**Preface XI**


Preface

From a scientific point of view in the general field of hydraulics, the study of natural and artificial water systems is the most widespread approach for the correct management of such a vital resource for the human species as water. However, it is very difficult to give a holistic view of the different reference areas of this kind of study. Indeed, a "holistic ap‐ proach" means an "integrated" intervention, able to exploit the strengths of different disci‐ plines: physical, biological, chemical, oceanographic, etc. It is an approach that is by nature flexible as it uses different techniques and methodologies, and it is utilized in an extremely wide application field. The difficulty experienced by the operators in studying a process with water as its object is therefore considerable and it requires undoubtedly the collabora‐

This multidisciplinary book has the ambition of bringing together various studies on different water systems to demonstrate the vastness of the topic. In this way, the reader, researcher or professional, can range from one field to another, always having in mind as a guiding thread the matter "water," with the aim to better comprehend water body modeling techniques and the solution of the most varied problems. It is designed for those working in the field of envi‐ ronmental engineering and environmental sciences to integrate their knowledge on different

Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry

**Daniela Malcangio, PhD**

Polytechnic University of Bari, Italy

(DICATECh)

scientific and practical approaches to water systems, all through practical experience.

tion of several figures with different specializations.
