Estuarine and Marine Environments

The potential spatial heterogeneity (lateral and vertical—both are time-dependent) of these bodies of water makes it essential that sampling locations be chosen with reference to the relevant basic processes [18]. Sampling of ocean waters and the handling of such samples have been described in general [4]. 

The procedure of using small boats provided with sample bottles attached to a telescopic device is recommended as a means to minimize contamination from the research vessel during coastal water sampling. Of the wires used to suspend samplers, plastic-coated steel gave negligible, and Kevlar and stainless steel only slight, contamination for some metals [7]. 

An overview of the analysis of polar pesticides in water samples has been presented [34]. The sampling plans and strategies for different types of waters such as rivers, wells, and seawater are discussed. In situ preconcentration methods, involving online techniques or direct measurement, are suggested as alternatives to conventional techniques. Attention is devoted to the influence of organic matter and its interaction with polar pesticides. The use of various types of filtration steps prior to the preconcentration of the analytes from water samples is also reviewed. 

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Consultants are equipped to monitor the quality of freshwater, estuarine and marine environments and can make field measurements of a variety of water-quality parameters in response to pollution incidents. For example, reasons for the mortality of marine shellfish and farmed freshwater fish have been determined using portable water-analysis equipment. Various items of field equipment are, of course, also employed in baseline studies and monitoring, respectively, before and after the introduction of new effluent-disposal schemes. 

Biodegradation of non-ionic surfactants in estuarine and marine environments... 

Allen, Y, Matthiessen, R, Scott, A.P., Haworth, S., Feist, S., Thain, J.E. (1999a). The extent of oestrogenic contamination in the UK estuarine and marine environments - further surveys of flounder. Science of The Total Environment, 23 5-20. 

Sayler, G.S., Thomas, R. Colwell, R. R. (1978). Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) degrading bacteria and PCB in estuarine and marine environments. Estuarine Coastal Marine Science, 6, 553-67. 

Stevenson, J.C. (1988) Comparative ecology of submerged grass beds in freshwater estuarine, and marine environments. Limnol. Oceanogr. 33, 867. 

For many systems it is known that there exist regions or environments in which the time-invariant condition closely approaches equilibrium. The concept of local equilibrium is important in examining complex systems. Local equilibrium conditions are expected to develop, for example, for kinetically rapid species and phases at sediment-water interfaces in fresh, estuarine, and marine environments. In contrast, other local environments, such as the photosyn-thetically active surface regions of nearly all lakes and ocean waters and the biologically active regions of soil-water systems, are clearly far removed from total system equilibrium. 

Esteves VI, Duarte AC (2000) Differences between Humic Substances from Riverine, Estuarine, and Marine Environments Observed by Fluorescence Spectroscopy. Acta Hydrochim Hydrobiol 28,359-363. 

The stocking of hatchery-bred fish into the wild in freshwater, estuarine and marine environments is used worldwide to maintain or enhance fish stocks for sport or recreation, to provide food and income, and to conserve threatened species (Cowx, 1994 Welcomme and Bartley, 1998). Many endangered species of animals require captive breeding to save them from extinction and a range of species have been preserved in captivity (Frankham et al., 2002). 

Xu, H.S., Roberts, N., Singleton, F.L., Attwell, R.W., Grimes, D.J., and Colwell, R.R. (1982). Survival and viability of nonculturable Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae in estuarine and marine environments. Microbiol. Ecol., 8, 313-323. 

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