Vetiver grass technology for environmental protection and water quality improvement. (5192)
Authors:
M.H. Golabi* - University of Guam C. Iyekar - University of Guam
D. Minton - US-Forestry Div in the Pacific
Abstract:
Vetiver grass technology for environmental protection and water quality improvement. Mohammad H.
Golabi, Clancy Iyekar, Dwayne Minton. University of Guam and the US-Forestry Division in the Pacific. [email protected] Sedimentation as the result of the runoff is the principle anthropogenic threat to the coral reefs in the Pacific Island of Guam. Sediment loss due to erosion clogs rivers, lakes, waterways and more importantly damages the coral reef that is the major attraction for the tourist.
Sediment loss also reduces the water storage capacity of reservoirs and canals and increases flooding. In this project "Vetiver Grass" is used as a watershed management technique to mitigate the sediment loading and improve the water quality hence better the health of reef ecosystem of the Island. Four flumes (72ft X 4ft) are installed on a uniformly sloped selected watershed area to measure the runoff and estimate the sedimentation rate under four different treatments. Treatments are: ‘as it is condition’,
‘competently exposed condition’, ‘burned’ and finally establishment of ‘Vetiver grass’ as the sediment trap condition. Sets of suspended runoff/sediment samplers are constructed in a runoff-collecting tank placed at the bottom of each treatment plots for the measurement of sediment discharge as well as runoff assessment. Samples are used to measure the turbidity and the amount of sediment collected under each treatment.
Speaker Information: Mohammad H Golabi, University of Guam, College of Natural and Applied Sceinces University of Guam, Mangilao, GU 96923; Phone: (671) 735-2144; E-mail: [email protected]
Session Information: Tuesday, November 2, 2004, 7:55 AM-10:30 AM Presentation Start: 8:00 AM
Keywords: Vetiver; Sedimentation; Water Quality; Coral Reef
