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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

    • Soil Physics with BASIC

      Transport Models for Soil-Plant Systems
      • 1st Edition
      • Volume 14
      • G.S. Campbell
      • English
      This book covers material taught in a graduate-level soil physics course at Washington State University. While most soil physics courses dwell mainly on deriving rather than solving the differential equations for transport, the author's approach is to focus on solutions. Graduate students in agricultural and biological sciences usually have a good working knowledge of algebra and calculus, but not of differential equations. In order to teach methods for solving very difficult differential equations with difficult boundary conditions using fairly simple mathematical tools, the author uses numerical procedures on microcomputers to solve the differential equations. Numerical methods convert differential equations into algebraic equations which can be solved using conventional methods of linear algebra.This book reflects the philosophy used in the course. Each chapter introduces soil physics concepts, generally in the conventional way. Most chapters then go on to develop simple computer programs to solve the equations and illustrate the points made in the discussion. Problems at the end of each chapter help the reader practice using the concepts introduced in the chapter. The problems and computer programs are an integral part of the presentation, and readers are strongly encouraged to experiment with each model until both the working of the model and the concepts it teaches are familiar. Although the programs are generally short and relatively simple, they are suitable for use as submodels in large, general-purpose models of the soil-plant-atmospher... system, and have been used in this way by the author and by several of his students.Teachers and students alike will welcome this new textbook. It will enable graduate students to understand and solve transport problems which exist in field situations, and will provide them with a good working knowledge of soil physics - fundamental to so many other areas in soil, plant and engineering sciences.

    • Soil Plasticity

      Theory and Implementation
      • 1st Edition
      • Volume 38
      • W.F. Chen + 1 more
      • English
      This book is addressed primarily to civil engineers familiar with such traditional topics as strength of materials, soil mechanics, and theory of elasticity and structures, but less familiar with the modern development of the mathematical theory of soil plasticity necessary to any engineer working under the general heading of nonlinear analysis of soil-structure system. This book will satisfy his needs in the case of the soil medium.It introduces the reader to the theory of soil plasticity and its numerical implementation into computer programs. The theory and method of computer implementation presented here are appropriate for solving nonlinear static dynamic problems in soil mechanics and are applicable for finite difference and finite element computer codes. A sample computer model subroutine is developed and this is used to study some typical soil mechanics problems.With its comprehensive coverage and simple, concise presentation, the book will undoubtedly prove to be very useful for consulting engineers, research and graduate students in geotechnical engineering.

    • Soil Cutting and Tillage

      • 1st Edition
      • Volume 7
      • E. McKyes
      • English
      After giving a brief history of tillage practices and implements used throughout the world dating back to ancient times, this book goes on to describe the basic soil mechanics techniques needed to calculate the forces developed in soil by simple-shaped cutting tools. The methods of measuring soil mechanical properties, water pressure in soil and shear rate effects are touched upon. A review is given of two and three dimensional soil cutting mathematical mechanics models to predict soil cutting forces and soil volumes disturbed by cutting and tillage tools, as well as the state-of-the-art of soil loosening, structural rearrangement and plant growth as affected by tillage tools. The author also includes an introduction to the analysis of traction machines. There are many numerical examples of mechanical analyses and predictions worked out in the various sections of the book as well as numerous unsolved problems at the end of a number of the chapters.Written in a textbook style, this monograph is ideal for anyone wanting to learn modern techniques for the mechanical description of soil cutting and tillage forces and soil volumes disturbed. It also provides a reference for analytical formulae and calculated force forces. It will be of interest to universities and colleges worldwide which have Agricultural Engineering Programs, Civil and Mechanical Engineering schools which specialize in soil mechanics and construction machinery as well as to research stations worldwide with interests in soil tillage, soil physics etc.

    • Groundwater Monitoring Handbook for Coal and Oil Shale Development

      • 1st Edition
      • Volume 24
      • L.G. Everett
      • English
      Standing alone as the main authority on the subject, this handbook is the result of a multi-million dollar investigation into groundwater monitoring strategies at energy extraction sites. It gives a detailed, step-by-step description of a proven groundwater monitoring methodology which can be used at all potential pollution sites. This methodology, developed by the author and a ``blue ribbon'' team of hydrologists and hydrogeologists from all over the United States, is endorsed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as ``establishing the state-of-the-art used by industry today''.Although site-specific data are provided, the handbook is developed for general application to coal and oil shale development. All sources of potential groundwater contamination from these two energy extraction types are identified as part of the overall monitoring strategy. Sampling methods are presented, including well design, monitor well placement, sample collection methods, sampling frequency, sample preservation and handling, selection and preservation of constituents for monitoring, sample analysis, and interpretation of water quality data. A complete review is provided of drill stem steps, dual packer tests, long term pump tests, and single packer tests. In addition, hydraulic methods, the application of geophysical techniques including temperature, caliper, gamma ray, spinner, radioactive tracer, velocity, sonic, density, electric, and seisviewer logs are presented. The use of a chronological series of steps, each being fully developed and extensively referenced, means that it is particularly easy to follow for the reader wishing to establish a groundwater monitoring program at a coal or oil shale site. One of the great advantages of the handbook is that it is very detailed, with actual data provided.The handbook is a must for consulting engineers, coal and oil development companies, government and private environmental groups, institutes and universities involved in pollution studies. It will also undoubtedly be used to good advantage by teachers and students for many different types of courses including geological engineering, coal and oil shale mining, environmental geology, sanitary engineering, hydrogeology, etc.

    • Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Models

      • 1st Edition
      • Volume 40
      • J.C.J. Nihoul
      • English
      The exchange of momentum, heat, moisture, gases (such as CO2 and O2) and salt between the atmosphere and the ocean is a phenomenon of paramount importance for the dynamics of the atmosphere and the ocean. With the pressing need for reliable climate forecast (e.g. to deal with severe food and energy problems) interactive ocean-atmosphere models have become one of the main objectives of geophysical fluid dynamics. This volume provides the first state-of-the-art review of interactive ocean-atmosphere modelling and its application to climates. The papers are by active and eminent scientists from different countries and different disciplines. They provide a up-to-date survey of major recent discoveries and valuable recommendations for future research.

Related subjects

Atmospheric science

Computers in geosciences

Earth surface processes

Economic geology

Geochemistry and petrology

Geology

Geophysics

Geotechnical engineering engineering geology

Marine science and technology

Mineral processing

Space and planetary science