Water is a needed source of life for creatures and vegetation on earth. But what about arid areas that see short, but heavy, bouts of rainfall once a year? For many in these areas, traveling hours to get water is a normal routine.
To help curb this plight, an ancient structure known as sand dams are being utilized by non-profit organizations in these area to provide a nearby water source. And a Lansing native will be doing research to see what the impact of these structures provide for the area.
Jessica Eisma will be traveling to Tanzania this August for one-year to look at the impact sand dams have on the local population, as well as ecological benefits. Eisma held her undergraduate studies at Michigan State University, and then went to Purdue for her graduate work. She will be going for her doctoral at Purdue, with a focus on these structures.
"This type of work has always been of interest to me," said Eisma. "I was not aware of sand dams until a year ago, when my advisor suggested I might look into this for my PhD. I think there is a great opportunity for developing an understanding of these structures."
The way a sand dam works, is a concrete dam is constructed across a riverbed. When the rains come, the dam will block the water and the sand and silt will fall to the bottom. Once a sand dam is matured, the water seeps below the sand. This not only protects the water from evaporation during the dry seasons, but also filters it.
"Usually, depending on the size of the community, it can last throughout the entire dry season, and it will replenish itself," said Eisma. "As a result of these structures, they help rehabilitate the land around it: Crops, trees ... there will be a green space."
Eisma will be researching into the impact sand dams have on vegetation, ecological indicators and the health of the area. She will also be looking at the quality of the water, as well as how much the sand dams can store.
"The end goal is to get a better understanding of these radius of influence of these dams. To make sure not too many and then become ineffective for the area," said Eisma. "On the flip side, hoping that we can get some really good information about the dams, too. Educate the community and world and help this technology spread if suitable for more areas and regions in the world. To have better water at their fingertips and help communities grow economically."
Eisma will be in Tanzania for one-year on research grants from NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, U.S. Borlaug Fellows for Global Food Security Graduate Student Grant, U.S. Fulbright Student Award.
