In the United States, approximately two thirds of coastal rivers and bays are moderately to severely degraded by nutrient pollution. Rhode Island is in the formative stages of undertaking what many are calling a "grand experiment" in reducing nutrient input to the Narragansett Bay ecosystem, one of the best-studied estuaries in the world. This book sets the stage for conducting this experiment by compiling, within one volume, the best available science from preeminent experts on the Narragansett Bay ecosystem. Each chapter elucidates what is known about the various elements that make up the ecosystem, including interactions between biological, ecological, chemical and physical processes. The local approach adopted by this book provides managers with useful guidance and solutions, and at the same time it addresses the broader problem of coastal nutrient pollution.

Large case study provides detailed information on nutrient pollution for students, researchers and professionals Local approach provides managers with useful guidance and solutions Interactions between biological, ecological, chemical and physical processes in Narragansett Bay are explored

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Geologic and Contemporary Landscapes of the Narragansett Bay Ecosystem.- Narragansett Bay Amidst a Globally Changing Climate.- Estimating Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition in the Northeastern United States: Relevance to Narragansett Bay.- Groundwater Nitrogen Transport and Input along the Narragansett Bay Coastal Margin.- Nitrogen and Phosphorus Inputs to Narragansett Bay: Past, Present, and Future.- Nitrogen Inputs to Narragansett Bay: An Historical Perspective.- Anthropogenic Eutrophication of Narragansett Bay: Evidence from Dated Sediment Cores.- Circulation and Transport Dynamics in Narragansett Bay.- Critical Issues for Circulation Modeling of Narragansett Bay and Mount Hope Bay.- The Dynamics of Water Exchange Between Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound.- Summer Bottom Water Dissolved Oxygen in Upper Narragansett Bay.- Evidence of Ecological Impacts from Excess Nutrients in Upper Narragansett Bay.- An Ecosystem-based Perspective of Mount Hope Bay.- Natural Viral Communities in the Narragansett Bay Ecosystem.- Nutrient and Plankton Dynamics in Narragansett Bay.- Narragansett Bay Ctenophore-Zooplankton-Phytoplankton Dynamics in a Changing Climate.- Coastal Salt Marsh Community Change in Narragansett Bay in Response to Cultural Eutrophication.- Impacts of Nutrients on Narragansett Bay Productivity: A Gradient Approach.- An Ecofunctional Approach to Ecosystem-based Management for Narragansett Bay.