Book Description

Following in the tradition of the "System of Mineralogy" introduced by Wiley in 1837, this one-of-a-kind reference brings mineralogy into the 21st century. It describes all of the over 3700 recognized mineral species. New features include emphasis on mineral structure, presenting descriptions of all the important species. New specially commissioned structure diagrams describe all the important mineral groups. All homologous species are classified and all polymorphic forms identified. Compact and convenient in one volume, it offers exceptional coverage on where minerals can be found and accurate, up-to-date references. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Do yourself a favor - don't buy this book
I think the Danas would be embarrassed if they lived to see their name on the cover of this book - probably the worst compendium of mineralogical data in the history of science. Here, inaccuracies and errors are the norm rather than exception, and the quality of print and paper are no match even to a circa-1900 missionary's Bible. Sloppy sources like this one do more harm than good by perpetuating errors and introducing new ones, so do yourself a favor and spend your hard-earned $350 on something else.

Long-awaited reference needs work
As a professional geologist, I use this reference often but I have found numerous errors. An example is that the mineral Pentlandite, an important ore of nickel, is not listed in the index. A German website is compiling an errata list on this book and it is many pages long of spelling, locality, formulae and indices errors. Other complaints are: The information concerning the economic use of the minerals is too sketchy and incomplete; and the page paper is too thin and fragile.

Comprehensive, essential mineral species reference
I use the book almost daily while working on a large mineral collection. It is up to date and comprehensive with valuable references to localities. The book is fragile with thin pages so must be used with care. It should be published as a CD ROM.

Is the publisher nuts?
I can't believe that John Wiley & Sons (the publisher) actually tries to sell this book as "compact". It's 1100 pages! The Peterson Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals is a much better "compact" guide. This thing should really be on CD-ROM.

Exhaustive, but FULL OF ERRORS
This book is a must-have for any mineralogist, but the number of errors is daunting. I can find a minimum of 2 significant (or major) errors per page of text. The errors include spelling of mineral names, errors in chemical formulas, errors in physical properties, errors in locality names, errors in state abbreviations for the USA, omissions in the indices, etc.

I recommend waiting for the 2nd or 3rd edition to be printed to allow some of the more major errors to be corrected. Also, the pages are of such thin paper that text from the opposite side is readable. This book should actually be sold as a subscription on CD-ROM, with planned updates to implement corrections and additions. ... Read more

Book Description

Biomarkers are compounds found in crude oil with structures inherited from once-living organisms. They persist in oil spills, refinery products and archaeological artifacts, and can be used to identify the origin, geological age and environmental conditions prevalent during their formation and alteration. These two volumes will be an invaluable resource for geologists, petroleum geochemists, biogeochemists, environmental and forensic scientists, natural product chemists and archaeologists.The first of two volumes of The Biomarker Guide discusses the origins of biomarkers and introduces basic chemical principles relevant to their study. It goes on to discuss analytical techniques, and the applications of biomarkers in environmental and archaeological problems. ... Read more

Book Description

The second volume itemizes parameters used to genetically correlate petroleum and interpret thermal maturity and extent of biodegradation. It documents most known petroleum systems by geologic age throughout Earth history. ... Read more

Book Description

The book describes a wide range of gem and ornamental materials, species by species, opening up the secrets they sometimes conceal. The book reveals when gemstones can be artificially manufactured, when they can be synthesized or cleverly imitated by other materials - like glass - and when their colour has been enhanced, permanently or for a short time, by the hand of man. Readers are told and shown what the tell-tale features are and learn that while nothing is quite what it seems there are ways in which they can spot give-away signs without needing to consult a laboratory.


The book is ideal for the jeweller, the auction house expert, the gemmologist and the mineralogist who will find a new slant on the materials that begin a somewhat less glamorous life as rough specimens. ... Read more

Book Description

Argon isotopic dating, which can be used with ease on small samples, is an important technique for estimating the ages of rocks. It has been used to assign reliable ages to the Earth and numerous meteorites. This second edition covers the standard principles and methods and incorporates many of new developments from the last decade. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Best Textbook of the Year
It made me laugh.It made me cry.A great book. Entertaining AND educational!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Based on Global Water Cycles, 1987, this paperback volume can be used to supplement a core geochemistry text or as a stand-alone text. Written by two well-known researchers, this text provides a multidisciplinary approach to a number of environmental topics on water, air, and atmospheric chemistry.Coverage ranges from aspects of geology, oceanography and meteorology, to environmental science, soil science, biogeochemistry, and limnology. Features coverage on atmospheric chemistry with emphasis on the carbon cycle, the most up-to-date statistics on the greenhouse effect, and the ozone hole. Reflects the inclusion of non-aqueous topics on atmospheric chemistry (such as atmospheric CO2 and ozone). Covers a large number of environmental topics on water and atmospheric chemistry. Emphasizes natural processes that affect the major elements as they provide a background against which to measure human-induced changes. ... Read more

Book Description

Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Change presents an integrated examination of chemical processes in the atmosphere, focusing on global-scale problems and their role in the evolution of the Earth system. Taking a largely interdisciplinary approach, it features the collective efforts of a group of scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), as well as other experts from several universities and national laboratories. Topics discussed include the fundamental physical, chemical, and biological processes that affect the atmospheric composition; the chemical mechanisms that affect the production and the fate of important chemical compounds; and the techniques used to investigate the chemical processes in the atmosphere. The book concludes with discussions on global problems related to the atmosphere (stratospheric ozone depletion, changes in greenhouse gases, and global chemical pollution), the relationship between the atmosphere and the global climate, and the long-term chemical evolution of the atmosphere. Each chapter features a brief essay by a leader in the field and includes a large number of current references. Ideal for graduate courses in atmospheric chemistry and atmospheric science, Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Change also serves as an authoritative and practical reference for scientists studying the Earths atmosphere. ... Read more

Book Description

Biogeochemistry of Environmentally Important Trace Elements discusses fate, transport, and transformation in soils, waters, and plants in biogeochemistry of environmentally important trace elements, with a focus on arsenic, mercury, and selenium. ... Read more

Book Description

Designed to show readers how to use chemical principles in solving geological problems, this book emphasizes a quantitative approach to problem solving and demonstrates how chemical principles control geologic processes in atomic and large-scale environments.The book starts with basic principles and emphasizes quantitative methods of problem-solving. It uses the principles of isotope geology to enhance the understanding of appropriate geochemical subject areas. The book also examines the geochemical processes that affect the chemical composition of surface water and that determine its quality for human consumption.For anyone interested in Geochemistry or Geology. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Faures principles and apps of geochem
This is an excellent text for geology / earth science undergraduates and graduates covering pretty much all the fundamental geochemistry topics. It is generally very readable with material presented in a logical and coherent fashion. The sections regarding geochemical thermodynamics and the construction of Eh / pH diagrams are especially well presented. An excellent reference text and a must have for those interested in a broad range of geochemical areas. ... Read more

Book Description

Essentials of Geochemistry provides readers with a solid understanding of the fundamentals and approaches for doing modern geochemical analysis, including thermodynamic and kinetic modeling. Dr. Walther's text uses a unique "concepts of chemical equilibrium" approach, which considers the chemical reactions that occur, and offers both an environmental and quantitative focus to introduce students to the basic chemical principles important for studying the earth. This timely, accessible text features several examples and end-of-chapter problems designed to maximize students' comprehension of the rapidly advancing field of geochemistry. ... Read more

Book Description

Focuses on the ocean's role in the global biogeochemical cycling of selected elements and the impact of humans on the transport of these elements. Among the topics covered are the chemical composition of seawater from the perspectives of elemental speciation and the impact of solutes on water's physical behavior; biogeochemical phenomena which control accumulation and preservation of marine sediments; marine chemistry of radioactive and stable isotopes; seawater pollution. Contains many examples as well as steady-state models to aid readers in understanding this relatively young, growing and complex science. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Dr. Libes is thorough and easy to understand
In this text, Dr. Libes tackles the inter-relationship between all the sciences as they occur in the marine environment. She entertains the most complex concepts with pragmatic efficiency. It is a delight to read and work through, levaing you with a real sense of understanding. Excellent and resourceful, this text is a must for any serious Oceanographer.

Marine Biology Enthusiast
This book has not been edited since 1992. New discoveries and concepts introduced since 1992 need to be added and the book should be thoroughly revised. ... Read more

Book Description

The definitive text and on-line learning combination for the non-majors chemistry course.Over 500 schools throughout the country have adopted Chemistry in Context in its first three editions. ... Read more

Book Description

The basic philosophy of PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY is to present chemical principles that are essential for understanding environmental problems and then show how these principles can be applied to real-world problems. The latter goal is achieved by including a number of case studies in each chapter. The book is process oriented, emphasizing the tools needed to understand environmental problems, and is not a recitation of environmental problems and issues. Chemistry topics are developed from first principles and the focus is on those principles that are most useful in the environmental field. This text is more accessible than the larger, higher-level environmental geochemistry books on the market that assume familiarity with chemical and quantitative background material. The topical coverage is broad, including extensive material on the isotopic and mineralogical aspects of environmental issues and a significant chapter on the atmosphere. Case studies are integrated throughout to show the application of the various principles to real-world problems, and many of the very extensive set of end-of-chapter problems encourage students to become familiar with the scientific literature on this subject. ... Read more

Book Description

Features new chapters on crystal chemistry and mineral stability diagrams, more logical treatments of morphology and internal crystal structure along with extensively revised chapters on mineral chemistry and physical properties. Includes outstanding illustrations, hand specimen photographs and transmission electron microscope structure projects. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Thorough and Well Illustrated
The book contains excellent diagrams, graphs and other illustrations, which are useful for all students. Although the CD has valuable tutorials for beginning students, the text is often too technical and "dry" for beginners. Besides discussing crystallography and mineralogy, the book also provides a good review of chemistry and methods for analyzing minerals. Overall, the book is an excellent reference for upper level undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. Lower-level undergraduates may require a less technical textbook.

From a student's perspective
I just finished the semester, so I think I have a pretty good feel for the book now. At the beginning I found it difficult simply because it occasionally used terms and diagrams before explaining them. As the semester progressed and I became more knowledgable about the subject, I found the textbook increasingly helpful and readable. Certainly there is a lot of good stuff in here, and the CD was unecessary but fun. Overall, it was a good complement to the lectures.

A very useful tool for anyone learning about minerals
I have used this book for my mineralogy class in college. I keep it as a reference. i believe my understanding of the physical properties of mineral could not have happened from lectures alone. It was this book which helped me and everyone in mineralogy classes throughout the U.S. There are easy to use tables and facts on almost every mineral you could come across in the field. I hope this book lasts with me the rest of my life.

Considerable improvement over the 19th and 20th editions.
This text is often used in college mineralogy courses. As one having considerable experience with minerals before taking the college course, I found the 21st edition a distinct improvement over the two previous editions.

The strengths of this edition are in its treatment of crystallography and of crystal chemistry (however, Bloss' Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry covers this well), mineral chemistry (compositional variation in minerals, calculation of analyses, etc.), x-ray crystallography, mineral stability diagrams, good line crystal diagrams in its systematic section, and a usefully organized index. Although this reviewer has often disliked determinative tables as a waste of space (checking entries takes time but is educational), those in this edition have been found useful to students.

A few weaknesses are the removal of interfacial angles from this edition (even cleavage angles may aid in identification), the absence (except for hydrochloric acid upon a few carbonates) of most simple chemical tests upon samples, using cheap hardware store acids and reagents, and the absence of any passing reference to the subject of blowpipe analysis, a historical adjunct that served mineralogy as much as the Bunsen burner served chemistry. Although that is a separate subject not possibly treated adequately within a one-semester course, and not generally treated in college courses today, it is a historic part of our mineralogical heritage, and often can serve a useful purpose in the aid of identification of commoner species. A few notes as to its place in history, and a few text references for further study, would have been appreciated. However, the Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals, by Frederick H. Pough (Peterson field guide series) may serve as a useful complement to this text.

This could use rewording in a few places, as some sentence structure (indeed some formula structure) may be found ambiguous, an example being formulas on page 75 to find a and c, which are not clear as to whether parts of these, as in the last paragraph on said page, are in the numerator or in the denominator... Another example is the use of the stereographic net, which I had quite a time figuring out from the text, and when I did I rewrote directions and pinned them up on the bulletin board of the geology dept. Kudos, however, to whomever put the stereonet inside the back cover of the text with the suggestion to photocopy it for use. Also the list, two pages past the last numbered page, of locations of some key tables and illustrations. Clarity of language is important to a student desiring to learn more about some aspect of the subject.

It is difficult to rate books upon a number system, as objective reasons and examples are more informative. The rating, which seems to be required, is an average based upon my own personal opinion: 6.7. [DMM] ... Read more

Book Description

The second edition of The Biomarker Guide is a fully updated and expanded version of this essential reference. Now in two volumes, it provides a comprehensive account of the role biomarker technology plays both in petroleum exploration and in understanding Earth history and processes. Biomarkers are compounds found in crude oil with structures inherited from once-living organisms. They persist in oil spills, refinery products and archaeological artifacts, and can be used to identify the origin, geological age and environmental conditions prevalent during their formation and alteration. This Guide details the origin of petroleum, technology for its analysis and key parameters for interpretation. The Biomarker Guide is an invaluable resource for geologists, petroleum geochemists, biogeochemists, environmental scientists and archaeologists. ... Read more

Book Description

This textbook and reference outlines the fundamental principles of thermodynamics, emphasizing applications in geochemistry.The work is distinguished by its comprehensive, balanced coverage and its rigorous presentation.The authors bring years of teaching experience to the work, and have attempted to particularly address those areas where other texts on the subject have provided inadequate coverage.A thorough review of the necessary mathematics is presented early on, both as a refresher for those with a background in university calculus, and for the benefit of those coming to the subject for the first time.The text is written for students in advanced undergraduate or graduate-level geochemistry as well as for all researchers in this field. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Thermodinamics in geochemistry
Its a good book, very philosophical, the author goes in depth into all mathematical aspects. The examples used by the author are very creative. I highly recommend purchasing of this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Offers an overall introduction to the field of chemical hydrology, useful to professionals from a wide variety of training backgrounds. Provides working professionals with an all-in-one source of reference to hydrogeological literature.Brings together basic concepts from organic chemistry and microbiology to support their applications to hydrogeology and presents examples from the literature that use these concepts. The emphasis is on practical, real-world problems, with coverage ofthe theoretical basics but a focus on applications.For hydrogeologists, environmental scientists, environmental specialists, soil scientists, and hydrologists. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Applied Chemical Hydrogeology
I purchased and used this as an alternate textbook to Drever's Geochemistry of Natural Waters for a graduate level course in Chemical Hydrogeology that I took during completion of my Masters. This is very similar and almost identical to Drever's text. This is not a text that should be used for quantitative problem solving. ... Read more