It is only natural for people to be fascinated by the sea. Life originated in the oceans, and more than one-half of the people on Earth reside within 50 miles of the sea. However, even though we have sent explorers to the moon and other regions of space, we still know little about the frontier that surrounds us. The engaging new "Life in the Sea" set provides young readers with current, accessible information about the sea and its creatures. This comprehensive resource on the ocean's inhabitants presents living things in their physical habitats, emphasizing the relationship between marine biology and marine ecology. Each volume focuses on one specific area of the marine world, discussing its physical characteristics, the living things found there, and the impact humans have on the area. The perfect companion to "Facts On File's Life On Earth" set (see facing page), this invaluable reference presents a well-rounded view of marine life.
Table of contents:
People and the Sea
CONTENTS
Preface viii
Acknowledgments x
Introduction xi
1. Marine Nutrient Enrichment 1
Laws to Protect the Marine Environment 2
Nutrient Sources 3
Enriched Runoff 8
Nutrient Enrichment in Coral Reefs 11
Dead Zones 12
Airborne Nitrogen 14
Risk of Disease 16
Beach Closings 18
Sewage in the Ocean 20
Silt and Reduced Freshwater Input 21
Conclusion 24
2. Oil, Trash, and Toxic Marine Pollution 26
Oil in the Ocean 26
Oil Spills 29
Tarballs 37
Oil Releases 38
Trash in the Ocean 39
Toxic Pollutants 42
Conclusion 46
3 Fishing and the Mariculture Industry 49
Fish as Food 49
Commercial Fishing Techniques 52
Consequences of Overfishing 57
Mariculture Techniques 60
Genetically Engineered Fish 64
Problems in Mariculture 66
Conclusion 67
4. Human-Induced Ocean and Climate Changes 69
Global Warming 70
Adverse Consequences of El Niño (subhead of Global Warming) 73
Devastation to Coral Reefs (subhead of Global Warming) 75
Limits to the Marine Carbon Cycle (subhead of Global Warming) 77
Ozone Hole 79
Consequences to the Sulfur Cycle (subhead of Ozone Hole) 82
Food Chains and Photosynthesis 84
Finding Solutions 86
Conclusion 88
5. Endangered Marine Life 90
Loss of Diversity 91
Humans Cause Endangerment 93
Endangered Species Act 94
Endangered Marine Plants and Invertebrates (subhead of Endangered Species Act) 95
Endangered Fish (subhead of Endangered Species Act) 97
Endangered Reptiles (subhead of Endangered Species Act) 101
Endangered Birds (subhead of Endangered Species Act) 103
Endangered Mammals (subhead of Endangered Species Act) 105
Alien Species 110
Conclusion 112
6. The Ocean's Resources 114
A Source of Salt and Water 114
Harvesting Medicine 116
Zones in the Ocean 119
Marine Mining 121
Offshore Oil and Natural Gas 124
Alternative Energy Sources 126
Tides 128
Conclusion 132
7. The Future of Human and Ocean Interactions 135
The Latest News 136
An Eye on Today and Tomorrow 137
Glossary 141
Further Reading and Web Sites 147
Index
