The document discusses the work of the Desert Research Institute (DRI) including its mission to conduct research that contributes to Nevada's security and general welfare. It provides examples of pioneering research conducted at DRI, such as in groundwater modeling and weather modification, and current research focus areas including climate change and its impacts. DRI employs around 550 staff across many specialized labs and generates $40 million annually for Nevada's economy through external research funding.
Monitoring Climate Variability and Impact in NV: What's A PA Country Gal Doin...DRIscience
How did a PA Country Gal become a science geek and end up in the desert?
What is the Desert Research Institute?
Some of my research projects include Monitoring Climate Variability, Impact of Climate on Basin Scale ET, and hot new NV research
To contribute more effectively to the security of the nation and to promote the general welfare of the State of Nevada and its citizens through the development of educational and scientific research, the Board of Regents may establish… the Desert Research Institute.
DRI 2016 Research Highlights and Annual ReportDRIscience
Welcome to the 2016 DRI Annual Report and Research Highlights. Inside you will find examples of DRI faculty research findings, new initiatives and announcements, and stories of our science helping citizens here in Nevada, across the nation, and around the world.
Monitoring Climate Variability and Impact in NV: What's A PA Country Gal Doin...DRIscience
How did a PA Country Gal become a science geek and end up in the desert?
What is the Desert Research Institute?
Some of my research projects include Monitoring Climate Variability, Impact of Climate on Basin Scale ET, and hot new NV research
To contribute more effectively to the security of the nation and to promote the general welfare of the State of Nevada and its citizens through the development of educational and scientific research, the Board of Regents may establish… the Desert Research Institute.
DRI 2016 Research Highlights and Annual ReportDRIscience
Welcome to the 2016 DRI Annual Report and Research Highlights. Inside you will find examples of DRI faculty research findings, new initiatives and announcements, and stories of our science helping citizens here in Nevada, across the nation, and around the world.
Dr. Jay Famiglietti - 21st Century Water Security and Implications for Animal...John Blue
21st Century Water Security and Implications for Animal Agriculture - Dr. Jay Famiglietti, Associate Professor at University of California, Irvine and Senior Water Scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, from the 2015 NIAA Annual Conference titled 'Water and the Future of Animal Agriculture', March 23 - March 26, 2015, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
More presentations at http://www.trufflemedia.com/agmedia/conference/2015_niaa_water_future_animal_ag
Dr. Jay Famiglietti - 21st Century Water Security and Implications for Animal...John Blue
21st Century Water Security and Implications for Animal Agriculture - Dr. Jay Famiglietti, Associate Professor at University of California, Irvine and Senior Water Scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, from the 2015 NIAA Annual Conference titled 'Water and the Future of Animal Agriculture', March 23 - March 26, 2015, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
More presentations at http://www.trufflemedia.com/agmedia/conference/2015_niaa_water_future_animal_ag
Perspectives on Lake Baikal (Russia), Lake Tahoe (USA), and Lake Khuvsgul (Mo...DRIscience
Perspectives on Lake Baikal (Russia), Lake Tahoe (USA), and Lake Khuvsgul (Mongolia).
Gantulga Bayasgalan, MSc.
Lecturer, School of Geology and Petroleum Engineering Mongolian University of Science and Technology
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Visiting Desert Research Institute Scientist
Applied Innovation Center for Advanced Analytics at the Desert Research Insti...DRIscience
AIC is an applied research center at DRI for data analysis to help drive innovation based economic development.
AIC provides business/industry access to expertise in data science, advanced analytics, HPC, data visualization.
Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are important to California’s water cycle because the amount and availability of water is a vital component for sustaining California’s population, economy, and environment. The risks and benefits associated with AR storms relate to floods and water supply. In this presentation I share how the the science of atmospheric rivers emerged and why our need to better understand and apply what we know about them can help us to better manage our most precious natural resource. I gave this presentation in October 2018 at the Bay-Delta Science Conference as part of my role as managing editor of the foundational book Atmospheric Rivers, which was written by over 30 international scientists who are leading the field of global AR research. The book will be published in Springer's Atmospheric Sciences series in September 2019.
Mercury in the Global OceanPURPOSE USE THE NEWS The followinAbramMartino96
Mercury in the Global Ocean
PURPOSE: USE THE NEWS: The following assignment uses real world data and news sources. Check your understanding of the material and then offer a well-supported response.- 25 pts
Although the days of odd behavior among hat makers are a thing of the past, the dangers mercury poses to humans and the environment persist today.
Mercury is a naturally occurring element as well as a by-product of such distinctly human enterprises as burning coal and making cement. Estimates of “bioavailable” mercury—forms of the element that can be taken up by animals and humans—play an important role in everything from drafting an international treaty designed to protect humans and the environment from mercury emissions, to establishing public policies behind warnings about seafood consumption.
Yet surprisingly little is known about how much mercury in the environment is the result of human activity, or even how much bioavailable mercury exists in the global ocean. Until now.
A new paper by a group that includes researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Wright State University, Observatoire Midi-Pyréneés in France, and the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research appears in this week’s edition of the journal Nature and provides the first direct calculation of mercury in the global ocean from pollution based on data obtained from 12 sampling cruises over the past 8 years. The work, which was funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the European Research Council and led by WHOI marine chemist Carl Lamborg, also provides a look at the global distribution of mercury in the marine environment.
“It would seem that, if we want to regulate the mercury emissions into the environment and in the food we eat, then we should first know how much is there and how much human activity is adding every year,” said Lamborg, who has been studying mercury for 24 years. “At the moment, however, there is no way to look at a water sample and tell the difference between mercury that came from pollution and mercury that came from natural sources. Now we have a way to at least separate the bulk contributions of natural and human sources over time.”
The group started by looking at data sets that offer detail about oceanic levels of phosphate, a substance that is both better studied than mercury and that behaves in much the same way in the ocean. Phosphate is a nutrient that, like mercury, is taken up into the marine food web by binding with organic material. By determining the ratio of phosphate to mercury in water deeper than 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) that has not been in contact with Earth’s atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution, the group was able to estimate mercury in the ocean that originated from natural sources such as the breakdown, or “weathering,” of rocks on land.
Their findings agreed with what they would expect to see given the known pattern of global ocean circulation. North Atlantic waters, for example, s ...
DRI innovates research with airborne platforms. Applications include multispectral monitoring for climate change, land management, atmospheric cloud physics, field soil stability and spectral measurements with infrared images, wildfire monitoring and data visualization, and advanced cloud seeding technologies.
DRI’s Expertise and Experience in Providing Solutions and Supporting Economic Development
1. Dr. Jim Thomas, Interim Executive Director, DHS DRI
And
Dr. Steve Wells, President, DRI
Desert Research Institute
2. To contribute more effectively to the
security of the nation and to promote
the general welfare of
the State of Nevada and its citizens
through research.
Foster and conduct fundamental
scientific and applied research for
industry, governmental or private
agencies, and individuals.
Encourage and foster a desire in
students and faculty to conduct
research.
Discover and develop talent for
conducting research.
Desert Research Institute
3. In1960’s Dr. George B. Maxey
pioneered 1st scientific approaches
to estimating recharge to &
regional flow of groundwater in
arid regions.
Dr. Patrick Squires vision led to
DRI’s scientific reputation in
weather modification & cloud
seeding in arid regions of Nevada
and western US, enhancing our
available water resources.
Serving nearly 45 years as an
atmospheric physicist, Dr. John
Hallet, created research
instruments, such as the
trademarked and marketed
HotPlate Total Precipitation
Sensor.
Desert Research Institute
4. ~550 employees with ~140 research faculty
Non-tenure / soft-money structure:
Faculty are not tenured and generate own salaries
(no state-funded positions)
Faculty bring ~$40M into Nevada’s economy!
Direct return on state-funded investment is $5-to-$1
DRI’s state funding is used to help offset research support & other operating
expenses so overhead can be used to hire new faculty & invest in innovation
At any given time, DRI conducts about 300 research projects worldwide
Over 60 specialized labs & research facilities
DRI invests ~ $1.4M annually in non-state dollars for support of graduate
students are UNR and UNLV
Research to improve people’s lives: Nevada & world
Desert Research Institute
5. DRI Vision
to be the world's
scientific leader
investigating the
effects of natural and
human-induced
environmental change
and advancing
environmental
technologies aimed at
assessing a changing
planet.
Desert Research Institute
6. Definition of Earth Services Systems (ESS)
“Array of benefits for humankind derived from the
biological, geochemical, hydrological, and geological states
& flows – sustains the biosphere for existence of life”*
*Board of Earth Sciences & Resources, NRC/Nat. Academy of Sciences
Desert Research Institute
7. Dust Bowl, USA:
National Archives: 114 SC 5089
1977 Drought & 24-hour event
resulting in desertification near
Bakersfield, California, USA
Desert Research Institute
8. Maps are from an article by John H. Tanton, "End of
the Migration Epoch," reprinted by The Social
Contract, Vol IV, No 3 and Vol. V, No. 1, 1995.
each dot represents 1 million people
Desert Research Institute
9. Maps are from an article by John H. Tanton, "End of
the Migration Epoch," reprinted by The Social
Contract, Vol IV, No 3 and Vol. V, No. 1, 1995.
each dot represents 1 million people
Desert Research Institute
10. Maps are from an article by John H. Tanton, "End of
the Migration Epoch," reprinted by The Social
Contract, Vol IV, No 3 and Vol. V, No. 1, 1995.
each dot represents 1 million people
Desert Research Institute
11. Maps are from an article by John H. Tanton, "End of
the Migration Epoch," reprinted by The Social
Contract, Vol IV, No 3 and Vol. V, No. 1, 1995.
each dot represents 1 million people
Desert Research Institute
12. Maps are from an article by John H. Tanton, "End of
the Migration Epoch," reprinted by The Social
Contract, Vol IV, No 3 and Vol. V, No. 1, 1995.
each dot represents 1 million people
Desert Research Institute
13. Maps are from an article by John H. Tanton, "End of
the Migration Epoch," reprinted by The Social
Contract, Vol IV, No 3 and Vol. V, No. 1, 1995.
each dot represents 1 million people
Desert Research Institute
14. Maps are from an article by John H. Tanton, "End of
the Migration Epoch," reprinted by The Social
Contract, Vol IV, No 3 and Vol. V, No. 1, 1995.
each dot represents 1 million people
Desert Research Institute
17. WAIS Divide IAAce Core
Tier 1 Examples: Project—3 km ice core in
Addressing environmental & Antarctica
societal impacts of climate
change and related security
implications
Managing scarce water
resources under conditions of
changing climate
Energy-water nexus West Africa Water
Initiative provides
Monitoring ecological,
clean water to
hydrological, and atmospheric
thousands of rural
responses to climate change
people
Research on techniques &
proxies for assessing global
climate trends
Impact of Climate
Adaptation strategies related to Uncertainties on steam
natural systems, societies, and flows, groundwater
infrastructure are impacted by
recharge, and in-stream
climate change
and riparian vegetation
Desert Research Institute
18. • Aquatic Biology/Chemistry
• Climate Change
• Ecological Engineering
• Environmental Processes
within Snow and Ice
• Paleo-environments
• Regional Groundwater
Hydrology and Hydraulics
• Soil Zone Hydrology
• Surface and Subsurface Flow
and Contaminant Transport
• Watershed Hydrology
Desert Research Institute
20. Apply new method for
continuous, high-resolution
ice-core analyses called
Continuous Flow Analysis
with Trace Elements (CFA-
TE)
Develop multi-century
glaciochemical records of
trace elements and isotopes
with unprecedented
temporal resolution
Work has recently
expanded to include
analysis of black carbon
Desert Research Institute
21. Industrial Lead Pollution in the Arctic
Great Depression
Civil War
Year
McConnell, 2006 Clean Air Act
Desert Research Institute
22. Climate Change
• Colorado River flows in the
future
• Eastern and western Nevada
water resource changes
• More extreme droughts and
floods
• Earlier snow melt runoff
• Less stream flow and
groundwater recharge
• Economic Impact of changing
water resources can be
huge—Las Vegas growth
needs a reliable water supply
Desert Research Institute 22
23. Colorado River System
• Climate models predict
precipitation may increase
or decrease in future 50/50
BUT
• Warmer temperatures will
result in:
• Less snowpack
• Less runoff
• Less groundwater
recharge
Desert Research Institute 23
24. Upper Colorado River Basin Oct-Sep Water Year Temperature 1895-96 / 2010-11
Westmap UA/WRCC/OSU
Desert Research Institute
25. East Central
Annual Nevada
Winter
Spring
Summer Projected
Autumn Temperature
Changes ( C )
15 IPCC Models
Early 21st
2011-2040
Middle 21st
2041-2070
Late 21st
2071-2100
Desert Research Institute
28. Quagga mussels at Lake Mead clog water intakes affect lake ecosystem
Desert Research Institute
29. Determine rates of
contaminant release
Assess migration
characteristics
Quantify groundwater flow
paths
Predict groundwater and
contaminant velocities
Design optimal monitoring
networks
Develop quantitative
decision-support tools
Desert Research Institute
30. 2-D Slice of Climax Granite Stock
model used to simulate
radionuclide fluxes from three sub-
surface tests through a fractured
granite rock mass.
Conceptual model uncertainty in
recharge and geologic framework
incorporated in model simulations
for full investigation of uncertainty.
Parametric uncertainty included in
fracture networks and transport
parameters.
Fracking will have extremely
important environmental issues to
address to continue economic
success of oil and gas development
Desert Research Institute
31. METRIC program developed
by DRI scientists will be
used in State of Nevada
Water Rights hearings
METRIC will provide basin
water budget estimates for
all basins in Nevada
Knowing available water
resources is critical for
economic development and
ecosystem sustainability
Desert Research Institute
32. Collaborative DRI-UNR
program
Determine amount of Walker
River water needed to
maintain Walker Lake
ecosystem WHILE
maintaining agricultural
economy in the basin
Alternative lower water use
crops part of research
program
Desert Research Institute
33. DRI, with support from the Conrad
Hilton Foundation and World Vision, is
developing new methods to locate safe
water supplies in Africa
Desert Research Institute
34. Lake Amatitlan, Guatamala
Lake Taihu, China contamination
Provide limnological training and
support services for agency staff and Taking a Secchi disk reading. The water
university researchers in Central and is green due to abundance of
South America. Microcystis aeruginosa, often associated
with harmful algal blooms (HABs).
Desert Research Institute
36. Development and
implementation of an
integrated water quality
monitoring program for Preserving Lake Tahoe
the Truckee River clarity via science-based
resource management
Impact of climate
Ecology and biology of Quagga uncertainties on steam
mussels and their impact on flows, groundwater
aquatic biodiversity and water recharge, and in-
quality in Lake Mead stream and riparian
vegetation
Desert Research Institute
37. Leveraging DRI’s NSF rankings; Research Competitiveness as measured by
Academic Institutional Rankings by
Leveraging DRI’s unique business National Science Foundation in R&D
model to explore new & unique Expenditures in Environmental Sciences
research opportunities;
Expansion of DRI’s role in Nevada’s 1 University California-SD (also Scripps)
economic development & addressing 2 Texas A&M University
state priorities such as renewable 3 Colorado State University
energy & water technologies; 4 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
Expansion of research park to incubate 13 Johns Hopkins University
& attract businesses; and 18 U. of Maryland Ctr. for Environ. Sci.
23 DRI
Expand partnerships with local, 28 U. California-Davis
national, and international businesses 36 Stanford University
as well as institutions of higher 37 Harvard University
education beyond our state (public, 40 UNR
private and international). 45 University of Southern California
Integrating engineering with DRI 48 UNLV
traditional sciences
Desert Research Institute
38. 10% decline in published
“90% of world’s scientists & papers by US scientists since
1992
engineers will live in Asia by
2010”
20% decrease – overall
engineering degrees awarded
in US since ’85
50% of all engineering degrees
awarded by U.S. Engineering
Colleges to foreign nationals
50% decline in funding for
basic research since 1970
Sources: AAAS and National Science
Board reports
50% of current science & eng.
workforce approaching
retirement
Desert Research Institute
39. Objectives
Establish a cohesive economic
development operating system
Advance targeted sectors and
opportunities in the regions
Expand global engagement
Catalyze innovation in core
and emerging industries
Increase opportunity through
education and workforce Brian Sandoval
development Governor of the State of Nevada
Desert Research Institute
40. Advance knowledge-
based industries
through partnerships
with higher education
Water in arid climates
in partnership with
DRI, UNLV, So.
Nevada Water
Authority
Additional Promising
Possibilities
Agriculture
Water technology
Desert Research Institute
41. • Provides innovative research, improving peoples’ lives in Nevada & world wide
•Top 25 ranking by NSF among all U.S. universities for R&D expenditures in
environmental sciences
•Brings national and global recognition to Nevada beyond gaming & tourism
•Largest and most diverse number of hydrologists and hydrologeologists in national
outside federal government (U.S. Geological Survey)
•Entrepreneurial innovation center for “true technology-based economic development“
(Brookings & SRI, 2011): Provides profound economic impact to Nevada, by
leveraging ~ $5 for every state dollar invested!
Desert Research Institute