Estuaries in every country exemplify the same paradox- they are among the most productive ecosystems and also among the most impacted by anthropogenic activities. And although estuarine biodiversity is key to the ecological and economic health of coastal regions, estuaries are exposed to toxic effluents transported by rivers from remote and nearby

The study of estuaries and coasts has seen enormous growth in recent years, since changes in these areas have a large effect on the food chain, as well as on the physics and chemistry of the ocean. As the coasts and river banks around the world become more densely populated, the pressure on these ecosystems intensifies, putting a new focus on environmental, socio-economic and policy issues. Written by a team of international expert scientists, under the guidance of Chief Editors Eric Wolanski and Donald McClusky, the Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science, Ten Volume Set examines topics in depth, and aims to provide a comprehensive scientific resource for all professionals and students in the area of estuarine and coastal science Most up-to-date reference for system-based coastal and estuarine science and management, from the inland watershed to the ocean shelf Chief editors have assembled a world-class team of volume editors and contributing authors Approach focuses on the physical, biological, chemistry, ecosystem, human, ecological and economics processes, to show how to best use multidisciplinary science to ensure earth's sustainability Provides a comprehensive scientific resource for all professionals and students in the area of estuarine and coastal science Features up-to-date chapters covering a full range of topics

This book is organized into five parts reflecting major topics in estuarine synthesis: prediction of inputs from drainage basins; coupling of physical and ecological factors; links between biogeochemistry and food webs; controls of estuarine habitats; and the role of synthesis in addressing issues of management. Each part contains an introduction; plenary talks illustrating case histories of successful syntheses; and a workshop report report presenting an overview of the topic, goals for further synthesis, and recommendations about the data, knowledge, and models necessary to attain these goals.

Estuarine and coastal waters are acknowledged points of anthropogenic impact. For practitioners, academics and students in the field of coastal science and policy, this book examines and exemplifies current and future challenges: from upper estuaries to open coasts and adjacent seas; from tropical to temperate latitudes; from Europe to Australia.

For the inhabitants of many of the world's major cities and towns, estuaries provide their nearest glimpse of a natural habitat; a habitat which, despite the attempts of man to pollute it or reclaim it, has remained a fascinating insight into a natural world where energy is transformed from sunlight into plant material, and then through the steps of a food chain is converted into a rich food supply for birds and fish. The biologist has become interested in estuaries as areas in which to study the responses of animals and plants to severe environmental gradients. Gradients of salinity for example, and the problems of living in turbid water or a muddy substrate, prevent most animal species from the adjacent sea or rivers from entering estuaries. In spite of these problems, life in estuaries can be very abundant because estuarine mud is a rich food supply which can support a large number of animals with a large total weight and a high annual production. Indeed estuaries have been claimed to be among the most productive natural habitats in the world. When the first edition of this book appeared, biologists were beginning to realise that the estuarine ecosystem was an ideal habitat in which to observe the processes controlling biological productivity.

Chemistry, Biology, and the Estuarine System is the first volume of a series launched by Estuarine Research Foundation to present information and concepts regarding the estuaries in the world. The contents of this volume are papers presented in a conference held in South Carolina in October 1973. The book is divided into three major subject areas, namely, Chemistry, Biology, and Estuarine System. The first part focuses on the cycling of elements and estuaries. The second part deals with the dynamics of the food webs in various estuaries. The last section discusses the estuarine system, specifically estuarine modeling. In this part, several estuarine models in different locations are explored. Model analysis as well as utility of systems models is covered in this section. This volume serves as a valuable source of information to interested parties in the field of ecology, biology, chemistry, environmental science, etc.

An essential introduction to the study of estuaries, highlighting their immense spatial and temporal variability.