Book Description

"The Global Environment Outlook" (GEO) series are the flagship publications of the world's leading environmental organization.They present comprehensive and authoritative reviews and analyses of worldwide environmental conditions and trends and the policies and policy instruments available to address them.

"GEO-3," which includes a CD, is published 10 years after the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992 and in time for its successor, the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. It sets an action-oriented environmental agenda for the future.

Continuing the global and regional focus of the series, it complements the detailed assessment of the state of the global environment set out in "GEO-2000." "GEO-3" examines environmental trends over the past 30 years to provide an integrated explanation of the developments that have occurred. It not only examines the state of the environment over that period, but also the full range of social, economic, political and cultural drivers that have brought about change. Highlighting human vulnerability to environmental deterioration, it assesses effects of the spectrum of policy measures adopted.

From this retrospective analysis, "GEO-3" then projects future outcomes. It develops a range of scenarios for the next 30 years, from 2002-2032, with detailed exploration of the policies and instruments available at different levels for improving environmental conditions.

Clearly organized and in accessible non-technical language, in full color with extensive graphics, statistics, boxes and quick highlights, "GEO-3" will be an essential tool for teaching and research as well as a vital guide for policy-makers and stimulus to future action. ... Read more

Book Description

Principles of Geochemistry offers broader coverage of the field than is currently available in other texts, including an in-depth discussion of the geochemistry of the solid state and trace element geochemistry.

Book Description

In recent years, crystallographic techniques have found application in a wide range of subjects, and these applications in turn have lead to exciting developments in the field of crystallography itself. This new textbook offers an introduction to these developments, and for the first time provides, in a single volume, a comprehensive and accessible overview of modern crystallography. The text offers a rigorous treatment of theory and describes experimental applications in many fields. These are covered in chapters on crystal structure and methods of its determination, symmetry, crystallographic computing, X-ray diffraction, protein crystallography, and crystal physics. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A must-have for crystallographers
This is the only advanced general survey of topics in xray crystallography. Chapters are written by different authors, and the book feels pasted together. It is now seriously out of date. ... Read more

Book Description

Used as a reference by both researchers and workers in the industry, X-Ray Diffraction and the Identification and Analysis of Clay Minerals, now in its newly revised second edition, explores the applications and limitations of data produced by the interaction of X-rays with crystalline minerals, adding two completely new chapters on disordered polytypes using X-Ray powder diffraction, and clay minerals in soils. Essential in agriculture and in making informed engineering decisions, this book offers the necessary knowledge of the properties of these minerals, combining theoretical discussion with recipe-like directions. ... Read more

Book Description

This is an ideal textbook for both advanced undergraduates and graduate students. It contains valuable coverage of the optical properties of minerals, as well as up-to-date descriptions of common rock-forming minerals. The chapters on optical theory include discussions of the nature and properties of light, the petrographic microscope, and the behavior of light in isotropic materials and in uniaxial and biaxial anisotropic materials. Thoroughly revised to include recent developments in the field, the book includes step-by-step procedures to guide students through the determination of all optical properties by which minerals are routinely identified with a petrographic microscope. Readers will find descriptive information on over 125 common rock forming minerals, and many photomicrographs and illustrations. The book also includes a flow sheet to guide students through the process of identifying an unknown mineral. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The Handy Dandy Guide
This is a definate must have for all you Geologists out there. No matter what year of school you are in or even if you are no longer in school, but need a bit of reference now and again, this is the book to have. Nesse does an excellent job of clearly explaining and illustrating the optical properties of minerals. He includes all of the essential bits of information that any geologist will need. I highly recommend this book as a great reference tool that any geologist or aspiring geologist should add to their collection of references.

A student's view
As a student of Geology, I have used Nesse as my bible for all petrology courses. It is complete, comprehensive and easy to use. A must for all geologists, student or not.

Great book
Finally we have a mineralogy text book that will compete with Klein and Hurlbuts's Manual of Mineralogy. The line drawings are outstanding. I am using this text book the next time I teach mineralogy.

Good undergrad college textbook for optical mineralogy.
Remarkably lucid yet accurate presentation of a subject often found difficult by students.

The first third of the text deals with the properties of light, the use and care of the petrographic microscope, and the optical properties of minerals and how to use these to identify mineral grains in thin sections.

Much of the text contains detailed descriptions of the commoner rock-forming minerals from the standpoint of the petrographer. Descriptive diagrams and photographs, and capitalized section headings, separated paragraphs, and all typeface (font) easy to read. Paper is quality glossy and easy to use.

Appendices include Identification Tables based upon various optical properties, tables which have proved their use to students taking the course. Also includes the standard fold-up Interference Color Chart, on quality glossy paper, and on its reverse a table of birefringence versus relief (difference in refractive index).

The author retains consideration for students, including photos of such non-minerals as may confuse the tyro, such as textile fibers, bubbles, and grinding compound, all of which get into thin sections (petrographic slides).

Excellently laid out and organized, it also contains a good Index. This text was written for college students taking petrography and optical mineralogy, and has been kept, rather than sold, even by some students who never expect to use a petrographic microscope again. College instructors take notice, as for a junior to senior level petrography course this text probably rates a 9 or a 10. [DMM] ... Read more

Book Description

This wide-ranging text in isotope geology/geoscience allows students to integrate material taught in various courses into a unified picture of the earth sciences. Gives a rational exposition of the principles used in the interpretation of isotopic data and shows how such interpretations apply to the solution of geological problems. Current with references up to 1985, chapters in this edition have been revised, and new chapters on Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf, Re-Os, and K-Ca decay schemes and cosmogenic radionuclides have been added. Data summaries and references have been expanded. Also includes problems for student study and abundant line drawings with explanatory captions. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Information that works
A great book for anyone needing information on isotopes. Well written, with enough stories of isotopes in everyday life to make the book interesting. As a textbook, it is helpful. As a reference book, it is easy to find what you are looking for. I used this book as a student in two isotope classes, and I am going to hold onto it for the rest of my career. ... Read more

Book Description

This book examines the history of opals dating back to ancient times. It describes where opals are located throughout the world and how they are mined and details the techniques for cutting, polishing, and working with this difficult gemstone. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The World of Opals
A fascinating, well concieved and presented tome on opals. It is both a good read and a good reference. However, I find it extremely vexing when the text directs me to a photo of a colorful opal only to discover that photos accompanying the text are in black and white. How asinine on the part of the publisher to effect such economies on a book that cost over $90.00. The photos might just have well been of anthracite coal lumps.

Both the author and the reading public would have been much better served if the publisher had eliminated entirely these black and white photos which proved such a source of frustration.

I'm aware there is a 16 page signature of color. It would not have cost much more to have made this a 32 page sig amalgamating the text pictures. If this book goes into subsequent printings I hope what I perceive as a glaring error is corrected.

Again, let me stress that I enjoyed the book immensely, but what could have been an A+ tome is a B-.

An extensive history of opal mining with special finds noted
For the last 10 years, opals have mystified me with their uniqueness. I wanted to know more!!. Boy did I get an eye full. This book is full of history(before the time of Christ), science(but not overwhelming), locations(general), and special finds that have been made since recorded history. If I found a person looking for more information about the opal, I would surely recommend this book. I was hoping that it would have contained more information concerning the lapidary side of the industry. Even though I was disappointed in this area, I was extremely pleased in the information that the book shared.

The definitive guide to opals!
This is an Amazing Book! If you like opals, gemstones, or jewelry, you will love all the information provided in this extremely thorough, and well written book. The book takes you through the way opals are really formed. (Satisfying the scientist in us all). Then it takes you into the history of all the amazing opal finds around the world and where to find your own opals. (satisfying anyone who wants to know how the opal trade works). It also wonderfully describes the worlds most magnificent opals ever found. Including one of the largest solid opals ever found, The Bonanza found by Keith Hodson. (capturing the jewelry lovers).
If you want to know anything about opals, you've got to get this book! ... Read more

Book Description

Metamorphic rocks make up the largest volume of the Earth. They systematically change their mineralogical composition as a result of tecto-thermal events. The outstanding feature of the 7th edition of this book is the large number of phase diagrams showing the stability relations among minerals and groups of minerals found in metamorphic rocks. The diagrams help to determine the pressure and temperature conditions under which a given collected set of metamorphic rocks may have formed. More than half of the chapters have been completely rewritten or revised. All figures have been edited and improved and recent advances in the field such as multiequilibria thermobarometry and pseudosections were incorporated in the text. The bibliography has been revised and extended, new research publications have also been included. Graduate students will find in depth information on the origin, significance and genesis of metamorphic rocks. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

one of the best textbooks available
Petrogenesis of metamorphic rocks is probable the best textbook available for students of metamorphic petrology. In a short, concise form it introduces the reader to the principles of metamorphic petrology as well as to the evolution of different rock types under changing metamorphic conditions.

Excellent source for anyone studying metamorphic rocks.
This book is divided into two sections. The first section deals with the basic princiles of metamorphism, including composition of source rocks, types, processes and condidtions of metamorphism. A very detailed description on the construction of metamorphic projections is also included. Part two covers the metamorphism of different rock compositions including ultramafic, mafic, carbonate, pelitic, and granitoid rocks. This section is very detailed, without bogging down with specific examples of metamorphism. ... Read more

Book Description

This volume provides an overview of the types of spectroscopic methods in current use for characterization of crystal structure, chemistry, morphology, and excited states of minerals. Its 23 chapters cover topics such as the numerous means of mineral spectroscopy applied to the determinization of composition, purity, interaction with energy, characterization of active centers, and adsorbate interactions. It also addresses the structural and physical properties of minerals associated with chemical promotion of chemical reactions, the storage of electronic energy in most naturally occurring minerals, and spectroscopic means by which biologically deposited minerals can be distinguished from geologically deposited ones. ... 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

Book Description

Intensive research carried out during the 1990's (known as the "Iron Age of Oceanography") provided a wealth of new information and this title, written by acknowledged experts and reviewed by international specialists, provides the authoritative and comprehensive review of the subject area.

A joint venture between SCOR and IUPAC, it expertly addresses the current state of knowledge of the biogeochemistry of iron in seawater and covers:

· Chemical speciation
· Analytical techniques
· Transformation of iron

• It includes evidence for iron limitation of primary production of High Nutrient Low Chlorophyll (HNLC) areas in the ocean
• Structured into a series of chapters it has been reviewed by international specialists- SCOR (Scientific Committee for Ocean Research) and IUPAC (International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry)
• The final chapter summarises the conclusions of the book and discusses the priorities for future research
• Ideal for scientists studying the environmental impact of metals and their role in marine ecosystems; Marine Scientists and Oceanographers; Environmental Analytical Chemists

... Read more

Book Description

This practical guide explains how and why the architecture of molecules can be determined by analysis of the diffraction patterns produced by X-ray crystallography. Thoroughly illustrated, it is intended for nonspecialists who want to understand the fundamentals of this widely used method of structure determination.The new second edition has been revised and expanded to take account of the many recent advances in the field. ... Read more

Book Description

This book contains review papers covering such issues as thegeometrical characterization of porous solids and particle aggregatesusing synchroton radiation techniques. A review of the phenomenon ofoverpressuring primal global distribution of clay minerals, and theuse of clays as barriers in waste disposal are also included. ... Read more