Lipids in Freshwater Ecosystems

This volume synthesizes the divergent literature on aquatic lipids int o 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 c ommon 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 li pids and essential fatty acids in mariculture. Methodologies to determ ine the lipid content of aquatic samples and suggestions as to the uti lity of fatty acids as trophic markers are also provided. In addition, there is a chapter on the role of lipids in the bioaccumulation and b ioconcentration of toxicants and another on the relationships between lipids and surface films and foams. The final chapter highlights the s imilarities and differences between lipids of marine and freshwater or igin.