A New chapter on Climate Change - The first part of this chapter examines global climate impact on the coastal systems, specifically the magnitude and effect of sea-level change on barrier islands, beaches, coastal dunes, salt marshes, and mangrove swamps, and the ecological effects of elevated water temperatures.  The second part of the chapter discusses the impact of global climate change in open ocean, specifically the grave changes that may occur on deep-water circulation, the Artic Ocean and the melting of its ice cover, and impact of warming water on ocean plankton, and the ecological responses to acidification of seawater worldwide.  The final part outlines what scientists believe we should do in order to mitigate the effects of global warming on ocean ecosystems in the 21st century.

Includes updated new findings on mantle plumes and the movement of large tectonic plates in Chapter 3.

A new feature box entitled Catastrophic Meltwater Scouring and Deposition recreates how the failure of an ice dam holding water in Glacial Lake Iroquois in upstate New York suddenly collapsed releasing an enormous volume of torrential water into the Hudson Valley.

Includes a new feature box entitled Larval Dispersion and Settlement, which examines how the larvae of benthic inverebrates like oysters, crabs, sea urchins, and snails disperse into currents in order to colonize new sea bottoms.

Includes  new end-of-chapter questions and and expanded Selected Readings section.

NEW! Revitalized and expanded collection of color photographs, illustrations, and Selected Readings throughout the text.

A comprehensive online learning center, Oceanlink, provides students with numerous learning tools. This free resource includes: Chapter Lecture Outlines, Self-Test Practice Quizzes, an on-line Math Tutor, Animated Flashcards, Figure Labeling Exercises, and much more!