Ecology of Humic Substances in Freshwaters: Determinants from Geochemistry to Ecological Niches / Edition 1

by Christian Steinberg

Overview

Humic Substances color all waters more or less brown. Their concentrations exceed all carbon of living organisms by at least one order of magnitude. Opposite to former paradigms, they participate in almost any metabolic pathway. They protect against UV-irradation, enable indirect photolysis and, thus, purify hazardous chemicals, they provide inorganic and organic nutrients, may form cryptic genes with DNA and dampen metabolic fluctuations. More recently they can increase adverse effects of hazardous chemicals and they can directly interfere with organisms. The book tries to relate effects to structural features.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783642078736
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	12/07/2010
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 2003
Pages:	440
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.24(d)

Table of Contents

Origin of Humic Substances in Freshwater: Biogeochemical Pathways.- Humic Substances as Geochemical Determinants.- Humic Substances and Global Climate Change.- Source of Inorganic and Organic Nutrients and Interaction with Photons.- Interactions with Nutrients, Metals, Halogens, Biopolymers, Pheromones, and Electrons.- Indirect Effects on Organisms.- Direct Effects on Organisms and Niche Differentiation.- Ecological Significance.- Concluding Remarks.