Biogeochemistry: Treatise on Geochemistry, Volume 8 [Paperback]

W.H. Schlesinger (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0080446426 | ISBN-13: 978-0080446424 | Publication Date: June 10, 2005 | Edition: 1

For the past 3.8 billion years, the geochemistry of the Earth's surface - its atmosphere, waters and exposed crust - has been determined by the presence of biota. Photosynthetic organisms exposed the Earth's surface to oxygen, denitrifying bacteria have maintained the nitrogen concentration in Earth's atmosphere, and land plants have determined the rate of chemical weathering. Life determines the global biogeochemical cycles of the elements of biochemistry, especially C, N, P and S. Volume 8 traces the origin and impact of life on the geochemistry of the Earth's surface, with special emphasis on the current human impact on global biogeochemical cycles.

Reprinted individual volume from the acclaimed Treatise on Geochemistry, (10 Volume Set, ISBN 0-08-043751-6, published in 2003)

* Comprehensive and authoritative scope and focus
* Reviews from renowned scientists across a range of subjects, providing both overviews and new data, supplemented by extensive bibliographies
* Extensive illustrations and examples from the field

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is a magnificent information source that fully complies with the editor's self-set goal and serves both advanced students and specialists. This volume and the entire Treatise on Geochemistry series should expect a very wide distribution thanks to the successful effort of the executive editors and the volume editor."
-Jorg Matschillat for Environmental Geology, 2006

"Most of the chapters in this volume are easy and agreeable to read. They avoid long historical description of the evolution of the subject and are generally well focused on the latest developments of our knowledge. This is well reflected in the references cited which are mainly covering the last ten years (except for chapters 3 and 4). ...The Treatise on Geochemistry is without any doubt a very useful reference book for a large scientific community and especially for students and teachers."
-R. Wollast, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium

The book is easy to read and should be a reference for students and teachers in geochemistry, ecology, and earth sciences, especially those interested in global change or environmental chemistry.
International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 2005

Book Description

Traces impact of life on the geochemistry of the Earth's surface

Product Details

• Paperback: 720 pages
• Publisher: Elsevier Science; 1 edition (June 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0080446426
• ISBN-13: 978-0080446424
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 7.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #772,293 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #89 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Chemistry > Geochemistry

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have book, January 14, 2010

By 

Avi "avi" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Biogeochemistry: Treatise on Geochemistry, Volume 8 (Paperback)

Although it may looks like a boring book initially, it contains a lot of useful information on biogeochemistry. This book can serve for two purposes depending on the level of reader's expertise: for getting general idea or knowledge on certain aspect of biogeochemistry, or for refreshing old knowledge on certain aspect. One thing readers should keep in their mind is that this book is dense due to the fact that it's trying to cover huge area within a few pages. Sometimes I thought that I needed further explanation on certain idea or certain technique mentioned in the book to understand fully. That would be only problem for someone who is new in certain field. However, this book can serve for starting discussion on certain topic or studying further. Another thought I had was that debates, different opinions on certain topic barely included in the book since it' main purpose was to depict general picture of our understanding on certain field, which was done excellently. I might be wrong because I just read several chapters from this book, not entire book.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. It's useful starting point to explore more, useful reference in the middle of research, and useful finishing point.