Lipids in Freshwater Ecosystems

Citation

HŒgstrom, P. (1999), "Lipids in Freshwater Ecosystems", Environmental Management and Health, Vol. 10 No. 3, pp. 3-3. https://doi.org/10.1108/emh.1999.10.3.3.3

There is a general lack of understanding of the role of lipids in aquatic ecosystems. This volume synthesizes the divergent literature on aquatic lipids into a coordinated, digestible form.

A large part of this book addresses lipid composition and production in freshwater organisms, and includes chapters on phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthic invertebrates. A common theme throughout is the function of lipids in aquatic food webs, with a section devoted exclusively to lipids as indicators of health in fish populations. A complementary chapter highlights the role of lipids and essential fatty acids in mariculture. Methodologies to determine the lipid content of aquatic samples and suggestions as to the utility of fatty acids as trophic markers are also provided. In addition, there is a chapter on the role of lipids in the bioaccumulation and bioconcentration of toxicants and another on the relationships between lipids and surface films and foams. The final chapter highlights the Ñsimilarities and differences between lipids of marine and freshwater origin.

Students and researchers in ecology, phycology, aquatic toxicology, physiological ecology and limnology will find this an invaluable guide and reference.