Sundarban Mangrove Wetland: A Comprehensive Global Treatise provides an illustrative account of the ecology, biology, conservation and management strategies of this endangered UNESCO World Heritage Site. The book offers a comprehensive and accessible guide to a variety of wetland ecosystems, including endangered flora and fauna, the ecology and diversity of pelagic and benthic biota, the impact of multiple stresses on the biota, inorganic and organic pollutants in biotic and abiotic matrices and their remedial measures, the impact of climate change on mangrove plants, and their conservation and management strategies. Divided into seven chapters, the book presents a realistic summary of the wetland environment and its resources, citing individual case studies considering a host of topics of particular interest. Analysis of this unique wetland provides crucial comparisons with other wetlands and their status, environmental challenges and possible remedial measures. Sundarban Mangrove Wetland is an in-depth and up-to-date account ideal for the student, teacher or researcher in marine biology & ecology, environmental science, marine geochemistry, marine pollution and ecotoxicology and wastewater treatment. Covering both fundamental and advanced aspects, the book is also useful for policy makers and those involved in coastal resource conservation and management. Presents an in-depth and illustrative accounting of an iconic tropical mangrove wetland in an intelligible and easy-to-understand manner Provides a unique look at the ecology, biodiversity and conservation and management of the Sundarban wetlands, along with the emerging ecological issues that may affect long-term sustainability Focuses on several case studies, considering microzooplankton and trace metals in the Sundarban wetlands

The definitive ecological guide to the Gulf of MexicoEstuaries Today the ecological health of the Gulf of Mexico--long the base ofvast commercial fisheries--is at risk from a potent array ofthreats, from increased nutrient inputs to the loss of coastalwetlands that impact water quality. Never before has knowledge of the biogeochemical processes of theGulf's estuaries and wetlands been so critical to its preservation,and yet until now research on this vital area has beenfragmented. Biogeochemistry of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries offers a comprehensive,integrated examination of these vital natural resources and theirecology. Featuring contributions from a diverse group of expertscientists from all regions of the Gulf Coast, thisinterdisciplinary reference provides extensive coverage of what isknown about biogeochemical processes--and the factors that regulatethem--in warm temperate and subtropical systems. Organized around aframework that integrates geomorphology, sedimentary processes,nutrient cycling, and trace metals chemistry, it not onlydemonstrates how the Gulf's estuarine systems work, but alsoestablishes a basis for how they compare with other, better-studiedtemperate estuaries. In addition, the book features afascinating--and timely--examination of the effects ofbiogeochemical processes on estuarine management. Biogeochemistry of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries will be welcomed byecologists, marine scientists, environmental activists, and anyoneinvolved with managing these precious natural resources.

Each book has two main goals1. Determine baseline concentrations of metals and metalloids in tissues of representative field populations of estuarine coastal, and open ocean organisms (Book 1:algae and macrophytes, protists, sponges, coelenterates, molluscs, crustaceans, insects, chaetognaths, annelids, echinoderms, and tunicates) (Book 2: elasmobranchs, fishes, reptiles, birds, mammals) and their significance to organism health and to the health of their consumers.2. Synthesize existing information on biological, chemical, and physical factors known to modify uptake, retention, and translocation of each element under field and laboratory conditions. Recognition of the importance of these modifiers and their accompanying interactions is essential to the understanding of metals kinetics in marine systems and to the interpretation of baseline residue data. Synthesizes existing information on biological, chemical, and physical factors known to modify uptake, retention, and translocation of each element Aids understanding of metals kinetics in marine systems Allows the interpretation of baseline residue data

The aim of this volume is to draw together state-of-the-art reviews of knowledge onlevels of heavy metals in marine environments (particularly in marine animals), the dynamicprocesses in these systems, toxic effects, and threats presented by heavy metals in foods ofmarine origin.All heavy metals, whether biologically essential or not, have the potential to be toxicto organisms at a threshold bioavailability. Such threshold concentrations vary betweenmetals, between species and with the physicochemical characteristics of the medium, somelike copper being particularly toxic even though essential in trace amounts. Responses ofanimals to metals in their medium or food depend to a large extent on the ability of speciesto regulate levels attained in their tissues. Higher animals have the capacity to regulate levelsof many metals, while marine invertebrates can regulate some within certain limits. Whereanimals cannot regulate physiological levels of metals, an alternative strategy is to detoxifyand store metals in relatively harmless forms. Knowledge of the manner in which animals deal with potentially toxic concentrations of heavy metals is of fundamental importance in the assessment of metal pollution by analysis of metal levels in biological samples. The interaction of heavy metals with biological materials is a key theme running through this volume. Toxic effects may be reflected at the individual, population, or ecosystem level, affecting species composition and production levels, or may be of direct dietary significance to man. The global cycling of metals through the marine environment is crucially affected by biological processes.