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The Hadal Zone

The Hadal Zone

The Hadal Zone

Life in the Deepest Oceans
Alan Jamieson, University of Aberdeen
January 2015
Hardback
9781107016743
£65.99
GBP
Hardback
USD
eBook

    The hadal zone represents one of the last great frontiers in marine science, accounting for 45% of the total ocean depth range. Despite very little research effort since the 1950s, the last ten years has seen a renaissance in hadal exploration, almost certainly as a result of technological advances that have made this otherwise largely inaccessible frontier, a viable subject for research. Providing an overview of the geology involved in trench formation, the hydrography and food supply, this book details all that is currently known about organisms at hadal depths and linkages to the better known abyssal and bathyal depths. New insights on how, where and what really survives and thrives in the deepest biozone are provided, allowing this region to be considered when dealing with sustainability and conservation issues in the marine environment.

    • Compiles all known scientific research from depths greater than 6000 meters – a valuable source of reference for anyone interested or requiring a rapid introduction into this otherwise rarely documented part of the ocean
    • Presents the state-of-the-art observations and imagery of the trenches and the hadal communities therein – offers a visual perspective on the hadal zone to debunk the popular idea that the very deepest seas are 'alien'
    • Calls for future efforts to comprehensively sample numerous trenches in order to enable global generalizations about life on Earth

    Reviews & endorsements

    'The most comprehensive book yet written on the mysteries of the ocean's deepest places, written by one of its best explorers.' James Cameron, film director, film producer and deep-sea explorer

    'Marine scientist Alan Jamieson knows this mysterious region better than most … so densely packed with facts on this extraordinary environment that it rewards casual dipping in and out … Jamieson has uncovered delights - and shown us just how much we have yet to discover about the hadal zone. Here's hoping for enough new findings to justify a second edition soon.' Daniel Cressey, Nature

    'Alan Jamieson has effortlessly brought together a plethora of information on this enigmatic ecosystem. We are introduced to the basic geological development of the deep water trenches of the hadal zone, and the practicalities and challenges of scientific sampling at depth. Referencing is up to date, very clear and comprehensive, and there is a scholarly listing (appendix) of all known species from the hadal depths and the trench in which they have been found.' Ian Carter, The Biologist

    See more reviews

    Product details

    January 2015
    Hardback
    9781107016743
    382 pages
    253 × 180 × 22 mm
    0.94kg
    95 b/w illus. 36 tables
    Available

    Table of Contents

    • Preface
    • Part I. History, Geology and Technology: Introduction
    • 1. The history of hadal science and exploration
    • 2. Geography and geology
    • 3. Full ocean depth technology
    • Part II. Environmental Conditions and Physiological Adaptations: Introduction
    • 4. The hadal environment
    • 5. Hydrostatic pressure
    • 6. Food supply to the trenches
    • Part III. The Hadal Community: Introduction
    • 7. Microbes, protists and worms
    • 8. Porifera, mollusca and echinodermata
    • 9. Crustacea
    • 10. Cnidaria and fish
    • Part IV. Patterns and Current Perspectives: Introduction
    • 11. Ecology and evolution
    • 12. Current perspectives
    • Appendix
    • References
    • Index.