Abstract In most Latin American countries there are significant numbers of both missing people and forced disappearances, c. 84 000 alone in Colombia. Successful detection of buried human remains by forensic search teams can be difficult in varying terrain and climates. This paper reports on the geophysical and botanical monitoring of simulated clandestine graves in two different environments over 24 months to establish optimal detection methods and equipment configurations. Twelve clandestine burials were simulated at three different burial depths (0.5, 0.8 and 1.2 m) commonly encountered in Latin America. The simulated targets were three pig carcasses, three human skeletons, three graves with burnt human beheaded skeletons and finally three empty graves to act as control. Geophysical detection methods included ground-penetrating radar, magnetic susceptibility, bulk ground conductivity and electrical resistivity. Geophysical results showed that apparent electrical resistivity was optimal to detect targets (85% success) in semi-rural areas and ground-penetrating radar was optimal to detect targets (92%) in tropical rainforest areas, followed by magnetic susceptibility and bulk ground conductivity. Botanical results evidenced variations in both study sites, which should be noted by forensic search investigators, with rapid growth of Raphanus in the tropical rainforest graves and Malvaceae and Petiveria in the rural study site. This paper shows the importance of conducting long-term controlled studies to assist forensic search teams with expected results and optimum equipment configuration(s).

ABSTRACT The Washita Prairie segment of the Edwards (Balcones Fault Zone) Aquifer is a shallow unconfined aquifer that supports several historical springs, perennial streamflow to Lake Waco, and water for rural households and livestock. Secondary porosity in the aquifer is from neotectonic fractures and epikarst in the Georgetown and Edwards Formations. The fractures produce an “effective” porosity of ~1%. Thin soils allow rapid recharge, as indicated by water-level responses in wells within 24 h of rainfall events. Discharge is generally along second-order streams; topography is the dominant influence on groundwater flow direction. The interbedded clays in the Georgetown Formation create a preferred horizontal to vertical anisotropy. The fractured nature of the aquifer produces local heterogeneity, but regionally, the aquifer acts as a diffuse rather than conduit flow system. Weathering results in a layered flow system with greater effective porosity and permeability in an upper zone compared to the deeper zone. Washita Prairie springs are perennial, with discharges generally <0.05 m 3 /s. The groundwater is calcium bicarbonate facies with total dissolved solids (TDS) <500 mg/L in most springs and shallow-zone wells. Water quality in deeper wells is more variable, as these encounter the deeper flow system with slower circulation and higher TDS. The shallow water table and rapid recharge through fractures allow surface activities to impact water quality, and nitrate levels appear to be elevated above average background values in places. The Washita Prairie segment of the Edwards (Balcones Fault Zone) Aquifer may be able to supply over 50,000,000 m 3 of sustainable water on an annual basis with continued study and proper management.

Water access, sanitation, and security remain key foci of international aid and development. However, the increasing interconnectedness of hydrologic and social systems can cause water initiatives to have unexpected and cascading effects across geographic scales. This presents new challenges for geoscientists working in water development, as distant and complex socioeconomic and environmental relationships, or “telecouplings,” may significantly influence the outcomes and sustainability of development projects. We explore these emerging concepts through a case study in Ethiopia, which receives over half of its annual budget from foreign development assistance and is currently experiencing rapid population growth and environmental change. Using examples from the literature, we identify water development aid initiatives in rural and urban settings and at local and national scales. We then situate these within the telecoupling framework to reveal underlying social-hydrological relationships. Our results indicate that water development is linking Ethiopia’s hydrology with geographically distant communities and markets and creating new and often unexpected flows of people, material, and capital. These are resulting in cascading impacts and cross-scale feedbacks among urbanization, geopolitics, and the water-food-energy nexus in East Africa. We conclude with a discussion of the strengths, limitations, and potential of the telecoupling framework for geoscientists and development practitioners.

Inexpensive geophysical instruments can help meet a need for cost-effective siting of water wells in developing nations. We have developed resistivity, induced polarization, and seismic-refraction instruments that are useful in shallow hydrogeology studies. In addition, our free software can be used to interpret the data recorded by the instruments and produce predictions of subsurface lithologies. This entire suite of geophysical instruments, including a laptop computer for analysis and reports, can be assembled for less than US$600. It is hoped that trained indigenous well drillers and aid workers will use these instruments in support of their efforts to provide water to rural regions of the world that lack safe water.

The long-term success of water projects in water-stressed communities hinges not only on providing access to safe water, but also on equipping communities for sustainable resource management. Coupling research with education facilitates sustainability by growing local hydrogeologic knowledge and supporting prudent management. Adjusting management practices requires time, and it is helped through collaboration and trust between researchers and stakeholders. Research and education were integrated during an evaluation of groundwater resource sustainability and wastewater management practices at Restoration Gateway, an orphanage in northern Uganda. Basic hydrogeologic understanding was established through field work, staff interviews, and literature. An opportunity to collaborate with a visiting surveying and master planning team leveraged time spent on-site for greater results. Hydrologic education occurred formally and informally, through science lessons at the orphanage school and daily interactions with the Restoration Gateway population. Staff were interviewed regarding as-built designs, water usage, and wastewater management practices. Knowledge gained enabled researchers to make recommendations for preserving groundwater quantity and quality. Site-specific information was incorporated into a master plan for future development. Education efforts and trust gained through immersion in the life of Restoration Gateway increased awareness and acceptance regarding groundwater sustainability. In international work, it can be easy to focus on maximizing time for research and associated tasks. This case study presents ideas for spending time in local participation and education. Participation in the local community, involving them in research efforts, and building their hydrogeologic understanding improve the chances of recommendations being adopted and can foster long-term partnerships that enhance groundwater sustainability.

At the end of the 13 yr war in Afghanistan and over $100 billion in development efforts, Afghanistan is beginning anew with her first peaceful and democratic transfer of political power. This transition, unfortunately, is occurring in the most fragile state outside of sub-Saharan Africa and during diminishing stability and development gains due to Islamic jihadist rebel actions in Iraq. In order for Afghanistan’s transition to the world stage to maintain a positive trajectory and be lasting, aid needs to be reformed to better meet the long-term needs of the Afghan people. Keen planning by the U.S. Army provided such an outlet for military-development assistance, the Agriculture Development Teams (2008–2014). These special teams supported Afghanistan’s primary driver of survival, employment, and productivity: water/agriculture. Using only 0.04% of U.S. development funding, these teams provided an improved approach to development by using widespread, community-accepted, sustainable projects, which included educational and training components using an “Afghan first” focus on contracting, materials, and labor. Water projects developed and implemented with the Afghan people focused on infrastructure and educational needs, providing a step forward in the progression of Afghanistan from subsistence to economic agriculture. Although these professional, egalitarian military teams are now inoperative, their efforts are being analyzed and included into new warfare expectancies. U.S. military might has become holistic and is leveraging all expertise to make future endeavors successful for the affected state. Using this improved approach to military aid, future operations should provide better, more meaningful support, increasing the likelihood of development success.