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Water and energy consumption and carbon emissions caused by humans have vital impacts on the natural environment. Due to the dramatic global environmental pollution problem, understanding the relationship between these factors is emerging as an important approach to realising sustainable development. However, with the strengthening of interregional trade links, it is difficult to manage and evaluate their relationship. Therefore, from the perspective of regional and industrial sectors, using the multiregional input-output (MRIO) model and social network analysis (SNA), our research explores an innovative analytical methodology to evaluate the characteristics of the energy-water-carbon spatial network, and a scheme is proposed to improve it. The results demonstrate that the characteristics of water scarcity and energy enrichment could lead to a net inflow of the water footprint and a net outflow of the energy and carbon footprints. Moreover, traditional high-energy-consumption industrial sectors contribute significantly to the energy and carbon footprints. The energy-water-carbon spatial network correlation is low and unstable, and it lacks rationalisation and balance in resource-based areas. Network-based energy-water-carbon research provides more insights toward understanding the carbon emission reduction responsibilities of industrial supply chains. Our findings provide a reference for reducing the energy-water-carbon footprint and achieving the carbon reduction goal of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought had affected the crops production in Morocco, during the last decade. Plants breeding is still a solution to increase crops tolerance for water scarcity. Using natural biofertilizer based on microorganisms still a good practice to enhance the resilience of agriculture to drought. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of water shortage and use of a biofertilizer based on the strain of Pseudomonas putida on five genotypes of eggplants selected for drought tolerance under the semi-arid of the northeast of Morocco. Two irrigations regimes: 100% (amount of water irrigation made by growers) and 50% of this amount with and without the biofertilizer (1 × 108 UFC/g). The biofertilizer was applied three times during the plant growth stages. The experiment was conducted at commercial farm production and using a randomized complete block design. Plants were organized in blocks containing 3 plants for each genotype and repeated in 5 repetitions. Crops were planted on August 3rd, 2022, and experiments ended on January 2nd, 2023. The results showed different responses among the genotypes in terms of growth. The effect of Pseudomonas on plant height showed that there was a significant increase, at 100% irrigation for C14, B3, C8, B5 and C11 with 20%, 19%, 17%, 14.29% and 12,5%, respectively compared with the control. For C8 and B3, when subjected to 100% water with biofertilizer, there was an increase in the average number of fruits compared to 100% water without the biofertilizer. The highest yield was recorded with B5 under 100% irrigation + fertilizer (1.35 kg/plant). Water shortage impacted the productivity of all genotypes and the fruit number and yield increased with the use of the biofertilizer. Our study is still valuable under the conditions of this trial and more experiments will be needed at several seasons and at different growing conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress significantly threatens plant ecosystems, particularly amid climate change. Understanding the mechanisms of plant resilience is essential for developing strategies to mitigate water scarcity effects on agroforestry. This study evaluated morphological, physiological and biochemical traits in Argania spinosa seedlings from four provenances (Berkane (BRK), Essaouira (ESS), Agadir (AGD) and Bouizakarne (BZK)) subjected to severe drought for three weeks. The results showed significant inter-provenance variation in the traits examined. Root dry biomass increased markedly across all provenances, with the highest increase observed in BZK (117.9%). Leaf water potential significantly decreased under drought stress, but relative water content (RWC) remained stable. Proline accumulation was significant in stressed seedlings, especially in ESS (163.4%), while total soluble sugars significantly increased only in BRK (26.6%). All provenances showed a significant reduction in chlorophyll a and b, except for BRK. Correlations among all studied traits varied significantly in both number and significance between drought stress and non-stress conditions. Canonical discriminant analysis revealed distinct separation among the provenances, indicating intra-species variability in drought responses. Key traits like dry biomass, collar diameter, basic leaf water potential, RWC and proline were identified as important indicators of drought tolerance, suggesting their utility in selecting the most resilient A. spinosa provenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the legal problems and prospects of ensuring the irrigation of agricultural land in conditions of a lack of traditional water resources. Modern hydromelioration reform in the form in which it is currently implemented is not a panacea. It mostly solves property and administrativefunctional issues, but leaves a call for attention to environmental and natural resource problems. In view of the tendency to decrease the quantity and quality of water in the country, the question arises about the prospects of irrigation under such conditions. In recent decades, there has been a constant search for innovative solutions of not only technological, but also legal nature in the world for solving the complex problems of distributing limited resources and providing agriculture with vital moisture for maintaining food security. The objective problem of the lack of water suitable for irrigation against the background of the rapid growth of such needs is getting worse every year and in the long run can endanger the food security of the country. World experience demonstrates the approbation of various approaches to solving the problem of sufficient irrigation. According to the main way of achieving the goal, these approaches are presented by us in the form of three groups: 1) use of alternative sources of water resources (use of underground water, treated wastewater, desalinated salt water); 2) application of alternative irrigation technologies (modernization of irrigation systems; use of micro-irrigation); 3) use of alternative crops (voluntary and mandatory transition). Having analyzed the foreign and domestic experience of the legal regulation of selected methods of solving the problem of water shortage for irrigation, it is possible to trace some general trends: a) self-removal of the state from the implementation of large-scale irrigation projects, the need for which is generated by global environmental challenges; b) slow ecological transformation of legislation regulating agricultural irrigation; c) the predominance of separate legal norms and separate legal mechanisms aimed at regulating alternative irrigation, and the lack of comprehensive regulatory and legal support for the reconstruction of the irrigation system taking into account objective environmental problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As climate change and water scarcity increasingly threaten agricultural productivity, enhancing plant resilience to drought has attracted great attention. This study explored the potential of combining Fe2O3 nanoparticles (FeNPs), endophytic bacteria (EB), and endophytic fungi (EF) to boost drought tolerance in Thymus vulgaris. The research aimed to assess how these combined treatments affect the plant's physiological responses and chemical composition under drought stress. Results: A factorial experiment was designed using completely randomized design (CRD) method, incorporating four irrigation levels [100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% field capacity (FC)], four FeNPs concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mg L−1), and three endophyte types (control, bacteria, and fungi). After extracting, purifying, identifying, and screening EB and EF from nine Lamiaceae species, the endophytes Azospirillum lipoferum and Aspergillus oryzae isolated from Salvia mirzayanii exhibited the highest drought resistance. The highest amounts of TFM (45.45 g) and TDM (21.56 g) were obtained using the combination of EB and FeNPs at 1 mg L−1 under irrigation with 100% FC. At 25% FC, EB treatment increased the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) by 62.12% and 18.23% compared to the control, respectively. In addition, under optimal humidity conditions, FeNP concentrations were higher than 0.5 mg L−1 leading to a decrease in PPO activity. At 25% FC, the highest content of total phenols was observed with a 37.5% increase under EB treatment using 1 mg L−1 of FeNPs, while the highest content of total flavonoids showed a 62.72% increase under EF treatment with 0.5 mg/L of FeNPs. The highest level of p-coumaric acid was obtained under EF (34.27% compared to control). At 25% FC, EB and FeNPs (1 mg L−1) increased the level of caffeic acid in thyme plants by 24.70% and 10.08%, respectively. In addition, inoculation with EB increased (11.9%) the content of ferulic acid in plants and the application of FeNPs as a foliar spray decreased the level of ferulic acid in thyme plants. The highest essential oil percentage at 25% FC was observed after inoculation with EF and FeNPs (0.5 mg L−1), resulting in significant increases of 14.7% and 82.12%, respectively, compared to the control. A decrease in irrigation level led to an increase in the percentage of essential oil in thyme plants while decreasing dominant essential oil compounds, thymol, and carvacrol. The levels of thymol and carvacrol in the essential oil were not affected by the interaction effects of drought stress, endophytes, and FeNPs. EF and FeNPs (1.5 mg L−1), respectively, caused significant increases of 17.44% and 29.87% compared to the control in the amount of thymol and significant increases of 13.75% and 31.01% in the amount of carvacrol. All FeNPs concentrations decreased the concentrations of ferulic acid, FeNPs (1.5 mg L−1) and PPO; these particles act as abiotic stressors at sub-toxic levels and become phytotoxic at higher concentrations. Conclusions: It seems that combining endophytes with FeNPs showed promise in enhancing drought tolerance in T. vulgaris. These treatments have significantly contributed to the production of enzymatic antioxidants, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, leading to a reduction in the amounts of oxidants. At the same time, they have improved both the quality and quantity of essential oils. This highlights the importance of establishing an effective antioxidant system in response to environmental stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nile Basin, supporting 40% of Africa's population, faces a critical challenge in aligning developmental goals with water security needs. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) illustrates this dilemma: it promises substantial energy benefits for Ethiopia but raises downstream water scarcity concerns, particularly in Egypt. This study examines GERD-related research to understand how academic perspectives may influence regional tensions or foster collaboration. Through systematic analysis of 79 articles published between 2011 and 2023, we utilized quantitative sentiment analysis to explore potential biases linked to researcher nationality, methodology, and co-authorship diversity. Findings reveal a statistically significant nationalistic bias, with Egyptian and Ethiopian researchers showing negative and positive sentiments, respectively, suggesting research can inadvertently shape polarized public and political stances on GERD. Importantly, studies with diverse co-authorship displayed reduced bias, underscoring the value of multi-national collaboration in mitigating partiality. Contrary to expectations, qualitative methods did not necessarily correlate with extreme positions, while quantitative methods appeared vulnerable to unintended bias. These insights highlight the need for critically assessing academic objectivity in transboundary resource issues, advocating for interdisciplinary and collaborative research to build mutual trust, which could potentially inform and improve regional diplomatic efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arab region is located in an arid environment and suffers from water scarcity and poor water quality which are expected to become more severe in coming years due to global warming. In this study, the groundwater quality of 205 wells in Qatar was investigated. The physical parameters of pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, inorganic carbon (IC), and organic carbon (OC) were determined. The study characterized the concentrations of major anions of Cl, F, Br, NO3, PO4, and SO4, and major cations of Ca, K, Mg, and Na. Importantly, metals and metalloids including V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Ba, Pb, and U were determined. The results revealed that the groundwater of all wells is not drinkable due to high salinity (average TDS 4598 mg/L and salinity 0.4%, respectively). Additionally, average concentrations of major anions Cl, SO4, and F were 1472, 1064, and 1.9 mg/L, respectively, and all exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for drinking water. However, NO3 concentration in 11 out of 205 wells was above the WHO guidelines of 50 mg/L due to intensive agriculture and fertilizer applications. Major cations of Ca, K, Mg, and Na were higher than WHO guidelines with average concentrations of 345, 63, 127, and 923 mg/L, respectively. All trace metals were much lower than the WHO guidelines for drinking water; however, the vanadium (V) average concentration in groundwater of all wells was 31 μg/L, which is five times higher than the Dutch guidelines (whereas the WHO has no guidelines for V). The groundwater of Qatar is dominated by Ca and Mg sulfates in Sabkha environments and dominated by NaCl in the coastal zones from evaporate environments consisting of coastal salt flats, salt pans, estuaries, and lagoons supersaturated by salts and the influence of sea water intrusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applications of nanotechnology in the field of water treatment are rapidly expanding and have harvested significant attention from researchers, governments, and industries across the globe. This great interest stems from the numerous benefits, properties, and capabilities that nanotechnology offers in addressing the ever-growing challenges related to water quality, availability, and sustainability. This review paper extensively studies the applications of several nanomaterials including: graphene and its derivative-based adsorbents, CNTs, TiO2 NPs, ZnO NPs, Ag NPs, Fe NPs, and membrane-based nanomaterials in the purification of drinking water. This, it is hoped, will provide the water treatment sector with efficient materials that can be applied successfully in the water purification process to help in addressing the worldwide water scarcity issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we explore the role of nanotechnology in addressing water scarcity through water desalination. The scope of nanotechnology in water treatment is discussed, emphasizing the potential of 2D nanomaterials such as hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), graphene, and quantum dots in revolutionizing desalination technologies. Various water desalination techniques, including membrane distillation (MD), solar-powered multi-stage flash distillation (MSF), and multi-effect distillation (MED), are analyzed in the context of nanomaterial applications. The review highlights the energy-intensive nature of conventional water treatment methods and underscores nanomaterials' potential to enhance efficiency and sustainability in water desalination processes. Challenges facing desalination, such as scalability and environmental impact, are acknowledged, setting the stage for future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing water scarcity jeopardizes crop production for global food security, a problem poised to worsen under climate change–induced drought. Amending soils with locally derived biochar from pyrolyzed agricultural residues may enhance soil moisture retention and resilience, in addition to climate change mitigation. However, prior studies on the hydrologic benefits of biochar focused on optimal moisture, not water‐limited conditions where biochar's large wettable surface area could aid plants and microbes. We hypothesized that biochars differing in feedstocks would positively augment soil moisture and respiration, with overall impacts most beneficial under drier conditions. Using water vapor sorption isotherms, we used film theory to estimate the specific surface area (SSA) of biochars. We then modeled and tested the moisture retention of a coarse‐textured soil amended with biochar. Additionally, a 109‐day lab incubation experiment was also conducted to examine biochar effects on respiration across a moisture range spanning optimal to wilting point. Among seven tested biochars, almond shell biochar significantly increased soil moisture and yield the second highest SSA. Despite drying treatments, the amended soil maintained higher respiration than the control, indicating enhanced biological activity. The results demonstrate biochars counter drying effects in coarse soils through physical and biological mechanisms linked to increased sorptive capacity. Our findings contribute to the development of sustainable water and waste management strategies tailored to the needs of California Central Valley, where the potential for biochar application is substantial. Above all, our research fills a crucial gap by providing context‐specific insights that can inform the effective utilization of locally produced biochars in the face of increasing water scarcity and excess biomass challenges. Core Ideas: Seven biochar derived from local orchard wasted materials were assessed in this study.Almond shell biochar enhanced moisture retention potential of loamy‐sand soil.Biochar amended soil maintained higher respiration despite drying condition.Biochars can counter drying effects in coarse soils through physical and biological mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth and productivity are continually being challenged by a diverse array of abiotic stresses, including: water scarcity, extreme temperatures, heavy metal exposure, and soil salinity. A common theme in these stresses is the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which disrupts cellular redox homeostasis causing oxidative damage. Ascorbic acid (AsA), commonly known as vitamin C, is an essential nutrient for humans, and also plays a crucial role in the plant kingdom. AsA is synthesized by plants through the d-mannose/l-galactose pathway that functions as a powerful antioxidant and protects plant cells from ROS generated during photosynthesis. AsA controls several key physiological processes, including: photosynthesis, respiration, and carbohydrate metabolism, either by acting as a co-factor for metabolic enzymes or by regulating cellular redox-status. AsA's multi-functionality uniquely positions it to integrate and recalibrate redox-responsive transcriptional/metabolic circuits and essential biological processes, in accordance to developmental and environmental cues. In recognition of this, we present a systematic overview of current evidence highlighting AsA as a central metabolite-switch in plants. Further, a comprehensive overview of genetic manipulation of genes involved in AsA metabolism has been provided along with the bottlenecks and future research directions, that could serve as a framework for designing "stress-smart" crops in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Neonatal hypothermia significantly contributes to infant morbidity and mortality in low-resource settings like Malawi. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is essential but faces challenges in providing continuous thermal support. The Dream Warmer is a neonatal warming device that was developed to complement KMC. We studied its implementation outside a research environment. Methods Using an implementation science approach, we conducted a prospective interventional cohort study in two hospitals and four health centres in Malawi. Through audits and surveys, we assessed the effect of the Dream Warmer on neonatal hypothermia as well as healthcare provider (HCP) and parent attitudes regarding thermoregulation and related issues. Results The Dream Warmer raised no safety concerns and effectively treated hypothermia in 90% of uses. It was positively received by HCPs and parents, who reported it had a favourable effect on the care of small and sick newborns. Challenges identified included a scarcity of water and electricity, lack of availability of the device and HCPs forgetting to prepare it in advance of need or to use it when indicated. Feedback for future training was obtained. The Dream Warmer's strong safety and effectiveness performance is consistent with results from strict research studies. Training materials can be adapted to optimize integration into daily practice and provide educational content for parents. Conclusions The Dream Warmer is a safe and effective device to treat neonatal hypothermia, particularly when KMC is insufficient. We gained an understanding of how to optimize implementation through robust HCP and family education to help combat hypothermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is the greatest global health threat of the twenty-first century. Greenhouse gas emissions and the resulting rise in average temperatures are directly linked to heatwaves, droughts, water and food shortages, extreme weather events, rising sea levels and migration movements as well as the loss of biodiversity and the alteration and degradation of ecosystems as we know them. Current estimates suggest that societies need to show much greater efforts to ensure that the global average temperature does not rise by more than 1.5 °C by 2029. Not only climate change but also other man-made factors, such as noise, light, particulate matter and plastics are threatening the health of the planet and therefore inevitably human health as well, both physical and mental health. Poorer planetary health also has an impact on human mental health. This article extends the DGPPN 2023 position paper on climate change and mental health to include the concept of planetary health. In particular, the normative dimension of the Canmore Declaration on Planetary Health, the concept of transdisciplinarity and specific calls for action are presented with their relevance to psychiatry, psychotherapy and mental health and the associations are graphically illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The herbal plants Cynodon dactylon (L.) and Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) medicinal plants are in great demand in Ayurveda to cure many common diseases of human beings and animals. These plants exist throughout the year, tolerates water scarcity in summer season and are self-propagating properties (self-seeding of Ocimum and runner propagation of Cynodon plants). We estimated the qualitative and quantitative phytochemicals present in these plants extracts. These plants extracts contained phytochemicals (alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids and steroids, saponins, phenolic compounds and flavonoids, carbohydrates and protein) in ethanol, chloroform and diethyl ether extracts. Ocimum plant is richest in (12.20 %) alkaloids, whereas it was 4.24 % in Cyanodon plants. Other phytochemicals (steroids, flavonoids, carbohydrates and protein) were present in optimum range in both these plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity has evolved into a pressing global issue, significantly impacting numerous regions worldwide. The use of treated wastewater stands out as a promising solution to this problem. However, the proliferation of various contaminants, primarily Antimicrobial Resistance Genes (ARGs), poses a significant challenge to its safe and sustainable use. In this study, we assessed the composition and abundance of 373 ARGs, corresponding to 31 different classes of antibiotics, in six wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in Agadir city of Morocco. Influent and effluent samples were collected during the months of February and July in 2020, in addition to samples from the Atlantic Ocean. In total, 223 ARGs were uncovered, highlighting in particular resistance to aminoglycoside, macrolide lincosamide, beta-lactamase, chloramphenicol, sulfonamide, tetracycline, and other antibiotics. The mechanisms of action of these ARGs were mainly antibiotic inactivation, antibiotic target alteration, efflux pump and cellular protection. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were detected at high levels their co-occurrence with ARGs highlights their involvement in the acquisition and transmission of ARGs in microbial communities through horizontal gene transfer. While many wastewater treatment methods effectively reduce a large proportion of gene material and pathogens, a substantial fraction of ARGs and other contaminants persist in treated wastewater. This persistence poses potential risks to both human health and the environment, warranting the need of more effective treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Atmospheric water harvesting through reticular materials is an innovation that has the potential to change the world. Here, this study offers a technique for creating a solar-powered hygroscopic polymer material for atmospheric water harvesting with the reticular materials. The results show that the porous hygroscopic polymer materials can achieve high performance with high vapor capture (up to ac. 28.8–49.7 mg/g at 28–38 %RH and 25 ℃), rapid photothermal conversion efficiency (up to 32.2 ℃ within 15 min under 1000 W/m−2 light at 25 ℃), a low desorption temperature (lower than 40 ℃), and an effective water release rate. Besides, the material also has excellent water-retention properties, which can effectively store desorbed liquid water in polymer networks for use by vegetation during water demand periods. The strategy opens new avenues for atmospheric water-harvesting materials, which will hopefully solve the global crisis of freshwater shortages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the escalating issue of water scarcity, the United Nations has allocated Sustainable Development Goal 6 of 'Clean Water and Sanitation' to address the issue by providing clean water and improved sanitation. Solar stills are an attractive solution to water scarcity as they are simple, cost-effective, and convenient for communities with limited resources. However, they have shortcomings, such as limited production and nocturnal ineffectiveness. The present study proposes several alternatives to address these issues using the conceptual design technique. The customer requirements were met using the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method targeted during the design stage. An integrated AHP-TOPSIS was used to evaluate the design of alternatives considering seven criteria. This proposed method includes many factors, including system efficiency, cost, and ease of operation and maintenance. The three alternatives combine solar stills with adsorption desalination units. Two weighting methods were used, consistency-based ranking index for decision making (CRITIC) and Entropy, to evaluate the results' reliability. The findings showed that the most favorable alternative with CRITIC value of 0.975 and entropy of 0.988, combines a pyramid solar still and an evacuated tube solar collector. The purpose of this investigation is to build on the body of knowledge of solar desalination and support decision-makers in the evaluation process of selecting an appropriate solar still system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arid regions in Northwestern China, such as Ganzhou District, are crucial for agriculture but face challenges due to water scarcity. This study employs a coupling coordination model to analyse the environmental impact of agricultural water use in Ganzhou District and dissect the tension between agricultural development and ecological concerns. Despite an overall positive trend, the study reveals relatively poor coordination between water use and environmental protection, along with uneven spatial distribution. Examining the tension between agricultural expansion and its environmental repercussions, this study offers a reference for efforts to promote sustainable practices in agriculture and environmental management in oases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yellow River Basin (YRB) is an important grain and energy production base in China. However, the sustainable development of the YRB is constrained by water scarcity. Identifying the key factors influencing water use changes through the lens of the Water–Energy–Food Nexus (WEF-Nexus) is essential for sustainable resource use in the YRB. This study analyzed the spatial and temporal changes in water use in the energy and food sectors from 2000 to 2020 and identified the key factors influencing water use changes based on the generalized Divisia index method. Then, the water use change induced by the WEF-Nexus was evaluated. The results indicated that (1) the scale of energy production is the key factor leading to increased water use, with a total contribution of 21.345 billion m3 from 2000 to 2020. The intensity of energy water use is the key factor in inhibiting increased water use, reducing regional water use by 18.853 billion m3. (2) In the past 20 years, the changes in water use by energy and food production in the midstream and downstream regions showed nonsignificant downward trends and upward trends in the upstream region. Thus, the stability and sustainability of water use downstream have strengthened, while the water use sustainability upstream and the stability of water use midstream should further increase. This paper will support sustainable water use in the YRB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption of the water footprint concept and its application in assessing water stress can provide valuable insights into the sustainable use of water resources in agricultural production. The objective of the present study is to calculate the agricultural water stress index (AWSI) using the water footprint framework and water scarcity indices, namely blue water scarcity (BWS), water stress index (WSI), water self-sufficiency (WSS), water dependency (WD), and water poverty (WP) indices in Iran's agricultural sector during the period of 2008–2019. Subsequently, the spatiotemporal patterns of water scarcity indices were examined at both the provincial and national levels. The findings reveal that the agricultural water footprint (AWF) amounted to approximately 195.6 Gm3, with AWFblue, AWFgreen, and AWFgray accounting for 85.2%, 6.9%, and 7.9%, respectively. The average national AWSI was estimated to be 0.94, indicating a state of extreme stress, and exhibiting an upward trend from 2012 to 2019. The southern and central regions, notably Yazd, Kerman, Tehran, and Hormozgan, have experienced severe and extreme water stress (AWSI > 1.38). Conversely, the humid and Mediterranean regions in the north, northwest, and west of Iran experience varying degrees of low to moderate water scarcity. Nevertheless, the western region (West Azerbaijan) and the northwest region (Zanjan and Hamedan) have transitioned from a state of moderate stress to a high-stress category (AWSI > 0.6). Based on the results, regions where BWS < AWSI < WSI exhibit lower levels of WP and WSS, but higher levels of WD. Conversely, in regions where AWSI > BWS > WSI, the significant diversity of agricultural products has contributed to an increase in WP and WSS, along with a decrease in WD. The AWSI, based on the water footprint concept, proves to be more suitable for reflecting regional water scarcity compared to existing water stress indices, particularly in arid and semi-arid agricultural production regions, due to the demonstrated environmental impacts of sustainable agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity is becoming a crisis and a significant threat to economic and agricultural development. In order to achieve long-term sustainability, it is suggested that local government should concentrate on evaluating the water resources' value with a combination of ecological, financial, and societal aspects. Hence, this paper's purpose is to devise an all-encompassing approach for evaluating the value of water resources, thereby providing a robust framework for their assessment. Firstly, a water quality, water quantity, and socioeconomic evaluation indicator system are established for Mashhad plain from 2016 to 2018. Subsequently, a fuzzy index was developed to measure the interrelationships and connections among natural, economic, and social systems, thereby enabling the determination of the value associated with water resources. This study's innovation is that each factor influencing this value was appraised utilizing the fuzzy approach. The water quality index shows poor to very poor fuzzy quality of water in all three years. Also, the water quantity index results show that variable's critical range. Also, based on the fuzzy water quantity index, the water quantity of Mashhad plain is in the critical range. The socioeconomic status assessment model results also showed that the Mashhad plain area has a good to moderate socioeconomic status. The statistics revealed that the valuation of water resources in the Mashhad plain exhibited values of 0.391, 0.399, and 0.416 during the years 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.), a vital C4 Panicoid millet crop, predominantly thrives in rainfed regions subject to various abiotic stresses, notably drought and cold stress, limiting its growth potential and yield. As climate change exacerbates water scarcity, understanding methods to mitigate drought's adverse effects becomes crucial. However, particular bacteria flourishing in the rhizosphere, demonstrating resilience to drought and skilled at nurturing plant health, are recognized for their ability to enhance growth under various abiotic stresses. The current study demonstrated the varying effects of Pseudomonas putida MTCC5279 (RA) on mitigating drought stress under low-temperature field conditions for the pearl millet genotypes PRLT2/89–33 (drought-tolerant) and H77/833–2 (drought-resistant). Plants of both genotypes are grown till panicle emergence and subjected to drought stress at the start of January where temperature also drops in field conditions. The compound effect of drought with low temperature severely affects the inflorescence of both the genotypes but RA-inoculated PRLT2/89–33 plants have better performance than their respective control and drought plants as well compared to H77/833–2 genotypes. Abiotic stresses markedly influenced growth metrics, osmolyte buildup, MDA levels, and the capability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), all of which saw positive modulation following the application of RA in PRLT2/89–33. To our knowledge, this study represents the first comprehensive examination of P. putida-mediated plant growth enhancement in pearl millet under the combined effects of abiotic stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple (Malus domestica) is an important economic fruit crop of the temperate regions of world. Apple productivity is known to be affected by several biotic and abiotic stresses. Among these, water scarcity and soil salinity significantly impact the physiological and metabolic processes of apple, leading to economic losses. Apple plants employ intricate physiological responses to combat drought and salt stress which are orchestrated by diverse endogenous molecular regulatory mechanisms. Modern '-omics' analyses have unraveled the roles of various transcription factors in restoring cellular homeostasis and alleviating the adverse effects of drought and salinity stress on apple plants. Important functions of various miRNAs have recently been studied in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression under both stresses. Several protein-mediated regulatory networks underlying drought and salt stress adaptation responses in apple have lately been deciphered. All these regulons ultimately induce the biosynthesis and accumulation of protective compounds for mitigating the negative effects of drought and salinity stress on apple growth. This review coherently highlights a bunch of candidate genes involved in regulating drought and salinity stress in apple and is an exemplification of our present understanding of how apple plants respond to these stresses. The functions of these genes can further be carefully exploited for developing apple varieties with anticipated levels of drought and salt stress tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities suffering water scarcity are projected to increase in the following decades. However, the application of standardized indicator frameworks for assessing urban water resource management problems is on an early stage. India is expected to have the highest urban population facing water scarcity in the world by 2050. In this study, the authors assess how the Drivers-Pressures-States-Impacts-Responses framework, a causal framework adopted by the European Environment Agency, can contribute to evaluate water management challenges in cities and apply it to Chennai, India´s fourth-largest urban agglomeration. The framework proved to be a helpful tool for the evaluation of water management challenges in cities by disentangling relationships between environmental indicators and structuring dispersed data that allows a better understanding for policymakers. The main drivers identified in Chennai were population growth and economic development which generated impacts such as loss of aquatic ecosystems, low water table, low water quality, and reduction of biodiversity and human health. As a response, better urban planning, projects for new water infrastructure, and water bodies restoration have been implemented. Nevertheless, Chennai keeps facing difficulties to achieve proper water management. The severe hit of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Indian economy and its future management will be key for achievements related to water management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solving global water shortages has become an urgent challenge, hindering sustainable development. Therefore, comparing different solar still designs from application and economic perspectives is necessary. Solar distillation is considered a major innovation in the alternative energy sector for purifying brackish or brine water into clean water. Despite the extensive literature on improved solar stills, determining the most efficient designs for residential and industrial applications remains difficult. This review compares the productivity of spherical, hemispherical, and tubular solar still designs. The aim is to study the factors that influence the efficiency of each type and to analyze recent research and results obtained under different conditions. The results show that innovations in solar distillation design can take many forms to improve efficiency and productivity. For example, adding parabolic mirrors can increase productivity in spherical, hemispherical, and tubular stills by 35 to 70%. Likewise, innovative designs such as rotating spheres and changing bowl shapes significantly increased the productivity of spherical and hemispherical stills. Likewise, retrofitting a still with vacuum generation technology can significantly increase yields by 50 to 70%. In addition, using nanomaterials, especially nanophase change materials (NPCM), has increased the efficiency of the spherical and tubular stills by 116.5%, producing 7.62 kg/m2 per day. Therefore, the NPCM-equipped model was still the most efficient option among the three designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron and Manganese pollution were widespread in the water of northern Chinese mines, exacerbating regional water scarcity and potential ecological issues. This study aimed to remove dissolved iron and manganese from acid mine water using serpentine-loaded manganese oxide (Serp-MO) prepared by a simple coprecipitation-loaded metal method. Serp-MO was microscopically characterized, and the adsorption performance and adsorption mechanism of the Serp-MO composite adsorbent for Fe2+ and Mn2+ were analyzed. After loading, the specific surface area and pore volume of the particles significantly increased, and the surface pore structure improved, which was conducive to the simultaneous adsorption and removal of iron and manganese. The optimal reaction conditions for Serp-MO treatment of composite water samples with Fe2+ and Mn2+ mass concentrations of 20 mg/L and 5 mg/L respectively, were as follows: dosage of Serp-MO 550 mg/L, temperature 35 ℃, oscillation rate 180 r/min, and reaction time 140 min. Under these conditions, the removal rates of Fe2+ and Mn2+ were 99.8% and 99.6%, respectively. The presence of coexistence cations Zn2+ and Cu2+ can inhibit the removal of Fe2+ and Mn2+ by Serp-MO, while SO42- can promote the removal. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isothermal adsorption model well described the adsorption process of Fe2+ and Mn2+ by the Serp-MO. The maximum adsorption capacities of Serp-MO for Fe2+ and Mn2+ were 14.31 mg/g and 24.04 mg/g, representing improvements of 470.12% and 626.28%, respectively, compared to Serp-MO. The adsorption thermodynamics showed that ΔG was <0 and ΔH and ΔS were greater than 0 at all test temperatures, which was an entropy-increasing reaction, and that increasing the temperature was favorable for the removal of Fe2+ and Mn2+. Based on the analysis of adsorption products, Serp-MO primarily facilitates the precipitation of iron in water, while the removal of manganese was mainly by adsorption. A regeneration study over five cycles indicated that Serp-MO possessed promising reusability potential. Furthermore, the safety leaching test indicated that the material caused minimal secondary pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study highlights the critical need for effective point-of-use wastewater treatment in India, focusing on grey water generated from household activities, particularly laundry. Grey water, constituting approximately 69% of residential water consumption, ranges from 15 L per person per day to several hundred litres. Laundry wastewater, comprising 25% to 45% of total grey water due to frequent washing machine use, represents a significant portion whose efficient treatment and reuse can greatly alleviate water scarcity. Innovative treatment methods such as electro-peroxidation and membrane separation have shown promise in contaminant removal from laundry wastewater. Despite these advancements, there remains a significant demand for point-of-use grey water treatment technologies that offer high treatment efficacy, minimal secondary pollutant generation, and cost-effectiveness. Implementing such technologies emphasis on developing and implementing point-of-use grey water treatment technologies to address water scarcity and sustainability issues in residential settings. This review evaluates the effectiveness of various treatment methods for laundry wastewater, including membrane separation, electrocoagulation, biological treatment, and integrated systems, aiming to optimize the overall treatment process. It particularly emphasizes the potential of point-of-use treatment systems for decentralized water management, highlighting their advantages in managing laundry wastewater more efficiently and sustainably at the source. The study underscores the necessity for cost-effective and efficient solutions to treat and reuse laundry wastewater at the household level, thereby promoting water conservation and reducing environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the global issue of water scarcity exacerbated by climate change, this study investigates the physicochemical properties of water resources within the Algerian hydrographic basin. Despite efforts to develop groundwater sources for drinking water, contamination risks from nearby agricultural and industrial activities remain significant. To address this, the study focuses on characterizing these water sources, particularly noting elevated levels of nitrates and manganese ions beyond acceptable limits. Despite the negative correlation between manganese and nitrate ions, we have modeled complexes containing both and compared them with others to assess their chemical and biological activities. This integrated approach allows us to understand complex ion interactions and propose innovative solutions for managing water resources more effectively. Through our work, we aim to contribute to the development of sustainable water management strategies, bridging the gap between theoretical modeling based on Density Functional Theory and practical applications. By combining empirical data with theoretical insights, we aspire to offer comprehensive solutions for mitigating water contamination and ensuring access to clean drinking water for communities in the Algerian hydrographic basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the increasing water scarcity and the need for sustainable waste management, the use of landfill leachate for irrigation has emerged as both a solution and a concern, posing potential risks to soil health and plant vitality. This study examined the multifaceted impacts of leachate irrigation on the soil characteristics, plant growth, and enzymatic activities of Medicago sativa (M. sativa). By exposing alfalfa to different concentrations of leachate, we assessed the influence on heavy metal accumulation, physiological parameters, and enzyme functions. The physicochemical profile of the leachate indicated that the pH was within acceptable limits, but the chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), and concentrations of lead (Pb) and aluminum (Al) exceeded regulatory standards. Morphological parameters exhibited dual effects: stimulation at lower leachate doses and inhibition at higher leachate doses. Our findings show that soil acts as a buffer, reducing heavy metal uptake by plants. Enzymatic activities, including catalase, peroxidase, and succinate dehydrogenase, fluctuated significantly at higher leachate concentrations, indicating stress responses. This research underscores the interplay between leachate irrigation, plant physiology, and soil health, emphasizing sustainable management to optimize plant growth and minimize environmental impacts. It also stresses refining leachate application protocols to preserve soil and ecosystem health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As water scarcity is worsened by drought and climate change, there is more interest in efficient management of urban irrigation, requiring understanding of the drivers of evapotranspiration (ET) and the role of irrigation inputs. We developed and validated a method to accurately measure ET of turfgrass lawns in contrasting climates using portable static chambers. We made in situ measurements of ET and irrigation inputs in lawns across three metropolitan areas in the United States with varying climatic conditions, water availability, and water conservation policies: Salt Lake Valley, Utah; San Fernando Valley, California; and Tallahassee, Florida. In full sun, mean daily ET estimates (ETsun) were 0.7 ± 0.4 mm day−1 in Tallahassee, 1.6 ± 0.8 mm day−1 in Los Angeles, and 3.3 ± 1.1 mm day−1 in Salt Lake Valley. In the shade, daily ET estimates (ETshade) were two to three times lower. In all three regions, ET was primarily driven by solar radiation (I0) and atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (D). Across the cities, irrigation rates were a key driver of ET, along with I0 and D. Daily irrigation ranged from 0 mm day−1 in Tallahassee (most were unirrigated) to 1.9 ± 1.2 mm day−1 in Los Angeles and 5.1 ± 2.9 mm day−1 in Salt Lake Valley. ET increased linearly with irrigation up to ~3 mm day−1, after which ET remained relatively constant despite irrigation increases. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for nonlinear responses and shading effects on ET in developing accurate irrigation recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Aral Sea crisis is one of the greatest ecological and socio-economic disasters of the 20th century. The main cause was the large-scale diversion of water for cotton cultivation. This article examines the crisis with a human geography perspective and emphasises the need for a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. It highlights the importance of sustainable water management, regional cooperation and active community participation. The study also discusses the role of integrated water and energy management supported by strong policies to prevent future water scarcity and address climate change. Finally, this article emphasises the significance of empowering local communities through traditional ecological knowledge and education to promote resilience and sustainable development. The conclusions focus on solutions to resolve the Aral Sea crisis that would ultimately improve the well-being of people in the region and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar desalination is a promising solution for alleviating water scarcity due to its low‐cost, environmentally friendly, and off‐grid capabilities. However, simultaneous salt rejection and heat localization remain challenging, as the rapid salt convection often results in considerable heat loss. Herein, this challenge is overcome via a facile design: i) isolating high‐temperature and high‐salt zones by rationally designing morning glory‐shaped wick structures and ii) bridging high‐salt zones and bulk water with low‐tortuosity macrochannels across low‐temperature surfaces. The salinity gradient in the macrochannels passively triggers convective flow, facilitating the rapid transfer of salt ions from the high‐salt zone to the bulk water. Meanwhile, the macrochannels are spatially isolated from the high‐temperature zone, preventing heat loss during salt convection and thereby achieving a high evaporation rate (≈3 kg m−2 h−1) and superior salt rejection even in highly concentrated real seawater. This work provides new insights into salt rejection strategies and advances practical applications for sustainable seawater desalination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydric stress is a leading cause of atypical aging (ATA) in wine, characterized by unpleasant olfactory notes. The main sensorial and chemical marker of ATA is 2‐aminoacetophenone (AAP). Early detection of ATA before the second fermentation in sparkling wines (SWs) is crucial for producing high‐quality products. Climate change‐induced droughts significantly impact agriculture, including grape farming, particularly in vineyards with shallow soils and reduced available water capacity (AWC). This study examined the relationship between AWC and ATA in base wines (BWs) intended for SW production. Ten vineyards were classified into three AWC categories (low, medium, and high). Hydric stress levels were monitored over two growing seasons to explore their effects on vegeto‐productive behavior and AAP development. During the first vintage, drought conditions led to potentially ATA‐tainted BWs across all AWC classes. The impact varied with AWC, with low‐AWC vineyards experiencing higher stress and producing BWs with elevated AAP levels and vegeto‐productive imbalance. In contrast, the following season had unusual rainfall, resulting in some potentially ATA‐affected BWs, but no significant differences in AAP content or vegeto‐productive balance among the AWC classes were observed. In conclusion, grapevines on low‐AWC soils are at a higher risk of producing faulty BWs, particularly in dry vintages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants exposed to drought not only have to cope with a shortage of water, but also with a simultaneous decrease in nutrient availability. In this greenhouse experiment, the responses of antioxidants and key metabolites to 2 or 4 days of water limitation immediately prior to harvest were compared to the effect of nutrient limitation with continued water supply in lettuce leaves. Water limitation led to a faster increase in stress intensity than nutrient limitation. While moderate drought stress led to a slight increase in the antioxidant compounds studied, there was a concomitant sharp decrease in starch content. Under nutrient limitation, an increase in the content of ascorbic acid, the proportion of reduced ascorbic acid and the content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, soluble sugars and starch was observed in the mild phase of stress. These results suggest that reducing nutrient availability shortly before harvest could be a suitable means of improving the nutritional value of crops through cultivation practices as opposed to breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracting water from air offers a promising route to address the global challenge of water scarcity. However, bionic engineering surfaces for water harvesting often struggle with efficiently coordinating droplet nucleation and desorption. The recently emerging triboelectric effect at the liquid–solid interface offers a novel approach for developing bionic fog harvesting surfaces. In this study, inspired by Namib Desert beetles and lotus leaves, a biomimetic superhydrophobic surface with nanoscale hydrophilic domains is prepared via interfacial self‐assembly, exhibiting heterogeneous wettability for effective water harvesting. The essence of interfacial self‐assembly lies in the synergy of non‐covalent interaction forces, driving the self‐assembly of nanoparticles into surface micro‐nano hierarchical structures, thereby regulating wettability and increasing potential nucleation sites. Additionally, the triboelectric effect can directly utilize the triboelectric charges to facilitate droplet migration. The triboelectric effect can be generated by flexible mechanical input induced by walking, which enhances interfacial mass transfer, thereby rapidly improving droplet removal and achieving a 39.02% increase in water harvesting efficiency. This study has opened up a new breakthrough for the design of portable and efficient water harvesting systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In the North China Plain (NCP), the assessment of water surplus or deficit (WSD), which is calculated as precipitation minus reference evapotranspiration (ET0), holds significant implications for water resource management and agricultural irrigation decision‐making, given the region's long‐standing severe shortage of water resources. However, the magnitude, trend and climatic drivers of WSD remain poorly understood in the NCP. This study analysed the spatial and temporal characteristics of WSD, and quantified the contribution of climatic factors to WSD based on the sensitivity and contribution rate analysis methods with climatic data from 75 meteorological stations. The result showed that: (1) Annual WSD decreased mainly in northeastern NCP and increased significantly in southern NCP during 1961–2022. Annual WSD increased slightly from 1961 to 2022 at a rate of 1.63 mm a−2 mainly due to the more significant decrease (−1.88 mm a−2) in ET0 compared to precipitation (−0.25 mm a−2). (2) In terms of the sensitivity of WSD to climatic factors, relative humidity had the highest sensitivity, followed by net radiation, wind speed, precipitation and average air temperature. (3) Significant declines of wind speed were the most dominant factor affecting WSD variation in most part of NCP during most of a year, and net radiation of four stations in the western high‐elevation regions played the most important role. This study enhances comprehension of the impact of climate change on WSD in the NCP and provides a reference for improving management of agricultural water resources under NCP's evolving climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contemporary global crises concerning clean energy, carbon emission, and water shortage necessitate the creation of innovative materials that can tackle these pressing issues. Addressing these urgent concerns requires a deeper understanding of advanced materials and their versatile chemistry. Despite this, the advancement of material platforms to address these challenges remains formidable. In this respect, reticular chemistry offers an approach to systematically assemble molecular building blocks into crystalline frameworks, enabling precise control over their chemical composition, structure, porosity, and functionality, ultimately leading to the desired properties. Herein, the usage of metal‐organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks are examined in terms of gaseous fuel storage, carbon capture, and water harvesting, highlighting their potential for addressing critical global challenges. Representative examples are evaluated through the lens of reticular chemistry, with an emphasis on exploring the relationship between their structures and properties. Finally, an extensive overview of the rapidly expanding field is provided, along with a summary and forecast of the current challenges and prospective research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioinspired superwetting oil–water separation strategies have received significant attention for their potential in addressing global water scarcity and aquatic pollution challenges. Over the past two decades, the field has rapidly developed, reaching a pivotal phase of innovation in the oil–water separation process. However, many groundbreaking studies have not received extensive scientific recognition. In this review, we systematically examine the application of bioinspired superwetting materials for complex multiscale oil–water separation. We discuss the development of 2D membrane filtration and 3D sponge adsorption materials in confined spaces, summarizing the core separation mechanisms, key research findings, and the evolutionary logic of these materials. Additionally, we highlight emerging open-space separation strategies, emphasizing several novel dynamic separation devices of significant importance. We evaluate and compare the design concepts, separation principles, materials used, comprehensive performance, and existing challenges of these diverse strategies. Finally, we summarize these advantages, critical bottlenecks, and prospects of this field and propose potential solutions for real oil–water separation processes from a general perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity is a critical issue affecting numerous regions, including Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The city's growing population and rising water consumption place significant pressure on its existing water infrastructure. This study evaluates the impact of water loss due to leakages in the distribution system on the demand–supply gap in Addis Ababa, utilizing the WB EasyCalc software for analysis. Data analysis from 2023 indicate that monthly water loss contributes to an additional unmet demand of 5 million cubic meters (MCM), emphasizing the urgent need for effective water loss reduction strategies to enhance supply reliability. Currently, the city achieves only 42% water supply coverage, with an average loss of 300 L per connection per day and approximately 25,000 L lost per kilometer of pipeline daily. Furthermore, non-revenue water (NRW) accounts for 41.8% of total production, with real losses constituting 64%. The Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI) score of 27 underscores the critical need for targeted leakage management interventions. The significance of this research lies in its quantification of water loss and its direct correlation with unmet demand in Addis Ababa. The findings provide essential insights for policymakers and stakeholders, highlighting the necessity for improved infrastructure management and strategic interventions to bolster water supply reliability. Implementing effective leakage reduction measures could substantially mitigate water scarcity challenges, thereby supporting sustainable urban development and enhancing public health outcomes in a city where access to clean water is vital for economic and social stability. Article Highlights: Addis Ababa's water system suffers from a 41.8% water loss, significantly impacting supply reliability. Physical infrastructure issues like leaks and bursts contribute to 26.3% of the total water losses. Reducing water loss could close the demand–supply gap, ensuring a more sustainable and efficient water supply system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: With increasing drought stress due to climate change and water scarcity, the agricultural sector has sought innovative strategies to mitigate the detrimental effects on crop productivity. One approach that has received significant attention is the use of fertilizers and biostimulants as potential means of alleviating drought stress. Methods: In this study, five different irrigation levels including 100% (control), 80% (slight stress), 60% (mild stress), 40% (moderate stress), and 20% (severe stress) of field capacity (FC) and seaweed extract (SWE) at three concentrations (0, 5, and 10 g/L) were applied to the pots containing one-year-old licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) plants in a factorial completely randomized design experiment with three replications for eight weeks. Results and discussion: The glycyrrhizic acid content increased with water stress intensity without the application of SWE until severe (20% FC) water stress treatment. The application of 10 g/L SWE under 100% FC led to a significant increase in the glycyrrhizic acid value (32.5±0.889 mg/g DW) compared with non-SWE application (30.0±1.040 mg/g DW). The maximum glabridin content (0.270±0.010 mg/g DW) was obtained under irrigation of 20% field capacity with 10 g/L SWE application. In addition, the activity of the all studied enzymes such as APX (ascorbate peroxidase), CAT (catalase), POD (peroxidase), and SOD (superoxide dismutase) were boosted by increasing the water stress levels. The use of SWE further enhanced the increase of some of these metabolites and enzymes, which, in turn, helped the plant to tolerate stress conditions through the scavenging of more ROS (Reactive oxygen species), wherein for this purpose, the SWE 10 g/L was more effective than other concentration. The plants efficiently eliminated ROS driven from drought stress by both non-enzymatic and enzymatic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroecology, as a holistic approach to sustainable food systems, is gaining momentum globally as a key approach to addressing current challenges in agricultural and food production. In sub-Saharan Africa, despite numerous efforts to address declining soil productivity, water scarcity, and increasing pest pressure through agroecological soil, water, and integrated pest management (IPM) practices, the adoption of such practices remains low. As part of the CGIAR Agroecology Initiative, we conducted a collaborative rapid innovation assessment of existing soil, water, and pest management practices in two Agroecological Living Landscapes (ALLs) in Makueni and Kiambu counties, Kenya. The assessment also included an evaluation of the performance of these practices and identified farmer preferences. Using a multi-stage approach, we applied stratified random sampling to identify 80 farmers for farm assessments and in-depth interviews. A total of 31 practices were identified, of which 26 were further evaluated. The evaluation revealed a heterogeneous set of socio-economic and biophysical contextual factors influencing practice performance. Respondents identified 19 strengths, and 13 challenges associated with the practices, highlighting opportunities for innovation to improve or adapt performance. Farmers also expressed preferences for future adoption of 31 practices, 77% of which were listed in one of the three focus areas, namely soil management, water management, or IPM. The other 33% were associated with multiple functions and were listed under two or three of the focus areas. The results of the collaborative assessment informed a broader co-design cycle that included participatory prioritization and selection of innovative practices, experimental design, and monitoring protocols. This collaborative and systematic approach was taken because innovative practices often fail to be adopted due to a lack of co-design and inclusion of local perspectives in innovation design, and a disconnect between science and practice. Our study highlights the importance of integrating stakeholder input and transdisciplinary technical expertise in the co-design and implementation of agroecological innovations. It also emphasizes the importance of using a structured methodology to understand farmers' options, context, and preferences while co-designing locally relevant agroecological practices, which promotes holistic and inclusive adoption, successful implementation and long-term sustainability of agroecological practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Moral Intelligence (MI) as a concept has gained importance Increasing water scarcity as a result of climate change and its coincidence with population growth, economic development, and the resulting rising demand has become an important challenge in most parts of the world. In numerous nations, such as Iran, frequent occurrences of droughts, combined with the extensive utilization of surface and groundwater resources, have resulted in numerous environmental detriments, including a decrease in groundwater levels, land subsidence, deterioration of water quality, and, more recently, the emergence of dust storms due to soil erosion and desertification. In this situation, stakeholders can play an efficient role in water management and the alleviation of water scarcity and its negative environmental externalities in the context of good water governance. Method: This investigation endeavored to examine the functions and importance of individuals or groups with a vested interest in groundwater resources within the Hamedan-Bahar Plain. Additionally, it aimed to evaluate their influence and motivations through the utilization of the power-interest matrix (PIM) and important-performance matrix techniques. A total of 86 people were identified who could and were allowed to be interviewed through the snowball method. Then a 10-point scale questionnaire was used to rate the questions. To examine the power and interest of the stakeholders, the IPM test was carried out using the smart pls.3 software, and the results were classified based on the average values and the overall impact. The results reveal that 20 institutions and agencies have an effective role in the governance of groundwater resources in the Hamedan- Bahar plain. Furthermore, the analysis of the PIM revealed that the most powerful organizations that play the most important role in the management of the groundwater resources of the studied area are the regional water organization, the representatives of the parliament, and the governor, respectively. Results and discussion: Based on the research findings, the governance "power" index of organizations and institutions with power (39.77%) and total impact (0.516) is higher and more effective than the value of benefits with power (36.13%) and total impact (0.48). Accordingly, paying attention to the role and influence of the power of stakeholders will be an important and effective point in the plans and strategies for groundwater resources in the Hamadan-Bahar plain. In the end, strategies are suggested to each stakeholder for better implementation of the programs and strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With climate change, population growth and the resulting escalating water shortage, humanity is increasingly turning to non-renewable and even fossil groundwater resources, which poses a major challenge to sustainable water management. In this study, 2D basin-scale numerical simulations were carried out on the COMSOL Multiphysics® finite element numerical platform to identify non-renewable water resources in the Central Pannonian Basin (Central Europe, Hungary) based on the lack of hydraulic connection to recharge areas. The concept and boundary conditions (fixed water table configuration at the top, pressure-elevation profiles on the lateral sides, and constant pressure on the bottom) were derived from a previous basin-scale hydraulic data evaluation study, while the hydrostratigraphic subdivision was based on seismic and well log interpretations. As a result, topography-driven groundwater flow systems fed by meteoric water infiltration were separated from a transition zone, which contains non-renewable groundwater resources and covers 85% area of the simulated 110 km long and roughly 1600 m deep cross-section what was previously thought to be fully renewable. Such complex flow pattern and re-interpretation of the renewable and non-renewable groundwater resources can be expected in any terrestrial sedimentary basin with over-pressured flow domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity is exacerbated by rising water use and climate change, yet state-of-the-art Earth system models typically do not represent human water demand. Here we present an enhancement to the Community Earth System Model (CESM) and its land (CLM5) and river (MOSART) components by introducing sectoral water abstractions. The new module enables a better understanding of water demand and supply dynamics across various sectors, including domestic, livestock, thermoelectric, manufacturing, mining, and irrigation. The module conserves water by integrating abstractions from the land component with river component flows and dynamically calculates daily water scarcity based on local demand and supply. Through land-only simulations spanning 1971–2010, we verify our model against known water scarcity hotspots, historical global water withdrawal trends, and regional variations in water use. Our findings show that non-irrigative sectoral consumption has an insignificant effect on regional climate, while emphasizing the importance of including all sectors for water scarcity assessment capabilities. Despite its advancements, the model's limitations, such as its exclusive focus on river water abstractions, highlight areas for potential future refinement. This research paves the way for a more holistic representation of human–water interactions in ESMs, aiming to inform sustainable water management decisions in an evolving global landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water desalination technology has emerged as a critical area of research, particularly with the advent of more cost-effective alternatives to conventional methods, such as reverse osmosis and thermal evaporation. Given the vital importance of water for life and the scarcity of potable water for agriculture and livestock—especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—the capacitive deionization (CDI) method for removing salt from water has been highlighted as the most economical choice compared to other techniques. CDI applies a voltage difference across two porous electrodes to extract salt ions from saline water. This study will investigate water desalination using CDI, utilizing a compact DC power source under 5 volts and a standard current of 2 amperes. We will convert waste materials like sunflower seeds, peanut shells, and rice husks into activated carbon through carbonization and chemical activation to improve its pore structure. Critical parameters for desalination, including voltage, flow rate, and total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration, have been established. The initial TDS levels are set at 2000, 1500, 1000, and 500 ppm, with flow rates of 38.2, 16.8, and 9.5 mL/min across the different voltage settings of 2.5, 2, and 1.5 volts, applicable to both direct and inverse desalination methods. The efficiency at TDS concentrations of 2000, 1500, and 1000 ppm remains between 18% and 20% for up to 8 min. Our results indicate that the desalination process operates effectively at a TDS level of 750 ppm, achieving a maximum efficiency of 45% at a flow rate of 9.5 mL/min. At voltages of 2.5 V, 2 V, and 1.5 V, efficiencies at 3 min are attained with a constant flow rate of 9.5 mL/min and a TDS of 500 ppm, with the maximum desalination efficiency reaching 56%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater purification from wasted water and seawater is crucial in addressing the global problem of water scarcity. Porous fiber felt with a micro/nanostructure emerges as an efficient approach for water purification; however, its production usually relies on chemical postprocessing to create micro/nano structures on the fiber surface, which might pollute the environment. This study proposed an ecofriendly method to produce micro/nanostructured copper fiber felt without chemical treatment. First, a new transverse-feeding vibration cutting is proposed to fabricate micro/nanostructured fibers with controllable structure characteristics. Through the sintering of the structured fibers without postprocessing, the fiber felt can be produced in an ecofriendly way and exhibit special wettability and excellent photothermal properties. Felt-based freshwater purification, including oil–water separation and solar-driven seawater desalination, can be realized effectively. Results show an oil–water separation efficiency of > 90% and a high evaporation rate of water of > 1.08 kg m−2 h−1 at 73 mW cm−2 are achieved, demonstrating the application prospect of the produced fiber felt. Highlights: A transverse-feeding vibration cutting process is proposed to fabricate micro/nanostructured copper fibers. Micro/nanostructured based felts can achieve special wettability and corresponding wettability transition. Micro/nanostructured fibers can enhance the felts' photothermal conversion ability and reduce heat transfer loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial water provisioning is a common practice in southern African nature reserves, where different game species exhibit preferences for specific waterhole types. The movement patterns and behaviour of elephants and rhinos are closely linked to water availability, with these mega-herbivores noticeably influencing the environment and other species they interact with at waterholes. Since there is limited research on this topic, understanding preferences for different types of artificial waterholes is crucial, particularly during periods of water scarcity. This knowledge enables reserve managers to effectively manage the numbers and types of waterholes. In this study, we investigate artificial waterhole selection and preferences by elephants and rhinos in the Olifants West Nature Reserve, South Africa. The study area featured various waterhole types, including earth dams, concrete pans, reservoirs, and troughs. By employing camera traps, we analysed visitation frequency, timing of visits, and factors influencing visit frequency. Our findings revealed distinct preferences for specific waterhole types among different social groupings of the study species. Breeding herds of elephants predominantly utilized reservoirs and occasionally visited troughs, while bachelor herds favoured earth dams. Black rhinos showed a preference for earth dams, whereas white rhinos selected troughs and earth dams, with bachelor groups favouring troughs and female rhinos favouring earth dams. The outcomes of this study have significant implications for the development of comprehensive conservation plans in areas where these species reside, and for potential release sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Day-by-day increasing irrigation water scarcity requires the application of water-saving irrigation techniques to sustain agriculture production. A two-year field investigation was conducted during 2018 to 2020 to determine the effects of various mulches and irrigation volumes on the growth, leaf chemicals and soil properties of one-year-old sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis) cv. Mosambi. The study included three irrigation schedules, viz.100% ETc (I1), 80% ETc (I2), and 60% ETc (I3), and five different mulches were used, viz. without mulch, white polythene, coriander straw, dry grass and black polythene mulches, replicated thrice. Results demonstrated that drip irrigation with 100% ETc and mulching with black polythene mulch significantly increase the plant growth attributes like height of the plant (28.64%) (30.31%), rootstock girth (36.61%) (37.90%), plant canopy spread (E-W and N-S) (EW- 63.82%, NS- 63.87%) (EW- 67.56%, NS- 67.90%) and leaf area (2.4%) (2.34%). Furthermore, plant leaf chlorophyll content (2.41 mg g-1) (2.41 mg g-1) and leaf mineral content such as N (2.39%) (2.40%), P (0.16%) (0.165%), K (1.57%) (1.59%), Ca (47.34 g kg-1) (47.80 g kg-1), Mg (4.54 g kg-1) (4.57 g kg-1), Fe (120.51 g kg-1) (123.15 g kg-1) and Zn (39.00 g kg-1) (37.84 g kg-1) were noted to be significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher in plants that received 100% (were ETc (I1) and mulching with black polythene mulch (M1) treatment. Taken together, the results suggested that treatments I1 and M1 have the potential to maximize plant growth, leaf chemicals and soil nutrients of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) cv. Mosambi plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of late sowing, water restrictions, and interannual weather variations on wheat grain yield and quality through field trials in Spain over two growing seasons. Delayed sowing and water scarcity significantly reduced yields, with grain quality mainly affected under rainfed conditions. Early-maturing varieties performed better in these conditions, benefiting from lower temperatures and extended grain-filling periods, leading to higher solar radiation interception, potentially increased photosynthetic activity, and improved yields. These varieties also saved water through reduced total cumulative evapotranspiration from sowing to maturity (ETo TOT), which was advantageous in water-limited environments. In contrast, late-maturing varieties were exposed to higher maximum temperatures during grain filling and experienced greater ETo TOT, leading to lower yields, reduced hectoliter weight, and a lower P/L ratio (tenacity/extensibility). This study highlighted the importance of optimizing temperature exposure and evapotranspiration for improved grain yield and quality, especially under climate change conditions with higher temperatures and water shortages. Notably, it established, for the first time, the importance of phenology on wheat quality of different varieties, suggesting that targeted selection for specific phenology could mitigate the negative impacts of heat stress not only on grain yield but also on grain quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peanuts grown in saline alkali soil are also subjected to drought stress caused by water scarcity. Therefore, we used HY25 (peanut variety) as an experimental material to investigate the effects of drought on the height of peanut main stems, length of the first lateral branch, leaf area per plant, SPAD value, net photosynthetic rate, and accumulation and distribution of photosynthetic products in saline alkali soil. The results showed that the combined stress of short-term drought and salt significantly reduced the main stem height, first lateral branch length, single plant leaf area, SPAD value, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (Ci), and dry matter accumulation of peanuts, including a decrease in single plant pod yield, 100-pod weight, 100-kernel weight, and peanut yield. And the impact of drought stress on peanut yield varies at different growth stages. For example, under drought stress alone, the sensitive period is the 40th day after planting (40D) > 60th day after planting (60D) > 30th day after planting (30D). Short-term drought has the greatest impact on peanut yield at 40D, while in contrast, resuming watering after drought at 30D results in a slight but not significant increase in peanut yield in comparison with the control. Under the combined stress of drought and salt, the sensitive period of peanuts was 40D > 30D > 60D, and the single pod weight of peanuts was significantly reduced by 15.26% to 57.60% from the flowering stage to the pod stage under drought treatment compared to salt treatment, indicating a significant interaction between drought and salt stress, reducing the single leaf area and net photosynthetic rate of peanut leaves, ultimately leading to a decrease in peanut yield. Therefore, when planting peanuts in saline alkali soil, drought should be avoided, especially early drought, in order to prevent the combined effects of drought and salt stress from harming peanut yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]