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Elsevier

Books in Environmental management

  • Net ZERO

    Sectoral Pathways, Corporate Action and Social Impact
    • 1st Edition
    • Farooq Sher
    • English
    Net ZERO: Sectoral Pathways, Corporate Action and Social Impact examines the policy, social, and economic frameworks driving net-zero transitions. The book explores integrated strategies in the circular economy, waste and water management, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity preservation, and low-carbon development. It highlights cutting-edge approaches in governance, corporate responsibility, and community engagement, with case studies that illustrate how collaborative innovation and ethical leadership can translate global climate commitments into practice. By addressing both technological solutions and equity-driven models, the volume provides a timely roadmap for aligning sustainability goals with resilience and justice.Designed for policymakers, business leaders, sustainability professionals, and academic researchers, this reference equips readers with evidence-based insights and practical tools for climate action. Graduate and postgraduate students in environmental sciences and policy will benefit from its structured coverage of governance frameworks and applied strategies. The book offers a vital contribution to advancing sustainable development and achieving equitable, long-term decarbonization outcomes.

  • Advanced Oxidation Process-Based Integrated and Hybrid Technologies for Degradation of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products

    • 1st Edition
    • Amit K. Thakur + 5 more
    • English
    Advanced Oxidation Process-based Integrated and Hybrid Technologies for Degradation of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products addresses PPCP removal from wastewater by the recent application of AOP-based hybrid techniques. Technological advancement of AOPs and AOP-based hybrid methods are discussed and will highlight the perspectives on fundamental and technological advancements in AOP and AOP-based hybrid methods for PPCPs removal from wastewater. A detailed cost analysis of different AOP-based hybrid techniques is examined to help readers formulate guidelines to transform the wastewater treatment process from lab scale to pilot/industrial scale.

  • Advanced Tools for Studying Soil Erosion Processes

    Erosion Modelling, Soil Redistribution Rates, Advanced Analysis, and Artificial Intelligence
    • 1st Edition
    • Hamid Reza Pourghasemi + 1 more
    • English
    Advanced Tools for Studying Soil Erosion Processes: Erosion Modelling, Soil Redistribution Rates, Advanced Analysis, and Artificial Intelligence presents the most recent technologies and methods in quantifying soil erosion, focusing on quantitative geomorphological assessment, soil erosion interaction with natural and man-made hazards using new methods, and technologies that employ GIS, remote sensing (RS), spatial modeling, and machine learning tools as an effective plan for decision-makers and land users.Organized into three parts: 1) Erosion processes and impacts, 2) Advanced computing techniques to quantify soil erosion, and 3) Methods of Soil Erosion, this book will be an invaluable source material for researchers, academicians, graduate and undergraduate students, and professionals in the field of geology, specifically focused on geographic information systems and remote sensing.

  • Assessing Progress Towards Sustainability

    Frameworks, Tools and Case Studies
    • 1st Edition
    • Carmen Teodosiu + 2 more
    • English
    Assessing Progress toward Sustainability: Frameworks, Tools, and Case Studies provides practical frameworks for measuring progress toward sustainability in various areas of production, consumption, services and urban development as they relate to environmental impact. A variety of policies/strategies or frameworks are available at national and international levels. This book presents an integrated approach to sustainability progress measurement by considering both the frameworks and methodological developments of various tools, as well as their implementation in assessing the sustainability of processes, products and services through a global perspective. Combining methods and their application, the book covers a variety of topics, including lifecycle assessment, risk assessment, nexus thinking, and connection to SDGs. Organized clearly into three main sections --Frameworks, Tools, and Case Studies--this book can serve as a practical resource for researchers and practitioners alike in environmental science, sustainability, environmental management and environmental engineering.

  • Assisted Phytoremediation

    • 1st Edition
    • Vimal Chandra Pandey
    • English
    Assisted Phytoremediaion covers a wide range of uses of plants for remediation of environmental pollutants. It includes coverage of such techniques as root engineering, transgenic plants, increasing the biomass, use of genetic engineering and genome editing technology for rapid phytoremediation of pollutants. In order to improve the efficiency of plant remediation, genetic engineering plays a vital role in the overexpression of genes or gene clusters, which are responsible for degradation and uptake of pollutants. The book presents state-of-the-art techniques of assisted phytoremediation to better manage soil and water pollution in large amounts. This book is a valuable resource for researchers, students, and engineers in environmental science and bioengineering, with case studies and state-of-the-art research from eminent global scientists. This book serves as an excellent basis from which scientific knowledge can grow and widen in the field of environmental remediation.

  • Circular Economy and Sustainability

    Volume 1: Management and Policy
    • 1st Edition
    • Alexandros Stefanakis + 1 more
    • English
    The concept of circular economy is based on strategies, practices, policies, and technologies to achieve principles related to reusing, recycling, redesigning, repurposing, remanufacturing, refurbishing, and recovering water, waste materials, and nutrients to preserve natural resources. It provides the necessary conditions to encourage economic and social actors to adopt strategies toward sustainability. However, the increasing complexity of sustainability aspects means that traditional engineering and management/economics alone cannot face the new challenges and reach the appropriate solutions. Thus, this book highlights the role of engineering and management in building a sustainable society by developing a circular economy that establishes and protects strong social and cultural structures based on cross-disciplinary knowledge and diverse skills. It includes theoretical justification, research studies, and case studies to provide researchers, practitioners, professionals, and policymakers the appropriate context to work together in promoting sustainability and circular economy thinking. Volume 1, Circular Economy and Sustainability: Management and Policy, discusses the content of circular economy principles and how they can be realized in the fields of economy, management, and policy. It gives an outline of the current status and perception of circular economy at the micro-, meso-, and macro-levels to provide a better understanding of its role in achieving sustainability. Volume 2, Circular Economy and Sustainability: Environmental Engineering, presents various technological and developmental tools that emphasize the implementation of these principles in practice (micro-level). It demonstrates the necessity to establish a fundamental connection between sustainable engineering and circular economy.

  • Circular Economy and Sustainability

    Volume 2: Environmental Engineering
    • 1st Edition
    • Alexandros Stefanakis + 1 more
    • English
    The concept of circular economy is based on strategies, practices, policies, and technologies to achieve principles related to reusing, recycling, redesigning, repurposing, remanufacturing, refurbishing, and recovering water, waste materials, and nutrients to preserve natural resources. It provides the necessary conditions to encourage economic and social actors to adopt strategies toward sustainability. However, the increasing complexity of sustainability aspects means that traditional engineering and management/economics alone cannot face the new challenes and reach the appropriate solutions. Thus, this book highlights the role of engineering and management in building a sustainable society by developing a circular economy that establishes and protects strong social and cultural structures based on cross-disciplinary knowledge and diverse skills. It includes theoretical justification, research studies, and case studies to provide researchers, practitioners, professionals, and policymakers the appropriate context to work together in promoting sustainability and circular economy thinking. Volume 1, Circular Economy and Sustainability: Management and Policy, discusses the content of circular economy principles and how they can be realized in the fields of economy, management, and policy. It gives an outline of the current status and perception of circular economy at the micro-, meso-, and macro-levels to provide a better understanding of its role to achieve sustainability. Volume 2, Circular Economy and Sustainability: Environmental Engineering, presents various technological and developmental tolls that emphasize the implementation of these principles in practice (micro-level). It demonstrates the necessity to establish a fundamental connection between sustainable engineering and circular economy.

  • Global Climate Change

    • 1st Edition
    • Suruchi Singh + 3 more
    • English
    Global Climate Change presents both practical and theoretical aspects of global climate change from across geological periods. It addresses holistic issues related to climate change and its contribution in triggering the temperature increase with a multitude of impacts on natural processes. As a result, it helps to identify the gaps between policies that have been put in place and the continuously increasing emissions. The challenges presented include habitability, biodiversity, natural resources, and human health. It is organized into information on the past, present, and future of climate change to lead to a more complete understanding and therefore effective solutions.Placing an emphasis on recent climate change research, Global Climate Change helps to bring researchers and graduate students in climate science, environmental science, and sustainability up to date on the science of climate change so far and presents a baseline for how to move into the future effectively.

  • Dynamic Sedimentary Environments of Mangrove Coasts

    • 1st Edition
    • Daniel Friess + 1 more
    • English
    Dynamic Sedimentary Environments of Mangrove Coasts provides knowledge on the importance of sedimentary dynamics in managing mangrove forests. In the first part of the book, the editors seamlessly offer a general introduction of mangrove sedimentary dynamics. This leads into more in-depth information on soil surface elevation change, sea level rise, and the importance of sedimentary dynamics in the loss or gain of blue carbon. The book concludes the discussion of mangrove sedimentary dynamics by addressing the issues of climate change (e.g. sea level rise and blue carbon) on mangrove restoration and sediment.This book will assist coastal managers and academics in addressing the gaps in mangrove restoration and coastal management. As such, it will be a valuable reference for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, researchers, academics in the field of coastal restoration, and coastal management practitioners.

  • Microorganisms for Sustainable Environment and Health

    • 1st Edition
    • Pankaj Chowdhary + 3 more
    • English
    Microorganisms for Sustainable Environment and Health covers hazardous pollutants released from natural as well as anthropogenic activities and implications on environmental and human health. This book serves as a valuable source of basic knowledge and recent developments in the clean technologies and pollution-associated diseases and abnormalities in the context of microorganisms. Focused on current solutions to various environmental problems in the field of bioremediation, it provides a detailed knowledge on the various types of toxic environmental pollutants discharged from different sources, their toxicological effects in environments, humans, animals and plants as well as their biodegradation and bioremediation approaches. This book helps environmental scientists and microbiologists learn about existing environmental problems and suggests ways to control or contain their effects by employing various treatment approaches.

  • Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in the Environment

    Volume 1 in the Advances in Environmental Pollution Research series
    • 1st Edition
    • Muhammad Zaffar Hashmi
    • English
    Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes (AMR) in the Environment summarizes and updates information on antibiotic producing organisms and their resistance and entry routes in soil, air, water and sediment. As antibiotic use continues to rise in healthcare, their fate, bioavailability and biomonitoring, and impacts on environment and public health are becoming increasingly important. The book addresses the impact of antibiotics and AMR to environment and public health and risk assessment. Moreover, it focused on the metagenomics and molecular techniques for the detection of antibiotics and antimicrobial genes. Lastly, it introduces management strategies, such as treatment technologies for managing antibiotics and AMR/ARGs-impacted environment, and bioremediation approaches.

  • High-Risk Pollutants in Wastewater

    • 1st Edition
    • Xuxiang Zhang + 1 more
    • English
    High-Risk Pollutants in Wastewater presents the basic knowledge regarding the diversity, concentrations, and health and environmental impacts of HRPs in municipal wastewater. The book summarizes information on the types (e.g. heavy metals, toxic organics and pathogens) and toxicities of HRPs in wastewater. In addition, it describes ecological and health hazards arising from the living things’ direct/indirect contacts with the HRPs during their full lifecycles (generation, disposal, discharge and reuse) in wastewater or water environments. Sections cover the concepts of appropriate technology for HRP hazard/risk assessment and wastewater treatment/reuse and the issues of strategy and policy for increasing risk control coverage. Finally, the book focuses on the resolution of water quality monitoring, wastewater treatment and disposal problems in both developed and developing countries.

  • Innovation Strategies in Environmental Science

    • 1st Edition
    • Charis M. Galanakis
    • English
    Innovation Strategies in Environmental Science introduces and examines economically viable innovations to optimize performance and sustainability. By exploring short and long-term strategies for the development of networks and platform development, along with suggestions for open innovation, chapters discuss sustainable development ideas in key areas such as urban management/eco-desig... and conclude with case studies of end-user-inclusive strategies for the water supply sector. This book is an important resource for environmental and sustainability scientists interested in introducing innovative practices into their work to minimize environmental impacts.

  • Advanced Oxidation Processes for Wastewater Treatment

    Emerging Green Chemical Technology
    • 1st Edition
    • Suresh C. Ameta + 1 more
    • English
    Advanced Oxidation Processes for Waste Water Treatment: Emerging Green Chemical Technology is a complete resource covering the fundamentals and applications of all Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs). This book presents the most up-to-date research on AOPs and makes the argument that AOPs offer an eco-friendly method of wastewater treatment. In addition to an overview of the fundamentals and applications, it details the reactive species involved, along with sections on reactor designs, thus helping readers understand and implement these methods.

  • Remote Sensing of Aerosols, Clouds, and Precipitation

    • 1st Edition
    • Tanvir Islam + 3 more
    • English
    Remote Sensing of Aerosols, Clouds, and Precipitation compiles recent advances in aerosol, cloud, and precipitation remote sensing from new satellite observations. The book examines a wide range of measurements from microwave (both active and passive), visible, and infrared portions of the spectrum. Contributors are experts conducting state-of-the-art research in atmospheric remote sensing using space, airborne, and ground-based datasets, focusing on supporting earth observation satellite missions for aerosol, cloud, and precipitation studies. A handy reference for scientists working in remote sensing, earth science, electromagnetics, climate physics, and space engineering. Valuable for operational forecasters, meteorologists, geospatial experts, modelers, and policymakers alike.

  • Environmental Management

    Science and Engineering for Industry
    • 1st Edition
    • I.V Murali Krishna + 1 more
    • English
    Environmental Management: Science and Engineering for Industry consists of 18 chapters, starting with a discussion of International Environmental Laws and crucial environmental management tools, including lifecycle, environmental impact, and environmental risk assessments. This is followed by a frank discussion of environmental control and abatement technologies for water, wastewater, soil, and air pollution. In addition, this book also tackles Hazardous Waste Management and the landfill technologies available for the disposal of hazardous wastes. As managing environmental projects is a complex task with vast amounts of data, an array of regulations, and alternative engineering control strategies designed to minimize pollution and maximize the effect of an environmental program, this book helps readers further understand and plan for this process.

  • MICRO 2016: Fate and Impact of Microplastics in Marine Ecosystems

    From the Coastline to the Open Sea
    • 1st Edition
    • Juan Baztan + 4 more
    • English
    Fate and Impact of Microplastics in Marine Ecosystems: From the Coastline to the Open Sea brings together highlights from the conference proceedings for MICRO 2016: Fate and Impact of Microplastics in Marine Ecosystems: From the Coastline to the Open Sea. While the presence of microplastics in ecosystems has been reported in the scientific literature since the 1970’s, many pressing questions regarding their impacts remain unresolved. This short format title draws from the shared scientific and technical material and summarizes the current research and future outlook.

  • Climatic Hazards in Coastal Bangladesh

    Non-Structural and Structural Solutions
    • 1st Edition
    • Bimal Paul + 1 more
    • English
    Coastal Hazards in Bangladesh: Non-Structural and Structural Solutions provides a review of the study of Bangladesh’s coastal region, an area whose location and physical geography present the prefect microcosm for the study of coastal hazards and for the development of tactics that are applicable to regions around the world. The book presents engineers, scientists, and planners with the necessary tools and planning solutions used to combat coastal vulnerabilities in Bangladesh. Divided into seven chapters, it begins with a critical overview of cyclone and storm surge disasters, focusing on both engineering responses and public preparedness programs to such events. In addition, engineering recommendations are provided for further reduction of their impacts, such as erosion, accretion, and land subsidence, and numerical models are introduced to assess flood induced hazard and risk, flood-induced design loads, and how to intervene in protecting key installations, infrastructures, and communities.

  • Competition for Water Resources

    Experiences and Management Approaches in the US and Europe
    • 1st Edition
    • Jadwiga R Ziolkowska + 1 more
    • English
    Competition for Water Resources: Experiences and Management Approaches in the U.S. and Europe addresses the escalation of global issues regarding water scarcity and the necessary, cost-effective strategies that must be put in place in order to deal with escalating water crisis. The book evaluates use and competition for water resources in the U.S. and Europe, emphasizing the problems and challenges of dealing with tradeoffs in water. In addition, the book discusses water management strategies that can be used to optimize water use and allocation, mitigate water scarcity, and adapt to water scarcity. Supplementing the numerous case studies, the book includes lessons learned from applying specific strategies and approaches. This comprehensive overview and comparison of management practices across two continents is an invaluable resource for researchers, policymakers, and educators in water.

  • Environment and Development

    Basic Principles, Human Activities, and Environmental Implications
    • 1st Edition
    • Stavros G. Poulopoulos + 1 more
    • English
    Environment and Development: Basic Principles, Human Activities, and Environmental Implications focuses on the adverse impact that human activities, developments, and economic growth have on both natural and inhabited environments. The book presents the associated problems, along with solutions that can be used to achieve a harmonic, sustainable development that provides for the co-existence of man and natural life. Chapters provide detailed information on a range of environments including: atmospheric, aquatic, soil, natural, urban, energy, and extraterrestrial, as well as the relationship between the environment and development. In addition, this comprehensive book presents the latest research findings and trends in global environmental policy for each issue.

  • Managing the Environment

    Business Opportunity and Responsibility
    • 1st Edition
    • John R. Beaumont + 2 more
    • English
    Managing the Environment offers an interdisciplinary and multi-functional management approach to the environmental issues affecting business practice.Many of the books published on this subject have so far been written by environmental scientists or from a strictly economic viewpoint. Managing the Environment aims to redress the balance by considering the impacts of environmental issues on various management functions, including accounting and finance, marketing, production and operations, information systems and organizational behaviour and culture. Each chapter includes review and study questions, and case studies form an important part of the book.

  • Coastal Environments

    An Introduction to the Physical, Ecological, and Cultural Systems of Coastlines
    • 1st Edition
    • R. W.G. Carter
    • English
    This original volume draws on the author's own research experiences in Ireland, Britain, France, Canada, and the United States to present a guide of coastal environments for applications of shoreline and environmental management. Topics include: long-term development of coasts, water supply and waste disposal, energy resources and coastal water management, coastal water management for recreation, coastal management of storm hazards, and managing world sea-level rise.

  • Handbook of Green Building Design and Construction

    LEED, BREEAM, and Green Globes
    • 1st Edition
    • Sam Kubba
    • English
    Packed with conceptual sketches and photos, real world case studies and green construction details, Handbook of Green Building Design and Construction provides a wealth of practical guidelines and essential insights that will facilitate the design of green buildings. Written in an easy to understand style, the Handbook draws on over 35 years of personal experience across the world, offering vital information and penetrating insights into two major building rating systems such as LEED and BREEAM both used extensively in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

  • Handbook of Environmental Engineering Assessment

    Strategy, Planning, and Management
    • 1st Edition
    • Ravi Jain + 3 more
    • English
    This is one of the most comprehensive books on complex subjects of environmental engineering assessment and planning. Addressing these issues requires an understanding of technical, economic, and policy perspectives; based upon extensive research and practical experience of the authors, these perspectives are thoughtfully and clearly presented. Covered in this book are subjects related to environmental engineering and planning which include environmental laws and regulations, international perspectives on environmental analysis engineering and planning, economic and social impact analysis, public participation, and energy and environmental implications of major public works and private projects. Contemporary issues ranging from climate change to ecorisk and sustainability are covered in a special section as well. Under Contemporary Challenges are environmental issues that have received considerable public support and concern; they include: climate change, acid rain, deforestation, endangered species, biodiversity, ecorisk, cultural resources, and sustainability. For most of these issues, there are scientific agreements and disagreements; there are many uncertainties, thus views differ widely. These topics are discussed in considerable detail. Notwithstanding uncertainties and differing views on such topics, all of this information is put in a policy context such that progress towards addressing these contemporary challenges can be made while consensus on the nature and extent of the problem and resultant solutions are being developed. The book provides considerable information about many timeless issues. These issues range from resources needed for sustaining the quality of life on the planet: air resources to natural resources. Specifically covered are: air, water, land, ecology, sound/noise, human aspects, economics, and resources. For each of these areas, some of the key elements are described so that one can effectively manage complex environmental engineering and planning requirements. Each of the elements are clearly defined and other information, such as how human activities affect the element, source of affects, variable to be measured, how such variables can be measured, data sources, and evaluation and interpretation of data, etc. are provided. Material presented provides a rich source of information so the reader can efficiently and effectively use it to make meaningful environmental engineering, planning, and management decisions.

  • Offshore Safety Management

    Implementing a SEMS Program
    • 1st Edition
    • Ian Sutton
    • English
    2010 was a defining year for the offshore oil and gas industry in the United States. On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) floating drilling rig suffered a catastrophic explosion and fire. Eleven men died in the explosion — 17 others were injured. The fire, which burned for a day and a half, eventually sent the entire rig to the bottom of the sea. The extent of the spill was enormous, and the environmental damage is still being evaluated. Following DWH the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulations and Enforcement (BOEMRE) issued many new regulations. One of them is the Safety and Environmental System (SEMS) rule, which is based on the American Petroleum Institute’s SEMP recommended practice. Companies have to be in full compliance with its extensive requirements by November 15, 2011.

  • Sustainable Communities Design Handbook

    Green Engineering, Architecture, and Technology
    • 1st Edition
    • Woodrow W. Clark II
    • Woodrow W. Clark II
    • English
    The objective of Sustainable Communities Design Handbook is to ensure a better quality of life for everyone, both now and for generations to come. This means creating a better and safer environment internationally through the sustainable use of natural resources, encouraging sustainable development which supports a strong economy, and ensuring a high quality environment that can be enjoyed by all. Sustainable Development Partnerships brings together in one reference today's most cutting edge technologies and methods for creating sustainable communities. With this book, Environmental Engineers, Civil Engineers, Architects, Mechanical Engineers, and Energy Engineers find a common approach to building environmental friendly communities which are energy efficient. The five part treatment starts with a clear and rigorous exposition of sustainable development in practice, followed by self-contained chapters concerning applications.

  • Beyond Compliance

    • 1st Edition
    • Nicholas Cheremisinoff + 1 more
    • English
    This book offers refineries a practical guide for implementing environmental management systems (EMS). The author, who has implemented hundreds of successful EMS programs throughout North America, Europe, Russia and the Middle East, provides a detailed explanation of what an EMS is and how it can benefit refinery operations in complying with environmental laws and improving the overall efficiency of their operations. The author’s approach has been internationally recognized as an integrated model that captures improved compliance and financial savings by reducing operating costs through dedicated pollution prevention programs.

  • Environmental Management

    Engineering the Water-Environment and Geo-Environment
    • 1st Edition
    • D. Sivakumar + 1 more
    • English
    The Second International Conference on Environmental Management (ICEM2) focuses on the engineering management of the water and geo environments and aims to bring together scientists, engineers and other professionals to review as well as to report on the latest developments in the field.This book contains 160 peer reviewed papers covering the following interdisciplinary themes: Sustainable development/environm... management. Water, wastewater and stormwater management. Water quality/sediment transport. Total catchment management. Waste management and industrial waste products. Geotechnology and the environment. Slope stability and landslide management. Natural hazards and management. Mine environmental engineering.

  • Handbook of Natural Resource and Energy

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 3
    • English
    The Handbook of Natural Resource and Energy Economics examines the current theory and sample current application methods for natural resource and energy economics. This third volume deals primarily with non-renewable resources. It analyzes the economics of energy and minerals, and includes chapters on the economics of environmental policy. The Handbook provides a source, reference and teaching supplement for use by professional researchers and advanced graduate students. The surveys summarize not only received results but also newer developments from recent journal articles and discussion papers.

  • Bioindicators and Environmental Management

    • 1st Edition
    • Bozzano G Luisa
    • English
    This essential book contains material presented at a September 1990 meeting organized by the Commission for Bioindicators, International Union for Biological Sciences.**A key role of the Commission for Bioindicators (IUBS) is to promote the use of bioindicators in environmental management. This means encouraging the transfer of ideas regarding potential bioindicators, and originating in laboratories, into the harsher realities of field environmental monitoring. Although the concept of biomonitoring is ancient, its application to current monitoring problems is relatively slow to develop.**In a bid to rectify this problem, this invaluable book brings together and discusses approaches developed around the world. It will provide both environmental administrators and research scientists with a valuable sense of proportion of the state of the art in their particular field.

  • Water Resources and Water Management

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 28
    • M.K. Jermar
    • English
    The size and number of water projects and other development activities which influence the hydrological cycle have reached such proportions that the majority of problems involved extend beyond the boundaries of the traditional disciplines of hydraulics, hydrochemistry, hydrology and hydrogeology.New scientific methods for the solution of the contemporary problems in water management include analogy, operation research, system analysis and cybernetics. The distinctive features of these methods are their emphasis on measurement and on the use of conceptual models described in quantitative terms, the verification of their theoretical predictions, and their awareness that concepts are conditional and subject to growth and continuous change. This new approach should be defined within the framework of water resources management, i.e. within a complex of activities whose objective is the optimum utilization of water resources with regard to their quality and availability and the requirements of society. These water management activities should at the same time also ensure an optimum living environment, above all through protection of water resources against deterioration and exhaustion as well as through the protection of society against the harmful effects of water. In the course of these activities water resources management should avail itself of the entire spectrum of explicit sciences, gradually coming to form the sphere of its own theory.This monograph deals with the fundamental interdisciplinary problems of this complex sphere, an understanding of which is indispensable for successful water resources management in the widest sense of its social functions and environmental consequences. Thus, a common basis is provided for the mutual understanding of specialists from different backgrounds.