During the last few years, lake acidification has become a topic of international interest because of the detrimental effects of this problem on lake ecosystems. The stratigraphic record of diatoms and other paleoindicators in lake sediments has been used increasingly to document past limnological conditions. Because many diatom taxa are sensitive indicators of lakewater pH, this approach is especially useful in assessing impacts of atmospheric pollutants and watershed land use on lake pH. The idea that a book be prepared on this subject originated at a workshop entitled 'Reconstructing pH...

This book reviews the process of collecting, examining and interpreting sedimentary evidence of environmental change. Covers acquistion and archiving of sediment cores, terrestrial, algal, siliceous and zoological indicators and statistical and data methods.

This much revised and expanded edition provides a valuable and detailed summary of the many uses of diatoms in a wide range of applications in the environmental and earth sciences. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of diatoms in analysing ecological problems related to climate change, acidification, eutrophication, and other pollution issues. The chapters are divided into sections for easy reference, with separate sections covering indicators in different aquatic environments. A final section explores diatom use in other fields of study such as forensics, oil and gas exploration,...