The Australian Murray–Darling Basin Plan: challenges in its implementation (part 1)

The latest in a set of major water reforms in the Australian Murray–Darling Basin occurred in November 2012 with completion of a new integrated water resources plan for the region (the Basin Plan). This occurred over a four-year period (2009–12) and was not without controversy. However, perhaps the most challenging part of this reform is occurring now with the implementation of the Basin Plan between 2012 and 2024. This paper discusses the key tasks to be undertaken by June 2016 and the main challenges in their implementation. A companion paper discusses the challenges in implementing the other tasks that need to be settled by 2024.     

The Australian Murray–Darling Basin Plan: challenges in its implementation (Part 2)

The most recent major water reform in the Australian Murray–Darling Basin occurred in November 2012 with the development of a new integrated water resources plan for the region (the Basin Plan). This occurred over a four-year period (2009–12). An equally challenging part of this reform is occurring now with the implementation of the Basin Plan between 2012 and 2024. This paper discusses the challenges in implementing the key tasks that must be completed in the longer term by 2024. A companion paper discusses the challenges in implementing the more immediate tasks that must be completed by June 2016.     

Development of Flood Hazards Policy in the Indus River Basin of Pakistan, 1947–1996

ABSTRACT

Since independence in 1947, floods in the Indus River Basin in Pakistan have claimed more than 7,000 lives and caused massive infrastructure and crop losses. To date, flood damage reduction has received limited attention relative to the irrigation and hydropower subsectors in the basin. Nonstructural approaches to flood hazard mitigation have lagged behind engineering approaches. This article retraces the development offlood policies in Pakistan, from an early situation of risk acceptance to more recent strategies of risk management. It shows that an underlying problem, and future aim, for flood policy will lie in giving greater attention to mitigating social vulnerability to flood hazards in the basin.     

Identification of nitrate sources in Taihu Lake and its major inflow rivers in China, using δ(15)N-NO(3)(-) and δ(18)O-NO(3)(-) values

In the present study, δ(15)N and δ(18)O-NO(3)(-) values, as well as concentrations of some major ion tracers were determined in seasonal water samples from Taihu Lake and major watersheds to investigate the temporal and spatial variations of nitrate sources and assess the underlying nitrogen (N) biogeochemistry process. The results lead to the conclusion that the nitrate concentrations in Taihu Lake are lower in summer than that in winter due to the dilution effect of wet deposition. In winter, sewage and manure were the primary nitrate sources in major inflow rivers and North Taihu Lake (NTL), while nitrate sources in East Taihu Lake (ETL) probably derived from soil organic N. In summer, atmospheric deposition and sewage/manure inputs appear to play an important role in controlling the distribution of nitrates in the whole lake. The δ(18)O-NO(3)(-) values suggest that the nitrate produced from microbial nitrification is another major nitrate source during both winter and summer months. The variations in isotopic values in nitrate suggest denitrification enriched the heavier isotopes of nitrate in NTL in winter and in ETL in summer.     

Spatial and Temporal Variability of Precipitation and Dryness/Wetness During 1961–2008 in Sichuan Province,West China

Changes in precipitation exerts a huge impact on human beings and it is of vital importance to study the regular pattern of meteorological and hydrological factors. In order to explore the changing patterns of precipitation in Sichuan province in west China during 1961–2008, several precipitation related indices were analysed by the Mann–Kendall test. For monthly precipitation, significant increasing trends are mainly found during January, March and June, while significant decreasing trends mostly are observed during July, September and October. Most of extreme precipitation indices are decreasing. Especially the annual total precipitation in wet days and maximum number of consecutive wet days show significant negative trends. Furthermore, the spatial and temporal variation of dryness/wetness has been assessed by Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and principal component analysis (PCA) on 24-month time scales. The results demonstrated noticeable spatial patterns with several sub-regions characterized by different trends: a remarkable dry tendency prevails in central and east Sichuan, while the other areas are dominated by a wet tendency.     

Phytoplankton Composition and Biomass in the Offshore Waters of Lake Erie: Pre- and Post-Dreissena Introduction (1983–1993)

Phytoplankton was collected in all basins of Lake Erie during 42 cruises during the spring and summer from 1983 to 1993—a period that spans the Dreissena mussel invasion. Two potential impacts of Dreissena on the phytoplankton community of the western, central, and eastern basins of Lake Erie were evaluated: Was selective feeding occurring as observed in Saginaw Bay and were reductions in biomass evident in the offshore regions of the three basins of Lake Erie? In the western basin, significant summer decreases in Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta, Cyanobacteria, and total phytoplankton biomass were observed after Dreissena introduction. Similarly in the spring, Bacillariophyta and total phytoplankton biomass and chlorophyll a concentrations decreased significantly. Since several divisions of phytoplankton did not decrease in phytoplankton biomass in the western basin, and spring Cyanobacteria biomass increased significantly while other divisions decreased in biomass, selective feeding on the phytoplankton community was suggested. Where significant reductions in biomass were observed in the offshore waters of the western basin, they were approximately 50% of the reduction observed at the nearshore sites in Lake Erie by other workers.Dreissena impact on the phytoplankton community of the pelagic waters of the central and eastern basin appeared to be minimal. Pre- and post-Dreissena total phytoplankton biomass and chlorophyll a concentrations were not significantly different or increased significantly after the Dreissena invasion. Biomass of several divisions of phytoplankton significantly increased after Dreissena introduction in the central and eastern basins. These included Bacillariophyta (central basin), Cyanobacteria (central and eastern basin), Chrysophyta (eastern basin), Chlorophyta biomass (eastern basin) and phytoplankton biomass (central basin) and chlorophyll a (central basin) in the spring, and Chrysophyta (eastern basin) and Cryptophyta biomass (central basin) in the summer. Generally, a reduction in phytoplankton biomass would be expected as a result of Dreissena grazing, not an increase in biomass. Dreissena-mediated changes in phytoplankton have generally occurred in shallow, well-mixed lakes, ponds, and embayments, not in deeper waters such as the central and eastern basins of Lake Erie.     

Performance Measurement and Strategy: A Case Study of SOE in China

The state-owned Enterprises (SOEs thereinafter) are thecorporates owned or controlled completely or partially by gov-ernment through capital link. They have been playing a criticalrolein China economy . However ,the poor performance andtheintrinsic ineffi…     

Broad screening of toxic and bioactive metabolites in cyanobacterial and harmful algal blooms in Lake of the Woods (Canada and USA), 2016–2019

Cyanobacteria produce toxic/bioactive metabolites that affect human and ecosystem health via inhibition of proteases, carboxypeptidases, or phosphatases. From surface water samples collected between 2016 and 2019 inclusive (n = 78), we report intracellular concentrations of more than 30 such compounds in Lake of the Woods (LOW), a large lake system of multinational importance. Although most surface biomass blooms were dominated by the cyanobacteria Dolichospermum (max. ～50 mg/L) and Aphanizomenon (max. ～60 mg/L), there was also significant biomass of other cyanobacteria (Gloeotrichia echinulate along shoreline, max. ～40,000 mg/L; Woronichinia naegeliana max. ～100 mg/L; Lyngbya max. ～10 mg/L; Planktothrix agardhii max. ～6 mg/L) and phytoplankton (Stephanodiscus niagarae max. ～6 mg/L). Microcystins (MCs) were present in ～80 % of samples, peaking at ～33 µg/L (MC variant-LR). Approximately 50 % of samples contained MC concentrations below 0.1 µg/L. Alkaloid metabolites detected included neurotoxin anatoxin-a (～60 % < 0.1 µg/L) and cytotoxic cylindrospermopsins (～30 % < 0.1 µg/L). Anabaenopeptins A/B/F were prevalent (>96 %) and exceeded MCs by >100 fold (max. >4,000 µg/L). Aeruginosamide B was present in ～75 % of samples (max. ～10 µg/L). Cyanopeptolin 1040 MB, microginin 690 methyl ester, and oscillaginin A were not detected however, traces of micropeptin 1106 were detected. Microcystin and anabaenopeptin genes were also detected in the majority of samples (78 % and 79 %, respectively), while saxitoxin, cylindrospermopsin, and anatoxin genes occurred at lower frequencies with 59 %, 36 %, and 38 % detection, respectively. These results will aid assessment of risk from cyanobacterial blooms in LOW and inform ongoing binational lake management and policy development.     

上海水利建设(1949—1989)

上海市地处长江三角洲东缘,太湖流域的下游,北倚长江、东濒东海、南临杭州湾,在东经121°～122°和北纬30.5°～31.5°之间。行政区包括大陆部份及长江口内崇明、长兴、横洲三岛,陆地面积6415平方公里,其中市区面积到1989年为375.44平方公里,其市郊农村分为十二个区、郊区农村面积为490万亩。总人口1200万,它是全国最大的商业城市和科学技术基地,也是全国最大的港口城市。上海处于太平洋季风区,多年平均雨量1100毫米,雨量年内分配不均,初夏有梅雨     

Modifiers and Amplifiers of High and low Flows on the Ping River in Northern Thailand (1921–2009): The Roles of Climatic Events and Anthropogenic Activity

We analyse an 89-year streamflow record (1921?C2009) from the Upper Ping River in northern Thailand to determine if anomalous flows have increased over time (Trenberth, Clim Res 47:123?C138, 1999; Trenberth, Clim Chang 42:327?C339, 2011). We also relate the temporal behavior of high and low flows to climatic phenomena and anthropogenic activities. Peak flows have not increased significantly since 1921. However, minimum flows showed a very significant downward trend over the study period (???=?0.01). Annual and wet season discharge show significant downward trends (???=?0.05). All flow variables appear to be more variable now than 90?years ago especially annual peak flows. Both annual peak and minimum flows are correlated with annual and wet season rainfall totals. Minimum flow is also sensitive to the length of the monsoon season and number of rainy days in the previous monsoon season. Peak flow activity is driven predominantly by climate phenomena, such as tropical storm activity and monsoon anomalies, but the relationship between peak flows and ENSO phenomena is unclear. In general, annual discharge variables did not correspond unequivocally with El Nin? or La Nin? events. Minimum flows show a major decline from the mid-1950s in line with major anthropogenic changes in the catchment. The plausible intensification of the hydrological cycle that may accompany global warming is of concern because of the potential to affect tropical storm activity and monsoon anomalies, phenomena that are linked with very high flows in this river system. The obvious effect of human activities such as reservoir management on low flows calls for careful management to prevent droughts in the future.     

Predictive control of irrigation canals – robust design and real-time implementation

Predictive control is one of the most commonly used control methods in a variety of application areas, including hydraulic processes such as water distribution canals for irrigation. This article presents the design and application of predictive control for the water discharge entering into an irrigation canal located in Spain. First, a discrete time linear model of the process is described and its parameters are experimentally identified. The model is well validated within the usual canal operating range and is used to formulate a predictive control law with an incremental formulation. Finally, experimental and simulation results are presented in which predictive control has shown better performance than a well-tuned proportional, integral and derivative controller to automatically manage demanded water discharges.     

Nouns and Numbers of the Water–Energy–Security Nexus in Central Asia

Water, energy, and security form a complicated nexus in Central Asia, where domestic, regional, and international interests intertwine in numerous ways. A relatively large amount of literature exists on these three issues, either separately or in different combinations, yet it is difficult to see how the three intertwine and what their macro-level impacts might be on sustainable development, security, and the five Central Asian countries. This paper aims to understand what constitutes the water–energy–security nexus in Central Asia on the basis of definitions, indicators, and data. The nexus is also examined in the context of the broader global political economy, and gaps in current knowledge and suggestions for future research are pointed out.     

City storm-flood events in China, 1984–2015

This study uses web-based information to explore the spatial and temporal trends of reported city flood events for all mainland China cities from 1984 to 2015. Panel data were compiled on flooding (or the lack thereof) within China’s cities for every year in this period, and the relationship between the annual number of cities with reported flood events and possible influencing variables was analyzed. Few cities experienced flood events before 2001, but this situation then increased dramatically after 2010. In 2015, approximately 60% of China’s cities experienced a storm-flood event, which is three times as many as the government estimated in 2011.     

Occurrence and distribution of organochlorine pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments from Qinghai Lake,northeast Qinghai–Tibet plateau,China

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polycyclic aromiatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed in surface sediment samples collected from Qinghai Lake, the largest lake in China, which is situated in the northeast Qinghai–Tibet plateau at an altitude of 3200 m. The concentrations of these pollutants ranged from 0.02 to 1.00 ng/g for hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), from not detected to 0.86 ng/g for dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), from 0.26 to 1.73 ng/g for OCPs, and from 366 to 966 ng/g for PAHs. The predominance of α-HCH suggests that long-range atmospheric transport is an important source for HCHs. A low α- to γ-HCH ratio (3.87 on average) indicates the possible usage of lindane in the drainage basin. The high percentage of p,p′-DDE and p,p′-DDD and the low percentage of o,p′-DDT indicated significant degradation from previous inputs, and no recent inputs of dicofol derived DDT. Based on the analysis of the component ratios, PAHs were found to be primarily from the combustion of biomass and coal-based fossil fuels. Using the Canadian sediment guidelines, PAHs are of greater ecological concern than OCPs in Qinghai Lake.     

一代宗师(终极版)2014

<正>念念不忘,薪火相传一直以来摒弃口味相近的"快餐式"电影,以为只有或华丽或温婉的才能打动人心。《一代宗师》终极版上映已久,但错过了,后来得以观看,却让我对大众电影有了新的认识。可以说,武林的壮丽传统与情感的真挚动人巧妙杂糅,成就了这部电影,虽称不上完美,但充满新意。对于喜欢这部电影的人来说,就是一次"念念不忘,必有回响"的久别重逢。影片中处处流露诗化的语言、     

A long-term view of water consumption in Barcelona (1860–2011): from deprivation to abundance and eco-efficiency?

Water consumption in Barcelona in Spain, and the corresponding water imprint, followed a path resembling an Environmental Kuznets Curve. They grew slowly from the mid-19th century before reaching a peak in 1967–70, and a downward trend followed up to 2010. This paper uses a decomposition analysis to assess the role played by population growth, income increase and water intensity as determinants of these trends. It is stressed that water intensity does not express technical change alone, but includes social inequalities, consumer habits and cultural perceptions as well. It can be explained by taking into account the social conflicts and public policies of each period.     

Monitoring changes of snow cover,lake and vegetation phenology in Nam Co Lake Basin (Tibetan Plateau) using remote SENSING (2000–2009)

The changes of environmental factors such as snow cover, vegetation and hydrologic regime of lakes can reflect ecosystem responses to changing climate. A series of satellite imagery-based environmental data archives including variations in snow cover, vegetation phenology and lake level were mapped in the Nam Co Lake Basin for the period 2000–2009. Results of the synthesis indicate that throughout this period, the average annual snow cover was 19.87% of the total basin, and there is an obvious relation between the elevation and a clear decreasing southeast–northwest trend in snow-cover persistence. Snow mainly happens from October to May. The multi-year mean water storage of Nam Co Lake is 86.40 × 10⁹ m³, with a lake level increase of approximately 2.06 m during the study period. Vegetation phenology showed obvious variation with advanced start of season (SOS) and slightly extended duration of season (DOS). The mean DOS for the Nam Co Lake Basin was 154 days from 2000 to 2009. Affected by air temperature, the SOS dates coincided with snowmelt. The seasonal-variability of climate factors was also studied. The satellite-derived continuous and multiple datasets offer the advantage of monitoring the temporal and spatial trends of each of these metrics and mapping extensive, remote in mountainous areas with no in-situ data such as represented by the Tibetan Plateau.     

Spatio-temporal Calibration of Blaney–Criddle Equation in Arid and Semiarid Environment

Estimates of reference evapotranspiration (ET_o) are widely used in irrigation engineering to define crop water requirements. A major drawback to application of the FAO Penman-Monteith is the relatively high data demand which unfortunately, for many locations; such meteorological variables are often incomplete and/or not available. Alternatively, the Blaney–Criddle (BC) equation is a simpler method for ET_o estimation. In this study, the BC equation was calibrated using three methods: spatially calibration at each station for the whole period (ET_o-BC_S); two periods calibration (ET_o-BC_S2); and spatial and temporal calibration at each station for each month (ET_o-BC_S,T) using twelve stations a cross Jordan. The calibration coefficient of BC equation (a, b) were determined at all stations. The results of the calibration methods showed that: (1) the spatial calibration of BC had the highest RMSE, and ME and Lower R² comparing to spatial and temporal calibration and two periods calibration. (2) Improvement was achieved for the BC equation when considering the spatial and temporal calibration for all months at each station. The values of a were negative for all months of any station. The higher values of a are coincided with cold or low temperature months while the high values coincided with high month temperature. The b values were positive for the whole stations and months. As the a values, it seems that b values had higher values in warm months than the cold one. A relatively good improvement could be obtained using two periods calibration instead of one period. The maps of a and b clearly show that a and b varied considerably in the study area and being aware of the spatial temporal variations of climatologically parameters is important in managing the limited water resources. Knowing the spatial temporal changes of such parameters, accurate calculations of ET_o can be achieved which will lead to precise and elevate water resources management in the arid region such as Jordan.