Dynamic Aquaria

Dr. Walter Adey is an Emeritus Research Scientist and Curator for the National Museum of National History at the Smithsonian Institute. He received his B.S. in Geophysics from MIT, performed graduate studies at MIT and Harvard in Paleontology and Biology, and obtained his Ph.D. in Marine Botany and Geology from the University of Michigan. Since 1977, he has been the Director of the Marine Systems Laboratory at the Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Adey is an associate editor for Restoration Ecology and The Journal of Ecological Engineering. He has authored numerous publications and has developed several exhibits and operational mesocosm systems.

1. Introduction Part I: Physical Environment 2. Physical Parameters and Energy State 3. Substrate - Controlling the Benthic Component 4. Water Composition - Management of Salinity, Hardness, and Evaporation 5. The Input of Solar Energy - Lighting and New Possibilities 6. The Input of Organic Energy - Particulates and Feeding Part II: Biochemical Environment 7. Metabolism – Respiration, Photosynthesis, and Biological Loading 8. Organisms and Gas Exchange – Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, pH, and Alkalinity 9. Primary Nutrients – Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Silica 10. Biomineralization and Calcification – A Key to Biosphere and Ecosystem Function 11. Control of the Biochemical Environment – 3D Potential for Algal Turf Scrubbing Part III: Biological Structure 12. Community Structure - Biodiversity in Model Ecosystems 13. Thermogeography - The Distribution of Organisms Along Coasts 14. Trophic Structure - Ecosystems and Dynamics of Food Chains 15. Primary Producers - Bottom-Growing Plants 16. Herbivores 17. Carnivores 18. Plankton and Planktivores 19. Detritus and Detritivores 20. Symbionts and Other Feeders Part IV: Ecological Systems in Microcosms, Mesocosms, and Aquaria 21. Models of Coral Reef Ecosystems 22. Subarctic/Boreal Microcosm - Applications of New Research 23. Estuaries - Ecosystem Modelling and Restoration 24. Freshwater Ecosystem Models 25. Research Systems in Microcosms Part V: The Environment and Ecological Engineering 26. Organisms and Natural Products 27. Large Scale Water Quality Management with Solar Energy Capture Part VI: Synthesis 28. Microcosms, Mesocosms, and Macrocosms – Building and Restoring Ecosystems and the Biosphere