Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “waterbody”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Submersed Macrophyte Density Regulates Aquatic Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Abstract Shallow freshwater ecosystems emit large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and methane (CH 4 ), yet emissions are highly variable. The role that aquatic macrophytes play in regulating aquatic GHG emissions is uncertain despite their ability to dominate shallow waterbodies. Here, we studied the effects of submersed macrophyte (Ceratophyllum demersum) density on CO 2 and CH 4 concentrations and fluxes. We conducted a 61‐days experiment using mesocosms containing one of the followingC.demersumdensity treatments: 0, 10, 20, or 30 individual shoots (n = 3). We found that high densityC.demersumhad the highest CO 2 and CH 4 surface water concentrations and emissions while there was no significant difference in CH 4 in the low and medium densities and no plant control. The high density treatment lost biomass over the course of the experiment, indicating die‐off and additions of organic matter to the sediment. High organic matter loading and low dissolved oxygen likely stimulated GHG production in the high density treatment. Our results emphasize that submersed macrophyte density and periods of growth and dieback are important in regulating GHG emissions, which may help explain why shallow waterbodies are high yet variable sources of GHGs to the atmosphere.

Environmental Sciences & Ecology↗
DOE OSTI2023

Aquapv

This project brings together a multidisciplinary team to develop tools and analysis that will help U.S. industry accelerate deployment of floating PV on reservoirs and estuaries through producing: • A tool to assess potential environmental interactions of FPV on reservoirs and estuaries and thresholds for corresponding impacts. • A tailored FPV-specific techno-economic tool to guide users on financial performance and corresponding design considerations. • A synthesized tool, AquaPV, that combines the environmental and economic tools. • A set of case studies on an open-loop reservoir with a traditional hydropower plant (i.e., connected to a natural waterbody), closed-loop reservoir with a proposed pumped storage hydropower plant (i.e., manmade and disconnected from a natural waterbody), and a marine estuary (i.e., where a river meets the ocean), with an FPV system designed and modeled for each site. • A review of regulatory, environmental, and stakeholder opportunities and challenges to identify clear regulatory and environmental pathways to siting FPV on U.S. reservoirs. • A novel, high-fidelity geospatial resource assessment to estimate FPV technical potential on reservoirs in the United States.

Phillips, TylerB. [Idaho National Laboratory (INL)↗
DOE OSTI2024

AquaPV: Foundational Analysis and Industry Guidance on Floating PV Results

This dataset contains results of the technical potential analysis of floating photovoltaics (FPV) on federally owned or permitted reservoirs in the United States. Estimates of the area of reservoirs that is technically feasible for FPV development are provided for reservoirs that are owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers or the US Bureau of Reclamation, or are associated with hydropower dams licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Other associated data are included, such as estimates of the potential evaporative losses of FPV development, and whether the waterbody is associated with an energy community or disadvantaged community that could qualify it for investment or production tax credits. Data is provided both as a spreadsheet and in a geospatial format including the waterbody geometries. Please read the included readme for more detailed field definitions.

area↗
DOE OSTI2024

Recent Progress on Surface Water Quality Models Utilizing Machine Learning Techniques

Surface waterbodies are heavily exposed to pollutants caused by natural disasters and human activities. Empowering sensor technologies in water quality monitoring, sufficient measurements have become available to develop machine learning (ML) models. Numerous ML models have quickly been adopted to predict water quality indicators in various surface waterbodies. This paper reviews 78 recent articles from 2022 to October 2024, categorizing water quality models utilizing ML into three groups: Point-to-Point (P2P), which estimates the current target value based on other measurements at the same time point; Sequence-to-Point (S2P), which utilizes previous time series data to predict the target value at one time point ahead; and Sequence-to-Sequence (S2S), which uses previous time series data to forecast sequential target values in the future. The ML models used in each group are classified and compared according to water quality indicators, data availability, and model performance. Widely used strategies for improving performance, including feature engineering, hyperparameter tuning, and transfer learning, are recognized and described to enhance model effectiveness. The interpretability limitations of ML applications are discussed. This review provides a perspective on emerging ML for surface water quality models.

machine learning (ML)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Applying a Multisector Scenario Framework to Evaluate Past and Future Public Surface Water Supply Infrastructure Strategies in Texas

Datasets supporting the index model and scenario analysis used in evaluating surface water supply strategies across different water system types in Texas. These data underpin the scenario development and application of five key indicators: Water Availability Index (WAI), Water Quality Index (WQI), Energy Requirement Index (ERI), Water Treatment Cost (WTC), and Water Infrastructure Cost (WIC). The datasets are organized by system type—stream reaches (flowlines), waterbodies, and reservoirs—and include both raw and standardized index values. The integrated datasets also provide scenario classifications (original and adjusted) based on infrastructure and planning priorities, enabling comparison across Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). Additional strategy-level data are included to support evaluation of state-level new reservoir projects in relation to cost and availability tradeoffs. Please refer to the README file provided in Files for more details. Descriptions of the datasets are provided below. Dataset(s) Descriptions Folder: Index_model_database.zip Subfolder: Stream_reach.zip Fl_wf.csv, Fl_wq.csv, Fl_er.csv, Fl_wf_wtcUV.csv, Fl_wf_wtcnoUV.csv, Fl_allfac_wic1.csv, Fl_allfac_wic2.csvDatasets for computing WAI, WQI, ERI, WTC, and WIC for surface water systems classified as stream reaches (flowlines). Subfolder: Waterbody.zip Wb_wf.csv, Wb_wq.csv, Wb_er.csv, Wb_wf_wtcUV.csv, Wb_wf_wtcnoUV.csv, Wb_allfac_wic1.csv, Wb_allfac_wic2.csvEquivalent index model datasets for waterbodies, reflecting hydrologic and infrastructure attributes specific to impounded natural systems. Subfolder: Reservoir.zip Rs_wf.csv, Rs_wq.csv, Rs_er.csv, Rs_wf_wtcUV.csv, Rs_wf_wtcnoUV.csv, Rs_allfac_wic1.csv, Rs_allfac_wic2.csvIndex model datasets specific to regulated reservoir systems, incorporating both resource indicators and cost parameters. Folder: Integrated data.zip combined_merged_data.csv, combined_merged_data_scenario.csvDatasets integrating index model indicators (both raw and scaled) with scenario classifications, including adjustments reflecting SSP-aligned transitions and planning shifts. Folder: Additional data.zip wai_supplystrat_wic_merged.csvCurated dataset capturing proposed major reservoir-based municipal water supply strategies in Texas. Integrates site-level planning data with estimated capital infrastructure costs and water availability scores for comparative assessment.

geospatial↗
DOE OSTI2026

The Zooplankton International Geospatial (ZIG) dataset: A global repository of spatiotemporal freshwater zooplankton community composition data to support ecological research

Zooplankton play critical roles in aquatic ecosystem function and food webs. Nevertheless, global syntheses of their abundance and community dynamics are challenging due to methodological differences across monitoring programs, taxonomic inconsistencies, and a lack of standardized metadata. To reconcile these challenges, we assembled, curated, validated, and harmonized the Zooplankton International Geospatial (ZIG) dataset, which includes co-located and contemporaneous zooplankton, water chemistry, and limnological data from 307 lakes and reservoirs. ZIG includes waterbodies from each major lake thermal region and range in size from 0.8-2,805,8600 hectares. Temporal coverage for individual waterbodies ranges between 1-60 years of data (median = 4 years) with sampling from once annually to weekly. ZIG is publicly available and can be used to understand freshwater biodiversity change and its drivers at unprecedented scales, and we consider it to be a cornerstone for future investigations of freshwater biology, chemistry, and ecology.

Figary, Stephanie [Cornell University, Ithaca, NY]↗
DOE OSTI2020

Floating membrane reservoir system

An improved system and method of storing water for a closed-loop pumped storage hydroelectric system is provided. The method includes providing a floating reservoir, positioning the floating reservoir in a waterbody, loading the floating reservoir with a volume of water from a source other than the surrounding waterbody, and transferring water from within the floating reservoir to an upper or lower reservoir of a pumped storage hydroelectric system. The floating reservoir includes a flexible membrane defining one or more reservoir cells including a vertically collapsible sidewall, such that each reservoir cell defines a depth varying in proportion to its internal volume of water. Each reservoir cell is buoyed by pontoons adjacent an outer periphery of the reservoir cell and is anchored to the shore or streambed.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Assessing the Influence of Organic Carbon, Aging Time and Temperature on Bioaccessibility of Bifenthrin

Tenax extraction, a measure of chemical desorption rates from sediments, was used to evaluate the bioaccessibility of bifenthrin in two different sediments exposed to three temperatures aged over a 56-d holding period. A 24-h single-point Tenax extraction was used and parent 14 C-bifenthrin and polar metabolites were quantified in the sediment and Tenax. Bioaccessibility of bifenthrin was inversely related to the organic carbon (OC) content in the sediment, holding time, and temperature. Furthermore, sequestration of the bifenthrin into slowly desorbing fractions within the sediment appears to have decreased degradation of the parent compound into metabolites and decreased the amount of parent compound bioaccessible for uptake by the Tenax. These results suggest that the environmental risk of bifenthrin to aquatic species is greatest immediately after the pesticide enters a waterbody after runoff, for low-OC content sediments, and in areas or seasons where water temperatures are colder.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Hybrid Floating Solar Photovoltaics-Hydropower Systems: Benefits and Global Assessment of Technical Potential

Floating solar photovoltaics (FPV) is an emerging, and increasingly viable, application of photovoltaics (PV) in which systems are sited directly on waterbodies. Despite growing market interest, FPV system deployment is nascent, and potential adopters remain concerned about the technology, the benefits it offers, the advantages to pairing it in hybrid systems (such as with hydropower), and how to analyze technical potential. To support decision making, we provide a review of associated benefits of hybrid FPV-hydropower system operation and a novel, geospatial approach to assess the global technical potential of these systems employing publicly available, global datasets. We identify significant potential globally for FPV hybridized with hydropower ranging from 3.0?TW to 7.6?TW (4,251?TWh to 10,616?TWh annual generation), based on the assumptions made. We detail operational benefits that these hybrid systems may provide that could be quantified in future modeling and/or analyses of existing or planned hybrid systems.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2021

A geospatial environmental and techno-economic framework for sustainable phosphorus management at livestock facilities

Nutrient pollution of waterbodies is a major worldwide water quality problem. Excessive use and discharge of nutrients can lead to eutrophication and algal blooms in fresh and marine waters, resulting in environmental problems associated with hypoxia, public health issues related to the release of toxins and freshwater scarcity. A promising option to address this problem is the recovery of nutrient releases prior to being discharged into the environment. Driven by the sustainable materials management concept, the COW2NUTRIENT (Cattle Organic Waste to NUTRIent and ENergy Technologies) framework is developed for the techno-economic evaluation and selection of nutrient recovery systems at livestock facilities. Furthermore, environmental vulnerability to nutrient pollution determined through a geographic information system (GIS)-based model and techno-economic information of different state-of-the-art nutrient management technologies are combined in a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) model, resulting in the selection and economic analysis of the most suitable process for each studied livestock facility. This framework has been employed for studying the implementation of sustainable phosphorus management systems at 2,217 livestock facilities in the Great Lakes area, resulting in capital expenses of 2.5 billion USD if only phosphorus recovery technologies are installed, and up to 5.2 billion USD if nutrient management is combined with biogas and power production. However, considering potential economic incentives for the recovery of phosphorus, net revenues up to 230 million USD per year can be achieved. Therefore, the framework presented reveals the potential of implementing nutrient management systems at regional scale for the abatement of phosphorus releases from livestock facilities.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Climate Signatures on Lake And Wetland Size Distributions in Arctic Deltas

Abstract Understanding how thermokarst lakes on arctic river deltas will respond to rapid warming is critical for projecting how carbon storage and fluxes will change in those vulnerable environments. Yet, this understanding is currently limited partly due to the complexity of disentangling significant interannual variability from the longer‐term surface water signatures on the landscape, using the short summertime window of optical spaceborne observations. Here, we rigorously separate perennial lakes from ephemeral wetlands on 12 arctic deltas and report distinct size distributions and climate trends for the two waterbodies. Namely, we find a lognormal distribution for lakes and a power‐law distribution for wetlands, consistent with a simple proportionate growth model and inundated topography, respectively. Furthermore, while no trend with temperature is found for wetlands, a statistically significant decreasing trend of mean lake size with warmer temperatures is found, attributed to colder deltas having deeper and thicker permafrost preserving larger lakes.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Landsat 8 monitoring of multi-depth suspended sediment concentrations in Lake Erie’s Maumee River using machine learning

Satellite remote sensing has been widely used to map suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in waterbodies. However, due to the complexity of sediment-water interactions, it has been difficult to derive linear and non-linear regression equations to reliably predict SSC, especially when trying to estimate depth of integrated sediment. Herein, this study uses Landsat 8 OLI (Operational Land Imager) sensor to map SSC within the Maumee River in Ohio, USA, at multiple depth intervals (15, 61, 91, and 182 cm). Simple linear least squares regression (LLSR), and three common machine learning models: random forest (RF), support vector regression (SVR), and model averaged neural network (MANN) were used to estimate SSC at the depth intervals. All machine learning models significantly outperformed LLSR while RF performed the best. In both RF and MANN, R2 (coefficient of determination) increases with depth with a maximum R2 of 0.89 and 0.83, respectively, at a depth of 0–182 cm. The results show that machine learning models can implement nonlinear relationships that produce better predictions than traditional linear regression methods in estimating depth integrated SSC, especially when samples are limited.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

River Basin Export Reduction Optimization Support Tool; a tool to screen options for reducing nutrient loads while minimizing cost

Abstract Excess loading of nitrogen and phosphorus to river networks causes environmental harm, but reducing loads from large river basins is difficult and expensive. We developed a new tool, the River Basin Export Reduction Optimization Support Tool (RBEROST) to identify the least‐cost combinations of management practices that will reduce nutrient loading to target levels in downstream and mid‐network waterbodies. We demonstrate the utility of the tool in a case study in the Upper Connecticut River Basin in New England, USA. The total project cost of optimized lowest‐cost plans ranged from $18.0 million to $41.0 million per year over 15 years depending on user specifications. Plans include both point source and non‐point source management practices, and most costs are associated with urban stormwater practices. Adding a 2% margin of safety to loading targets improved the estimated probability of success from 37.5% to 99%. The large spatial scale of RBEROST, and the consideration of both point and non‐point source contributions of nutrients, make it well suited as an initial screening tool in watershed planning.

Chamberlin, Catherine↗
DOE OSTI2020

Influence of Nanoconfinement and Elevated Temperatures on Geocolloid-Facilitated Transport of Energy related Contaminants

Fossil fuels obtained using hydraulic fracturing and nuclear energy are deemed crucial for meeting the current and future energy demands of the United States. The utilization of these resources, especially fossil fuels from hydraulic fracturing, has increased rapidly within the last decade. However, with the increasing levels of hydraulic fracturing activities, the occurrence and fate of chemicals used in these processes in the geosystem, as well as the potential consequences of their interactions with environment and geosystems (e.g. mineral-based geocolloids and geosurfaces), have been increasingly recognized as issues warranting consideration owing to the toxic nature of these chemicals. Scientific results originated from this project has brought better understandings on how such contaminants can preferentially or adversely interact with geosystems and how geocolloids can facilitate their transport by realistically mimicking geological conditions and environments in the laboratory level for the first time. Based on such knowledge, it may eventually lead to the development of mitigation strategies for reducing and minimizing the transport and wide distribution of contaminants and pollutants. This aspect is important for the society to ensure that energy-related contaminants do not find their way to waterbodies that are used as drinking water or irrigation. The project is also anticipated to increase public awareness about potential adverse effects of energy systems on the geosphere and environment and may motivate society to consider better mitigation strategies to prevent such occurrences.

(Nano)Confinement↗
DOE OSTI2021

Sequim Bay Underwater UXO Prototype Demonstration Site: Field Operations Summary, 2020

This report provides a summary of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL’s) activities to initiate Phase II development of the Sequim Bay Underwater UXO Prototype demonstration site (MR-2735) in 2020. Testbed development and field operations were conducted by PNNL’s Coastal and Marine Research Laboratory (MCRL) in support of the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) underwater Munitions Response (MR) program. A series of standardized underwater unexploded ordnance (UXO) demonstration sites (“testbeds”) are being developed by SERDP/ESTCP to test, evaluate, and demonstrate technologies that can detect, geolocate, and classify proud and buried munitions in 0–35 m water depths. As a prototype demonstration site, Sequim Bay is a semi-enclosed marine waterbody containing sand and mud sediments with minimal clutter in 5–30 m water depths. MCRL is located at the entrance to Sequim Bay, where it provides operational, logistical, and facilities support for testbed activities.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2024

Assessing the Solar Photovoltaic Potential in Puerto Rican Brownfields and Reservoirs: Analysis and Modeling [Slides]

This study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) evaluates the potential for solar photovoltaic (PV) development on brownfields and reservoirs in Puerto Rico. Redeveloping these sites offers significant benefits, such as expanding energy infrastructure, supporting environmental remediation, and enhancing community revitalization. The study identifies up to 3.3 gigawatts (GW) of solar PV capacity, including 213 megawatts (MW) on closed landfills, 1-2.5 GW on contaminated sites, 78 MW on decommissioned plants, 21-50 MW on transmission line rights-of-way, and 636 MW on waterbodies for floating PV. This research highlights the strategic importance of investments and regulatory support to achieve Puerto Rico's goal of 100% clean energy by 2050.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Assessing the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Potential in Puerto Rican Brownfields and Reservoirs: Detailed Results and Methodology Annex [Slides]

This is the technical annex for "Assessing the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Potential in Puerto Rican Brownfields and Reservoirs." This study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) evaluates the potential for solar photovoltaic (PV) development on brownfields and reservoirs in Puerto Rico. Redeveloping these sites offers significant benefits, such as expanding energy infrastructure, supporting environmental remediation, and enhancing community revitalization. The study identifies up to 3.3 gigawatts (GW) of solar PV capacity, including 213 megawatts (MW) on closed landfills, 1-2.5 GW on contaminated sites, 78 MW on decommissioned plants, 21-50 MW on transmission line rights-of-way, and 636 MW on waterbodies for floating PV. This research highlights the strategic importance of investments and regulatory support to achieve Puerto Rico's goal of 100% clean energy by 2050.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗