The Hadal Zone
Life in the Deepest Oceans

A long overdue collation of all that is known about life in the trenches and the hadal communities therein.

Alan Jamieson (Author)

9781107016743, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 January 2015

382 pages, 95 b/w illus. 36 tables
25.3 x 18 x 2.2 cm, 0.94 kg

'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

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Oceanography [seas RBKC], Earth sciences [RB], Earth sciences, geography, environment, planning [R], Marine biology [PSPM], Biology, life sciences [PS], Mathematics & science [P]