Earth Institute Contact: Dr. Robin Bell
EI Collaborators:
Peter Schlosser
Steven Chillrud
Additional External Researchers:
Locations: United States of America
Special Locations:
Hudson River
Description:
Improved understanding of the Hudson River Basin response to small and large changes is a necessary element of our efforts for sustainable development of the river. Just as a heart monitor is necessary for a patient undergoing surgery, improved insight into the functioning of the river requires continuous observation. We are proposing to begin the development of a telescope focused on the Hudson River - A Riverscope. To read the physical/biological/chemical condition of the river system, the Riverscope will use novel miniaturized sensor technology deployed in the river and around the watershed, transmitted by an advanced high-bandwidth, real-time communications systems integrated with satellite remote-sensing imagery
At full implementation, The Riverscope system will provide accurate real-time information on the health of the Hudson River system to a diverse community ranging from scientists, educators and regulators, as well as the general public. The Riverscope will also be the foundation for model-based predictions and scenario-calculations about the future of the Hudson River. The proposed Hudson Riverscope Pilot is the first-stage deployment of the system of the Riverscope and consists of a suite of oceanographic sensors commonly used in the deep oceans and sampling packages installed in locations with pre-existing communications infrastructure. These instrument packages would provide continuous measurements of the estuarine system and thus capture slow changes and dramatic episodic events, as well as their impacts on (A) physical properties of the water (temperature, salinity and currents) including the distribution of suspended and settling sediments, (B) distributions of inorganic and organic chemicals, such as oxygen and nutrients, and (C) their effects on the biological communities.
EI Unit:
Center For Rivers and Estuaries
Cross Cutting Themes:
Water
Core Disciplines:
Earth Sciences
Funding Agency:
EPA via Pace University
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