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The mouth of the Amazon River, captured by a NASA satellite (NASA)
- Researchers found 45 percent of rivers and streams using satellite imagery and special software. According to a new study, our planet is covered in 45% of rivers and streams of water more than what scientists had previously estimated.
Analyze thousands of images from a Landsat satellite from NASA and use field measurements and software designed by Dr. Tamlin Pavelsky hydrologist from the University of Carolina North, the researchers mapped rivers and streams of the Earth to the exclusion of land with glaciers. They discovered that there were just under 300,000 square miles of rivers and watercourses – more than the area of Texas and 45% more area than it was thought before.
The study published Thursday in Science Magazine has implications for the study of climate. change. A larger area of the river suggests that rivers probably exchange more carbon dioxide with the atmosphere than previously thought.
(PLUS: The 10 Most Endangered Rivers in America for 2018 )
Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change, It is Really Important that We Clearly Understand Where the Carbon that we emit, and this requires us to accurately quantify the global carbon cycle "said Pavelsky in a press release." Our new calculation helps scientists better assess the amount of carbon dioxide that s 39 flowing rivers and streams into the atmosphere each year. "
Researchers say this study differed from previous studies because it allowed direct measurement of smaller courses of water. "
NASA will use the data to identify the river segments during its next surface water and ocean topography (SWOT) satellite mission, which will begin in 2021.
The pr The Weather Company's primary journalistic mission is to report news about the weather, the environment and the importance of science in our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
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