The importance of investigating karstified aquifers lies in their significance as a major source of drinking water. This book describes methods that are basic to all hydrogeological studies, such as hydraulic investigations, hydrochemistry, geophysics, isotope chemistry and modelling, but with the emphasis placed on their application to karst systems. Other techniques are specific to the karst environment, such as the speleological exploration of aquifers and water tracing. The various chapters of this book are written by experts in different methods. Most of the chapters are multi-authored, and the authors include hydrogeologists who are experienced in evaluating a variety of karst environments and who together, provide a comprehensive review of karst methods.

A fascinating history of the Maya - drawing on a wealth of recent archaeological discoveries - whose civilisation in the jungles of Central America was for almost a thousand years hidden from the world. Over the last two centuries explorers have made the most remarkable discoveries in the tropical forests of Central America. Across much of present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras dozens of cities - some with populations of well over 100,000 - have been unveiled, and every year fresh reports emerge of the findings of unknown Maya ruins - great temples, palaces, towering stone pyramids and the tombs of the Maya kings. What these spectacular discoveries indicate is the former presence of an exceptionally advanced, sophisticated and complex society. Recently, major developments made in the decipherment of Maya hieroglyphics have revealed that alongside the material achievements of the Maya ran intellectual accomplishments in astronomy, maths and calendrics, seemingly tied to the complexities of Maya religion, that were remarkable for a society technically in the Stone Age. From reliefs on temple walls, from magnificent hieroglyphic stairways and from stone stelae planted by Maya rulers in the plazas of their cities has come written history: the Chronicles of the Maya Kings. David Drew looks at why they constructed their cities in the hostile setting of the jungle, the exact age of their ruins, the strange human images depicted in elaborate costume at so many Maya sites, and he asks why at the time of the Spanish conquest, all knowledge of the Mayas had been lost.

One quarter of the world's population lives in karst terrains, yet karsts are highly vulnerable to stresses caused by human activity. This book surveys human impact on karst water, showing that the increasing pollution of the environment has, to a great extent, spoiled sensitive karst ecosystems. This text examines such consequences and offers proposals for future solutions and strategies. Part One provides an overview of the functioning of karsts and of human interaction with karst environments over several millennia. Part Two consists of a systematic examination of the major areas of human activity affecting karst waters, such as agriculture, industry, mining and water exploitation. Finally, Part Three views the effects on karst groundwater within a broader societal and legislative perspective and considers possible changes of methodology and approach.

The importance of investigating karstified aquifers lies in their significance as a major source of drinking water. This book describes methods that are basic to all hydrogeological studies, such as hydraulic investigations, hydrochemistry, geophysics, isotope chemistry and modelling, but with the emphasis placed on their application to karst systems. Other techniques are specific to the karst environment, such as the speleological exploration of aquifers and water tracing. The various chapters of this book are written by experts in different methods. Most of the chapters are multi-authored, and the authors include hydrogeologists who are experienced in evaluating a variety of karst environments and who together, provide a comprehensive review of karst methods.

One quarter of the world's population lives in karst terrains, yet karsts are highly vulnerable to stresses caused by human activity. This book surveys human impact on karst water, showing that the increasing pollution of the environment has, to a great extent, spoiled sensitive karst ecosystems. This text examines such consequences and offers proposals for future solutions and strategies. Part One provides an overview of the functioning of karsts and of human interaction with karst environments over several millennia. Part Two consists of a systematic examination of the major areas of human activity affecting karst waters, such as agriculture, industry, mining and water exploitation. Finally, Part Three views the effects on karst groundwater within a broader societal and legislative perspective and considers possible changes of methodology and approach.

"People of knowledge shouldn't be the decision-makers on the body." The Mayor of La Crosse, Mark Johnsrud, in a public meeting at which the city and county were discussing how an Emergency Medical Service Commission was to be staffed, made the above statement. In doing so he got the biggest laugh of the night but didn't seem to recognize the incredulity what he had just said. The incidents leading up to the approval of the petition to stop the city were in some cases humorous while in other situations were frustrating with time lost and a waste of taxpayer dollars. As you can see by the letters from other communities, such thinking is not limited to a single area, but it is common for the elected to think they can do something better or in the worst case, more profitably for their electorate than private industry. The national debate over nationalizing health care is another example where government should have very limited involvement. Members of our local Citizens for Responsible Government led the activities and we all learned much about democracy in action. I can't emphasize enough the dedication of the men and women who spent many hours and much shoe leather gathering those needed signatures for the petition. In all there were 76 circulators who talked to their friends, neighbors, and anyone who would stop long enough to listen so they could explain the need to, "Stop City Hall."

London, late 1500's. An aging Queen "Bess" Tudor is on the throne. William Shakespeare and his "common players" hold sway outside the city walls but, within the city the Children of the Chapel Royal cause them concern ...