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Books > Earth & environment > Earth sciences > Geology & the lithosphere > Soil science, sedimentology
In an effort to implement conservation measures farmers have used a variety of production methods, including the use of reduced or zero tillage and cover crops. One benefit of these production methods has been early season weed control. The literature suggests that a variety of mechanisms may be involved, among them the allelopathic effects of phenolic acids. This retrospective analysis addresses the following: How likely are phenolic acid concentrations and environmental conditions in wheat no-till cropping systems for the inhibition of annual broadleaf weed emergence? and Do phenolic acids have a dominant role or are they just one component of a larger promoter/modifier/inhibitor complex? The book covers allelopathic plant-plant interactions, laboratory and field experiments, and future research. It uses a journal format, provides justifications for procedures used, if-then hypotheses, and cons and pros so that readers can reach their own conclusions.
The push-pull test is a powerful site characterization technique that has been applied to a wide range of problems in contaminant hydrogeology. The theoretical and practical apsects of push-pull testing were initially developed to characterize groundwater acquifers but the method has now been extended to saturated and unsaturated soils and sediments as well as to surface water bodies. Dr. Istok and his collaborators have been instrumental in the development of these techniques and he is widely recognized as the world's leading expert push-pull testing. This is the only reference book available on this powerful method.
This book represents a rather complicated history of encounters, changes in research interest and some very interesting results. Initially it is the very fruitful interaction of Ecology and Geology. The point of view of ecologists is extremely refreshing for hard science people. Interaction and inter-relationships are the focus of Ecology whereas the traditional sciences, such as Geology, have tried to isolate the natural phenomena so that thye could be studied in a more rigorous manner. The traditional sciences were of course natural science - based since the world to be observed was at the door step of everyone, mountains, weather patterns, plants and so forth. Chemistry and Physics were de ned after Mathematics in order to establish more precise and viable principles of the behavior of the materials that formed the world around mankind. It became quite clear that the observation of the natural world was too complicated to consider all of the possible variables which could affect an observed process or situation. The systems were simpli ed and taken into the laboratory in order to better master the phenomena observed. Physics c- cerned itself with non-reacting materials, subjected to essentially mechanical forces.
Dykes occur in a wide variety of geological and tectonic settings and their detailed study through space and time is imperative for understanding several geological events. Dykes are believed to be an integral part of continental rifting and when they occur as spatially extensive swarms of adequate size, they can be of immense utility in continental reconstructions and also help to identify Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs). It is known that continental flood basalts and major dyke swarms have their origin related in some way to the up-rise of hot mantle plumes which may lead to rifting and eventual continental break-up. Dykes signify crustal extension and are important indicators of crustal stabilisation events, supercontinental assembly and dispersal, crust-mantle interaction and play a significant role in the delineation of crustal provinces as well as in deciphering crustal evolution events. Many economic mineral deposits of the world are also associated with a variety of dykes. The volume will provide state-of-the-art information on all aspects of dykes with emphasis on the origin, evolution and emplacement of dykes.
This book addresses an important topic of food security in South Asia with specific reference to climate change. Of the 1 billion food insecure people in the world, more than 30% are in South Asia. The problem of food insecurity may be exacerbated by the projected climate change especially because of the water scarcity caused by rapid melting of the glaciers in the Himalayas and increase in variability in monsoonal rains and frequency of extreme events. Furthermore, large populations of Bangladesh and other coastal regions may be displaced by sea level rise. Thus, this volume addresses recommended land use and soil/water/crop/vegetation management practices which would enable land managers to adapt to climate disruption by enhancing soil/ecosystem/social resilience. In addition to biophysical factors, this book also addresses the issues related to human dimensions including social, ethnical and political considerations.
Biology of Termites, a Modern Synthesis brings together the major advances in termite biology, phylogenetics, social evolution and biogeography. In this new volume, David Bignell, Yves Roisin and Nathan Lo have brought together leading experts on termite taxonomy, behaviour, genetics, caste differentiation, physiology, microbiology, mound architecture, biogeography and control. Very strong evolutionary and developmental themes run through the individual chapters, fed by new data streams from molecular sequencing, and for the first time it is possible to compare the social organisation of termites with that of the social Hymenoptera, focusing on caste determination, population genetics, cooperative behaviour, nest hygiene and symbioses with microorganisms. New chapters have been added on termite pheromones, termites as pests of agriculture and on destructive invasive species.
The ?eld of geosciences is full of scienti?c fascination and questions that are crucial for humanity. Our ?uid environment (the atmosphere, oceans, rivers, etc. ) is responsible for climate, hurricanes, ?oods and other phen- ena characterised by rapid changes. These have to be contrasted with the permanence of our solid underground made of soil, rock, ice and snow. H- ever, this permanence is only apparent as shown for example by earthquakes and landslides, but also by a number of other processes of deformation. Such processes are nowadays of high importance whenever we look to the future (think for example of disposal of radioactive waste or carbon dioxide) or to the past (prospectionof oil,gasand ore). But also shortrangeextrapolations are important if we look e. g. at the prediction and mitigation of landslides or the foundation of oil and gas production plants o?shore or on glaciers. Geosciences are pronouncedly multidisciplinary as they comprise perhaps the most widespread collection of disciplines, such as geology, geophysics, physics, geochemistry, geography, geotechnical and geoenvironmental en- neering, Unfor petroleum engineering, soil mechanics and rock mechanics- tunately, often these disciplines operate rather independent of each other andthe increasing quest for transdisciplinary exchange is inhibited by the di?erentlanguages and views prevailing in the various disciplines. It appears thus that mechanics could o?er a substantial link across d- ciplines, at least with respect to geotechnical engineering and geology.
With contributions from leading researchers in science and engineering, this book provides a global perspective on submarine mass movements and their consequences. Authors report on new findings from fundamental as well as site-specific studies from around the world. All studies relied on the most recent technologies, including multi-beam sonar imaging techniques, 3D seismic analysis, slope stability analysis, debris flow, and tsunami modeling.
Agriculture increasingly faces the challenge of balancing its multiple functions in a sustainable way. Integrated assessment and modelling (IAM) can provide insight into the potential impacts of policy changes. However, concepts to address the wide range of issues and functions typical for agriculture are still scarce. Environmental and Agricultural Modelling reviews and presents our current understanding of integrated and working tools to assess and compute, ex-ante, alternative agricultural and environmental policy options, allowing: 1. Analysis at the full range of scales (farm to European Union and global) whilst focusing on the most important issues emerging at each scale; 2. Analysis of the environmental, economic and social contributions of agricultural systems towards sustainable rural development and rural viability; 3. Analysis of a broad range of issues and agents of change, such as climate change, environmental policies, rural development options, effects of an enlarging EU, international competition, and effects on developing countries.
Emerging Development of Agriculture in East Africa offers case studies that find promise in many new innovations. Farmers in Uganda have quickly learned the management of NERICA rice (a new upland rice variety), which is being disseminated in a limited way in the region. Also in Uganda, farmers living in more remote areas have improved access to markets due to the expansion of mobile phones. In Kenya, improved milk marketing systems have increased efficiency and led to tangible increases in the adoption of dairy production technologies. And the adoption of intensive dairy production systems in Kenya and Uganda are providing significant amounts of manure and positively impacting yields of maize and banana.
Deserts are parts of the Earth that receive little or no rain; 25 cm or less per year. The physical processes that act upon these parched lands are vastly different from those that shape the more humid parts of the terrestrial landmasses. In the desert, wind is a major agent of erosion and transportation. As the results of recent space missions have indicated, this is also true in the case of the planet Mars. Thus, our understanding of desert processes sheds light on fundamental planetary processes that may apply on any planetary body that is enveloped by a windy atmosphere. An understanding of the physical layout of arid lands, and the nature of processes that initiate changes therein is also fundamental to thoughtful utilization of these lands for the benefit of mankind. It is with this in mind that we prepared this book for publication. We believe that the collection of articles in this book will be useful to scientists who are interested in desert landforms and processes, and to planners of economic develop ment of arid lands. The book also serves as a guide for students as to the state of our knowledge in this field as well as to the topics that require additional research.
This book provides information about springs, mineral waters, and thermal waters used for municipal, industrial, and agricultural water supplies and the rapidly expanding bottled water industry. The role of springs is described for ancient civilizations, military campaigns and, in more recent times, for tourism and health spas. In addition, their source, occurrence, and methods for development and use are described. The book contains data obtained from major hydrogeologic databases and from leading hydrogeologists.
Thisbookisconcernedwiththewaysinwhichcropsmightbedevelopedfor soilsthatare,atthepresent,agriculturallyunproductivebecauseofexcesses and/ordeficienciesofcertainminerals. Wehaveconcentratedonsoils,rather thanonenvironmentalconditionsthatlimitproductivity,sincetherehavebeen anumberofrecenttextsdealingwithtopicssuchasdroughtandtemperature. Theaimisthatthoseworkingtoderivecropsforgrowthonthese"problem" soilsshouldbeawareofthemanydiverseavenuesthatareavailable. These comefromthedisciplinesofplantbreeding,geneticsandphysiology,andthe interfacesthataredevelopingbetweenthem. Thebackground,therequirementstofeedtheprojectedincreaseinhuman population,issetoutintheintroductorychapter. Thenextfivechaptersthen dealwiththeapproachestocropimprovement:themeritsofaconventional breedingprogramme,theimportanceofphysiologicalcharactersinmaking selections,theuseofinvitrotechniques,ofcytogenetics,andthevalueof developingnativeplantsintocropsintheirownright. Althoughsalinityisoften usedasanexample,reflectingtheresearchinterestsofmanyoftheauthors,the methodsandapproachesdescribedhavemuchwiderapplicability. Twochap- tersarethenconcernedmorespecificallywithbreedingfortolerancetoother metaltoxicitiesandwithdeficienciesandtoxicitiesofmicronutrients. Finally,in theconcludingchapter,wesummariseandfindcommongroundbetweenthe differentapproachesandpointsofview. Brighton,April1994 ANTHONYR. YEO TIMOTHY J. FLOWERS Contents Chapter1 Introduction:WorldPopulationandAgriculturalProductivity T. 1. Flowers 1. 1 HowManyPeopleAreThere? . 1 1. 2 AgriculturalRequirements. . 2 1. 2. 1 FoodRequirements...2 1. 2. 2 FoodSupply...4 1. 3 Population-CarryingCapacity...5 1. 4 HowMuchLandIsThere? . 6 1. 5 IncreasingFoodProduction . 7 References...9 Chapter2 ConventionalPlantBreedingforTolerancetoProblemSoils C. N. ChaubeyandD. Senadhira 2. 1 ScreeningTechniques . 11 2. 2 VariabilityinToleranceforSoilStresses . 14 Rice . 15 2. 2. 1 2. 3 GeneticsofToleranceforSoilStresses...16 19 2. 3. 1 GeneLocationandLinkages...CorrelatedChanges...20 2. 3. 2 2. 4 Crop-Improvement . 21 2. 4. 1 Introduction...21 2. 4. 2 PureLineandMassSelection...21 2. 4. 3 HybridisationandSelection. 23 2. 4. 3. 1 PedigreeMethod...23 2. 4. 3. 2 BulkMethod...23 BackcrossBreeding...2. 4. 3. 3 26 2. 4. 3. 4 RecurrentSelection...26 2. 4. 3. 5 RapidGenerationAdvanceProcedures...27 2. 4. 4 MutationBreeding...28 2. 4. 5 PolyploidBreeding. 28 2. 4. 6 HeterosisBreeding. 29 2. 5 Summary...29 References...29 VIII Contents Chapter3 PhysiologicalCriteriainScreeningandBreeding A. R. Yeo 3. 1 Introduction...37 3. 2 ReasonsfortheUseofPhysiologicalSelection . 38 3. 2. 1 TheComplexityofTolerance...38 3. 2. 2 ImportingTolerancefromWildRelatives . 39 3. 2. 3 MeasuringStressTolerance . 40 3. 2. 4 InteractionBetweenEnvironmentalStresses...42 3. 2. 5 LimitationstotheUseofYieldasaSelectionCriterion...42 3. 3 Salinity . 43 3. 3. 1 BasicProblems...43 SaltExclusion...44 3. 3. 2 3. 3. 3 ConditionsRequiringOsmoticAdjustment. . 45 3. 3. 4 CharacteristicsNeededinSalt-TolerantPlants . 46 3. 3. 4. 1 ControlofSaltUptake...
Based on Cretaceous-Tertiary accretionary sequences of the Shimanto Belt in Japan, the complex history of these exceptionally exposed rocks is summarized through a series of outcrop- to microscopic scale photographs, sketches, and geological maps, most of which are in full colour. This atlas broadens the base of general knowledge of the growth of continental margins, and provides both a general introduction to research in accretionary prisms as well as an education aid for students in sedimentology, structural geology and tectonics.
Allelopathy is a fascinating and perplexing topic that concerns the chemical interactions of plants. It has profound implications in agriculture and forestry where species are grown artificially in mixture, with no evolutionary history of co-existence. The topic of allelopathy is widely credited as commencing in 1937, when the term 'allelopathy' was coined by Molisch. However, the concept of allelopathy has been recorded since Greek and Roman times, became extremely controversial in the first half of the 19th century, and remains so today. This book concerns a virtually unknown treatise by Justus Ludewig von Uslar, published in 1844, which emerges as the first book entirely devoted to the concept of allelopathy. The book provides the historical background to allelopathic knowledge, from antiquity to c. 1840. It also provides for the first time a biography of Justus Ludewig von Uslar, who is best known as the first Consul-General for Hannover in Mexico, and Director of the Mexican Company, a British venture mining company. In many ways von Uslar epitomises the tradition of the gentleman scientist of the 19th century. The book then offers a full translation into English of von Uslar's rare treatise, which foreshadows many ideas current in allelopathic research.
Deepwater Sedimentary Systems: Science, Discovery and Applications helps readers identify, understand and interpret deepwater sedimentary systems at various scales - both onshore and offshore. This book describes the best practices in the integration of geology, geophysics, engineering, technology and economics used to inform smart business decisions in these diverse environments. It draws on technical results gained from deepwater exploration and production drilling campaigns and global field analog studies. With the multi-decadal resilience of deepwater exploration and production and the nature of its inherent uncertainty, this book serves as the essential reference for companies, consultancies, universities, governments and deepwater practitioners around the world seeking to understand deepwater systems and how to explore for and produce resources in these frontier environments. From an academic perspective, readers will use this book as the primer for understanding the processes, deposits and sedimentary environments in deep water - from deep oceans to deep lakes. This book provides conceptual approaches and state-of-the-art information on deepwater systems, as well as scenarios for the next 100 years of human-led exploration and development in deepwater, offshore environments. The students taught this material in today's classrooms will become the leaders of tomorrow in Earth's deepwater frontier. This book provides a broad foundation in deepwater sedimentary systems. What may take an individual dozens of academic and professional courses to achieve an understanding in these systems is provided here in one book.
The idea of Volums 4 and 5 of this series is a combination of a very condensed but broad review, handbook and textbook on most of the theoretical and practical aspects of pyrethroids of interest to chemists, biologists, pharmacologists, toxicologists and other people involved in insecticidal research, development, ecotoxicolo gy, application, patenting and commercialization of pyrethroids, as seen from a point of view of an industrial chemist once actively in volved in pyrethroid research. In order to provide a mode1 data base for testing quantitative structure activity relationships, the unique wealth of the numerous and diverse biological data dispersed in the literature is listed in about 110 tables, put in relation to each other and other standard compounds, together with many structural formulas of the com pounds involved. A number of data are published for the first time. Some of the more important reeent QSAR-studies are briefly acknowledged. Conformational aspects of bioactive pyrethroids are discussed (from synthesis, QSAR, X-ray); some of the X-ray derived conformations are published for the first time. The molecular basis of pyrethroid biological action is taken into consideration as intensively as possible. Stereochemical aspects are considered wherever they are involved in synthesis, biological activity, mode of action, metabolism (Vol. 4), and particularly in the complex problems in the production and relation of iso merically enriched trade products (Vol. 5). Since pyrethroid research is now, in manyaspeets, a finished chapter of applied research, a historieal treatment of the course of inventions is given (inventions, patent priorities).
Soil science in the Netherlands puts strong emphasis on the relationship between parent material and soil formation, and between physiographic conditions and land use. This approach, developed by the late Professor Dr C. H. Edelman ( 1903-1964), is quite understandable in a country where soils have to a great extent developed from alluvial and aeolian materials of recent geological origin. Dutch soil scientists have paid much attention to pedogenesis in fresh sediments, known as 'initial soil formation' or 'ripening', and to groundwater as a soil forming factor. Furthermore, human influence on soil genesis, in this land of man-made soils, has been tho roughly investigated. 'Major soils and soil regions in the Netherlands' clearly reflects these specific features of soils work in this country. In his book, Mr H. de Bakker, Head of the Soil Classification Section of the Netherlands Soil Survey Institute (Stichting voor Bodemkartering) addresses the special interests of foreign soil scientists and of students of earth sciences. The author examines representative soil profiles not only with respect to the Netherlands' system of soil classification- of which he is the co-author-but also in terms of some of the major classification systems used in other countries. It appears that a well characterized soil profile may find a very different place in various classifications and that even for a trained specialist it is often difficult to arrive at a specific determination within a given system.
In the Spring of 2000 the idea of a consortium of Mediterranean countries support- ing the Italian bid to host the 32nd International Geological Congress took off during ageological fieldtrip on the slopes ofMountVesuviushosted byProf. Bruno D'Argenio (University of Naples) with the sponsorship of SMED(the UNESCO-CNR Office for Scientific and Technological Cooperation with Mediterranean Countries). On that st occasion, the head of the Italian delegation to the coming 31 IGCProf. Gian Battista Vaichampionedthe notionthat - had the bid been accepted - such cooperationshould have not only translated into the participation of the Mediterranean countries in the organization of the future congress, but also should have been a springboard for launching a scientific project focused on the Mediterranean region and whose re- sults had to be presented at the congress. st During the 31 IGCin Riode Janeiro,after the designation of Florence bythe lUGS nd Council as the venue for the 32 IGC,the Mediterranean Consortium was set up. In its full configuration, the Consortium was an association of thirty-one Mediterra- nean and nearbycountries. Alongwith Italy,they are:Albania,Algeria,Austria, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya,Macedonia, Malta,Morocco,Palestine, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia,Slovenia,Spain, Switzerland, Syria,Tunisia, and Turkey. Each member country nominated a National Representative who served as a liai- son between his/her national geological community and the IGCOrganizing Commit- tee.
There are many natural hazards such as floods, landslides, volcanoes and earthquakes in the Asia-Pacific Region. Nevertheless, there are few studies of such natural hazards in this region and knowledge about their mitigation is of the utmost importance. This book documents the use of geomorphological maps showing the state of flooding; these maps allow predictions to be made. The author has compiled geomorphological maps and documentation of their validation, and the maps allow not only estimation of flooding, but also prediction of soil liquefaction caused by earthquakes. Audience: The results of the discussions in this book apply not only to geographers, consultants, engineers and policy makers in Japan and Southeast Asian countries, but also to those from Europe, North America, and Africa.
Clay Sedimentology is a comprehensive textbook divided into six parts: - clay minerals and weathering - clay sedimentation on land - origin and behaviour of clay minerals and associated minerals in transitional environments (estuaries, deltas) and shallow-sea environments - diverse origins of clay in the marine environment - post-sedimentary processes intervening during early and late diagenesis - use of clay stratigraphic data for the reconstruction of past climate, marine circulation, tectonics, and other paleogeographical aspects. A basic idea on most topics dealing with sedimentary clays is presented and controversial data and uncertainties from the frontiers of knowledge are discussed.
The series is designed to meet the needs of students and lecturers of the National Certificate Vocational. To facilitate students' learning, the following features are used in the series: Content is written in easy-to-understand language, key terms are carefully explained, using everyday English, case studies show how to apply the theory in the work environment, the study skills sections help students make the most of their learning in class and prepare for the exams, there are many practice activities and questions with model answers at the back of the title, checklists assist students to make sure that they have covered all the skills and content in each chapter, and summaries at the end of each chapter are useful for exam revision. Lecturers using the series can teach with confidence because content is comprehensive, up-to-date, and meets all the curriculum requirements for the subject, outcomes and assessment standards are clearly identified, and assessment tasks and activities are aligned to the outcomes and assessment standards. Prescribing lecturers have access to comprehensive lecturer support material on CD including model answers to assessments in the textbook, additional assessments with model answers, rubrics for assessments, and general reference material on teaching outcomes-based education. The series is available for all programmes, all fundamental and compulsory subjects, and all elective and optional subjects.
This third edition of the book has been completely re-written, providing a wider scope and enhanced coverage. It covers the general principles of the natural occurrence, pollution sources, chemical analysis, soil chemical behaviour and soil-plant-animal relationships of heavy metals and metalloids, followed by a detailed coverage of 21 individual elements, including: antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, silver, thallium, tin, tungsten, uranium, vanadium and zinc. The book is highly relevant for those involved in environmental science, soil science, geochemistry, agronomy, environmental health, and environmental engineering, including specialists responsible for the management and clean-up of contaminated land.
A multidisciplinary study of the Bera Lake is presented here, focusing on natural resources throughout the lake s catchment area and assessing environmental impact. This applied limnology study examines issues relating to land development including soil erosion and nutrient loss in the catchment area, severe pollution of water, sediment resources in open waters and wetlands, and reduction of aquatic and bird populations. The chapters provide a comprehensive view of problems, risks and possible mitigation measures associated withthis great natural habitat in Malaysia. The book highlights the technology and methods used to estimate both soil erosion rate and nutrient loss from the lake catchment, including an explanation of the measurement of sedimentation rate in Bera Lake, using 137Cs and 210Pb radioisotopes. The author examines the current and historic situation of contamination in sediments, presents an ecological risk assessment and finally describes a master management plan, proposing practices to mitigate the environmental impacts of existing agricultural projects and practices to control future projects. Readers will learn of a decrease in the watershed supply of water to the Bera Lake, of shoaling, degradation of water and sediment quality and the extinction of several kinds of flora and fauna. This volume also offers an approach to sustainable land use, with regard to natural resources conservation."
These volumes contain the contributions to the Second European Conference on Unsaturated Soils, E-UNSAT 2012, held in Napoli, Italy, in June 2012. The event is the second of a series of European conferences, and follows the first successful one, organised in Durham, UK, in 2008. The conference series is supported by Technical Committee 106 of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering on Unsaturated Soils. The published contributions were selected after a careful peer-review process. A collection of more than one hundred papers is included, addressing the three thematic areas experimental, including advances in testing techniques and soil behaviour, modelling, covering theoretical and constitutive issues together with numerical and physical modelling, and engineering, focusing on approaches, case histories and geo-environmental themes. The areas of application of the papers embrace most of the geotechnical problems related to unsaturated soils. Increasing interest in geo-environmental problems, including chemical coupling, marks new perspectives in unsaturated soil mechanics. This book will provide a valuable up-to-date reference across the subject for both researchers and practitioners. |
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