Cooper, David C.Biological - ecological studies of Galveston Bay, Texas. Third quarterly report. October 1, 1969. (Acc#8299)2010-02-152010-02-151969http://hdl.handle.net/1969.3/25403pgs. D1-D28The basic objectives of this study are cited in the first quarterly report. In review, this primary purpose of this project is to assess the role of qualitative and quantitative variations in input on the synecological characteristics of six continuous series microecosystesm. These so-called continuous-series microecosystems comprise at this time, a unique tool for the study of functional ecology-especially the functional ecology of estuarine regions. They represent the end-product of a great deal of thought, design, and trial and error procedures of the author, and Drs. B.J. Copeland and R.J. Beyers. Continuous-series microecosystems, when properly maintained attains steady state physiochemical characteristics which are in many was representative of an estuary; it is a dynamic system rather than a closed off, isolated, microcosm, with continuous import and export of water and nutrients; a salinity gradient is attained and maintained; and mixing and exchange between various regions of a continuous series microecosystem is a continous phenomenon.ecosystemsfluid flowriver dischargeinflowsalinity gradientsestuariesChapter