Groundwater is integral to many human and environmental systems but there are significant challenges in dealing with the impact of anthropogenic activities on groundwater systems. These challenges need innovative solutions. This book contains a wide range of content, from a discussion of the Australian regulatory framework for unconventional hydroc

An engaging call to understand and protect groundwater, the primary source of drinking water for almost half of the world's population Groundwater is essential for drinking water and food security. It provides enormous environmental benefits by keeping streams and rivers flowing. But a growing global population, widespread use of industrial chemicals, and climate change threaten this vital resource. Groundwater depletion and contamination has spread from isolated areas to many countries throughout the world. In this accessible and timely book, hydrology expert William M. Alley and science writer Rosemarie Alley sound the call to protect groundwater. Drawing on examples from around the world, including case studies in the United States, Canada, Australia, India, and Sub-Saharan Africa, the authors examine groundwater from key scientific and socioeconomic perspectives. While addressing the serious nature of groundwater problems, the book includes stories of people who are making a difference in protecting this critical resource.

Karstified rocks of different lithology cover more than 10% of the continental surface of our planet. It is known that some 20% or even a few percent more of the global population largely depends on karstic groundwater but in many karst areas all over the world there are limited natural resources including absence of drinking waters. The problems o

This book presents a systemic view of the diversity of pressures and impacts produced by climate change and human actions. Erosion of biodiversity by changing ocean chemistry, the intensification of global change raises the problem of the adaptation of living resources. Land uses induce ecological imbalances leading to asphyxiation true coastal ecosystems. More than a billion tons of solid waste must be assimilated by the marine environment and food webs. Radioactive discharges emitted into the atmosphere or into the aquatic environment, raise the question of their future. Sea and Ocean series offers a transversal approach of the ocean system that leads to governance, sustainable resource management and adaptation of societies.

Environmental engineers support the well-being of people and the planet in areas where the two intersect. Over the decades the field has improved countless lives through innovative systems for delivering water, treating waste, and preventing and remediating pollution in air, water, and soil. These achievements are a testament to the multidisciplinary, pragmatic, systems-oriented approach that characterizes environmental engineering. Environmental Engineering for the 21st Century: Addressing Grand Challenges outlines the crucial role for environmental engineers in this period of dramatic growth and change. The report identifies five pressing challenges of the 21st century that environmental engineers are uniquely poised to help advance: sustainably supply food, water, and energy; curb climate change and adapt to its impacts; design a future without pollution and waste; create efficient, healthy, resilient cities; and foster informed decisions and actions.

Approaches to Water Sensitive Urban Design: Potential, Design, Ecological Health, Economics, Policies and Community Perceptions covers all aspects on the implementation of sustainable storm water systems for urban and suburban areas whether they are labeled as WSUD, Low Impact Development (LID), Green Infrastructure (GI), Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) or the Sponge City Concept. These systems and approaches are becoming an integral part of developing water sensitive cities as they are considered very capable solutions in addressing issues relating to urbanization, climate change and heat island impacts in dealing with storm water issues. The book is based on research conducted in Australia and around the world, bringing in perspectives in an ecosystems approach, a water quality approach, and a sewer based approach to stormwater, all of which are uniquely covered in this single resource. - Presents a holistic examination of the current knowledge on WSUD and storm water, including water quality, hydrology, social impacts, economic impacts, ecosystem health, and implementation guidelines - Includes additional global approaches to WSUD, including SUDS, LID, GI and the Sponge City Concept - Covers the different perspectives from Australia (ecosystem based), the USA (water quality based) and Europe (sewer based) - Addresses storm water management during the civil construction stage when much of the ecological damage can be done

Due to increasing population, decreased cultivable land, and mounting scarcity of water, it is essential to optimize the use of available resources. Climate change is occurring across the world but its effect may be local or region-specific, including localized watershed management. In order to minimize these effects, governments and environmental agencies encourage the adoption of "climate-smart" agricultural technologies, which involve implementing plans, programs, and projects to sustain and enhance watersheds. Natural ecosystems, in their altered states, have always been relied upon to support the continuity of agricultural production and ecosystem services, such as flood and erosion control, mediation of water quality, stream flow regulation, microclimate regulation, and biodiversity in its various forms. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the adoption of these sustainable water management practices has resulted in savings of water and energy as well as a reduction of carbon emissions, decreased erosion, increased organic matter content and biotic activity in soils, increased crop water availability and thus resilience to drought, improved recharge of aquifers, and reduced impact of the variability in weather due to climate change. Advances in Water Management Under Climate Change examines all of these issues and provides best practices for sustainability. Features: Presents the latest research in hydrology, hydraulics, water resources engineering, and agricultural best practices Examines water management practices to best address and ideally mitigate climate change Explains the nexus of agriculture, micro irrigation, AI applications in water management, and the impact of climate change on water resources Includes practical examples to present practical insights on water management for climate change mitigation.

This book presents a unique and up-to-date summary of what is known about groundwater on our planet, from a global perspective and in terms of area-specific factual information. Unlike most textbooks on groundwater, it does not deal with theoretical principles, but rather with the overall picture that emerges as a result of countless observations,