This book discusses the karst and pseudokarst of the Upper Midwest, USA, consisting of the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois—the first regional synthesis in 40 years. Starting with an overview of the regional geology of what is largely glaciated fluviokarst and paleokarst developed on Paleozoic carbonates, but including other lithologies such as the St. Peter Sandstone and the Ft. Dodge Gypsum, the caves, springs, sinkholes, and karst hydrogeology of each state are described. Special attention is devoted to the region’s longest caves: Coldwater Cave, Mystery Cave, and the Minnesota Cave Preserve caves. Application of tools such as data loggers and LiDAR, with new conceptual models such as hypogenic speleogenesis, has been transformative here. Special topics include lead and zinc mining in the Driftless Area, vertebrate and invertebrate cave fauna near the Laurentide ice limit, the impact and policies of nutrient and herbicide intensive modern agriculture on karst, and paleoclimate studies. The discovery, exploration, institutional history of caving organizations, and show caves of the Upper Midwest, from the year 1700 onwards, are brought up to date. The top 10 historical paradigms of cave and karst science in the Midwest are reviewed. Perspectives on paleontology, archeology, and Native American rock art are included.

Considering that environmental science draws students and practitioners with widely varied backgrounds, there is a need for materials that help readers to grow their knowledge of fundamental principles from chemistry, physics, and biology to understand, describe, and predict the ways in which constituents (sediment, nutrients, organic matter, etc.) interact and move in aquatic systems (rivers, lakes, groundwater, and the atmosphere). Aquatic Environmental Systems: An Interdisciplinary Approach for Scientists and Engineers focuses on developing a common vocabulary and a rigorous material balance-based approach to understanding these movements and interactions. It examines the key properties of water and the ways they impact the behavior of water in the environment, providing a focused enumeration of those aspects of water structure that have direct and profound impacts on aquatic environmental systems. Features: Provides open-ended exercises to allow students to tailor work to their personal local/regional interests Focuses on conveying understanding of the underlying principles and assumptions/limitations which are frequently underemphasized or overlooked entirely in other books Deemphasizes straight memorization while focusing on methods that can be applied to more broad-based problem solving Accommodates a wide range of mathematics skills and backgrounds

Planning to visit a tourist cave in Indiana, or just curious about what lies beneath your feet? This compact and comprehensive field guide explains how caves are created, the different geological features to be seen in them, and the types of animals that inhabit them.

"Knowledge and understanding of cave and karst systems have evolved dramatically since the creation of the Geological Society of America in 1888. This book, which came out of a session during GSA's 2013 Annual Meeting, highlights the changes in the study and application of cave and karst systems since GSA's origin, while looking ahead to future advancements"--

Documents the declining quality and quantity of springs around the world and efforts to preserve, protect, and restore them Anthropogenic causes, including climate change, have been degrading springs around the world. Changes in spring water quality and flow impact human health, cultural values, ecology, and livelihoods. Threats to Springs in a Changing World: Science and Policies for Protection presents a range of international studies illustrating the causes of spring degradation and strategies being used to safeguard springs both now and for the future. Volume highlights include: Examples of threatened springs in diverse hydrogeologic settings Innovative methods and tools for understanding the hydrogeology of spring systems Current policy and governance approaches for alleviating damage to springs Different approaches to management of springs A call for practitioners, policy makers, scientists, and the public to work together The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals.