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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.

BooksJournals

  • Biogeomorphology, Terrestrial and Freshwater Systems

    • 1st Edition
    • C.R. Hupp + 2 more
    • English
    Biogeomorphology, a relatively new term, refers to relations between the biota and geomorphic form and process. Ecology is the study of organisms in relation to their physical and biotic environment. Thus, ecogeomorphology could have been an equally acceptable name for this publication which stresses the ecological aspects of the larger field of biology. Most of the articles relate vegetation to fluvial geomorphology, erosion, and sedimentation. However, articles showing the significance of animal ecological studies and their bearing on geomorphic form and process are also included.Geographica... the papers range from arid areas in the American Southwest and Israel to the new world tropics. Most articles, however, are concerned with temperate areas of North America and Western Europe.This is among the first books to approach the role that biota and ecology play in geomorphic processes and should be on the shelf of every landscape ecologist.

  • Reservoir Characterization II

    • 1st Edition
    • Lake
    • English
    Reservoir Characterization II contains the proceedings of the Second International Reservoir Characterization Conference held in Dallas, Texas in June 1989. Contributors focus on the characterization of reservoir processes and cover topics ranging from surface roughness in porous media and reservoir characterization at the mesoscopic scale to shale clast heterogeneities and their effect on fluid flow, permeability patterns in fluvial sandstones, and reservoir management using 3-D seismic data. This book is organized into six sections encompassing 43 chapters. The first 20 chapters deal with reservoir characterization at the microscopic, mesoscopic, and macroscopic scales. Topics include low-contrast resistivity sandstone formations; the use of centrifuge and computer tomography to quantify saturation distribution and capillary pressures; and cross-well seismology as a tool for reservoir geophysics. The chapters that follow deal with reservoir characterization at the megascopic scale; fractal heterogeneity of clastic reservoirs; heterogeneity and effective permeability of porous rocks; and drilling fluid design based on reservoir characterization. A chapter that outlines a procedure for estimating permeability anisotropy with a minipermeameter concludes the book. This book is a valuable resource for students and practitioners of petroleum engineering, geology and geological engineering, petroleum exploration, and geophysics.

  • W-Sn Skarn Deposits

    and Related Metamorphic Skarns and Granitoids
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 24
    • T.A.P. Kwak
    • English
    Intended as a reference for the academically-oriente... geologist as well as the practising economic geologist, this book is concerned with the study of skarn deposits having anomalously high tin or tungsten contents, or both. Unlike many other books on economic geology, both economic W-Sn skarns and non-economic examples are covered, in order to enable the academically-oriente... reader to grasp the full range of such deposits, and also to aid the economic geologist in distinguishing between W-Sn skarns having economic potential and those which do not.W-Sn skarns are notoriously complex, containing a wide range of textures, grain sizes, mineral assemblages, bulk compositions and structures. The lack of a sufficiently detailed data base, coupled with some unsupportable genetic models, has led to many misunderstandings and has often resulted in needless expenditure and effort on fruitless mineral exploration. Thus, the first aim of this book is simply to provide an adequate data base with sufficient references to enable an interested worker to define a skarn deposit and know where to find additional information on similar examples. To aid this, as much data as possible is presented as tables and diagrams.The second aim of the book is to show the reader how to separate skarn rocks found in W-Sn-bearing environments into those produced by metamorphic, isochemical processes (metamorphic skarns) which are uneconomic, and those produced by the introduction and exchange of components from an ore solution (ore skarn). W-Sn skarns are also separated into genetically logical subdivisions so that, if a deposit or a specific geological environment can be identified, then skarn zonation or the potential of finding specific skarn types can be predicted. This is particularly important to the practising exploration geologist because often only a small part of a skarn or only certain skarn types contain economic mineralization.In addition, the book provides an insight into how to assess where mineralogical complications may occur, especially with respect to Sn-skarns, and in which environments such complications may be expected. It also provides enough information for the reader to be able to conceptualize suitable models for W-Sn skarns based on primary data.

  • Principles of Induced Polarization for Geophysical Exploration

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 5
    • J.S. Sumner
    • English
    Developments in Economic Geology, 5: Principles of Induced Polarization for Geophysical Exploration focuses on the principles, methodologies, and approaches involved in induced polarization (IP), including anisotropism, electromagnetic coupling, and electrical circuits. The book first takes a look at resistivity principles, theory of IP, and laboratory work in IP. Concerns cover electrical measurements of rocks, anisotropism, early part of decay curve and the comparison with frequency effects, electrical models of induced polarization, electrical polarization, resistivities of earth materials, and resistivity exploration methods. The manuscript then elaborates on IP field equipment, telluric noise and electromagnetic coupling, IP field surveying, and drill-hole and underground surveying and the negative IP effect. Discussions focus on differences between surface and subsurface methods, current-sending system in the field, telluric (earth) currents, electromagnetic coupling, design considerations, coupling of electrical circuits, design considerations, and signal-generating system. The manuscript ponders on the complex-resistivity method and interpretation of induced-polarization data, including grade estimation of mineralization using the IP method, complex-resistivity survey, signal detection capabilities of the complex-resistivity method, and disadvantages of the complex-resistivity method. The text is a valuable source of information for researchers wanting to study induced polarization.

  • Variational Methods in Geosciences

    • 1st Edition
    • Y.K. Sasaki
    • English
    The last few decades have seen a spectacular growth in the use of variational methods, one of the most classic and elegant methods in physical and mathematical sciences, as powerful tools of optimization and numerical analysis.The tremendous accumulation of information on the use of variational methods in the area of the geosciences, which includes meteorology, oceanography, hydrology, geophysics and seismology, indicated the need for the first symposium on Variational Methods in Geosciences to be organized and held in Norman on October 15-17, 1985. The value of this symposium was enhanced by the number of stimulating and informative papers presented.

  • Platinum-Group Element Exploration

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 26
    • D.L. Buchanan
    • English
    The platinum-group elements (PGE) include platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium. They are currently receiving world-wide attention as an attractive exploration target because they offer the dual attraction of rare, high value precious metals as well as major industrial applications. Platinum has aesthetic qualities, combined with a permanent lustre, which encourage its use in the manufacture of jewellery and, like gold, it also finds an investment role. Platinum, rhodium and palladium have important applications as catalysts, enabling petroleum and other fuels and chemicals to be produced efficiently from crude oil. This book gives a practical set of guidelines for implementing a programme of PGE exploration, detecting subtle indications of mineralization and assessing the economic potential of a group of mafic or ultramafic rocks. Background material is given on the economic and geological framework of the PGE in the first chapter, while theoretical aspects of magma chemistry are covered in the next three. Chapters 5 and 6 review current world-wide exploration activity within the context of available reserves of PGE, and in Chapter 7 factors which need to be considered in exploration for new deposits are outlined. The last chapter discusses evaluation guidelines.As the PGE are both costly and almost indestructible they are normally recycled; nevertheless, a substantial annual input of new metal is needed to replace process losses, to permit increases in capacity in the dependent industries and to provide for new uses. For example, a major new market for platinum will be created if the European Community countries are required to fit catalytic converters to new cars. At present, South Africa and the USSR are the sources of most of the western world's newly mined PGE, with virtually all the South African production derived from the Bushveld Complex. Much of the material presented in this book is based on the author's experience of these rocks, and emphasis is given to the dominant role played by magmatic sulphides as potent collectors of PGE. Consumers of minerals and metals, however, prefer to have a diversity of supply and a new PGE producer is therefore likely to attract a ready market.Not only does the book provide a wealth of practical information for mining geologists, it also contains much of interest to those in natural resource management and investment.

  • Atomic Absorption Spectrometry In Geology

    • 2nd Edition
    • Volume 7
    • Ernest Angino
    • English
    Atomic Absorption Spectrometry in Geology, Second Edition, aims to introduce geologists to the basic simplicity and applicability of atomic absorption spectrometry as it relates to geologic problems; to provide a summary of applications of atomic absorption to geology that are at scattered throughout the literature; and to encourage the accelerated application of atomic absorption spectrometry to geological problems. The book is organized into two parts. The first part, ""Theory and instrumentation,"" explains the theory of atomic absorption spectrophotometry; the operation of the atomic absorption spectrophotometer; and the types of interferences in atomic absorption spectrometry. The second part, ""Methods and applications,"" deals with applications of the atomic absorption method, including detection of the metal content of natural waters; metallic content of ores; and the analysis of trace elements in rocks and minerals. Also discussed are applications of the atomic absorption method in marine geochemistry and for isotopic abundance studies. The book includes some Appendices to the First Edition.

  • Electromagnetic Compatibility in Underground Mining

    Selected Problems
    • 1st Edition
    • K. Miskiewicz + 3 more
    • F. Krasucki
    • English
    Theoretical and technical problems of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in mining are covered in this volume. EMC is discussed in three main groups of problems: sources (generation) of interference, propagation of interference in mining conditions, the influence of interferences on mining devices, particularly electronic devices used in deep coal mines. Propagation of interference and its influence on mining communication and signalling systems as well as on control systems of mining machines are discussed. Attention is paid to the influences of interference on dispatching sytems which give to the dispatcher some information about mining hazards. The book will be of interest to mining and electrical engineers.

  • Regional and Specific Deposits

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 9
    • Bozzano G Luisa
    • English
    Handbook of Strata-Bound and Stratiform Ore Deposits, Volume 9: Regional and Specific Deposits focuses on the processes, methodologies, principles, and approaches involved in the identification of regional and specific ore deposits. The selection first elaborates on the timing of mineralization in stratiform copper deposits, oolitic iron formations, and metalliferous deep-sea sediments. Discussions focus on marine distribution and nature of surface and near-surface deposits, structural setting and associated deposits, principal types of deep-sea metal-enriched sediments, chronological development of oolitic-inland-sea iron formation, and complementary sources and transport mechanisms. The text then tackles heavy-metal accumulation in limnic sediments, trace metals in fresh waters, nature and origin of Archaean strata-bound volcanic associated nickel-iron-copper sulphide deposits, and the significance of pyritic black shales in the genesis of Archean nickel sulphide deposits. Topics include lithological associations, oxidation and supergene alteration of ores, temporal and tectonic setting, dissolved metal concentrations in large freshwater systems, and transport phases of heavy metals in river water. The publication examines strata-bound tin deposits, geology of the Pine Point lead-zinc district, and genesis of the Rammelsberg ore deposit near Goslar/Upper Harz in the Federal Republic of Germany. The selection is a valuable reference for researchers wanting to explore ore deposits.

  • Elemental Analysis in Geochemistry

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 8
    • Alexis Volborth
    • English
    Elemental Analysis in Geochemistry: A. Major Elements provides an introduction to basic classical and modern instrumental ""macro"" methods for geochemical research. The intention is to acquaint the beginning analyst or geochemist with the minimum of analytical methods required to satisfactorily perform a complex silicate or similar analysis. By combining classical and modern instrumental methods in one book, strong emphasis is put on the importance of the analyst's ability to grasp the general structure and relation of some of the most frequently used analytical techniques. The book begins with basic concepts such as the preparation and decomposition of samples; statistical evaluation; and methods of separation and analysis. It outlines the classical qualitative separation scheme, which is very useful in understanding the analytical problems of complex mixtures, especially when hydrogen sulfide group metals are present. It discusses analytical techniques such as the detection and quantitative gravimetric analysis of silicon; volumetric or titrimetric methods; emission photometric analysis; atomic absorption spectroscopy; nondestructive instrumental methods; methods in X-ray spectrochemistry; and developments in neutron activation analysis.

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