Springer Environmental Sustainability Issues in the South Texas–Mexico Border Region

Environmental sustainability issues in a fragile, semi-arid region and its coastal area, which experience climate changes from extreme drought conditions to the effects of hurricanes over a period of weeks to years, provide specific challenges for the ecosystems and the populations existing within the region.  The research presented focuses on the problems and some solutions specific to the South Texas-Mexico border region, on both sides of the Rio Grande, focusing on water and air pollution.  From the Back Cover This book highlights the environmental sustainability problems specific to the South Texas–Mexico border region, on both sides of the Rio Grande, focusing on water and air pollution. The region is beset by climate extremes, from severe drought conditions to hurricanes, providing specific challenges for the ecosystems and the populations existing within the region.   The water pollution research centers on:   ·         the Rio Grande and its feeder creeks ·         the outflows into the intercoastal waterways, marshes, lagoons, and bays ·         previously deposited metals in waterways ·         impacts of concentrated discharges on downstream receiving waters ·         hydrological conditions in a pilot-scale constructed wetland ·         water quality treatment ability of wetlands ·         the recovery of nutrient removal activity after major flooding damage and inundation   The air pollution research focuses on:   ·         the effects of air pollution on an individual’s health in municipalities on the Rio Grande  and in interior cities ·         the transport of ultrafine particles and other pollutants from industry and automotive sources ·         the influence of climate on air quality in the study cities   While the research centers on challenges of the South Texas–Mexico border region, findings and recommendations will be beneficial to researchers in other regions facing similar problems. About the Author David Ramirez is an Associate Professor of the Department of Environmental Engineering and Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Center for Research Excellence in Science and Technology – Research on Environmental Sustainability in Semi-Arid Coastal Areas (CREST-RESSACA) housed at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. His research focuses on the development of air quality control technology, atmospheric transformations of engineered nanomaterials, manufacture of carbon based adsorbents, nanoparticle adsorption, capture and recovery of organic vapors emitted from point sources, and air quality monitoring in near-coastal air sheds. He is a recipient of the 2009 NSF CAREER award, NSF foundation-wide most prestigious award for junior faculty. His research work has been funded from different agencies such as NSF, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and Texas Workforce Commission.   Jianhong Ren is an Associate Professor of the Environmental Engineering Department and Interim Associate Dean of the Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Her research focuses on reactive transport processes in aquatic systems, chemical contamination and observations in fresh and costal water environment, real-time monitoring using cutting-edge sensor technologies, and physicochemical process based environmental system modeling. She has secured numerous research grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. She is a recipient of the 2004 NSF CAREER award, NSF foundation-wide most prestigious award in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research.   Kim D. Jones is a Professor and Chair of the Environmental Engineering Department and Director of the Institute for Sustai