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Water Group Mission 2006

This research focuses on analyzing the water system in the Amazon Basin, including its cycle, bodies of water, subterranean flows, precipitation, composition, sediment, pollutants, and biota, as well as the effects of human intervention. The goals include analyzing data on water ecosystems, developing a model of the water system, monitoring water chemistry, studying the effects of seasonal variations and environmental changes, and researching the role of water in other rainforest systems.

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Water Group Mission 2006

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  1. Water GroupMission 2006 October 4, 2002

  2. Definition of “Water” The scope of our research will include: • Water Cycle • Bodies of water (rivers, lakes, basins, estuaries, etc.) • Subterranean water flows • Precipitation • Contributing components to overall water composition • Sediment • Pollutants • Aquatic biota • Micro- and macro-organisms • Effects of time and human intervention on the evolution of the water system

  3. Goals • Research and analyze data associated with the Amazon Basin's water ecosystems. • Analyze the outflow, inflow and water storage mechanics of the Amazon water system as a whole and develop a model of the water system. • Identify and devise ways to monitor the water chemistry and chemical composition of the sediments of rivers, lakes and other water systems in the Amazon Basin. • Examine the effects of seasonal variations, human development, and general environmental changes on the water ecosystem. • Research the role of water on other systems of the rainforest.

  4. Overview of Water System • River • Length: 4,000 miles (6,400 km) • Volume: • Carries 1/5 of all water carried off earth’s surface • Flood-stage discharge at river’s mouth: 6,180,000 ft3 • Path: West to East / High Andes Mountains within 100 miles of Pacific Ocean to Atlantic Ocean • Main outlet: north of Marajo Island, 40 mi (64 km) wide • >1000 tributaries, 7 >1000 mi long • Water: Fresh • Able to dilute salinity of ocean for 100 miles from shore

  5. Overview of Water System • Basin • Area: 2.3 million square miles (6 million km2), 6 countries • Lowland / varzeas (Portuguese) • Area flooded in a yearly cycle • 12-30 mi wide • Borders main river and tributaries • Upland / tierra firme • > 2/3 of Basin • Covered by immense rain forest which transitions to dry forest and savanna in the West • “Gently undulating hills” • Composed of layers of alluvial soil deposited as much as 2.5 million years ago • Many shallow oxbow lakes and wetlands • Average rainfall 60-120 in/year

  6. Overview of Water System • Atmosphere • ½ of precipitation that falls originates from Atlantic Ocean • ½ of precipitation comes from evapotranspiration from forest and storms • Rainfall • Uplands average 60-120 in/year • Lowlands flooded on a yearly cycle • High levels of rain are found in the upper piedmont region • Highest level of rain are recorded in the upper Putumayo region along the Colombian border • Andes Mountains to west form natural barrier which prevents water vapour from leaving basin

  7. Current Research • Parasites as bioindicators • Parasites are potential indicators of environmental quality due to the variety of ways in which they respond to pollution. • “Effect indicators" (effects of various forms of pollution on the abundance and distribution of parasites). • “Accumulation indicators" (accumulation of toxins within parasites).

  8. Current Research • Net Accumulation of Sediment on river banks • The net deposition on bars and flood plains exceed bank erosion by about 500 megatons per year • This causes a net accumulation of sediment on both the valley floor and the delta plain. • This means that pollutants carried in the sediment may accumulate over time, rather than be flushed out of the system. • Such pollutants could directly harm the ecosystems in and around the river.

  9. Current Research • Effect of deforestation on hydrology • Less transpiration, resulting in warmer much warmer mean surface temps within rainforest • Less heat spread out, may affect global climate • Flooding caused by not enough trees/plant life to soak rain waters • Increased soil erosion in rainy season (lack of root systems)

  10. Current Research • Microwave radiation as a method to map flood plain elevation • Using 37 GHz passive microwave radiometers to monitor variations in water height • Data collection on river stage, velocity, width and height

  11. Cooperation With Other Groups • Carbon cycle • Methane cycle • Aquatic flora and fauna

  12. Questions?http://web.mit.edu/www/m2006/teams/r6/rain6@mit.eduQuestions?http://web.mit.edu/www/m2006/teams/r6/rain6@mit.edu

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