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Books in Earth and planetary sciences

Elsevier's Earth and Planetary Sciences collection brings together pioneering research on the complexities of our planet and beyond. Covering topics from Earth's structural dynamics and ecosystems to planetary exploration, these titles support advancements in geoscience, environmental science, and space studies, offering essential insights for researchers, professionals, and students.

  • Sediment Quality Assessment and Management in Marine and Freshwater Environments

    Current Approaches, Emerging Tools, and Future Directions
    • 1st Edition
    • Sabine E. Apitz + 1 more
    • English
    Sediment Quality Assessment and Management in Marine and Freshwater Environments: Current Approaches, Emerging Tools, and Future Directions addresses the urgent need for practical, state-of-the-science guidance on assessing and managing contaminated sediments in both marine and freshwater systems. Recognizing the vital role sediments play in water quality, ecosystem health, and human infrastructure, this comprehensive volume bridges the gap between scientific principles and real-world management practices. The book provides a thorough examination of current assessment frameworks, diagnostic tools, and innovative methodologies, while highlighting the unique challenges of transboundary and site-specific sediment management.With contributions from leading experts, it offers clear insights into the biological, chemical, and geophysical factors that influence sediment quality, and explores the latest advances in ecotoxicology, bioavailability, passive sampling, risk assessment, and remediation. Designed for students and researchers of sediment quality, marine biologists, and professionals studying water quality and hydrology, this essential reference equips readers with the knowledge and strategies needed to protect aquatic resources and human uses of the aquatic environment, setting a new standard for sediment quality management worldwide.
  • Restoration and Sustainable Development of Mine-Affected Soils and Degraded Lands

    Advances for Natural Resources Conservation and Land Sustainability
    • 1st Edition
    • Jaume Bech + 3 more
    • English
    Restoration and Sustainable Development of Mine-Affected Soils and Degraded Lands: Advances for Natural Resources Conservation and Land Sustainability delves into the latest advancements in sustainable post-mining land development. This comprehensive volume begins by assessing environmental legacies from mining activities, considering their impacts on different environmental spheres such as the pedosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. It explores the interconnections between these spheres and the material fluxes that result from mining interventions, offering in-depth analysis for professionals in the field. The book also discusses the prediction and analysis of environmental benefits and challenges related to mine closures and the transition to renewable energy.It includes social and economic opportunities and obstacles of mine closure and the phasing out of coal, viewed from regional, national, and global standpoints. Management approaches are examined, considering environmental, socio-economic, and political challenges, drawing insights from successful experiences and lessons learned. Finally, the connection between soil and human health in mine-affected areas is analyzed, providing a valuable resource for mining engineers, soil scientists, and environmental resource managers.
  • Physical Chemistry at the Intersection of Combustion and Atmospheric Sciences

    • 1st Edition
    • Brandon Rotavera
    • English
    Physical Chemistry at the Intersection of Combustion and Atmospheric Sciences provides the first detailed exploration of overlapping scientific problems in physical chemistry within the domains of combustion and atmospheric chemistry. Specific problems addressed in this book include detailing the current state of knowledge and future research needs on topics, such as the role of organic hydroperoxide reactivity in both atmospheric chemistry and combustion, the importance of peroxy radicals produced in biofuel and hydrocarbon combustion that control chain-branching, and in tropospheric chemistry, affect OH-budgeting and the formation of aerosols that impact air quality.Significant attention is also paid to the influence of functional groups on combustion reaction mechanisms as well as downstream effects on gas-phase chemical reactions in atmosphere. Specifically, problems connecting gas-phase reactions of functionalized organic molecules present in combustion emissions to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation are addressed. In addition, remaining challenges in understanding the subsequent physical and chemical processes involving SOA will be addressed. It is written primarily for research staff scientists, R&D personnel (laboratory and industry), graduate students, and professors in the fields of physical chemistry, atmospheric science, and chemical engineering.
  • Understanding Faults

    Detecting, Dating, and Modeling
    • 2nd Edition
    • David Tanner + 1 more
    • English
    Understanding Faults: Detecting, Dating, and Modeling, Second Edition reveals the dynamic world of faults and earthquakes. It offers a single resource for analyzing faults for a variety of applications, from hazard detection and earthquake processes to geophysical exploration. Chapters explore the intricate processes of fault detection, utilizing various methods to identify and characterize faults in different settings. Numerical modeling techniques are employed to simulate fault behavior and seismic activity, providing insights into fault dynamics and earthquake mechanisms. The book also closely examines faulting in laboratory settings, allowing for controlled experiments to study fault growth and behavior under controlled conditions. The dating of fault movement sheds light on the timing and history of fault activity, providing crucial information for understanding seismic hazards and tectonic processes. Additionally, fault sealing mechanisms and their implications are examined, revealing how faults evolve and interact with their surrounding environment. A unique perspective is offered on faults in the context of the Energy Transition, exploring the role of faults in energy-related processes and transitions. By examining faults from multiple angles, including geological, geophysical, and energy perspectives, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of fault systems and their significance in various domains.
  • Remote Sensing Techniques for Blue Carbon and Coastal Ecosystem Monitoring

    • 1st Edition
    • Uzair Aslam Bhatti + 2 more
    • English
    Remote Sensing Techniques for Blue Carbon and Coastal Ecosystem Monitoring offers a comprehensive exploration of cutting-edge remote sensing technologies for the effective monitoring and conservation of blue carbon ecosystems, including mangroves and seagrass beds. In the face of increasing threats from emerging contaminants such as plastics, pharmaceuticals, and pollutants, this book highlights the vital role these ecosystems play in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. Combining satellite imagery, UAV-based sensing, hyperspectral techniques, and ecological models with GIS integration, it provides both theoretical insights and practical case studies from around the world.Essential for students, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, this guide equips readers with the tools necessary to assess ecosystem health, inform management strategies, and support sustainable coastal development in a rapidly changing environment.
  • The Soil Nexus

    Understanding Ecosystem Dynamics and Digital Innovations
    • 1st Edition
    • Hamid Reza Pourghasemi + 1 more
    • English
    The Soil Nexus: Understanding Ecosystem Dynamics and Digital Innovations explores the intricate relationships between soil health, ecosystem function, and cutting-edge technologies. This comprehensive book examines the critical role of soil in biogeochemical cycles, microbial dynamics, and sustainable agricultural practices, while also addressing contemporary challenges such as climate change and urbanization. Key methodologies, including digital soil mapping, artificial intelligence, and innovative restoration techniques, are examined in detail, providing readers with practical insights and case studies that illustrate the real-world applications of these advancements. This book serves as an invaluable resource for soil scientists and environmental researchers engaged in soil studies and management. Graduate students and professionals will find the comprehensive analysis of emerging technologies and methodologies particularly beneficial for enhancing their research and practical applications. By bridging theoretical knowledge with actionable insights, The Soil Nexus: Understanding Ecosystem Dynamics and Digital Innovations equips readers to navigate complex soil-related challenges while promoting collaborative efforts in soil stewardship.
  • Weather and Climate

    Applications of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 13
    • Simon Driscoll + 6 more
    • English
    Weather and Climate: Applications of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, Volume 13 provides a comprehensive exploration of machine learning in the context of weather forecasting and climate research. Sections begin with an introduction to the fundamentals and statistical tools of machine learning and an overview of various machine learning models. Emulation and machine learning of sub-grid scale parametrizations are discussed, along with the application of AI/ML in weather forecasting and climate models. Next, the book delves into the concept of explainable AI (XAI) methods for understanding ML and AI models, as well as the use of generative AI in climate research.The book explores the interface of data assimilation and machine learning for weather forecasting, showcasing case studies of machine learning applied to environmental monitoring data. Final sections look ahead to the future of ML and AI in climate and weather-related research, providing references for further reading. This comprehensive guide offers valuable insights into the intersection of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and atmospheric science, highlighting the potential for innovation and advancement in weather and climate research.Members of the Royal Meteorological Society are eligible for a 35% discount on all Developments in Weather and Climate Science series titles. See the RMetS member dashboard for the discount code.
  • GNSS Applications to Monitor Natural Hazards

    • 1st Edition
    • Joseph Awange
    • English
    Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are a cornerstone of modern geodetic positioning, but their true potential extends far beyond traditional applications. GNSS Applications to Monitor Natural Hazards presents a systematic, step-by-step methodology for leveraging satellite-based positioning to detect, analyze, and mitigate environmental threats—from floods and droughts to seismic shifts and landslides. As climate change intensifies natural hazards, this book bridges the gap between theory and practice, offering researchers, engineers, and policymakers reproducible techniques to enhance early-warning systems. For the first time, it also explores AI-enhanced GNSS, demonstrating how machine learning can unlock real-time hazard prediction and adaptive monitoring. Designed for both experts and newcomers, this work translates cutting-edge research into actionable strategies, empowering readers to harness GNSS technology for a more resilient future. Whether optimizing disaster response or decoding subtle environmental changes, this book is an essential guide to reducing the impact of catastrophic events through innovation.
  • Subsurface Data Assimilation

    Theory and Applications
    • 1st Edition
    • Xiaodong Luo + 2 more
    • English
    Subsurface Data Assimilation: Theory and Applications provides a comprehensive exploration of data assimilation algorithms applied to subsurface characterization and monitoring. The book begins with data assimilation methods, including multilevel data assimilation, coupled data assimilation with machine learning, and generative neural networks for geological parameterization. It also introduces Latent-Space Data Assimilation (LSDA), leveraging deep learning for feature-based analysis and forecasting, and geostatistical seismic inversion techniques. The second part of the book looks into the practical applications of data assimilation in various subsurface problems. Chapters explore CO2 monitoring, geologic CO2 sequestration, and the use of data assimilation for earthquake or CO2 storage scenarios.Hierarchic... data assimilation procedures for carbon storage with uncertain geological scenarios are discussed, along with applications of data assimilation in geothermal energy contexts. The book also addresses practical uncertainty management practices and challenges related to CO2 storage and geothermal energy projects.
  • Remote Sensing for Vegetation Monitoring

    Technologies, Applications and Models
    • 1st Edition
    • Prem Chandra Pandey + 3 more
    • English
    Remote Sensing for Vegetation Monitoring: Technologies, Applications and Models provides insight on the pivotal role that remote sensing plays in vegetation monitoring. As traditional field assessments face challenges due to inaccessible study sites and lengthy data collection, this book offers a comprehensive view of remote sensing applications for monitoring various vegetation ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, mangroves, and agriculture. The book presents a coherent and consistent structure, across five sections that build upon prior knowledge and detail the quantitative and qualitative assessments made possible through remote sensing technologies. Remote Sensing for Vegetation Monitoring: Technologies, Applications and Models caters to a diverse audience, including researchers and practitioners seeking to navigate the evolving landscape of vegetation monitoring through case studies, new algorithms and state-of-the-art methods.