WQVP: An API enabled Open Data Machine Learning based Solution for Water Quality Visualization and Prediction

Water is an essential component required by living bodies for their survival. In today’s world, most of the water utilization is done by human beings. Due to this, there is a lot of adverse impact on water bodies. As human consumption of water increases, their pollution also increases. In order to control pollution impact and take measures to reduce water pollution, several methods have been proposed by researchers. Water Quality Index measures are one such method being adopted and used to measure harmful constituents of water. In recent times initiatives have been taken by international and national governing bodies to provide data through Open Data Initiatives that can be publicly made available. This data fetched in real time through APIs can be used for providing data analysis to naïve natives of the place with better understanding features like visualizations. Machine learning based techniques have proved to be a great tool for providing unsupervised learning in this area. We have implemented an API enabled Open Data Machine Learning based Solution for Water Quality Visualization and Prediction for Australian Rivers

Automatic river quality monitoring

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University.Automatic river quality monitoring (ARQM) is potentially an important tool in water quality management for the National Rivers Authority (NRA) and similar organisations worldwide. The information produced by ARQM systems must be used in the most effective way and fully integrated with the manual monitoring effort. The status and development of ARQM systems in the freshwater and estuarine River Thames catchment are discussed and a practical appraisal of the design, operation and maintenance requirements given. Data capture, verification and presentation methods are developed and the use of ARQM data for real time management and subsequent analysis is advocated. Examples of data from the freshwater ARQM system are given which emphasise the variability of freshwater quality and the need for a comprehensive understanding of the behaviour of rivers before management decisions are made. The use of ARQM data for assessing the compliance of rivers with River Quality Objectives is examined. With respect to the tidal Thames, data processing methods to correct for the tidal movement of the waterbody are developed. ARQM data are used to highlight the principal factors affecting the water quality of the tidal Thames. The importance of the use of ARQM information in the effective management of the tidal Thames is discussed and operational examples demonstrate how it may be utilised as a basis for management decisions. The application of ARQM to the sub-tropical environment of the River Ganges, India, is investigated. An ARQM system has been designed and prototypes are operational. Extensive site surveys were carried out and the water quality status of the Ganges is discussed. Recommendations for the improvement and future development of ARQM systems are made. The use of ARQM information and its potential for improving the management of rivers is discussed.National Rivers Authorit

Planet Earth 2011

The failure of the UN climate change summit in Copenhagen in December 2009 to effectively reach a global agreement on emission reduction targets, led many within the developing world to view this as a reversal of the Kyoto Protocol and an attempt by the developed nations to shirk out of their responsibility for climate change. The issue of global warming has been at the top of the political agenda for a number of years and has become even more pressing with the rapid industrialization taking place in China and India. This book looks at the effects of climate change throughout different regions of the world and discusses to what extent cleantech and environmental initiatives such as the destruction of fluorinated greenhouse gases, biofuels, and the role of plant breeding and biotechnology. The book concludes with an insight into the socio-religious impact that global warming has, citing Christianity and Islam

Slavery from space: an analysis of the modern slavery-environmental degradation nexus using remote sensing data

Modern slavery has been connected to degradation of the environment, and has been found to contribute to anthropogenic climate change. Three sectors have been investigated using satellite Earth Observation (EO) data in order to provide a unique insight into the modern slavery-environmental degradation nexus. Remote sensing affords a unique ability to measure and understand these ecological changes over large timescales, and vast geographical areas. A local, regional, and global assessment of sectors known to heavily use modern slavery practices within their workforce has been undertaken using a variety of remotely sensed data sources and products. Fish-processing, brick kilns, and tree loss associated with multiple sectors, have all been analysed. Levels of environmental damage in the affected sectors have been noted, and measured using satellite EO data. These effects have included: tree loss of mangroves and tropical forests for fish-processing camps and oil palm plantations; the emission of pollutants which contribute to atmospheric climate change; the extraction of resources, such as groundwater and good-quality topsoil; and changes to landcover and land-use in areas that are important for production of food and economic support for large populations. Over the course of this investigation, ten post-harvest fish-processing camps have been located, and the first replicable methodology for estimating the number of brick kilns in the South Asian ‘Brick Belt’ region has been provided – where open access satellite EO data enabled the estimation of 55,387 brick kilns. The latter has since enabled machine learning methodologies to provide accurate locations and kiln ages which have assisted in the environmental assessment of this large-scale transnational industry. Furthermore, if modern slavery practices were eliminated from this industry, the environmental impact of the brick-making could be reduced by the equivalent of almost 10,000 kilns. Finally, tree loss has been quantified and the policy implications of deforestation and forest degradation as a result of modern slavery have been explored in four countries. Ultimately, there are a large variety of environmentally degrading activities known to use modern slavery practices that may be explored using satellite EO data. Remote sensing throughout this thesis has enabled the exploration of these implications for some sectors, and proved the proof of concept that additional data acquisition from remotely sensed sources, can support in the overall goal of assisting in the understanding and eradication of modern slavery. Satellite EO is an underutilised methodology within the antislavery community and, as shown within this thesis, there is the power to investigate the environmental implications of these sectors which have had numerous documented cases of modern slavery. In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – particularly target 8.7 which aims to end modern slavery by 2030 – multiple avenues of investigation are required to understand, locate, and eradicate modern slavery. Applying remote sensing to assess the ecological impact of these cases is one such avenue that can provide information to assist in this achievement, and support the success of multiple SDGs. The author would like to acknowledge that they have written the thesis from the starting point of being a non-survivor

Atlas of Global Surface Water Dynamics

It is impossible to overstate the importance of freshwater in our daily lives – for proof, try going without it for any length of time. Surface waterbodies (lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks, estuaries… it doesn't matter what name they go under) are particularly important because they come into direct contact with us and our biophysical environment. But our knowledge concerning where and when waterbodies might be found was, until recently, surprisingly sparse. The paucity of information was because trying to map a moving target is actually very difficult – and waterbodies undeniably move, in both geographical space and time. By 2013 the U.S. Geological Survey and NASA were making petabyte scale archives of satellite imagery freely available, archives that covered the entire planet's surface and stretched back decades. Other's such as the European Commission / European Space Agency Copernicus programme were also putting full free and open data access policies into place, and Google's Earth Engine had become a mature, powerful cloud-based platform for processing very large geospatial datasets. Back in 2013 a small team working at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre were looking at ways satellite imagery could be used to capture surface waterbody dynamics, and create new maps that accurately incorporated time dimensions. Concurrently the Google Earth Engine team were focussing their massive computational capabilities on major issues facing humanity, such as deforestation, food security, climate change - and water management. The two teams came together in a partnership based not on financial transactions but on a mutual exchange of complementary capabilities, and devoted thousands of person hours and thousands of CPU years into turning petabytes of Landsat satellite imagery into unique, validated surface water maps, first published in 2016, and made available to everyone through a dedicated web portal, the Global Surface Water Explorer. Since then satellites have continued to image the Earth, surface water has continued to change and the JRC Goole Earth Engine partnership has continued to work on improving our knowledge of surface water dynamics and making sure this knowledge benefits as many people as possible. This Atlas is part of the outreach; it is not a guide to the Global Surface Water Explorer, it is not a Google Earth Engine tutorial (though if it inspires you to visit either of these resources then it has achieved one of its objectives), but it is a stand-alone window into how people and nature affect, and are affected by the 4.46 million km2 of the Earth's landmass that have been under water at some time over the past 35 years.JRC.D.5-Food Securit

Assessment of Climate Change Impacts on Water Quantity and Quality at Small Scale Watersheds

This book was inspired by the Hydrology–H030 Session of the 2019 AGU (America Geophysical Union) Fall Meeting. In recent years, simulating potential future vulnerability and sustainability of water resources due to climate change are mainly focused on global and regional scale watersheds by using climate change scenarios. These scenarios may have low resolution and may not be accurate for local watersheds. This book addresses the impacts of climate change upon water quantity and quality at small scale watersheds. Emphases are on climate-induced water resource vulnerabilities (e.g., flood, drought, groundwater depletion, evapotranspiration, and water pollution) and methodologies (e.g., computer modeling, field measurement, and management practice) employed to mitigation and adapt climate change impacts on water resources. Application implications to local water resource management are also discussed in this book

The Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment

This open access volume is the first comprehensive assessment of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. It comprises important scientific research on the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainable mountain development and will serve as a basis for evidence-based decision-making to safeguard the environment and advance people’s well-being. The compiled content is based on the collective knowledge of over 300 leading researchers, experts and policymakers, brought together by the Hindu Kush Himalayan Monitoring and Assessment Programme (HIMAP) under the coordination of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). This assessment was conducted between 2013 and 2017 as the first of a series of monitoring and assessment reports, under the guidance of the HIMAP Steering Committee: Eklabya Sharma (ICIMOD), Atiq Raman (Bangladesh), Yuba Raj Khatiwada (Nepal), Linxiu Zhang (China), Surendra Pratap Singh (India), Tandong Yao (China) and David Molden (ICIMOD and Chair of the HIMAP SC). This First HKH Assessment Report consists of 16 chapters, which comprehensively assess the current state of knowledge of the HKH region, increase the understanding of various drivers of change and their impacts, address critical data gaps and develop a set of evidence-based and actionable policy solutions and recommendations. These are linked to nine mountain priorities for the mountains and people of the HKH consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals. This book is a must-read for policy makers, academics and students interested in this important region and an essentially important resource for contributors to global assessments such as the IPCC reports. ; Constitutes the first comprehensive assessment of the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, providing an authoritative overview of the region Assembles the collective knowledge of over 300 leading researchers, practitioners, experts, and policymakers Combines the current state of knowledge of the Hindu Kush Himalaya region in one volume Offers Open Access to a set of practically oriented policy recommendation

Slavery from space: an analysis of the modern slavery-environmental degradation nexus using remote sensing data

Modern slavery has been connected to degradation of the environment, and has been found to contribute to anthropogenic climate change. Three sectors have been investigated using satellite Earth Observation (EO) data in order to provide a unique insight into the modern slavery-environmental degradation nexus. Remote sensing affords a unique ability to measure and understand these ecological changes over large timescales, and vast geographical areas. A local, regional, and global assessment of sectors known to heavily use modern slavery practices within their workforce has been undertaken using a variety of remotely sensed data sources and products. Fish-processing, brick kilns, and tree loss associated with multiple sectors, have all been analysed. Levels of environmental damage in the affected sectors have been noted, and measured using satellite EO data. These effects have included: tree loss of mangroves and tropical forests for fish-processing camps and oil palm plantations; the emission of pollutants which contribute to atmospheric climate change; the extraction of resources, such as groundwater and good-quality topsoil; and changes to landcover and land-use in areas that are important for production of food and economic support for large populations. Over the course of this investigation, ten post-harvest fish-processing camps have been located, and the first replicable methodology for estimating the number of brick kilns in the South Asian ‘Brick Belt’ region has been provided – where open access satellite EO data enabled the estimation of 55,387 brick kilns. The latter has since enabled machine learning methodologies to provide accurate locations and kiln ages which have assisted in the environmental assessment of this large-scale transnational industry. Furthermore, if modern slavery practices were eliminated from this industry, the environmental impact of the brick-making could be reduced by the equivalent of almost 10,000 kilns. Finally, tree loss has been quantified and the policy implications of deforestation and forest degradation as a result of modern slavery have been explored in four countries. Ultimately, there are a large variety of environmentally degrading activities known to use modern slavery practices that may be explored using satellite EO data. Remote sensing throughout this thesis has enabled the exploration of these implications for some sectors, and proved the proof of concept that additional data acquisition from remotely sensed sources, can support in the overall goal of assisting in the understanding and eradication of modern slavery. Satellite EO is an underutilised methodology within the antislavery community and, as shown within this thesis, there is the power to investigate the environmental implications of these sectors which have had numerous documented cases of modern slavery. In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – particularly target 8.7 which aims to end modern slavery by 2030 – multiple avenues of investigation are required to understand, locate, and eradicate modern slavery. Applying remote sensing to assess the ecological impact of these cases is one such avenue that can provide information to assist in this achievement, and support the success of multiple SDGs. The author would like to acknowledge that they have written the thesis from the starting point of being a non-survivor

PROGRESS TOWARDS THE RESOURCE REVOLUTION

Based on the key outputs of the WRF 2017 conference and the work performed during and after the review process in 2018 we are proud to announce this book entitled ‘Progress Towards the Resource Revolution’ which presents innovations and approaches that support solutions required by the Paris Agreement on Climate Change as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In line with the international developments, the focus of this book is set on: • Policy, governance, and education for sustainable development • Methods, indicators, and design for resource efficiency and sufficiency • Water and regional aspects • Metals, minerals, and materials • Sustainable resource management with personal views and insights from the private sector. Policy conditions provide the umbrella for discussing the transition to circular economy and set the tone of the discussions towards the resource revolution. This includes roadmaps and incentives at regional and international levels. Assessments, metrics used, solutions and communication approaches are also broadly exposed through various national and international cases. Along the policies and tools described the focus is given to climate change as well as on sustainable energy, resources and materials, food and water management related topics. Contributions on secondary resources management such as waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) stand out in this book which offer opportunities for generating value and job creation but also poses huge risks if mismanaged as this is the case in the least developed regions of the world. The book further highlights work related to mobility which has growing influence on our lifestyles and great potential to reduce impacts on climate change. Looking forward, this book demonstrates numerous examples from different countries around the world of increasing resource efficiency in various areas, impact categories and value chains and provides recommendations for mitigating climate change (Paris Agreement and SDG 13), making cities more sustainable (SDG 11), improving the accessibility of clean energy (SDG 7) and industrial innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), making consumption and production more sustainable (SDG 12), and protecting marine environment (SDG 14) and land (SDG 15) environments

Climate change in a mingling-state: sea level rise confronts social susceptibility and justice in the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh

Shyamnagar Upazila, within the Southwestern part of Bangladesh encompassing the entire Sundarbans, is located in the deltas of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Megna rivers in the Bay of Bengal and is an area extremely vulnerable to climate change, with serious consequences at the socioeconomic level. This doctoral research involved collecting data on physical, hydrological, geographical aspects, land cover change, rainfall changing patterns, water and soil trace elements, and tidal gauges. These data were complemented with the analysis of social and economic vulnerability dimensions through qualitative methods (interviews, focus groups and observation). Qualitative data collection techniques, including focus group discussions (FGDs), case studies, PRA (Participatory rural appraisal) questionnaires, workshops, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and participant observation, was undertaken in the Shyamnagar Upazila from 2017 to 2019 (through Skype + messenger + over telephone 2020 to 2022). A survey with a close ended questionnaire was applied at the first stage in nine unions (series-based analysis), at the second stage in 12 unions (risk, hazards, vulnerability and adaptation analysis) and at a third stage in 3 unions (safe drinking water and health analysis) with a total of (320 +387 +1579) household samples (n = 2286). Sea level rise has negative impacts on agriculture, riverbank erosion, and salinity, loss of natural ecosystems, gender vulnerability, poverty, food security, fisheries, safe water resources, migration, and public health factors that affect the development of SWCRB populations and cause climate injustices. This thesis analyzed the implications of coastal risks and hazards to the vulnerability of the local populations, while also addressing their perceptions of justice and adaptation strategies.A subida acelerada do nível médio do mar (SLR) é o impacto mais importante das alterações climáticas nas zonas costeiras do Bangladesh. Esta investigação de doutoramento centrou-se na região costeira do sudoeste do Bangladesh (SWCRB), que enfrenta um perigo iminente com a subida do nível do mar, com consequências diretas nas desigualdades sociais e na justiça climática. Com enfoque nos temas-chave dos ODS, esta compilação de artigos contribui para a implementação da Agenda 2030 das Nações Unidas, nomeadamente para os ODS1 – “Erradicar a pobreza”, ODS2 –“Erradicar a fome”, ODS3 – “Saúde de qualidade, ODS5 – “Igualdade de género”, ODS6 – “Água potável e saneamento”, ODS10 – “Redução das desigualdades”, ODS13 – “Ação climática” e ODS16 – “Paz, justiça e instituições eficazes”. Para analisar a vulnerabilidade induzida pela subida do nível do mar, esta investigação considerou a atual e futura modelização da subida do nível do mar. A metodologia utilizada é interdisciplinar e foi baseada numa abordagem de métodos mistos. Esta investigação inclui quatro artigos publicados em revistas revistas revistas por pares, integrados no corpo da tese como capítulos de resultados (capítulos 4 a 7), tendo o autor submetido ainda durante o período do doutoramento dois outros artigos e dois capítulos de livros que foram aceites e que, por conseguinte, estão incluídos como material suplementar a esta tese (anexos). O primeiro artigo (capítulo 4) centrou-se na modelação da subida do nível médio do mar (NMM). As projeções locais do nível do mar indicam que o este pode aumentar em meio metro ou até mais de um metro até ao final do século XXI. A região da Baía de Bengala revela taxas superiores às médias globais, devido à fusão dos glaciares dos Himalaias. Contudo, devido à natureza não linear da subida do NMM, é de esperar que as projeções sejam ultrapassadas, o que representa uma ameaça para a vida de milhões de pessoas no Bangladesh. Além disso, as zonas costeiras do sudoeste do Bangladesh são altamente vulneráveis à intrusão de água salgada, sobretudo devido aos ciclones e à subida do NMM, especialmente a região de Shyamnagar Upazila, e espera-se que isto se agrave durante o próximo século devido às alterações climáticas. Por conseguinte, este estudo analisa a geoquímica da água salgada e compostos relacionados, a resposta à intrusão salina nos sistemas fluviais e as possíveis áreas afetadas pelos eventos climáticos extremos nas condições actuais e em 2100. Esta análise mostrou que os níveis de salinidade do solo e da água são já altamente inadequados para os padrões de fertilidade do solo e a qualidade da água na região. Além disso, analisaram-se os principais impactos das alterações climáticas na saúde pública, começando pelo global e passando pelo local, estudando as comunidades costeiras na área de influência das Sundarbans. Discutimos quais são os principais desafios enfrentados pelos diferentes atores a nível local, incluindo o agravamento de certos riscos para a saúde da comunidade com os impactos das alterações climáticas. Os países em desenvolvimento estão a enfrentar grandes desafios em termos de mitigação e adaptação, no entanto são os que têm contribuído menos para as causas das alterações climáticas. Verificou-se que a maioria dos inquiridos vive abaixo do limiar da pobreza, com níveis de desigualdade relativamente baixos baseados num coeficiente de Gini de 28,5 (capítulo 5). Algumas das questões mais graves que afetam a subsistência das populações locais são os ciclones e as inundações, bem como o aumento da salinidade do solo e da água doce. Os mais pobres estão muito mais expostos aos eventos extremos, têm reduzidos recursos económicos para prevenir e recuperar dos seus impactos, e as suas fontes diretas de rendimento, na sua maioria baseadas em recursos naturais, são também duramente afetadas. Os resultados mostraram que o impacto das alterações climáticas difere entre homens e mulheres nas comunidades examinadas (capítulo 6). Entre os principais fatores que influenciam a vulnerabilidade da comunidade estão os níveis de escolaridade, as normas culturais locais. Ainda assim, estas mulheres têm potencial para participar em planos de conservação ambiental, para liderar movimentos sociais e ambientais, e para promover estratégias de gestão sustentável dos recursos naturais, uma vez que são consideradas como as guardiãs do conhecimento local. Finalmente, esta investigação propõe que, a fim de reduzir a vulnerabilidade feminina, as mulheres devem ser capacitadas e integradas em medidas de mitigação e planos de adaptação, tanto como partes interessadas como como agentes de mudança. Ao analisar o impacto socioeconómico das alterações climáticas, esta investigação contribui para o debate sobre a justiça climática, que é uma problemática social, política e económica (capítulo 7). Os países industrializados que mais contribuíram para o problema através da emissão excessiva de gases com efeito de estufa (GEE) são os menos propensos a sofrer as consequências. Tanto a abordagem baseada nos direitos humanos como a abordagem baseada nas capacidades são aqui discutidas, mas concluímos que esta última é a mais adequada para compreender a realidade no Bangladesh. Esta área está a sofrer enormes mudanças devido aos efeitos devastadores das alterações climáticas e da subida do NMM. Com base em extensivos estudos locais, a tese conclui que as populações locais gostariam de estar mais envolvidas na conceção, planeamento e implementação de estratégias para reforçar a resiliência das suas comunidades. A população local destaca como as suas principais necessidades ter acesso a água doce a preços acessíveis, a segurança alimentar e as infraestruturas sustentáveis, tais como estradas, casas, escolas e unidades de saúde. Nestas áreas, muitas vezes as formas de assistência centram-se na ajuda de emergência após grandes catástrofes; contudo, isto não é suficiente. A intensidade da subida do nível do mar torna cada vez mais difícil a reconstrução após a ocorrência de cada catástrofe. Foram ainda efetuadas análises para avaliar o estado da água, da vegetação e do solo na região. O estudo analisa os dados pluviométricos recolhidos pelo BWDB entre 1968 e 2018, mostrando as mudanças no padrão de precipitação ao longo dos anos e a diminuição da produção agrícola no SWCRB e reforçando o diagnóstico de declínio das terras agrícolas durante o período 1989-2019. Como forma de diversificar as suas fontes de rendimento, alguns agricultores converteram as suas terras para a criação de camarão, o que aumenta ainda mais a salinidade do solo. Além disso, a Barragem Farakka afecta negativamente a população da SWCRB ao reduzir o fluxo do rio Ganges para o Bangladesh. As medidas adaptativas utilizadas pelos agricultores incluem a construção de aterros, a recolha das águas da chuva, a drenagem adequada para reduzir o alagamento, o controlo da expansão das explorações de camarão e a introdução de culturas de de alto rendimento mas que são mais tolerantes à salinidade, bem como o emprego de novas técnicas de irrigação. Além disso, as técnicas agrícolas Sorjan e o cultivo flutuante, a pecuária e a agricultura apoiadas pela comunidade, são vistas pelos agricultores das zonas costeiras como uma forma de mitigar os impactos climáticos. A análise de vulnerabilidade revela que a população local já implementou com sucesso oito estratégias de adaptação baseadas na comunidade para reduzir a vulnerabilidade causada pela subida do mar e pelas inundações. Tem sido testemunhado que as práticas de adaptação implementadas com a participação direta das comunidades tem contribuído para a redução das vulnerabilidades e o reforço da resiliência das populações locais. Após as catástrofes, a reabilitação dos aterros costeiros com o envolvimento da comunidade local é uma resposta favorecida nos processos de adaptação estrutural, bem como a reflorestação costeira e os abrigos polivalentes construídos pelo governo para os furacões. Concluiu-se também que o governo deveria ter em consideração as propostas da comunidade local para ajudar no processo de adaptação. Já há um vasto número de vítimas das alterações climáticas na SWCRB. Ao mesmo tempo, estas regiões tornaram-se um campo de ensaio para estratégias de adaptação que são particularmente adequadas para as comunidades de pequena escala. Considerando as contribuições empíricas de todos os artigos incluídos nesta tese, pode argumentar-se que as estratégias de adaptação e resiliência, até à data, não têm considerado plenamente indicadores sociais tais como pobreza, desigualdade de género, empoderamento ou desigualdades de rendimentos. A subida do nível do mar, agravada pelas alterações climáticas, tem impactos negativos na agricultura, na erosão das margens dos rios e no aumento da salinidade, levando à perda de ecossistemas naturais, a uma menor segurança alimentar das populações e a maiores fluxos de migração, contribuindo ainda para agravar problemas de saúde pública que afetam o desenvolvimento das populações da SWCRB e geram crescentes injustiças