The IAEA is participating this week in a major three-month long exhibition on water and its global significance. The International Expo on Water and Sustainable Development, based in Zaragoza, Spain, is drawing visitors from around the globe to presentations by over 2000 international experts on water-themed exhibits, lectures, performances and concerts.
As part of its continuing commitment to protect water resources and to help assure adequate supply of groundwater, staff from the IAEA will be on hand from 27-29 August with information regarding its efforts in water and its isotope hydrology work.
"Water is probably the most pressing issue in development today," said Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, Dr. Werner Burkart. "The Agency´s work in using isotope hydrology to assist countries to manage their water resources is of particular relevance. In this regard, we work very closely both with our Member States and with other agencies in the UN Water group to ensure that nuclear technology is part of any country´s strategic planning in the area of water.
In its exhibit, the IAEA will have isotope hydrology tools on hand for visitors to interact with, including devices for on-site measurements for water quality parameters and a laser spectrometer for stable isotope measurements. The IAEA will also be showcasing a new short film, The Search for Water, which will be screened for visitors this week. The 8-minute film details the work of the IAEA´s Isotope Hydrology Section and features commentary by IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei.
Background
The Zaragoza Expo is expected to attract over 6.5 million visitors during its three-month stay in Spain, from 14 June to 14 September. Over 100 countries, including several companies and non-governmental organizations, will exhibits during the exposition. A sprawling campus of buildings was constructed for the event, and participants can visit over 100 pavilions and an aquarium.
The IAEA helps Member States to use scientific methods to better understand and manage water resources through a technique called isotope hydrology. This nuclear technique helps experts to identify the size, origin, flow and age of a particular water source, which can help planners to better manage their water resources. Through its Technical Cooperation Programme, the IAEA currently has more than 80 on-going projects in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America that map underground aquifers, manage ground and surface water, monitor dam leakage and help control pollution.