Science that Weathers the Storm...USGS Scientists in the Field Preparing for Hurricane Ike OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications Web Group)Reporters: Want to accompany USGS scientists as they install storm surge sensors? Contact Leroy Pearman at 321-354-5248 or lpearman@usgs.gov.
US Geological Survey (USGS) scientists will be installing storm-surge sensors to prepare for Hurricane Ike.
These temporary devices are installed just hours before an impending storm and provide additional monitoring data in critical areas needed for effective forecasting and emergency response.
"We could not accurately forecast river flows and water-levels without the data and support we receive from the USGS," said Dave Reed, Hydrologist-In-Charge of the National Weather Service Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center in Slidell, LA. "When river and tide data are not available, our job of forecasting is much more difficult and typically results in diminished accuracy of those forecasts."
USGS scientists will be installing storm surge sensors to prepare for Hurricane Ike.
A special interactive USGS Water Hazards Map will be available soon, which will provide real-time flooding and storm surge data from streamgages and temporary devices. This information is imperative to local, State and Federal officials in order to forecast floods and coordinate flood-response activities in the affected area. Track streamflow and water levels and access other USGS Hurricane Ike efforts by visiting http://www.usgs.gov/ike.
Access real-time data from over 7,500 streamgages across the country by visiting the USGS Water Watch Website at http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/.
USGS has a network of rugged, inexpensive water-level and barometric-pressure sensors, called storm-surge sensors, which will be installed right before Ike hits land. These sensors provide information about storm surge duration, times of surge arrival and retreat, and maximum depths, which is useful in forecasting and modeling future events. Tropical Storms Katrina and Rita vividly demonstrated that coastal storm surge can be as dangerous as inland flooding caused by rain.
For more than 125 years, the USGS has monitored flow in selected streams and rivers across the United States and does so in cooperation with over 850 federal, state and local agencies.
Contacts:
If you would like to know more specific information about USGS Hurricane Ike response activities in your area, please contact the appropriate person listed below.
Alabama: Athena Clark, 334-395-4141, athclark@usgs.gov
Florida: Barry Rosen, 407-803-5508, brosen@usgs.gov
Georgia: Ed Martin, 770-903-9166, ehmartin@usgs.gov
Louisiana: Charles Demas, 225-298-5481 Ext. 3117, crdemas@usgs.gov
Mississippi: Michael Plunkett, 601-933-2940, plunkett@usgs.gov
South Carolina, Eric Strom, 803-750-6109, ewstrom@usgs.gov
Texas: Robert Joseph, 512-927-3500, rljoseph@usgs.gov
National Flood Specialist: Robert Holmes, 573-308-3581, bholmes@usgs.gov
Science that Weathers the Storm...Track Flooding During Tropical Storm Hanna in Real-Time OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications Web Group)Real-time flooding and storm surge information is available as Tropical Storm Hanna approaches the east coast by visiting the interactive US Geological Survey (USGS) Water Hazards Map.
The map provides immediate flooding and storm surge data from real-time streamgages in the affected area, which is imperative to local, State and Federal officials in order to forecast floods and coordinate flood-response activities in the affected area.
"These coordinated actions will ensure timely and uninterrupted water information for forecasters, emergency managers, scientists and the general public," says Matthew Larsen, USGS Associate Director for Water. "Improved flood monitoring and assessment will help reduce the risks to coastal communities, property and human life."
Access current streamflow in the context of historical conditions, as well as real-time water quality and groundwater information by visiting http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/hanna.
Access other USGS Tropical Storm Hanna efforts by visiting http://www.usgs.gov/hanna.
For more than 125 years, the USGS has monitored flow in selected streams and rivers across the U.S. The USGS, in cooperation with 1400 federal, state and local agencies, collects data from more than 7,500 continuous recording streamgages, most of which provide near real-time data in 15-minute increments. These data are used to develop flood forecasts, to manage flood control and coordinate flood response activities, to manage water supplies and droughts, to keep our waters clean, and to provide information for many recreational activities.
Contacts:
National Flood Specialist: Robert Holmes, 573-308-3581, bholmes@usgs.gov.
If you would like to know more specific information about USGS Tropical Storm Hanna response activities in your area, please contact the appropriate person listed below.
Delaware, Holly Weyers, 302-734-2506 (ext. 224), hsweyers@usgs.gov
Florida, Barry Rosen, 407-803-5508, brosen@usgs.gov
Georgia, Brian McCallum, 404-375-2505, bemccall@usgs.gov
Maryland, Ed Doheny, 443-498-5535, ejdoheny@usgs.gov
North Carolina, Jerad Bales, 919-571-4048, jdbales@usgs.gov
South Carolina, Eric Strom, 803-750-6109, ewstrom@usgs.gov
Virginia, Mark Bennett, 804-261-2643, mrbennet@usgs.gov
Study: Undiscovered Minerals in the Andes OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications Web Group)South America holds treasure of Copper, Molybdenum, Gold and Silver
Deposits of undiscovered copper, molybdenum, gold and silver may be present in the Andes Mountains of South America, according to a new scientific assessment.
The assessment estimates that the Andes may hold 750 million metric tons of copper in undiscovered porphyry copper deposits. Mining from these types of deposits provides more than 50 percent of world copper supply.
The undiscovered porphyry copper deposits also have the potential to contain 20 million tons of molybdenum, 13,000 tons of gold and 250,000 tons of silver. Molybdenum, known to occur naturally with copper, is used in industry to harden steel and for catalysts, lubricants, and pigments. Estimated undiscovered molybdenum resources in the Andes represent more than double the current world reserves of 8.6 million tons.
The Andes were studied as part of the first global mineral resource assessment, which is being led by the U.S. Geological Survey. The USGS jointly prepared and published the Andes assessment with experts from the Geological Surveys of Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru.
The partnership that contributed to the assessment is "a hallmark of international scientific collaboration," said USGS Director Mark Myers. "The expertise of our international collaborators is indispensable to our ability to undertake a worldwide assessment of numerous undiscovered mineral commodities in a variety of geologic environments."
The estimated copper resources in the Andes represent about 2.5 times the amount of undiscovered copper resources that was estimated for the United States in a 1998 USGS assessment of all major types of copper deposits. Not all of the estimated undiscovered mineral deposits are likely to be discovered and developed.
The USGS Mineral Resources Program provides scientific information for objective resource assessments and unbiased research results on mineral potential, production, consumption and environmental effects. This program is the sole federal source for this information.
The complete report, Quantitative Mineral Resource Assessment of Copper, Molybdenum, Gold, and Silver in Undiscovered Porphyry Copper Deposits in the Andes Mountains of South America, by C.G. Cunningham and others, is available online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1253.
Water Resources Management
Vahid Alavian on Water Week 2007 B-SPAN Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink, was the cry of the ancient mariner. But for development organizations, managing precious H2O is more than just a poetic albatross over a billion people lack access to a reliable water supply, and more than half the population of the developing world lives without proper sanitation. In this plenary address from Water Week 2007, Vahid Alavian, Adviser to the World Banks Energy, Transport and Water department, speaks about the challenges and horizons ahead for water resource management. 3. Closing Plenary B-SPAN What does climate change mean for Latin Americas water resources and how will regional policy evolve to reflect this? How does the political economy of a country affect their water and sanitation services? Are we integrating science and social science effectively into water resource management? These are just a few of the questions discussed at the closing plenary of Water Week 2007. 2. Sustainability and Development B-SPAN Without water, life on Earth is impossible. Yet this precious resource is sometimes entirely too scarce for people in developing countries. To propose solutions and create dialogue around this vital issue, the World Bank sponsors Water Week each year, bringing together internal and external experts in the sector. This plenary session on sustainability and growth for the water sector was introduced by Jamal Saghir, the Director of Energy, Transport, and Water for the World Bank, and moderated by Margaret CatleyCarlson, Chair of the Global Water Partnership. IEG Natural Resources B-SPAN Plant life exists in a complicated relationship with waternot only as an ingredient for life and photosynthesis, but, through interactions, for the soil and the climate as well. Is this relationship beneficial? Or should the World Bank reconsider reforestation projects in the interests of water conservation and climate change? In this presentation on October 12, 2006, at the World Banks headquarters in Washington, DC, Sampurno Bruijnzeel, Associate Professor of Ecohydrology at Vrije University in Amsterdam, explained why trees contribute to steady flows of clean water, based on 30 years of experience with tropical hydrology. Kenneth Chomitz, Senior Advisor for the World Banks Independent Evaluation Group, chaired the meeting. Seminar 12 Human Development Access to Water B-SPAN Although the worlds surface is 70 percent water, it is still a growing problem for natural resource management. Diverted rivers, dams, and drained wetlands are only a few of the difficulties affecting the global water supply. To discuss the issue, the World Bank External Affairs division held this Access to Water session for the Global Issues Seminar Series on January 25, 2006. Students from the Central European University, American University of Beirut, University of Amsterdam, University of Ghana, Sofia University, Sussex University, and several Washington, D.C. area schools joined the seminar, either at the Banks main headquarters or by videoconference. It was chaired by Maya Brahmam, Head of the Speakers Bureau for the Bank. Water Week 2005 Water, the World Bank and the Media B-SPAN Water Week 2005 was held from March 1 to 3, 2005 at the World Bank headquarters in Washington. Titled Water Security Policies and Investments, this years Water Week focused on the need to balance infrastructure with institutions and to develop the two realms in tandem. Recognizing that neither infrastructure nor institutions can adequately solve water problems alone, the conference sought to deepen the understanding of the important relationship between sound policies and infrastructure investments.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water - This Office at EPA works to ensure safe drinking water and to protect the quality of the Nation's Drinking Water Supply. The site features drinking water and health information, kid's pages, and drinking water publications and guidance documents.
American Water Works Association - International nonprofit scientific and educational society dedicated to the improvement of drinking water quality and supply. Represents treatment plant operators and managers, scientists, environmentalists, manufacturers, academicians, regulators, and others.
Arsenic in Drinking Water - EPA compendium of research related to determining safe levels and setting new standards.
ASDWA - Association of State Drinking Water Administrators - Includes publications and position papers on a variety of technical and U.S. regulatory topics related to drinking water supply and its protection.
Meta Description: [ Homepage of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators ASDWA Home ]
Awwa Research Foundation - International nonprofit organization sponsoring research on delivery of safe and affordable drinking water. Information on topics such as water treatment and distribution, groundwater management, monitoring, and cryptosporidium and other waterborne pathogens.
Meta Description: [ The Awwa Research Foundation (AwwaRF) is a member-supported, international, nonprofit organization that sponsors research to enable water utilities, public health agencies, and other professionals to provide safe and affordable drinking water to consumers. ]
Bacteria/Microbe - Contaminant Interactions - USGS applied environmental engineering research project which focuses on monitoring of pathogens in US water supplies. Site tells how environmental microbiology is done, and describes facilities, capabilities, collaborators. Some online articles.
Meta Description: [ Investigations Of How Contaminants And Microbes Interact. This Project Looks At Water Quality Issues, Pathogen Transport And Mechanisms Of Microbial Weathering. This Is A US Geological Survey Program ]
404California Urban Water Use - Regional and statewide urban water use estimates derived from a database comprised of annual DWR surveys of urban water agencies used for urban water use forecasts.
Meta Description: [ Water Plan, bulletin, Bulletin 160 ]
California Water Association - A consortium of investor-owned water utilities providing water utility services to customers throughout California. Site has information on drinking water standards, water treatment, and related topics.
Meta Description: [ California Water Association (CWA), a consortium of investor-owned water utilities providing high-quality water utility services to customers throughout California. ]
Drinking Water and Health Basics - U.S. EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water information on drinking water and health, including the National Primary Drinking Water Standards, fact sheets on specific drinking water contaminants, and guidance regarding Cryptosporidium for people with compromised immune systems.
Drinking Water Information Resources - Comprehensive collection of information about the safety and quality of drinking water.
Meta Description: [ Is your tap water safe - Should you drink filtered or bottled water? Topics: Drinking water contaminants; Contaminant health effects, particularly on children; Compare water purification methods ]
King County Drinking Water - A technical summary about where they get their drinking water in King County, who manages drinking water, and how it is managed.
Meta Description: [ A technical summary about drinking water in the Seattle-King County area including where our drinking water comes from, who manages drinking water, and how it's managed. ]
Lifewater Canada - A Christian, non-profit organization helping rural poor (around the world) obtain safe drinking water. Lifewater Canada trains people to drill safe drinking water wells and build water pumps (handpumps). On-line resources include a 100-page water well drilling and hand pumps tutorial.
Meta Description: [ Lifewater Canada trains Nationals to drill safe drinking water wells and build water pumps (handpumps). On-line resources include a 100-page water well drilling and hand pumps tutorial! We provide the opportunity for people to share with those in need by sponsoring a village well or school wash... ]
Magnesium in Drinking Water - Describes the health benefits of magnesium.
Meta Description: [ An amazing amount of health information related to magnesium, including 1000 printed pages of medical journal articles, and the magnesium hotline number! ]
Mohawk Valley Water Authority - Offers water quality reports, list of board of directors, and information about the Safe Drinking Water Act.
My Water Supply - A site to allow individuals and classrooms to discover, photograph, journal and share their local water supply with the world.
Meta Description: [ My Water Supply,water,education,Drinking Water,Drinking Water Source,Journaling ]
National Drinking Water Clearinghouse - Information primarily for and about small community drinking water systems. Includes fact sheets, educational materials, and information on water treatment technologies successfully used in small U.S. community water supply systems.
Meta Description: [ NDWC offers technical assistance and information about drinking water treatment, management, distribution, infrastructure, Safe Drinking Water Act regulations, and ground, surface and water conservation for America¥s small, rural communities. ]
National Drinking Water Clearinghouse - NDWC offers technical assistance and information about drinking water treatment, management, distribution, infrastructure, Safe Drinking Water Act regulations, and ground, surface and water conservation for America's small, rural communities.
Meta Description: [ NESC is a national drinking water, wastewater and environmental training site providing technical assistance and
information about America's small rural communities serving fewer than 10,000 people. NESC helps protect public health and the environment ]
500Natural Resources Defense Council - Resources on drinking water, from levels of Arsenic in drinking water to the quality of bottled water.
Meta Description: [ NRDC safeguards drinking water by helping to ensure that the Safe Drinking Water Act is carried out effectively, by pushing for citizens' right to know about contaminants, and by conducting scientific research and public education ]
Nevada Source Water Protection - Public education resources about water contaminants, their health effects, sources, management options, and how communities can protect their drinking water sources.
Meta Description: [ Source Water Protection, Nevada, management of contaminants, sources,
health effects, community programs, volunteers, Guarding Our Local Drinking, pollution,
organic, micro-organisms, radionuclides ]
South Central Texas Regional Water Planning - SCTRWPG has been reviewing and evaluating water supply options for South Central Texas. Technical reports, presentations, general information, surveys, maps, and a guestbook can be found on this site.
Meta Description: [ Describe me. ]
Sulfate in Drinking Water - Sulfate is a naturally occurring constituent in water. Site presents information on research by the U.S. EPA Office of Drinking Water into health aspects of sulphate in water.
U.S. EPA Drinking Water Standards Program - Existing and proposed U.S. standards for drinking water quality, standards enforcement, and current initiatives to evaluate the safety of specific substances in public water supplies.
Water Quality Association - Water Quality Association (WQA) is the international trade association representing the household, commercial, and industrial water quality improvement industry.
Meta Description: [ WQA, water quality, NSF certified, certification, filtration, contamination, lead, reverse osmosis, RO, softening ]
Wilkes University Drinking Water Helpguide - Information on common drinking water quality concerns, such as: bacteria, lead, toxic metals, giardia, coliform, MTBE, arsenic, organic chemical, rotten odors, taste problems, and iron bacteria.
Meta Description: [ Drinkng water testing online helpguide covering topics related to groundwater, drinking water contamination, protection,
treatment, and drinking water analysis and testing. ]