Amazon River (Shah)
Amazon River (Shah)
Amazon River (Shah)
AMAZON RIVER
Sophie-Louise Williams
GESS I&S Class 9A
12/10/2018
Amazon River Sophie-Louise Williams, I&S Class E-9A
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................2
2. RIVER SYSTEM OVERVIEW ...............................................................................................................3
2.1 Map of the river system...........................................................................................................3
2.2 Key characteristics ...................................................................................................................3
3. RIVER SYSTEM ISSUES ......................................................................................................................4
3.1 Identification of key issues ......................................................................................................4
3.2 Causes of key issues .................................................................................................................4
3.3 Who is affected by key issues ..................................................................................................4
4. MANAGEMENT STRATEGY ...............................................................................................................5
4.1 Recommendations ...................................................................................................................5
4.2 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................5
References ...............................................................................................................................................5
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Amazon River Sophie-Louise Williams, I&S Class E-9A
1. INTRODUCTION
I am a representative of WWF and this report is being written on behalf of water and river
management team from Peru to help understand the problems of the Amazon River and
help save the Amazon Rainforest and River.
The Amazon River is the Water source for the Amazon Rainforest, which is known as the
Lungs of the world. The number of trees in the Rainforest produce 20% of the world’s
oxygen. The Rainforest is the world’s largest ecosystem. The Amazon Rainforest covers 40%
of south America (ineonova). The river also covers 30% of South America. The river is made
of fresh water and it drains 20% of the earths fresh water into the ocean (Parsons).
The amazon river has many species living inside the river including the Inia geoffrensis
(Amazon River dolphin). These species are only found in the Amazon river and the dolphins
are already an endangered species potentially facing extinction. Two main issues connected
to the sustainable management of the river dolphin are the introduction of mercury into the
Amazon River from mining activities and secondly the consequences of overfishing in the
Amazon.
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Amazon River Sophie-Louise Williams, I&S Class E-9A
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Amazon River Sophie-Louise Williams, I&S Class E-9A
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Amazon River Sophie-Louise Williams, I&S Class E-9A
4. MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
4.1 Recommendations
Mining is also common in all three countries. Mining is important for economic reasons.
Mining is causing too much mercury in the river and is harming the wildlife. With all three
countries working in the mines around the Amazon river it makes it hard to stop or reduce.
As I have recommended in the previous paragraph about overfishing that the countries
could ensure suitable management. I would recommend this for mining as well. I also
recommend that the three countries keep monitoring how much mining is being done in
each country. The countries could also have an external authority to do regular checks on
how much pollution there is in the mines and can check if the ground water is not to
polluted around the mines. They can then fine them if they continue to produce heavy
metals like mercury in to the river. The mercury will also cause fish to become harder to
keep as a main food source and cause many deaths through mercury poisoning.
4.2 Conclusion
The Amazon River is a complex system, important to three South American countries for
economic and ecological reasons. It provides water drainage for 20% of the earths fresh
water (Parsons). With three countries responsible for the management of the Amazon River
it is understandable that cooperation for sustainable management of mining and fishing
activities along the length of the river is difficult. My research question was ‘To what extent
has human activity along the amazon river endangered the species Inia geoffrensis (Amazon
River dolphin)?’ Based on my research the two major issues facing the biodiversity of the
amazon river are mining and over fishing.
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Amazon River Sophie-Louise Williams, I&S Class E-9A
REFERENCES
Shah, Shikha. “Peru: Trees like Giants in the Amazon Jungle, Pink Dolphins Frolick and Shamans Make Magical Brews.” The
Economic Times, Economic Times, 24 Dec. 2017, economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/peru-trees-like-
giants-in-the-amazon-jungle-pink-dolphins-frolick-and-shamans-make-magical-
brews/articleshow/62225885.cms?from=mdr.
Schultz, Alarich R., et al. “Amazon River.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 27 Sept. 2018,
www.britannica.com/place/Amazon-River.
Meyer, Robinson. “Scientists Have Discovered a 600-Mile Coral Reef.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 25 Apr. 2016,
www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/04/scientists-discover-a-new-coral-reef-at-the-amazons-mouth/479259/.
ineonova. “The Amazon: The World´s Largest Rainforest.” Amazon Swim (Martin Strel), 16 June 2007,
www.amazonswim.com/main.php?S=1&Folder=1.
Diary, Watch. “8 Facts About Amazon River That Will Blow Your Mind.” YouTube, YouTube, 2 Nov. 2015,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTTy4DyICcg.
Larvey, Peggy. “Map of Amazon River | Famous Rivers in 2018 | Pinterest | Amazon River, Amazon and River.” Pinterest,
Pinterest, 8 May 2018, www.pinterest.com/pin/423197696205598284/.
Parsons, James J., et al. “Amazon River.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 27 Sept. 2018,
www.britannica.com/place/Amazon-River#ref41683.
Rojo, Jamie. “Amazon River Dolphin (Pink Dolphins).” WWF, World Wildlife Fund, 2018,
www.worldwildlife.org/species/amazon-river-dolphin.
Smith, Nigel J.H. (2003). Amazon Sweet Sea: Land, Life, and Water at the River's Mouth. University of Texas Press. pp. 1–
2. ISBN 978-0-292-77770-5. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015.
Gravena, Waleska; Farias, Izeni P.; Silva, Maria N. F. da; Silva, Vera M. F. da; Hrbek, Tomas (2014-06-01). "Looking to the
past and the future: were the Madeira River rapids a geographical barrier to the boto (Cetacea: Iniidae)?".
Carter, Kari Norborg. “The Effects of Bioaccumulation on the Ecosystem.” Sciencing.com, Sciencing, 6 Dec. 2018,
sciencing.com/effects-bioaccumulation-ecosystem-13721.html.
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