The Alaskan Shelf: Hydrographic, Sedimentary, and Geochemical Environment

From a general point of view the importance of striving to minimize envir- mental disturbances on the continental shelf cannot be overemphasized. Coastal areas are sites of population centers, navigation and recreation activities, and - source development, all of which contribute to environmental stress on the shelf. Proper management of the shelf for optimum use requires a thorough understanding of shelf processes. Complex problems, such as the influence of hydrodynamics on sediment disper...