Water Scarcity in the Mediterranean Perspectives Under Global Change

About this book

Water scarcity affects hydrologic resources, systems connectivity, biodiversity, water quality, and river ecosystem functioning. It has direct impacts on economic sectors that use and depend on water, such as agriculture, tourism, industry, energy and transport. The Mediterranean Basin is one of the regions in the world most vulnerable to climate changes, as well as one of the most impacted by human water demand. This volume provides an in-depth view of the water quality and quantity implications of water scarcity. It highlights its possible causes and describes the effects in regions under Mediterranean climate. The topics covered include climate effects, water resources (use, storage and new sources), water quality (chemical and microbiological), and the effects on ecosystems suffering from water scarcity. This book is addressed to scientists and students, but also to managers involved in the necessary decision making process to face future periods of drought.

Contents

Possible climate change scenarios with specific reference to Mediterranean regions.- Hydrologic alterations effects in the ecological quality of river ecosystems.- Influence of water scarcity on the fate and effects of heavy metals in fluvial ecosystems.- Water scarcity and its impact on the physical condition of river ecosystems.- Freshwater ecosystems in a variable and changing climate: Mediterranean perspectives from United States and Australia.- Water quality in reservoirs under a changing climate.- The use and abuse of subterranean resources. Artificial recharge of aquifers.- Contribution of water reuse to water management in the Mediterranean. Hurdles and development prospects.- Reuse of regenerated waters under water scarcity.- Decision support systems (DSS) for integrated water resources management under water scarcity.- Managing water scarcity and drought risk.- Changes in organic matter content and quality in intermittent Mediterranean streams.- Microbiological outbreaks associated to water scarcity.- Irrigation and water resources under water scarcity: implications for water quality.- Effects of WWTP effluents on stream ecosystem function under water scarcity.- Occurrence and fate of emerging pollutants under water scarcity.

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