139736eo.pdf (20MB) - Japan Oceanographic Data Center

FUTURE STUDIESWhat can marine scientists do to document and hopefully change this possible disaster? Interms of altering the policy decisions regarding the influx of fossil CO2 to the atmosphere, weprobably can do little. W e may have somewhat greater influence on the building of dams. However,given the nature of the problem, we can document factors which can ultimately quantify the effects thatthese human activities will have on the deltas. Such a program involves basic research with practicalgoals. Some of these are as follows:1) Detailed analysis of tide gauge records can show the relative rise of sea level in thedeltaic areas. If wave gauge stations do not exist in these areas, then they should beinstalled;2) W e need to document the flow patterns and sediment loads of the rivers (particularlybefore and after damming);3) W e need to understand more completely (and more quantitatively) the wave and currentregimes in deltaic areas. By careful comparison of old maps and satellitephotographs, we should be able to determine recent erosion and accretion patterns onthe deltas, and therefore predict which areas might be impacted particularly severely inthe next 50 years.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThis paper was prepared for the IOC workshop in Sri Lanka with the help of funds providedby National Science Foundation grant no. OCE 85-01366 and Environmental Protection Agency grantno CR-812941-01-0. I thank D.G. Aubrey (WHOI) and J. Titus (EPA) for discussions that have ledto an increased awareness of coastal problems in Asian countries.REFERENCESHOFFMAN, J.S., KEYES, D. and TITUS, J.G. (1983). Projecting future sea level rise. U.S.Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 230-09-007, 121 p.MILLIMAN, J.D. and MEADE,R.H. (1983). Worldwide delivery of river sediment to the oceans. J.Geology, 91, 1-21.MILLIMAN, J.D., QURAISHEE, G.S. and BEG, M.A.A. (1984). Sediment discharge from theIndus River to the ocean: Past, present and future. In: B.U. Haq and J.D. Milliman (eds.),Marine Geology and Oceanography of Arabian Sea and Coastal Pakistan, van NostrandReinhold Co., New York, 65-70.RAHMAN KHAN, H. (1983). Irrigation water requirements in Bangladesh. In: M. Zaman (ed.),River Basin Development, Tycooly Intern. Publ. Co., Dublin.WAHBY, S.D. and BISHARA, N.F. (1981). The effect of the River Nile on Mediterranean waterbefore and after the construction of the High D am at Aswan. In: River Inputs to OceanSystems, UNESCO, 3 11-3 18.198