vi
We thank all the contributing authors and coauthors of the book, some of whom also have
reviewed submissions from colleagues. We are particularly indebted to non-anonymous
reviewers who work hard for many months and provided invaluable comments. Thanks are
owed to A. Cheronet (publishing editor for Environmental Sciences, Springer) and her staff for
their precious assistance at different steps of the editing process. Finally, F. Rieu conducted the
preliminary bibliographic research on Lake Pavin, on which the contents and organization of
the book are based upon.
Aubière, France Télesphore Sime-Ngando
Preface