Optimization of river environmental management based on reinforcement learning algorithm: a case study of the Yellow River in China.

Generating scientific management strategy contributes to the sustainable development of river ecological environment. In this study, a multi-objective coupled water and sediment regulation model aiming at minimizing sedimentation and inundation loss as well as maximizing ecological value in the lower Yellow River has been developed. A reinforcement Q-learning algorithm was used to obtain optimized strategies from the multi-objective of sediment reduction, flood control and ecological restoration under different hydrological years. The results showed that the simulated channel sedimentation is very close to the measured value, which proves the applicability of the developed model. Under dry, normal and wet hydrological year, the effects of various regulation strategies on silt reduction, flood control and ecological restoration were obviously different. The regulation scheme of discharge at 3700 m3/s was verified to be suitable for dry and wet year, and that of discharge at 2600 m3/s was more suitable for normal year. Increasing the spacing of the beach area was better in normal year and wet year. Our findings suggested optimized strategies to address environmental challenges of the lower Yellow River in different hydrological years. This paper provides a reliable reference for improving the management of the lower Yellow River.

Development of water quality management strategies based on multi-scale field investigation of nitrogen distribution: a case study of Beiyun River, China.

Accurately quantifying the distribution of nitrogen (N) contaminants in a river ecosystem is an essential prerequisite for developing scientific water quality management strategy. In this study, we have conducted a series of field investigations along the Beiyun River to collect samples from multiple scales, including surface water, riverbed sediments, vadose zone, and aquifer, for evaluating the spatial distribution of N; besides, column simulation experiments were carried out to characterize the transport behavior of N in riverbed sediments. The surface water of the Beiyun River was detected to be eutrophic because of its elevated total N concentration, which is 33 times of the threshold value causing the potential eutrophication. The hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient (D) of riverbed sediments was estimated by CXTFIT 2.1, demonstrating that the D of upstream section was lower than that of midstream and downstream sections (Dupstream < Dmidstream < Ddownstream), with the estimated annual N leaching volume of 130,524, 241,776, and 269,808 L/(m2·a), respectively. The average total N concentration in vadose zone and aquifer of upstream Sect. (297.88 mg/kg) was obviously lower than that of midstream Sect. (402.62 mg/kg) and downstream Sect. (447.02 mg/kg). Based on multi-scale investigation data, subsequently, water quality management strategies have been achieved, that is, limiting the discharge of N from the midstream and downstream banks to the river and setting up the impermeable layer in the downstream reaches to reduce infiltration. The findings of this study are of great significance for the improvement of river environmental quality and river management.

An integrated approach for enhancing the overall performance of constructed wetlands in urban areas.

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are an important component of the urban matrix and play an essential role in the restoration of urban ecological environments. Although existing studies have mainly focused on the efficiency of technologies for removing pollutants in wastewater, efforts to intensify the overall performance of CWs have not been reported. Here, we propose a novel theoretical scheme for promoting optimal overall performance of CWs through the development of an integrated approach, entailing simulation, evaluation, and optimization strategies for their management. We successfully simulated the water distribution system of the Yanfangdian CW in Beijing, China, applying 42 hydrological parameters within the MIKE 21 software. We further evaluated our simulation results by performing an analytic hierarchy process to calculate performance scores. The back propagation neural network was well trained to quantify the relationship between the hydrological parameters and the overall performance of CW based on its water distribution characteristics and their corresponding scores. Subsequently, a genetic algorithm was applied to determine the hydrological solution. A strategy for optimizing the water level and flow was formulated for improving the ecological, purification and storage performances of the targeted CW along with a flexible strategy for ensuring its proper functioning. Our approach provides a robust and universal platform that can contribute significantly to the advancement of CWs that have a wide range of applications and could be extended to other ecosystems.

Phosphorus transport in riverbed sediments and related adsorption and desorption characteristics in the Beiyun River, China.

Riverbed sediments are the interface layer in riverine ecosystems connecting the overlying medium of water and the vadose zone. The transport behavior of phosphorus (P), which has been recognized as the primary cause of freshwater eutrophication, in riverbed sediments remains unclear. Understanding the impact of riverbed sediments on P transport is a necessary prerequisite for the development of appropriate strategies to reduce potential groundwater pollution. In this study, riverbed sediments were collected from the upstream, midstream, and downstream sections of the Beiyun River, China, and packed into vertical soil columns to perform leaching experiments to quantify P transport characteristics. In addition, the impact mechanisms were further explored by conducting laboratory batch tests of P adsorption and desorption. The results demonstrated that approximately 80% of P can be adsorbed by riverbed sediments in soil column leaching experiment, and a tailing phenomenon was observed in its desorption. The hydraulic conductivity properties of riverbed sediments were evaluated by the advection-dispersion equation, showing a gradually decreasing adsorption capacity for P from upstream to downstream sections, which was supported by the results obtained from adsorption-desorption thermodynamic and kinetic batch tests. The estimated annual leaching masses of P increased from 60.72 g/(m2 a) in the upstream section to 132.31 g/(m2 a) in the downstream section. The role of riverbed sediments as a source or sink of P is possibly determined by their coarse sand particles content, and the mean equilibrium P concentration (EPC0). The competitive relationship between P and other forms of nutrients also has an important influence on its source-sink role. These findings suggest that the prevention of the potential P leaching is most needed in the downstream sections of Beiyun River, and corresponding control strategies should be developed to avoid groundwater pollution.

Quantitative assessment of groundwater pollution risk in reclaimed water irrigation areas of northern China.

The application of reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation can effectively reduce the use of freshwater resources including groundwater, addressing the increasingly severe challenge of water shortage. However, reclaimed water irrigation will cause potential pollution risks to groundwater, which needs to be further studied to ensure the safety of reclaimed water irrigation. An integrated quantitative assessment system including the modified DRASTIC model was developed to evaluate the pollution risks caused by reclaimed water irrigation and scientific strategies were offered for the development of reclaimed water irrigation in water shortage areas to avoid groundwater pollution. The groundwater intrinsic vulnerability index, the hazards of the characteristic pollutants, and the groundwater values were quantified to obtain the pollution risks distribution map. In the Beijing plain of north China, the low groundwater pollution risk areas were located in the midstream of Chaobai river baisin, Beiyun river basin, and Yongding river basin, accounting for 48.3% of the total study area. These areas in low pollution risk can be considered as safety areas for reclaimed water irrigation. The moderate groundwater pollution risk areas accounting for 46.9% of the total study area were suggested to apply water-saving irrigation measures for preventing groundwater pollution. The reclaimed water irrigation should be prohibited in the high groundwater pollution risk areas, which accounted for 4.8% of the total study area. This study highlights the reasonable strategy for the development of reclaimed water irrigation in water shortage areas and lay a foundation for finding alternative water sources for agricultural irrigation.

A quantitative study on three-dimensional pore parameters and physical properties of sodic soils restored by FGD gypsum and leaching water.

The application of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum has been recognized as a feasible measure in enhancing the quality of sodic soils. Quantitative evaluation of the effects of FGD gypsum on three-dimension (3D) pore characteristics is beneficial for understanding the reclamation mechanism of FGD gypsum on sodic soils. We collected intact soil cores from a sodic field at four depths (0-10, 10-20, 20-40, and 40-60 cm) in northern China to reconstruct 3D pore structures using X-ray computed tomography (CT), thus quantifying the effects of FGD gypsum (10.1 and 14.5 t hm-2) and leaching water (1520 and 2200 t hm-2) on the 3D pore characteristics and related soil physical properties. The treatments using FGD gypsum with leaching water promoted the formation of new pores and significantly (p < 0.05) increased the 3D image-based macroporosity, mesoporosity, total pore length, and number of nodes at depths of 0-20 cm, improving the permeability of sodic soils investigated, which is validated by the enhanced saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat). Irrigation water of 1520 t hm-2 is demonstrated effective in assisting FGD gypsum dissolution and leaching, but excessive leaching water (2200 t hm-2) may reduce the permeability of 20-40 cm depth. The combined application of 14.5 t hm-2 FGD gypsum and 1520 t hm-2 leaching water is suggested to obtain the optimal result for the investigated sodic soils. This study offers an applicable strategy for sodic soils reclamation and provides a reference for revealing the improvement mechanism of sodic soils by FGD gypsum and leaching water.

Migration and health risks of nonylphenol and bisphenol a in soil-winter wheat systems with long-term reclaimed water irrigation.

Reclaimed water reuse has become an important means of alleviating agricultural water shortage worldwide. However, the presence of endocrine disrupters has roused up considerable attention. Barrel test in farmland was conducted to investigate the migration of nonylphenol (NP) and bisphenol A (BPA) in soil-winter wheat system simulating reclaimed water irrigation. Additionally, the health risks on humans were assessed based on US EPA risk assessment model. The migration of NP and BPA decreased from the soil to the winter wheat; the biological concentration factors (BCFs) of NP and BPA in roots, stems, leaves, and grains all decreased with their added concentrations in soils. The BCFs of NP and BPA in roots were greatest (0.60-5.80 and 0.063-1.45, respectively). The average BCFs of NP and BPA in winter wheat showed negative exponential relations to their concentrations in soil. The amounts of NP and BPA in soil-winter wheat system accounted for 8.99-28.24% and 2.35-4.95%, respectively, of the initial amounts added into the soils. The hazard quotient (HQ) for children and adults ranged between 10-6 and 1, so carcinogenic risks could be induced by ingesting winter wheat grains under long-term reclaimed water irrigation.

A DNA Tracer System for Hydrological Environment Investigations.

To monitor and manage hydrological pollution effectively, tracing sources of pollutants is of great importance and also is in urgent need. A variety of tracers have been developed such as isotopes, silica, bromide, and dyes; however, practical limitations of these traditional tracers still exist such as lack of multiplexed, multipoint tracing and interference of background noise. To overcome these limitations, a new tracing system based on DNA nanomaterials, namely DNA tracer, has already been developed. DNA tracers possess remarkable advantages including sufficient species, specificity, environmental friendly, stable migration, and high sensitivity as well as allowing for multipoints tracing. In this review article, we introduce the molecular design, synthesis, protection and signal readout strategies of DNA tracers, compare the advantages and disadvantages of DNA tracer with traditional tracers, and summarize the-state-of-art applications in hydrological environment investigations. In the end, we provide our perspective on the future development of DNA tracers.

Accumulation of heavy metals in soil-crop systems: a review for wheat and corn.

The health risks arising from heavy metal pollution (HMP) in agricultural soils have attracted global attention, and research on the accumulation of heavy metals in soil-plant systems is the basis for human health risk assessments. This review studied the accumulation of seven typical heavy metals-Cd, Cr, As, Pb, Hg, Cu, and Zn-in soil-corn and soil-wheat systems. The findings indicated that, in general, wheat was more likely to accumulate heavy metals than corn. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) of the seven heavy metals in wheat and corn grains decreased exponentially with their average concentrations in soil. The seven heavy metals were ranked as follows, in ascending order of accumulation in corn grains: Pb < Cr < Zn < As < Cu < Cd

An Inverse Method to Estimate the Root Water Uptake Source-Sink Term in Soil Water Transport Equation under the Effect of Superabsorbent Polymer.

The widespread use of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) in arid regions improves the efficiency of local land and water use. However, SAPs' repeated absorption and release of water has periodic and unstable effects on both soil's physical and chemical properties and on the growth of plant roots, which complicates modeling of water movement in SAP-treated soils. In this paper, we proposea model of soil water movement for SAP-treated soils. The residence time of SAP in the soil and the duration of the experiment were considered as the same parameter t. This simplifies previously proposed models in which the residence time of SAP in the soil and the experiment's duration were considered as two independent parameters. Numerical testing was carried out on the inverse method of estimating the source/sink term of root water uptake in the model of soil water movement under the effect of SAP. The test results show that time interval, hydraulic parameters, test error, and instrument precision had a significant influence on the stability of the inverse method, while time step, layering of soil, and boundary conditions had relatively smaller effects. A comprehensive analysis of the method's stability, calculation, and accuracy suggests that the proposed inverse method applies if the following conditions are satisfied: the time interval is between 5 d and 17 d; the time step is between 1000 and 10000; the test error is ≥ 0.9; the instrument precision is ≤ 0.03; and the rate of soil surface evaporation is ≤ 0.6 mm/d.