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USGS Activities in Puerto Rico

USGS Activities in Puerto Rico. Pedro L. Díaz African Dust Project in Puerto Rico January 28, 2010 Rio Piedras , Puerto Rico. Who Are We ???. Recognized Earth Science Agency Created on March 3, 1879 to survey and map the Territories of the United States. 5 Science Areas

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USGS Activities in Puerto Rico

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  1. USGS Activities in Puerto Rico Pedro L. Díaz African Dust Project in Puerto Rico January 28, 2010 Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

  2. Who Are We ??? • Recognized Earth Science Agency • Created on March 3, 1879 to survey and map the Territories of the United States. • 5 Science Areas • Biology, Geology, Geography, National Geospatial Program, Water • Permanent in Puerto Rico since 1958 • Water Resources of Puerto Rico-1899

  3. What Do We Do ??? • The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) monitors the quantity and quality of water in the rivers and aquifers to: • assess the sources and fate of contaminants in aquatic systems • develop tools to improve the application of hydrologic information, and • ensure that its information and tools are available to all potential users. • Conduct a variety of other natural resources and natural hazard investigations

  4. How Do We Do It ??? • By providing reliable, impartial, and timely information needed to understand the Nation’s water resources which promotes its use by decision makers to – • Minimize the loss of life and property as a result of natural hazards • Effectively manage groundwater and surface-water resources • Protect and enhance water resources for human and aquatic health, and environmental quality.

  5. Science Strategy • Energy and Minerals for America’s Future • A National Hazards, Risk, and Resilience Assessment Program • Water Census for America • Understanding Ecosystems and Predicting Ecosystems Change • Climate Variability and Change • The Role of Environment and Wildlife in Human Health

  6. Data Collection • Surface Water • Frequency and magnitude of floods and droughts • Flow duration • Rainfall • Intensity, duration, frequency • Isotopic signature • Groundwater Levels • Long-term trends • Water Quality • Long-term trends, emerging contaminants

  7. WEBB Program • Initiated in 1991. • Understand the processes of controlling water, energy, and biogeochemical fluxes over a range of temporal and spatial scales. • Understand the interactions of these processes, including the effect of atmospheric and climatic variables. • Land Use changes • Sedimentation rates • Water quality trends • Hydrology • Rock weathering • Atmospheric deposition

  8. Location Map

  9. SW Hydrology

  10. Rainfall Data Río Icacos Bisley Use of stable isotopes to understand the composition of rainfall in the tropics

  11. Other meteorological parameters Wind Direction Wind Speed Temperature, Relative Humidity, Solar Radiation, and Barometric Pressure

  12. Atmospheric Mercury Deposition

  13. Rock Weathering • Lysimeters and tensiometers • Soil moisture, water movement

  14. Summary • WEBB + African Dust Project = Synergy • Share Resources • Data • Equipment • Experience • Methodologies ITES WEBB

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