Ocean Pollution: Effects On Living Resources And Humans

One major objective of this book is to provide a damage assessment of the inshore marine environment and its inhabitants at a time when heightened environmental awareness characterizes public attitudes. Other perspectives on pollution damage, in addition to direct effects on resource population size, are explored in this book. These include disease effects (on humans as well as fish) and effects on aquaculture. Good reasons for concern lurk in each of these categories, and issues of public health as well as resource health are involved. - from the Introduction.

Ocean Pollution provides a unique look at the effects of estuarine and coastal pollution on resource species. One of the primary objectives of the book is to provide an accurate assessment of the state of the inshore marine environment and its inhabitants. Coastal habitat degradation is discussed, and principal findings from modeling and other research efforts are analyzed and evaluated. The research undertaken thus far extends beyond the effects of pollution on resource population size to disease effects in fish and humans, effects on aquaculture, and effects on productive systems of the oceans. These far-reaching consequences - and potential consequences - of ocean pollution are expertly presented, and suggestions for mitigation are made. Realistic scenarios about the future effects of ocean pollution are outlined, providing a powerful tool for researchers and regulators.