Mechanism Study on the Impact of China Population Structure Change on the Water Use of the Three Main Industries

As the principal part of economic and social development, the demographic factor is the fundamental factor driving the change of water resources, and achieving the harmony of human and water has been one of the most important tasks to promote high-quality development. Based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, this article applied panel data for 19 years and employed impulse response functions and threshold models to do a mechanism analysis of the impact of population structure changes on the water consumption changes of the three main industries. The study found the following: Firstly, the urban population promotes an increase of the total water consumption, industrial water consumption, and domestic water consumption, which suppresses agricultural water consumption and shows an inverted “N” trend. Secondly, the aging population has expanded the total water consumption, and agricultural and domestic water demand, and reduced industrial water consumption. Thirdly, food consumption helps to reduce the total water consumption and agricultural water consumption, but increases the industrial water consumption and the growth rate rises. Fourthly, the increase in the proportion of agricultural employment reduces the total water consumption, and agricultural and domestic water consumption, and increases industrial water consumption. Fifthly, the total water consumption and domestic water consumption both increase with the improvement of the population education level, while the agricultural water consumption declines first and then rises. The empirical results can provide a reference for analyzing the driving mechanisms of regional water consumption changes.

Obtaining seeds of meadow clover in the Lower Volga region under irrigation

The purpose of the experiment was to develop a technology for cultivating meadow clover under irrigation to obtain the planned seed yields in the conditions of the Lower Volga region. Research methods. Field experiments, records and observations were carried out in accordance with the generally accepted methods of experimental work. As a result of the research, it was found that the total water consumption of clover crops varied over the years of the herbage life and depended on the given pre-irrigation threshold of soil moisture. It was highest in the variants with the maintenance of the 70 % pre-flood threshold: 3.6–3.9, the lowest 2.7–3.1 thousand m3/ha in the variants with the 60 % humidity threshold. With the differentiation of humidity by the development phases, the total water consumption varied from 3.1 to 3.5 thousand m3/ha. The share of irrigation water in the structure of total water consumption was 60.6–72.7 % according to the experimental variants. The leaf area depended on the water and nutrient regimes of the soil: it reached the maximum values in the variants with a 70 % pre-irrigation threshold of humidity and fertilization. In comparison with the increase in biomass, the seed productivity of clover was less dependent on the photosynthetic potential and assimilation surface. The highest seed yields were formed in the variants with improved nutrition background and maintenance of a differentiated irrigation regime – 280–730 kg / ha. The accumulation of a significant amount of root mass by clover had a positive effect on improving the ecological state of the irrigated area: the water-physical properties of the soil improved, and nutrients accumulated in it. Scientific novelty. In the conditions of the Lower Volga region, the dependence of the seed productivity of clover on the availability of water and nutrients, on the age of the herbage, was revealed. Their optimal combination is determined for the production of seed yields at the level of 400–700 kg/ha.

Peculiarities of safflower water consumption under the influence of care techniques on non-herbicide and herbicide background

One of the promising oilseeds in the arid conditions of southern Ukraine is safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). Safflower – belongs to the aster family, annual, drought-resistant and heat-resistant plant. Unpretentious to soil types and can even grow on saline soils. It differs in plasticity and good adaptation to external conditions, can be successfully grown on bogar and in the conditions of irrigation. The development of thorns on the leaves and leaves of the wrapper – a form of adaptation of this plant to particularly dry weather conditions. Leaf plates at the end of the juvenile period become stiff and covered with a waxy protective layer, which provides a low coefficient of water consumption. The aim of the research was to study the peculiarities of water consumption of safflower varieties Zhyvchyk and Dobrynya depending on the agricultural practices for the care of crops on herbicidal and herbicide-free backgrounds. The research was conducted in 2017-2018 in the fields of the Institute of Oilseeds of NAAS. The soil of the experimental site – ordinary chernozem, medium-low humus, with a humus content in the arable layer up to 30 cm – 3.5 %, available nitrogen – 7.2-8.5, mobile phosphorus – 9.6-10.3, exchangeable potassium – 15.2-16.9 mg/100 g of soil, pH of the soil solution 6.5-7.0. Sowing of safflower varieties Zhyvchyk and Dobrynya was carried out in the first decade of April with a sowing rate of 240,000 similar seeds per hectare. The system of basic tillage is classical. Options for the use of herbicides: 1. Control – without herbicides; 2. Application of Harness herbicide (2.0 l/ha) under pre-sowing cultivation. Options for care systems: 1. Control – without care; 2. Pre-emergence and post-emergence harrowing; 3. Two inter-row cultivations; 4. Post-emergence harrowing and inter-row tillage. The main results of three – year researches on studying of features of water consumption of safflower of the Zhyvchyk and Dobrynya grades depending on introduction of herbicide and carrying out of agricultural receptions on care of crops are resulted in article. Depending on the system of basic tillage, the total moisture reserves in the soil layer 0-100 cm at the beginning of the growing season were 263.7 mm; the amount of precipitation taking into account the utilization factor was 133.5 mm. The total water consumption of the crop was on a herbicide-free background in the variety Zhyvchyk - 233.4-240.8 mm, and in the variety Dobrynya – 235.0-242.7 mm; against the background of herbicide application in the variety Zhyvchyk – 237.1-244.9 mm, and in the variety Dobrynya – 241.4-246.8 mm; carrying out agricultural practices for care led to an increase in total water consumption. The lowest water consumption coefficient – 1590 m3/t in the variety Zhyvchyk and 1501 m3/t in the variety Dobrynya was observed on a herbicidal background with post-emergence harrowing and inter-row cultivation. The highest yield of 1.54 t/ha in the variety Zhyvchyk and 1.64 t/ha in the variety Dobrynya was obtained on a herbicide background using post-emergence harrowing and inter-row tillage.

Influence of microfertilizers on water consumption ratio and yield of chickpea in the Saratov Trans Volga region

The article shows the influence of the main tillage and mineral fertilizers with microelements on the water consumption coefficient and the yield of chickpea grain in the Saratov Trans-Volga region. On average, over three years in chickpea crops, the highest total water consumption was after subsoil tillage - 1240 m3 / ha, which exceeded the control by 64 m3 / ha. Minimal tillage led to an increase in the water consumption coefficient by 533 m3 / t, or 31%. After subsoil tillage it increased by 372 m3 / t, or 22% relative to conventional tillage. Foliar top dressing with microfertilizers in the chickpea branching phase reduced the water consumption ratio by 88–236 m3 / t, which amounted to 4.3–11.4%. A decrease in the depth of the main processing to 10–12 cm led to a 23.5% decrease in the yield of chickpea. Subsoil tillage reduced the yield by 10.3%. Combined soil cultivation did not provide a significant increase in yield relative to control. Foliar feeding of chickpeas in the branching phase with micronutrient fertilizers increases the yield by 5.1–11.9%.

A New Method for Reducing Collapsibility of Loess Foundation with Thicker Deposit: The Borehole Preimmersion Method

At present, there are some key issues in the traditional preimmersion method for reducing the collapsibility of the loess ground, such as the difficulty in determining the total water consumption and the long immersion time. In response to these issues, a new method, the borehole preimmersion method, is presented, and a specific theoretical design model is proposed for application in projects. The method is specifically discussed from a new perspective, and the diffusion mechanism and evolution law of water in the ground are presented in detail through theoretical analysis and numerical calculation, respectively. The water diffusion is a mushroom-type form for a single water injection hole immersed in water. A calculation model derived for a single water injection hole or a group of water injection holes based on the research results is used to calculate the volumes of soaked loess and the total water consumption. Through an in situ immersion test, the treatment effect of this method is evaluated to verify the rationality of the method and the theoretical calculation model proposed in this study, which provides a new method and theoretical framework for effectively reducing the collapsibility of the loess ground.

The Paradox of the Virtual Water Trade Balance in the Mediterranean Region

Climate change, water shortages and desertification threaten the economic and environmental sustainability in the Mediterranean. Limited rainfall and higher temperatures put agricultural production, which relies on water availability, in jeopardy. Thereupon, Mediterranean countries pursue agri-food resilience and water preservation through efficient water policies. Hence, water-deprived areas ought to import rather than produce water-intensive products to maintain water inventories and sustainability consequently. As this study examines the water sustainability for a Mediterranean water-scarce region with a particular focus on agriculture, the virtual water trade balance explores this hypothesis. A regional input–output model is constructed, and then total water consumption and the virtual water flows for each economic sector are estimated to determine the virtual water trade balance of the economy. Results indicate that the study area has a trade deficit and struggles economically but is a net importer of virtual water and secures water sustainability. As this virtual water deficit relies heavily on agriculture and originates in vast total water consumption rather than a large trade deficit, a paradox occurs; water-intensive cultivations and animals that consume 91.75% of water resources end up appearing to be water-saving. Further research is needed to strike a balance between economic growth and environmental protection.

The Allocation of Water Resources in the Midstream of Heihe River for the “97 Water Diversion Scheme” and the “Three Red Lines”

Rapid economic and societal development increases resource consumption. Understanding how to balance the discrepancy between economic and social water use and ecological water use is an urgent problem to be solved, especially in arid areas. The Heihe River is the second-largest inland river in China, and this problem is notable. To ensure the downstream ecological water use, the “Water Distribution Plan for the Mainstream of the Heihe River” (97 Water Diversion Scheme) controls the discharge of Yingluo Gorge and Zhengyi Gorge, while the “Opinions of applying the strictest water resources control system” (Three Red Lines) restricts the water use. With the development of the economy and agriculture in the midstream, Zhengyi Gorge’s discharge cannot reach the Heihe River’s ecological water downstream. This paper is under the constraints of the “97 Water Diversion Scheme” of Heihe River and the “Three Red Lines” of the total water use control index for Zhangye County. We constructed a water resource allocation model for the midstream of Heihe River to reasonably allocate water resources in the Heihe River’s midstream and downstream. This model is divided into three parts: Establish the mathematical equation, simulate the water consumption under the different inflow conditions, and ensure each water user’s demand. The result showed that if we fail to confine total water consumption in the midstream, through the reasonable allocation of water resources, the real water use and water consumption of the middle Heihe River will be greater than the “97 Water Diversion Scheme” and the “Three Red Lines.” If we confine water consumption, they will be within the “97 Water Diversion Scheme” and the “Three Red Lines,” at the same time, they can reach the downstream of the Heihe River’s ecological water. Besides, under the premise of satisfying the economic water and ecological water downstream of the Heihe River, returning farmland to wasteland and strengthening water-saving measures will improve water efficiency and be more conducive to allocating water resources.

Data centre water consumption

The information communication technology sector will experience huge growth over the coming years, with 29.3 billion devices expected online by 2030, up from 18.4 billion in 2018. To reliably support the online services used by these billions of users, data centres have been built around the world to provide the millions of servers they contain with access to power, cooling and internet connectivity. Whilst the energy consumption of these facilities regularly receives mainstream and academic coverage, analysis of their water consumption is scarce. Data centres consume water directly for cooling, in some cases 57% sourced from potable water, and indirectly through the water requirements of non-renewable electricity generation. Although in the USA, data centre water consumption (1.7 billion litres/day) is small compared to total water consumption (1218 billion litres/day), there are issues of transparency with less than a third of data centre operators measuring water consumption. This paper examines the water consumption of data centres, the measurement of that consumption, highlights the lack of data available to assess water efficiency, and discusses and where the industry is going in attempts to reduce future consumption.