University of Delaware
University of Delaware is a university that is part of the pulse of the water sector. Here we bring together everything it publishes on Smart Water Magazine: its news, its blogs and the events it takes part in.
Researchers create global maps to show changes in irrigation across the planet
UD study creates global maps to show changes in irrigation across the planet.
Planting less water-intensive crops in the western U.S. would help alleviate water scarcity
Across the world, irrigation dominates freshwater consumption, accounting for 88% of all the freshwater consumed on a global scale. In the western United States, this is no different, as irrigated farming is the leading driver of water depletion in the region. In addition, climate change has caused it to become increasingly difficult for the western […]
A study reveals the spread and cost of saltwater intrusion in the US Mid-Atlantic
Saltwater was once known as an invisible threat to farmers and their crops. It would sneak under the soil undetected on the surface until it intruded so far into groundwater that the soil became saltier and led to a decline in crop yields. On farms throughout the mid-Atlantic states of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, however, […]
Changing climate increments harmful algae blooms
When algae go wild, bad things can happen, especially when those algae produce toxic substances. The ripple effects can be potent and long-lasting. Examples include the so-called “dead zone” that arises periodically in the Chesapeake Bay, when decaying algal blooms suck the oxygen out of an area and threaten all plant and animal life there. […]
Fossil aquifers
In a place like Delaware, where it rains frequently, water is a renewable resource. Natural processes will replenish the water that is being used or consumed. In an area where rain is not as plentiful, such as the Arabian Peninsula, however, it is crucial to get a handle on how much good water is available […]
Researchers examine the age of groundwater in Egyptian aquifers
Most of the water used by people in Egypt comes from the Nile River, which originates from precipitation over mountainous areas in the Ethiopian highlands. In areas far from the Nile River Valley, however, where water is scarce and the population is growing, groundwater is the only available freshwater resource. Knowing how much water is […]
Tapping fresh water under the ocean has consequences
The last place most people would expect to find fresh groundwater is tens to hundreds of kilometers offshore in the ocean. Yet not only is that exactly where freshwater can be found, in the ground of the continental shelf beneath the ocean, but simulations have shown that it could be a common occurrence across a […]
Researchers explore consumer response to the use of recycled water in wine production
With a diminishing supply of safe freshwater in many areas, and increasing periods of drought that further limit that supply, we are facing a dilemma. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farming uses consume nearly 80 percent of our available water. Now, producers and agricultural researchers are searching for alternative irrigation sources to limit […]
Light wakes up freshwater bacteria
Researchers find pond bacteria grows faster during the day, suggest a genetic explanation.