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1 – 10 of over 31000Kirsti Korkka‐Niemi, Anna‐Liisa Kivimäki, Kirsti Lahti, Maria Nygård, Anne Rautio, Veli‐Pekka Salonen and Petri Pellikka
The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the importance of groundwater‐surface water interaction when studying, modeling and assessing climate change impacts on river water…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the importance of groundwater‐surface water interaction when studying, modeling and assessing climate change impacts on river water management.
Design/methodology/approach
The investigations were focused on River Vantaa and its tributaries in southern Finland. The main methods used involved aerial infrared photography, thermal profiling of river sediments, water quality measurements, isotopic composition of oxygen and hydrogen δ18O, δ2H and river water temperature measurements. The authors present the first results of the field measurements targeted to identify the groundwater recharge and discharge zones within the river system.
Findings
Groundwater discharge zones were found to have a significant impact on water quality and volume in River Vantaa and its tributaries. In the drainage basin, the aerial infrared photography seemed to be a feasible and cost‐effective method to identify areas of groundwater discharge across the entire river basin. Around 350 groundwater/surface water interaction sites along the 220 km river system could be identified.
Practical implications
The interaction sites identified during the season of low flow rate should be considered as potential risk areas because during flood periods groundwater quality might be at risk due to bank infiltration. This should be considered in river basin management within predicted changing climatic conditions.
Originality/value
This is the first attempt in Finland to map systematically groundwater and river water interactions. The focus of the paper is relevant, because according to the existing climate scenarios, flooding of the main rivers in Finland will be more frequent in future, increasing the probability of groundwater‐surface water interaction.
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Kano River basin, which serves as the main source of water supply to metropolitan Kano, is also used as receiving body for industrial wastes from Sharada and Challawa industrial…
Abstract
Kano River basin, which serves as the main source of water supply to metropolitan Kano, is also used as receiving body for industrial wastes from Sharada and Challawa industrial estates. Of the three major rivers in this basin, the Salanta river was found to receive the highest pollution from the industrial discharges with COD of 8,557.4mg/l, total solids of 16,934.6mg/l, hardness of 1,349.6mg/l CaCO3, and ammonia nitrogen of 5,150.0mg/l. The Challawa river had COD of 598.7mg/l, total solids of 1,609.9mg/l, hardness of 1,332.0mg/l CaCO3 and ammonia‐nitrogen 400mg/l. Both empty into the Kano river where the COD was 1,166.9mg/l, total solids 1,458.0mg/l, hardness 2,506.8mg/l and ammonia‐nitrogen 530mg/l. Although these rivers are being used extensively for water supply, irrigation, and fishing, the quality of the water was found to be unsuitable for these purposes. The paper suggests that waste water pre‐treatment by all industries, imposition of direct charges on industrial effluents by the regulating agency, as well as continuous monitoring and surveillance are required to ensure the protection of the water resources in the basin.
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This paper aims to study dams on transboundary rivers. In this study, the case of the Nu–Salween–Thanlwin River is reviewed. This study is an attempt toward developing a…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study dams on transboundary rivers. In this study, the case of the Nu–Salween–Thanlwin River is reviewed. This study is an attempt toward developing a conceptual model to explain the unequal hydropower exchange of hydropower dams on transboundary rivers.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper reviews big dam project plans on the Salween–Thanlwin River near the Myanmar–Thailand border from the perspective of critical hydropolitics. The evidence is drawn from an extensive review of academic literature, reports, newspapers and websites on this topic. Cascao and Zeitoun’s (2010) four pillars of power, namely, geographical, material, bargaining and ideational power, are reviewed in the case of the Salween–Thanlwin River and its riparian states.
Findings
On the basis of a realist discourse, power relationships between dams and their socio-environmental effects are discussed from the perspective of critical hydropolitics. Multiple levels of power asymmetry regarding geographical, material, bargaining and ideational power are observed. The powerful states are high electricity consumers and importers. They invest in hydroelectric dams of adjacent developing states and buy back most of the electricity generated to fuel their industrialization and urbanization. Weak states generally do not have high bargaining power. They depend on the investment of high material power states for domestic and economic development and gain from the export of electricity. However, the externalities of hydropower dams are transferred to these weak states. This contributes to an unequal hydropower exchange model.
Practical implications
The model provides an analytical framework for hydropower dam projects through which comprehensive and multidimensional views are extracted. Academia, policymakers, private developers, international development agencies and nongovernment organizations will have a better understanding of hydropower dam projects and the interactions among riparian states.
Originality/value
This conceptual model stems from Cascao and Zeitoun’s (2010) four pillars of power – geographical, material, bargaining and ideational power. The author limits the framework to hydroelectric dams in transboundary rivers. The powerful states are high electricity consumers and importers that dominate the dam development projects and exchange process.
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This study aims to test the role of the state of occupation, represented in Israel, as one of the most significant challenges, which faces the Jordanian water security. Where…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to test the role of the state of occupation, represented in Israel, as one of the most significant challenges, which faces the Jordanian water security. Where Israel expands in its policy and ideology everyday its hydro-hegemony over the Jordanian waters. Hence, its acts result in negative consequences on the Jordanian water and food security, which in turn affects the Jordanian national security as a whole.
Design/methodology/approach
This study relied on the following two approached to tackle its problem: first: descriptive approach: the descriptive approach depends on defining the apparent features and describing their nature and the type of the relationship between its variables. It aims to achieving a better and deeper understanding on the situation of its future policies and measures. And research uses the system analysis approach to handle the subject matter. Given the influence of water on the development, Jordan, as an organic or a political and social state, takes into account the reasons and causes of development. Jordan turns into an active political state, with water as an influencing factor on it. This premise represents the core of the system analysis approach.
Findings
The research concluded that the Israeli theft of the Jordanian waters is the main factor in the Jordanian water crisis. If Jordan had received its usurped water rights by Israel, it could have been able to solve its water issue represented in the increasing deficit in its water balance. Therefore, the Israeli hydro-hegemony on the Jordanian water resources caused the imbalance in its water security and, in turn, caused the development process to falter in general.
Originality/value
The value of the research lies in the fact that it addresses the most important reasons behind the water crisis in Jordan, represented in the Israeli control over the Jordanian water resources and the research shows that the amount of water stolen by Israel is enough to solve the water crisis in Jordan.
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Zhanhong Wan, Zongfu Ren, Xiaochun Wang and Honghao Zheng
To observe the relations between three important factors resulting in estuarial Hypoxia phenomena of Yangtze River – wind, river flow, and stratification. The purpose of the paper…
Abstract
Purpose
To observe the relations between three important factors resulting in estuarial Hypoxia phenomena of Yangtze River – wind, river flow, and stratification. The purpose of the paper is to analyze the possible reasons why hypoxia occurs in late spring and disappears in October.
Design/methodology/approach
To overcome the difficulty in examining the role of physical and biological factors affecting hypoxia based on measurement alone, finite-volume community ocean model (FVCOM) was introduced into the investigation. Observed freshwater flux data from Yangtze River, monthly averaged wind speed data, and other observed data were input into the model; the accuracy of which was validated with various kinds of data. The authors used the trajectories of Lagrangian particles from Yangtze River to study the regions of strong riverine influence under different wind forcing conditions and compared the simulation results with former observations.
Findings
Trade wind is a significant factor to influence the forming and receding of hypoxia across the Yangtze River.
Originality/value
Using FVCOM to investigate estuary hypoxia is more economical and effective.
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This paper aims to fill the gaps by conducting the first large n study examining the role of third parties in the emergence of river agreements in Asia and Africa during the time…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to fill the gaps by conducting the first large n study examining the role of third parties in the emergence of river agreements in Asia and Africa during the time period 1948-2007. There is a growing literature on what explains agreements in river disputes. However, beyond individual case analysis, little systematic study has been done on the role of third parties in settling river disputes through agreement, in particular on the regions that are mostly affected by the global climate change.
Design/methodology/approach
Through utilising new data on the role of third parties in river disputes, this study shows that third party involvement in the conflict management of river disputes increases the likelihood of reaching river agreements.
Findings
The findings suggest that third parties use both diplomatic and economic means to increase the likelihood of emergence of river agreements, and both strategies are equally important to induce formalised cooperation.
Research limitations/implications
Yet the present study covers only two regions, and it does not delve into a discussion of the conditions under which third party interventions are successful. Rather, these are aspects that need to be explored in the future.
Practical implications
Given the current uncertainty around security challenges resulting from climate change, and with predictions of future water wars, this research contributes to the understanding how to peacefully manage current and potential conflicts around transboundary waters.
Originality/value
This study is the first large n study examining the role of third parties in the emergence of river agreements in Asia and Africa.
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Vanessa Bechtol and Lucie Laurian
This article aims to show how communities with severe river flooding can develop sustainable flood plans that remediate environmental problems caused by previous river…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to show how communities with severe river flooding can develop sustainable flood plans that remediate environmental problems caused by previous river straightening and other structural flood controls.
Design/methodology/approach
The article builds on a case study of the nationally recognized Napa River Flood Protection Project (USA), which incorporates an ecological living river strategy and builds on strong community participation to restore a river and its floodplain. After discussing the drawbacks of structural flood control measures, and especially of river straightening, reviews the contents of the Napa Flood Project and the public participation process necessary for its design, approval and implementation.
Findings
The key lessons learned from Napa's flood project are that: undoing past structural works is difficult but feasible; ecological criteria can and should be used to design modern flood projects; involvement of a wide and diverse group of stakeholders is crucial to developing and implementing an environmentally sustainable flood management project; and the US Army Corps of Engineers can work with communities and depart from its typical, structural flood control approaches.
Research limitations/implications
Information on straightened rivers is extremely limited. Furthermore, this study focuses on flood planning for US rivers, and may therefore be less useful elsewhere in the world where the frequency of river straightening may differ.
Originality/value
This case study provides a critique on river straightening, which is a poorly documented but fairly frequent approach to flood control. This article helps to fill gaps in the knowledge of how communities can, and are, addressing environmental concerns associated with flood controls and river straightening.
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Darrien Yau Seng Mah and Norazlina bt Bateni
Flood flushing is one natural cleansing capability of a natural river channel to wash away in‐stream pollutants and debris. The purpose of this paper is to explore the flood…
Abstract
Purpose
Flood flushing is one natural cleansing capability of a natural river channel to wash away in‐stream pollutants and debris. The purpose of this paper is to explore the flood flushing restriction in a tributary due to its regulated main river channel between two barrages.
Design/methodology/approach
In the absence of detailed data, a concerted effort of computer river modelling is conceptualized to represent possible flushing conditions.
Findings
Regulation schemes of barrages are deduced to interrupt the natural tidal and river flow interaction zones and thus impede river flushing capability.
Practical implications
Modelling of barrages’ operating modes suggested that though the man‐made structures are unable to replicate natural flood flushing, proper operations offer a secondary option to achieving the desired water quality objective in a constrained tributary.
Originality/value
Studies on minor tributary of modified main‐stem river are few. The attended tributary‐trunk relationships carry the credibility of this paper.
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Seungmin Nam, Sae-eun Park and Hong-Chul Shin
The purpose of this paper is to estimate an individual’s probability of preservation of the night view of Han-River bridge tax using the contingent valuation method (CVM) and to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to estimate an individual’s probability of preservation of the night view of Han-River bridge tax using the contingent valuation method (CVM) and to present the effects of 4Es on experience economy theory.
Design/methodology/approach
The on-site survey was conducted in the 11 district Han-River parks: Gwangnaru, Jamsil, Ttukseom, Jamwon, Banpo, Yeechon, Yeouido, Mangwon, Nanji, Ganseo and Yanghwa district, including 24 bridges such as Banpo, Olympic bridge during 8-9 pm around the lighting and 9-10 pm peak time of lighting.
Findings
Truncated mean willingness-to-pay indicates that the economic value of the night view of Han-River bridge is 49,575 won (about USA $50) per household, which implies the significance of the preservation value of the night view.
Research limitations/implications
This study sets a hypothetical market, and there are limitations on hypothetical bias of the dichotomous choice CVM. For the future study, a survey with a specific real payment vehicle in an attempt to reduce hypothetical bias can be a tool for the prevention of the overestimation.
Practical implications
Through the study, Seoul city has to invest aggressively on the night view landscape business of Han-River bridge, which can become a landmark and has lots of attraction for tourists. As this study’s core aim was to justify the economic value of the night view of the Han-River bridges, the estimated amount strongly supports the lighting business of the Han-River bridge.
Originality/value
The results of this research may help policy-makers of Han-River to establish practical decisions as to whether improving and preserving the Han-River’s night view lighting business are worth the value.
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Adwoa Boadua Yirenkyi-Fianko, Ernest Kwesi Yanful and Jemima Antwiwaa Ottou
Total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and other physicochemical parameters of the Birim River, which serves for drinking and domestic purposes for rural…
Abstract
Purpose
Total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and other physicochemical parameters of the Birim River, which serves for drinking and domestic purposes for rural mining communities, were analysed to assess the suitability of water quality for human consumption.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 40 samples were collected from 20 sampling sites during the rainy season from July to September and the dry season from December to February in addition to two repeat samples and two blank samples. Samples were analysed for physiochemical parameters and the results were compared with World Health Organisation standards (WHO).
Findings
Data obtained for both rainy and dry seasons indicated TOC ranged from 1.1 to 7.3 mg/L and DOC 1–7.2 mg/L; pH, 5.6–8.63; temperature, 23.3–29.3°C; turbidity, <1.00–869NTU; apparent colour, <2.5–600 mg/L Pt-Co; true colour <2.5–150 mg/L Pt-Co; alkalinity, 27.8–80.4 mg/L; total suspended solids, <1.00–998 mg/L; electrical conductivity, 82–184 µS/cm; and bicarbonate, 33.9–98.1 mg/L. Particulate organic carbon (POC) was constituted between 1 and 10% of the TOC. Values for pH, turbidity, total suspended solids, and true colour indicated contamination of the river. p -value of <0.05 between seasons for the physicochemical parameters also suggests that the water is polluted.
Practical implications
Water from the Birim River is unsuitable for human consumption and may constitute a serious health risk to the consumers.
Originality/value
The paper yields immense value to inhabitant of communities using surface water affected by mining activities, policy makers in sustainability. It warns of the unsuitability of water from the Birim River for human consumption due to the potential health risk to consumers.
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