The aquatic ecosystem is a major subdivision of the biosphere, and covers almost 71% of the earth’s surface area. Coastal ecosystems mainly include estuaries, deltas, lagoons, mangrove forests, mudflats, salt marshes, salt pans, other coastal wetlands, ports and marinas, aquaculture beds, sea grass beds, coral reefs, and soft bottom environments above the continental shelf. Although coastal ecosystems represent only a small area of the world’s oceans, they are of great ecological and economic importance. Now-a-days, many of the coastal ecosystems of the world are being exploited for various development projects, resulting in deterioration of habitats and resources. Therefore, the present study focuses on two of such important coastal ecosystems such as estuary and mangrove. Estuary is a dynamic area with varying physical and topographical conditions, with neritic province, river delta, lagoon, backwater, mangroves, mudflat, and salt marsh, all being part of this vital area. Estuaries are important areas of human use for fisheries, transportation, aquaculture, and recreational pursuits. Thus, by virtue of their natural location and easy accessibility, estuaries are more amenable to anthropogenic influences. Mangroves are specialized ecosystems developed along estuarine seacoasts and river mouths in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, mainly in the intertidal zone. Hence, the mangrove ecosystem and its biological components are under the influence of both marine and freshwater conditions and have developed a set of physiological adaptations to overcome problems of anoxia, salinity and frequent tidal inundations. This has led to the assemblage of a wide variety of plant and animal species of special adaptations suited to the ecosystem. The book Pollution Status of Coastal Environment of Gulf of Khambhat, India covers an extensive study at Mahi Estuary and Vamleshwar Mangroves (Gulf of Khambhat), Gujarat, India. The authors have explored hydrochemistry, geochemistry, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthic community, along with site-specific conservation and their management strategies in both the marine environs. The book will be a ready reference to academicians, scientists, students, researchers, and marine authorities of the State as well as the Country, to enhance the knowledge in the field of mangroves and estuarine ecology, biodiversity, conservation, restoration, and management.

Estuaries and the lands surrounding them are places of transition from land to sea and from fresh to salt water. Although influenced by the tides, estuaries are protected from the full force of ocean waves, winds, and storms by the reefs, barrier island or fingers of land, mud or sand that define an estuary's seaward boundary. In India, estuaries have been a focal point of activities for human settlement, for development of port and harbors. The health status and the biological diversity of the Indian estuarine ecosystem are deteriorating day-by-day through man-made activities and dumping of enormous quantities of sewage and industrial effluent. They are "nurseries of the sea", as it is an ideal location for fish, shellfish, and other marine animals to reproduce in protected environment and availability of abundant food. Besides, estuaries are important for the health of the oceans as it can filter sediment and pollutants from the water before it flows into the oceans. Estuaries are vulnerable to excessive loading of nutrients by runoff containing fertilizer and other pollutants. Estuaries are among the most complex and complicated ecosystems in the biosphere because they are at the interface of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine systems. Estuaries are ecologically very important because it provides vital habitats for thousands of marine species. In recent decades, population growth and related activities (agricultural practices, wastewater treatment plants, urban run-off, and the burning of fossil fuels) have increased nutrient inputs by many folds than the levels that occur naturally. The present book Eutrophication of Narmada and Tapi Tropical Estuaries, Gulf of Khambhat, India explores the two major estuaries (Narmada, Tapi), and Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat, India, in terms of an in-depth study of hydrochemistry, geochemistry, biodiversity (phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic community), along with site-specific challenges and their solutions in both the estuarine and gulf environs. The book will certainly be useful to students, researchers, academicians, scientists, and marine authorities of Gujarat as well as India, to enrich their knowledge in the field of ecology, biodiversity, conservation, restoration, and management of estuarine and gulf environs.

While oceans are vast, they represent a fragile resource that must be protected if we want to protect our livelihoods and our planet. Marine pollution has been a topic of concern for a long time, and it has recently attracted the attention of scientists, environmentalists, economists, politicians and journalists in mainstream media. Besides providing food, transportation routes and other resources, the oceans serve as a heat absorbing sink which offsets the extreme heating effects of climate change, but only to a limited degree. Pollution in marine environments such as the oceans, poses a threat to coastal communities by affecting the fauna and flora in the environment and the health of the nearby population. This has a disruptive effect on the health and economy of these communities. Marine Pollution: Current Status, Impacts and Remedies emphasizes the limitations of marine resources that relevant environments provide. Readers will find chapters on methods to assess pollution as well as important information for identifying, measuring, and remediating various pollutants. The book also covers some known pollutants (heavy metals, organic pollutants, microplastics) and ways to manage these substances. Other issues covered in the book include problems caused by invasive species, and the ecological problems caused by pollutants which affect local fauna and flora. This book will prove to be a useful resource for students, researchers, and policymakers, who are working in environmental science, marine conservation and allied fields. [Series Intro] Marine Ecology: Current and Future Developments brings forth contemporary issues in the study of marine environments. The scope of the series includes ecological, toxicological and biological aspects of the topic. Each volume of the series focuses on a broad theme, with reviews contributed by several experts in the field. The series is essential reading for environmental scientists, ecologists, conservationists and marine biologists.

Marine environments represent an underexplored source for numerous biotechnological applications. Of particular interest are organisms that can provide various valuable molecules and are potential candidates for bioremediation strategies. Fungi, algae, bacteria, yeasts, and sponges are some unique resources in marine ecosystems. But these must be preserved and protected from irreversible damage. Sustainable exploitation through farming systems is the alternative to prevent pressure on harvesting wild marine organisms. Written by an international team of experts, this book provides a broad overview of the possible approaches and technologies that can be applied in bioremediation processes and the possibilities to add value to the biomass produced. It provides a comprehensive state-of-the-art of current research and practice in bioremediation technology and bio-based materials. New processing technologies, and recent technical advances in molecular biology such as gene mining, omics techniques, and metabolic engineering are highlighted. The exciting possibilities that artificial intelligence can bring to the future of the biotechnology industry are also approached. The multidisciplinary nature of this book makes it of interest to a wide range of readers, including researchers, students, consulting professionals, engineers, governmental entities, and institutions working in environmental biotechnology, pollution control and prevention, and chemical processes.

This volume compiles recent research on phytoplankton primary productivity (PP) in the Indian Ocean to provide an understanding and consolidation of the driving mechanisms of PP variability in diverse oceanic ecosystems globally. The book aims to facilitate a holistic overview of the research carried out in this field in various oceanic realms such as Indian coastal and oceanic waters (estuaries, coastal waters, Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean). The contents of this book also address the United Nations sustainable development goals i.e., SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 14 (Life below Water), with a focus on the impacts of climate change oceanic ecosystems. The book can serve as a comprehensive baseline of information for researchers studying planktonic primary productivity and biogeochemistry-related research in the above-mentioned marine ecosystems and other global oceans. It is intended to attract the attention of researchers, professionals, undergraduate and graduate oceanography students, and policy makers in the field of marine sciences.

Ecology and Biodiversity of Benthos provides insights into the characteristic features of marine and estuarine benthos that play an important role in coastal ecosystem functioning, a primary level in the food chain. The book provides the latest information on multidisciplinary reflections by various researchers studying the benthic community. Through the chapters, ecosystem services are explored as a way to share approaches and scientific methods to achieve knowledge-based sustainable planning and management of benthic ecosystems. This is a helpful guide for anyone working on marine and estuarine environments, and for those who need an introduction to benthic ecology. The book has a wide range of scientific coverage since it caters primarily to the requirement of marine ecologists, marine benthologists, EIA experts, aquatic researchers, scientists, teachers and research scholars. In addition to this, it also serves as a reference for postgraduate/undergraduate students studying aquatic ecosystems. - Includes analytical methods and detailed statistical interpretation for qualitative and quantitative analyses of marine and estuarine benthic community structures - Presents figures, schematic diagrams and photographs related to benthic diversity of coastal ecosystem to aid in understanding protocols for the assessment of the benthic community's structure and function - Includes case studies throughout each chapter to increase understanding of benthic communities

This book provides an insightful and holistic up-to-date perspective of the constitutional governance and legal framework in India with regard to environmental protection. Covering the foundational principles of environmental law, the book details the current status of international environmental law in the face of complex environmental challenges including climate change. The topics covered include water resource governance, and coastal regulation, with a particular focus on the growing significance of the National Green Tribunal. It also covers the wide range of policies that have been introduced over the past 50 years and the impact these have had. The book will be of interest to researchers, legal practitioners, and scholars in the field of environmental law and governance as well as international law.

This volume incorporates theoretical and practical knowledge through case studies and reviews to serve as a baseline of information for coastal ecosystem research, and discusses the impacts of pollution, industrialisation, agriculture and climate change on coastal ecosystem biogeochemistry and biodiversity. The case studies address the role of coastal ecosystems as a carbon sink which is getting impacted by anthropogenic disturbances. Through this analysis, the book covers various strategies for the conservation and management of coastal ecosystems, considering their unique ecological and biogeochemical attributes and region-specific threats and impacts. The book will be of interest to a wide range of readers including students, researchers and professionals in coastal ecosystem science, coastal pollution, climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and environmental management.