boufekrane districts, with lithology, slope, and transmissivity being the most influential factors. The resulting GWP map can guide decision-makers in planning well and borehole drilling for drinking water and agriculture, as well as artificial recharge projects, thus promoting sustainable groundwater management in the Saïss basin.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 101281"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141595618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Empowering community participation for sustainable rural water supply: Navigating water scarcity in Karak district Pakistan","authors":"Abid Rasool ,&nbsp;Sadia Saeed ,&nbsp;Sareer Ahmad ,&nbsp;Asif Iqbal ,&nbsp;Amanat Ali","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101269","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101269","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In the tapestry of life, water is the essential thread weaving through our existence. Imagine this thread not just as a simple element, but as the very pulse that sustains our communities. This study unravels the nuanced interplay between community engagement and sustainable water solutions in District Karak, shining a spotlight on a crucial but often overlooked aspect of rural water programs. Employing the theoretical framework of Social Capital Theory by Robert Putnam and Pierre Bourdieu, our research investigates the interconnected relationship between community participation and the long-term viability of water supply initiatives. Focusing randomly on three selected water supply schemes, we employed a sampling technique and collected data from 330 respondents through interviews. Community members, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and executing agencies were sampled to analyze the extent and impact of engagement across program phases. The findings underscore the pivotal role of participatory approaches facilitated by CBOs and executing agencies, revealing active community engagement as a linchpin for sustained water supply success. Results of the study reveal that the synergy of community satisfaction and engagement paves the way for a resilient water future, offering a blueprint for District Karak and similar regions to pursue a more secure water future and mitigate the adverse effects of water scarcity through the promotion of community participation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 101269"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141595615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hydrogeochemical processes, and health risk assessment of groundwater, in Santa María del rio aquifer: A case study of San Luis Potosí valley, Mexico","authors":"Rosa Maria Fuentes-Rivas ,&nbsp;German Santacruz-De Leon ,&nbsp;Jose Alfredo Ramos-Leal ,&nbsp;Carolina Alvarez-Bastida ,&nbsp;Janete Moran-Ramirez","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101268","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101268","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The main objectives of this research were to the hydrogeochemical processes that control the groundwater chemistry, groundwater quality, and assessment of health risks of water. The drinking water that supplies the community of Santa María del Rio, S.L.P., comes from groundwater, in some municipality localities, groundwater Fluorine and arsenic are reported. Twenty-one representative groundwater samples were taken. Physicochemical parameters in situ: pH, OD, ORP, Alkalinity, STD, EC, Salinity, Total Coliforms, and E-coli, were analyzed, and in the laboratory, the heavy metals, metalloids and major constituents, cations: calcium, sodium, magnesium, and potassium, were determined by the ICP, and anions: chlorides, and sulfates, by colorimetry techniques. The results of the analyses were compared with the Mexican and EPA drinking water standards to verify their suitability and ensure that they do not exceed the permitted limit values. The results of the chemistry of the principal groundwater ions in the study area suggest that the main hydrogeochemical process that controls the variation of groundwater quality is the rock–water interaction. Groundwater has been classified into two hydrochemical facies, CaMgHCO₃ and NaHCO₃, consistent with the type of rock. The samples with the CaMg–HCO₃ facie are associated with less evolved waters located in areas with local recharge. The dominant reactions in the aquifer are calcite, dolomite, and gypsum solutions. The presence of the N–NO₃^- ion is associated with agricultural and urban zone influence, which indicates that this activity has impacted the water quality. The risk index (HI) results show that values &gt; 0.1 &lt; 1 of HI, for Pb present low chronic risks for adults and children. In contrast, HI values &gt; 4 for both population groups represent high chronic risk. Excessive use of fertilizers should be controlled in the study area to prevent groundwater contamination by heavy metals and metalloids and be measured regularly to check drinking water quality.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 101268"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141630831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Land use and land cover patterns as a reflection of subsurface architecture groundwater quality in a large urban center (Varanasi) in the Ganges river basin, India","authors":"Oindrila Bose ,&nbsp;Prerona Das ,&nbsp;Ashok Shaw ,&nbsp;Mrinal K. Layek ,&nbsp;Martin Smith ,&nbsp;Joy Sen ,&nbsp;Probal Sengupta ,&nbsp;Abhijit Mukherjee","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101271","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101271","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Varanasi is an exponentially developing city in the Himalayan-sourced Ganges river basin. To understand the sustainable groundwater-sourced drinking water in Varanasi, it is essential to study the land use-land cover that reflects the surface geomorphology vis-a-vis sub-surface geology, and influence groundwater conditions. We incorporate lithological and groundwater data obtained from an extensive network of boreholes in and around the city at 110 sites, reaching a maximum depth of 100 m below ground level (bgl). The unconsolidated subsurface are primarily composed of sand, silt, clay, and gravel where, silty clay layer. Groundwater quality and stresses were determined through multi-dimensional hydrogeological approaches. The data were analyzed through multivariate statistics (Principal Component Analyses to identify the governing factor influencing the broad hydrogeochemistry. PC1 for urban areas has higher loading values for Fe, Cl⁻ compared to Semi-urban areas highlighting contamination by municipal wastewater. PC2 for urban areas shows higher loading values for Mg²⁺ and HCO₃⁻ compared to semi-urban areas. Due to heavy urbanization in Varanasi, the aquifer suffers substantial groundwater abstraction during particular times of the day compared to the agricultural lands. An increase of about 9% in built-up areas within a span of 10 years (2012–2022) poses a threat to the aquifer system of our study area, jeopardizing access to sustainable drinking water. With the expansion of urbanization and unregulated groundwater extraction, the vulnerability of the aquifer system will probably increase in the foreseeable future. Implementation of sustainable water management policies, engaging all economic sectors of the population in Varanasi, can expedite the process and safeguard the aquifer from attaining its emerging vulnerability. Thus, comprehending evolving groundwater risks through non-invasive methods like that discussed in the present study, holds significant promise for effectively targeting safe groundwater availability in future.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 101271"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141595597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Groundwater hydro-geochemical inferences and eXplainable Artificial Intelligence augmented groundwater quality prediction in arid and semi-arid segment of Rajasthan, India","authors":"Sunita ,&nbsp;Tathagata Ghosh","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101272","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101272","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Groundwater quality is a crucial aspect especially in the arid and semi-arid segments of the world due to its restricted availability. With increasing consumptions over time period, it is essential to ensure its quality by appraising complex hydro-geochemistry. In the present study, an attempt has been made to evaluate the groundwater hydro-geochemistry in the arid and semi-arid segment of Rajasthan, India and to fill the gap in understanding of groundwater quality by incorporating eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI). 120 groundwater samples were collected during post monsoon season of 2022 and sixteen physico-chemical parameters were analyzed and corresponding inferences were drawn. The hydro-chemical facies indicated Na–Cl composition of groundwater with the dominance of evaporation. Majority of the samples showed reverse ion exchange process along with positive Saturation Index value of Calcite (CaCO₃) and tendency towards leaching F⁻ in the groundwater. Water Quality Index for drinking as well as irrigation purpose showed relatively better quality in the central segment than the marginal region. The SHAP values derived from the XGBoost model depicted fluoride (F-) as the primary feature influencing overall groundwater quality for drinking purposes, whereas the Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) emerged as the key predictor influencing overall groundwater quality for irrigation. The implication of proposed method signifies the importance of incorporating hydro-geochemical inferences with machine learning technique to understand the complex character of groundwater. Further, due to its robustness as well as cost-effectiveness, the application of the method would be helpful in policymaking to safeguard the groundwater resource in arid and semi-arid regions at global scale.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 101272"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141593863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing performance efficiency of algal-bacterial-based wastewater treatment system using response surface methodology","authors":"Samar A. El-Mekkawi ,&nbsp;Sayeda M. Abdo ,&nbsp;Marwa A. Youssef ,&nbsp;Gamila H. Ali","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101273","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101273","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Developing wastewater treatment technologies is crucial for enhancing treatment efficiency and promoting the reuse of treated water. In this article, the Algal-Bacterial integrated system (ABIS) is employed to treat municipal wastewater collected from the Zenin wastewater treatment plant in Giza governorate, Egypt. This system relies on the synergy between heterotrophic bacteria and microalgae to form a biofilm capable of absorbing contaminants from the wastewater. The main objective of this study is to optimize the factors influencing the treatment efficiency using response surface methodology derived from the experimental design software of Design Expert 6.0.8. The optimal results revealed that using an absorber amount of 0.18 g/L for a hydraulic retention time of 1.4 d provides removal efficiency of BOD, COD, TSS, and turbidity are 88.57%, 82.7 %, 94.90%, and 95.91%, respectively. These findings were experimentally and statistically verified with an accuracy exceeding a 95% confidence interval and 95% prediction interval. The physicochemical characteristics, algal community structure, as well as the density of total coliform, fecal coliform, and Escherichia coli (E. coli), were determined for the treated wastewater and compared to the Egyptian code of practice for the use of treated municipal wastewater for agricultural purposes to assess its suitability for unrestricted irrigation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 101273"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141539645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}