Hydrology of the Hawaiian Islands / / John F. Mink, L. Stephen Lau.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter UHP eBook Package 2000-2013
• VerfasserIn: Lau, L. Stephen,; Mink, John F.,
• Place / Publishing House: Honolulu : : University of Hawaii Press, , [2006]; ©2006
• Year of Publication: 2006
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (376 p.) :; 108 illus., 13 maps

Why is groundwater the predominant drinking water source in Hawaii? Why are groundwater sources susceptible to pesticide contamination? How long does it take for water in the mountains to journey by land and underground passages to reach the coast? Answers to questions such as these are essential to understanding the principles of hydrology-the science of the movement, distribution, and quality of water-in Hawaii. Due to the humid tropical climate, surrounding ocean, volcanic earth, and high mountains, many hydrologic processes in the Islands are profoundly different from those of large continents and other climatic zones. Management of water, land, and environment must be informed by appropriate analyses, or communities and ecosystems face great uncertainty and may be at risk. The protection of groundwater, coastal waters, and streams from pollution and the management of flood hazards are also significant. This volume presents applications of hydrology to these critical issues.The authors begin by outlining fundamental hydrologic theories and the current general knowledge then expand into a formal discussion specific to Hawaii and the distinctive elements and their interrelations under natural and human-influenced conditions. They include chapters on rainfall and climate, evaporation, groundwater, and surface runoff. Details on the quantification of hydrologic processes are available to those with more technical knowledge, but general readers with an interest in the topic-one of singular importance for the Hawaiian Islands-will find much in the volume that is timely and accessible.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- List of Illustrations -- List of Tables -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- 1. Geological Environment -- 2. Hydrologic Cycle -- 3. Precipitation -- 4. Evaporation -- 5. Wetting the Surfaces -- 6. Groundwater -- 7. Surface Water -- 8. Coastal Waters -- Human Effects: Land Use and Water Discharge -- Models and Data -- Glossary -- References -- Index -- About the authors