Author: Robert W. Howarth Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media ISBN: 9400917767 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 300
Book Description
Human activity has dramatically altered the global nitrogen cycle in recent decades. These changes are not evenly distributed around the world; rather, they are greatest in regions of significant industrial and agricultural activity, as the synthesis and use of inorganic fertilizers, cultivation of legumes, burning of fossil fuels, and the simple act of concentrating humans and animals in dense populations all lead to the release of excess, reactive forms of nitrogen into the environment. In part because reactive nitrogen is frequently a limiting nutrient in many terrestrial and aquatic systems, an excess can lead to a variety of adverse effects on both environmental and human health. The North Atlantic Ocean and its contributing watersheds constitute a region which has seen perhaps the greatest increase in anthropogenically-derived nitrogen. In May of 1994, the International Scope Nitrogen Project, with funding from the Andrew Mellon Foundation, the United Nations Environment Program, and the World Meteorological Organization, sponsored a workshop held on Block Island, RI, USA, entitled `Nitrogen Dynamics of the North Atlantic Basin'. More than 50 scientists from 12 different countries convened with a unique set of goals: an integrated and comprehensive estimate of the current nitrogen cycle of the ocean, coastal systems, and contributing watersheds of the North Atlantic region; an analysis of human-induced changes to those cycles; and an assessment of the current and future effects of human-induced changes to nitrogen cycling throughout the globe.
Author: Andres Hugo Arias Publisher: CRC Press ISBN: 135133753X Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 326
Book Description
During the recent decades, social, political and academic endeavours have been made to improve environmental quality and reduce pollution. In particular, the ocean, sea and coastal areas show varying degrees of impact from the multiple human activities carried out in the terrestrial as well as in the aquatic environment. Ecology is a science which studies the relationship between organisms and the surrounding environment and in the modern era, the marine world is getting increasing attention. For centuries it has been the final reservoir of human garbage; later it became an oil farm with a concomitant increase of coastal population growth and unplanned growth of the fishing industry and the increasing use of sea routes for cargo transport and recreational uses (cruises). All this led to rising contamination with negative effects on biota and even human health. It is then imperative to know the current situation of the world's oceans: that is the main purpose of this book, to document at a glance the latest research in the field of ocean pollution.
Author: E.J. Carpenter Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media ISBN: 9401579776 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 355
Book Description
Planktonic marine cyanobacteria are abundant and significant in the biogeochemistry of the sea. This volume focuses on the filamentous cyanobacteria, particularly those in the genus Trichodesmium which are common in tropical and subtropical seas. A portion of this book also concerns bloom-forming cyanobacteria in the Baltic Sea area. Filamentous cyanobacteria are important as primary producers and for the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen and thus are significant in global cycling of both of these elements. In recent years, through the application of new techniques and intensive multi-disciplinary research programs, progress has been made in understanding both the biology of these cyanobacteria and their place in the marine food web. A broad range of topics is covered in this book, ranging from molecular biology, physiology, ultrastructure, enzyme localization, toxicology, remote sensing, buoyancy, herbivory and the ecology of these organisms in the marine food web. This volume is an outgrowth of a NATO-sponsored meeting held in May 1991 in Bamberg, Germany, and represents the latest synthesis on these marine phytoplankters.
Author: National Research Council Publisher: National Academies Press ISBN: 0309172098 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 421
Book Description
Environmental problems in coastal ecosystems can sometimes be attributed to excess nutrients flowing from upstream watersheds into estuarine settings. This nutrient over-enrichment can result in toxic algal blooms, shellfish poisoning, coral reef destruction, and other harmful outcomes. All U.S. coasts show signs of nutrient over-enrichment, and scientists predict worsening problems in the years ahead. Clean Coastal Waters explains technical aspects of nutrient over-enrichment and proposes both immediate local action by coastal managers and a longer-term national strategy incorporating policy design, classification of affected sites, law and regulation, coordination, and communication. Highlighting the Gulf of Mexico's "Dead Zone," the Pfiesteria outbreak in a tributary of Chesapeake Bay, and other cases, the book explains how nutrients work in the environment, why nitrogen is important, how enrichment turns into over-enrichment, and why some environments are especially susceptible. Economic as well as ecological impacts are examined. In addressing abatement strategies, the committee discusses the importance of monitoring sites, developing useful models of over-enrichment, and setting water quality goals. The book also reviews voluntary programs, mandatory controls, tax incentives, and other policy options for reducing the flow of nutrients from agricultural operations and other sources.
Author: Ivan Valiela Publisher: John Wiley & Sons ISBN: 144430903X Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 376
Book Description
Global Coastal Changeprovides a comprehensive overview of the environmental factors changing the marine systems of the world including atmospheric changes, sea level rise, alterations in freshwater and sediment use and transport, toxins, overfishing, alien species, and eutrophication. Includes case studies providing real-world examples, detailed reviews of the evidence of changes and possible solutions. Brings together a wealth of important information about our changing marine environments. An invaluable reference for upper level undergraduates, graduates, and professionals interested in marine environmental science.
Author: James Galloway Publisher: Cambridge University Press ISBN: 9780521638883 Category : Nature Languages : en Pages : 384
Book Description
Nearly two-thirds of the world's population live in Asia, and many countries in that region are currently undergoing very rapid industrial, agricultural and economic development. The Framework Convention on Climate Change constrains developed countries with regard to their future emissions of greenhouse gases, but recognizes the special needs of developing countries. There is growing appreciation of the ways in which developing countries in the Asian region both contribute to global changes (by altering biogeochemical pathways and cycles) and are themselves affected by those changes. This volume uses the intellectual efforts and findings of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) community to provide the first integrated analysis of the interactions between global change and Asian change, giving particular attention to China's role. The book will be of interest to readers in a wide range of academic disciplines (natural sciences and socio-economic) and for those involved in national and international policy development relevant to global change.
Author: Douglas G. Capone Publisher: Academic Press ISBN: 0123725224 Category : Social Science Languages : en Pages : 2115
Book Description
Since the first edition of Nitrogen in the Marine Environment was published in 1983, it has been recognized as the standard in the field. In the time since the book first appeared, there has been tremendous growth in the field with unprecedented discoveries over the past decade that have fundamentally changed the view of the marine nitrogen cycle. As a result, this Second Edition contains twice the amount of information that the first edition contained. This updated edition is now available online, offering searchability and instant, multi-user access to this important information.*The classic text, fully updated to reflect the rapid pace of discovery*Provides researchers and students in oceanography, chemistry, and marine ecology an understanding of the marine nitrogen cycle*Available online with easy access and search - the information you need, when you need it
Author: Richard A. Valigura Publisher: American Geophysical Union ISBN: 0875902715 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 260
Book Description
Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Coastal and Estuarine Studies, Volume 57. Every time it rains, biologically active nitrogen compounds are transferred from the air to whatever surface lies underneath; what a farmer once called "the poor man's fertilizer." In fact, nitrogen containing compounds are transferred between surface and atmosphere even when it is not raining. That this atmospheric nitrogen deposition impacts on the environment is a scientifically accepted fact, established during the acid rain debates led by the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program. The extent to which this deposition contributes to the decline of coastal waters around the United States due to over fertilization, however, is still under debate. In response to and as a continuation of this debate is the current work before you: the first attempt to consistently and comprehensively estimate the relative contribution of atmospherically delivered nitrogen to the total amount of nitrogen entering coastal estuaries around the United States.
Author: Michael E. McClain Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 0195354230 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 378
Book Description
With a complex assemblage of largely intact ecosystems that support the earth's greatest diversity of life, the Amazon basin is a focal point of international scientific interest. And, as development and colonization schemes transform the landscape in increasing measure, scientists from around the world are directing attention to questions of regional and global significance. Some of these qustions are: What are the fluxes of greenhouse gases across the atmospheric interface of ecosystems? How mush carbon is stored in the biomass and soils of the basin? How are elements from the land transferred to the basin's surface waters? What is the sum of elements transferred from land to ocean, and what is its marine "fate"? This book of original chapters by experts in chemical and biological oceanography, tropical agronomy and biology, and the atmospheric sciences will address these and other important questions, with the aim of synthesizing the current knowledge of biochemical processes operating within and between the various ecosystems in the Amazon basin.
Author: Robert W. Howarth
Author: 
Author: Andres Hugo Arias
Author: E.J. Carpenter
Author: National Research Council
Author: Ivan Valiela
Author: James Galloway
Author: Douglas G. Capone
Author: Richard A. Valigura
Author: Michael E. McClain