Geology And Ecosystems

From the Publisher

This book is the result of an international working group entitled ‘Geology and Ecosystems’ that was organized by the IUGS commission on Geological Sciences for Environmental Planning (COGEOENVIRONMENT). The aim of the working group is to increase awareness and build methodological principles of ecological geology as a new branch of science. This book includes the analysis of the relationship between the different geological, hydrochemical, hydrogeological, and engineering-geological processes and the processes within surface ecosystems. Modern engineering activity associated with the mining of minerals, excessive groundwater withdrawal, disposal of industrial and domestic liquid wastes (including radioactive wastes) and their impacts on all components of the environment are analyzed, as is the "water factor" impact on ecosystems. It is intended as a professional update for all scientists and professionals with an interest in the Earth's environments and environmental protection.

Features -

Geology and Ecosystems

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1Contemporary conceptions of the geological environment : basic features, structure and system of links12The geological environment and ecosystems93Influence of modern geological processes on the evolution of ecosystems154Geological and geochemical influences on estuarine ecosystems215The role of tectonic processes in the interaction between geology and ecosystems496Karst and ecosystems617Geoenvironmental problems of mineral resources development778Groundwater as a component of the environment919Groundwater use and public health10710Methods of groundwater pollution risk estimation for ecosystem sustainability11311Urbanisation and the geoenvironment12312Assessment of effects of discharged waters upon ecosystems14913Impact of technogenic disasters on ecogeological processes16114Exogenic geological processes as a landform shaping factor17115Environmental aspects of groundwater pollution18316Human health and ecosystems19717Medical and ecological significance of the water factor21918Prediction of exogenic geological processes22919Prediction of endogenic geological processes24720Mathematical models of the interaction between the geological and ecological environment25121The influence of climate change on geology and ecosystem interaction26522Ecosystem monitoring under desertification within interior sea-lakes and deltas28123Ecosystems forming on the fresh river deposition29524Ecogeological mapping30325Monitoring geological processes as part of general environmental monitoring30926Geology and high-level nuclear waste disposal - a brief over view32527Monitoring endogenic geological processes33528Permafrost monitoring34129Ecological education of geology students335

Editorial Reviews -

Geology and Ecosystems

From the Publisher

This book is the result of an international working group entitled ‘Geology and Ecosystems’ that was organized by the IUGS commission on Geological Sciences for Environmental Planning (COGEOENVIRONMENT). The aim of the working group is to increase awareness and build methodological principles of ecological geology as a new branch of science. This book includes the analysis of the relationship between the different geological, hydrochemical, hydrogeological, and engineering-geological processes and the processes within surface ecosystems. Modern engineering activity associated with the mining of minerals, excessive groundwater withdrawal, disposal of industrial and domestic liquid wastes (including radioactive wastes) and their impacts on all components of the environment are analyzed, as is the "water factor" impact on ecosystems. It is intended as a professional update for all scientists and professionals with an interest in the Earth's environments and environmental protection.

Features -

Geology and Ecosystems

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1Contemporary conceptions of the geological environment : basic features, structure and system of links12The geological environment and ecosystems93Influence of modern geological processes on the evolution of ecosystems154Geological and geochemical influences on estuarine ecosystems215The role of tectonic processes in the interaction between geology and ecosystems496Karst and ecosystems617Geoenvironmental problems of mineral resources development778Groundwater as a component of the environment919Groundwater use and public health10710Methods of groundwater pollution risk estimation for ecosystem sustainability11311Urbanisation and the geoenvironment12312Assessment of effects of discharged waters upon ecosystems14913Impact of technogenic disasters on ecogeological processes16114Exogenic geological processes as a landform shaping factor17115Environmental aspects of groundwater pollution18316Human health and ecosystems19717Medical and ecological significance of the water factor21918Prediction of exogenic geological processes22919Prediction of endogenic geological processes24720Mathematical models of the interaction between the geological and ecological environment25121The influence of climate change on geology and ecosystem interaction26522Ecosystem monitoring under desertification within interior sea-lakes and deltas28123Ecosystems forming on the fresh river deposition29524Ecogeological mapping30325Monitoring geological processes as part of general environmental monitoring30926Geology and high-level nuclear waste disposal - a brief over view32527Monitoring endogenic geological processes33528Permafrost monitoring34129Ecological education of geology students335

Synopsis

Geology and Ecosystems examines the relationship between biological communities of the Earth and objects of inorganic nature of the geological environment. Rational and sustainable development of society requires an ever-growing exploitation of natural resources, among which mineral and water resources play a dominant role. During recent decades, we have observed a high rate of human invasion into our geological structure, mainly through extraction of minerals, hydrocarbons, groundwater, etc. These impacts together with day-to-day human activity, cause destruction to the Earth’s surface and near-surface environment and upset the balance of sustainable development. In turn, due to increasing anthropogenic impact, the geological components which serve as the basic substrate and foundations for all ecosystems, are changed from their natural original state and the relationship between the ‘living tissue and inert nature’ (i.e. relationship between the biosphere and the geosphere) is significantly affected.

This book includes an analysis of the relationship between the different geological, hydrochemical, hydrogeological and engineering-geological processes and the processes within surface ecosystems. The analysis of specific interactions between the lithosphere and biosphere provides an integrated concept of the role of the geological environment in the evolution of the biosphere. The practical significance of the book is reflected by the analysis of modern engineering activity associated with the mining of minerals, excessive groundwater withdrawal, disposal of industrial and domestic wastes (including radioactive wastes) and their impacts on all components of the environment.

Geology and Ecosystems includes a scientific approach to the complex monitoring of the environment under different natural and anthropogenic conditions, including the monitoring of permafrost regions. An important part of the book is the analysis of the "water factor" impact on ecosystems and sustainable development. Influences of intensive groundwater extraction on river flow, vegetation and land subsidence are also considered.

This book is intended as a professional update for environmental scientists, analysts, environmental health care professionals, geologists, ecologists, hydrologists, and other professionals with an interest in the Earth's environments and with environmental protection.