Water, Water Everywhere ydrology concerns the nature and circulation of water on Earth, mostly that under and atop the ground. Between concerning the nature of the environment and considering anthropogenic influences thereon, hydrological manuscripts are familiar territory in Environmental Science & Technology. Discussions of the fundamentals recently in the journal include the hyporheic zone by Hester and Gooseff (Environ. Sci. Technol. DOI 10.1021/es902988n) and historical records of hydrology by Pastore et al. (Environ. Sci. Technol. DOI 10.1021/es102672c). In this issue, Doyle and Bernhardt discuss the legal definition of a stream (Environ. Sci. Technol. DOI 10.1021/es101273f). While regulatory semantics may seem to some a dry topic (perhaps less so for aqueous systems), such analysis shows how scientific investigation of the natural environment can be intimately hinged to environmental management. That Doyle and Bernhardt thus review the geology, chemistry, and biology of streams in their Feature reflects the avid focus in pure and applied hydrological research. Raddatz et al. explore the chromium (Cr) isotope distributions in the Snake River to get a better handle on the geochemical budgets of this reactive element (Environ. Sci. Technol. DOI 10.1021/es102000z). The possibility for prevalence of toxic Cr(VI) in an aqueous environment remains a concern to environmental policymakers. The partitioning of biologically active molecules given ready access to groundwater means analyzing the distribution and fate of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals: Graham et al. report on antibiotic resistance trends tied to a Cuban watershed (Environ. Sci.
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10.1021/es104137n
2011 American Chemical Society
Published on Web 01/13/2011
Technol. DOI 10.1021/es102473z) and Shen et al. investigate pesticides in the Laurentian tributary system (Environ. Sci. Technol. DOI 10.1021/es1027844). Molecules of course are not the only aquatic component in the environment. Masciopinto et al. consider the fate of viruses in an aquifer (Environ. Sci. Technol. DOI 10.1021/es102412z), with potential ramifications for fundamental ecology and public/environmental health alike. As investigators sort through these scientific questions, engineers and policymakers work toward a better handle on management of water resources: van Zelm et al. address the impact of groundwater extraction in The Netherlands using life cycle assessment methods (Environ. Sci. Technol. DOI 10.1021/es102383v); Cheng and Hu offer commentary on China’s current and future handling of its waters (Environ. Sci. Technol. DOI 10.1021/es1038744). Whether pure or applied, hydrology continues to flow through these pages. The ubiquitous preciousness of the ultimate Mother (Nature) liquor means that ES&T continues to welcome manuscripts on investigations and ramifications of water, water everywhere in the environment.
Darcy J. Gentleman* Managing Editor
[email protected].
January 15, 2011 / ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 9 353
