Biogeochemistry of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries

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. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.

Geology and Hydrodynamics of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries.

Hydrography, Mixing Characteristics, and Residence Times of Gulf ofMexico Estuaries.

Sedimentary Processes of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries.

NUTRIENT DYNAMICS.

Suspended Particulate and Dissolved Nutrient Loadings to Gulf ofMexico Estuaries.

Nutrient Behavior and Phytoplankton Production in Gulf of MexicoEstuaries.

Benthic Nutrient Fluxes of Selected Estuaries in the Gulf ofMexico.

Wetland-Water Column Interactions and the Biogeochemistry ofEstuary-Watershed Coupling Around the Gulf of Mexico.

ORGANIC MATTER CYCLING.

Particulate Organic Matter in Gulf of MexicoEstuaries--Implications for Net Heterotrophy.

Dissolved Organic Matter in Estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico.

TRACE ELEMENT/ORGANIC IN CYCLING.

Trace Element Behavior in Gulf of Mexico Estuaries.

Natural Organic Matter Binding of Trace Metals and Trace OrganicContaminants in Estuaries.

Particle-Reactive Radionuclides as Tracers of BiogechemicalProcesses in Estuarine and Coastal Water of the Gulf ofMexico.

SUMMARY.

Biogechemistry of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries: Implications forManagement.

Index. Thomas S. Bianchi is an associate professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jonathan R. Pennock is an associate professor at the University of Alabama and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Alabama. Robert R. Twilley is Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette, Louisiana. The definitive ecological guide to the Gulf of Mexico Estuaries

Today the ecological health of the Gulf of Mexico—long the base of vast commercial fisheries—is at risk from a potent array of threats, from increased nutrient inputs to the loss of coastal wetlands that impact water quality.

Never before has knowledge of the biogeochemical processes of the Gulf's estuaries and wetlands been so critical to its preservation, and yet until now research on this vital area has been fragmented.

Biogeochemistry of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries offers a comprehensive, integrated examination of these vital natural resources and their ecology. Featuring contributions from a diverse group of expert scientists from all regions of the Gulf Coast, this interdisciplinary reference provides extensive coverage of what is known about biogeochemical processes—and the factors that regulate them—in warm temperate and subtropical systems. Organized around a framework that integrates geomorphology, sedimentary processes, nutrient cycling, and trace metals chemistry, it not only demonstrates how the Gulf's estuarine systems work, but also establishes a basis for how they compare with other, better-studied temperate estuaries. In addition, the book features a fascinating—and timely—examination of the effects of biogeochemical processes on estuarine management.

Biogeochemistry of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries will be welcomed by ecologists, marine scientists, environmental activists, and anyone involved with managing these precious natural resources.