K. Lee Lerner – Encyclopedia of Water Science (3 Volume set)

Автор: K. Lee Lerner
Название книги: Encyclopedia of Water Science (3 Volume set)
Формат: PDF
Жанр: Биология
Страницы: 250 + 188 + 173
Качество: Изначально компьютерное, E-book

U·X·L® Encyclopedia of Water Science explores water science and issues from an international perspective. Topics covered include lakes and streams, oceans, aquatic animals, weather and climate, glaciers, wetlands, ecology, hydropower, commercial fishing, acid rain, recreation, pollution, economics, water conservation, international water law, global warming and much more. Numerous sidebars highlight significant facts and opinions, provide biographies, explain allusions and describe water-related activities. Provided in each entry are definitions for scientific terms and sources for further research. A general glossary, an index, more than 150 black-and-white photographs, and a different set of color photo inserts are included in each volume.

Water is important and special because it takes part in almost
all of the processes that form and shape the Earth. Water is also
essential to life. Without water, life—in all its many forms—
would not be possible. The study of water science helps toward
understanding how and why water plays such an important
role.
Water also unites and divides us. Water is the subject of
numerous treaties, laws, and agreements between nations,
states, and communities. However, because water is an increasingly
important and scarce resource, there are often complex
legal and political issues surrounding the use of water. Many
wars and court cases have arisen over who owns a body of
water, who has a right to use it, or how water should be divided
and used among those who claim it. To assure an adequate
supply of water to meet broad needs of humans around the
world, the development of scientifically sound strategies for
sustainable water development are critical.
In many cases, disputes over water are related to preserving
the quality of waters that nourish and protect both human and
natural communities. To better understand these issues, one
also needs to know the essentials of water science.
Scope and format
U•X•L Encyclopedia of Water Science takes an international
perspective in exploring water science and water issues. The
encyclopedia features more than one hundred entries in three
volumes, with each volume broken into separate chapters:
Volume 1 (Science): Basics of water science; Oceans and saltwater;
Fresh water; Estuaries and wetlands; Ice; Water, weather,
and climates
Volume 2 (Economics and Uses): Science and technology;
Science and research; Economic uses of water; Recreational
uses of water; History and culture
Volume 3 (Issues): Environmental issues; Legal and political
issues
Within each chapter, entries are arranged alphabetically.
Among the topics covered in Volume 1 are the Hydrologic
cycle; Kelp and seaweed; Lakes; Wetlands; Glaciers; and
Clouds. Volume 2 covers Dams and reservoirs; Marine biology;
Petroleum exploration and recovery; Tourism on the oceans;
Dangerous waters; and Exploration of the oceans. And Volume
3 includes topics such as Acid rain; Groundwater issues; Oil
spills; Sediment contamination; Endangered species laws; and
Exclusive economic zones.
Each entry provides definitions for scientific terms and
sources for further research. In addition, a general glossary, a
research and activities section, and a cumulative index to the
set are included in each volume. Numerous sidebars highlight
significant facts and describe water-related activities. More than
150 black-and-white photos—as well as a different set of color
photo inserts in each volume—help illustrate U•X•L
Encyclopedia of Water Science.