Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
spectroradiometer and the European medium-resolution imaging spectrometer
sensor, which have moderate (about 250m) spatial resolution, 10-15 spectral
bands, and high sampling frequency—have accelerated progress in remote sensing
of suspended sediments, dissolved organic matter, chlorophyll, phycocyanin, and
other water-quality indicators that are extensive enough to suit sensor resolution
(Bierman et al. 2011). Satellite-based assessments of water quality will probably
be increasingly routine, especially with better integration and assimilation of in
situ data and multiscale sensor data via empiric and physically based models (Mat-
thews 2011). As mentioned in the section “Air-Quality Monitoring” above, the
new tools and technologies are not a substitute for ground-based water-quality
measurements, but they provide important spatial and contextual information
about the extent, duration, transport paths, and distances of pollution from a source
and should be used to enhance the current water-monitoring infrastructure and
related exposure assessment efforts.
Water Modeling
Real-time reporting of water-quality data would complement EPA re-
search programs. Data could be downloaded to a community Website so that
other researchers and the general public could understand water-quality and
quantity (storm-flow) information better. That type of network would eventually
allow analysis of infiltration or inflow problems, including policy options (such
as disconnecting storm drains from the sanitary sewer) and the likely effective-
ness of infrastructure investment in light of climate change (such as more in-
tense storm events). Figure 3-3 illustrates how a sensor network might be set up.
Spatially detailed high-frequency sensing of water resources that uses an
embedded network can provide breakthroughs in water science and engineering
by promoting understanding of nonlinearities (the knowledge base to discern
mechanisms and basic kinetics of nonlinear water processes) (Ostby 1999; Cop-
pus and Imeson 2002; Nowak et al. 2006); scalability (the ability to scale up
complex processes from observations at a point to the catchment basin) (Ridolfi
et al. 2003; Sivapalan et al. 2003; Long and Plummer 2004); prediction and
forecasting (the capacity to predict events, to model and anticipate outcomes of
management actions, and to provide warnings or operational control of adverse
water-quantity and water-quality trends or events) (Christensen et al. 2002;
Scavia et al. 2003; ASCE 2004; Vandenberghe et al. 2005; Shukla et al. 2006;
Hall et al. 2007); and discovery science (the discovery of heretofore unknown
and unreported processes) (Jeong et al. 2006; Messner et al. 2006; Loperfido et
al. 2009; 2010a,b).
Detecting Microorganisms and Microbial Products in the Environment
Development of detection methods for microbial contamination in water,
soil, and air is a critical part of environmental protection. EPA is one of the few
federal agencies that oversees a substantial research portfolio that includes new
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