The Ecological Condition of Estuaries in the Gulf of Mexico
The Ecological Condition of Estuaries in the Gulf of Mexico

Author: Ellen Crocker

Publisher:

Published: 2001-04-01

Total Pages: 71

ISBN-13: 9780756705527

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Many estuaries flow into the Gulf of Mexico and serve as nursery grounds for fish, habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, shipping routes, and a source of recreation. This report is organized in 3 parts: (1) an introduction that gives background information on the Gulf of Mexico, estuarine ecology, and the factors that impact estuaries in the Gulf; (2) the main section on priority ecological indicators used to measure the condition of estuaries in the Gulf; and (3) an ecological report card that summarizes the data on ecological indicators and provides a rating of the condition of estuaries in each Gulf state and for Gulf estuaries overall. Maps, charts and tables.

Texas Aquatic Science
Texas Aquatic Science

Author: Rudolph A. Rosen

Publisher: Texas A&M University Press

Published: 2014-11-19

Total Pages: 218

ISBN-13: 1623492270

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This classroom resource provides clear, concise scientific information in an understandable and enjoyable way about water and aquatic life. Spanning the hydrologic cycle from rain to watersheds, aquifers to springs, rivers to estuaries, ample illustrations promote understanding of important concepts and clarify major ideas. Aquatic science is covered comprehensively, with relevant principles of chemistry, physics, geology, geography, ecology, and biology included throughout the text. Emphasizing water sustainability and conservation, the book tells us what we can do personally to conserve for the future and presents job and volunteer opportunities in the hope that some students will pursue careers in aquatic science. Texas Aquatic Science, originally developed as part of a multi-faceted education project for middle and high school students, can also be used at the college level for non-science majors, in the home-school environment, and by anyone who educates kids about nature and water. To learn more about The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, sponsors of this book's series, please click here.

Habitats and Biota of the Gulf of Mexico: Before the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Habitats and Biota of the Gulf of Mexico: Before the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Author: C. Herb Ward

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-06-26

Total Pages: 917

ISBN-13: 1493934473

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book is open access under a CC BY-NC 2.5 license. The Gulf of Mexico is an open and dynamic marine ecosystem rich in natural resources but heavily impacted by human activities, including agricultural, industrial, commercial and coastal development. The Gulf of Mexico has been continuously exposed to petroleum hydrocarbons for millions of years from natural oil and gas seeps on the sea floor, and more recently from oil drilling and production activities located in the water near and far from shore. Major accidental oil spills in the Gulf are infrequent; two of the most significant include the Ixtoc I blowout in the Bay of Campeche in 1979 and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010. Unfortunately, baseline assessments of the status of habitats and biota in the Gulf of Mexico before these spills either were not available, or the data had not been systematically compiled in a way that would help scientists assess the potential short-term and long-term effects of such events. This 2-volume series compiles and summarizes thousands of data sets showing the status of habitats and biota in the Gulf of Mexico before the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Volume 1 covers: water and sediment quality and contaminants in the Gulf; natural oil and gas seeps in the Gulf of Mexico; coastal habitats, including flora and fauna and coastal geology; offshore benthos and plankton, with an analysis of current knowledge on energy capture and energy flows in the Gulf; and shellfish and finfish resources that provide the basis for commercial and recreational fisheries.

Clean Coastal Waters
Clean Coastal Waters

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2000-08-17

Total Pages: 422

ISBN-13: 0309069483

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

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.

Biogeochemistry of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries
Biogeochemistry of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries

Author: Thomas S. Bianchi

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 1998-10-26

Total Pages: 454

ISBN-13: 9780471161745

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

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.

Response of Upper Gulf Coast Estuaries to Holocene Climate Change and Sea-level Rise
Response of Upper Gulf Coast Estuaries to Holocene Climate Change and Sea-level Rise

Author: John B. Anderson

Publisher: Geological Society of America

Published: 2008-01-01

Total Pages: 156

ISBN-13: 0813724430

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

One of the main impacts of global warming is accelerated sea-level rise: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predictions suggest that the rate of rise could reach as high as 5'10 mm/yr by the end of this century. While it is generally recognized that accelerated sea-level rise will severely impact low-gradient coastlines, scientists are still ill prepared to predict coastal response. A study of seven Gulf Coast estuaries (Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound, Weeks Bay, Calcasieu Lake, Sabine Lake, Galveston Bay, Matagorda Bay, and Corpus Christi Bay) was aimed at examining their response to past changes in the rate of sea-level rise and climate. The rates of change are of the same magnitude as those predicted for this century. The estuarine response to change has been one of abrupt landward retreat and major reorganization of estuarine environments at decadal time scales. This book should be of interest to scientists and policy makers concerned with future impacts of global warming.