Available:*
Library | Item Barcode | Call Number | Material Type | Item Category 1 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... | 30000010265781 | GB661.2 P46 2010 | Open Access Book | Book | Searching... |
On Order
Summary
Summary
How much water does the world need to support growing human populations? What factors influence water quality, droughts, floods, and waterborne diseases? What are the potential effects of climate change on the world's water resources? These questions and more are discussed in this thorough introduction to the complex world of water resources. The strength of the book is its coverage of the fundamentals of the science of water, aquatic ecology, geomorphology and hydrology, supplemented by internet resources and examples from water resource issues in the news to engage the student. The book begins with a short history of human use and influence on water, followed by chapters on the geomorphology, hydrology, chemistry, and biology of lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Major disease issues, worldwide water quality and quantity problems, and potential solutions are addressed. Water laws, water allocation, and the conflicts involved are discussed using US and international examples. Students in departments of environmental studies, life science, Earth science, and engineering will benefit from this broad survey of these crucial issues.
Reviews 1
Choice Review
The topic of water resources is concerned with the provision of water in the required quantity and quality. Traditionally, environmental issues in water resources concern the latter--water quality. In this interesting, accessible book, Pennington (USDA) and Cech (Colorado State Univ.) introduce the basics of water resources, including pollution issues, and discuss the inverse problem of the environmental effects of water usage. These include effects of impoundments on water quality, erosion and sediment transport, ecological effects of water resources projects, dams and fish migration, dam removal, and groundwater and surface water interactions. The book could have benefited from a stronger focus on such issues (water reuse should be added); however, as is, it is a good introductory course resource. The authors' approach is descriptive with little data or analysis. Thus, it will be useful for general readers and undergraduate students. Many case examples, frequent reference to historical development of water resources, and personalization with essays from professionals in the field add interest. The book also covers laws, especially for water allocation. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates, two-year technical program students, general readers, and professionals. D. A. Vaccari Stevens Institute of Technology
Table of Contents
| Preface |
| 1 Perspectives on water and environmental issues |
| 2 The water environment of early civilizations |
| 3 The hydrologic cycle |
| 4 Water quality |
| 5 Watershed basics |
| 6 Groundwater |
| 7 Lakes and ponds |
| 8 Rivers and streams |
| 9 Wetlands |
| 10 Dams and reservoirs |
| 11 Drinking water and wastewater treatment |
| 12 Water allocation law |
| 13 Roles of federal, regional, state, and local water management |
| 14 Water conflicts, solutions, and our future |
| References |
| Index |
