Natasha Adams – Undergraduate – Applied Mathematics
Tensions Rise in East Africa as the Completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Presents Problems for Nations Downstream
To help solve issues relating to a lack of energy infrastructure, some developing nations are turning to hydropower, and Ethiopia is a leader with their construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile. However, other nations downstream on the Nile are facing different types of water scarcity and insecurity depending on the way that Ethiopia decides to fill the dam. This paper attempts to analyze the best and worst scenarios for many Sudanese and Egyptians who rely heavily on the Nile, and to examine the way that a few filling scenarios could impact the fragile relationships between Ethiopia and downstream states. Researchers are examining the ways that a particularly fast or slow fill could impact those who depend on the Nile, and their research can be used to predict the outcomes environmentally and politically depending on what is decided by Ethiopia. Increasing the pace at which the dam is filled will result in power being generated sooner and Ethiopia will begin to see a return on its investment. However, this will cause a decrease in the flow rate of the Nile for the period of time it takes to fill the dam, and it will jeopardize the food security of millions living in Egypt and Sudan who are dependent on the Nile for irrigation. The dam and its hydropower generation have become a regional transboundary water issue which not only involves African countries but is tied to broader geopolitical concerns as a result of foreign investment and interests.To help solve issues relating to a lack of energy infrastructure, some developing nations are turning to hydropower, and Ethiopia is a leader with their construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile. However, other nations downstream on the Nile are facing different types of water scarcity and insecurity depending on the way that Ethiopia decides to fill the dam. This paper attempts to analyze the best and worst scenarios for many Sudanese and Egyptians who rely heavily on the Nile, and to examine the way that a few filling scenarios could impact the fragile relationships between Ethiopia and downstream states. Researchers are examining the ways that a particularly fast or slow fill could impact those who depend on the Nile, and their research can be used to predict the outcomes environmentally and politically depending on what is decided by Ethiopia. Increasing the pace at which the dam is filled will result in power being generated sooner and Ethiopia will begin to see a return on its investment. However, this will cause a decrease in the flow rate of the Nile for the period of time it takes to fill the dam, and it will jeopardize the food security of millions living in Egypt and Sudan who are dependent on the Nile for irrigation. The dam and its hydropower generation have become a regional transboundary water issue which not only involves African countries but is tied to broader geopolitical concerns as a result of foreign investment and interests.
Madison Hutchinson – Undergraduate – Environmental Science
Habitat Fragmentation Associated with the Three Gorges Dam
China is home to the largest hydroelectric dam in the world, Three Gorges Dam. This dam has produced an average annual energy output of 84.7 TWh and was built to control flooding of the Yangtze River, while also providing a cleaner source of energy. The magnitude of this dam has directly been connected to several environmental problems along Yangtze River, the biggest of which has been fragmentation within the river’s ecosystem. In this poster, I discuss the environmental impacts caused by this habitat fragmentation of Three Gorges Dam. This is relevant considering some other countries want to build their own mega-dams to fully exploit their water resources. Looking at China’s current hydroelectric mega dam provides an example of how other countries potential mega-dams could affect their ecosystem.
Benjamin Khoh– Undergraduate - Geography & Environmental Science
Measuring the Efficacy of the Sfax Wastewater Treatment Plant Using Remotely Sensed Chlorophyll-A Concentration Data
The Mediterranean Sea is an inland, salty sea that sits in between the continents of Africa and Europe. The sea itself is recognized by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as the second most important region for biodiversity as it supports over 6000 species of flora and fauna in its waters. However, with a population of 450 million people and growing on its shores, the diversity of the Mediterranean is in danger. Among many other human pollutants, municipal wastewater contributes to eutrophication which can lead to the endangering and eventual extinction of many of the Mediterranean’s most vulnerable species. One of the defenses against pollution many cities use across the world are wastewater treatment plants, which decrease the presence of foreign substances in municipal water before it is discharged. Understanding the effectiveness of these plants is key in protecting the Mediterranean. Utilizing NASA’s MODIS sensor, we can track concentrations of Chlorophyll-A, which is overabundant in the presence of untreated wastewater. This study will focus on the wastewater treatment plant in Sfax, Tunisia, constructed in 2004, and will conduct a longitudinal study comparing the before and after concentrations to measure its effectiveness.
Olivia Tahti – Undergraduate - Civil Engineering & Environmental Engineering
Still Water in Coal Run
A neighborhood in Ohio was neglected running water from 1956 to 2005. These residents couldn’t use groundwater for potable water because Coal Run was a mining neighborhood, and the water had extremely high sulfur concentrations. Many of these residents would build their own underground cisterns, most of which were not up to health codes and easily became unsafe to use. Coal Run is a neighborhood outside of Zanesville, Ohio and is a primarily African American community. The local government continued to build new water lines around and past Coal Run into primarily white neighborhoods. Jerry Kennedy, who was born in Coal Run said, “ it was about being surrounded by people with city water and not being allowed to hook into it for years and years.” Through to work of Cynthia Hairston and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, a lawsuit was filed claiming racial discrimination. Less than two weeks later, the local government drew up plans to extend the pipeline. Unfortunately, the local municipality denied racial discrimination and claimed that “Coal Run's lack of water was due to a lack of demand… its residents didn't go through the correct procedures to request it.” I am of the firm belief that the local government should have been actively seeking out issues such as this one in order to remedy them, instead of their passive, reactionary approach to the issue. Coal Run should have had running water all along, but the issue should have been remedied long before a legal complaint was issued.
Paola Miramontes Gonzalez - Undergraduate - Environmental Science & Biology
The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network: Gathering Precipitation Data
This poster serves as an informational guide on the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) as well as a way to communicate the importance of citizen involvement in daily precipitation collection and condition monitoring. CoCoRaHS works with citizens throughout the country to gather information about daily precipitation and significant weather patterns. Participants of all ages are able to volunteer in submitting precipitation observations by installing a rain gauge outside their home and then reporting their measurements to CoCoRaHS. CoCoRaHS observers in Nevada are concentrated in two areas and there is need for observers in areas that are sparsely populated. In particular, increasing the number of observers in this region would enhance knowledge of water availability and give insight on drought conditions in Nevada. Precipitation can vary throughout the year and from region to region, therefore, it is important to monitor weather conditions and the impact that precipitation levels have on the environment.