Thesis (Ph. D.) -- University of Maryland, College Park, 2005. / Thesis research directed by: Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences. Title from t.p. of PDF. Includes bibliographical references. Published by UMI Dissertation Services, Ann Arbor, Mich. Also available in paper.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2006. / "December, 2006." Includes bibliographical references. Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--College of William and Mary. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on August 13, 2006) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 50-53). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Davis, 2005. / Degree granted in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Also available via the World Wide Web. (Restricted to UC campuses)

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2007. / Description based on contents viewed June 26, 2007; title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references (p. 21).

Στόχος της παρούσας μελέτης ήταν η εκτίμηση της ποιότητας του υδάτινου οικοσυστήματος της λίμνης Παμβώτιδας, με την εφαρμογή βιολογικών και χημικών παραμέτρων. Συγκεκριμένα, κατά τη διάρκεια του έτους 2011, πραγματοποιήθηκαν 6 δειγματοληψίες (κάθε 2 μήνες) δειγμάτων νερού από σημεία της λίμνης που εμφανίζουν σημαντικές ανθρωπογενείς επιδράσεις και ακολούθησε ανάλυση διαφόρων φυσικοχημικών παραμέτρων ((NO3-, NO2-, BOD, PO4+3-P, pH, αγωγιμότητας και χλωροφύλλης-α). Παράλληλα, συλλέχθηκαν δείγματα ιστών (αίμα, βράγχια, μυϊκός ιστός και ήπαρ) από άτομα του είδους Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) και ακολούθησε προσδιορισμός των επιπέδων των μετάλλων στα βράγχια, τον μυϊκό ιστό και το ήπαρ των ατόμων για κάθε δειγματοληπτική περίοδο. Επιπρόσθετα, εφαρμόστηκε η τεχνική των μικροπυρήνων (ΜΝ test) σε απομονωμένα κύτταρα του αίματος και των βραγχίων, έτσι ώστε να εκτιμηθεί η ύπαρξη γενοτοξικών παραγόντων. Σύμφωνα με τα αποτελέσματα της μελέτης, παρατηρήθηκαν ιδιαίτερα υψηλές τιμές φωσφορικών, νιτρικών και αμμωνιακών ιόντων, οι οποίες μπορεί να χαρακτηρίσουν τον ευτροφικό χαρακτήρα της λίμνης, ενώ παρατηρήθηκαν σημαντικές εξάρσεις της συγκέντρωσης της χλωροφύλλης-α. Επίσης, οι συγκεντρώσεις των βαρέων μετάλλων που μετρήθηκαν στα βράγχια, το ήπαρ και το μυϊκό ιστό των συλλεχθέντων ιχθύων, εμφάνισαν σημαντικές διαφορές τόσο κατά τη διάρκεια του έτους όσο και μεταξύ των ιστών, ενώ η συχνότητα εμφάνισης μικροπυρήνων και άλλων πυρηνικών ανωμαλιών που μετρήθηκαν σε ερυθροκύτταρα ατόμων του είδους Carassius gibelio δεν έδειξε ένα σαφή πρότυπο διαφοροποίησης κατά τη διάρκεια του έτους. Οι σημαντικές συσχετίσεις μεταξύ της συχνότητας εμφάνισης πυρηνικών ανωμαλιών με την αγωγιμότητα των υδάτων, με τα επίπεδα των νιτρικών, νιτρωδών και φωσφορικών ιόντων, καταδεικνύουν για πρώτη φορά μια πιθανή σχέση μεταξύ των επαγώμενων γενοτοξικών επιπτώσεων και της κατάστασης των υδάτων. / The aim of the present study was to investigate the water quality of the Lake Pamvotis, with the use of a battery of chemical and biological indices. In specific, during the year 2011, and every 2 months time period, water samples were collected from 4 stations along the lake, which appear to have important anthropogenic influences and analyzed for their physicochemical parameters, (NO2-, NO3-,BOD, PO4+3-P, pH, conductivity and chlorophyll- α). In parallel, individuals of the species Carassius gibelio were caught alive, transferred to the lab and parameters such as the concentration of heavy metals and the micronuclei frequency were investigated in different tissues (blood, gills, muscle and kidney). According to the results of the present study, high levels of NO2-, NO3- and PO4+3-P were observed throughout the year, while there was a significant increase of Chl-α in all stations in December. Heavy metals measured in tissues of fishes showed tissue-specific and time- dependent alterations with time, while the frequency of micronuclei and other nuclear abnormalities measured in blood cells and gills of fishes showed no time-dependent alterations throughout the year. However, the significant relationships occurred among the induction of genotoxic effects with the levels of NO2-, NO3- and PO4+3-P in each case, indicates for a first time the impact of water quality on the homeostasis of aquatic organisms, especially its potency to induce genotoxic effects on aquatic biota. Despite the latter, further studies are need in order to elucidate the biological effects of the aforementioned water parameters, at least in species such as Carassius gibelio which is able to adapt strategies for living under environmental pressure.

Earth’s hydrology is made up of complex systems which are spatially varied and influence a number of ecosystem processes. Complex ecosystems, in this case, are defined as those involving multiple bodies of water and land masses which are seasonally connected to one another through various processes, resulting in an intricate aquatic and terrestrial relationship in a single area. There have been advances in how we study these environments, yet it remains important to determine the most efficient tools in order to accurately monitor ecosystem health in these regions. Monitoring water quality in freshwater-dominated, wetland systems is costly and often impractical due to the remote locations of areas of interest. By exploring the methods of analysis in which remotely sensed data can be used to monitor changes in the spatial patterns of water quality, it is possible to study these complex ecosystems in a more frequent and effective manner.

As a pilot study into questionnaire investigation of beach user opinions and perceptions, a survey was conducted of users of four beaches (Southerndown, Nash, Ogmore and Llantwit), at the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, Wales. Beach perceptions were assessed in terms of socio-demographics, psychological parameters (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and related to the existing beach environment. Few changes to general facility provision could be recommended, but a number of management recommendations were made. Beach user gender, socio-economic status, planned length of stay and anxiety/neuroticism level were shown by discriminant function analysis to influence beach selection. A beach rating scheme was developed, based on a novel beach user questionnaire/checklist system. This questionnaire was used to interview users (n = 859) at 23 randomly selected Welsh beaches with regard to preferences/priorities for a wide range of beach aspects. Questionnaire data analysis generated scores which could be applied to checklists appropriate to other beaches of various commercialisation levels. Seventy Welsh beaches were assessed, producing scores from 39% (Porthcawl - Trecco Bay) to 69% (Broadhaven, S. Pembs. and Pembray). Landscape was assessed by panel judgements of a video panorama sequence, with scores for this aspect ranging from 19% (Prestatyn) to 80% (Broadhaven, S. Pembs.). The rating scheme took into account a larger number of beach aspects (47) than any beach award/recommendation in common use in the UK. It successfully took account of differing beach user preferences/priorities for various beach aspects and also the differing beach user demands at commercialised as opposed to undeveloped beaches. Many differences in beach user preferences/priorities were observed according to differences in stated preferred beach type, many of which could be important for management. In addition, pilot scale studies were undertaken at the Costa Dorada, Spain and on the Turkish Aegean Coast. For the latter, beach rating was also carried out. Future studies aiming to use stated perceptions, preferences and priorities of beach users to guide management should take account of possible influences such as beach user familiarity, expectation, cultural background and past experience. Much further work is required to develop beach user questionnaires to investigate aspects of beach user perception. Future rating exercises based on beach user preferences/priorities should take account of the need for beaches to meet minimum standards for the most important (as identified by beach users), beach aspects, in order to achieve a high rating or grade. The limitations of beach user surveys in terms of sampling difficulties need to be addressed. For valid management decision support, other stakeholders such as residents, tourist trade workers and those choosing not to visit beaches in particular areas need to be reached using other investigative methodologies.