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ABSTRACT Introduction Methods Results Conclusions Investigating water consumption behaviors and perceptions of water sustainability among nursing students is crucial for effective resource management. This study employs machine learning (ML) techniques to analyze these factors in detail.This descriptive cross‐sectional study involved 182 senior nursing students from an accredited faculty in Istanbul, Turkey, during the 2023–2024 academic year. Data were collected through an online survey, including an information form, a visual analog scale toward foresight about water scarcity (VAS), and a water consumption behavior scale. Advanced ML techniques were utilized to identify intricate patterns and correlations in the students’ behaviors and perceptions.The survey revealed that nursing students primarily rely on packaged water and perceive an imminent threat of water scarcity, though they exhibit limited awareness of their personal water footprint. High VAS scores indicated a strong awareness of global water crises but skepticism about local water scarcity. The ML model identified “Domestic Water Use Efficiency” as the primary factor influencing attitudes toward water sustainability, with “Water Awareness” and “Sustainable Water Ethics” also playing significant roles.The study highlights the need to integrate sustainable water management education into nursing curricula and demonstrates nursing students’ awareness and preparedness for sustainable practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morocco, like other arid and semi-arid countries, faces a growing water shortage, necessitating the exploration of alternative solutions. This study investigates the potential use of untreated urban wastewater for irrigation and environmental impact mitigation, focusing on El Jadida as a case study. Throughout the year 2023, from January to December, a comprehensive characterization of physico-chemical, heavy metal, and biological parameters of this unconventional water source was conducted to account for seasonal variations, particularly between rainy and sunny periods. Samples were collected at the inlet of the El Jadida wastewater pre-treatment plant (WWTP) to assess the city's net pollution levels. Results indicate high values for chemical oxygen demand (COD = 741 mg/L), biological oxygen demand (BOD5 = 344 mg/L), organic load (BOD5/COD ratio = 2.2), and biodegradability, suggesting a strong need for biological treatment. Despite compliance with discharge standards, concentrations of heavy metals such as mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), and fluoride ions (F-) exceed Moroccan irrigation water quality thresholds by 90%, 66.7%, 21.8%, 33.3%, and 86.1%, respectively. Therefore, advanced chemical treatment is highly recommended to mitigate environmental impact and ensure safe reuse for irrigation. The novelty of this study lies in evaluating the suitability of El Jadida's wastewater for irrigation and environmental impact mitigation, underscoring the critical need for effective treatment solutions to enhance water sustainability in Morocco. Future research will focus on optimizing water treatment processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater is a key resource, and its management is vital to rural communities' development. However, inappropriate actions can affect its sustainability. This study aims to analyse the scientific literature on groundwater management in rural communities, using the Scopus database for bibliometric research analysis and a systematic literature review for identifying sustainable groundwater management strategies. The methodology comprised i) selection, processing and classification of data, ii) application of bibliometrics, and iii) a systematic review for identifying sustainable water management strategies. The bibliometric analysis contemplated 1,247 scientific documents. An exponential growth of publications in the study field since its inception (1936) is evident, highlighting scientific collaborations between China, the United States, India, Australia and France. Seven study areas stood out: agriculture and climate change, water management and geographic information systems, water quality, remote sensing, hydrochemistry in arid regions, and nitrate and hydrogeochemical pollution. Research trends in recent years include the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), recharge, sustainability, drainage, and land subsidence. The systematic review of 67 documents allowed the identification of social, political, economic, environmental, and academic/technical strategies for sustainable groundwater management, highlighting four central cores to be worked on: strengthening top-level design, establishing groundwater monitoring and early warning, innovating agricultural water-saving technologies, and carrying out public education on science and technology. This research provides a vision of the strategies for the sustainability of groundwater resources in aquifer-dependent areas and highlights the key areas to develop for groundwater sustainability in a rural context, in alignment with 1, 2, 6 and 15 Sustainable Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morocco, like other arid and semi-arid countries, faces a growing water shortage, necessitating the exploration of alternative solutions. This study investigates the potential use of untreated urban wastewater for irrigation and environmental impact mitigation, focusing on El Jadida as a case study. Throughout the year 2023, from January to December, a comprehensive characterization of physico-chemical, heavy metal, and biological parameters of this unconventional water source was conducted to account for seasonal variations, particularly between rainy and sunny periods. Samples were collected at the inlet of the El Jadida wastewater pre-treatment plant (WWTP) to assess the city's net pollution levels. Results indicate high values for chemical oxygen demand (COD = 741 mg/L), biological oxygen demand (BOD5 = 344 mg/L), organic load (BOD5/COD ratio = 2.2), and biodegradability, suggesting a strong need for biological treatment. Despite compliance with discharge standards, concentrations of heavy metals such as mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), and fluoride ions (F-) exceed Moroccan irrigation water quality thresholds by 90%, 66.7%, 21.8%, 33.3%, and 86.1%, respectively. Therefore, advanced chemical treatment is highly recommended to mitigate environmental impact and ensure safe reuse for irrigation. The novelty of this study lies in evaluating the suitability of El Jadida's wastewater for irrigation and environmental impact mitigation, underscoring the critical need for effective treatment solutions to enhance water sustainability in Morocco. Future research will focus on optimizing water treatment processes.

The principles of water sustainability are not exclusive to one civilization without the other this make led the research problem to emerge as a question: "What is the methodology of water sustainability in Islamic architecture and how it can be used as a guide-line for achieving water sustainability in contemporary architecture?”. To answer this question the research in its theoretical study demonstrated three points, begun with presenting the functions of water in Islamic architecture, then it explained how Islamic architecture depended on water as a design tool in the process of place making, and it ended with determining the principles and criteria of water sustainability in Islamic architecture. The research determined the methodology of achieving water sustainability in Islamic architecture. Depending on this methodology the research analyzed two case study projects: Alhambra palace in Spain and Al-Ghuri Sabil in Egypt, and then the research applied this methodology in one of contemporary housing projects in Egypt, and this led the research to emphasize its main hypothesis which state “the principles and criteria of water sustainability which preexists in Islamic architecture can be used as a guide-line for achieving water sustainability in contemporary architecture”.

The introduction of nature‐based solutions (NbS) in catchments has the potential to increase the cost‐effectiveness, flexibility, and reliability of water management practices aimed at improving water security. However, the scientific‐evidence base of the hydrological impacts of NbS is still weak, and there is therefore a risk that catchment interventions might not lead to the desired hydrological outcomes. This is especially important when assessing NbS‐based catchment interventions before their implementation, as this requires robust simulation tools capable of effectively managing the uncertainties associated with future forecasts. This study aims to review the hydrological impacts of different NbS intervention types for water management. First, we present an NbS typology and the corresponding dominant hydrological impacts. We then use this typology to review the strength of the current evidence of the effect of NbS interventions on the hydrological response at the catchment‐scale. Our results demonstrate that the effectiveness of each NbS type hinges on specific conditions such as location, design, and environmental factors. For instance, micro‐reservoirs notably enhance surface storage and evaporation, while infiltration trenches reduce runoff but can increase soil erosion. Our global analysis highlights the need for an improved understanding of NbS catchment impacts and careful planning of NbS interventions as a key for successful long‐term implementation of NbS. These include participatory approaches with stakeholder involvement in NbS co‐design, knowledge co‐production, and novel data collection to support locally relevant adaptation strategies, and to increase water security on the long term.This article is categorized under: Science of Water > Hydrological Processes Engineering Water > Planning Water Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability Rating System is an important means support building and developing sustainable buildings, with many advantages for their residents and developers, as well as their greater role in supporting and protecting the environment, which is one of the greatest concerns at the national, regional, and global levels. In this paper, Developing Rating System of Water Sustainability was addressed, which aims to assess and give focus and attention to one element of sustainability, it is the sustainability of resources. In the field of water consumption, we can assess the water sustainability of the building, as water is one of the most important natural resources influencing lifestyle, can cause many problems due to water scarcity and regional conflicts. Therefore, the existence and development of such rating system, will shed light and alert to the importance of reducing water consumption at different stages of the building's life, focusing on operational phase, where researchers conducted a field study to develop a two-stage water sustainability measurement tool. The first phase, is the development of Rating System of Water Sustainability, previously proposed by researchers in previous research, through the pattern of expansion of participation, by involving a larger base of specialists and sharing their views in the development of the components of the scale, determining the degree of relevance of each criterion and also the degree of relevance of each detailed category. A group of respondents with diverse scientific and specialized backgrounds was selected, with expertise in the field. The second stage is developed through the experience and application pattern and the measurement test on a study case, which is the housing building of female students at the new University of Sohag. The research concluded that the criteria were rearranged, and the relative weights of each criterion were determined according to its importance. The standard of the building's feeding and sewage systems came in the first order, followed by the standard of consumption outside the building, and then maintenance techniques and detection of water leakage. The case study resulted a lack of use of smart techniques, and the need for a degree of flexibility, commensurate with a wider range of building types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity poses significant challenges in arid regions like the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) due to constant population growth, considering the effects of climate change and water management aspects. The desalination technologies face problems like high energy consumption, high investment costs, and significant environmental impacts by brine discharge. This paper researches the relationships among water scarcity, energy-intensive desalination, and the development of renewable energy in MENA, with a particular focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. It examines innovations in solar-powered desalination, considering both solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal technologies, in combination with traditional thermal desalination methods such as multi-effect distillation (MED) and multi-stage flash (MSF). The environmental impacts associated with desalination by brine discharge are also discussed, analyzing innovative technological solutions and avoidance strategies. Utilizing bibliometrics, this report provides a comprehensive analysis of scientific literature for the assessment of the research landscape in order to recognize trends in desalination technologies in the MENA region, providing valuable insights into emerging technologies and research priorities. Despite challenges such as high initial investment costs, technical complexities, and limited funding for research and development, the convergence of water scarcity and renewable energy presents significant opportunities for integrated desalination systems in GCC countries. Summarizing, this paper emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and international collaboration by addressing the complex challenges of water scarcity and energy sustainability in the MENA region. By leveraging renewable energy sources and advancing desalination technologies, the region can achieve water security while mitigating environmental impacts and promoting economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global imperatives call for reduced water consumption in homogeneous, intensive farming systems, where farmland landscape heterogeneity significantly impacts anthropogenic, ecological, and socioeconomic factors. However, the impact of this heterogeneity on crop water footprint (WF) remains uncertain. To address this, this study assessed the WF at the landscape scale across 616 subplots (1 × 1 km) in a representative county of North China Plain from 2013 to 2019, integrating green (WFgreen), blue (WFblue), and gray (WFgray) water footprints. Results showed that the winter wheat–summer maize double cropping pattern (WM) exhibited the highest WFgreen, WFblue, and WFgray. Over six years, most subplots saw significant reductions in WFgreen, WFblue, WFgray, and WF. At the landscape scale, diversification (compositional heterogeneity), fragmentation, and spatial distribution (configurational heterogeneity) were assessed using Shannon's diversity index (SHDI), edge density (ED), and effective mesh size (MESH), which exhibited average variations of 0.07, −3.16 m ha−1, and −5.86 m2, respectively. For WM patches, the percentage of landscape (PLAND) and MESH were used to evaluate diversification and spatial distribution, resulting in reductions of 1.14% and 2.32 m2, respectively. Regression analysis and structural equation modeling further illuminated the connections between the landscape pattern and WF, emphasizing the significant role of MESH in reducing WFblue and influencing crop diversity (p < 0.001). Therefore, spatial distribution, whether directly or through the mediation of diversification, demonstrated a more substantial overall impact on WF. Consequently, future research should prioritize investigating how spatial distribution influences crop choice and agronomic management in order to determine the optimal cropping patterns and field size that strike a balance between crop production and the water footprint. This study offers theoretical guidance and a scientific foundation for redesigning farmland landscapes to bolster water sustainability in intensive farming systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water resources are scarce and difficult to manage in Kazakhstan, Central Asia (CA). Anthropic activities largely eliminated the Aral Sea. Afghanistan's large-scale canal construction may eliminate life in the main stream of the Amu Darya River, CA. Kazakhstan's HYRASIA ONE project, with a EUR 50 billion investment to produce green hydrogen, is targeted to withdraw water from the Caspian Sea. Kazakhstan, CA, requires sustainable programs that integrate both decision-makers' and people's behavior. For this paper, the authors investigated groundwater resources for sustainable use, including for consumption, and the potential for natural "white" hydrogen production from underground geological "factories". Kazakhstan is rich in natural resources, such as iron-rich rocks, minerals, and uranium, which are necessary for serpentinization reactions and radiolysis decay in natural hydrogen production from underground water. Investigations of underground geological "factories" require substantial efforts in field data collection. A chemical analysis of 40 groundwater samples from the 97 wells surveyed and investigated in the T. Ryskulov, Zhambyl, Baizak and Zhualy districts of the Zhambyl region in South Kazakhstan in 2021–2022 was carried out. These samples were compared with previously collected water samples from the years 2020–2021. The compositions of groundwater samples were analyzed, revealing various concentrations of different minerals, natural geological rocks, and anthropogenic materials. South Kazakhstan is rich in natural mineral resources. As a result, mining companies extract resources in the Taraz–Zhanatas–Karatau and the Shu–Novotroitsk industrial areas. The most significant levels of minerals found in water samples were found in the territory of the Talas–Assinsky interfluve, where the main industrial mining enterprises are concentrated and the largest groundwater deposits have been explored. Groundwater compositions have direct connections to geological rocks. The geological rocks are confined to sandstones, siltstones, porphyrites, conglomerates, limestones, and metamorphic rocks. In observation wells, a number of components can be found in high concentrations (mg/L): sulfates—602.0 (MPC 500 mg/L); sodium—436.5 (MPC 200 mg/L); chlorine—465.4 (MPC 350 mg/L); lithium—0.18 (MPC 0.03 mg/L); boron—0.74 (MPC 0.5 mg/L); cadmium—0.002 (MPC 0.001 mg/L); strontium—15, 0 (MPC 7.0 mg/L); and TDS—1970 (MPC 1000). The high mineral contents in the water are natural and comprise minerals from geological sources, including iron-rich rocks, to uranium. Proper groundwater classifications for research investigations are required to separate potable groundwater resources, wells, and areas where underground geological "factories" producing natural "white" hydrogen could potentially be located. Our preliminary investigation results are presented with the aim of creating a large-scale targeted program to improve water sustainability in Kazakhstan, CA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the theoretical–methodological complexity theory and transdisciplinary approach is increasingly accepted within sustainability science, its application at local-scale work with rural communities in the global south is still incipient and requires further research on its scope and limitations. The general objective of this work was to contribute to the knowledge on how a complexity and transdisciplinary approach applied to water problems at local scales can facilitate the process for water sustainability. The research took as study area the ejido of Coro Grande located in the municipality of Morelia, in the rural vicinity of Morelia City, capital of Michoacán State (Mexico). The theoretical–methodological scheme was based on the combination of the concepts of complexity–sustainability–transdisciplinarity to analyze the local water metabolism and generate actions to mitigate present and future water risk. The activities carried out involved a participatory diagnosis and the development of activities for the restoration of degraded environments with a double purpose: to generate conditions for the water sustainability of the system, and to promote the involvement of the population in a transdisciplinary research–action process. The results obtained show the effectiveness of the framework chosen to identify problems, achieve transformation in the short term, and improve both ecosystem functions and participation of the population in the solution of problems in the medium and long terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The achievement of water sustainability necessitates the development and application of comprehensive assessment tools to monitor and evaluate the impact of water resource management. This article presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of various water sustainability indices, emphasizing their underlying principles, methodologies, and potential applications. Our study reveals the diverse landscape of existing indices, illustrating that even indices with similar names can vary significantly in scope and methodology. Via a systematic review of 124 publications, this study provides insights into existing composite indices related to water sustainability, highlighting their specific applications and potential contributions to water resource management and sustainability. The information gathered from the selected papers was synthesized and analyzed thematically to identify common patterns through keyword co-occurrence mapping, SDG mapping, standard review protocols, and cluster analyses. Through a cluster analysis, we identified six distinct clusters of indices, highlighting the need for careful consideration in selecting appropriate ones. Moreover, our analysis of co-occurring keywords underscores the close relationship between sustainable development, water resources, water supply, and water conservation within the context of water-related indices. Notably, these indices address not only sustainable development goal six but also a number of other interconnected goals. It was also found that "sustainability index" is a common name for different nature water indices. This review also identifies research gaps in the existing literature. However, significant limitations exist, including a lack of historical application and future projections for many current water sustainability indicators. Without the ability to track changes over time and project the future, identifying areas of improvement and measuring progress toward long-term water sustainability goals becomes challenging. Furthermore, many indices are complex and designed for watershed or regional levels, limiting their adaptability to different contexts. Despite these challenges, indices remain valuable tools for assessing and managing water resources sustainably, addressing various dimensions of sustainability, and supporting decision-making processes across different sectors and contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of an appropriate linkage between extension and research, is one of the problems of the agricultural extension system. After the implementation of the agricultural extension new system, "senior extension researchers" and "supportive researchers" were defined in order to play a more organized role in the agricultural knowledge network. Accordingly, the purpose of this research was to analyze the challenges and strategies to improve the performance of supportive researchers in the agricultural knowledge network of Iran. The statistical population of the study consisted of research network (N= 1876), out of whom 348 people determined as sample using Daniel's sampling formula and simple sampling technique. Data were collected through a questionnaire; validity of questionnaire was approved by a panel of experts and construct validity (AVE Index). In order to measure the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability (CR) were calculated. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS22 and Smart PLS3 software. Results of prioritizing challenges facing supportive researchers indicated that "infrastructural-supportive" dimension was in the highest, and "functional" dimension was in the lowest ranks. Also, results of prioritizing performance improvement strategies for supportive researchers showed that "infrastructural-supportive" dimension was in the highest, and "policy making-planning" dimension was in the lowest ranks. In addition, the results of confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that challenges and performance improvement strategies models had four dimensions (i.e. functional, infrastructural-supportive, structural and policy making-planning). At last, some recommendations were presented due to the research results in order to improve the performance of supportive researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of clean, efficient, and affordable alternative water sources is necessary for water sustainability. The condensate water produced by air conditioning systems, typically disposed of in a sanitary drain, has been acknowledged as a potential source of clean water. This study examined the physical and chemical properties of condensed water and investigated the presence of heavy metals in the collected condensate water samples. The expermintal results of water quality were evaluated to ensure that the water quality meets the criteria set by Jordanian standards for drinking water and FAO guidelines for irrigation purposes. In terms of social aspect a survey was conducted among academic and administrative staff members at Jordanian universities and then analysed using SPSS software. The social aspect investigated individuals' awareness levels and attitudes towards the reuse of condensed water. The study findings indicated an association between gender and the degree of acceptability of condensate water reuse, suggesting that males exhibit greater levels of willingness than females. I. Moreover, with increasing age, individuals have shown an increasing tendency to accept alternative water sources and actively engage in the pursuit of sustainable water solutions. Academic staff demonstrated a more profound comprehension of sustainability compared to administrative staff, as shown by their job type and level of knowledge. Creating a culture of responsible water use and conservation is an important motivator for public acceptance in promoting water reuse practices. However, the reduction of water bills has little impact on the motivation to encourage water reuse.The results of this study provided insights into water quality, the impact of topographic factors on acceptance levels, and the factors influencing individuals' willingness to adopt unconventional water sources. This interdisciplinary approach contributes to a holistic understanding of the viability and acceptance of reuse condensed water, thereby paving the way for sustainable water practices.

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a bioplastic touted as an environmentally friendly solution due to its water solubility and potential to reduce plastic waste compared to the traditional polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, few studies have characterized how PVA may impact the developmental dynamics of model organisms and biochemical processes in the environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of PVA and PET on the growth and development of an Allium cepa plant model system. We used a controlled experimental design to evaluate plant growth in aquaponic mesocosms with dissolved PVA and suspended microplastics. We hypothesized that, relative to control plants, PVA would have fewer negative impacts than PET in terms of plant development, water chemistry, bacterial richness, and plant cell density. In both PVA and PET treatments, we detected a restricted rate of number of roots, mean root length, and mean shoot length, as well as an increased rate of change in water chemistry toward a more basic and saline environment. The lowest bacterial richness was detected in PVA, while the lowest cell density in the bulb- and root-tissues was detected in PET. Our study shows that both PVA and PET pollution similarly impacted the dynamics of the living system. We discuss bioplastics in the framework of a short-term solution to curb physical plastic-pollution and the need for long-term study of their effects on both abiotic and biotic interactions within the environment. We further propose future studies characterize the broader sustainability implications to urban green infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, a persistent decline of freshwater availability has been identified over a number of intensively irrigated agricultural regions. Large‐scale inter‐basin water transfer (IBWT) has been suggested as a key tool for stabilizing regional terrestrial water storage (TWS). However, IBWT projects are prohibitively expensive, and their large‐scale cost effectiveness remains unclear. Here we quantify the IBWT impacts on TWS trends in the North China Plain (NCP), a global hotspot for TWS depletion and IBWT. Based on in‐situ observations, remote sensing, and water balance principles, we provide a framework to disentangle complex climate and anthropogenic impacts on NCP TWS. Results show that the NCP TWS depletion rate was significantly attenuated in 2015–2021, which is primarily attributable to recently enhanced IBWT. Otherwise, the average NCP TWS would currently be 94.9 ± 4.9 mm (or 12.2 ± 0.6 km3) lower. However, the positive effect of IBWT is partly offset by increased crop water consumption (−24.1 ± 5.2 mm or −3.1 ± 0.7 km3). IBWT and agricultural management (i.e., reducing crop density) are both necessary for stabilizing future NCP TWS. Otherwise, a TWS declining trend exceeding 100 mm/year may occur under elevated CO2 conditions. As such, this study verifies the feasibility and effectiveness of IBWT for mitigating regional water shortages, as well as the crucial role of agricultural management in stabilizing regional TWS. Key Points: A new framework for reconstructing terrestrial water storage (TWS) is proposedThis framework physically distinguishes climate and human impacts on TWS anomaly variationsInter‐basin water transfer and agriculture management are critical for stabilizing TWS over the North China Plain [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unconventional water serves as a bridge to water sustainability. However, many developing nations still have a long way to go in terms of unconventional water utilization. Different regional characteristics lead to different consumption capacities for unconventional water. Consequently, more unconventional water use (UWU) may not necessarily be positive for alleviating water poverty. However, there is a significant research gap in this field. This paper aims to answer three key questions: “Whether UWU consistently alleviates water poverty?” “Is this effect spatially heterogeneous?” and “What role do economic factors play in addressing water poverty?” For that, this paper focused on 30 provinces in China, with the sample period spanning from 2006 to 2021. To identify the mechanisms through which UWU alleviates water poverty, this paper employed a panel fixed-effects model using the Water Poverty Index (WPI) as the dependent variable and the square of UWU amount as an independent variable. The results indicate a non-linear impact of UWU on WPI, with the significance of impact influenced by GDP per capita (PGDP). Furthermore, threshold regressions were conducted with PGDP as the threshold variable. The results revealed a double-threshold effect of PGDP in the impact of UWU on WPI, displaying “U” or inverted “U” shape as PGDP develops: When PGDP is less than or equal to RMB 13,574, UWU demonstrates a negative effect on WPI; when PGDP ranges from RMB 13,574 to RMB 53,653, the effect turns positive; however, when PGDP exceeds RMB 53,653, the effect turns back to negative. The findings confirm that more UWU is not always better. Sustainable utilization plans of water resources must be tailored to local conditions, especially considering the unique characteristics of the regional economy.

An integrated water sustainability assessment is conducive to realizing the optimal allocation and efficient water utilization, and alleviating the water crisis. Existing research mainly appraises water quantity and water quality as unidimensional or in combination, without considering the water benefit, and few studies have assessed the regional water sustainability based on an integrated evaluation multidimensionally. Therefore, this paper innovatively introduces water benefit to construct a three-dimensional quantity-quality-benefit model (QQBM) to evaluate water sustainability in line with the water footprint (WF) theory and water resources balance sheet (WRBS). The impact of the coupled coordination relationship among water quantity, water quality, and water benefit on the water sustainability evaluation is further analyzed by introducing the coupled coordination degree model (CCDM). This paper takes the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) as an example and makes a spatio-temporal analysis of the water sustainability in its 11 provincial capitals during 2010-2021 from a single dimension and a three-dimensional perspective, respectively. The results found that: (1) From a single dimension, the water sustainability in the 11 provincial capitals in the YREB during 2010-2021 is at a medium level, with better water benefit sustainability, moderate water quantity sustainability, and horrendous water quality sustainability. Among them, the water sustainability is the best in Guiyang and Hangzhou, while the worst in Shanghai. (2) From a three-dimensional perspective, the water sustainability in the 11 provincial capitals from 2010 to 2021 is horrific. Among them, the water sustainability is the best in Kunming, Changsha, Nanjing and Shanghai, while the worst in Wuhan and Hefei. (3) The degree of coupling coordination between water quantity, water quality and water benefit significantly influence the water sustainability in the 11 provincial capitals of the YREB. The three-dimensional assessment model QQBM constructed in this study is more comprehensive and objective than the single perspective assessment. The findings in this paper can help other regions to conduct similar water sustainability assessments and inform policy recommendations.

This study investigates Camelina sativa, an emerging oilseed crop with potential for food, feed, and sustainable farming. Conducted at the Agroveterinary Institute, University of Batna 1 in Algeria, during the growing season of 2021-2022, the experiment evaluated the impact of four irrigation treatments replicates four times (T0: rainfed, T1: 100 % of crop evapotranspiration ETc, T2: 75 % ETc, and T3: 35 % ETc) using a completely randomized block design. The results revealed various effects of water deficits on Camelina yield, quality, and water use efficiency (WUE). The highest seed yield (20.77 q ha-1 ) was obtained with T1 (total water applied 287.85 mm), while the lowest (6.62 q ha1 ) was observed with T0 (151.20 mm of rainfall). The T2 treatment (total water applied 253.688 mm) led to a 14 % reduction in seed yield compared to full irrigation while achieving significant water savings of 25 %, with the highest values of irrigation water use efficiency IWUE for both grains and biomass at 1,095 and 5.24 kg m-3 , respectively. Moreover, deficit irrigation had a positive impact on seed protein content, which showed a negative correlation (r = -0.92) with oil content and water supply, highlighting the adaptability of Camelina to produce much higher quality grain under water-restricted conditions. Integrating Camelina sativa with deficit irrigation offers a sustainable agricultural strategy, optimizing water resources and promoting drought-tolerant crops. This approach improves water use efficiency, builds resilience, and adapts to areas vulnerable to climate change, addressing the critical nexus of food security and water management.

Global imperatives call for reduced water consumption in homogeneous, intensive farming systems, where farmland landscape heterogeneity significantly impacts anthropogenic, ecological, and socioeconomic factors. However, the impact of this heterogeneity on crop water footprint (WF) remains uncertain. To address this, this study assessed the WF at the landscape scale across 616 subplots (1 × 1 km) in a representative county of North China Plain from 2013 to 2019, integrating green (WFgreen), blue (WFblue), and gray (WFgray) water footprints. Results showed that the winter wheat–summer maize double cropping pattern (WM) exhibited the highest WFgreen, WFblue, and WFgray. Over six years, most subplots saw significant reductions in WFgreen, WFblue, WFgray, and WF. At the landscape scale, diversification (compositional heterogeneity), fragmentation, and spatial distribution (configurational heterogeneity) were assessed using Shannon’s diversity index (SHDI), edge density (ED), and effective mesh size (MESH), which exhibited average variations of 0.07, −3.16 m ha−1, and −5.86 m2, respectively. For WM patches, the percentage of landscape (PLAND) and MESH were used to evaluate diversification and spatial distribution, resulting in reductions of 1.14% and 2.32 m2, respectively. Regression analysis and structural equation modeling further illuminated the connections between the landscape pattern and WF, emphasizing the significant role of MESH in reducing WFblue and influencing crop diversity (p < 0.001). Therefore, spatial distribution, whether directly or through the mediation of diversification, demonstrated a more substantial overall impact on WF. Consequently, future research should prioritize investigating how spatial distribution influences crop choice and agronomic management in order to determine the optimal cropping patterns and field size that strike a balance between crop production and the water footprint. This study offers theoretical guidance and a scientific foundation for redesigning farmland landscapes to bolster water sustainability in intensive farming systems.

Western China is an inland region facing the problem of water scarcity due to its distance from the sea and mountainous topography. Studying the sustainability, spatial and temporal variation and drivers of water resources in western China is an important way to identify and solve water resources problems in the region. This study constructed a water resources sustainability evaluation index system, including four subsystems and 26 indicators, to examine the spatial, regional variation and temporal evolution of water resources sustainability in 12 provinces from 2012 to 2022. The results show that: (1) interannual trends show fluctuations and differences in resources, environment and socioeconomics; (2) the scores of the water resources and socio-economic subsystems are relatively average, while the water environment subsystem shows significant differences and the water ecology subsystem scores lower; (3) the global spatial agglomeration effect shows a fluctuating and expanding trend, with a significant positive spatial autocorrelation, mainly attributed to density excesses, followed by interand intra-regional differences, leading to an uneven distribution of spatial development, concentrated in two types of spatial agglomerations. Conclusions: Studies have shown that the level of water sustainability in western China is gradually improving and that spatial and temporal differences in water indices are gradually decreasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jordan is facing significant challenges related to water scarcity, including overexploitation of groundwater, increasing demand, and wasteful practices. Despite efforts to manage water resources, inadequate planning has resulted in ongoing water security concerns and deteriorating water quantity and quality. To address water stress, Jordan has implemented measures such as desalination, dam construction, and water conservation initiatives. However, water stress remains high, necessitating a comprehensive strategy that includes short-term demand-side interventions and long-term supply-side reforms. Financial and governance challenges hinder the implementation of these measures, requiring private investment and coordination among stakeholders. This paper provides a comprehensive review of Jordan's water resources, analyzing current trends, challenges, and opportunities. The aim is to offer insight into the current situation and propose sustainable management approaches. The findings will be valuable for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders working towards addressing Jordan's complex water challenges and securing a sustainable water future for its citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Grain for Green Program (GFGP) has promoted vegetation restoration and environmental improvement in the Loess Plateau (LP) and has sparked considerable interest in its effects on local hydrological cycle processes. However, few studies have examined the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of rainfall interception (RI) and its influencing factors in the LP after GFGP implementation, even though RI directly controls the potential available water resources entering the ecosystem (Peffective) and largely influences the changes in hydrological fluxes in water‐limited regions. This study employed the remote sensing (RS)‐Gash model to investigate RI and Peffective in the LP. Results showed that RI and Peffective increased at a rate of 0.7 (p < 0.01) and 2.5 mm/year (p = 0.12), respectively, during the complete implementation of the GFGP (2001–2018). Spatially, the two were dominated by significantly increasing (area share, 50.3%) and nonsignificantly increasing (74.2%) trends, respectively. The dominant drivers of the changes in RI and Peffective are vegetation factors and precipitation, respectively. The results imply that after the implementation of the GFGP, water scarcity in most areas of the LP seems to show signs of improvement, rather than worsening at source. However, people should remain alert about issues that can occur in semihumid areas, including vegetation's degradation due to excessive afforestation or single‐species plantations, particularly at the Ziwuling Mountains. The successful greening experience of the GFGP in the LP is worth promoting, but lessons should also be learned regarding its unsustainability in areas with relatively abundant water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainability index (SI) is a relatively new concept for measuring the performance of water resource systems over long time periods. The purpose of its definition is to provide an indication of the integral behavior of the system with regard to possible undesired consequences if a misbalance in available and required waters occurs. Therefore, the tidal river management (TRM) approach has been implemented for the past three decades (from 1990 to 2020) within the polder system in Southwest Bangladesh to achieve water sustainability. TRM plan and watershed management plan (WMP) have commonalities as both are aimed at ensuring the sustainable use of watershed resources with the management of land, water, and the wider ecosystem of the watershed in an integrated way. The TRM plan focuses mostly on coastal regions, whereas the WMP focuses on both coastal and non-coastal regions. According to this, the aim of this study was to explore the application of the sustainability index of tidal river management (SITRM) in measuring the sustainability of tidal river management in the coastal area of the Lower Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna (GBM) delta. In order to quantify the sustainability of tidal river management, this research first provided the components and indicators of SITRM for the coastal region. The study follows a 5-point Likert scale for opinion survey of key informants and comprises households' survey of farmers. In addition, it includes Landsat satellite images from Earth Explorer of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and direct field observation to collect information regarding the indicators of SITRM. The study measures the index value of SITRM for identifying the water sustainability of Beel East Khukshia-TRM. The index value was 71.8 out of 100, showing good tidal river management for the Hari–Teka–Bhadra catchment. To achieve water sustainability and aid stakeholders and water managers in decision making, it may be possible to include the SITRM framework in tidal river management projects. In addition, the SITRM is more capable of facing drainage congestion, waterlogging, and climate change issues than watershed sustainability index (WSI), Canadian water sustainability index (CWSI), West Java water sustainability index (WJWSI), and water poverty index (WPI). Therefore, water professionals and policymakers can apply SITRM to assess the resilience of specific TRM schemes for greater sustainability in different coastal regions of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The achievement of water sustainability necessitates the development and application of comprehensive assessment tools to monitor and evaluate the impact of water resource management. This article presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of various water sustainability indices, emphasizing their underlying principles, methodologies, and potential applications. Our study reveals the diverse landscape of existing indices, illustrating that even indices with similar names can vary significantly in scope and methodology. Via a systematic review of 124 publications, this study provides insights into existing composite indices related to water sustainability, highlighting their specific applications and potential contributions to water resource management and sustainability. The information gathered from the selected papers was synthesized and analyzed thematically to identify common patterns through keyword co-occurrence mapping, SDG mapping, standard review protocols, and cluster analyses. Through a cluster analysis, we identified six distinct clusters of indices, highlighting the need for careful consideration in selecting appropriate ones. Moreover, our analysis of co-occurring keywords underscores the close relationship between sustainable development, water resources, water supply, and water conservation within the context of water-related indices. Notably, these indices address not only sustainable development goal six but also a number of other interconnected goals. It was also found that “sustainability index” is a common name for different nature water indices. This review also identifies research gaps in the existing literature. However, significant limitations exist, including a lack of historical application and future projections for many current water sustainability indicators. Without the ability to track changes over time and project the future, identifying areas of improvement and measuring progress toward long-term water sustainability goals becomes challenging. Furthermore, many indices are complex and designed for watershed or regional levels, limiting their adaptability to different contexts. Despite these challenges, indices remain valuable tools for assessing and managing water resources sustainably, addressing various dimensions of sustainability, and supporting decision-making processes across different sectors and contexts.

Water is essential to human survival; however, many people, particularly those in poorer countries, lack access to reliable sources of clean and safe water. Despite decades of effort to address this issue, water sustainability remains elusive even today. Smart technologies have been widely adopted for water management, rendering smart water management a promising path to achieving water sustainability. Nevertheless, the efficacy of such smart water management in attaining sustainability remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the progress made in pursuing water sustainability with smart water management through a scientometric literature review. The Scopus database was employed to extract a pool of 460 candidate publications, which were then analyzed for content using bibliometric analysis and VOSviewer software. Nine clustered research themes were classified, corresponding to the nine targets of sustainable development goals (SDGs) for water. The findings show that engagement across these topics is highly unequal, providing substantial guidance on where emerging research efforts should be concentrated. The novelty of this study mainly lies in the SDG perspective that provides a significant but overlooked angle for observing progress in smart water management domain. The findings can enlighten the international water industry to create a more favorable environment for regions lagging in using smart technologies to facilitate overall water sustainability.

Water is a necessity of life that needs to be treated, protected, and conserved. Bibliometric analysis as an indispensable roadmap in science and technology was conducted on nanoadsorbent research for wastewater treatment. Data sourced from the Scopus®database from 1997 to 2020 were employed in this study. The analysis of the co-authorship of authors, organizations, and countries, co-citation of authors, citation of documents and sources, and co-occurrence of author keywords were performed using VOS viewer® software. A total of 4873 research papers was published on nanoadsorbent for wastewater treatment which grew gradually over the years. This translated to scientific publications of 689 (14.14%), 894 (18.35%), and 1022 (20.97%) papers in 2018, 2019, and 2020 respectively. China was the leading country (1924 papers) with the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences accounting for 28 publications as the top-ranked organization while Wang Y. published the highest number of research articles (127). These results revealed the importance of cross-national and international cooperation in this field with Environmental Science (2497 papers) ranked as the top-subject category. The co-citation of authors, citation of documents and sources showed that Wang Y., Gao L. (2007), and “Environmental Science and Technology” journal with citations of 3492, 2508, and 13651, respectively, were ranked highest. The most used keyword was ''Wastewater treatment” with 593 occurrences. Research hotspots in the nanoadsorbents for wastewater treatment were summed up as application of nanoadsorbent to decontaminate different carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic compounds discharged from various processes. Future research lies in the implementation of nanoadsorbent for wastewater treatment from hospital effluents, household washing effluents, endocrine descriptive chemicals, and other emerging contaminants. Conclusively, this work suggests some important ways forward in nanotechnology and nanoadsorbents to ensuring clean water sustainability for developing and developed countries.

The water problem in the Colombian Amazon is rooted in deforestation, water wastage, water pollution and the absence of education aimed at the protection of water systems. In this context, the objective of the research is to propose a systemic curriculum for the teaching of water sustainability based on the conceptions of middle school teachers of the Amazonian Agroecological Educational Institution (IEAA) of El Paujil Caquetá. With emphasis on the action research method, an interview validated by four experts with doctoral training was applied. The information was analyzed through grounded theory. The result of the research is a systemic curricular structure based on lesson plans, contents, didactic strategies, research processes, interdisciplinary work and evaluation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is essential to human survival; however, many people, particularly those in poorer countries, lack access to reliable sources of clean and safe water. Despite decades of effort to address this issue, water sustainability remains elusive even today. Smart technologies have been widely adopted for water management, rendering smart water management a promising path to achieving water sustainability. Nevertheless, the efficacy of such smart water management in attaining sustainability remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the progress made in pursuing water sustainability with smart water management through a scientometric literature review. The Scopus database was employed to extract a pool of 460 candidate publications, which were then analyzed for content using bibliometric analysis and VOSviewer software. Nine clustered research themes were classified, corresponding to the nine targets of sustainable development goals (SDGs) for water. The findings show that engagement across these topics is highly unequal, providing substantial guidance on where emerging research efforts should be concentrated. The novelty of this study mainly lies in the SDG perspective that provides a significant but overlooked angle for observing progress in smart water management domain. The findings can enlighten the international water industry to create a more favorable environment for regions lagging in using smart technologies to facilitate overall water sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal of pharmaceutical contaminants from wastewater has gained considerable attention in recent years, particularly in the advancements of hydrogel-based adsorbents as a green solution for their ease of use, ease of modification, biodegradability, non-toxicity, environmental friendliness, and cost-effectiveness. This study focuses on the design of an efficient adsorbent hydrogel based on 1% chitosan, 40% polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG4000), and 4% xanthan gum (referred to as CPX) for the removal of diclofenac sodium (DCF) from water. The interaction between positively charged chitosan and negatively charged xanthan gum and PEG4000 leads to strengthening of the hydrogel structure. The obtained CPX hydrogel, prepared by a green, simple, easy, low-cost, and ecological method, has a higher viscosity due to the three-dimensional polymer network and mechanical stability. The physical, chemical, rheological, and pharmacotechnical parameters of the synthesized hydrogel were determined. Swelling analysis demonstrated that the new synthetized hydrogel is not pH-dependent. The obtained adsorbent hydrogel reached the adsorption capacity (172.41 mg/g) at the highest adsorbent amount (200 mg) after 350 min. In addition, the adsorption kinetics were calculated using a pseudo first-order model and Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm parameters. The results demonstrate that CPX hydrogel can be used as an efficient option to remove DCF as a pharmaceutical contaminant from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chenab River in Pakistan is a part of the Indus River System and bears rigorous inundation every year in the monsoon period imposing catastrophic impact on lives and infrastructure. Due to the fragile economy of developing countries, pre-disaster estimation is strictly required to improve flood management as well as to store maximum water in hydraulic structures to ensure water sustainability. In the present research work, flood frequency analysis was used to estimate extreme flood events with the help of annual peak downstream discharge data of 96 years (1925–2020) assembled on five barrages of the Chenab River the Marala, Khanki, Qadirabad, Trimmu, and Panjnad, respectively. Four different methods including the Gumbel, log Pearson, log normal, and Pearson type III were used to estimate peak flood events with a return period of 200, 500, and 1000 years. The estimated peak discharge values of the Gumbel and Pearson type III were not far beyond the annual observed peak discharge value. Design flood is estimated. The chi-square method is used to guesstimate the suitable methods concerning results. The Gumbel and log normal for Marala, Khanki, Qadirabad, Trimmu, and Panjnad barrages proved good. While for Panjnad, log Pearson, log normal, and Gumbel gave suitable results for the chi-square method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]