WaterWired

WaterWired's Wise Words: Halloween Costumes Adults Should Avoid (NSFW!)

Note that all of the offenders are men.

Check out Gayle Leonard's Thirsty in Suburbia blog for more. Three of these photos - the hoser, toilet sitter, and the one following it are from Gayle's site. Julie Watson provided the first picture. I have no idea who that is.

Happy Halloween!

By the way - faint-hearted readers should stop right now.

 

 
 

Now - three in the 'water and sanitation' theme (from Gayle Leonard's site):

Looks sorta like Dustin Pedroia...

Don't ask....

And the most egregious offenders:

And while you're trick-or-treating, have something to eat!

 

 
Oh yeah - happy birthday, Nevada! Remember Chic Hecht today!

"From ghoulies and ghosties and long leggity beasties and things that go bump in the night, good Lord, deliver us!" -- Scottish proverb

From The Netherlands: Binders Full of Hydrological PhD Theses!

I asked my friend Michael van der Valk of the Dutch Portal to International Hydrology (Hydrology.nl) if he had some PhD theses from Dutch and other European universites. Next thing I knew there were binders full of theses on my hard drive!

Think I'm kidding? Go here and check them out!

Here are a few that caught my eye:

Linkages between streamflow, climate and catchment characteristics: a global analysis , Hylke E. Beck (2013), PhD thesis, VU University Amsterdam, 122 pp.

The general objectives of this thesis are to relate streamflow characteristics and catchment physiographic attributes over a wide range of catchment and climatic conditions, and to determine the value of specic satellite remote-sensing products for use in meso- and macroscale hydrological modeling. In order to fulll these general objectives, five specific objectives have been defined, which are addressed in separate chapters. The specific objectives are to:

1. Assess the possible improvement in stormflow estimates when using soil moisture proxies (chapter 2)
2. Globally evaluate four AVHRR-based NDVI datasets (chapter 3)
3. Analyze the possible impact of forest regeneration and urbanization on streamflow characteristics for a series of catchments on the island of Puerto Rico (chapter 4)
4. Relate selected catchment physiographic attributes and two important baseflow characteristics using a global streamflow dataset consisting of 3520 catchments, and examine the feasability of producing global maps of these baseflow characteristics using an artificial neural network approach (chapter 5)
5. Examine whether global maps of selected streamflow characteristics can be used to calibrate a simple conceptual rainfall-runoff model (chapter 6).
Finally, a summary of the present findings, chief conclusion reached, and suggestions for possible directions for future research are presented in chapter 7.
To achieve these specic objectives, use is made of large observational datasets which have become available free of charge thanks to organizations such as the Global Runoff Data Centre (GRDC; Koblenz, Germany), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), rather than restricting oneself to case studies in comparatively small homogeneous regions. The aim is to move away from the reporting of the idiosyncrasies of single sites or catchments which has dominated so much of the older hydrological literature, and instead attempt to identify robust, generalizable relationships applicable to different environments worldwide.

Here's a classic:

Groundwater flow in layered aquifers.
C.J. Hemker (2000); PhD thesis, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, 143 pp.

The focus of this work is deterministic models of saturated groundwater flow in layered aquifer systems. The term ‘layered aquifer system’ is used to denote two types of system: a) a system of multiple aquifers or multi-aquifer system which comprises a series of aquifers separated by confining layers, and b) a vertically heterogeneous, stratified or multi-layered aquifer which is a single aquifer composed of a number of sublayers. Analytical solutions for many different types of well flow in single aquifers are known and used for pumping test analysis, while only few solutions for two-aquifer systems are available. Pumping tests in the Netherlands have shown that sometimes four or more aquifers are involved. The lack of a proper solution for multi-aquifer systems was felt as an omission in well flow theory. The main objective of this study, therefore, was to develop analytical solutions that can be used for determining geohydrological properties from pumping tests in layered aquifer systems. The study was carried out in two separate periods. Flow in multi-aquifer systems was investigated during the years 1979 to 1986 and, more recently, the same solution method was further developed to investigate flow near wells in multi-layered aquifers.

Informing groundwater models with near-surface geophysical data
Daan Herckenrath (2012); PhD thesis, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, 168 pp.
 

Over the past decade geophysical methods have gained an increased popularity due to their ability to map hydrologic properties. Such data sets can provide valuable information to improve hydrologic models. Instead of using the measured geophysical and hydrologic data simultaneously in one inversion approach, many of the previous studies apply a Sequential Hydrogeophysical Inversion (SHI) in which inverted geophysical models provide information for hydrologic models. In order to fully exploit the information contained in geophysical datasets for hydrological purposes, a coupled hydrogeophysical inversion was introduced (CHI), in which a hydrologic model is part of the geophysical inversion. Current CHI-research has been focussing on the translation of simulated state variables of hydrologic models to geophysical model parameters. We refer to this methodology as CHI-S (State). In this thesis a new CHI-approach was developed, called CHI-P (Parameter), which applies coupling constraints between the geophysical and hydrologic model parameters.

Knock yourself out! Plenty more left!

"Als je hem een vinger geeft, neemt hij de hele hand." - Dutch proverb ("If you give him a finger he will take the whole hand" or "Give him an inch and he'll take a yard.")

My Presentation: Honduras & Hydrophilanthropy

Here is the long version of a talk I gave today at OSU: Hydrophilanthropy and WaSH in
Emerging
\Regions: Is The Road to Help Is Paved with Good Intentions?

Download Campana_GEM_29Oct2013_Long

Enjoy!

"Grief shared is half grief; joy shared is double joy." - Honduran proverb

Elaine J. Hanford's Bulletin Boards: 1) Geosciences; 2) Enviro-Sciences Awareness - 28 October 2013

Elaine and Spot are back again! Spot's already set for Halloween, and Elaine's got her shades on. 

Looking for a water-themed Halloween costume? Check out @gayleleonard's site: http://is.gd/cklMWr 

 

Enjoy!
 

Geosciences Bulletin Board
 

JUST FOR FUN!!!  
http://www.livescience.com/topics/halloween/

 

Special issue on ‘nonpoint source pollution’ --- link to individual articles
http://www.choicesmagazine.org/choices-magazine/theme-articles/innovations-in-nonpoint-source-pollution-policy

 

New invasive ant species along the Gulf Coast…but unlike fire ants, tawny ants don’t sting!!
http://news.yahoo.com/tiny-crazy-ants-giant-nuisance-u-gulf-coast-180854243.html
Reference info:  http://urbanentomology.tamu.edu/ants/rasberry.html

 

My prediction??   The superbugs will survive & will continue to get stronger (antibiotics are not the answer)
http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/ideas/2013/10/what-will-it-take-to-wipe-out-superbugs/

 

Acquisition of Smithfield Foods by Chinese food producer raises concerns for food security
http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/Outside_View_Chinas_ownership_of_an_iconic_American_food_company_999.html

 

Exposure to toxic levels of lead paint still a very common problem in developing countries
http://ens-newswire.com/2013/10/23/children-in-developing-countries-exposed-to-toxic-lead-paint/

 

Here’s a headline you don’t see very often…good news not hyped up dire warnings!!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/10401103/Ozone-hole-over-the-South-Pole-shrinks.html

 

Poison all the invasive rats….then let nature takes its course….island renamed “Bird Island”
http://www.livescience.com/40650-rat-island-renamed-recovered.html

 

FIRST venomous crustacean identified, other roughly 70,000 known species are not poisonous
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24625424

 

Monument of the most isolated tree…. “alleged” drunk driver knocked it down
http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/earths-most-isolated-tree-only-one-around-250-miles-was-struck-and-killed-drunk-driver.html

 

Poachers kill 300 elephants by putting cyanide in the watering hole & salt licks
http://www.treehugger.com/endangered-species/poachers-kill-300-elephants-cyanide-worst-massacre-southern-africa-25-years.html

 

Solanine poisoning in humans --- don’t eat potatoes that have turned green
http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/food/2013/10/horrific-tales-of-potatoes-that-caused-mass-sickness-and-even-death/

 

Nitrate pollution from fertilizers can last for many decades
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-fertilizer-nitrate-water-pollution-20131021,0,20455.story#axzz2iTd4XEMI

 

A resurgence of polio outbreaks in Africa
http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/worry-polio-resurfaces-east-africa

 

Issues & history of human population… from Malthus to Ehrlich….  (with podcast & link to slides)
http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/2013/10/malthus-ehrlich-beyond-william-pan-roots-phe/

 

An artist’s view of human impacts on the environment (with photographs!)
http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/site_contents/Photographs/Water.html
Related article:  http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22029394.700-labyrinthine-m-c-escher-stairs-line-vast-indian-well.html

 

Massive wildfires in Australia…numerous contributing factors, causes & severe impacts (& videos)
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/22/21073751-australia-fires-authorities-fret-over-bad-as-it-gets-forecast?lite

 

Rhino born from artificial insemination dies at 4 months… necropsy to investigate why
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=alabama-zoo-to-probe-death-of-artificially-conceived-rhino

 

One of the hottest items for rooftops of middle-class American homes
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=middle-class-homeowners-flock-to-rooftop-solar

 

Cold-water species that are major source of human food are not adapting to warming ocean
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/cold-water-fish-food-not-adapting-warming-world-study-says-8C11432387

 

Concern that culling of badgers in Britain may disrupt social structure & increase TB spread
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24587975

 

Changing government policy may have increased risk of rabies in Britain
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24569593

 

Wind turbines can be hazardous to human health:  “Wind Turbine Syndrome”
http://gma.yahoo.com/wind-turbine-syndrome-blamed-mysterious-symptoms-cape-cod-112835454--abc-news-wellness.html

 

CRS Report:  Statistics on Wildfire Management since 2008 & wildfire suppression funding
http://nationalaglawcenter.org/wp-content/uploads//assets/crs/R43077.pdf

 

CRS Report:  The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative – Background & Issues
http://nationalaglawcenter.org/wp-content/uploads//assets/crs/R43249.pdf

 

Enviro-Sciences Awareness Bulletin Board

 The importance of the Mississippi River plume to transport & fate of Deep Horizon pollution
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/New_research_illustrates_Mississippi_Rivers_role_999.html

 

Carcinogens from fossil fuel hub cause higher blood cancer rates in men
http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-alberta-air-20131026,0,954054.story#axzz2iqnWYAtv

 

AGI survey of recent geoscience grads…where they work & what they get paid
http://www.agiweb.org/workforce/Currents/Currents-81-JobsSalaries2013.pdf

 

World continues to heavily rely upon fossil fuels for energy
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=fossil-fuel-use-continues-to-rise

 

Sea serpents and Earthquakes…..should we be worried??!!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/10398931/Oarfish-discovery-sparks-sea-serpent-earthquake-fears.html

 

Earthquake in the Philippines last week created rock scarp up to 10 feet high and 3+ miles long
http://www.technology.org/2013/10/25/philippine-earthquake-creates-miles-long-rocky-wall/

 

What do you want to know about T-Rex?
http://www.nature.com/news/palaeontology-the-truth-about-t-rex-1.13988?WT.ec_id=NATURE-20131024

 

If it’s a rocket…rush indoors BUT if it’s an earthquake…rush outdoors!!
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/25/world/middleeast/in-quake-prone-israel-public-is-advised-to-take-cover-this-time-outside.html

 

Analyzing the seismic response of landfills (with video)
http://www.cenews.com/news-nsf_funded_research_team_analyzes_seismic_response_of_landfills__with_videos_-2535.html

 

Humans make huge amounts of garbage…one challenge is what to do with it?
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=material-remains-the-perpetual-challenge-of-garbage

 

“SoilDoc” to provide on-site testing of soil characteristics

http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/New_soil_testing_kit_for_third_world_countries_999.html

 

Poaching of fossils from fames sites robs science of the knowledge they provide
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/22/science/plundering-science-bone-by-bone.html

 

What the fossil of a baby dinosaur reveals about how they grew up
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/oct/22/beautiful-baby-dinosaur-delights-palaeontologists

 

Toxic legacy of mining for rare earth elements for all those high tech devices
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/23/business/international/china-tries-to-clean-up-toxic-legacy-of-its-rare-earth-riches.html

 

Realizing the significant value of sand dunes along the coast to protect against hurricanes
http://www.onearth.org/articles/2013/10/can-sand-dunes-save-our-cities

 

GOCE satellite has completed mission of detailed mapping of Earth gravity (link to results)
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/GOCE_completes_its_mission

 

This assemblage of crystals was the most expensive item at a recent auction
http://www.livescience.com/40590-purple-cube-crystal-tops-auction-sales.html

 

Next big EQ in Pacific Northwest could trigger dangerous landslides in Seattle area
http://www.geologytimes.com/research/Quake-triggered_landslides_pose_significant_hazard_for_Seattle_new_study_details_potential_damage.asp

 

Do the “global warming alarmists” know that annual CO2 emissions in the US continue to drop?
http://www.livescience.com/40600-us-carbon-dioxide-emissions-drop.html

 

Gold content of trees may be useful tool to prospecting for deeper deposits
http://www.livescience.com/40603-gold-found-in-eucalyptus-trees.html

 

Using game theory to attempt to settle disputes over water resources
http://www.earthmagazine.org/article/gaming-system-caspian-sea-can-game-theory-solve-decades-old-dispute

"Statistics are people with the tears wiped away."  -- Unknown, said at a conference on the response to Hurricane Katrina  

Sunday Surprise: USGS and Others on Water Dowsing

As I was trolling the WWW the other day I stumbled upon a 1988 publication by the USGS, Water Dowsing:

Download Water_Dowsing_USGS 

I had forgotten that the USGS had published something on dowsing, or water witching. For good reason the USGS is not a big fan - no surprise!

My colleague Todd Jarvis has explored the issue in depth. Here is a PDF of a detailed very balanced presentation he prepared in 2007 which I previously posted:

Download Dowsing_24sept2007

I have never used dowsing or a dowser to ocate a well. My limited experience with dowsers suggests that they are actually very good 'amateur' hydrogeologists who know the area and what features may indicate the presence of groundwater. But what about dowsers who are successful far away from home?

I've seen it used in several instances. In one case, on the coastal plain of Virginia, a dowser successfully located a domestic well. Given that it is tough not to find groundwater in the coastal plain - akin to finding the Cadillac in the haystack - that will provide 5-10 gallons per minute, that was not such a big deal. 

The other case was in the Georgia Piedmont - fractured, hard rock territory. It was a success - again, a small-capacity domestic well. The region received over 50 inches of precipitation per year and generally had shallow water tables. If you knew the fracture orientations you had a god chance of locating a good domestic well.

One case in northern New Mexico was unsuccessful - drilling in shale in a low-rainfall region. The driller quit at 300 feet without hitting sufficient water for a domestic well.

Three samples does not say much.

 It's true that you can drill a well almost anywhere on Earth and will find groundwater although it may be at great depth, in limited quanity for the proposed use, and of poor quality. In such a case, a dowser might find a well, but for how long will it be producing good-quality water?

What I love are the folks who claim to be able to locate wells in absentia by dowsing maps and charts. Now that's really something! C'mon man!

More information? American Society of Dowsers. Then there is Digital Dowsing.

Suffice it to say that I am not a big fan of dowsing since I know of no scientific evidence to support it. But that doesn't mean it won't work, perhaps for the reasons alluded to above. There is also dumb luck, too, but even we hydrogeologists have been known to use that technique.

Dowsers who have worked for a long time with a good record of success in the same area can be a fgood option if you are looking to locate a well. Probably better than some newly-minted snot-nose city slicker.

So if dowsing floats your boat, then good luck and caveat emptor! But call a hydrogeologist when you're done.

"A fool and water will go the way they are diverted." - Ethiopian proverb