1st Edition

Ecology of Estuaries Anthropogenic Effects

By Michael J. Kennish Copyright 1991

    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.

    Types of Pollutants
    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.