Stream Ecology and Self Purification: An Introduction, Second Edition

by Spellman; Frank R.

• ISBN13: 9781587160868
• ISBN10: 1587160862
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-06-05
• Publisher: CRC Press

Summary

This new edition of a very successful standard reference is expanded and fully reworked. The book explains and quantifies the processes whereby streams cleanse themselves, reducing their pollutant load as a natural process. Mechanisms of purification in running waters have always been critical with regard to clearly identified pollution sources. This new edition explains the self-purifying function of streams and rivers in light of recent EPA rules on nonpoint pollutants and total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). It also covers basic concepts such as biological oxygen demand (BOD). Also new in this edition is an extended discussion of how streams originate and how they fit into the geomorphology of the earth and other water supply sources.Information is presented on aquatic life, including macroinvertebrates and their role as bioindicators of stream health. Chapter review tests and answers are included so that the readers can evaluate their mastery of the concepts presented. Stream Ecology and Self-Purification: An Introduction, 2nd Edition serves as a practical introduction to ecology combined with an explanation of how streams absorb and react to pollution. This text will prove valuable to water and wastewater plant operators, watershed managers, trainers, environmental students, water quality professionals, and will be an excellent preparation aid to wastewater/water operator licensing exams.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Prologue	xv
Introduction	1	(14)
Setting the Stage	1	(2)
Definitions of Key Terms	3	(5)
Levels of Organization	8	(1)
Ecosystem	9	(2)
Summary of Key Terms	11	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	11	(4)
Stream Genesis and Structure	15	(10)
Introduction	15	(1)
Water Flow in a Stream	16	(1)
Stream Water Discharge	17	(1)
Transport of Material	18	(2)
Characteristics of Stream Channels	20	(1)
Stream Profiles	20	(1)
Sinuosity	20	(2)
Bars, Riffles, and Pools	22	(1)
The Floodplain	22	(1)
Summary of Key Terms	23	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	24	(1)
Biogeochemical Cycles	25	(12)
Nutrient Cycles	25	(3)
Carbon Cycle	28	(1)
Nitrogen Cycle	29	(3)
Phosphorus Cycle	32	(1)
Sulfur Cycle	33	(1)
Summary of Key Terms	34	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	35	(2)
Energy Flow in the Ecosystem	37	(10)
Introduction	37	(1)
Flow of Energy: The Basics	37	(2)
Food Chain Efficiency	39	(2)
Ecological Pyramids	41	(1)
Productivity	42	(2)
Productivity: The Bottom Line	44	(1)
Summary of Key Terms	45	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	45	(2)
Population Ecology	47	(18)
The 411 on Population Ecology	47	(1)
Population Ecology: How Is It Applied to Stream Ecology?	48	(3)
Distribution	51	(1)
Population Growth	52	(3)
Population Response to Stress	55	(6)
Population Response to Stress and Stream Ecology	61	(2)
Summary of Key Terms	63	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	63	(2)
Stream Water	65	(8)
Where Is Earth's Water Located?	65	(2)
Water: Earth's Blood	67	(1)
Water, or Hydrologic, Cycle	68	(1)
Stream Water	68	(2)
Key Term	70	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	70	(3)
Freshwater Ecology	73	(20)
Normal Stream Life	73	(1)
Freshwater Ecology	73	(1)
Lentic Habitat	74	(3)
Lotic Habitat	77	(2)
Limiting Factors	79	(7)
Lentic Communities	86	(1)
Classification of Lakes	87	(2)
Major Differences Between Lotic and Lentic Systems	89	(1)
Summary of Key Terms	90	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	91	(2)
Stream Ecology	93	(10)
Introduction	93	(1)
Life Cycle of Streams	94	(1)
Unique Characteristics of Streams	94	(1)
Stream Habitats	95	(1)
Adaptations to Stream Current	96	(2)
General Stream Adaptations	98	(1)
Benthic Life: An Overview	99	(1)
Summary of Key Terms	100	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	101	(2)
Benthic Macroinvertebrates	103	(30)
Benthic Macroinvertebrates	103	(1)
Benthic Macroinvertebrates: Indicator Organisms	104	(2)
Identification of Benthic Macroinvertebrates	106	(3)
Macroinvertebrates: Units of Organization	109	(1)
Variation in Diversity of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Species	110	(1)
Typical Stream Benthic Macroinvertebrates	110	(19)
Summary of Key Terms	129	(2)
Chapter Review Questions	131	(2)
Stream Pollution	133	(16)
What Is Stream Pollution?	133	(1)
Stream Pollution Laws	134	(2)
Stream Pollutants	136	(6)
Selected Indicators of Stream Water Quality	142	(5)
Summary of Key Terms	147	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	148	(1)
Biomonitoring	149	(8)
What Is Biomonitoring?	149	(2)
Biotic Index	151	(2)
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Biotic Index	153	(1)
Summary of Key Terms	154	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	154	(3)
Self-Purification of Streams	157	(32)
Balancing the ``Aquarium''	157	(2)
Sources of Stream Pollution	159	(2)
Saprobity of a Stream	161	(7)
Organisms and Their Role in Self-Purification	168	(1)
Oxygen Sag (Deoxygenation)	169	(1)
Other Factors Affecting DO Levels in Streams	170	(1)
Impact of Wastewater Treament DO Levels in the Stream	171	(1)
Variables That Improve and Degrade Stream Quality	172	(8)
Measuring Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)	180	(1)
Measuring Dissolved Oxygen in a Stream	180	(1)
Stream Purification: A Quantitative Analysis	181	(5)
Summary of Key Terms	186	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	187	(2)
Biological Sampling	189	(36)
Biological Sampling: The Nuts and Bolts of Stream Ecology	189	(1)
Biological Sampling: Planning	190	(2)
Sampling Locations (Stations)	192	(3)
Statistical Concepts	195	(3)
Sample Collection	198	(15)
Sampling Devices	213	(6)
The Bottom Line: Can We Afford Healthy Streams?	219	(2)
Summary of Key Terms	221	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	221	(1)
Suggested Reading	222	(3)
Final Comprehensive Examination	225	(12)
Appendix A---Answers to Chapter Review Questions	237	(8)
Appendix B---Answers to Final Comprehensive Examination	245	(4)
Related Reading	249	(8)
Index	257