Oceanography Of A Large Scale Estuarine System

This is the first book for over twenty years on the physical, biological, chemical and geological characteristics of a large-scale estuary. Interdisciplinary, concise and cohesive, it is applicable as a model for worldwide estuary study. From the contents: Mathematical Modeling of Tides in the St. Lawrence Estuary.- Fronts and Mesoscale Features in the St. Lawrence Estuary.- Nearshore Sediment Dynamics in the St. Lawrence Estuary.- Organic Geochemical Studies in the St. Lawrence Estuary.

Aspects of the biogeochemistry of estuaries from a variety of environments, from the tropics to the Arctic, are discussed. In most cases the courses of these rivers have been altered by dams or diversions; the results of these changes on the nature of the estuary are also discussed, where such data is available. In the case of the Tasmanian rivers, the estuary of the Huon, a largely untouched river, is contrasted with that of the Derwent, a river heavily influenced by industry. The future state of all of these estuaries may be a sensitive indicator of shifts in global weather patterns.

This book provides an introduction to the complex system functions, variability and human interference in ecosystem between the continent and the ocean. It focuses on circulation, transport and mixing of estuarine and coastal water masses, which is ultimately related to an understanding of the hydrographic and hydrodynamic characteristics (salinity, temperature, density and circulation), mixing processes (advection and diffusion), transport timescales such as the residence time and the exposure time. In the area of physical oceanography, experiments using these water bodies as a natural laboratory and interpreting their circulation and mixing processes using theoretical and semi-theoretical knowledge are of fundamental importance. Small-scale physical models may also be used together with analytical and numerical models. The book highlights the fact that research and theory are interactive, and the results provide the fundamentals for the development of the estuarine research.

Biogeochemistry of Estuaries offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding biogeochemical cycling in estuaries. Designed as a text for intermediate to advanced students, this book utilizes numerous illustrations and an extensive literature base to impart the current state-of-the-art knowledge in this field. While many of the existing books in estuarine science are comprised of edited volumes, typically focused on highly specific topics in estuaries,Biogeochemistry of Estuaries provides, for the first time, a unique foundation in the areas of geomorphology, geochemistry, biochemistry, aqueous chemistry, and ecology, while making strong linkages (trhoughout the text) to ecosystem-based processes in estuarine sciences. Estuaries, located at the interface between land and the coastal ocean are dynamic, highly productive systems that, in many cases, have been historically associated with development of many of the great centers of early human civilization. Consequentially, these systems have and continue to be highly impacted by anthropogenic inputs. This timely book takes the foundational basis of elemental cycling in estuarine and applies it to estuarine management issues. Biogeochemistry of Estuaries will be welcomed by estuarine/marine scientists, ecologists, biogeochemists, and environmentalists around the world.

Sedimentology Review is a new series of books edited by the Postgraduate Research Institute of Sedimentology (PRIS) and published by Blackwell Scientific Publications. The series provides the practicing sedimentologist with a means of rapidly accessing new developments in sedimentology. Existing textbooks date rapidly and new journals continuously become available, making it difficult to remain current in all aspects of the subject. The series provides high quality reviews written in an accessible format, on a wide variety of topics in sedimentology-sedimentary geology. The series will be a major resource for students, teachers and researchers as well as to geologists. Rapid coverage of the most recent developments in sedimentology for students, researchers and professional geologists in industry Edited by a board of experts in their respective fields High quality, accessible information from international authorities Generously illustrated

Humic substances are ubiquitous in the environment. These remarkable brown biomaterials are found in animals, plants, coals, sediments, soils and water. They are crucial components of the carbon cycle and other life processes. Humic Substances: Nature's Most Versatile Materials contains a compilation of papers presented at the 2002 Humic Substances Seminar and will keep humic substances scientists up to date with the latest research.