Environmental stratification framework and water-quality monitoring design strategy for the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Africa

Michael J. Friedel

doi:10.3133/ofr20081137

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Environmental stratification framework and water-quality monitoring design strategy for the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Africa

Michael J. Friedel

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Abstract

Mauritania anticipates an increase in mining activities throughout the country and into the foreseeable future. Because mining-induced changes in the landscape are likely to affect their limited ground-water resources and sensitive aquatic ecosystems, a water-quality assessment program was designed for Mauritania that is based on a nationally consistent environmental stratification framework. The primary objectives of this program are to ensure that the environmental monitoring systems can quantify near real-time changes in surface-water chemistry at a local scale, and quantify intermediate- to long-term changes in groundwater and aquatic ecosystems over multiple scales.

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Michael J. Friedel. 2008. Environmental stratification framework and water-quality monitoring design strategy for the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Africa. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20081137

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