CWRDM to join isotope fingerprinting of waters

The Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM),
Kozhikode, has been invited to be a partner in the national programme
on Isotope Fingerprinting of Waters of India (IWIN) for scientific
monitoring of atmospheric and terrestrial water resources. Coordinated
by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, the programme
involves monitoring the stable isotopes (oxygen-18 and deuterium) of
water. It is expected to help predict the consequences of unscientific
exploitation of water and ensure sustainable utilisation. The
investigations will also provide better understanding of the
geographic and climatic factors that influence water resources.A
satellite project with a financial outlay of Rs.33 lakh has been
proposed by CWRDM to undertake an isotope fingerprinting study in the
Kerala region for monitoring two river basins and one island in
Lakshadweep. According to K.V. Jayakumar, Executive Director, CWRDM,
the project would promote a better understanding of the climatic
factors responsible for monsoon showers. "The investigations carried
out under the programme will throw light on the dominant moisture
sources responsible for the heavy monsoon showers in the region and
the extent of the control of the climatic parameters over it. The
isotope studies will also provide valuable information on the impact
of human interventions on natural water resources. Since, this
programme is part of the isotope fingerprinting of the waters in the
rest of the country, the baseline data generated can be used as an
input for understanding the hydrological cycle of the whole
country."Mr. Jayakumar said: "It has been estimated that the demand
for water will triple by the year 2050. Whichever way the demand is
met, there will be large-scale modification of the natural
hydrological cycle in the country not just due to engineered
structures and controlled stream flows but also by changing the
residence time of water in aquifers and by increasing water vapour
content of the atmosphere over India, significantly during non-monsoon
months."The network data generated as part of the project is expected
to form the basis of detailed hydro-geological investigations in
different river or groundwater basins of the country. It is expected
to throw light on the seasonal sources of water vapour in different
regions of the country, the dispersion of 'oceanic vapour front' ahead
of the 'rain front' before the rainy seasons and the amount of rain
caused by evaporation over land areas.

The Hindu, 31st May 2009