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Books in Environmental sciences

The Environmental Sciences titles present critical research and insights into the complex interactions within natural ecosystems, climate systems, and human impacts on the environment. Covering areas such as biodiversity, sustainability, climate change, and resource management, these titles support scientific discovery and practical solutions for addressing today’s most pressing environmental challenges. This collection is essential for researchers, policymakers, and students dedicated to advancing environmental understanding and stewardship

  • Sedimentary Processes: Quantification Using Radionuclides

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 5
    • J. Carroll + 1 more
    • English
    The advent of radionuclide methods in geochronology has revolutionized our understanding of modern sedimentary processes in aquatic systems. This book examines the principles of the method and its use as a quantitative tool in marine geology, with emphasis on the Pb-210 method. The assumptions and consequences of models and their behaviour are described providing the necessary background to assess the advantages and trade-offs involved when choosing a particular model for application. One of the purposes of this volume is to disentangle the influences of complicating factors, such as sediment flux variations, post-depositional diffusion of radionuclides, and bio-irrigation of sediments, to arrive at sediment ages and to properly assess the attendant data uncertainty. Environmental impacts of chemical, nuclear, or other waste material are of concern in a variety of areas around the world today. A number of relevant examples are included, demonstrating how dating models are useful for determining sources of contaminants and interpreting their influence on the environment.The book is set at a level so that an able student or professional should have no difficulty in following the procedures and methods developed. Each chapter includes case histories showing the strengths and weaknesses of a given procedure with respect to a data example. Included with this volume is the computer source code of a new generation of modelling tools based on inverse numerical analysis techniques. This first generation of the modelling tool is included, along with detailed instructions and examples for its use, in an appendix.
  • Nuclear Decommissioning, Waste Management, and Environmental Site Remediation

    • 1st Edition
    • Colin Bayliss + 1 more
    • English
    Decommissioning nuclear facilities is a relatively new field, which has developed rapidly in the last ten years. It involves materials that may be highly radioactive and therefore require sophisticated methods of containment and remote handling. The wastes arising from decommissioning are hazardous and have to be stored or disposed of safely in order to protect the environment and future generations. Nuclear decommissioning work must be carried out to the highest possible standards to protect workers, the general public and the environment. This book describes the techniques used for dismantling redundant nuclear facilities, the safe storage of radioactive wastes and the restoration of nuclear licensed sites.
  • Sustainable Transport

    • 1st Edition
    • R Tolley
    • English
    Cycling and walking are both essential components in sustainable transport strategy and are becoming an ever more important part of urban planning. There is now a wealth of international experience of how well sustainable planning works in practice and how it can be improved. With a wide range of contributions from America, Australia, Europe as well as the UK, Sustainable transport sums up many of the lessons learnt and how they can be applied in improved planning. Non-motorised transport planning depends on combining improvements to infrastructure with education.There are chapters examining both national strategies and local initiatives in cities around the world, including such topics as changes to existing road infrastructure and the integration of cycling and walking with public transport. Since education is a critical element in sustainable transport planning, contributors also consider such topics as developing healthier travel habits and ways of promoting cycling and walking as alternatives to the car.With its blend of practical experience and suggestions for improvement, Sustainable transport is essential reading for urban planners, environmental groups and those researching transport issues.
  • Analysis and Fate of Surfactants in the Aquatic Environment

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 40
    • Thomas P. Knepper + 2 more
    • English
    An understanding of the fate and behaviour of organic chemicals, such as surfactants, in the environment is a prerequisite for the sustainable development of human health and ecosystems. As surfactants are being produced in huge amounts, it is important to have a detailed knowledge about their lifetime in the environment, their biodegradability in wastewater treatment plants and in natural waters, and their ecotoxicity. Parameters relevant for the assessment of long-term behaviour, such as interactions with hormonal systems need to be understood to avoid unexpected adverse effects to future generations of people and the environment. However, the identification and quantification of commercial surfactants in the environment is made more complicated and cumbersome because they comprise of tens to hundreds of homologues, oligomers and isomers of anionic, nonionic, cationic and amphoteric compounds.The EU-funded PRISTINE project (Priority surfactants and their toxic metabolites in wastewater effluents: An integrated study; ENV4-CT97-0494) provides the basis for the content of this title. It provides policy makers and industry with detailed information on analysis and concentrations of surfactants and their degradation products in the environment.In addition to a general introduction to surfactants, this book comprises a comprehensive variety of analytical techniques, including sample handling, for the analysis of surfactants in the aquatic environment. Readers will find all the necessary information for analyzing the different groups of surfactants, with special emphasis on transformation products. Quality assurance is also reported on in detail. Chapters on toxicity and risk assessment are also included and give a complete perspective on the surfactants problem in the aquatic environment.
  • Handbook of Water and Wastewater Microbiology

    • 1st Edition
    • Duncan Mara + 1 more
    • English
    "Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and therefore a basic human right" --Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary General Edited by two world-renowned scientists in the field, The Handbook of Water and Wastewater Microbiology provides a definitive and comprehensive coverage of water and wastewater microbiology. With contributions from experts from around the world, this book gives a global perspective on the important issues faced in the provision of safe drinking water, the problems of dealing with aquatic pollution and the processes involved in wastewater management. Starting with an introductory chapter of basic microbiological principles, The Handbook of Water and Wastewater Microbiology develops these principles further, ensuring that this is the essential text for process engineers with little microbiological experience and specialist microbiologists alike.
  • Bioindicators and Biomonitors

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 6
    • B.A. Markert + 2 more
    • English
    This book provides comprehensive single source coverage of bioindication/biomon... in the fields of ecology, ecotoxicology and environmental sciences; from the ecological basics to the effects of chemicals on the environment and the latest test strategies.Contribut... by leading figures in ecology from around the world reflect the broad scope of current thinking and research, making this volume essential reading for informed professionals and students.
  • Evolution on Planet Earth

    Impact of the Physical Environment
    • 1st Edition
    • Lynn Rothschild + 1 more
    • English
    Driving evolution forward, the Earth's physical environment has challenged the very survival of organisms and ecosystems throughout the ages. With a fresh new perspective, Evolution on Planet Earth shows how these physical realities and hurdles shaped the primary phases of life on the planet. The book's thorough coverage also includes chapters on more proximate factors and paleoenvironmental events that influenced the diversity of life. A team of notable ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and paleontologists join forces to describe drifting continents, extinction events, and climate change -- important topics that continue to shape Earth's inhabitants to this very day. In a world where global change has become an international issue, this book provides a several billion-year evolutionary perspective on what the environment and environmental change means to life.
  • Ozone Air Pollution in the Sierra Nevada - Distribution and Effects on Forests

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 2
    • A. Bytnerowicz + 2 more
    • English
    The book contains information on geology, climate and vegetation of the Sierra Nevada with a special emphasis on air pollution effects on the mixed conifer forests. A history of the extent of air pollution effects on mixed conifer forests, especially ponderosa and Jeffrey pines is provided. The physiological basis for ozone-type injury development in ponderosa pine, a discussion of ozone uptake by plants at different levels of biological organization and the effects of air pollution and other stresses on mountain forests are discussed. A considerable portion of the book is dedicated to development of statistical models and maps of ambient ozone distribution in the Sierra Nevada based on the 1999 monitoring data with passive samplers. The implications of the methodological results, formulation and application of regional air quality models for integrated assessment of urban and wildland pollution and the need for functionally integrated models of ozone deposition to the Sierra Nevada forests are also discussed. Management and monitoring needs for improved long-term understanding air pollution effects on forest ecosystems, discussion of options for proper management of the air pollution affected forests, and comparison of monitoring and modelling of ozone and forest health status in the Sierra Nevada with similar efforts in mountains of North American and European mountain ranges are the focus of the later chapters of the book.
  • Modelling Radioactivity in the Environment

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 4
    • E.M. Scott
    • English
    Just as an environmental model typically will be composed of a number of linked sub-models, representing physical, chemical or biological processes understood to varying degrees, this volume includes a series of linked chapters exemplifying the fundamental nature of environmental radioactivity models in all compartments of the environment.Why is a book on modelling environmental radioactivity necessary? There are many reasons why such a boook is necessary, perhaps the most important that:- modelling is an often misunderstood and maligned activity and this book can provide, to a broad audience, a greater understanding of modelling power but also some of the limitations.- modellers and experimentalists often do not understand and mistrust each other's work yet they are mutually dependent, in the sense that good experimental science can direct good modelling work and vice-versa; we hope that this book can dispel mistrust and engender improved understanding.- there is an increasing reliance on model results in environmental management, yet there is also often misuse and misrepresentation of these results. This book can help to bridge the gap between unrealistic expectations of model power and the realisation of what is possible, practicable and feasible in modelling of environmental radioactivity; and finally,- modelling tools, capacity and power have increased many-fold in a relatively short period of time. Much of this is due to the much-heralded computer revolution, but much is also due to better science. It is useful to consider what gap if any still remains between what is possible and what is necessary.
  • Environmental Engineering

    • 4th Edition
    • Ruth Weiner + 1 more
    • English
    Environmental Engineering, Second Edition provides a comprehensive introduction to air, water, noise, and radioactive materials pollution and its control. Legal and regulatory principles and risk analysis are included in addition to engineering principles. The text presents the engineering principles governing the generation and control of air and water pollutants, solid and hazardous waste, and noise. Water quality and drinking water treatment are discussed, as well as the elements of risk analysis. Radioactive waste generation and treatment in relation to the nuclear fuel cycle, are discussed. The health and environmental effects of all these pollutants are discussed. An introduction to the Federal laws and regulations governing pollution is included.