Groundwater Science And Policy: An International Overview,Used

Review'The books publisher, The Royal Society of Chemistry has risen to the challenge of producing this hefty volume. The book is clearly laid out and well illustrated and indexed, and each chapter has it's own list of references. This format will ensure that Groundwater Science and Policy becomes a recognized source for technical and policy stakeholders in the water sector...''...is stunningly informative. Everybody involved in the technical and policy fields of groundwater management should have access to this book, even if they cannot afford their own copy.' EOS, Volume 89, Number 31, 29th July, Nick Robins, British Geological SurveyProduct DescriptionUntil recently, focus on groundwater mainly concerned its use as drinking water and as an important resource for industry (e.g. cooling waters) and agriculture (irrigation). It has, however, become increasingly obvious that groundwater should not only be viewed as a drinking water reservoir, but that it should also be protected for its environmental value. In this respect, groundwater represents an important link of the hydrological cycle through the maintenance of wetlands and river flows, acting as a buffer through dry periods. Hence, deterioration of groundwater quality may directly affect other related aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The groundwater legislative framework under the EU Water Framework Directive and the newly adopted Groundwater Directive establishes criteria linked to environmental objectives which have to be met by 2015 following successive operational steps including characterisation, risk assessment (analysis of pressures and impacts), monitoring and design of programmes of measures. These milestones require that sound technical and scientific information be made accessible to water managers, which is so far still not sufficiently streamlined. In this context, this book describes the groundwater legislative milestones and presents series of research and development activities that aim to directly support them. It has, therefore, the ambition to become a vehicle liaising policy requirements and available scientific knowledge in this area.From the Back CoverGroundwater is a vital link in the hydrological cycle and the importance of its preservation and protection has been recognised in the newly adopted EU Ground Water Directive. This book offers a scientific overview of key findings in groundwater management set in context against the legislative milestones ensuing as a result of research and development activities. Highlighting the close relationship between policy requirements and scientific knowledge, the editor provides uptodate information on the EU groundwater policy framework complimented with discussions on how integrating R&D activity and output into policy implementation can be approached. The first of its kind, this book is essentially a unique summary of outstanding research and development projects in the field of groundwater science which allows the reader to draw upon a wealth of knowledge and information from both a scientific and policy driven perspective. Examples of existing research projects contributing to both policy development and implementation are provided and discussed providing a very powerful point of reference for future decision and policy makers. This book will be of exceptional interest to all graduates, researchers and professionals working in the fields of environmental science, conservation science, pollution science, quality assurance and agricultural science.About the AuthorPhilippe QUEVAUVILLER is a member of the Water & Marine Unit of the EC Environment DirectorateGeneral where he is responsible for the development and implementation of a new Groundwater Directive which will complement the existing water policy framework. He has worked as a researcher in marine geochemistry for over 20 years during which he has published more than 200 papers in the international literature and several books lin