미국 지질조사국(U.S. Geological Survey, USGS)의 새로운 온라인 도구 덕분에 물 전문가들은 미국 내 강과 시내의 영양분 및 퇴적물의 도표 요약이 지금보다 더 나은 수준으로 가능해졌다. 이번 온라인 도구는 1993∼2014년의 최근 수질 조건을 비교하는 데 사용될 전망이며, 하천 유량·농도·길의 수질 관련 데이터는 다운로드가 가능하다. 또한 미시시피 강 유역에 걸쳐 해안지역과 큰 지류의 영양분 정보를 평가할 수 있게 되었다.

USGS의 물관리부소장 William Werkheiser,는 “깨끗한 물을 공급하는 것은 어업 및 휴양에 필수적이며, 우리의 건강과 경제에 매우 중요”하다고 말했다.

Thanks to a new online tool from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), water professionals can now better access graphical summaries of nutrients and sediment levels in rivers and streams across the nation.

The online tool can be used to compare recent water-quality conditions to long-term conditions (1993-2014), download water-quality datasets (streamflow, concentrations and loads), and evaluate nutrient loading to coastal areas and large tributaries throughout the Mississippi River Basin.

"Clean water is essential for public water supplies, fisheries and recreation -- it's vital to our health and economy," said William Werkheiser, USGS associate director for water. "This annual release of water quality information in graphical form will provide resource managers with timely information on the quality of water in our rivers and streams and how it is changing over time."
 
Graphical summaries of nutrients and sediment are available for 106 river and stream sites monitored as part of the USGS National Water-Quality Network for Rivers and Streams.

This tool was developed by the USGS National Water-Quality Assessment Program, which conducts regional and national assessments of the nation's water quality to provide an understanding of water-quality conditions, whether conditions are getting better or worse over time, and how natural processes and human activities affect those conditions.

[출처 = Water World / 2015년 7월 30일]