Marine Pollution

Environmental pollution stirs much public debate, and there is presently great concern that sealife in particular is endangered by pollutants. Supertanker disasters, radioactive waste disposal, ocean dumping, coastal reclamation--all receive extensive coverage in the news media, and there is a vast scientific literature on the subject. But little information is available to the non-specialist. Marine Pollution is the first book to explain the scientific background to the issues, describing the main types of pollutants, how they decompose in the sea, their effect on marine organisms and ecosystems, and the impact on commercial fisheries. In addition, the book examines case histories of pollution in the Baltic, Caspian, Mediterraneran, Caribbean, and North Sea. Written by a leading expert, this detailed volume provides a practical grounding in this controversial issue to ecologists, environmentalists, marine biologists, and general readers interested in this problem.

Robert Clark, Emeritus Professor of Zoology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.