How much water does the world need to support growing human populations? What factors influence water quality, droughts, floods, and waterborne diseases? What are the potential effects of climate change on the world's water resources? These questions and more are discussed in this thorough introduction to the complex world of water resources. The strength of the book is its coverage of the fundamentals of the science of water, aquatic ecology, geomorphology and hydrology, supplemented by internet resources and examples from water resource issues in the news to engage the student. The book begins with a short history of human use and influence on water, followed by chapters on the geomorphology, hydrology, chemistry, and biology of lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Major disease issues, worldwide water quality and quantity problems, and potential solutions are addressed. Water laws, water allocation, and the conflicts involved are discussed using US and international examples. Students in departments of environmental studies, life science, Earth science, and engineering will benefit from this broad survey of these crucial issues.

Thoroughly updated and expanded new edition introduces students to the complex world of water resources and environmental issues.

The study of water resources crosses disciplinary boundaries, from geography and natural resources, to Earth sciences, environmental studies, and engineering. Since not all students come to the water-resources course with the same mathematical background, Clausen’s effective, practical presentation integrates topics related to water quantity and water quality. He emphasizes fundamental concepts throughout: the qualitative foundations of hydrology needed to understand the hydrologic cycle and water availability, as well as the physical, chemical, and biological principles underlying water quality. Important social-science issues, including water law and regulations, the economic principles of water supply and demand, and sustainable water management, contextualize the material. Abundant illustrations and purposeful examples reinforce chapter content. End-of-chapter problems provide opportunities for readers to practice the calculations needed for real-world applications.

This accessible new textbook provides a thorough introduction toall aspects of groundwater systems and their management. Usingstraightforward language and analogies to everyday experiences, itexplains the origins, nature, and behavior of subsurface waterwithout resorting to complicated mathematics. Groundwater in the Environment draws on case studies andcutting-edge research from around the world, giving a uniqueinsight into groundwater occurring in a wide range of differentclimate zones and geological settings. This book: provides a robust, practical introduction to groundwaterquality, and a succinct summary of modern remedial technologies forpolluted groundwaters explores how groundwater fits into the wider naturalenvironment, especially in relation to freshwater ecosystems considers the vulnerability of groundwater systems and theeffects of pollution, climate change, land-use change, andoverexploitation examines human dependence on water and the effect that this hason groundwater systems presents vivid examples of geohazards associated with groundwaters explains the whys and wherefores of groundwater modeling examines competing philosophies of groundwater management,making the case for approaches which take social, economic andecological issues into account. Goundwater in the Environment provides an up-to-date,essential introduction for undergraduate students of environmentalsciences, geography and geology. It will also be invaluable toprofessionals working in various fields of natural resourcemanagement who need accessible information on groundwater but whoare reluctant to read conventional texts full of mathematicalnotation. For practicing hydrogeologists and engineers withoutformal training in freshwater ecology, this book provides a `crashcourse' in the new frontiers of groundwater management. Artwork from the book is available to instructors online at ahref="http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/younger"www.blackwellpublishing.com/younger/a.An Instructor manual CD-ROM for this title is available. Pleasecontact our Higher Education team at ahref="mailto:[email protected]"[email protected]/afor more information.

In this concise introduction to water resources, Shimon Anisfeld explores the fundamental interactions between humans and water, including drinking, sanitation, irrigation, and power production. The book familiarizes students with the current water crisis and with approaches for managing this essential resource more effectively in a time of rapid environmental and social change. Anisfeld addresses both human and ecological problems, including scarcity, pollution, disease, flooding, conflicts over water, and degradation of aquatic ecosystems. In addition to providing the background necessary to understand each of these problems, the book discusses ways to move towards better management and addresses the key current debates in the water policy field. In the past, water development has often proceeded in a single-sector fashion, with each group of users implementing its own plans without coordination with other groups, resulting in both conflict and inefficiency. Now, Anisfeld writes, the challenge of water management is figuring out how to balance all the different demands for water, from sanitation to energy generation to ecosystem protection. For inquiring students of any level, Water Resources provides a comprehensive one-volume guide to a complex but vital field of study.

Providing clean water to earth's rapidly growing human population is one the major issues of the 21st Century. The climatic effects of global warming on water supply has made this a hot-button issue.

This book provides insights and a capacity to understand the climate change phenomenon, its impact on water resources, and possible remedial measures. The impact of climate change on water resources is a global issue and cause for concern. Water resources in many countries are extremely stressed, and climate change along with burgeoning populations, the rise in living standards, and increasing demand on resources are factors which serve to exacerbate this stress. The chapters provide information on tools that will be useful to mitigate the adverse consequences of natural disasters. Fundamental to addressing these issues is hydrological modelling which is discussed in this book and ways to combat climate change as an important aspect of water resource management.