International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology (23 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Sustainable solutions for brackish water desalination: a comprehensive investigation into reverse osmosis efficiency enhancement  
  by Moumni Mohammed, Massour El Aoud Mohamed 
  Abstract: Desalination of brackish and saltwater is one of the most important freshwater resources in water stressed regions. The reverse osmosis process is an efficient and successful water desalination technology that requires a significant amount of electrical power and accordingly, it prevents the diffusion of this technology worldwide. The objective of this study is to reduce energy consumption in a Moroccan brackish water reverse osmosis desalination plant. Currently, this plant operates without energy recovery and the production rate reaches 1,017 m3 /h with a maximum SEC of 3.2 kWh/m3 . The organisation plans to increase production rates by adding more reverse osmosis trains which has a direct impact on the SEC. This study aims to optimise SEC through this plant in its future design. Both configurations with and without ERD were simulated to analyse the variation of SEC using a range of feed water parameter fluctuations, particularly its temperature and salinity. The results showed that the implementation of ERD in the future design will reduce the SEC by 30%.
  Keywords: desalination; brackish water; reverse osmosis; energy recovery.
  
  
• Free surface flow assessment through a homogeneous earth-fill dam using a feed-forward neural network model  
  by Mohamed Khorchani, Noureddine Rhayma, Sandra Pereira, Pierre Breul 
  Abstract: Seepage flow through the body of an earth-fill dam adversely affects dam’s stability. Therefore, a better understanding of the seepage phenomenon is required to detect early signs of abnormal behaviour and to plan intervention strategies when needed. In this study, a feed-forward neural network model is used to evaluate the free surface flow through a homogenous earth-fill dam. Data collected from the monitoring system were first analysed using principal component analysis (PCA) to identify the relationships between the selected variables. The model inputs were then pre-processed using Min-Max scaling transformation, and a trial-and-error approach has been used in order to achieve the best neural network architecture. As a next step, the delayed effects of reservoir water level fluctuations on the seepage phenomenon were investigated. Additionally, the effect of the dataset size on the prediction capabilities of the neural network model has also been explored. According to the selected performance criteria, the proposed neural network model was shown to be a powerful tool for predicting piezometric levels in dam’s body. Such a result can be used for a continuous simulation of earth dam’s behaviour when coupled with a numerical model.
  Keywords: earth-fill dam; neural networks; free surface flow; delayed effects.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2024.10066191
   
  
• Energy dissipation downstream multi opening sluice gate  
  by Mohammad Y. Hamid, Ahmed Y. Mohammed 
  Abstract: Sluice gates are structures, which are used to regulate the water level in open channels. Many studies examined the hydraulic properties of these gates to reach the best performance, but studies that dealt with multi-opening sluice gates are still few and need more investigations, this study focuses on gate operating scenarios and the effect on energy dissipation. The energy dissipation equation for a multi-opening sluice gate is predicted and compared with actual data, with maximum error not exceed 15%. The results showed that the maximum E/E1 values reached 70.18% for the same gate openings, and this value reached 68.46% when the summation of intermediate openings is greater than that for side operating. These values decrease to 44.1% in the opposite operation, so this operating system must be avoided.
  Keywords: sluice gate; open channel flow; energy dissipation; multi-opening gate; operating scenarios.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2024.10066353
   
  
• Enhancing bridge pier resilience against scouring during extreme flood condition using vegetation as a countermeasure-experimental approach  
  by Sajjad Hussain, Nadir Murtaza, Zaka Ullah Khan, Naeem Ejaz, Inzimam Ul Haq, Diyar Khan 
  Abstract: In the current investigation, scour mitigation around the bridge pier has been explored using vegetation of different densities (G/d) and aspect ratios (A/R) under various flow conditions. Initially, scour depth around the bridge pier was measured without vegetation elements, and afterwards vegetation elements were installed on the upstream side of the bridge pier to investigate maximum scour reduction. The result demonstrates that denser vegetation elements with a lower A/R value reduce scour depth significantly because of greater resistance to the flow. However, scour depth decreased by decreasing the G/d and A/R values from 2.85 to 0.71 and 18.5 to 7.45, respectively. A maximum scour reduction of 71.7% was observed by placing denser vegetation with A/R = 7.46 on the upstream side of the pier. The findings of the present research help to provide an eco-friendly solution for bridge pier scour mitigation.
  Keywords: bridge pier; scour; vegetation; aspect ratio; climate change.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2024.10066354
   
  
• In-situ bathymetry and discharge-based modelling for potential GLOF assessment of Gepang Gath Lake, Lahaul Himalaya, India  
  by Parmod Kumar, Swati Sharma, I.M. Bahuguna, Sanjay Deswal, Partibha, Jogender Singh 
  Abstract: The present study covers a vulnerable glacial lake known as Gepang Gath Lake in the Lahaul area of Himachal Pradesh, India. The field investigation was carried out to measure depth and discharge rate for analysing the probability of lake outburst hazard. The lake depth ranges between a minimum of 2m to a maximum of 48 m with an average depth of 19 m with a standard deviation of 13 as per the field surveys. The stream discharge of 10 m/s was measured near Sissu village valley lying downslope from the Gepang Gath Lake on 21 June 2021 in the afternoon. Snowmelt discharge from the temperature index model was compared with the stream discharge on a clear weather day plus the rainfall data of monsoon months (when the possibility for discharge is higher) was analysed and modelled in HEC-HMS software for peak precipitation discharge based on rainfall data of July and August. 1D flood modelling using glacial lake volume in HEC-RAS software was performed and finally, the resultant discharge (a combination of all three discharges from snowmelt, precipitation and lake volume) is 3,696 m3 /s. This resultant discharge is considered huge enough to affect the downstream and valley area with a high-intensity flood that can reach up to the Tandi village area.
  Keywords: Gepang Gath Lake; snowmelt; lake depth; discharge rate; HEC-HMS; HEC-RAS; India.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2024.10066536
   
  
• Evaluating the sensitivity of hydrological response to changes in vegetation classification: a case study of St. Charles Bay, Texas, USA  
  by Kaniz Farzana, Cade Coldren, Catherine Simpson, Theodore G. Cleveland, Joseph Young 
  Abstract: Hydrological modelling is dependent on accurate vegetation classification. We tested the sensitivity of hydrological predictions to classification errors by using the EDYS ecological model developed for St. Charles Bay watershed, Texas, USA. Three image-based computer classification methods (object-based, supervised, and unsupervised) were assessed against a detailed field-based survey by using global sensitivity analysis and RMSE. The objective was to evaluate relative impacts of each classification method on a range of hydrological variables and across rainfall extremes. Hydrological outputs of EDYS were strongly influenced by different classification methods and rainfall patterns, but no consistent patterns or trends emerged. Thus, no single classification method was universally superior, suggesting a complex interrelation between classification, hydrological variables, and climatic conditions. This research underscores the importance of method selection in hydrological modelling, and so care should be taken when choosing vegetation classification methods to properly address specific research or management objectives.
  Keywords: sensitivity analysis; hydrological processes; vegetation classification; object-based; supervised classification; unsupervised classification; ecological dynamics simulation; EDYS; coastal marsh; Aransas National Wildlife Refuge; ANWR; USA.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2024.10066620
   
  
• Rainfall prediction using soft computing techniques: a case study of Purna River Basin  
  by Darshan J. Mehta, Nisarg Nanavati, Sanjaykumar M. Yadav 
  Abstract: Rainfall is the most significant climate element affecting the livelihood and well-being. For a country like India whose economy depends on agriculture, accurate rainfall data is important. The main challenge is to build a model on a long-term rainfall prediction. The Purna River is main source of water for agriculture as well as domestic in Navsari District. The objective of the study is to predict rainfall with the help of soft computing technique. The studies are carried out using specifically artificial neural network (ANN). The first step in water resource management is the correct forecasting of rainfall. Accuracy was evaluated using mean square error method, and results showed that the artificial neural network (ANN) based prediction model showed an acceptable level of accuracy performance. To achieve these models are developed with the different input parameters namely humidity, temperature and wind speed. For the analysis, the dataset of 21 years periods (1999-2020) is used for training and testing. Model performance is evaluated using statical metrics such as mean square error (MSE). These findings hold the key to revolutionising water resources planning, flood preparedness and risk assessment in the region with potential applicability to similar regions worldwide.
  Keywords: rainfall prediction; water resources management; soft computing; Purna River Basin; artificial neural network; ANN.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2024.10066670
   
  
• Mitigation of local scour around a trapezoidal bridge abutment using sacrificial piles  
  by Sheraz Hussain, Ghufran Ahmed Pasha, Muhammad Ali Afridi, Nadir Murtaza, Khawaja Atif Naseem, Abdul Shakoor, Usman Ghani, Afzal Ahmed, Khaled Mohamed Khedher 
  Abstract: Scour poses a significant threat to the stability of bridge piers and abutments. This study investigates the effectiveness of sacrificial piles as a countermeasure to reduce scour around bridge abutments through laboratory experiments. The abutment was modelled in a trapezoidal shape, common in Pakistan, with circular sacrificial piles positioned upstream. The aspect ratio (AR) of the pile group varied between 0.75, 1.00, and 1.70, with the spacing between cylinders (G/d) set at 1.5, 2.14, and 2.84. Optimal scour reduction (40.26%) was achieved when the distance between piles and the abutment was increased up to six times the abutment width. The highest scour reduction (70.13%) occurred with a dense pile configuration (G/d = 1.5) and an AR of 0.75. The study also proposes a regression-based predictive equation and sensitivity analysis to estimate scour depth around bridge abutments in open flume conditions.
  Keywords: scour depth; bridge abutment; sacrificial piles; clear water condition; sensitivity analysis.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2024.10066826
   
  
• Assessment of flood controlling ability of hypothetical flood control dams by HEC-HMS model in catchment area of Koyna Dam in India  
  by Sanjay Doiphode 
  Abstract: Floods are major disasters that occur on a global scale. The construction of flood control dam (FCD) is considered sustainable, eco-friendly and effective flood control method due to its ability to quickly mitigate flood effects. HEC-HMS software has been successfully used by various researchers to simulate the rainfall-runoff correlation. The Koyna Dam in India is a conservation dam that was not designed for flood control. Due to the geographical nature and urbanisation of the area, it is difficult to implement traditional flood mitigation measures in Patan, Karad and Sangli City and its nearby area which is prone to flooding on downstream side of the Koyna Dam. Hence different approaches of implementing FCD in the watershed area of the Koyna Dam have been proposed to reduce the risk of flooding. In the Koyna watershed using spatial data and GIS software, 30 hypothetical FCD sites were identified and evaluated via HEC-HMS modelling. To quantify the effect of the provision of FCD, the flood attenuation ratio (FAR) and flood storage ratio (FSR) were used. The simulation results showed that the Koyna Dam watershed is conducive to the implementation of flood control dams. During heavy rainfall FCD will retain approximately 3.20 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) water, with an 11% reduction in flood volume approaching the dam and a 41% reduction in the peak inflow at the Koyna Dam.
  Keywords: HEC-HMS; flood control dam; FCD; Koyna dam; design storm; intensity duration frequency; IDF; morphometric analysis.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2024.10066827
   
  
• A systematic evaluation of time of concentration models in a predominantly agrarian catchment of Southeastern Nigeria  
  by Chidozie Charles Nnaji, Tochukwu Raphael Siwobi 
  Abstract: In order to accurately estimate peak discharge and subsequently determine the size of hydraulic structures, the time of concentration (TC) of the catchment must be accurately determined. This study was aimed at comparing the applicability of 15 carefully selected Tc equations to Ifite Ogwari catchment in Anambra State, Nigeria. The calculated values of TC were subjected to exploratory statistical analysis and sensitivity analysis. The Temez, Haktanir and Sezen and Chow equations gave the most representative values of TC of the sub-catchments with 100% of all TC values falling within the inclusion criteria of median +- 0.5 SD while returning the median TC three times each out of eleven catchments. The Pasini and Sheridan models were the worst performing with all the TC values calculated falling outside median
  Keywords: time of concentration; TC; runoff; catchment; QSWAT; Ifite-Ogwari.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2024.10066860
   
  
• Characterisation and dispersion simulation of brine discharge: case study of Al Hoceima Desalination Plant, Morocco  
  by Soukaina El Khalki, Abdellatif Lemhamdi, Mohamed Ghalit, Rachida Elbarghmi, Abdelhadi Makan 
  Abstract: The escalating water scarcity crisis in arid and semi-arid regions has led to the widespread adoption of desalination plants, offering a solution to meet the increasing demand for freshwater. In Morocco, the establishment of seawater desalination facilities, including the Al Hoceima plant, addresses the pressing need for potable water. However, the generation of brine as a by-product necessitates an in-depth examination of its impact on marine environments. This study focuses on analysing the physicochemical characteristics of brine discharged by the Al Hoceima Desalination Plant and simulating its dispersion in the marine environment using CORMIX software. The brine exhibited distinct differences from seawater, presenting elevated salinity, metallic elements, and slight variations in pH and turbidity. These disparities could potentially affect marine ecosystems, underscoring the importance of monitoring and mitigating brine discharge effects. Simulation modelling revealed specific patterns in brine dispersion, delineating the near-field and far-field zones with differing spatial and temporal characteristics. Understanding these dynamics aids in implementing discharge strategies to minimise ecological impacts. Various factors influencing brine dilution, such as discharge angle, water depth, and current velocity, were identified as crucial elements in determining brine behaviour in the marine environment.
  Keywords: desalination; brine discharge; marine environment; physicochemical analysis; environmental impact; CORMIX simulation.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2024.10066861
   
  
• Hydrology and sediment yield response to changes in land-use and climate in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia  
  by Lewoye Tsegaye, Rishikesh Bharti 
  Abstract: Environmental components substantially affected by climate and environmental disruptions are watershed-scale hydrology and soil erosion. This research assessed the effects of scenario-based climate and land use land cover (LULC) changes on sediment and hydrology using dynamic conversion of land-uses and its effects (Dyna-CLUE) and soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) in Gumara watershed of Ethiopia. Climate change was analysed using GCM-RCMs outputs under SRES A1B and representative concentration pathways (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5) from 20252099. Runoff, groundwater flow, lateral flow, and water yield decreased, whereas, evapotranspiration (ET) and sediment yield increased in both scenarios. Compared to LULC, climate change has a greater impact on reducing runoff (1933.6%, 1.737.9%) and water yield (15.133.6%, 7.241.4%) in A1B and RCPs respectively. Rapid LULC conversion resulted in a significant increase in sediment yield up to 71.9% in A1B and 84.3% in RCPs.
  Keywords: climate prediction; LULC change scenario; RCPs; sediment output; surface runoff; water balance.
  
  
• Water balance analysis of a typical temporary pond in the Flooding Pampa (Argentina) during a dry period  
  by Ninoska Briceño, Ilda Entraigas, Carlos Scioli, Martin Blanco 
  Abstract: Knowledge of wetlands water balance constitutes a tool that allows quantitative evaluation of water dynamics. The Flooding Pampa (Argentina) is characterised by scarce topographic slopes and significant development of temporary ponds. A water balance was performed for analysing the dynamics of a Pampasic pond. During the analysed period, water inputs into the pond originated primarily from surface runoff from the surrounding areas and, secondarily, from direct precipitation; while the outputs were mainly due to runoff through the outlet channel and evapotranspiration, since the underground flow was almost insignificant. The latter parameter also had the particularity that it was expressed only unidirectionally (from the pond to the aquifer). Vertical processes (precipitation, evapotranspiration and infiltration) contributed to 38% of the balance, compared to horizontal processes (surface runoff) that represented 62%. The results serve as a basis for facing the study of the response of these systems in different scenarios.
  Keywords: water balance; temporary pond; Flooding Pampa; wetland; plain; Argentina; hydrology; dry period; water dynamics; aquifer.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2025.10067534
   
  
• Temperature variability and trend analysis in the high-altitude Gilgit River Basin: a statistical assessment using Mann-Kendall and Sens slope methods  
  by Hammad Mehmood, Atta-Ur-Rahman 
  Abstract: These study analyses long-term temperature variations in the Gilgit River Basin, North Pakistan, using data from four meteorological stations (Gilgit, Gupis, Uskhor, and Yasin) over the period 1990-2022. The analysis employed the Mann-Kendall trend test and Sens slope estimator to detect and quantify temperature trends across different temporal scales and spatial locations within the basin. Results reveal significant spatial heterogeneity in temperature patterns, with Gupis station showing a statistically significant increasing trend in mean maximum temperature (Sens slope = 0.0316 C/year, p < 0.05) and Gilgit station exhibiting a significant increase in mean minimum temperature (Sens slope = 0.0343 C/year, p < 0.01). Seasonal analysis identified pronounced warming trends during spring months (Sens slope ranging from 0.0484 to 0.0807 C/year), while winter temperatures remained relatively stable. The spatial variability in temperature trends suggests that local factors, including topography and land use changes, play crucial roles in modulating climate change impacts within the basin. These findings have important implications for water resource management, agricultural planning, and climate change adaptation strategies in the region. The study contributes to our understanding of climate change impacts in high-mountain regions and provides valuable insights for policymakers and resource managers working in the Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalaya (HKH) region.
  Keywords: temperature trends; Mann-Kendall test; Sen’s slope estimator; SSE; climate change; Gilgit River Basin; high-mountain hydrology; seasonal variation.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2025.10070097
   
  
• Quantisation in hydrogen atom below Bohr radius: a dark matter approach  
  by A.S. Abdel-Rahman, Youssef A. Sabry 
  Abstract: One of the most important physical problems is explaining dark matter, while current mechanics is not applicable. The core of dark matter has a very large attenuation coefficient against the wave function. If hydrogen atom is attracted to a dark matter, quantum mechanics fails to show the atoms energy levels. The modified Schrodinger equation recently published succeeds in approaching a minimal length to the order of Plancks length for the particle in the 1D-box problem; it is applied for the hydrogen atom problem in order to show quantisation in the attenuation coefficient even if its size becomes narrower than the Bohr radius and energy levels become positive. This methodology shows a new integer denoted by a dark-quantum number up to about two-thirds of the reciprocal of the usual atom radius. This approach can explain the Hawking radiation of the black holes, which is extremely faint and not easy for detection.
  Keywords: quantisation; hydrogen atom; Bohr radius; dark matter; Hawking radiation.
  
  
• Techno-social flood assessment in a data-scarce region: a case of Tinau River, Nepal  
  by Pankaj Adhikari, Utsav Bhattrai, Rohini Devkota, Vishnu Prasad Pandey 
  Abstract: Flood assessment studies are limited in developing nations largely owing to scarce hydro-meteorological data. This research estimates flood risk and analyses public preferences for adaptation measures in a flood-prone data scarce Tinau River Basin in southern Nepal. A two-dimensional hydraulic analysis was performed in HEC-RAS to model flood behaviour and estimate the risks. Potential adaptation measures were identified from literature, and the local people were asked to rank them on preferences for 2-year and 50-year return period floods. Results show that about 597,000 m2 of land (mostly settlements) is at extreme risk from a 50-year flood. Likewise, reinforced cement concrete (RCC) embankments were the most preferred adaptation measure. This study aids in understanding of flood risk and community preferences, informing policymakers and practitioners in managing flood risk in data-scarce environments
  Keywords: flood modelling; HEC-RAS 2D; risk assessment; flood adaptation measures; people’s perception; Tinau River; Nepal.
  
  
• Modification of the Bayesian calibration of the spatially distributed parameters for a groundwater flow model  
  by Anton Nuzhny, Elena Saveleva, Kirill Smirnov 
  Abstract: The paper is devoted to the problem of calibration of spatially distributed parameters of direct numerical simulation models. This problem is relevant to groundwater flow modelling requiring spatial distribution of filtration coefficients of media. The Bayesian calibration algorithm is being considered. It uses assumptions on the spatial correlation of a distributed parameter as a priori information. The standard formulation of the algorithm estimates the field of derivatives of the observed parameters over the calibrated one. Direct numerical estimation of this field is associated with significant computational costs. The paper proposes an algorithm where derivatives are calculated on a limited set of spatial points, with the entire field restored by approximation. Such an approach significantly reduces the computational cost of calibration. Several approximation algorithms are considered. The applicability of the approximation is demonstrated by numerical examples dealing with groundwater flow modelling.
  Keywords: distributed parameters; numerical simulation; Bayesian calibration; ill-passed problem; groundwater.
  
  
• River process in active Ganges floodplain region using DSAS  
  by Md. Ismail Hossain, Kazi Md. Fazlul Haq, S.M. Sium 
  Abstract: The dynamics of river processes influence the demographic and socio-economic fabric within the active floodplain zones of Bangladesh .This research examines the impact of river processes on Bangladeshs floodplain zones, focusing on the River Padmas erosion, sediment deposition, and shoreline changes from 1973 to 2020 using Landsat imagery and Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). The river shows a right bank shift in Nawabganj, Natore, and Manikganj, while shifting left in Shariatpur, Madaripur, Faridpur, Rajbari, and Kushtia, resulting in a rectilinear course in Rajshahi. Shariatpur and Chandpur experienced the most significant shoreline changes, with severe erosion between 1990 and 1995 and peak sediment deposition from 1975 to 1987. Over 47 years, 1,193,625 acres eroded, and 1,177,662.5 acres were deposited. Nawabganj saw the highest erosion rate, and Pabna and Rajbari had the highest deposition rate. This study highlights the importance of geospatial techniques for developmental planning in the Ganges floodplain.
  Keywords: erosion; deposition; digital shoreline analysis system; DSAS; end point rate; EPR; active Ganges floodplain.
  
  
• Economic and hydraulic outcomes in storm water collection networks - application of momentum equation  
  by Masih Zolghadr, Farzan Jahanbakhsh, Hector Martin, Mohammad Rafie Rafiee, Hazi Md. Azamatulla 
  Abstract: The efficacy of existing stormwater collection systems and the costs associated with safely transmitting floodwater remain uncertain due to climate change. A case study employing one-dimensional hydraulic flood routing with a five-year return period was conducted in Qader Abad, Iran. The study compared the hydraulic characteristics, dimensions and construction cost of stormwater collection systems using dynamic, diffusive, kinematic, and constant flow techniques. The findings of the study emphasised that ignoring the inertia and pressure terms could lead to an overestimation of the flow depth and conduit diameter. In particular, the dynamic wave method demonstrated a lower average maximal discharge than other methods. Despite their higher computational costs, the dynamic and diffusive wave methods had significantly lower construction costs than the kinematic and constant flow methods. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating inertia and pressure terms into the momentum equation when estimating the construction costs of urban drainage projects.
  Keywords: urban drainage system; numerical simulation; rainfall-runoff model; SWMM software; stormwater; climate change.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2024.10065598
   
  
• Predictive hydraulic conductivity modelling of wide gradation spectrum sandy soils using stepwise multiple linear and LASSO regression  
  by Mohammad Aasif Khaja, Shagoofta Rasool Shah, Ramakar Jha 
  Abstract: Accurate estimation of soil hydraulic conductivity (K) is crucial in groundwater hydrology and geo-environmental engineering applications. This study introduces novel K predictive modelling for wide gradation spectrum sandy soils, employing stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) techniques. Using an 81-sample dataset with key variables, including particle sizes, gradation parameters, porosity, and dry density, this study addresses limitations in existing K prediction methods. Correlation analysis reveals variable associations and multicollinearity issues, necessitating feature selection and the development of SMLR and LASSO regression models. While both models perform well on the training dataset, LASSO excels in mitigating overfitting, achieving a high coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.82 and 0.87 on the training and testing datasets. Comparative analyses with existing models in the literature underscored LASSO's superiority in approximating laboratory-measured K-values, establishing it as the preferred choice for hydraulic conductivity estimation.
  Keywords: hydraulic conductivity; sandy soils; predictive modelling; stepwise multiple linear regression; SMLR; LASSO regression.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2024.10064217
   
  
• Comparative assessment of LSTM approaches for enhanced prediction of rainfall climatology with minimum uncertainty  
  by Akshay Kumar, Saumitra Rai, Gaurav Kumar, Rajiv Gupta 
  Abstract: Forecasting precipitation is highly challenging for scientific modellers due to the complexity and uncertainty of atmospheric data and weather prediction models. To investigate the hydrological alternations such as rising sea levels, increasing floods and evaporation, and changes in snowpack caused by climate change, it is essential to accurately predict precipitation, a function of several interrelated climatic variables. This study presents a unique approach to predicting precipitation with minimum uncertainty by performing a comparative assessment of long-short-term memory (LSTM) approaches. The LSTM prediction models were run using quarterly, semi-annual, annual, and biannual precipitation data and other data such as temperature, vapour pressure, cloud cover, rainy days, and potential evaporation. Bivariate models using potential evaporation and temperature produced equivalent results to the multivariate model as the mean absolute error (MAE) was found to be 23.89% and 26.35%, respectively, compared to the univariate model (MAE 76.29%).
  Keywords: precipitation prediction; machine learning; LSTM; climate change.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2024.10064994
   
  
• Machine learning-based approach coupled to SWAT model to dynamically quantify the natural groundwater recharge  
  by Khaoula Khemiri, Anis Chekirbane, Constantinos F. Panagiotou, Catalin Stefan 
  Abstract: Limited understanding of aquifers' responses to global warming and human activities challenges scientists and water professionals. This study, an early attempt to simulate natural groundwater recharge in the Chiba watershed, assesses the impact of human activities and climate change using Google Earth Engine and machine learning. With a Kappa coefficient of about 90%, the study produced reliable results. From 1985 to 2021, the SWAT model effectively replicated hydrological dynamics. Findings show that a 12% increase in agricultural land and a 2% decrease in precipitation result in a 16% rise in evapotranspiration and a 33% decline in natural recharge. Hydrological processes are sensitive to precipitation and land use changes. Spatial distribution of annual recharge indicates low groundwater recharge with upstream-downstream variance. Landsat images and machine learning enhance land use/land cover classification in Tunisia's semiarid context. This research calls for deeper investigations into groundwater levels for comprehensive groundwater resource management and sustainability.
  Keywords: climate change; groundwater; natural recharge; human activities; random forest; soil and water assessment tool; SWAT; modelling.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2024.10065829
   
  
• Effect of different discharges and type of soils on scour under bridge piers by using statistical analysis  
  by Basima Abbas Jabir Al-Humairi, Fatima Asaad Tayeb, Noor S. Mahdi 
  Abstract: The effect of different water discharges on soil scour bridge piers was investigated in this study. Cylindrical shape piers and experiments were used on sand soil and river sand soil, and with different water discharges. This was conducted on rectangular laboratory channel with length 12 m and width 0.5 m. The results were statistically treated by using DataFit software package depending on parameters like the flow velocity, depth of water, area of water section, diameter of pier, medium particle size, Froude number, discharge of water, intensity of flow. Several parameters such as coefficient of determination (R²), standard estimated error (SEE), root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and relative error (RE) were determined using the strength of the relationship between estimated and observed values of scour depth under bridge pier and used to verify the generated model.
  Keywords: soil scour; bridge pier; velocity of water; statistical analysis; type of soil; scour; soils; velocity; piers.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2024.10065828