Paleolimnology The History and Evolution of Lake Systems

This text, written by a leading researcher in the field, describes the origin and formation of lakes in order to give context to the question of how lacustrine deposits form. It explains the process of sedimentation in lakes and the chemistry of those deposits and describes how the age of lake deposits is determined. Additionally, this book shows how different groups of fossils are used in interpreting the paleontological record of lakes. In order to illustrate the more synthetic approaches to interpreting the history of lakes, the author also discusses such special topics as lake-level history, lake evolution, and the impact of environmental change on lakes."Cohen has written and excellent work on the important topic ofpaleolimnology...Cohen provides short chapter summaries; figures, carefullyselected to illustrate main points; and a comprehensive, up-to-date bibliographyto his readers searching for additional information on topics that arenecessarily presented quite concisely."--CHOICE, S. A. Green"It draws together so much of value that every reader--teacher, student,or researcher--will have his or her paleolimnological horizons expanded. It isa one-volume reference work as well as a challenging text. Thank you, AndyCohen!"--The Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin, Jonathan L. RichardsonThe scope is immense ... The writing is consistently clear and readable and the enthusiasm of the author is apparent throughout.This book draws together so much of value that every reader - teacher, student or researcher - will have his or her paleolimnological horizons expanded. It is a one-volume reference work as well as a challenging text. Thank you, Andy Cohen!... this book is a formidable achievement for which the author must be warmly congratulated. It will take an honoured place as a reference book spanning and uniting a vast range of methodologies and aspects of past environmental change."Cohen has written and excellent work on the important topic of paleolimnology...Cohen provides short chapter summaries; figures, carefully selected to illustrate main points; and a comprehensive, up-to-date bibliography to his readers searching for additional information on topics that are necessarily presented quite concisely."--CHOICE, S. A. Green "It draws together so much of value that every reader--teacher, student, or researcher--will have his or her paleolimnological horizons expanded. It is a one-volume reference work as well as a challenging text. Thank you, Andy Cohen!"--The Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin, Jonathan L. Richardson "This book is a great feat because lake science covers such a wide range of disciplines that a vast array of knowledge is needed to hit all the bases. Cohen has hit a home run in covering topics such as the physics, chemistry, and biology of modern lakes, the geomorphology, sedimentology, and chemistry of Holocene to Pleistocene lakes, the faunal archives of the Quaternary, and the paleontology of fossil lakes. The breadth of knowledge contained within one book cover is impressive and I tip my hat to the author for his great efforts to cover many aspects of lake science. This book is an amazing accomplishment."--Elizabeth Gierlowski-Kordesch, PalaiosCohen (geosciences, ecology, evolutionary biology, U. of Arizona) has written a substantial text on the fields of paleolimnology and limnogeology that will be used for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses. Basic principles, including lake system formation and evolution, and applicable principles from physics, chemistry, and biology provide students with a foundation in limnology, or the study of lakes. Subsequent chapters describe the features of the lakes' sedimentary record with chapters on age determination; facies models; and sedimentological, geochemical, and paleoecological archives. Advanced chapters concern human impact due to industrialization, effects of climate change, and evolution of lacustrine ecosystems. A glossary and extensive bibliography are included. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)