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Water Research in the PacificWater Research in the Pacific

Gary R.W. Denton, Ph.D.Water and Environmental Research Institute

of the Western Pacific

University of GuamUniversity of Guam

UNIVERSITY OF GUAMUNIBETSEDAT GUAHAN°

Dr. Gary R. W. Denton.

DIRECTOR & PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY

TEL. (671) 735-2690FAX: (671) 734-8890

E-mail: gdenton@uguam.uog.eduWebsite: www.uog.edu/weri

Water and Environmental ResearchInstitute of the Western Pacific

UOG StationMangilao, Guam 96923

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

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Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

To seek solutions through research, teaching and outreach programs, to issues and problems associatedwith the location, production, distribution and management of freshwater resources

Mission Statement

COMMONWEALTHOF THE

NORTHERN MARIANAISLANDS

REPUBLIC OF PALAU

YAP STATE

CHUUKSTATE

POHNPEISTATE

KOSRAESTATE

FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA

GUAM

140 150 1600

10

20

WESTERN PACIFICISLANDS

+ +400 MILES

Distance ~ 2000 miles (Kosrae Distance ~ 2000 miles (Kosrae –– Yap)Yap)Total land mass area ~580 sq. milesTotal land mass area ~580 sq. milesPopulation 330,000Population 330,000

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

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Faculty and Major Research Areas

Gary Denton: Environmental Toxicology

Leroy Heitz: Surface Water Hydrology

John Jenson: Groundwater Hydrogeology

Shahram Khosrowpanah: Hydraulics

Mark Lander: Tropical Climatology

Yuming Wen: GIS Specialist

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

Charles Luo:

Research Programs

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

Research priorities determined by Advisory Councils that meet annually to discuss critical water resources issues and problems encountered in each regional entity

•• MappingMapping•• ModelingModeling•• MonitoringMonitoring

•• ManagementManagement

•• MaintenanceMaintenance

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Research Highlights

Mapping basement volcanics for optimization ofMapping basement volcanics for optimization ofdrinking water well locationsdrinking water well locations

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

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Research Highlights

Mapping septic and other wastewater systems above Guam’snorthern lens aquifer

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

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Research Highlights

Guam Geologic map updated to show new data and advances in data interpretation

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

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Research Highlights

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

Development of Guam Watershed Atlas using GISDevelopment of Guam Watershed Atlas using GIS

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Research Highlights

Stalagmite from local cave provides Stalagmite from local cave provides insight into climate history of Guam (sea insight into climate history of Guam (sea level rise, surface temps, El Nilevel rise, surface temps, El Niñño cycles).o cycles).

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

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Research Highlights

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

Modeling the Northern Guam Lens Aquifer Modeling the Northern Guam Lens Aquifer to determine maximum sustainable yield and to determine maximum sustainable yield and precipitation response times of the water tableprecipitation response times of the water table

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Research Highlights

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

WaterCAD hydraulic model of the Marpi area water distribution system in Northern Saipan and field varification of hydraulic model data at fire hydrant

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Research Highlights

Water resource assessment, management, modeling and training on atoll islands

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

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Stream gage

Quantitative and qualitative monitoring of Guam’s surface and groundwater resources

Research Highlights

Sediment sampler

Water level & salinity monitoring equipment

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

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Research Highlights

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

Typhoon damage assessment, impact of global warming on sea level rise, El Niño events and climate history of Western Pacific

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Research Highlights

Determining the impact of aqueous Determining the impact of aqueous contaminants released from Ordot Dumpcontaminants released from Ordot Dumpon fisheries resources in Lonfiton fisheries resources in Lonfit--Pago RiverPago RiverSystem and Pago BaySystem and Pago Bay

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

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Research Highlights

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

Contaminant assessment of SaipanContaminant assessment of SaipanLagoon and impact of Puerto RicoLagoon and impact of Puerto RicoDump and other potential sources of Dump and other potential sources of pollution on fisheries resources in the areapollution on fisheries resources in the area

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Research Highlights

Watershed management and restoration,Watershed management and restoration,With emphasis on soil erosion mitigationWith emphasis on soil erosion mitigationstrategies for protection and preservationstrategies for protection and preservationof coastal water communitiesof coastal water communities

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

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Research Highlights

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

Impact of clearing native forest to grow sakau (kava) on soil erosion in Pohnpei watersheds

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Student Support

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

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Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

Educating Tomorrow’s Community Leaders

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Staff Support

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific

Gwen Manglona: Administrative Assistant

Norma Blas: Secretary Typist I

H. Rick Wood: Water Quality Lab Manager

Crispina Tagudin: Laboratory Technician

John Jocson: Staff Hydrologist

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Technical Reports & Journal Articles

Water & Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific