Reflecting the best current thinking and techniques in the field, here is a multi-disciplinary analysis of the dynamics and mechanisms of aquatic systems, using lakes as a point of departure. The contributors, all of whom are recognized world authorities, treat physical, chemical and biological processes such as transport and distribution of chemicals, aquatic surface chemistry, and geobiological cycles of trace elements, which can be applied to all-natural water systems--oceans, rivers and estuaries. Stresses explanation and dynamics rather than documentation.

The book presents recent research on marine ecology in different parts of the world. It aims to shed light on relevant topics for budding marine ecologists. The "blue soup" of Planet Earth, which comprises both biotic and abiotic components, is essential to keeping the wheel of civilization running. Four major ecosystem service categories have been identified within this context, namely provisioning services such as water, food, mangrove timber, honey, fish, wax, fuel wood, fodder and bioactive compounds from marine and estuarine flora and fauna; regulating services such as the regulation of climate, coastal erosion, coral bleaching and pollution; cultural services encompassing recreational (tourism), spiritual and other non-material benefits; and supporting services such as nutrient cycling and photosynthesis. These valuable services are obtained from various resources that must be conserved for the sake of humanity. This book presents data for each resource type, not just in the form of a simple description, but also through case studies that resulted from several research projects and pilot programs carried out in different parts of the world. Statistical tools were also used to critically analyze the influence of relevant hydrological parameters on the biotic community. Advanced research in marine and estuarine ecology is based on the use of sophisticated instruments, sampling precision, statistical tools, etc., which have also been highlighted in the book.

This classroom resource provides clear, concise scientific information in an understandable and enjoyable way about water and aquatic life. Spanning the hydrologic cycle from rain to watersheds, aquifers to springs, rivers to estuaries, ample illustrations promote understanding of important concepts and clarify major ideas. Aquatic science is covered comprehensively, with relevant principles of chemistry, physics, geology, geography, ecology, and biology included throughout the text. Emphasizing water sustainability and conservation, the book tells us what we can do personally to conserve for the future and presents job and volunteer opportunities in the hope that some students will pursue careers in aquatic science. Texas Aquatic Science, originally developed as part of a multi-faceted education project for middle and high school students, can also be used at the college level for non-science majors, in the home-school environment, and by anyone who educates kids about nature and water. To learn more about The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, sponsors of this book's series, please click here.

Understanding the transport processes in lakes and other aquatic systems is vitally important since much of the living biomass is transported by the water, along with nutrients, contaminants, suspended particles, and other materials important to biogeochemical processes. The hydrodynamic processes therefore determine the environmental conditions that affect the biogeochemistry. The physical processes that control the hydrodynamics of large lakes are complex, and depend on a balance of characteristics of the lake (geometry, stratification, etc.) and forcing conditions (meteorological, hydrological) that change over various spatial and temporal scales. Using data from several extensive field campaigns, including measurements of velocity and thermal structure at multiple locations over several seasons, an extensive set of CTD data, and a 15 year long bi-weekly water quality dataset at multiple locations, we analyze the physical forces controlling the dynamics of a large, narrow and deep lake, and the response of the lake to these forces. The study site is Cayuga Lake, the second largest of the Finger Lakes of central New York State, USA (latitude 43N). It is a long (60 km), narrow (less than 6 km) and deep (maximum 130 m) lake. The bathymetry at the south end of the lake slopes up to a shallow shelf, not unlike a coastal estuary, which receives discharges from both natural and anthropogenic sources, and on which sharp spatial and temporal gradients in water quality exist. The geometry of the lake and the prevailing winds in the region lead to the generation of large amplitude internal waves, which develop to be highly nonlinear. Shoaling of these waves on the southern shelf are shown to lead to the intermittent upwelling of hypolim- netic water on to the shelf, creating sharp spatial gradients in water quality (e.g., TP and chlorophyll-a concentrations) on the shelf. We analyze the internal wave field of the lake and the nonlinear processes associated with it, and the factors that lead to the sharp spatial gradients observed on the shelf. We show that a subtle balance of forces controls mixing and transport in the various regions of the lake and propose an explanation for a persistent anomaly in chlorophyll-a concentration observed in one region of the lake.

There is need in environmental research for a book on fresh waters including rivers and lakes. Compared with other books on the topic, this book has a unique outline in that it follows pollution from sources to impact. Included in the text is the treatment of various tracers, ranging from pathogens to stable isotopes of elements and providing a comprehensive discussion which is lacking in many other books on pollution control of natural waters. Geophysical processes are discussed emphasizing mixing of water, interaction between water and the atmosphere, and sedimentation processes. Important geochemistry processes occurring in natural waters are described as are the processes specific to nutrients, organic pollutants, metals, and pathogens in subsequent chapters. Each of these chapters includes an introduction on the selected groups, followed by the physicochemical properties which are the most relevant to their behavior in natural waters, and the theories and models to describe their speciation, transport and transformation. The book also includes the most up to date information including a discussion on emerging pollutants such as brominated and phosphate flame retardants, perflurochemicals, and pharmaceutical and personal care products. Due to its importance an ecotoxicology chapter has been included featuring molecular biological methods, nanoparticles, and comparison of the basis of biotic ligand model with the Weibull dose-response model. Finally, the last chapter briefly summarizes the regulations on ambient water quality.

"Mortimer chronicles three centuries of inquiry into Lake Michigan from the Native Americans, who called it Michigani (Great Waters), to the French explorers, whose first recorded observations date from the 1600s, to present-day scientists, who use satellite views of the Great Lakes from outer space." "Lake Michigan in Motion is a source of information for amateur naturalists, students, teachers, public officials, a wide variety of scientists and natural resource managers, residents of Lake Michigan's shores, and others who use the lake for their livelihood and recreation."--Jacket.

Limnology provides an in-depth and current overview of the field of limnology. The result of a major tour de force by two renowned and experienced experts, this unique and richly illustrated reference presents a wealth of data on limnology history, water as a substrate, lakes' origins and aquatic biota. Besides a general part, it gives special focu