Principles of Water Quality

Principles of Water Quality presents the fundamental environmental processes that regulate the movement of materials in natural systems. This book is composed of 10 chapters that cover the chemical and microbiological processes that are operative on organic and inorganic constituents in water. This text deals first with water quality concepts, the development of criteria for water quality, and the determination of various contaminants' threshold levels that can be regulated by imposed standards. These topics are followed by descriptions of natural environmental processes, which include fundamental ecological principles and energy transfer in ecosystems resulting in species stability. The subsequent chapters are devoted to the organic and inorganic constituents that have become water quality problems, including toxic metals, inorganic nutrients, refractory organic compounds, and microorganisms. The discussion then shifts to the environmental impact of heated effluent discharges. The last three chapters focus on water quality modeling, standards, and management methods. These chapters also provide case studies using the phosphorus and the longitudinal dispersion models. This book is of value to advanced undergraduate or graduate students in environmental engineering and science, as well as in health-related disciplines.

Table of Contents:
Preface 1. Introduction to Water Quality Concepts I. The Need for Water Quality Studies II. Water Quality Problems III. An Approach to Developing Water Quality Standards References 2. Natural Environmental Processes I. Introduction II. Energy Transfer in Ecosystems III. Ecological Succession IV. The Dynamics of Organic Carbon V. The Dissolved Oxygen System VI. Conclusion References 3. Toxic Metals and Water Quality I. Introduction II. Properties and Behavior of Toxic Metals III. Chemical and Biological Alterations of Toxic Metals IV. Setting Water Quality Standards for Toxic Metals V. Conclusion References4. Refractory Organic Compounds and Water Quality I. Introduction II. Health Effects III. Pesticides and Water Quality IV. Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Water Quality V. Detergents VI. Polychlorinated Biphenols VII. Humic Substances References 5. Nutrients, Productivity, and Eutrophication I. Introduction II. The Carbon Cycle III. The Nitrogen Cycle IV. The Phosphorus Cycle V. The Sulfur Cycle VI. Micronutrients and Productivity VII. Plant Growth and Eutrophication References 6. Microorganisms and Water Quality I. Introduction II. Eucaryotes III. Procaryotes IV. The Ecology of Microorganisms V. Microorganisms and Public Health References 7. Thermal Effects on Water Quality I. Introduction II. Sources of Heated Effluents III. Temperature Effects on Biological Systems IV. Beneficial Uses of Thermal Discharges References8. Potential Impact of Air Contaminants on Water Quality I. Introduction II. Review Of Previous Studies III. Basic Data IV. Wet and Dry Deposition V. Total Deposition VI. Conclusion References 9. Water Quality Modeling I. Introduction II. Material Transport III. Model Development IV. Case Study: The Phosphorus Model V. Case Study: Longitudinal Dispersion References 10. Water Quality Standards and Management Approaches I. Introduction II. Setting Water Quality Standards for Different Water Uses III. Water Quality Degradation from Land Use Practices IV. Water Quality Control Measures References Index