The soils are fundamental to our existence, delivering water and nutrients to plants, that feed us. But they are in many ways in danger and their conservation is therefore a most important focus for science, governments and society as a whole.A team of world recognised researchers have prepared this first English edition based on the 16th European edition.• The precursors and the processes of soil development• The physical, biological and chemical properties of soils...

In 1936 a German chemist identified certain organic molecules that he had extracted from ancient rocks and oils as the fossil remains of chlorophyll--presumably from plants that had lived and died millions of years in the past. It was another twenty-five years before this insight was developed and the term "biomarker" coined to describe fossil molecules whose molecular structures could reveal the presence of otherwise elusive organisms and processes. Echoes of Life is the story of...

The book also covers both pure and applied aspects of Botany including agriculture and horticulture. It is a comprehensive dictionary that contains major terms and concepts.The book provides useful information for all curious people who like to keep pace with the rapid developments in the field of Botany but are at times confused. It is designed to cater to the needs of the general reader as well as students pursuing higher studies. The dictionary is extremely useful for undergraduate stud...

First published in 1998. This book offers a wealth of information on the rapidly expanding field of solution mining: yhe extraction of materials from the earth by leaching and fluid recovery. This is an introductory text for students and professional engineers that is comprehensive and emphases current practice and theory. Percolation leaching of fragmented ground is covered, as well as true and modified in situ teaching. Solution mining of gold, copper and uranium ores, several slats extr...

The second edition of The Biomarker Guide is a fully updated and expanded version of this essential reference. Now in two volumes, it provides a comprehensive account of the role that biomarker technology plays both in petroleum exploration and in understanding Earth history and processes. Biomarkers and Isotopes in the Environment and Human History details the origins of biomarkers and introduces basic chemical principles relevant to their study. It discusses analytical techniques, and ap...

Environmental Soil Physics is a completely updated and modified edition of the Daniel Hillels previous, successful books, Introduction to Soil Physics and Fundamentals of Soil Physics. Hillel is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, one of the true leaders in the field of environmental sciences. The new version includes a chapter and problems on computational techniques, addresses current environmental concerns and trends. - Updates and expands the scope of Hillel's prior works, Fundamentals of...

The petroleum industry in general has been dominated by engineers and production specialists. The upstream segment of the industry is dominated by drilling/completion engineers. Usually, neither of those disciplines have a great deal of training in the chemistry aspects of drilling and completing a well prior to its going on production. The chemistry of drilling fluids and completion fluids have a profound effect on the success of a well. For example, historically the drilling fluid costs ...

The archaeological record is a combination of what is seen by eye, as well as the microscopic record revealed with the help of instrumentation. The information embedded in the microscopic record can significantly add to our understanding of past human behaviour, provided this information has not been altered by the passage of time. Microarchaeology seeks to understand the microscopic record in terms of the type of information embedded in this record, the materials in which this information...

Air pollution, a major concern at the end of the 20th century, still remains a significant problem to be solved today. Traditionally, industrial waste gases have primarily been treated through physical or chemical methods. The search for new, efficient, and cost-effective alternative technologies has led to the development and, more recently, the improvement of gas phase bioreactors.This book is the first single text to provide a complete, comprehensive picture of all major biologic...

Introduction to Marine Biogeochemistry focuses on the ocean's role in the biogeochemical cycling of selected elements and the impact of humans on the cycling of these elements. Among the topics covered are the chemical composition of seawater from the perspectives of elemental speciation and the impacts of solutes on water's physical behavior; biogeochemical phenomena which control accumulation and preservation of marine sediments; marine chemistry of radioactive and stable isotopes; and s...

The seventh edition of this classic reference work once more provides a comprehensive overview of commercially available plastics materials. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, it enables scientists to understand the commercial implications of their work as well as providing technologists with a theoretical background.Since the previous edition, several new materials have been announced. Many of these materials result from metallocene catalyst technology. In addition, development...

The use of distinctive colourants and finishes has a significant impact on the aesthetic appeal and functionality of technical textiles. Advances in the textile chemical industry facilitate production of diverse desirable properties, and are therefore of great interest in the production of textile products with enhanced performance characteristics. Drawing on key research, Advances in the dyeing and finishing of technical textiles details important advances in this field and outlines their...