Dynamic Aquaria

Building and Restoring Ecosystems and the Biosphere

4th Edition - March 11, 2024
Imprint: Academic Press
Author: Walter H. Adey
Language: English
Hardback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 5 4 1 8 - 8
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 5 4 1 9 - 5

Dynamic Aquaria: Building and Restoring Ecosystems and the Biosphere, Fourth Edition demonstrates how the living systems modeling of aquatic ecosystems for ecological, biolog… Read more

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Dynamic Aquaria: Building and Restoring Ecosystems and the Biosphere, Fourth Edition demonstrates how the living systems modeling of aquatic ecosystems for ecological, biological, physiological research, and ecosystem restoration produce answers to very complex ecological questions. The book describes unique characteristics of water that have allowed carbon chemistry to flourish and evolve life over 4 billion years, along with current disruptions such as global warming, overfishing, and chemical pollution. New content in this edition includes the use of LED lighting, DNA sequencing in microcosm construction and analysis, and the expansion of the bioengineered tool Algal Turf Scrubbing (ATS) to combat global pollution problems.

The book also features new information on marine calcification, research microcosms, thermogeography, and methods of water movement for minimizing plankton loss. It supports a deeper biological and ecological intelligence among the human population to better understand the processes behind environmental issues.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
About the editor
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 Introduction
Abstract
The origin of life: Macrocosm Earth
Mesocosms of exoplanets?
Why life and ecosystems are likely a characteristic of the universe
Microcosms and mesocosms of aquatic ecosystems
The restoration of damaged ecological systems
Summary
Taxonomic notes
References
Part I: Physical environment
Chapter 2 The envelope: Physical parameters and energy state
Abstract
Glass
Plastics
Reinforced concrete
Toxic elements and compounds
Plumbing and electrical
Temperature
Water motion
Tides: Simulating the effects of sun and moon
References
Chapter 3 Substrate: The active role of rock, mud, and sand
Abstract
The solid Earth and life
Chemical relationships: Rocks, seawater, and organisms
Rock, substrate, and model ecosystems
Sediments and model ecosystems
Geological storage
References
Chapter 4 Water composition: Management of salinity, hardness, and evaporation
Abstract
Water structure and characteristics
Ocean salinity
Hardness of fresh waters
Dangers of city tap waters
Water and model ecosystems
Algal turf scrubbing and water composition
Marine microcosms and aquaria
Quality of top-up water
References
Chapter 5 The input of solar energy: Lighting requirements
Abstract
Photosynthesis and its origin
Solar radiation
Light absorption by water plants
Light intensity and plants
Photorespiration
Photoperiod
Light and microcosms and mesocosms
Light-emitting diodes
The Smithsonian microcosms and mesocosms
Light and physiological considerations
Summary
References
Chapter 6 The input of organic energy: Particulates and feeding
Abstract
Particulates, energy supply, and aquatic ecosystems
Inorganic particulates
Organic particulates
Humic substances
Particulates and aquatic models
Biofilms
Particulate import in aquatic models
Aquatic ecosystem restoration
References
Part II: Biochemical environment
Chapter 7 Metabolism: Respiration, photosynthesis, and biological loading
Abstract
Metabolism
Respiration
Bacterial metabolism
Photosynthesis
Biological loading
References
Chapter 8 Organisms and gas exchange: Oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, and alkalinity
Abstract
Oxygen exchange
Oxygen, model ecosystems, and ecosystem restoration
Carbon dioxide exchange
Carbon dioxide and global aquatic restoration
Managing carbon dioxide and pH in microcosms and mesocosms
Gas exchange and selected model ecosystems
References
Chapter 9 The primary nutrients: Nitrogen, phosphorus, and silica
Abstract
Nutrients in natural waters
Eutrophication and hypereutrophication of natural waters
Nutrients and model ecosystems
Summary
References
Chapter 10 Biomineralization and calcification: A key to biosphere and ecosystem function
Abstract
The process of biomineralization
The carbonate system and the formation of calcite and aragonite
Halimeda: Photosynthesis-induced calcification
Calcification in stony corals
Calcification and coral reefs
Calcification in coralline algae
Ocean acidification and its consequences
Calcification in mesocosms, microcosms, and aquaria
Coral reef aquaria and coral calcification
Cement as a biomineralization
References
Chapter 11 Control of the biochemical environment: Filters, bacteria, and the algal turf scrubber
Abstract
Sterilization methods
Bacteriological filtration
Reef systems
Denitrification
Photosynthetic methods
The algal turf scrubber
References
Part III: DNA, the messaging system
Chapter 12 Testing the veracity of living systems models: Adding DNA to the mix
Abstract
Classical taxonomy and DNA analysis in living systems modeling
DNA: A basic understanding of living systems modeling
Life cycles, sexual reproduction, and transfer of DNA to offspring
Precision in matching a microcosm or mesocosm to its analog
DNA sequencing: Key asset for precision ecosystem modeling
DNA barcoding: Matching model ecosystems to their analogs
References
Part IV: Biological structure
Chapter 13 Community structure: Biodiversity in model ecosystems
Abstract
The framework of biodiversity
The community
The biome
Features of communities
The magnitude of biodiversity
Community structure and ecological models
Scaling and reproduction
Model diversity
Summary
References
Chapter 14 Biogeography: The distribution of organisms and ecosystems
Abstract
Continents
Rivers
Lakes
Marine biogeography
Coastal marine thermogeography
Linking the thermogeographic model and a mesocosm
References
Chapter 15 Trophic structure: Ecosystems and the dynamics of food chains
Abstract
Energy capture and flow
Food webs
Food webs in model ecosystems
Establishment of food webs
Trophic structure in aquaria
The organisms
References
Chapter 16 Primary producers: Plants that grow on the bottom
Abstract
Benthic algae
Algae in model ecosystems
Submerged aquatic vegetation
Marine submerged aquatic vegetation and model ecosystems
Freshwater submerged aquatic vegetation and model ecosystems
Emergent aquatic vegetation
Emergent aquatic vegetation and model ecosystems
Plant communities and the restoration of wild ecosystems
References
Chapter 17 Herbivores: Predators of plants
Abstract
Types of herbivores
Plant defenses
Modifications of marine and freshwater herbivores
Herbivores and model ecosystems
References
Chapter 18 Carnivores: Predators of animals
Abstract
The carnivore predator
The prey
The dynamics of predation
Marine and freshwater predators
Predators and synthetic ecosystems
References
Chapter 19 Plankton and planktivores: Floating plants and animals and their predators
Abstract
Plankton size and composition
The bacteria
Phytoplankton
The planktonic food web
Mechanisms of filter feeding
Plankton, particulates, and model ecosystems
Wild ecosystem restoration
References
Chapter 20 Detritus and detritivores: The dynamics of muddy bottoms
Abstract
The deep ocean
Bacteria
Fungi
Protozoa
Meiobenthos—Protozoans
Meiofauna—The multicellular invertebrates
Macrobenthos
Deposit feeding in saltwater soft bottoms
Deposit feeding in freshwater soft bottoms
Carnivores and the detritivore community
Detritus and its role in model ecosystems
References
Chapter 21 Symbionts and other feeders
Abstract
Zooxanthellae and their animal hosts
Biology and ecology of corals
The positive feedback loop between photosynthesis and calcification
Coralline association with grazers: Implications for calcification
Anthozoans and microcosms, mesocosms, and aquaria
Parasitism
Environment, general health, and disease
Biodiversity
Quarantine (prevention of transmission)
Disease treatment in model ecosystems
References
Part V: Ecological systems in microcosms, mesocosms, and aquaria
Chapter 22 Coral reef ecosystems, aquaria to mesocosms
Abstract
Modeling coral reef ecosystems
The Caribbean coral reef microcosm at the Smithsonian
The coral reef microcosm at the Smithsonian Marine Station
The Great Barrier Reef mesocosm
A 130-gallon reef microcosm
Summary
References
Chapter 23 Subarctic/boreal microcosm—Applications of new research
Abstract
The rocky, embayed coast of the northwestern Atlantic
The rocky coast of Maine
A Maine shore mesocosm
References
Chapter 24 Estuaries: Ecosystem modeling and restoration where freshwater and saltwater interact
Abstract
Chesapeake Bay in mesocosm
A Florida estuary in mesocosm
Nutrient dynamics in estuarine models
References
Chapter 25 Freshwater ecosystem models
Abstract
A Florida Everglades stream and wetland
A blackwater home aquarium
Restoration of freshwater ecosystems
References
Chapter 26 Research systems in microcosm and mesocosms
Abstract
Experimental flowthrough seawater microcosms
Enclosures: Variants of many scales
References
Part VI: The environment and ecological engineering
Chapter 27 Global water quality and its assessment
Abstract
Toxic chemical pollution
Superfund sites
Industrial and medical products
Pesticides
Eutrophication (excess nutrients)
Acid rain
Mesocosms in ecological risk assessment
References
Part VII: Summary
Chapter 28 Solving the problems of water and atmospheric pollution through ecosystem modeling
Abstract
Solving the problems
Tertiary treatment with ATS using solar energy to recover nutrients
Aquacultural wastewaters
Bioenergy and solar energy recovery using ATS systems
Nutrient removal from rivers: A solution to global environmental problems
References
Index

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

Health