Biogeochemistry of Estuaries

by Thomas S. Bianchi

Overview

Biogeochemistry of Estuaries offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding biogeochemical cycling in estuaries. Designed as a text for intermediate to advanced students, this book utilizes numerous illustrations and an extensive literature base to impart the current state-of-the-art knowledge in this field. While many of the existing books in estuarine science are comprised of edited volumes, typically focused on highly specific topics in estuaries,Biogeochemistry of Estuaries provides, for the first time, a unique foundation in the areas of geomorphology, geochemistry, biochemistry, aqueous chemistry, and ecology, while making strong linkages (trhoughout the text) to ecosystem-based processes in estuarine sciences. Estuaries, located at the interface between land and the coastal ocean are dynamic, highly productive systems that, in many cases, have been historically associated with development of many of the great centers of early human civilization. Consequentially, these systems have and continue to be highly impacted by anthropogenic inputs. This timely book takes the foundational basis of elemental cycling in estuarine and applies it to estuarine management issues. Biogeochemistry of Estuaries will be welcomed by estuarine/marine scientists, ecologists, biogeochemists, and environmentalists around the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190289645
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	09/14/2006
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	40 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Texas A&M University

Table of Contents

Estuarine Science and Biogeochemical Cycles     3
Importance of Estuaries     3
Description of Estuarine Science     3
Human Impact on Estuaries and Management Issues     6
Biogeochemical Cycles in Estuaries     9
Summary     10
Physical Dynamics of Estuaries     11
Origin and Geomorphology     13
Age, Formation, and Classification     13
Distribution and Sedimentary Processes within Estuarine Types     19
Summary     32
Hydrodynamics     34
Hydrologic Cycle     34
General Circulation, Mixing Patterns, and Salt Balance     41
Residence Times     50
Summary     53
Chemistry of Estuarine Waters     55
Physical Properties and Gradients     57
Thermodynamic Equilibrium Models and Kinetics     57
Physical Properties of Water and Solubility of Salts     60
Sources and Mixing of Dissolved Salts in Estuaries     65
Concepts and Measurement of Salinity     72
Reactivity of Dissolved Constituents     74
Ion Activity, Speciation, and Equilibrium Models     75
Effects of Suspended Particulates and Chemical Interactions     80
Summary     81
Dissolved Gases in Water     84
Composition of the Atmosphere     85
Atmosphere-Water Exchange     87
Water-to-Air Fluxes of Carbon Dioxide and Other Dissolved Gases in Estuaries     90
Summary     99
Properties of Estuarine Sediments     101
Sources and Distribution of Sediments     103
Weathering Processes     103
Erosion, Transport, and Sedimentation     106
Estuarine Turbidity Maximum, Benthic Boundary Layer, and Fluid Muds     111
Summary     117
Isotope Geochemistry     119
Basic Principles of Radioactivity     119
Radionuclides in Estuarine Research     122
Stable Isotopes     159
Summary     171
Organic Matter Sources and Transformation     175
Organic Matter Cycling     177
Production of Organic Matter     177
Particulate and Dissolved Organic Matter in Estuaries     181
Decomposition of Organic Detritus     200
Early Diagenesis     204
Animal-Sediment Relations and Organic Matter Cycling     214
Controls on the Preservation of Organic Matter in Estuarine Sediments      217
Summary     221
Characterization of Organic Matter     224
Bulk Organic Matter Techniques     224
Molecular Biomarkers     235
Summary     294
Nutrient and Trace Metal Cycling     297
Nitrogen Cycle     299
Sources of Nitrogen to Estuaries     299
Transformations and Cycling of Inorganic and Organic Nitrogen     311
Sediment-Water Exchange of Dissolved Nitrogen     326
Nitrogen Budgets for Selected Estuaries     336
Summary     343
Phosphorus and Silica Cycles     346
Sources of Phosphorus to Estuaries     346
Phosphorus Fluxes Across the Sediment-Water Interface     351
Cycling of Inorganic and Organic Phosphorus     357
Phosphorus Budgets from Selected Estuaries     362
Sources of Silica to Estuaries     365
Silica Cycling     368
Summary     373
Sulfur Cycle     373
Sources of Sulfur to Estuaries     373
Cycling of Inorganic and Organic Sulfur in Estuarine Sediments     375
Cycling of Inorganic and Organic Sulfur in Estuarine Waters     388
Summary     393
Carbon Cycle      395
The Global Carbon Cycle     395
Transformations and Cycling of Dissolved Inorganic Carbon     396
Carbon Dioxide and Methane Emissions in Estuaries     402
Transformations and Cycling of Dissolved and Particulate Organic Carbon     413
The Ecological Transfer of Carbon     422
Carbon Budgets for Selected Estuaries     423
Summary     434
Trace Metal Cycling     436
Sources and Abundance of Trace Metals     436
Background on Metal Ion Chemistry     438
Trace Metal Cycling in the Water Column     444
Trace Metal Cycling and Fluxes in Sediments     456
Summary     461
Anthropogenic Inputs to Estuaries     463
Anthropogenic Stressors in Estuaries     465
Anthropogenic Change in Estuaries     465
Partitioning and Toxicity of Trace Metals     470
Partitioning and Toxicity of Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants     472
Nutrient Loading and Eutrophication     481
Historical Reconstruction of Environmental Change     486
Summary     491
Global Impact of Estuaries     493
Estuarine-Coastal Interactions     495
Rivers, Estuaries, and the Coastal Ocean      495
River-Dominated Ocean Margins     498
Groundwater Inputs to the Coastal Ocean     502
Summary     504
Appendices     506
Atomic Weights of Elements     506
SI Units and Conversion Factors     509
Physical and Chemical Constants     511
Geologic Timetable     511
Glossary     512
References     535
Index     689

Editorial Reviews

"The true strength of this book derives from the obvious passion Bianchi has for the subject. Each chapter is dense with references, clearly represents the state of knowledge with respect to estuarine science and incorporates more than 3000 references into the text, such that this book will be consulted for years to come." — R. D. Pancost, Organic Geochemistry

"With a writing style that is straightfoward and approachable, the author takes an integrative, approach to successfully describe the interplay of physical, chemical, and biological interactions that are the hallmark of these ever-changing systems."—Limology and Oceanography Bulletin

"Whether used by initiates to these complex systems or as a reminder of forgotten linkages, there is something in this text for anyone interested in the myraid of important processes in estuaries and their study."—Limology and Oceanography Bulletin

"The strong suit of this book is that it provides a comprehensive introduction over the range of important estuarine processes, particularly those related to organic-matter cycling. On more than one occasion, I found myself asking, "What about...?", only to find a descriptive section and references to my query on the next page." — H. Rodger Harvey, Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin

"This volume is highly recommended for students and professionals alike. There's nothing else out there quite like it, and increased attention to the estuarine zone is clearly in society's future." —Lawrence M. Mayer, Elements

From the Publisher