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Elsevier

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

  • Systems Analysis and Simulation in Ecology

    Volume 1
    • 1st Edition
    • Bernard C. Patten
    • English
    Systems Analysis and Simulation in Ecology, Volume I, is a book of ecology in transition from a ""soft"" science, synecology, to a ""hard"" science, systems ecology. It is an enthusiastic and optimistic statement about the fundamental adaptability of the scientific mechanism to newly appreciated truths of existence. It documents, in ecological science, a move away from the explanatory or cognitive criterion toward the predictive criterion, a hard one with the potential of leading ultimately to optimal design and control of ecosystems. The book is organized into three parts. Part I is an overview of some of the methods and rationales for ecological systems modeling for the purposes of simulation and systems analysis. It provides an elementary introduction to the use of analog and digital computers for simulation and a rationale for ecological model-building. Part II illustrates three different approaches to population modeling. These include a mathematical analysis of microbial (Chlorella, Selenastrum) dynamics in both continuous and batch cultures; and a bioenergetics study of the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium, utilizing concepts from control theory and the transfer function technique of classical dynamic analysis. Part III brings together a group of papers describing various aspects and philosophies of ecological simulation. These include common problems in ecosystem simulation and the question whether or not some of the newer methods of systems ecology might not be used in connection with some of the older data and observations of traditional synecology.

  • The Ecology of Waste Water Treatment

    • 1st Edition
    • H. A. Hawkes
    • English
    The Ecology of Waste Water Treatment covers the principles of biology considered necessary for an understanding of some ecological aspects of wastewater treatment. This book is composed of seven chapters, and begins with an overview of the significant biological aspects related to wastewater treatment. The subsequent chapters examine the factors determining the dominant organisms in sludge and bacteria beds. Other chapters highlight the role of biological oxidation in wastewater treatment and the ecological parameters in the design and operation of activated sludge plants. A chapter provides practical methods of maintaining population balance at a low level of microorganisms. The final chapter considers the operational requirements necessary to ensure suitable ecological conditions for bacteria beds. This book is of value to microbiologists, ecologists, and environment-related fields.

  • Systems Analysis and Simulation in Ecology

    Volume III
    • 1st Edition
    • Bernard C. Patten
    • English
    Systems Analysis and Simulation in Ecology, Volume III, and its companion, Volume IV, grew out of a symposium, Modeling and Analysis of Ecosystems, held at the University of Georgia, 1-3 March 1973. The purposes of the meeting were to (i) review the status of ecosystem modeling, simulation, and analysis; (ii) provide a forum for interaction between U.S. International Biological Program (IBP) Biome modeling programs and selected non-IBP investigations involving systems approaches to ecosystem analysis; and (iii) identify and promote dialogue on key issues in macrosystem modeling. The volume is organized into two parts. Part I treats ecosystem modeling in the U.S. IBP. The introductory chapter is followed by five chapters describing grassland, deciduous forest, desert, tundra, and coniferous forest biome modeling. The concluding chapter is one of critique and evaluation. Part II is devoted mainly to freshwater ecosystems, grading into the estuarine system in the last chapter. The five chapters of this section encompass a simple thermal ecosystem, small woodland streams, a reservoir, one of the Great Lakes, a lake reclaimed from eutrophication, and a major estuary under stress of human impact.

  • TEQC83

    Procedings of the International Conference on Testing, Evaluation and Quality Control of Composites
    • 1st Edition
    • T. Feest
    • English
    TEQC83 covers the proceedings of the International Conference on the Testing, Evaluation, and Quality Control of composite materials. The 31 papers included in the book cover topics within the general areas of mechanical testing, materials characterization, non-destructive testing, quality assurance and structural analysis, and environmental testing. Experimental techniques for measuring fiber/matrix interfacial bond shear strength; prediction of notch-tip energy absorption in composite laminates; an X-ray radiography study of delamination growth in notched carbon/epoxy laminates; and quality assurance in a production environment are examples of papers included in the book. The book also presents topics, such as influence of processing on the water aging of unsaturated polyester-based composites; the determination of interlaminar fracture toughness and fracture mode dependence of composites using the edge delamination test; and pattern recognition in ultrasonic testing of fiber reinforced plastics. Design engineers will find this book helpful.

  • Strategies for Survival

    Cultural Behavior in an Ecological Context
    • 1st Edition
    • Michael A. Jochim
    • English
    Strategies for Survival: Cultural Behavior in an Ecological Context focuses on the ecological relationships between cultural behavior and its environmental context. The proliferation of ecological studies within anthropology suggests the increasing emphasis given to the systemic context of behavior. The aim of this book is to develop a framework for examining these relationships and for comparing diverse ecological studies within a coherent conceptual structure. It seeks to include any aspect of behavior, to investigate the links between ideological and material factors, to broaden the view of relevant factors and possible assumptions, and to relate the processes of decision-making to their specific context in a manner allowing cross-cultural comparisons. In the process, certain popular forms of ecological explanation will be examined. In addition, specific behavioral examples will be investigated in an attempt to explain patterns of similarities and differences. This book is addressed to all individuals interested in human-environmental interactions, including professional anthropologists and general students of human behavior.

  • The Hudson River Basin

    Environmental Problems and Institutional Response
    • 1st Edition
    • Ralph W. Richardson + 1 more
    • English
    The Hudson River Basin: Environmental Problems and Institutional Response, Volume 1 covers a wide array of serious and complex environmental problems, reflecting the poor state of the environment itself. Most of the environmental problems in the Hudson Basin today are the result, direct or indirect, of the tremendous population and economic growth in the 25 years following World War II. This book is composed of six chapters that consider the results of the Hudson Basin Project's task groups, which presents numerous case studies of environmental controversies or "problem situations" in the Hudson Basin. The Project's innovative approach begins with the delineation of its study area, which comprises the New York metropolitan region plus that portion of its hinterland within the Hudson River watershed. Within this area, the Project examines the very broad range of issues resulting from long-term interaction between human settlement and its surrounding natural resource base. This work also describes another distinctive feature of the Project, the division of the ?environment? into the so-called ten ?policy sectors?. An interdisciplinary task group asks to view the basin?s environment from the standpoint of a given policy sector and to examine the interactions between its sector and each of the other nine. The final chapters deal with the energy availability, land use, and natural resource management of the Hudson River Basin. This book will prove useful to environmentalists and researchers.

  • Sulfur, Energy, and Environment

    • 1st Edition
    • Beat Meyer
    • English
    Sulfur, Energy, and Environment is a guide to the properties of sulfur; its three important compounds; and a review of the production, use, and recovery of sulfur in relation to energy production and environmental protection. After a brief introduction to the history of sulfur, the chemical properties of the element and some important compounds are reviewed, using common analytical methods. Sulfur is a strategic chemical in many modern applications and may make headway into high-volume non-chemical uses as it is being modified according to our changing technology and needs. The sources of sulfur and where it frequently occurs is explained. This discussion is followed by citing reviews of the four most important cycles, that is, the global sulfur cycle, hydrosphere, atmospheric sulfur budget, and the anthropogenic sulfur cycle. Sulfur production methods, coal combustion chemistry, and flue gas desulfurization are then described. The many uses of sulfur are described, including in medicine, agriculture, chemical industry, and the plastic industry. However, throughout the production of sulfur, problems affecting the environment occur, so environmental control and legislation are also discussed. Finally, the trends of sulfur research, production, use and recovery, role of chemistry, and the future overall area where science, energy, chemistry, and the environment exist together are presented. Chemists and chemistry students, industrialists, and environmental planners will find this guide to sulfur helpful. Lecturers in chemistry and researchers in the many fields of application of sulfur will likewise benefit from it.

  • Coping and Defending

    Processes of Self-Environment Organization
    • 1st Edition
    • Norma Haan
    • David T. Lykken
    • English
    Coping and Defending: Processes of Self-Environment Organization investigates coping and defending within the context of personal-social psychology, with emphasis on processes of self-environment organization. Topics range from ego and stress to personality theory, family, and child rearing. Comprised of 13 chapters, this book begins with a discussion on theories and conceptualizations of ego, paying particular attention to its logical constraints as state; the neomechanical personal man; rational choice; and continuity and discontinuity in states. Subsequent chapters explore coping, defense, and fragmentation as ego processes; immanent value in personality theory; problems and perspectives in investigating ego processes; and the interregulation between structures and ego processes. The next section is largely devoted to empirically based findings concerning the development of ego processing; the link between stress and processing; and processing in families. The final chapter describes research aimed at developing and improving coping and defense scales based on personality inventories. This monograph will be of interest to developmentalists, cognitivists, personologists, clinicians, and social psychologists, as well as sociologists and perhaps anthropologists.

  • Biological Waste Treatment

    • 1st Edition
    • W. W. Eckenfelder + 1 more
    • English
    Biological Waste Treatment is the outgrowth of a course entitled ""Bio-oxidation of Organic Wastes—Theory and Design"" initiated at Manhattan College in 1955. The objective of the course was to present the fundamentals of bio-oxidation which would serve as a framework for the analysis, design, and operation of biological waste treatment facilities. This book reflects the authors' approach to the solution of waste treatment problems. It is intended as an engineering text that applies the principles of physics, chemistry, and biology of waste treatment to the design and operation of waste treatment facilities. The book begins with discussions of the pollutional characteristics of waste waters, the strength and flow of waste, waste treatment processes, and biochemical oxygen demand. Subsequent chapters cover the principles of biological oxidation, the theory and practice of aeration, stream and estuary analysis, and solid-liquid separation. The final chapters deal with aerobic and anaerobic biological treatment processes and sludge handling and disposal. Although this text is primarily intended to serve as a guide for the practicing engineer, it should also serve as a useful reference for graduate students in sanitary engineering.

  • Physiology, Environment, and Man

    Based on a Symposium Conducted by the National Academy of Sciences–National Research Council, August, 1966
    • 1st Edition
    • Douglas H. K. Lee + 1 more
    • English
    Physiology, Environment, and Man is based on a symposium conducted by the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council, August 1966. While one might expect a textbook to present its field in organized and comprehensive fashion, a symposium necessarily follows more of an illustrative pattern, according to the personal interests or even idiosyncrasies of the participants. It is interesting to note that, in spite of these limitations, the presentations did in fact cover the range of physiological concerns with environmental effects, from the genetic to the temporal, and from the molecular to the holistic. The book opens with a discussion of the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council’s broad-based critical study of the physiological underpinning of current concepts of biological responses to toxic chemicals and physical stresses. Subsequent chapters deal with topics such as the metabolic fate of common environmental agents; growth and trophic factors in carcinogenesis; environmental factors in aging and mortality; adaptation to heat and cold; and the definition of an optimum environment.

  • Eighth International Conference on Water Pollution Research

    Proceedings of the 8th International Conference, Sydney, Australia, 1976
    • 1st Edition
    • S. H. Jenkins
    • English
    Water Pollution Research covers the proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Water Pollution Research, held in Sydney, Australia on October 17-22, 1976. This book is composed of 150 and begins with discussions of the different sources of water pollution, including aerosolization, viral contamination, hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. Considerable chapters are devoted to various chemical processes for wastewater management; technical requirements for standard water quality; and methods of pollutant analysis. These topics are followed by surveys of Sydney's design of ocean outfall, an integrated pollution control system, and sewage sludge disposal. Other chapters describe the features of wastewater treatment reactors and other treatment alternatives. The remaining chapters present various case studies demonstrating the performance and improvements of different wastewater treatment facilities. This book will prove useful to water pollution researchers, environmentalists, and design engineers.

  • Systems Analysis and Simulation in Ecology

    Volume IV
    • 1st Edition
    • Bernard C. Patten
    • English
    Systems Analysis and Simulation in Ecology, Volume IV continues the organization begun in Volume III to document a meeting, Modeling and Analysis of Ecosystems, held at the University of Georgia on 1-3 March 1973. Several chapters are considerably expanded over their original concept, and several others are included which were not part of the symposium. The book is organized into five parts. Part I contains chapters on estuarine-marine ecosystems. Part II presents models of several terrestrial ecosystems. Part III has chapters devoted to human aspects of ecology. Part IV considers special problems of ecosystem modeling, namely linear versus nonlinear models, aggregation, and validation. Part V, the most extensive section, describes theory in ecosystem analysis. The book’s chapters demonstrate the current scope of systems ecology—its past and present emphasis on parts and mechanisms in simulation modeling, and its movement toward systems analysis and new, more formal consideration of wholes in theory. They make clear that although the systems approach is young in ecology, it has substantially enriched the science both methodologically and conceptually.

  • Global Change in Multispecies Systems: Part III

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 48
    • English
    Advances in Ecological Research is one of the most successful series in the highly competitive field of ecology. Each volume publishes topical and important reviews, interpreting ecology as widely as in the past, to include all material that contributes to our understanding of the field. Topics in this invaluable series include the physiology, populations, and communities of plants and animals, as well as landscape and ecosystem ecology.

  • The Effects of Noise on Man

    • 1st Edition
    • Karl D. Kryter
    • Douglas H.K. Lee + 2 more
    • English
    The Effects of Noise on Man covers the techniques for the evaluation of environmental noise in terms of its effects on human. The book provides the fundamental definitions of sound, its measurement, and concepts of the basic functioning, and the attributes of the auditory system. The text also presents along with their experimental basis, procedures for estimating from physical measures of noise its effects on man's auditory system and speech communications. The last part of the book is devoted to man's nonauditory system responses and includes information about the effects of noise on work performance, sleep, feelings of pain, vision, and blood circulation.

  • Molecular Approaches to Ecology

    • 1st Edition
    • Marcel Florkin + 1 more
    • English
    Molecular Approaches to Ecology presents studies on the molecular aspects underlying adaptation along with discussions of the concept of molecular adaptation. A proper approach to the study of adaptation must start from the consideration of the relation organism-environment at the level of the community or of the organism, and progressively proceed from this organismic starting point to the underlying molecular aspects. Examples are presented showing that the adaptation to a given environment cannot be traced down to a single molecular mechanism. The book contains nine chapters and begins with a discussion of adaptation and natural selection. This is followed by separate chapters on the basic concepts of comparative biochemistry; the biochemical continuum and ecological integration; and the chemical properties of organisms related to physical and chemical properties of the environment. Subsequent chapters deal with isosmotic intracellular regulation; physiological radiations of biochemical systems; and metabolic relations in the production of the cocoon by the silkworm.

  • Air Pollution and Its Effects

    Air Pollution
    • 2nd Edition
    • Arthur C. Stern
    • English
    Air Pollution, Second Edition, Volume I: Air Pollution and Its Effects discusses the cause, effect, transport, measurement, and control of air pollution. The volume covers the nature of air pollution; mechanism of the dispersal of air pollution by meteorological factors and from stacks; and its effect upon plants, animals, humans, materials, and visibility. The classification and extent of air pollution problems; air pollution effects on urban atmospheric and weather conditions; and the effects of air pollution on materials and the economy are discussed as well. Engineers, physicians, meteorologists, economists, sociologists, agronomists, and toxicologists will find the book a valuable reference material.

  • Existing Mechanisms of Arms Control

    • 1st Edition
    • Wayland Young
    • English
    Existing Mechanisms of Arms Control is a five-chapter text that considers the mechanisms for the international control of warlike materials, principally fissile material. This book emphasizes the very few cases where states have already come together and, by formal treaties, bilateral or multilateral, have set up systems and organizations for the international control, under international inspection, of weapons and warlike materials. Chapter 1 describes the role of Western European Union, which embodies a regional settlement, largely military in character. Western European Union authorizes the production of nuclear weapons by other member states on the continent of Western Europe. Chapter 2 looks into the United States program's relationship with that of the International Atomic Energy Agency. This chapter deals also with the reason for U.S. support for the development of international safeguard. Chapters 3 and 4 evaluate the function and peaceful purposes of the European Atomic Energy Community and the European Nuclear Energy Agency. Chapter 5 reviews the control of uranium, plutonium and associated facilities intended for peaceful purposes through the International Atomic Energy Agency. This book is of value to researchers and general readers who are interested in international efforts for arms control.

  • The Boreal Ecosystem

    • 1st Edition
    • James A. Larsen
    • T. T. Kozlowski
    • English
    The Boreal Ecosystem presents an overview of the state of knowledge on the boreal forest region of North America, with extensive reference to the boreal regions of Europe and Asia. Initial sections of this book deal with aspects of the floristic composition and evolutionary history of the boreal vegetation. These introduce subsequent discussions on the processes at work in vegetation, soils, and the atmosphere—in short, with the boreal forest as an ecosystem, the sum total of the influences of many closely interlaced biotic and physical factors. These include not only plant species that make up the visible vegetation but also nutrients, soil, temperature, rainfall, progression of the seasons, soil microflora, arthropods, insects, and larger animals such as marten, otter, beaver, moose, caribou, bear, and wolf, and man. All are closely linked strands in the web of life, a web apart from, yet dependent on and influencing, the raw physical environment. This book should serve as an introduction and reference source to its audience: undergraduate and graduate students in the biological and ecological disciplines, research workers in these fields as well as in related areas such as soil science, agronomy, genetics, and climatology; in short, everyone with an interest in boreal ecology.

  • Environmental Quality and Safety

    Global Aspects of Chemistry, Toxicology and Technology as Applied to the Environment
    • 1st Edition
    • Frederick Coulston + 1 more
    • English
    Environmental Quality and Safety: Global Aspects of Chemistry, Toxicology and Technology as Applied to the Environment, Volume 3 is a collection of papers that deals with environmental safety. The collection presents some definitions of environmental safety from different viewpoints: that of a consumer, a scientist, a producer, and a regulator. One paper then discusses pesticide residues and radioactive substances that are found in food. This paper compares pesticide and radioactivity problems such as permissible limits and the measurement methods employed. The volume also presents air quality standards discussed at an international symposium in Paris. One paper examines two ways of assessing the hazards caused by environmental chemicals through epidemiological statistical evaluation and animal experimentation. The volume cites as example the environmental problems encountered in the United States as referenced by the Environmental Protection Agency. One paper also enumerates the reasons why the role of biochemical criteria in stabling air quality guides should be considered important. Another paper also discusses the problem of applying animal toxicological (pesticide residue and radioactive substances) test results to human. The compendium is valuable for environmentalists, toxicologists, marine biologists, industrial chemists, and nuclear scientists.

  • Research with the Locus of Control Construct

    • 1st Edition
    • Herbert M. Lefcourt
    • English
    Research with the Locus of Control Construct, Volume 1: Assessment Methods was created to serve two purposes. The first is to fill the researcher's need for information about the application of appropriate locus of control scales to their particular purposes or samples. It presents a variety of locus of control scales and describes the relevant research and applications. The second purpose for this book involves the general field of personality psychology. Often personality constructs emerge, occupy center stage for the better part of a decade, and then almost silently disappear from view. By contrast, the locus of control construct has occupied a central position in personality research for a decade. The contributions to this volume represent some of the innovations that extend the utility of the locus of control construct to different areas of concern. It illustrates a simple principle—that a construct continues to be viable only as long as it continues to inspire innovations; if it remains static the construct will eventually disappear. This book is intended to provide information regarding new developments and to encourage new questions and applications that may allow the locus of control construct to outlive the brief life span that is common among personality constructs. It is assumed that the reader is already familiar with the basic literature on locus of control research.

  • The Control of Fertility

    • 1st Edition
    • Gregory Pincus
    • English
    The Control of Fertility is concerned with the experimental control of fertility as a specific biological problem. It is, first of all, an attempt to summarize a collection of data hitherto either partially or not at all presented. Secondly, it attempts to indicate those avenues which hold promise for future investigation. Finally, it attempts an assessment of the implications of understandings and ignorances. The book opens with an account of the sequence of processes essential to successful sexual reproduction in mammals. This is followed by separate chapters on approaches to the inhibition of spermatogenesis, ovulation, fertilization, and free ovum development. Subsequent chapters deal with blastocyst development and implantation, biological activities of compounds affecting fertility, fertility control in men and women, the inhibition of ovulation, biological properties of ovulation inhibitors in human subjects, and effectiveness and acceptability of contraception.

  • Water and Sanitation

    Economic and Sociological Perspectives
    • 1st Edition
    • Peter G. Bourne
    • English
    Water and Sanitation: Economic and Sociological Perspectives presents the complex interrelationships involved in the development of water resources. This book discusses the global concern about the water problem and examines the issues relating to the worldwide management of water resources. Organized into 13 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the increasing recognition of the importance of water in the development of a country. This text then examines the numerous infections related to water supply and sanitation and describes its complex relationships. Other chapters consider the growing realization that women's roles are more than that of passive beneficiaries of water and sanitation projects. This book discusses as well the increasing demand on limited water resource due to the fast-growing population and its insatiable needs. The final chapter deals with the very costly and complicated method of conventional sewerage. This book is a valuable resource for public health engineers and waste technicians.

  • Iceberg Utilization

    Proceedings of the First International Conference and Workshops on Iceberg Utilization for Fresh Water Production, Weather Modification and Other Applications Held at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA, October 2-6, 1977
    • 1st Edition
    • A. A. Husseiny
    • English
    Iceberg Utilization covers the proceedings of the First International Conference and Workshops on Iceberg Utilization for Fresh Water Production, Weather Modification and Other Applications, held at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA on October 2-6, 1977. The book focuses on the efforts to consider the feasibility of using icebergs as alternative water and energy resources relative to the growing concern on global water and energy shortage. The compilation first offers information on the patterns of cooperation in international science and technology and evaluation of subsidiary effects and concomitant issues and challenges in iceberg utilization. The text also looks at the consideration of icebergs as potential water resource, including arctic drifting stations, remote sensing, and transport of icebergs. The book discusses elements of iceberg technology and remote sensing of thickness of icebergs, as well as sources and properties of tabular icebergs and towing, handling, processing, and selection of icebergs. The text also considers the international law problems in the acquisition and transportation of Antarctic icebergs; ecological considerations of iceberg transport from Antarctic waters; and energy and freshwater production from icebergs. The selection is a dependable reference for readers wanting to explore the potential of icebergs as energy and water resource.

  • Radiological Monitoring of the Environment

    Proceedings of a Symposium Organized by the Central Electricity Generating Board in Association with the Joint Health Physics Committee; Held at Berkeley, Gloucestershire, October 1963
    • 1st Edition
    • B. C. Godbold + 1 more
    • English
    Radiological Monitoring of the Environment documents the proceedings of a symposium organized by The Central Electricity Generating Board in association with The Joint Health Physics Committee, held at Berkeley, Gloucestershire, on 3-4 October 1963. Environmental monitoring in its different aspects is of interest to most health physicists, and in particular to those of the Generating Board in relation to nuclear power stations and nuclear laboratories. The symposium served the dual purpose of disseminating information on a subject of importance, and fulfilling one of the objectives of the Joint Health Physics Committee by bringing together people working in various fields. This volume is divided into two parts, following the way in which the symposium was arranged. The first part of the volume contains the papers and the second part consists of the transactions of the meeting at Berkeley. The papers presented cover topics such as radioactivity in agricultural products; the monitoring of artificial radioactivity in waters round the British Isles; the monitoring of uranium and plutonium dust hazards; radiological control in university laboratories; and environmental surveys around research reactors.

  • Analysis, Monitoring, and Surveying

    Air Pollution
    • 2nd Edition
    • Arthur C. Stern
    • English
    Air Pollution, Second Edition, Volume II: Analysis, Monitoring, and Surveying discusses the cause, effect, transport, measurement, and control of air pollution. The volume deals with the sampling, analysis, measurement, and monitoring of air pollution. Devices and techniques for determining the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere; analysis of organic and inorganic gaseous pollutants; particulate matter evaluation; and air quality monitoring are tackled as well. Engineers, physicians, meteorologists, economists, sociologists, agronomists, and toxicologists will find the book a valuable reference material.

  • Perinatal Genetics

    Diagnosis and Treatment
    • 1st Edition
    • Ian H. Porter + 2 more
    • English
    Perinatal Genetics: Diagnosis and Treatment brings together the proceedings of the 15 Annual New York State Health Department Birth Defects Symposium held on September 30-October 1, 1984 in Albany, New York. The symposium provided a forum for clarifying and rationalizing certain aspects of diagnosis and treatment of perinatal genetic birth defects such as fragile X syndrome, phenylketonuria, and hypothyroidism. Comprised of 17 chapters, this book begins with an epidemiological review of very early pregnancy loss, focusing on fertilization and implantation; the probability of loss between fertilization and implantation (on about the sixth day), and between implantation and the 14th day (the first day of the expected next period in a non-pregnant woman); and the contribution of chromosomal errors in the sperm, ovum, and zygote to early reproductive loss. The reader is then introduced to cytogenetic abnormalities in spontaneous abortions of recognized conceptions; repetitive spontaneous abortion; and prenatal genetic diagnosis by chorionic villus sampling. Subsequent chapters explore prenatal treatment of biochemical disorders; in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer; and moral issues concerning third trimester pregnancy terminations. This monograph will appeal to perinatologists, neonatologists, obstetricians, pediatricians, and geneticists and should also serve as a useful guide for health professionals who provide care to pregnant women and their newborns.

  • Research Approaches to Sustainable Biomass Systems

    • 1st Edition
    • Seishu Tojo + 1 more
    • English
    Researchers, students and engineers working with biofuels and biomass are increasingly expected to comprehend a new holistic systems perspective that begins with wise crop breeding and cultivation techniques and informs the entire conversion to energy process. This volume provides diverse examples of successfully implemented sustainable biomass research in Asia, highlighting the challenges faced by designers of new biomass production facilities and tips on how to develop approaches to overcome them. In addition to providing an authoritative guide on the utilization of the authors’ sample feedstocks, rice straw and sunflower, the authors provide lessons relevant to stakeholders involved with all manner of biomass production projects by drawing out important comparisons and contrasts that must be taken into account when deciding how to utilize biomass as an energy resource in a way that is economically feasible and environmentally sustainable.

  • Spatial Capture-Recapture

    • 1st Edition
    • J. Andrew Royle + 3 more
    • English
    Spatial Capture-Recapture provides a comprehensive how-to manual with detailed examples of spatial capture-recapture models based on current technology and knowledge. Spatial Capture-Recapture provides you with an extensive step-by-step analysis of many data sets using different software implementations. The authors' approach is practical – it embraces Bayesian and classical inference strategies to give the reader different options to get the job done. In addition, Spatial Capture-Recapture provides data sets, sample code and computing scripts in an R package.

  • Transparency for Sustainability in the Food Chain

    Challenges and Research Needs EFFoST Critical Reviews #2
    • 1st Edition
    • Gerhard Schiefer + 1 more
    • English
    Transparency for Sustainability in the Food Chain lays out the key issues and challenges in food safety, food quality, chain integrity, the link with consumers, and the technological base of tracking and tracing systems. This succinct volume brings readers up to speed on the state of the art in these areas, and the research trends in specific domains. Transparency in the food sector, especially to consumers, is one of the priority issues on the agenda of consumer policy representatives. Food scandals and deficiencies in consumer communication have drawn increasing demands for food policies that ensure that food is safe and of the quality consumers expect. Further, consumers increasingly expect that food production processes limit negative impacts on the environment and consider social concerns. Moving toward improved transparency requires action by stakeholders of the food chain but also knowledge on where and how to move. Researchers and professionals working in food sourcing, regulation, safety, and distribution will benefit from this clear overview.

  • Biomass for Energy, Environment, Agriculture and Industry

    • 1st Edition
    • P. Chartier + 2 more
    • English
    Interest in the use of biomass for non-food applications has grown strongly in recent years, mainly as a consequence of its potential as a prime renewable energy resource. Renewable energies rank highly among the options that will contribute to the prevention of climate change and to security of energy supply in the future. Furthermore, exploiting biomass is very attractive as a way of dealing with two sensitive issues facing the majority of westernEuropean countries today; the extent of unemployment and the setting aside of farm lands to limit excess agricultural production.The 8th European Conference for Energy, Environment, Agriculture and Industry, held in Vienna, October 1994 was larger that any of its predecessors, with over 300 refereed contributions from 20 countries worldwide and over 520 participants. It was arguably the most significant event to date in this field, providing the opportunity for an international exchange of information on the recent progress in developing and implementing renewable biomass based non-food technologies. Published in 3 volumes, the proceedings of this conference therefore contain the most complete overview of the present state-of-the-art. Subjects covered include: biomass resource base, electricity and heat generation, transportation fuels, chemicals from biomass, products from bio- and thermochemical conversion technologies, economics, environmental aspects and opportunities for implementation worldwide, in particular in developing countries.Apart from the numerous contributions on the most recent results in research, development and implementation, the publication also contains authoritative reviews on most of the above-mentioned areas from leading experts in each field. In addition to this, it contains a list of key issues for developing a successful strategy leading to a rapid implementation in Europe and abroad.As a result it is indispensable for anyone working in this area, whether in research, demonstration or in policy development.

  • Handbook of Energy

    Diagrams, Charts, and Tables
    • 1st Edition
    • Cutler J. Cleveland + 1 more
    • English
    Handbook of Energy, Volume I: Diagrams, Charts, and Tables provides comprehensive, organized coverage on all phases of energy and its role in society, including its social, economic, political, historical, and environmental aspects. While there is a wealth of information about energy available, it is spread across many books, journals, and websites and it tends to target either a particular form of energy or a specific audience. Handbook of Energy provides a central repository of information that meets diverse user communities. It focuses on visual, graphic, and tabular information in a schematic format. Individuals and researchers at all educational levels will find the Handbook of Energy to be a valuable addition to their personal libraries.

  • Global Ecology

    Towards a Science of the Biosphere
    • 1st Edition
    • Mitchell B. Rambler
    • English
    Public awareness and concern over environmental degradation has reached an all time high, as the effect of man's activities on the global environment grows to greater and greater proportions. To understand the consequences of these activities, it is necessary to understand the fundamental nature of the system that supports life on a planetary scale. This book is the first interdisciplinary text on global ecology and is readable to students with only one to two years of science background. It contains a glossary of specialized terms which will enable students who are traditionally trained in geology, astronomy, and chemistry to understand the ecological topics presented. It places biogeochemical cycles witin a planetary perspective, and ties satellite technology, and applications to the earth sciences. As such, it can be the basis for new courses in planetary ecology, as well as being useful for present day ecology courses and seminars in environmental science.

  • Evaluating Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in Developing Countries

    • 1st Edition
    • Salim Momtaz + 1 more
    • English
    Evaluating Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in Developing Countries is a valuable reference book for practitioners and researchers conducting research in and developing studies on environmental science and management and environmental and social impact assessment. The book’s authors have developed and tested a new framework to evaluate environmental impact assessment (EIA) systems that may be adopted by most developing countries with EIA experience. Application of this framework will help determine if the EIA is achieving its intended goal of sustainable development in these countries. It also explains the reasons behind the strengths and weaknesses from which the development practitioners and international development partners can take lessons. This book will help the reader answer such questions as "What are the best forms of public participation?" and "How do we measure contributions to EIA procedure?" since it is based on direct experiences from a developing country that is struggling with many of these issues. Evaluating Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in Developing Countries provides further understanding of appropriate tools to evaluate environmental and social impacts of development initiatives especially in developing countries.

  • Forest Monitoring

    Methods for terrestrial investigations in Europe with an overview of North America and Asia
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 12
    • English
    The demand for comparable, long-term, high quality data on forest ecosystems' status and changes is increasing at the international and global level. Yet, sources for such data are limited and in many case it is not possible to compare data from different monitoring initiatives across space and time because of methodological differences. Apart from technical manuals, there is no comprehensive multidisciplinary, scientific, peer-reviewed reference for forest monitoring methods that can serve and support the user community. This book provides in a single reference the state-of-the-art of monitoring methods as applied at the international level.The book present scientific concepts and methods that form the basis of the transnational, long-term forest monitoring in Europe and looks at other initiatives at the global level. Standardized methods that have been developed over two decades in international forest monitoring projects are presented. Emphasis is put on trans-nationally harmonized methods, related data quality issues, current achievements and on remaining open questions.

  • Climate Vulnerability

    Understanding and Addressing Threats to Essential Resources
    • 1st Edition
    • Roger A. Pielke Sr.
    • English
    Climate change has been the subject of thousands of books and magazines, scientific journals, and newspaper articles daily. It’s a subject that can be very political and emotional, often blurring the lines between fact and fiction. The vast majority of research, studies, projections and recommendations tend to focus on the human influence on climate change and global warming as the result of CO2 emissions, often to the exclusion of other threats that include population growth and the stress placed on energy sources due to emerging global affluence. Climate Vulnerability, Five Volume Set seeks to strip away the politics and emotion that surround climate change and will assess the broad range of threats using the bottom up approach—including CO2 emissions, population growth, emerging affluence, and many others—to our five most critical resources: water, food, ecosystems, energy, and human health. Inclusively determining what these threats are while seeking preventive measures and adaptations is at the heart of this unique reference work.

  • Encyclopedia of Biodiversity

    • 2nd Edition
    • Simon A Levin
    • English
    The 7-volume Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, Second Edition maintains the reputation of the highly regarded original, presenting the most current information available in this globally crucial area of research and study. It brings together the dimensions of biodiversity and examines both the services it provides and the measures to protect it. Major themes of the work include the evolution of biodiversity, systems for classifying and defining biodiversity, ecological patterns and theories of biodiversity, and an assessment of contemporary patterns and trends in biodiversity. The science of biodiversity has become the science of our future. It is an interdisciplinary field spanning areas of both physical and life sciences. Our awareness of the loss of biodiversity has brought a long overdue appreciation of the magnitude of this loss and a determination to develop the tools to protect our future.

  • Biorefinery in the Pulp and Paper Industry

    • 1st Edition
    • Pratima Bajpai
    • English
    The traditional pulp and paper producers are facing new competitors in tropical and subtropical regions who use the latest and largest installed technologies, and also have wood and labor cost advantages. Due to the increasing global competition, the forest products prices will continue to decrease. To remain viable, the traditional producers need to increase revenue by producing bioenergy and biomaterials in addition to wood, pulp, and paper products. In this so-called Integrated Products Biorefinery, all product lines are highly integrated and energy efficient. Integrated Products Biorefineries present the forest products industry with a unique opportunity to increase revenues and improve environmental sustainability. Integrated Products Biorefinery technologies will allow industry to manufacture high-value chemicals, fuels, and/or electric power while continuing to produce traditional wood, pulp, and paper products. The industry already controls much of the raw material and infrastructure necessary to create Integrated Products Biorefineries, and Agenda 2020 partnerships are speeding development of the key enabling technologies. Once fully developed and commercialized, these technologies will produce enormous energy and environmental benefits for the industry and the nation. Biorefinery in the Pulp and Paper Industry presents the biorefining concept, the opportunities for the pulp and paper industry, and describes and discusses emerging biorefinery process options. This book also highlights the environmental impact and the complex and ambiguous decision-making challenges that mills will face when considering implementing the biorefinery.

  • Biogeochemistry

    An Analysis of Global Change
    • 3rd Edition
    • W.H. Schlesinger + 1 more
    • English
    Biogeochemistry—winn... of a 2014 Textbook Excellence Award (Texty) from the Text and Academic Authors Association—consider... how the basic chemical conditions of the Earth, from atmosphere to soil to seawater, have been and are being affected by the existence of life. Human activities in particular, from the rapid consumption of resources to the destruction of the rainforests and the expansion of smog-covered cities, are leading to rapid changes in the basic chemistry of the Earth. This expansive text pulls together the numerous fields of study encompassed by biogeochemistry to analyze the increasing demands of the growing human population on limited resources and the resulting changes in the planet's chemical makeup. The book helps students extrapolate small-scale examples to the global level, and also discusses the instrumentation being used by NASA and its role in studies of global change. With extensive cross-referencing of chapters, figures and tables, and an interdisciplinary coverage of the topic at hand, this updated edition provides an excellent framework for courses examining global change and environmental chemistry, and is also a useful self-study guide.

  • Sustainable Energy Management

    • 1st Edition
    • Mirjana Radovanovic + 2 more
    • English
    While the last few decades have witnessed incredible leaps forward in the technology of energy production, technological innovation can only be as transformative as its implementation and management allows. The burgeoning fields of renewable, efficient and sustainable energy have moved past experimentation toward realization, necessitating the transition to more sustainable energy management practices. Energy Management is a collective term for all the systematic practices to minimize and control both the quantity and cost of energy used in providing a service. This new book reports from the forefront of the energy struggle in the developing world, offering a guide to implementation of sustainable energy management in practice. The authors provide new paradigms for measuring energy sustainability, pragmatic methods for applying renewable resources and efficiency improvements, and unique insights on managing risk in power production facilities. The book highlights the possible financial and practical impacts of these activities, as well as the methods of their calculation. The authors’ guidelines for planning, analyzing, developing, and optimizing sustainable energy production projects provide vital information for the nations, corporations, and engineering firms that must apply exciting new energy technology in the real world.

  • Global Change in Multispecies Systems: Part II

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 47
    • English
    Advances in Ecological Research is one of the most successful series in the highly competitive field of ecology. Each volume publishes topical and important reviews, interpreting ecology as widely as in the past, to include all material that contributes to our understanding of the field. Topics in this invaluable series include the physiology, populations, and communities of plants and animals, as well as landscape and ecosystem ecology.

  • Fundamentals of Ecosystem Science

    • 1st Edition
    • Kathleen C. Weathers + 2 more
    • English
    Fundamentals of Ecosystem Science provides a compact and comprehensive introduction to modern ecosystem science. This book covers major concepts of ecosystem science, biogeochemistry, and energetics. It addresses, contrasts, and compares both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. It combines general lessons, concepts, frameworks, and challenges in highly accessible synthesis chapters. It presents firsthand case studies, written by leaders in the field, offering personal insights into how adopting an ecosystem approach led to innovations, new understanding, management changes, and policy solutions. This book is ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate students who have had a general biology course, but not further training in ecosystems as well as researchers and professionals in ecology and environmental sciences.

  • Environmental Engineering and Renewable Energy

    • 1st Edition
    • Renato Gavasci + 1 more
    • English
    This book contains the papers presented at the First International Conference on Environmental Engineering and Renewable Energy held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in September 1998. The main aim of the conference was to give an opportunity to scientists, experts and researchers from different fields to convene and discuss environmental and energy problems and also be informed about the state of the art.Today, environmental protection is increasingly becoming a matter of global priority now that the tendency towards sustainable development is growing. The main concept of sustainable development is to fulfill both the demand of today's generation and cater for the requirements of future generations. Hence, sustainable development requires sound management of those environmental and research and development technologies which have low environmental impact and which promote the use of renewable sources.Renewable energies are the only environmentally benign sources of energy and are available at any site and any time of the year. Moreover, the utilization of renewable sources of energy can contribute to the increasing energy demand and also advance the improvement of life standards in rural areas, where it is difficult to establish a permanent connection with central electricity systems. Application and adoption of emerging renewable energy technologies in rural and remote areas cannot be successful without transfer of knowledge, information and know-how.Environment... engineering involves research and application of technologies to minimize the undesirable impact on the environment. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in environmental engineering problems in order to focus on theoretical and experimental studies on atmospheric pollution, water management and treatment, waste treatment, disposal and management.

  • Agriculture in Dry Lands

    Principles and Practice
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 26
    • I. Arnon
    • English
    Throughout history, man has, by over-use, consistently reduced the productive capacity of dry lands. This degradation of one-third of the land area of the globe is, unfortunately, increasing. In recent years, world interest has turned to the problems of pollution of the environment and the impending food shortage as world population grows explosively. Thus the attention of international and other agricultural bodies has turned to the need for preserving and developing more effectively the agricultural potential of these areas.This book provides a comprehensive review of present knowledge of the agriculture of dry lands, with special emphasis on measures for conserving their natural resources. Management practices are described which aim at optimizing productivity of rainfed and irrigated agriculture without adverse effects on sustainability. Land use in the dry regions, and its evolution throughout history is described and analysed, and the lessons to be learnt from destructive technologies are stressed. In particular, current proposals for an alternative agriculture are discussed and their justification is questioned. This is a generalist work, which specialists can also find interesting, not only in their own discipline but as a concise way of acquainting themselves with the state-of-the-art in associated fields. Increasing specialisation with each discipline using its own vocabulary leads inevitably to communication problems, and the need for multi-disciplinary teams makes inter-discipline communication indispensible.

  • Techniques in Wildlife Investigations

    Design and Analysis of Capture Data
    • 1st Edition
    • John R. Skalski + 1 more
    • English
    Techniques for Wildlife Investigations emphasizes the design of field studies and the statistical inferences that can be made from observed changes in animal abundance and populations. The information presented here is of value not only for wildlife management but also for social and economic decision-making related to the environmental effects of human activities on wildlife populations. Biologists, ecologists, biometricians, fish and game managers will find this book invaluable in their work.

  • Land and Stream Salinity : An International Seminar and Workshop Held in November 1980 in Perth Western Australia

    An International Seminar and Workshop Held in November 1980 in Perth Western Australia
    • 1st Edition
    • L.W. Holmes
    • English
    Land and Stream Salinity is a compilation of papers that review the state and knowledge of processes involved in land and stream salinity, and that consider its application in different environments. This book also identifies gaps in research and development, and it designates the priorities that could significantly benefit salinity control. In addition, it identifies alternative strategies of land and water management for salinity control and determines techniques for evaluating quantitatively the alternative strategies. Furthermore, this book focuses on salinity problems in south Western Australia. After discussing the history and effects of salinity in Western Australia, the book considers the influence of plant communities on the hydrology of catchments, and it discusses evapotranspiration rates from wet and dry foliage and soil water deficit. This is followed by the transport of salts in soils and subsoils; the residence times of water and solutes within and below the root zone and saturated zone; analyses of solute distributions in deeply weathered soils; and the transport of salts in catchments and soils. This book also includes chapters on the saline seed development and control in the North American Great Plains, and the terrain, groundwater and secondary salinity in Victoria, Australia. It also presents the hydrologic model, the solute-transport models and their role in the analysis of groundwater, and the hydrosalinity models. The last chapters focus on different kinds of management for salinity control.

  • Farm Land Erosion

    in Temperate Plains Environments and Hills
    • 1st Edition
    • S. Wicherek
    • English
    During the last twenty years, mutations within agricultural systems in France and Europe have brought on a spectacular worsening of soil erosion and degradation. This volume, contributed to by scientists from 25 countries, discusses how this risk can be evaluated, and which solutions should be adopted without radically disturbing the socio-economic orientation of major agricultural regions. It is an excellent starting point for the development of new research themes, and will be of great value to soil and environmental scientists, and to all those involved in land irrigation and drainage.

  • Pollution Control for Agriculture

    Problems, Processes, and Applications
    • 2nd Edition
    • Loehr
    • English
    Pollution Control for Agriculture, Second Edition describes approaches adaptable to the treatment, disposal, and management of agricultural wastes, incorporating full-scale technologies, concepts, data, and operating systems. The book also discusses energy conservation, natural resource utilization, and nonpoint source control. Examples of problems attributable to agriculture include unbalanced natural ecological systems and increased eutrophication from waste disposal practices. Other problems include the depletion of dissolved oxygen in surface water, and impurities in groundwater from improper waste disposals on land. The text notes that understanding the characteristics of these wastes leads to more effective disposal methods and treatment. For example, biological treatment is preferred for liquid waste that contain dissolved organic solids, while incineration or composting is appropriate for solid waste with a high organic content. The book also lists the options that can be chosen to control agricultural nonpoint sources, the best of which is by planning and management practices that regulate the source and delivery of nonpoint pollutants, These practices will limit nonpoint pollutants from reaching their destinations (surface water or groundwater). The text also emphasizes the need for a balance between the extremes of agricultural production, profit motives, and environmental concerns. The book is suitable for agriculturists, economists, environmentalists, ecologists, and policy makers involved in food production, environmental safety, and health issues.

  • International Perspectives on Municipal Solid Wastes and Sanitary Landfilling

    • 1st Edition
    • Bozzano G Luisa
    • English
    This volume provides a perspective on how different countries cope with the municipal solid waste problem politically, administratively, and technically--with a particular focus on sanitary landfilling. Fifteen countries report on the quantities of such waste generated, its composition, and on various management methods used. In addition they report on sanitary landfilling, the impacts of past practices, current practices for leachate control, and landfill gas management. Finally, the role of government, new handling strategies, and likely future directions in waste management are discussed.

  • Industrial Chemicals

    Their Characteristics and Development
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 6
    • G. Agam
    • English
    The special world of industrial chemistry is illuminated in this text. Issues such as naming and classification of chemicals, safety, formulations and specifications, information and patents are treated. Process-related topics are discussed, such as scaling-up, equipment selection, construction materials, environmental impact and waste minimization. Aspects which fall in between the traditional disciplines of chemistry and chemical engineering are covered, which are so critical for the development of a successful industrial process, and the awareness of which avoids pitfalls in industrial research and development. Case studies are given, and special appendices provide useful information for the industrial chemist or student.The book is aimed at industrial chemists and engineers, and at students in those faculties, intending to pursue this field in industry. Marketing and purchasing staff will also find this text valuable.

  • Agricultural Ecology and Environment

    • 1st Edition
    • B.R. Stinner + 2 more
    • English
    The increased use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in crop production has adversely affected both the environment and the agricultural economy. Not only has it led to environmental pollution, but also the increasing costs of chemical inputs and the low prices received for agricultural products have contributed to economic unprofitability and instability.The International Symposium on Agricultural Ecology and Environment was organised in order to discuss ways of achieving the goals of economically and environmentally sustainable agriculture. It is apparent that a truly multidisciplinary effort is required and for this reason the meeting was attended by authors from many different disciplines and geographical locations. Although their papers reflect a wide diversity of agroecosystem types and examples, several common themes emerge: the increased importance of biotic control of ecosystem processes in lower input systems; the key role of soil organic matter in stabilizing nutrient cycling; the importance of agricultural landscape diversity and complexity; the importance of studying ecological processes in natural and agricultural ecosystems; the critical need to integrate socio-economic and ecological approaches.

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