Ecology of Estuaries represents the most definitive and comprehensive source of reference information available on the human impact on estuarine ecosystems. The volume discusses both acute and insidious pollution problems plaguing these coastal ecotones. It also provides a detailed examination of the deleterious and pervasive effects of human activities on biotic communities and sensitive habitat areas in estuaries. Specific areas covered include organic loading, oil pollution, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, heavy metals, dredging and dredged-spoil disposal, radionuclides, as well as other contaminants and processes. The diverse components of these anthropogenic influences are assembled in an organized framework and presented in a clear and concise style that facilitates their understanding.
Waste Disposal Strategies
Biological Effects of Waste Disposal
Bioaccumulation
Biotransformation and Metabolism of Pollutants in Estuarine
Organisms
Plan of this Volume
ORGANIC LOADING
Eutrophication Problems
Sewage
Eutrophication and Organic Carbon Enrichment
Nutrients
Estuarine Susceptibility to Nutrient Loading
Dispersion Models of Release Effluent
Nutrient Loading, Red Tides, and Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning
OIL POLLUTION
Sources of Oil Pollution
Composition of Oil
Classes or Series
Toxicity of Crude Oil
Fate of Polluting Oil
Abiotic and Biotic Factors
Effects of Polluting Oil on Organisms
General
Effects of Oil on Estuarine Habitats
Effects of Oil on Estuarine Organisms
Case Studies
The Florida Oil Spill
The Arrow Oil Spill
The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
POLYNUCLEAR AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
Distribution
PAHs in Sediments
PAHs in Biota
PAHs in Water
PAH TRANSFORMATION
Photodegradation
Chemical Oxidation
Biotic Transformation
PAHs in Estuarine Systems
Examples
Environmental Cycle of PAHCompounds
CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS
Organochlorine Pesticides
DDT
Cyclodiene Pesticides
Other Pesticides
Chlorinated Benzenes and Phenols
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Physical-Chemical Properties
Environmental Effects
Polychlorinated Terphenyls (PCTs)
Case Studies
Chesapeake Bay
San Francisco Bay
Puget Sound
HEAVY METALS
Sources of Heavy Metals
Estuarine Systems
Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals
Heavy Metals in Estuarine Systems
Type Examples
RADIOACTIVITY
Radioactivity and Radiation
Radioactivity Defined
Common Types of Ionizing Radiation
Sources of Radiation
Types of Radioactive Wastes
Radioactivity and Estuarine Organisms
General
Impact of Radioactivity on Estuarine Organisms
Radioactive Waste Disposal
General
Storage or Disposal Systems
Waste Management Strategies
DREDGING AND DREDGED-SPOIL DISPOSAL
Dredging Devices
Environmental Effects of Dredging and Dredged-Spoil Disposal
Adverse Effects
Beneficial Effects
Case Studies
Chesapeake Bay
Alberni Inlet, British Columbia
Regulation Of Dredged-Material Disposal
EFFECTS OF ELECTRIC GENERATING STATIONS
Historical Development
Effects Of Power Plant Operation
Thermal Discharges
Waste Heat Utilization
Biocides
Impingement and Entrainment
Case Studies
Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station
Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station
Biography
Michael J. Kennish, Ph.D., is a Supervising Research Scientist in the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences at Cook College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.