Aquatic Pollution - An Introductory Text

Since the publication of the third edition of Aquatic Pollution in 2000, there have been many major developments within the field in terms of research, regulations, and also large-scale catastrophes that have had a significant impact on the aquatic environment; the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the Fukushima nuclear disaster have taken their toll, and research on ocean acidification has developed enormously over the last decade. Recognizing, controlling, and mitigating aquatic pollution on a global scale is one of the most important and most difficult challenges facing society today.
 
Fully updated to reflect current understanding and discussing these major recent developments, this fourth edition of Aquatic Pollution covers every aspect of pollution associated with urban runoff, acid rain, sewage disposal, pesticides, oil spills, nutrient loading, and more. Case studies of major pollution sites, all original to this new edition, help to illustrate points made in general discussion.
 
Offering unprecedented depth of coverage, and discussing both fresh and sea water environments, this unique text provides a key teaching and learning tool for courses in environmental science, zoology, oceanography, biology, and civil or sanitary engineering, as well as a vital book for government policy makers. It is also an excellent primer for policymakers and activists focused on environmental issues.

List of contents

Preface xv
 
1 Fundamental Concepts 1
 
Simple Food Chain Theory 1
 
Ecological Pyramids 3
 
Recycling and the Microbial Loop 6
 
Food Chain Magnification 9
 
Food Webs 10
 
Food Webs and Ecosystem Stability 12
 
Questions 13
 
References 15
 
2 Photosynthesis 17
 
Light Limitation of Photosynthesis 18
 
Nutrient Limitation of Photosynthesis 22
 
Nutrient Enrichment Experiments 26
 
Long Island Bays 30
 
Canadian Experimental Lakes 31
 
Nitrogen versus Phosphorus Limitation 33
 
Questions 37
 
References 38
 
3 Physical Factors Affecting Production 43
 
Physical Properties of Water 43
 
Water Column Stability and Overturning 45
 
The Importance of Overturning 48
 
Seasonal Production Cycles 49
 
Trophic Status 50
 
Susceptibility of Systems to Oxygen Depletion 51
 
Estuaries: A Special Case 52
 
Chesapeake Bay 55
 
The Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone 64
 
Questions 67
 
References 68
 
Contents
 
4 Cultural Eutrophication Case Studies 71
 
Case Study 1: Lake Washington 72
 
History of Eutrophication 73
 
Effects of Sewage Diversion 76
 
Nutrient Limitation 79
 
Oxygen Depletion 80
 
Water Clarity 83
 
Cyanobacteria 84
 
Theoretical Predictions 85
 
Case Study 2: Lake Erie 88
 
The Destruction of Fish Spawning and Nursery Grounds as a Result of Land-Use Modifications 89
 
The Depletion of Fish Stocks Due to Overfishing 90
 
The Creation of Anoxic Bottom Water Conditions Due to Cultural Eutrophication 93
 
The Disposal of Toxic Wastes 94
 
Sediment in Land Runoff 96
 
Contamination of Nearshore Areas with Sewage Wastes 96
 
Remedial Efforts 98
 
Toxic Substances 98
 
Eutrophication 99
 
Prospects for Lake Erie 105
 
Case Study 3: Kaneohe Bay 114
 
Physical Setting 114
 
The Coral Reefs 116
 
Urbanization of the Watershed 116
 
Changes in Land Runoff 116
 
Sewage Disposal 119
 
Effects of Sewage Disposal 120
 
Response to Sewage Diversion 121
 
Current Status and Prospects for Kaneohe Bay 123
 
Questions 126
 
References 128
 
5 Nonpoint Source Pollution 133
 
Definitions 133
 
Composition of Land Runoff 134
 
Types of Sewer Systems 136
 
Corrective Measures 138
 
Use of Settling Basins 138
 
Ground Recharge Basins 139
 
Storage in Underflow Tunnels or Tanks 140
 
Minimizing Runoff 141
 
Summary 143
 
A Case Study: Lake Jackson, Florida 143
 
Correctives 150
 
Questions 155
 
References 156
 
6 Sewage Treatment 159
 
Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Treatment 159
 
Secondary Treatment for BOD Removal 161
 
Trickling Filters 161
 
Activated Sludge 162
 
Pros and Cons of Trickling Filter and Activated Sludge Treatment 163
 
The Anaerobic Digester 164
 
Tertiary Treatment 165
 
Phosphorus Removal 166
 
Nitrogen Removal 167
 
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products 168
 
Cost of Conventional Sewage Treatment 169
 
Land Application of Sewage 170
 
Results of Spray Irrigation Studies 172
 
Limiting Factors 179
 
Use of Sewage Sludge 180
 
Unconventional Sewage Treatment 183
 
Detergent Phosphates 185
 
Questions

About the author

Edward Laws is a professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the College of the Coast & Environment at Louisiana State University and a founding team member and investigator in the Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education at the University of Hawaii, Manoa. In addition to the earlier editions of Aquatic Pollution, he is the author of El Nino and the Peruvian Anchovy Fishery (1996) and Mathematical Methods for Oceanographers (Wiley, 1997).

Summary

Since the publication of the third edition of Aquatic Pollution in 2000, there have been many major developments within the field in terms of research, regulations, and also large-scale catastrophes that have had a significant impact on the aquatic environment; the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the Fukushima nuclear disaster have taken their toll, and research on ocean acidification has developed enormously over the last decade. Recognizing, controlling, and mitigating aquatic pollution on a global scale is one of the most important and most difficult challenges facing society today.

Fully updated to reflect current understanding and discussing these major recent developments, this fourth edition of Aquatic Pollution covers every aspect of pollution associated with urban runoff, acid rain, sewage disposal, pesticides, oil spills, nutrient loading, and more. Case studies of major pollution sites, all original to this new edition, help to illustrate points made in general discussion.

Offering unprecedented depth of coverage, and discussing both fresh and sea water environments, this unique text provides a key teaching and learning tool for courses in environmental science, zoology, oceanography, biology, and civil or sanitary engineering, as well as a vital book for government policy makers. It is also an excellent primer for policymakers and activists focused on environmental issues.

Product details

• Authors: Ea Laws, Edward A Laws, Edward A. Laws, Edward A. (University of Hawaii Laws
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 21.04.2017
• EAN: 9781119304500
• ISBN: 978-1-119-30450-0
• No. of pages: 768
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Technology > Miscellaneous; Wasserversorgung, Umweltforschung, Wasserverschmutzung, Life Sciences, Biowissenschaften, Environmental Studies, ÖKOTOXIKOLOGIE, Aquatic ecology, Bauingenieur- u. Bauwesen, Civil Engineering & Construction, Ökotoxikologie, Umweltverschmutzung, Ecotoxicology & Pollution Science, Ökologie / Aquatische Lebensräume, Water Supply Engineering