https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4 An in depth look at this watershed and connection with the book, "Ready Player One" en-us 2018-12-01 21:17:28 UTC 2025-04-04 07:14:03 UTC hello@padlet.com tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310104728 Winding through China, India, and Bangladesh, the Brahmaputra is one of the major rivers of Asia.  Because of this diverse geographical trek, it is known by various names depending upon the region in which it is flowing through. (Wikipedia.org, 2018) ]]> 2018-12-01 21:40:54 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310104728 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105095 Wikipedia.org. 2018. Brahmaputra River. Accessed December 1, 2018 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmaputra_River) ]]> 2018-12-01 21:46:36 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105095 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105190 Whether you call it Brohmoputro noi or yar klung gtsang po, the Brahmaputra originates out of the Manasarovar Lake region.  This region is located on the northern side of the Himalayas in the Burang County of Tibet.  Flowing across southern Tibet, the river breaks out through the Himalayas into great gorges and into India.  The river flows southwest through the Assam Valley as well as south through Bangladesh. (Wikipedia.org, 2018) ]]> 2018-12-01 21:48:10 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105190 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105207 By the time the Brahmaputra River finally merges in to the vast Ganges Delta, it has travelled 2,391 mile providing important irrigation and transportation resources to those living along its course.  The Brahmaputra averages a depth of 124 feet and has a maximum depth of 380 feet making it navigable for the majority of its length.  The river Ganges is also known by several names depending on which country it is located in, including Padma and Meghna.  The Meghna, which is located in Bangladesh at this point, then empties into the Bay of Bengal which is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean.  This area is very rich in nutrients due to all of the run off carrying it out to sea. (Wikipedia.org, 2018) ]]> 2018-12-01 21:48:31 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105207 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105272 The Brahmaputra River runs 2,391 miles and at the end discharges approximately 1,086,500 cubic feet per second of water.  This constitutes the third greatest average discharge in the world, however the Brahmaputra does take “top honors” when it comes to its suspended sediment load at around 1.8 billion tons per year that is discharged.  Like all other rivers that are fed by snow and glaciers, rising global temperatures have had an effect on discharge including flooding and erosion.  With higher temperatures comes more melting and more melting means more runoff.  This additional runoff pulls more sediment along with it and leads to erosion of the river banks because of a lack of vegetation. (Allison, 1998) ]]> 2018-12-01 21:49:40 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105272 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105300 Allison, M. (1998). Geologic Framework and Environmental Status of the Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta. Journal of Coastal Research,14(3), 827-836. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4298836]]> 2018-12-01 21:50:10 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105300 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105355 Billions of people rely on this river and its tributaries to sustain life, however channel migration, also known as avulsion, is caused by a lack of river bank vegetation and has led to a difficulty in building permanent structures along the river to sustain a population.  The banks of the river can change and move course.  Flooding is also a common occurrence within the watershed which has resulted in increased silt levels and soil erosion due to deforestation.  This flooding has also led to the loss of many lives, livestock, and crops, however the flooding is what deposits more nutrients for crops to be able to proliferate. (Allison, 1998) ]]> 2018-12-01 21:51:15 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105355 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105393 This river has come to be over relied upon though and this over withdrawal of groundwater is what has led to an arsenic contamination within the groundwater.  Arsenic is a trace element that makes up part of the sediment carried down the river.  Just like a drink being drawn up through a straw down to the last drop, the same is happening with the groundwater and so sediment that is normally filtered and settled out is being sucked up and introduced into the water system. (Singh, 2006) ]]> 2018-12-01 21:52:03 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105393 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105424 Singh, A. (2006). Chemistry of arsenic in groundwater of Ganges–Brahmaputra river basin. Current Science, 91(5), 599-606. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/24094363 ]]> 2018-12-01 21:52:30 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105424 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105583 Another element present within the vast amount of sediment is fluoride.  Fluoride is sometimes added to drinking water in areas of western society in the interest of oral health, however it is also a naturally occurring element which is a neurotoxin in large doses.  The Brahmaputra feeds the local aquifers and for the most part, fluoride and arsenic have not contaminated the groundwater to a dangerous level.  These elements are present, but within permissible limits. Human interaction though is leading to elevated levels of these elements and without intervention will lead to a poisoning of the aquifer. (Das 2003) ]]> 2018-12-01 21:55:22 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105583 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105745 Das, B., Talukdar, J., Sarma, S., Gohain, B., Dutta, R., Das, H., & Das, S. (2003). Fluoride and other inorganic constituents in groundwater of Guwahati, Assam, India. Current Science, 85(5), 657-661. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/24109107]]> 2018-12-01 21:58:00 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105745 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105815 Through out the novel, Ready Player One, there are many themes that stick out; the novel reads as if it were discussing modern day society.  One theme that stood out which coincides with modern day issues within the given watershed of the Brahmaputra is the importance of collaboration between stakeholders of a diverse background.  In the novel Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, we find ourselves immersed almost 30 years into the future in a society where unbridled use of non-renewable resources of Earth has led to a degradation of both the environment and society. (Cline, 2011) ]]> 2018-12-01 21:59:15 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105815 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105848 Cline, E. (2011). Ready Player One. ]]> 2018-12-01 21:59:47 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310105848 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310265225 Ready Player One reads much like modern day news headlines when it comes to the use of fossil fuels and global warming.  The difference is that an individual created an immersive world online, much more so than current social media, that people had an escape from the reality they faced outside their front door.  This individual, James Halliday, also created a complex game within his own game to pass ownership of his legacy upon his death.  It is through this game within a game that we see the importance of collaboration between stakeholders of diverse backgrounds. (Cline, 2011) ]]> 2018-12-03 03:06:18 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310265225 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310265272 In the beginning of Ready Player One and through out much of the story, we have multiple players including: Parzival, Art3mis, Aech, Daito, Shoto, and all of the IOI sixers.  The sixers are all working for one giant corporation, but the rest are each working to beat the game for themselves.  The game however manages to bring together a rag tag group of individuals to take on an evil corporation whose goal is to monetarily rape society.  It is this idea of collaboration of diverse stakeholders that we will focus on as we discuss the Brahmaputra. (Cline, 2011)]]> 2018-12-03 03:06:44 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310265272 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310265423 In Ready Player One, society has utilized fossil fuels to their advantage to be able to advance society.  The problem with this occurs when the source of fossil fuel is on lands other than those of who wishes to utilize them.  The answer through out history has been war; take by force what one thinks they are entitled to.  Although Ready Player One is fiction, the same can be seen played out in the real world.  Whether it be the Brahmaputra or any other watershed around the planet, water sustains life and therefore men have fought over the rights to water sources. ]]> 2018-12-03 03:07:44 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310265423 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310265478 This idea of having “rights” over a water source has led to various power plays over the Brahmaputra as those closer to the glacial source feel they have the upper hand.  If those downstream wish to complain, simply dam the river and use it as you see fit, what can they really do!?  The best way to maintain a balanced perspective on the use of such a resource as a major river is cooperation.  Having some sort of balance of power to assure that one party is not disadvantaged in the use of the water resource. (Anamika, 2018) ]]> 2018-12-03 03:08:06 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310265478 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310265524 Anamika Barua, Sumit Vij & Mirza Zulfiqur Rahman (2018) Powering or sharing water in the Brahmaputra River basin, International Journal of Water Resources Development, 34:5, 829-843, DOI: 10.1080/07900627.2017.1403892]]> 2018-12-03 03:08:27 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310265524 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310265863 In the 1990’s and 2000’s, there were actually rumors that the Chinese had plans to build a dam at the Great Bend along the river and divert the waters to the north of the country.  Initially denied by China, it was later confirmed that they were indeed building such a dam.  This becomes an issue for those downstream, immediately India, because a dam would impact the amount of water available to supply them. (Wikipedia.org, 2018) ]]> 2018-12-03 03:10:56 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310265863 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310265956 As we can see, the Brahmaputra is greatly relied upon as a resource to support life.  If over used, much like it currently is, eventually those downstream will not have a proper water supply.  Those at the very furthest upstream would hold the power over the resource over those downstream.  Much like the energy crisis seen in Ready Player One.  Fossil fuels were used unsustainably, leaving the country in dire straits.  Currently, because of human interaction upstream, the Brahmaputra is becoming increasingly toxic.  The river has top honors when it comes to suspended sediment load at around 1.8 billion tons per year that is discharged.  Whether the story be fictional like Ready Player One or real like the Brahmaputra, the story line is the same: humans use a resource to their benefit with little to no regard of the effect that they have upon that resource.]]> 2018-12-03 03:11:29 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310265956 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310266669 2018-12-03 03:16:07 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310266669 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310267546 2018-12-03 03:23:55 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310267546 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310267860 2018-12-03 03:26:16 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310267860 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310268179 2018-12-03 03:29:07 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310268179 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310277568 The Brahmaputra has proved to be an invaluable source of information regarding flooding and soil erosion. Scientists are able to use the data collected to predict flooding events. Scientists are also able to test various hypothesis. ]]> 2018-12-03 05:00:05 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310277568 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310278438 The biggest issues facing the Brahmaputra are man made from unsustainable fishing practices to pollution and dumping. Conservation efforts would be required across several countries to help ensure the longevity of the watershed. Efforts would include implementation and enforcement of laws that protect the watershed as well as maintain effective use for all who live along its route.]]> 2018-12-03 05:09:48 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310278438 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310279195 Some issues are unavoidable such as the effects of global warming. For this, those living along the Brahmaputra will have to learn to adapt and overcome issues such as flooding and avulsion. ]]> 2018-12-03 05:18:37 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310279195 tinymonstertruck https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310279754 2018-12-03 05:25:02 UTC https://padlet.com/tinymonstertruck/g2a8gdzr8xg4/wish/310279754