Biogeochemistry of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries

The fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico make up the largest commercial fishery in the United States. But the ecology of the Gulf is in trouble: much of the Gulf is subject to critical problems with toxic microorganisms. This important book addresses the emergency, providing indispensable research findings and material on sedimentary processes, nutrient flows, carbon, and trace metal cycling. Time is of the essence in examining these problems; this book cuts to the heart of the matter, providing ecologists and biologists with the first coherent treatment of the subject.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.; Geology and Hydrodynamics of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries.; Hydrography, Mixing Characteristics, and Residence Times of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries.; Sedimentary Processes of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries.; NUTRIENT DYNAMICS.; Suspended Particulate and Dissolved Nutrient Loadings to Gulf of Mexico Estuaries.; Nutrient Behavior and Phytoplankton Production in Gulf of Mexico Estuaries.; Benthic Nutrient Fluxes of Selected Estuaries in the Gulf of Mexico.; Wetland--Water Column Interactions and the Biogeochemistry of Estuary--Watershed Coupling Around the Gulf of Mexico.; ORGANIC MATTER CYCLING.; Particulate Organic Matter in Gulf of Mexico Estuaries--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 Organic Contaminants in Estuaries.; Particle--Reactive Radionuclides as Tracers of Biogechemical Processes in Estuarine and Coastal Water of the Gulf of Mexico.; SUMMARY.; Biogechemistry of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries: Implications for Management.; Index.