Texas Aquatic Science


Book Description

This classroom resource provides clear, concise scientific information in an understandable and enjoyable way about water and aquatic life. Spanning the hydrologic cycle from rain to watersheds, aquifers to springs, rivers to estuaries, ample illustrations promote understanding of important concepts and clarify major ideas. Aquatic science is covered comprehensively, with relevant principles of chemistry, physics, geology, geography, ecology, and biology included throughout the text. Emphasizing water sustainability and conservation, the book tells us what we can do personally to conserve for the future and presents job and volunteer opportunities in the hope that some students will pursue careers in aquatic science. Texas Aquatic Science, originally developed as part of a multi-faceted education project for middle and high school students, can also be used at the college level for non-science majors, in the home-school environment, and by anyone who educates kids about nature and water. To learn more about The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, sponsors of this book's series, please click here.




Eutrophication Assessment for Lyndon B. Johnson Lake, a Subtropical Reservoir in Central Texas


Book Description

Preliminary observations have suggested that Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) reservoir has become significantly more eutrophic in recent years. The reservoir receives water from the upper Colorado River drainage and from its two main tributaries, the Llano River and Sandy Creek. There has been a significant increase in urbanization directly near the reservoir which has the potential to increase nutrients from surface runoff. The goal of this study was to determine the cause(s) of the eutrophication through analysis of a long-term data base of Lake LBJ, between the years 1982-2016. Statistical techniques were applied to data from six stations over the length of the reservoir, to evaluate spatial and temporal variations in nutrient transport and symptoms of eutrophication. Early analysis confirmed that eutrophication has increased over time, and found high concentrations of ammonium and phosphorus corning from the upstream reservoir. A cluster analysis broke the reservoir down into distinct zones based on a stations water column stability. The water column stability at the darn was protected from disruption during summer stratification, allowing for seasonal anoxia and low redox conditions nearly every year in the hypolirnnion. These conditions resulted in internal loading of nitrogen and phosphorus. At the other stations, the seasonal development of water column stability was weakened or completely inhibited during periods of heavy spring or summer flooding. There was an increase in developed land and population around the reservoir, which indicated another contributing factor of nutrients from surface runoff. The results suggest that eutrophication has increased over time due to localized urbanization and increased nutrients from the upstream reservoirs as well. The eutrophication has led to an increase in severe anoxia, severity of redox conditions, and internal loading of both phosphorus and nitrogen.




Texas State Documents


Book Description







Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences and Control


Book Description

Eutrophication continues to be a major global challenge and the problem of eutrophication and availability of freshwater for human consumption is an essential ecological issue. The global demand for water resources due to increasing population, economic developments, and emerging energy development schemes has created new environmental challenges for global sustainability. Accordingly, the area of research on eutrophication has expanded considerably in recent years. Eutrophication, acidification and contamination by toxic substances are likely to pose increasing threats to freshwater resources and ecosystems. The consequences of anthropogenic-induced eutrophication of freshwaters are severe deterioration of surface waters and growing public concern, as well as new interest among the scientific community. “Eutrophication: causes, consequences & control” provides the latest information on many important aspects of the processes of natural and accelerated eutrophication in major aquatic ecosystems around the world. This book offers a cutting-edge resource for researchers and students alike who are studying eutrophication in various ecosystems. It presents the latest trends and developments in the field, including: global scenarios and local threats to the dynamics of aquatic ecosystems, economics of eutrophication, eutrophication in the great lakes of the Chinese pacific drainage basin, photoautotrophic productivity in eutrophic ecosystems, eutrophication’s impacts on natural metal remediation in salt marshes, phytoplankton assemblages as an indicator of water quality in seven temperate estuarine lakes in southeast Australia, biogeochemical indicators of nutrient enrichments in wetlands – the microbial response as a sensitive indicator of wetland eutrophication, and ultraviolet radiation and bromide as limiting factors in eutrophication processes in semi-arid climate zones. Written by respected experts and featuring helpful illustrations and photographs, “Eutrophication: causes, consequences & control” provides a concise and practical update on the latest developments in eutrophication.