Overview

The fresh water supplies of the Earth are finite and as the world's population continues to grow humanity's thirst for this water seems unquenchable. Intense pressure is being exerted upon freshwater resources and a lack of adequate clean water is seen as one of the most serious global problems for the 21st century. Indeed it has been said that the next war will be fought over water, not oil. Human health and the health of supporting ecosystems increasingly depends upon our ability to find, control, manage and understand water. In a single volume, The Encyclopedia of Hydrology and Water Resources provides the reader with a comprehensive overview and understanding of the diverse field of hydrology. The intimate inclusion of material on water resources emphasizes the practical applications of this field, applications which are indispensable in any modern approach to the subject. This volume is a vital reference for all hydrologists, hydrogeologists and water engineers worldwide, whether they are concerned with the exploitation of new sources of water, the protection and management of existing reserves, or the science of surface water and groundwater flow. 114 eminent scientists from 17 countries worldwide have contributed to this authoritative volume. Superbly illustrated throughout, it includes almost 300 entries on a range of key topics, including arid and semi-arid zones, climates and climate change, floods and droughts, desertification, entropy, flow measurement, groundwater, hydrological cycle, hydrological models, infiltration, karst hydrology, paleohydrology, precipitation, remote sensing, river pollution prevention, rivers, lakes and seas, satellite hydrology, soil erosion, water treatment, water use, weather radar, and world water balance.

Full Product Details

9781402044977

Table of Contents

Reviews

'I recommend the Encyclopedia of Hydrology and Water Resources to those that need quick, authoritative information.' Robert M. Hirsch, Chief Hydrologist, United States Geological Survey 'Some discussions provide the reader with more information in a six or seven page review than a complete text devoted to the topic ... The 100 or so authors and Dr Herschy have assembled a valuable work of reference, a good starting point for many searching for information on an unfamiliar area.' John C. Rodda, Hydrological Sciences-Journal des Sciences Hydrologiques, 44:2 (1999) 'a magnum opus ... no professional firm working in this area should be without a copy in the office. The book is an essential reference work for all major civic, university and research establishment libraries.' M.J. Hamlin, Birmingham University, Circulation, 61 (May 1999) '...this Encyclopedia is recommended for professional firms, university and research establishment libraries...the authors must be congratulated for concisely bringing together such a wealth of information and for its excellent presentation. The Encyclopedia is a unique publication of such type and a welcome contribution to hydrology and water resources literature.' W.G. Strupczewski and M. Osuch, Pure and Applied Geophysics, 158 (2001)

Author Information

Reginald W. Herschy was formerly principal civil engineer, Department of Environment, UK and is now consultant for CNS Scientific and Engineering Services, Reading, UK. Professor Rhodes W. Fairbridge is emeritus Professor of Geology at Columbia University and is now visiting scientist at the Goddard Institute of Space Studies (NASA, NY). He has edited more that two dozen encyclopedias and authored more than three-hundred scientific publications.

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