Biogeochemistry of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries

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.

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.