Michelle Ostenberg – Undergraduate – Ecohydrology and Environmental Science
The Degradation of Water Quality and Ecosystems in the Nakdong River, Republic of Korea
This paper examines the degradation of water quality and ecosystems in the Nakdong River, Republic of Korea, due to industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, dam construction and altered natural water flow, and rapid urbanization. The degradation of water quality and ecosystems has impacted human-water relationships due to losing trust in the government, cultural and recreational impacts, livelihood disruptions, and health risks. The degradation of the Nakdong River has altered locals’ relationship with the water, and rather than being a reliable and cherished place and source of water, it has become a place of concern and deeper cultural implications. In 2009, South Korea launched the Four Major Rivers Project which aimed to construct dams and weirs, reinforce embankments, secure water beds and resources, improve water quality, and promote tourism and recreation. Though one of the main goals of the project was to improve water quality, in many areas, the water quality worsened and there was significant impact to the local ecosystem and biodiversity, mainly due to dam construction which altered the natural river flow. These impacts were felt by communities surrounding the river, who rely on it for their livelihood and to continue traditions. The unintentional impacts highlighted concerns, and local government attempted to bring attention to these issues and act on them, to the dismay of many. The water quality and ecosystem degradation seen in the Nakdong River because of unintentional effects of the Four Major Rivers Project is complex, and there are a multitude of issues that contribute to the issue.
Sam Rosen – Undergraduate - Nursing
Impacts of the Australian Water Act on agricultural output in the Murray-Darling Basin
The Murray-Darling Basin is one of the most significant agricultural regions in Australia. Spanning 4 states, it covers over 1 million square kilometers and is named after the Murray and Darling rivers, the two major rivers that form the basin. In 2007, the Australian Water Act was passed, aiming to combat increasing water scarcity and environmental degradation. One of the primary mechanisms of the act is balancing agricultural water use, leading to a reduction in water allocation for many farmers. This immediately put economic pressures on them, as their work is obviously irrigation intensive. These pressures resulted in adaptations such as the decrease in the production of high water consuming crops, like rice or cotton, a shift towards less water consuming ones, and the implementation of some irrigation efficiency technologies. This paper aims to understand how the Australian Water Act could have impacted the inputs of agricultural production, how these modified inputs affect the agricultural outputs, and how these modified outputs may have affected the residents of those specifically in the Murray-Darling Basin. Policy reviews, agricultural production reports, as well as economic performance indicators in the regions of the Murray-Darling Basin will be reported on from the last nearly two decades to try and form an understanding of the effects of this legislation.
Seth Slaney – Undergraduate - Natural Science
Fresh water for the Asafa Community, Magalang, Pampanga
The Philippines is abundant in natural resources, boasting numerous rivers and lakes. Its tropical climate ensures ample precipitation and substantial groundwater reserves. Surface water is commonly utilized in urban areas, while groundwater is often reserved for rural regions where surface water is insufficient. Despite this wealth of natural resources, the Philippines faces significant water-related challenges. For instance, the Asafa community in Magalang, Pampanga, struggles with a severe lack of clean water access. This impoverished community was allocated land by former President Rodrigo “Roa” Duterte, leaving them with no alternative farmland. Consequently, they are forced to use water contaminated with coliform and E. coli levels that exceed the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) limits. This rural community is among the 75% of the population that relies on unsanitary water as their primary source.