LIMNOLOGY IN THIRD WORLD DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Limnology in Third World Developing Countries

Limnology in Third World Developing Countries

Abstract

Although a main cause for general non-recognition of the science of limnology is its somewhat esoteric name of Greek origin and given over a century ago, there now seems little to be gained in trying to change it. Limnologists throughout the world must intensify efforts very soon to make both its name and its importance much better known among those of all walks of life, but especially to teachers at all levels, administrators, and politicians, and by using more powerful and effective approaches than in the past. Otherwise, inland potable water will take over oil's present role of importance, and could then become a major cause of serious international confrontation.

Introduction

Limnology, the umbrella science of inland waters, surely should be a focal point for addressing world issues and public problems concerning such water over the globe, where nearly one billion people lack access to potable water as noted in the UN 2006 World Water Development Report according to Holden (2006a). One of the most serious regions for agricultural land degradation is in Africa, where now only 4% of the 950 thousand square kilometers of arable land is irrigated, making water supply problems all the more critical (Holden 2006b). But even in the United States, those relying on groundwater to drink should be concerned that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from gasoline, cleaning products, and paint occur in 90% of aquifers and wells tested in a 17 year period by the U.S. Geological Survey (Unger 2006). Apparently these VOCs are at present considered safe for human consumption, but so have a rather long list of contaminants later found not to be so safe! Furthermore human population growth, thought to have ceased in developed nations, has not in the U.S., now third in the world after China and India, and with the U.S. total reaching 300 million by autumn 2006 (Holden 2006c). And where water diversion for agriculture and urban use of the large U.S. Colorado River now results in it no longer reaching its mouth in the Gulf of California (Pearce 2006).

Yes, the problem in part is our name, but it is also us as limnologists! We just haven't been forceful enough to get better and broader recognition of our science. Some have tried as outlined above, and by making note of the problem at in-house scientific meetings such as those of the International Association of Theoretical and Applied Limnology (SIL) or the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO). I had a lead article in the September 2002 SIL News entitled Limnologists in Schools - SIL Possibilities (Northcote 2002) but got virtually no comments - good, bad, or indifferent on it.

Neither does the Rio Grande on some years, despite its name and salt laden content from over-use for agricultural irrigation. But surely here in Canada, often thought to be the land of water, snow and ice, there surely can be no problems with water ...