WaterWired

Water, Volume 10, Issue 2 (February 2018) - Open Access

If you can't access the papers here, go to the issue's homepage.

Cover Story

Impact of Hydrodynamic Reconfiguration with Baffles on Treatment Performance in Waste Stabilisation Ponds: A Full-Scale Experiment

Liah X. Coggins, Jesse Sounness, Lianpeng Zheng, Marco Ghisalberti and Anas Ghadouani

Water 2018, 10(2), 109; doi:10.3390/w10020109 

Featured Papers

Article

Sorption of Arsenic from Desalination Concentrate onto Drinking Water Treatment Solids: Operating Conditions and Kinetics

Xuesong Xu, Lu Lin, Charalambos Papelis and Pei Xu

Water 2018, 10(2), 96; doi:10.3390/w10020096

Article

A Wall Boundary Condition for the Simulation of a Turbulent Non-Newtonian Domestic Slurry in Pipes

Dhruv Mehta, Adithya Krishnan Thota Radhakrishnan, Jules van Lier and Francois Clemens

Water 2018, 10(2), 124; doi:10.3390/w10020124

Review

Knowledge to Predict Pathogens: Legionella pneumophila Lifecycle Critical Review Part I Uptake into Host Cells

Alexis L. Mraz and Mark H. Weir

Water 2018, 10(2), 132; doi:10.3390/w10020132

Article

Groundwater Overexploitation and Seawater Intrusion in Coastal Areas of Arid and Semi-Arid Regions

Nawal Alfarrah and Kristine Walraevens

Water 2018, 10(2), 143; doi:10.3390/w10020143

Article

Improving the Multi-Objective Performance of Rainwater Harvesting Systems Using Real-Time Control Technology

Wei D. Xu, Tim D. Fletcher, Hugh P. Duncan, David J. Bergmann, Jeddah Breman and Matthew J. Burns

Water 2018, 10(2), 147; doi:10.3390/w10020147

Review

Activated Carbon, Biochar and Charcoal: Linkages and Synergies across Pyrogenic Carbon’s ABCs

Nikolas Hagemann, Kurt Spokas, Hans-Peter Schmidt, Ralf Kägi, Marc Anton Böhler and Thomas D. Bucheli

Water 2018, 10(2), 182; doi:10.3390/w10020182

Article

A Generalized Semi-Analytical Solution for the Dispersive Henry Problem: Effect of Stratification and Anisotropy on Seawater Intrusion

Marwan Fahs, Behshad Koohbor, Benjamin Belfort, Behzad Ataie-Ashtiani, Craig T. Simmons, Anis Younes and Philippe Ackerer

Water 2018, 10(2), 230; doi:10.3390/w10020230

Article

Adaptation Tipping Points of a Wetland under a Drying Climate

Amar Nanda, Leah Beesley, Luca Locatelli, Berry Gersonius, Matthew R. Hipsey and Anas Ghadouani

Water 2018, 10(2), 234; doi:10.3390/w10020234 

Reviews

A Water–Energy–Food Nexus Perspective on the Challenge of Eutrophication

V. Ratna Reddy, Davi Gasparini Fernandes Cunha and Mathew Kurian

Water 2018, 10(2), 101; doi:10.3390/w10020101

Carbamazepine as a Possible Anthropogenic Marker in Water: Occurrences, Toxicological Effects, Regulations and Removal by Wastewater Treatment Technologies

Faisal I. Hai, Shufan Yang, Muhammad B. Asif, Vitor Sencadas, Samia Shawkat, Martina Sanderson-Smith, Jody Gorman, Zhi-Qiang Xu and Kazuo Yamamoto

Water 2018, 10(2), 107; doi:10.3390/w10020107

Evolving Governance and Contested Water Reforms in Australia’s Murray Darling Basin

Jason Alexandra

Water 2018, 10(2), 113; doi:10.3390/w10020113

Sustainably Managing Reservoir Storage: Ancient Roots of a Modern Challenge

G. Mathias Kondolf and Alan Farahani

Water 2018, 10(2), 117; doi:10.3390/w10020117

A Systematic Review of Quantitative Resilience Measures for Water Infrastructure Systems

Sangmin Shin, Seungyub Lee, David R. Judi, Masood Parvania, Erfan Goharian, Timothy McPherson and Steven J. Burian

Water 2018, 10(2), 164; doi:10.3390/w10020164

Ecological Models to Infer the Quantitative Relationship between Land Use and the Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Community

Minar Naomi Damanik-Ambarita, Gert Everaert and Peter L. M. Goethals

Water 2018, 10(2), 184; doi:10.3390/w10020184

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Reviews

A Water–Energy–Food Nexus Perspective on the Challenge of Eutrophication

V. Ratna Reddy, Davi Gasparini Fernandes Cunha and Mathew Kurian

Water 2018, 10(2), 101; doi:10.3390/w10020101

Carbamazepine as a Possible Anthropogenic Marker in Water: Occurrences, Toxicological Effects, Regulations and Removal by Wastewater Treatment Technologies

Faisal I. Hai, Shufan Yang, Muhammad B. Asif, Vitor Sencadas, Samia Shawkat, Martina Sanderson-Smith, Jody Gorman, Zhi-Qiang Xu and Kazuo Yamamoto

Water 2018, 10(2), 107; doi:10.3390/w10020107

Evolving Governance and Contested Water Reforms in Australia’s Murray Darling Basin

Jason Alexandra

Water 2018, 10(2), 113; doi:10.3390/w10020113

Sustainably Managing Reservoir Storage: Ancient Roots of a Modern Challenge

G. Mathias Kondolf and Alan Farahani

Water 2018, 10(2), 117; doi:10.3390/w10020117

A Systematic Review of Quantitative Resilience Measures for Water Infrastructure Systems

Sangmin Shin, Seungyub Lee, David R. Judi, Masood Parvania, Erfan Goharian, Timothy McPherson and Steven J. Burian

Water 2018, 10(2), 164; doi:10.3390/w10020164

Ecological Models to Infer the Quantitative Relationship between Land Use and the Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Community

Minar Naomi Damanik-Ambarita, Gert Everaert and Peter L. M. Goethals

Water 2018, 10(2), 184; doi:10.3390/w10020184

Case Report

Evaluating the Water Quality Benefits of a Bioswale in Brunswick County, North Carolina (NC), USA

Rebecca A. Purvis, Ryan J. Winston, William F. Hunt, Brian Lipscomb, Karthik Narayanaswamy, Andrew McDaniel, Matthew S. Lauffer and Susan Libes

Water 2018, 10(2), 134; doi:10.3390/w10020134

Concept Paper

Sustainable Ice-Jam Flood Management for Socio-Economic and Socio-Ecological Systems

Apurba Das, Maureen Reed and Karl-Erich Lindenschmidt

Water 2018, 10(2), 135; doi:10.3390/w10020135 

Special Issues Open for Submissions

Sponge Cities: Emerging Approaches, Challenges and Opportunities
(Deadline: 2 March 2018)

Technologies and Interventions to Support Sustainable Urban Water Management
(Deadline: 15 March 2018)

Advances in Ecological Water System Modeling: Integration and Leanification as a Basis for Application in Environmental Management
(Deadline: 27 March 2018)

Assessment of Current and Future Vulnerability of Flooding with Hydrologic/Hydraulic Modeling and Remote Sensing Techniques
(Deadline: 31 March 2018)

Transdisciplinarity and Knowledge Co-production: Reflections from Water Governance
(Deadline: 31 March 2018)

Application of the China Meteorological Assimilation Driving Datasets for the SWAT Model (CMADS) in East Asia
(Deadline: 31 March 2018)

Hydrology, Water Resources Management and Protection of the Marine Environment–Selected Papers from the 15th International Conference on Environmental Science And Technology (CEST2017)
(Deadline: 31 March 2018)

Water Quality: A Component of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus
(Deadline: 31 March 2018)

Eutrophication of Waterways: An Old Problem with Modern Consequences
(Deadline: 31 March 2018)

Soil Erosion by Water
(Deadline: 31 March 2018)

To access the full list of Special Issues, please click here 

Topical Collections (without Deadline)

Water Policy Collection

To access the full list of Topical Collections, please click here

 

"Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed." - Jonathan Swift

Josh Newton's Water Jobs and More! 27 February 2018

Josh hopes to have another list on 1 March 2018.

You can check out Josh Newton's searchable website for all his jobs. His jobs are on Facebook, too. Follow Josh Newton on Twitter: @joshnewtonH2O. Follow Josh's Water Jobs on Twitter: @joshswaterjob.

Today's list:

As a PDF: Download 27 February 2018 - JWJ 

As a Word doc: Download 27 February 2018 - JWJ

Josh’s Pick:

1) Research Assistant – Global Water 2020 (Washington DC): Until filled (Great junior position for someone based in the US)

Deadline today (27 February)!

2) Investment Operation Specialist or Senior Investment Operation Specialist (Water) – Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) (Beijing): 27 February (Bound to be an interesting position)

3) U.S. Citizens: Hydrologist – U.S. Department of the Interior (Henderson, NV, USA): 27 February

Minimum experience level requested:

0-4 years

4) Adaptive Management Program Specialist – Great Lakes Commission (Ann Arbor, MI, USA): 5 March

5) Laboratory Technician – IHE Delft (Netherlands): 5 March

6) Water Policy Analyst – Arizona State University (Phoenix, AZ, USA): 5 March

7) Glaciologist – The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) (Kathmandu): 18 March (PhD required)

8) Executive Director – Beaver Watershed Alliance (BWA) (Springdale, AZ, USA): Until filled

9) Environmental Analyst – New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) (Lowell, MA, USA): 23 March

10) Executive Director – The Alpine Watershed Group (AWG) (Woodlands, CA, USA): 2 April

11) Science Project Manager – Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (United Kingdom): 21 March

12) Junior Specialist – University of California-Davis (Department of Land Air and Water Resources) (Davis, CA, USA): 18 March

13) Research Project Manager (Water and Climate) – Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) (Vaughan, ON, Canada): 5 March

5-9 years

14) Water Policy Specialist – WaterNow Alliance (San Francisco, CA, USA): Until filled

15) Research Fellow (Foresight) – Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) (Stockholm): 5 April

16) Adaptation Capacity Building Coordinator (Full-time consultant to be embedded in the Department of Environmental Affairs) – Department of Environmental Affairs, Republic of South Africa (South Africa): 2 March

17) Freshwater Lead Advisor (2 positions) – Natural England (United Kingdom): 2 March

18) Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Resolution and Learning (MERL) – The Water Project (Concord, NH, USA): Until filled

19) Program Analyst (Climate) – D.C. Department of Energy and Environment (Washington DC): 16 March

10+ years

20) Environmental Expert – Niras (Laos): 31 March

21) Team Leader/Evaluation Expert – Social Impact (Tajikistan): Until filled

Not stated (other):

22) Research Fellow (Urban Sustainability) – Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) (Bangkok): 23 March

23) U.S. Citizens: Research Physical Scientist, AST, Earth Sciences Remote Sensing – National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (Greenbelt, MD, USA): 8 March

24) Integrated Water Management Specialist – Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (Lincoln, NE, USA): 8 March

25) Community Coordinator – The River Project (Los Angeles, CA, USA): 12 March

26) Project Officer – Letcombe Brook Project (United Kingdom): 19 March

27) Watershed Representative – Tennessee Valley Authority (Various, USA): 2 March

28) Reporting Officer – The Water Project (Concord, NH, USA): Until filled

Not stated (academic):

29) Assistant Professor (Spatial Design and Water Management) – University of Groningen (RUG) (Netherlands): 31 March

30) 2-year Postdoctoral Fellowship – Eawag (Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology) (Switzerland): 9 April

31) Postdoctoral Research Position – Water Institute (Dublin City University) (Dublin): 14 March

32) Post Doctoral Scholar – University of California-Merced (Merced, CA, USA): 16 March

33) Assistant Professor (Environmental Science) – Texas A&M University (College Station, TX, USA): Until filled

34) Research Associate (Water for Sanitation and Health) – Lancaster University (United Kingdom): 13 March

35) Hydrologist Research Scientist – Berkeley Lab (Berkeley, CA, USA): Until filled

36) Research Engineer (Institute for Coastal and Water Research) – University of Louisiana-Lafayette (Lafayette, LA, USA): Until filled

37) Post-Doctoral Research Officer (Climate Adaptation, Sustainable Development and Insurance) – London School of Economics (LSE) (London): 21 March

38) Professor and Chair (Soil and Water Sciences) – University of Florida (Gainesville, FL, USA): 15 April

WASH:

39) Country Director (Papua New Guinea) – WaterAid Australia (Papua New Guinea): 5 March

40) Senior Programme Manager (WASH) – IRC (Netherlands): 23 March

41) WASH Project Manager – INTERSOS (South Sudan): 7 March

42) WASH Programme Coordinator – Concern Worldwide (Iraq): 14 March

43) Disaster Response WASH Advisor – Heart to Heart International: Until filled

44) Iraq nationals: WASH Technical Officer – Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) (Iraq): 7 March

45) Tanzania nationals: WASH Technical Assistant (Hygiene Promotion) – Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) (Tanzania): 5 March

46) Tanzania nationals: WASH Officer (Sanitation and Solid Waste Management) – Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) (Tanzania): 5 March

47) Myanmar nationals: WASH Officer (Water and Water Quality) – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) (Myanmar): 6 March

48) Myanmar nationals: WASH Officer – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) (Myanmar): 6 March

Consultancies:

49) General Professional Roster – Tetra Tech (Various): Rolling (A reminder to join another roster, this one for junior level as well)

50) Sustainable Mountain Development Specialists – Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (Home-Based): 28 February

51) Consultancy: WASH Financing – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) (Nairobi): 7 March

52) Hydraulic Modelling and technical assessment of the water distribution network in Bentiu PoC – Concern Worldwide (South Sudan): 5 March

53) Sudan nationals: Hydrogeologist – United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) (Sudan): 6 March

Internships:

54) Internship (Water, Security and Gender) – UNU Institute for Water Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) (Hamilton, ON, Canada): 30 April

55) Internship (Desalination) – UNU Institute for Water Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) (Hamilton, ON, Canada): 15 March

56) Internship (Water-Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in small island developing states (SIDS)) – UNU Institute for Water Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) (Hamilton, ON, Canada): 30 March

57) Summer Research Assistant – University of Michigan (Toolik, AK, USA): 22 March

58) Development Intern – Environmental Law Institute (ELI) (Washington DC): 12 March

59) Environmental Affairs Intern – United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (Geneva): 6 March

60) Public Information Intern – United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) (Nairobi): 2 March

Other:

61) Watershed Conservation (AmeriCorps Service Position) – Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (Indiana, PA, USA): 2 March

62) Spanish speakers: Junior EU Aid Volunteer in Climate Change Adaptation and Ecosystem – Gruppo di Volontariato Civile (GVC) (Bolivia): 1 March

63) Spanish speakers: Senior EU Aid Volunteer in Project Monitoring and Evaluation in Bolivia – Gruppo di Volontariato Civile (GVC) (Bolivia): 1 March

64) WaterGenerations Grants: Round 2 of Submissions – The International Secretariat for Water (ISW) and Solidarity Water Europe (SWE): 1 March

Additional Positions

Posted: Last Week

 

65) Positions (4): Various Oregon Irrigation Districts - Assistant Manager, Ochoco; Manager, Vale; Patrolman/Ditchrider, Central Oregon; Heavy Equipment Operator, Three Sisters.  Download Oregon_Irrigation_District_Jobs

 

66) Position: @CSIROnews (Aspendale, VIC or Hobart, TAS) - Research Scientist - Coastal Climate Projections. Closes: 15 March https://jobs.csiro.au/s/drq2xq  #JobWaWi

 

67) Position: @ycwua Yuma County Water Users' Association (Yuma, AZ) - Construction & Maintenance Manager http://bit.ly/2BGajE4  #JobWaWi

 

68) Position: @WDFW (Olympia) - Environmental Planner 5 (Habitat Program, Ecosystems Services Division). Closes: 27 February http://bit.ly/2EDQEq0  #JobWaWi

69) Position: Curry County Soil & Water Conservation District (Gold Beach, OR) - Monitoring Program Coordinator. Closes: 16 March http://bit.ly/2BoRHVj  #JobWaWi

70) Position: Cranfield University (UK) - Research Fellow in Rural Water Supply (Groundwater/India). Download Cranfield_Res_Fellow

71) Position: @EcologyWA (Vernon, WA) - Director, NW Straits Commission (EMS Band 2). Continuous. http://bit.ly/2s74YT8 

 

 72) PhD Position: Delft University of Technology (NL) - Statistics & Processes of Global Precipitation. Closes: 1 March http://bit.ly/2nEy8UX  #JobWaWi

 

73) Position: @GLCommission (Ann Arbor, MI) - Adaptive Management Program Specialist. Closes: 5 March http://bit.ly/2BJ3dOO  #JobWaWi

 

74 Position: OR DF&W (Salem) - Natural Resource Specialist 2 (Instream Flow Study Assistant). Closes: 20 March http://bit.ly/2EK7pAH  #JobWaWi

 

75) Position: @PCUSAMission (Zambia) - Regional Liaison for East Central Africa (World Mission), Start: June 2018 http://bit.ly/2BUdxnd  #JobWaWi

 

76) Position: @Westlands_Water (Fresno, CA) - Field Engineer. Closes: 16 March https://tinyurl.com/y9b9chef  #JobWaWi #cawater

 

Some General Employment Resources:

AGU Career Center for research/academic jobs

Congressional Research Service Positions 

Check out @AidJobs - Vacancies in aid, development, humanitarian & nonprofit sector (volunteers, consultants or F-T employment) http://aidjobs.org

UN Jobs in Water Resources

UN Jobs in Water Management

UN Jobs in Water and Sanitation

Global Water Jobs

WASH Vacancies

Academic Jobs Online

Higher Education Job Site

Get Hydrology Jobs

AAG Jobs

@BCWaterNews Jobs Click 'View Jobs' at http://bcwaterjobs.com 

@EcologyWA - Current Openings - Updated every few days. Click here. 

King County (WA) Jobs

Geoscience Job Board

California DWR Jobs

AZ Water Career Center 

Florida Water Jobs

NYC DEP 

Nature Conservancy jobs

State of Washington Careers

Idaho DEQ 

OSU Water Resources Program

Water District Jobs

Academic Jobs in Schools of Physical/Earth Sciences

Mac's List - Jobs in Portland and Beyond!

New Zealand Hydrological Society Jobs Board

California Water Jobs 

Government Jobs

Association of Oregon Counties Job Postings

Soil Science Societies Career Center

How to Find Work Overseas, with Marcelle Yeager. http://bit.ly/1pIopLT  

The weekly water news - click here 

Elaine J. Hanford's Bulletin Boards: click here. 

"To thine own self be true." - William Shakespeare (Polonius in Hamlet)

Elaine J. Hanford's Bulletin Boards: 1) Geosciences; 2) Environmental Sciences; 3) Coastal Zone Management - 26 February 2018

Interesting - 19th century Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis was institutionalized for promoting handwashing. Read about it here. Well, at least he got his picture on a stamp!

Do you know of a colleague and/or student who would be interested in receiving these Bulletin Board listings? Please forward this to them. A quick email to
[email protected]t with the word “subscribe” in the subject line and the email address will be added to the weekly distribution.

Here are Elaine's BBs as Word/PDF documents:   

As a PDF: Download Bulletin_board_listings_26Feb2018

Word: Download Bulletin_board_listings_26Feb2018

The weekly water news summary is here:  17 - 23 February 2018

If one of the links below does not work, paste it into your browser.

Geoscience Bulletin Board – 26 February 2018 - compiled by Elaine J. Hanford 

Long-range prediction for 300 mm of rain when storm hits New South Wales, Australia, next weekend

• https://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/weather-guru-tips-300mm-rain-smash-north-coast/3344733/

Seeking public comment of draft list of 35 minerals deemed critical to US national security & economy

• https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-seeks-public-comment-draft-list-35-minerals-deemed-critical-us-national

Remembering the volcanic birth of Parícutin 75 years ago (with historic & modern fly-over videos)

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidbressan/2018/02/20/75-years-ago-humanity-witnessed-the-birth-of-a-volcano/#7399ad37d870

Stable gas hydrates can dissociate and trigger submarine landslides that may cause tsunamis

• https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/hcfo-sgh022018.php

Photo-essay of violent eruption of Mount Sinabung

• https://qz.com/1211486/indonesia-volcano-an-eruption-at-mount-sinabung-completely-annihilated-its-peak/
• http://www.iflscience.com/environment/check-out-the-ethereal-imagery-of-mount-sinabungs-latest-eruption/

Tectonic plates of continental interiors are less stable than previously thought

• https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2018/02/20/Study-Tectonic-plates-of-continental-interiors-are-less-stable-than-previously-thought/6191519139597/
• https://phys.org/news/2018-02-continental-interiors-tectonically-stable-geologists.html

In Memoriam: planetary geologist Ursula Bailey Marvin (1921-2018)

• https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/obituaries/2018/02/18/ursula-bailey-marvin-groundbreaking-geologist/CF76ewLIQ9leZ6c5ne4G5L/story.html

Open access spatial data of field systems, such as soil moisture, are important for research

• https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uoh-odh022018.php

Portugal joins National Tsunami Warning Provider network for NE Atlantic, Mediterranean & Connected Seas (NEAM) region

• https://www.unisdr.org/archive/56041

Swarm of 200 EQs over 10 days at Yellowstone reflect strain associated with magma chamber

• https://www.theepochtimes.com/scientists-detect-200-earthquakes-in-10-days-at-yellowstone-supervolcano-as-magma-shows-strain_2445825.html

More global warming hype touting the goals of the Paris Agreement

• https://www.technology.org/2018/02/21/risk-of-extreme-weather-events-higher-if-paris-agreement-goals-arent-met-stanford-researchers-find/

“First hint” of shift in decades-long trend toward fresher, less dense water off Antarctica revealed by CSIRO

• http://www.canberratimes.com.au/environment/global-warming/climate-secrets-of-the-deep-southern-ocean-to-be-revealed-20180219-p4z0ug.html

Career of USGS Geophysicist - Dr. Rufus Catchings

• https://www.usgs.gov/news/one-first-black-usgs-geophysicists-pioneers-subsurface-research

Proposed $860M USGS budget for FY2019

• https://www.usgs.gov/news/president-proposes-860-million-usgs-budget-fy2019
• http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-earthquake-early-warning-20180220-htmlstory.html

Foucault’s Pendulum proves the Earth rotates

• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-does-foucaults-pendulum-prove-earth-rotates-180968024/

Why were most ankylosaurs fossilized belly up?

• http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/02/most-ankylosaurs-were-fossilized-belly-now-scientists-think-they-know-why

“Lost landmass” of Appalachia based on review of paleontological research across the eastern US where dinosaurs were different than in Laramidia to the West

• http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/dinosaurs-lost-landmass-appalachia-05747.html

Plants colonized Earth 100 million years earlier than previously thought

• http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Plants_colonized_the_earth_100_million_years_earlier_than_previously_thought_999.html

Model based on ground-running birds could predict locomotion of bipedal dinosaurs

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180221140943.htm

More accurate long-term weather predictions – tropical storms like the pebble in the pond create ripple effects

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180220170354.htm

Evolution of the crust determined the course of evolution of life on Earth

• https://www.technology.org/2018/02/21/earths-crust-determined-the-course-of-the-evolution-of-life-scientists-confirm/

Ocean-wide sensor array helps reveal complexity of currents in the North Atlantic that drive weather

• https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-02113-y

 

Environmental Science Bulletin Board – 26 February 2018 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

As the 2018 Winter Olympics draw to an end, think about the glorious facilities of recent Games – now abandoned, decaying & derelict, covered in graffiti – what a waste

• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/proof/2018/february/old-abandoned-olympic-stadiums/

When scientists “discover” what indigenous people have known for centuries – if they agree, they value it but if disagree with their claims they dismiss it

• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-science-takes-so-long-catch-up-traditional-knowledge-180968216/

Flood diversion projects are expensive! This one in East Dallas is projected to cost $206.7M and that is without any potential change orders once the 5-mile project gets underway

• https://www.dallasnews.com/news/dallas-city-hall/2018/02/14/dallas-approves207m-contract-keep-baylor-hospital-fair-park-water

Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks are native to Asia but now found as invasive species in New Jersey

• https://entomologytoday.org/2018/02/21/native-asia-found-new-jersey-curious-case-invasive-tick/

China plans to feed 1.4B craving Western-style diets – that may not be a good thing for many reasons

• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/02/feeding-china-growing-appetite-food-industry-agriculture/

Fluoride transformed from industrial waste to public health “miracle” but controversy remains

• http://origins.osu.edu/article/toxic-treatment-fluorides-transformation-industrial-waste-public-health-miracle

New reports say renewable energy companies are at high risk for cyber attacks

• https://www.power-technology.com/news/renewable-energy-companies-high-risk-cyberattack-claims-report/
• https://www.worldenergy.org/news-and-media/press-releases/new-cyber-report-energy-sector-prime-target-for-cyber-attacks/
• Report link: https://www.worldenergy.org/publications/2016/the-road-to-resilience-managing-cyber-risks/

Domestication is not a point (i.e., Papal edict of 600 AD) - it is a process even for bunny rabbits

• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/strange-tidy-story-rabbit-domestication-also-completely-false-180968168/

Largest Salmonella outbreak linked to live “backyard” poultry – 1,120 cases in 48 States in 2017

• http://skyvalleychronicle.com/BREAKING-NEWS/Largest-Salmonella-outbreak-ever-linked-to-live-backyard-poultry-was-last-year-3120276

New €40M Dublin, Ireland, hotel claims to be “sustainable” – but breakfast definitely will cost extra

• https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/ireland/first-look-new-dublin-hotel-fully-powered-by-underground-river-1.3393798

Interdisciplinary study facilitates understanding of interaction of climate, ecology & evolution

• https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/csu-cce022018.php

Study emphasizes role of land-use change (i.e., deforestation, agriculture) affects global climate

• https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/ecjr-luc022018.php

Drink more coffee – good for biodiversity as long as it is grown in the shade

• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/coffee-farms-are-good-birds-other-wildlife-study-finds-180968205/

Countries with reserves of lithium, copper & rare earth metals may be poised to become “renewable superpowers”

• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/countries-poised-to-become-renewable-superpowers-180968209/

Why common hamsters are disappearing from Europe - cannibalizing their young on a corn-fed diet

• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-hamsters-cannabalizing-their-young-180968071/

Lepidopterists have compiled the most comprehensive evolutionary tree for butterflies

• http://www.sci-news.com/biology/butterfly-evolutionary-tree-05743.html

White-letter hairstreak butterfly recently returned to Scotland & is now laying eggs

• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/butterfly-recently-returned-scotland-now-its-laying-eggs-180968195/

Fate of Kinchega National Park depends on water extracted for agriculture in Murray-Darling Basin

• http://www.canberratimes.com.au/environment/conservation/kinchega-np-at-the-mercy-20180221-p4z15b.html

Proposed new giant landfill in Queensland causes mounting controversy associated with waste trade

• http://www.canberratimes.com.au/environment/garbage-king-proposes-giant-queensland-dump-amid-interstate-stink-20180219-p4z0vv.html

Environmental cost of making snow for skiing

• https://www.npr.org/2018/02/17/584494192/snow-making-for-skiing-during-warm-winters-comes-with-environmental-cost

Critics charge that making horse pox (related to small pox) in the lab puts public potentially at risk

• https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/17/585385308/did-pox-virus-research-put-potential-profits-ahead-of-public-safety

Glastonbury Festival bans all plastic bottles & BP predicts plastics bans will reduce demand for oil

• https://www.treehugger.com/plastic/glastonbury-festival-ban-all-plastic-bottles-site.html
• https://www.treehugger.com/plastic/bp-predicts-plastics-bans-will-slow-oil-demand-growth.html

Creating hedgehog crossings in London

• https://www.treehugger.com/animals/man-building-hedgehog-highways-london.html

Akwesasne Mohawk Reserve battling to preserve their homeland from environmental impacts of industry

• http://www.ehn.org/mohawk-akwesasne-environmental-justice-superfund-2537159934.html

State of Missouri still battling against 780-mile Grain Belt Express overhead transmission line

• http://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-missouri-s-rural-way-of-life-threatened-by-more/article_6adc8051-528e-59ff-bfdf-13193a2ceb28.html

Live in the city? Urban noise might be making you sick

• https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/02/city-noise-might-be-making-you-sick/553385/
• https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/a-mysterious-and-maddening-hum-is-tormenting-residents-of-this-canadian-city/

Perspective: San Diego County, California, still battling sewage spills from Tijuana

• http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/columnists/michael-smolens/sd-me-smolens-sewage-20180214-story.html

Investigating the global impact of intensive farming practices & looking for solutions

• Animals Farmed – series:   https://www.theguardian.com/animals-farmed/2018/feb/21/animals-farmed-welcome-series-farming-agriculture-environment

Photo essay: Floating bridges - Evergreen Point Bridge across Lake Washington in Seattle is the longest

• https://www.enr.com/articles/44013-the-10-longest-floating-bridges-in-the-world

First 3D models of now extinct Tasmanian tiger, Thylacinus cynocephalus

• http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Tasmanian_tiger_just_another_marsupial_in_the_pouch_999.html

In France, 72 to 89% of samples of fruit & 41 to 84.6% of organic veggies contained pesticides

• http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/Pesticide_traces_in_three-quarters_of_French_fruit_report_999.html

Causal chains proposed to explain complex & dynamic links between environmental health & humans

• https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/aiob-otl022118.php

Fungi may provide improved processes of manufacturing biofuels

• https://www.technology.org/2018/02/21/how-to-improve-the-manufacturing-of-biofuels-fungi-have-the-answer/

Singapore is running out of space – planning to expand underground

• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/keep-up-with-growth-singapore-has-grand-plan-to-expand-underground-180968199/

Salt water crocodiles are efficient hunters and sometimes get the fisherman in the Philippines

• http://start.att.net/news/read/article/afp-philippine_fisherman_eaten_in_rising_croc_attacks-afp/category/news

Judge orders review of Keystone XL Pipeline in response to environmental complaint

• https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2018-02-21/judge-orders-govt-review-of-keystone-pipeline-documents

1.6B gallon recycled water reservoir now under construction in Orange County, California, to meet summer irrigation needs when completed in 2019

• https://www.ocregister.com/2018/02/22/officials-break-ground-on-1-6-billion-gallon-recycled-water-reservoir-in-south-o-c/

CONTISOL - Solar-powered hydrogen reactor stores heat for overnight power generation

• https://newatlas.com/contisol-hydrogen-csp-plant/53514/

Coastal Zone Management Bulletin Board – 26 February 2018 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

Timeline publicly presented for Jetty Foreshore development project in NSW

• https://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/timeline-given-to-jetty-foreshore- development-plan/3339973/

Team will design resilience measures to minimize flood risk affecting Bridgeport, Connecticut

• https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/02/20/1362022/0/en/Team-of-Architects- Engineers-Designers-and-Urban-Planners-to-Design-Coastal-Resilience-for-Bridgeport- Connecticut.html

Virginia Senate passed SB397 to establish HRVA Regional Coastal Resiliency Authority

• http://wtkr.com/2018/02/19/senate-passes-hrva-regional-coastal-resiliency-authority-bill/

Multiple theories on why trophy fish were at all-time low in 2017 along Atlantic Coast

• http://www.roanoke.com/sports/outdoors/bill-cochran-coastal-striped-bass-a-no-show-but-that/article_badb71a6-3194-5e3e-90e8-74612eb63e2d.html

Coastal recreation & tourism businesses fight offshore O&G drilling proposal

• https://www.ecowatch.com/offshore-drilling-tourism-recreation-2535424916.html

Tamil Nadu “Revised Draft Coastal Zone Management Plan” called an illegal recipe for disaster

• https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tidal-error-why-tamil-nadus-illegal-coastal-plan- recipe-disaster-76711

Perspective: Proper governance needed to protect $$M Marine Protected Areas in the Bahamas

• http://www.tribune242.com/news/2018/feb/20/proper-governance-needed-to-protect-multi- million/

Combining innovative engineering with restoration ecology of coral reefs beneficial to Caribbean Islands

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180212130830.htm

In Rhode Island, loss of thousands of acres of salt marsh to development decreases coastal protection

https://www.ecori.org/climate-change/2018/2/16/rhode-island-losing-ground-in-battle- against-sea-level-rise

US Interior Department announces largest sale of Offshore O&G drilling leases in history – but leasing does not necessarily mean drilling all 77.3M acres

• http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/interior-dept-announces-largest-sale-of-offshore-oil- and-gas-drilling-leases-in-history-170218?news=860419

Canadian firm chosen for Mid-Breton sediment diversion on Mississippi – coastal impacts of concern

•http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2018/02/canadian_firm_chosen_to_design.html

After 25 years of seeking approval, Monterey Bay Shores construction will now begin as coastal resort & condominium project in Sand City, California

http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/news/local_news/after-overcoming-a-slew-of- regulatory-challenges-a-coastal-hotel/article_d29bd32e-1770-11e8-9ec1- e7b334392946.html

Global warming hype threatens coastal marshes that could be “washed out to sea” along California coast by 2110

 http://www.witn.com/content/news/Both-sides-continue-to-debate-offshore-drilling- 474784083.html

Paper: http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/2/eaao3270.full

Debate over offshore drilling continues

 http://www.witn.com/content/news/Both-sides-continue-to-debate-offshore-drilling- 474784083.html

Study to analyze offshore wind farm efficiency and turbine positioning

http://renews.biz/110267/vattenfall-spotlights-offshore-shadows/

Tidal lagoons and marine energy may benefit from subsidized cost of offshore wind farming

  http://renews.biz/110257/offshore-costs-good-for-lagoons/

"Normailty is a paved road; it's comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it." - Vincent van Gogh (quoted in @EliteDaily via @TheWeek)

CRS Report: 'Methane and Other Air Pollution Issues in Natural Gas Systems'

Just published (15 February 2018) by the CRS and authored by Richard K. Lattanzio: Methane and Other Air Pollution Issues in Natural Gas Systems. I am especially interested in methane because it is one of the most potent GHGs there is. 

Click on the graphics to enlarge them.

Download CRS_Methane_Emissions_15Feb2018

Summary

Natural Gas Systems and Air Pollution

Congressional interest in U.S. energy policy has often focused on ways through which the United States could secure more economical, reliable, and cleaner fossil fuel resources both domestically and internationally. Recent expansion in natural gas production, primarily as a result of new or improved technologies (e.g., hydraulic fracturing, directional drilling) used on unconventional resources (e.g., shale, tight sands, and coalbed methane) has made natural gas an increasingly significant component in the U.S. energy supply. This expansion, however, has prompted questions about the potential impacts of natural gas systems on human health and the environment, including impacts on air quality.

The natural gas supply chain contributes to air pollution in several ways, including (1) the leaking, venting, and combustion of natural gas in the course of production operations; and (2) the combustion of other fossil fuel resources or other emissions during associated operations. Emission sources include pad, road, and pipeline construction; well drilling, completion, and flowback activities; and gas processing and transmission equipment such as controllers, compressors, dehydrators, pipes, and storage vessels. Pollutants include, most prominently, methane (i.e., the principal component of natural gas) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)— of which the natural gas industry is one of the highest-emitting industrial sectors in the United States—as well as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and various forms of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).

Federal Air Standards for the Sector

Under the Obama Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated air standards for several source categories in the crude oil and natural gas sector on August 16, 2012. These standards revise previously existing rules and promulgate new ones to regulate emissions of VOCs, SO2, and HAPs from many production and processing activities that had never before been covered by federal standards (including, most notably, VOC controls on new hydraulically fractured natural gas wells). In an extension of these regulations, and in conjunction with the Obama Administration’s Climate Action Plan, EPA promulgated additional rules on June 3, 2016, “to set standards for methane and VOC emissions from new and modified oil and gas production sources, and natural gas processing and transmission sources” not covered by the 2012 rule. Further, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), promulgated a “Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation” rule on November 18, 2016, to target natural gas emissions on federal and Indian lands as a potential waste of public resources and loss of royalty revenue.

In a direct response to the Obama-era standards, and in line with his campaign promises, President Trump signed Executive Order 13783 on March 28, 2017. The order—entitled “Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth”—requires agencies to review existing regulations and “appropriately suspend, revise, or rescind those that unduly burden” domestic energy production and use. Section 7 of the order specifically directs the EPA Administrator and the Secretary of the Interior to review several regulations related to domestic oil and gas development, including EPA’s 2016 methane standards and BLM’s 2016 waste prevention rule. In June 2017, both EPA and BLM announced plans to postpone the compliance dates for certain sections of the standards, pursuant to the Clean Air Act and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), while the agencies work through the reconsideration process. On July 3, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated EPA’s administrative stay of the 2016 methane standards. On October 4, 2017, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of 

California ruled against BLM’s delay. Both agencies have since proposed rulemakings to postpone and/or rescind certain requirements of the rules.

Scope and Purpose of This Report

This report provides information on the natural gas industry and the types and sources of air pollutants in the sector. It examines the role of the federal government in regulating these emissions, including the provisions in the Clean Air Act and other statutes, and EPA’s and other agencies’ regulatory activities. It concludes with a brief discussion of a number of issues under debate, including:

• defining the roles of industry and local, state, and federal governments;

•  establishing comprehensive emissions data;

•  determining the proper control of pollutants and sources;

•   understanding the human health and environmental impacts of emissions; and

•  estimating the costs of pollution abatement.

Enjoy!

"Women think differently from men, and can add a dimension to problem solving." - Pat Mulroy, former General Manager, Southern Nevada Water Authority

C'mon! WatSan Issues in the USA? UC-Davis Report 'The Struggle for Water Justice in California’s San Joaquin Valley'

On 11 March 2011 I wrote abut USA water and sanitation (WatSan) issues this in a blog post:

Catarina de Albuquerque is a Portuguese lawyer who is a UN Independent Expert on the issues of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation. She undertook a mission to the USA from 22 February to 4 March 2011.

What? WatSan access issues? In the USA? C'mon!

Yeah - looks like we have some work to do, especially among the poor, the homeless, and Native Americans.

 Read the rest of the post here - it's an eye-opener.

 I was reminded of Ms. de Albuquerque's work when I saw this report from the Center for Regional Change at UC-Davis, The Struggle for Water Justice in California’s San Joaquin Valley: A Focus on Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities (the Executive Summary is here).

Here is a brief overview by Valerie Chiappone from the Center's website:

In California, lack of access to clean, safe, and affordable water is a threat to public health and well-being, and violates the state's newly codified Human Right to Water (AB 685).  In low-income communities located outside city boundaries (known as disadvantaged unincorporated communities or DUCs), drinking water is often unsafe to drink.  The disparities that affect residents of DUCs in the San Joaquin Valley and elsewhere in California are deeply rooted in the political, economic, and social dynamics of the region's modern history.  This report analyzes this situation in detail, and offers several recommendations to inform policy and advocacy on how to improve water access to these communities.

Full Report:  Download UCD_Struggle_for_Water_Justice_FULL_REPORT

Executive Summary:  Download UCD_Struggle_for_Water_Justice_EXEC_SUMM

 Excellent report on a problem that can be found elsewhere in the USA. Our work is cut out, and hopefully, our current fascination with infrastructure will extend to those who don't have a strong voice. One can dream, can't one?

Great job, UCD!

Enjoy....I'll close with the same quote from my 2011 post:

“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much;  it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” -- Franklin D. Roosevelt

“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much;  it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” -- Franklin D. Roosevelt