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Lake Titicaca. Justin Burdine. Location. General Facts. 3800 meters above sea level Surface area: 8400 km 2 Volume: 930 km 3 Max Depth: 280 meters Water retention time: > 1000 years Over 3 million years old Monomictic. Cultural Significance - Past. Incan civilization Viracocha
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Lake Titicaca Justin Burdine
General Facts • 3800 meters above sea level • Surface area: 8400 km2 • Volume: 930 km3 • Max Depth: 280 meters • Water retention time: > 1000 years • Over 3 million years old • Monomictic
Cultural Significance - Past • Incan civilization • Viracocha • Origins • Livelihood • Los Uros • Indigenous group • Live on lake surface • Rafts and boats
Lake Inputs/Outputs • Evaporation accounts for 90% of outputs • Remaining 10% through Rio Desaguadero • Inputs of rainfall and runoff occur during the rainy season (January – March)
Eutrophication • Wastewater from UNA ((Universidad Nacional del Altiplano), the city, and nearby towns • Poorly constructed sewage plant that is not updated to growing population • Overflows in rainy season • Anoxic conditions in higher water depths • Study looks at water degradation between 1970 and 2005.
Harm to bystanders • Indigenous populations • Livestock near lake • Humans using lake for recreation • Tourism (floating boom) • Fascioliasis • Transboundary planning • Intervention to control