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1 - The Historical Significance of Water

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 October 2024

Peter Blanken
Peter Blanken
Affiliation:
University of Colorado Boulder
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Summary

Water shapes the planet and all life upon it. Breaking down traditional disciplinary barriers, this accessible, holistic introduction to the role and importance of water in Earth’s physical and biological environments assumes no prior knowledge. It provides the reader with a clear and coherent explanation of the unique properties of water and how these allow it to affect landscapes and underpin all life on Earth. Contemporary issues surrounding water quality – such as the rise of microplastics and climate change – are highlighted, ensuring readers understand current debates. Giving all of the necessary background and up-to-date references, and including numerous examples and illustrations to explain concepts, worked mathematical calculations, and extensive end-of-chapter questions, this is the ideal introductory textbook for students seeking to understand the inextricable links between water and the environment.

Type
Chapter
Information
Essentials of Water
Water in the Earth's Physical and Biological Environments
 , pp. 1 - 16
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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References

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