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Frozen Oceans David Thomas

Frozen Oceans By David Thomas

Frozen Oceans by David Thomas


$10.00
Condition - Like New
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Summary

For many years seen as an obstacle to trade and a threat to human life, the ice itself is now perceived to be vulnerable as we come to realize the dangers posed by global warming. Sea ice not only dominates polar regions but is also central to global ocean circulation as well as global climate patterns.

Frozen Oceans Summary

Frozen Oceans: The Floating World of Pack Ice by David Thomas

This is the first book to offer the general reader access to a remote frozen habitat which has for so long fascinated explorers, writers and scientists. During the harsh polar winter the surface of the ocean freezes up, forming a temporary ice layer called pack ice, or sea ice. This gives rise to a spectacular floating world which for a number of months each year becomes home to a wealth of plant and animal life. The wonderful colour photographs of life on, in and under the ice help draw the reader into this superb account of an extreme environment. Guaranteed to capture the imagination. The author is a veteran of six expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic, and this book is packed with photographs taken in the course of his journeys. His lively and readable text conveys his excitement at the dangers and possibilities of life on the ice. He provides an in-depth background to the whole eco system of sea ice, its living communities and the structure of the ice itself. The level of accurate scientific detail will satisfy anyone looking for a reliable, up-to-date overview of this topic. Pack ice; Pack ice is a layer of frozen seawater on the top of the polar oceans, varying in thickness from a few centimetres to 10s of metres. It is an ephemeral feature, not just of polar regions but also of seas such as the Baltic, Caspian and Sea of Okhotsk. At its maximum extent it covers 13 per cent of the Earth's surface area, making it one of the major biomes on the planet. For many years seen as an obstacle to trade and a threat to human life, the ice itself is now perceived to be vulnerable as we come to realize the dangers posed by global warming. Sea ice not only dominates polar regions but is also central to global ocean circulation as well as global climate patterns. Every year the formation, consolidation and subsequent melt of millions of square kilometres of ice influence the whole of the ocean's ecosystems over which it forms a cover

Frozen Oceans Reviews

I strongly recommend Frozen Oceans for experts and non-experts alike... a readable and informative description of the pack ice.

About David Thomas

David Thomas is a marine biologist at the University of Wales, Bangor, and has worked in polar regions since 1991. He has conducted several expeditions to the Antarctic and the Arctic and carried out research into the pack ice of the Baltic Sea. He has written popular science features about sea ice for Science, BBC Wildlife Magazine and New Scientist, and is author of Seaweeds (Natural History Musem, 2002) and the academic edition An Introduction to Sea Ice (Blackwells Scientific, 2003).

Table of Contents

Contents; Preface; Chapter 1: What is pack ice? Icebergs vs pack ice; Chapter 2: What happens to seawater when it freezes? How sea ice is really like a brine filled sponge, permeated by a labyrinth of channels and pores. Different types of pack ice; Growth, breaking up of, how long it lasts; Chapter 3. Pack ice regions of the world; Global ice coverage; Differences between Arctic and Antarctic; Baltic, Caspian and White Seas; How important sea ice formation is for driving ocean circulation; How important sea ice formation is for driving climate patterns; The possible effects of global climate change on gross distribution of sea ice at the poles; Chapter 4: Life within a block of ice; The microbiology of organisms that live in sea ice; Tolerance and survival; The importance of sea ice organisms for the plankton of; The ice covered seas and oceans; Chapter 5: Microbiology inside the ice; Algae; Viruses and bacteria; Protozoa; Chapter 6: Animals in and around the ice; Copepods; Krill, the key to the Southern Ocean ecosystem; Fish, in particular ice fish with antifreeze proteins; Chapter 7: Life under the ice; benthic communities of slow growing giant invertebrates; communities of seaweeds at their tolerance limits under the ice. Chapter 8: Mammals, birds and the ice; Polar bears; Seals (various species will be discussed); Whales (various species will be discussed); Polar foxes; Petrels and other birds associated with ice; Penguins (various species will be discussed; Chapter 9: Studying the pack ice; Historical introduction to the exploration of polar regions; From the early days to modern day expeditions and ice camps; Problems of working in the pack ice; Chapter 10: Pack ice - threats and potential; Conservation of polar regions; Exploitation of mineral resources; Tourism pressure; Scientific pressures and the possibility to study ice processes in large scale experimental establishments in which ice processes can be simulated. Treaties and organisations trying to preserve polar regions; Glossary; Bibliography; Index

Additional information

GOR013664409
9780565091880
0565091883
Frozen Oceans: The Floating World of Pack Ice by David Thomas
Used - Like New
Paperback
The Natural History Museum
20040927
224
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
The book has been read, but looks new. The book cover has no visible wear, and the dust jacket is included if applicable. No missing or damaged pages, no tears, possible very minimal creasing, no underlining or highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins

Customer Reviews - Frozen Oceans