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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.

    • Geophysical Electromagnetic Theory and Methods

      • 1st Edition
      • Volume 43
      • March 26, 2009
      • Michael S. Zhdanov
      • English
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 4 5 2 9 6 3 3
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 9 3 1 7 6 0
      In this book the author presents the state-of-the-art electromagnetic (EM)theories and methods employed in EM geophysical exploration.The book brings together the fundamental theory of EM fields and the practicalaspects of EM exploration for mineral and energy resources.This text is unique in its breadth and completeness in providing anoverview of EM geophysical exploration technology. The book is divided into four parts covering the foundations of EMfield theory and its applications, and emerging geophysical methods.Part I is an introduction to the field theory required for baselineunderstandin... Part II is an overview of all the basic elements ofgeophysical EM theory, from Maxwell's fundamental equations to modernmethods of modeling the EM field in complex 3-D geoelectrical formations. Part III deals with the regularized solution of ill-posedinverse electromagnetic problems, the multidimensional migration and imaging ofelectromagnetic data, and general interpretation techniques. Part IV describes major geophysical electromagnetic methods—direct current (DC), induced polarization (IP), magnetotelluric(MT), and controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) methods—and covers different applications of EM methods in exploration geophysics, includingminerals and HC exploration, environmental study, and crustal study.
    • Fault-Zone Properties and Earthquake Rupture Dynamics

      • 1st Edition
      • Volume 94
      • March 23, 2009
      • Eiichi Fukuyama
      • English
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 3 7 4 4 5 2 4
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 9 2 2 4 6 1
      The dynamics of the earthquake rupture process are closely related to fault zone properties which the authors have intensively investigated by various observations in the field as well as by laboratory experiments. These include geological investigation of the active and fossil faults, physical and chemical features obtained by the laboratory experiments, as well as the seismological estimation from seismic waveforms. Earthquake dynamic rupture can now be modeled using numerical simulations on the basis of field and laboratory observations, which should be very useful for understanding earthquake rupture dynamics.
    • Cohesive Sediments in Open Channels

      • 1st Edition
      • March 23, 2009
      • Emmanuel Partheniades
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 6 4 9 3 1
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 1 8 5 6 1 7 5 5 6 2
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 8 7 7 9 7 6
      Approx.384 pages
    • The Changing Alpine Treeline

      • 1st Edition
      • Volume 12
      • March 13, 2009
      • David R. Butler + 3 more
      • English
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 4 5 3 3 6 4 7
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 4 5 6 2 3 6 4
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 9 5 7 0 9 8
      The alpine treeline ecotone (ATE) is an area of transition high on mountains where closed canopy forests from lower elevations give way to the open alpine tundra and rocky expanses above. Alpine tundra is an island biome and its ecotone with forest is subject to change, and like oceanic islands, alpine tundra is subject to invasion – or the upward advance of treeline. The invasion of tundra by trees will have consequences for the tundra biome as invasion does for other island flora and fauna. To examine the invasibility of tundra we take a plant’s-eye-view, wherein the local conditions become extremely important. Among these local conditions, we find geomorphology to be exceptionally important. We concentrate on aspects of microtopography (and microgeomorphology) and microclimate because these are the factors that matter: from the plant’s-eye-view, but we pay attention to multiple scales. At coarse scales, snow avalanches and debris flows are widespread and create “disturbance treelines” whose elevation is well below those controlled by climate. At medium scales, turf-banked terraces create tread-and-riser topography that is a difficult landscape for a tree seedling to survive upon because of exposure to wind, dryness, and impenetrable surfaces. At fine scales, turf exfoliation of the fronts of turf-banked risers, and boulders, offer microsites where tree seedlings may find shelter and are able to gain a foothold in the alpine tundra; conversely, however, surfaces of needle-ice pans and frost heaving associated with miniature patterned ground production are associated with sites inimical to seedling establishment or survival. We explicitly consider how local scale processes propagate across scales into landscape patterns. The objective of this book is to examine the controls on change at alpine treeline. All the papers are focused on work done in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. Although any one place is limiting, we are able to examine the alpine treeline here in some detail – and an advantage is that the treeline ecotone in Glacier National Park is quite variable in itself due to the underlying variability in geomorphology at multiple scales. This book will provide insights into an important ecological phenomenon with a distinctly geomorphic perspective. The editors collectively have over 100 years of experience in working in geomorphology, biogeography, and ecology. They also have each worked on research in Glacier National Park for several decades. The book will be a reference for a variety of professionals and students, both graduate and undergraduate, with interests in Physical Geography, Geomorphology, Ecology, and Environmental Science. Because of the importance of the alpine treeline ecotone for recreation and aesthetic interests in mountain environments, wildland and park managers will also use this book.
    • Encyclopedic Dictionary of Hydrogeology

      • 1st Edition
      • March 5, 2009
      • D. J. Poehls + 1 more
      • English
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 5 5 8 6 9 0 0
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 9 2 5 2 7 1
      The scientific disciplines of hydrology and hydrogeology are expanding as the Earth's water is being recognized by governments and individuals as a shrinking resource—no entity can afford to take water for granted. At the present time, there is no single reference source for definitions. The Encyclopedic Dictionary of Hydrogeology is a practical, comprehensive reference guide with complete definitions of terms in hydrogeology and other fields closely related to water practices. This concise reference not only defines terms and concepts, but also provides a clear explanation of key elements so that an in-depth understanding of processes may be obtained.
    • Well Completion Design

      • 1st Edition
      • Volume 56
      • February 20, 2009
      • Jonathan Bellarby
      • English
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 4 5 3 2 1 0 7
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 9 3 2 5 2 1
      Completions are the conduit between hydrocarbon reservoirs and surface facilities. They are a fundamental part of any hydrocarbon field development project. The have to be designed for safely maximising the hydrocarbon recovery from the well and may have to last for many years under ever changing conditions. Issues include: connection with the reservoir rock, avoiding sand production, selecting the correct interval, pumps and other forms of artificial lift, safety and integrity, equipment selection and installation and future well interventions.
    • Introduction to Marine Biogeochemistry

      • 2nd Edition
      • February 5, 2009
      • Susan Libes
      • English
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 0 8 8 5 3 0 5
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 9 1 6 6 4 4
      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 seawater pollution. The book contains many examples as well as steady-state models to aid readers in understanding this growing and complex science..
    • Coastal Wetlands

      • 1st Edition
      • January 18, 2009
      • Gerardo M.E. Perillo + 3 more
      • English
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 9 3 2 1 3 2
      Coastal wetlands are under a great deal of pressure from the dual forces of rising sea level and the intervention of human populations both along the estuary and in the river catchment. Direct impacts include the destruction or degradation of wetlands from land reclamation and infrastructures. Indirect impacts derive from the discharge of pollutants, changes in river flows and sediment supplies, land clearing, and dam operations. As sea level rises, coastal wetlands in most areas of the world migrate landward to occupy former uplands. The competition of these lands from human development is intensifying, making the landward migration impossible in many cases. This book provides an understanding of the functioning of coastal ecosystems and the ecological services that they provide, and suggestions for their management. In this book a CD is included containing color figures of wetlands and estuaries in different parts of the world.
    • Rivers of Europe

      • 1st Edition
      • December 24, 2008
      • Klement Tockner + 2 more
      • English
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 3 6 9 4 4 9 2
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 9 1 9 0 8 9
      Based on the bestselling book, Rivers of North America, this new guide stands as the only primary source of complete and comparative baseline data on the biological and hydrological characteristics of more than 180 of the highest profile rivers in Europe. With numerous full-color photographs and maps, Rivers of Europe includes conservation information on current patterns of river use and the extent to which human society has exploited and impacted them. Rivers of Europe provides the information ecologists and conservation managers need to better assess their management and meet the EU legislative good governance targets.
    • Paleobotany

      • 2nd Edition
      • December 15, 2008
      • Edith L. Taylor + 2 more
      • English
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 5 5 7 8 3 0
      This book provides up-to-date coverage of fossil plants from Precambrian life to flowering plants, including fungi and algae. It begins with a discussion of geologic time, how organisms are preserved in the rock record, and how organisms are studied and interpreted and takes the student through all the relevant uses and interpretations of fossil plants. With new chapters on additional flowering plant families, paleoecology and the structure of ancient plant communities, fossil plants as proxy records for paleoclimate, new methodologies used in phylogenetic reconstruction and the addition of new fossil plant discoveries since 1993, this book provides the most comprehensive account of the geologic history and evolution of microbes, algae, fungi, and plants through time.