This book provides a comprehensive overview of the recent developments in river, coastal and estuarine morphodynamics through a collection of review papers written by well-recognized experts in the field. Apart from geoscientists, it is also of special interest to people involved in fluid mechanics who want to understand near wall turbulence and the effects of coherent structures on the mechanisms of sediment transports. Though aimed at geomorphologists and sedimentologists, the terminology employed in the book makes it generally accessible to engineers, physicists and applied mathematicians at the postgraduate level. The contributions are well-illustrated with splendid pictures of various morphodynamic natural patterns.

This volume provides a comprehensive coverage of the principal extreme soil ecosystems of natural and anthropogenic origin. Extreme soils oppose chemical or physical limits to colonization by most soil organisms and present the microbiologist with exciting opportunities.

Described here are a range of fascinating environments from permafrost to Martian soils. The book includes chapters on basic research in addition to applications in biotechnology and bioremediation.

Conservation agriculture-consisting of four components including permanent soil cover, minimum soil disturbance, diversified crop rotations and integrated weed management-is considered the principal pathway to sustainable agriculture and the conservation of natural resources and the environment. Leading researchers in the field describe the basic principles of conservation agriculture, and synthesize recent advances and developments in conservation agriculture research. This book is a ready reference on conservation agriculture and reinforces the understanding for its utilization to develop environmentally sustainable and profitable food production systems. The book describes various elements of conservation agriculture; highlights the associated breeding and modeling efforts; analyses the experiences and challenges in conservation agriculture in different regions of the world; and proposes some pragmatic options and new areas of research in this very important area of agriculture.

No more than about 10 years ago, it seemed to be unrealistic to simulate the com plex flow, transport, and transformation processes of organic compounds in multi-phase systems of water-unsaturated soils (Schwille Sch84]). Numerical solutions of compre hensive models consisting, for instance, of a system of three partial differential equations and chemical reactions based on local thermodynamic equilibrium assumption (Abriola and Pinder AP85a]), were at that time regarded as far too computational expensive; optimizations seemed to be by far not practicable using such numerical models. How ever, even more complex mathematical models have been developed since then, like, for example, by considering the temperature-dependency of processes and non-equilibrium phase-transfers, or the increase of the number of components and spatial dimensions in volved (e. g., Bear and Nitao BN92]). Those models require efficient numerical solution algorithms adopted to the possibilities of the latest computer developments. The book describes the work of a three years research project funded by the The Federal Ministry for Education, Science, Research and Technology (BMBF), Grant Number 03-H07BWM. The idea for the project was developed by Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hornung, Dr. Dirk Stegemann, and Dr. Horst H. Gerke in late 1992 after intensive discussions about the BMBF-opened program (Die anwendungsorientierte Verbundprojekte auf dem Ge biet der Mathematik des Bundesministerium fur Bildung, WissenschaJt, Forschung und Technologie) on applied mathematics in industrial areas. Dr. Stegemann worked at that time for the company GEO-data, Garbsen near Hannover."

The NATO Advanced Research Workshop from which this book derives was conceived during Biotec-88, the Second Spanish Conference on Biotechnology, held at Barcelona in June 1988. The President of the Conference, Dr. Ricardo Guerrero, had arranged sessions on bacterial polymers which included lectures by five invited participants who, together with Dr. Guerrero, became the Organizing Committee for a projected meeting that would focus attention upon the increasing international importance of novel biodegradable polymers. The proposal found favour with the NATO Science Committee and, with Dr. R. Clinton Fuller and Dr. Robert W. Lenz as the co-Directors, Dr. Edwin A. Dawes as the Proceedings Editor, and Dr. Hans G. Schlegel, Dr. Alexander J.B. Zehnder and Dr. Ricardo Guerrero as members of the Organizing Committee, the meeting quickly took shape. To Dr. Guerrero we owe the happy choice of Sitges for the venue, a pleasant coastal resort 36 kilometres from Barcelona, which proved ideal. The sessions were held at the Palau de Maricel in appropriately impressive surroundings, and invaluable local support was provided by Mr. Jordi Mas-Castella and by Ms. Merce Piqueras. Much of the preparatory work fell upon the broad shoulders of Mr. Edward Knee, whose efforts are deeply appreciated. The Organizing Committee hopes that this Workshop will prove to be the first of a series which will aim to keep abreast of a rapidly expanding and exciting area of research that is highly relevant to environmental and industrial interests.

During the past few years there has been a marked increase in the use of advanced chemical methods in studies of soil and clay mineral systems, but only a relatively small number of soil and clay scientists have become intimately associ ated and acquainted with these new techniques. Perhaps the most important obstacles to technology transfer in this area are: 1) many soil and clay chemists have had insufficient opportunities to explore in depth the working principles of more recent spectroscopic developments, and therefore are unable to exploit the vast wealth of information that is available through the application of such ad vanced technology to soil chemical research; and 2) the necessary equipment gen erally is unavailable unless collaborative projects are undertaken with chemists and physicists who already have the instruments. The objective of the NATO Advanced Study Institute held at the University of Illinois from July 23 to August 4, 1979, was to partially alleviate these obstacles. This volume, which is an extensively edited and reviewed version of the proceedings of that Advanced Study Institute, is an essential aspect of that purpose. Herein are summarized the theory and most current applications of six different spectroscopic methods to soil and/or clay mineral systems. The instrumental methods examined are Mossbauer, neutron scattering, x-ray photoelectron (XPS, ESCA), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron spin resonance (ESR, EPR), and photoacoustic spectroscopy. Contributing authors were also lecturers at the Advanced Study Institute, and are each well known and respected authorities in their respective disciplines."

Soil enzymes are one of the vital key mediators involved in nutrient recycling and the decomposition of organic matter and thereby in maintaining soil quality and fertility. This Soil Biology volume covers the various facets of soil enzymes, such as their functions, biochemical and microbiological properties and the factors affecting their activities. Enzymes in the rhizosphere, in forest soils, and in volcanic ash-derived soils are described. Soil enzymes covered include phosphohydrolases, lignocellulose-degrading enzymes, phenol oxidases, fungal oxidoreductases, keratinases, pectinases, xylanases, lipases and pectinases. Several chapters treat the soil enzymatic activities in the bioremediation of soils contaminated with pesticides and pollutants such as oil, chlorinated compounds, synthetic dyes and aromatic hydrocarbons. The role of soil enzymes as bioindicators is a further important topic addressed.

Newly developed and innovative methods are mentioned and outlined so that the book can be used as a source of information for scientists and professionals specialised in the treatment of soils as well as for students in courses of environmental studies. The book offers a short, compressed overview of the important features of this subject and can be used as a reference book of the state of the art. The appendix offers the interested reader a detailed survey of materials, test methods and apparatuses as well as a description of analytical directions and processes.

There is now evidence that exotic earthworm invasions are increasing world-wide and may be having significant impacts on soil processes and plant communities in some regions. Much remains to be learned about these cryptic' biological invasions. The papers in this book are based on efforts by an international group of soil ecologists to assess the biological and ecological mechanisms of earthworm invasions, their geographic extent and impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, and possible means by which earthworm invasions might be mitigated.

Environmental Interactions of Clays is the companion volume of Bruce Velde's book on Origin and Mineralogy of Clays. In dealing with the role of clays in specific environmental issues, it is unique in its subject matter.
Individual chapters are written by recognized international experts in their field. Subjects covered are radioactive waste disposal, trace metals, soil quality and productivity, pesticides, landfill, fibrous minerals and health.
The approach is one of combining review with current research, thus it is an invaluable resource for students, researchers and practitioners alike.

This book comprehensively presents the geography of landforms linked to periglacial processes across Europe. The landscape of the European cold climate regions, both at high latitudes and in mountainous environments, represent the lingering, minimal expression of the glaciers. In addition, periglacial elements can be found in temperate regions, where temperatures no longer favor periglacial processes, so landforms are therefore inherited from previous cold phases. The book is divided into five parts: an introductory section on climate variability responsible for periglacial dynamics across Europe; a second part including 3 blocks on periglacial landforms in southern, central and northern Europe; and a final chapter providing a more general perspective on the impact of periglacial processes on the landscape of Europe. The book offers a valuable reference guide for scientists from all disciplines interested in cold climate processes, as well as readers outside academia (territorial managers, environmentalists, mountaineers, politicians, engineers, etc.).

This volume discusses the general physics of debris flows and various approaches to modeling - including the SEGMENT-Landslide approach - as well as the pros and cons of these approaches and how other approaches are sub-sets of the SEGMENT-Landslide approach. In addition, this volume will systematically unify the concepts of vadose zone hydrology and geotechnical engineering, with special emphasis on quantifying ecosystem consequences of storm-triggered landslides in a warmer climate setting. The reader will find a comprehensive coverage of concepts ranging from hillslope hydrology, porous granular material rheology and the fundamentals of soil properties, to state-of-the-art concepts of enhanced hydrological cycle with climate warming and a discussion of new approaches for future research.

This book presents a new perspective on the sedimentation processes in the White Sea, based on a multidisciplinary research study conducted between 2001 and 2016. It provides a comprehensive review and discusses the latest research findings on the ecosystem of this sub-arctic zone. The topics addressed include suspended particulate matter as a main source and proxy of the sedimentation processes in the White Sea; vertical fluxes of dispersed sedimentary matter and absolute masses in the White Sea; and the development history and quaternary deposits of the modern White Sea basin. The authors closely examine the abundance and species composition of microalgae associations and the environmental conditions in the bottom sediments of the White Sea, namely, heavy metal accumulation and aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The book ends contain a summary of the key conclusions and recommendations. Together with the companion volume Biogeochemistry of the Atmosphere, Ice and Water of the White Sea: The White Sea Environment Part I, it offers an essential source of information for postgraduate students, researchers, and stakeholders alike.

The book offers a review of the work of the Polish Research Group on selected topics of environmental magnetism: the application of magnetic methods to study pollution of outdoor and indoor air, street dust, polluted soil, air filters and indoor dust; the use of magnetic properties to study pedogenic processes in soils and soil structure; as well as deposition processes in recent sediments. The authors focus on detailed cases and provide in-depth explanations of the causes of and relations between physical processes. The examples of different studies demonstrate how to apply magnetometry to solve problems in related disciplines, how to better understand the complexity of the magnetic structure of substances and mediums as well as how to trace interactions between the environment and natural and anthropogenic factors.

At the dawn of the 21st century, biotechnology is emerging as a key enabling technology for sustainable environmental protection and stewardship. Biotechnology for the Environment: Wastewater Treatment and Modeling, Waste Gas Handling illustrates the current technological applications of microorganisms in wastewater treatment and in the control of waste gas emissions. In the first section of the book special emphasis is placed on the use of rigorous mathematical and conceptual models for an in-depth understanding of the complex biology and engineering aspects underlying the operation of modern wastewater treatment installations. The second part addresses waste gas biofiltration, an expanding biotechnological application of microbial metabolism for air quality assurance through processes ranging from the abatement of hazardous volatile pollutants to the elimination of nuisance odors. It will be a valuable reference source for environmental scientists, engineers and decision makers involved in the development, evaluation or implementation of biological treatment systems.

For more information on Strategy and Fundamentals, see Focus on Biotechnology, Volume 3A, and for more information on Soil Remediation, see Focus on Biotechnology, Volume 3B.

Solutions for soil engineering and soil-structure interaction problems need realistic and pertinent experimental and modelling tools. In this work, extensive developments proposed by the invited speakers of the Lyon International Symposium held in September 2003 are presented, including experimental investigations into deformation properties; laboratory, in-situ and field observation interpretations; behaviour characterisation and modelling; and case histories. The contributions include recent investigations into anisotropy and non-linearity, the effects of stress-strain-time history, ageing and time effects, yielding, failure and flow, cyclic and dynamic behaviour. In addition, advanced geotechnical testing is applied to real engineering problems, and to ways of synthesising information from a range of sources while engaging in practical site characterisation studies.

Proceedings of a Symposium held in Geneva, January 12-16, 1987

The objective of this book is to summarize and critically assess the current status, development trends and needs of three basic defensive elements that safeguard the quality and environmental safety of soil and water/sediments: early warning monitoring, protection and remediation measures, with particular regard to the viability of methods and technologies, i.e. easiness-to-use, reliability, cost-effectiveness, high efficiency and non-destructive character of remediation that is of particular importance considering the scale of application. The primary aim of the book is to contribute to the improving maintenance of ecosystems, and specifically to summarize and add to information on how best to protect our soils and aquifers, prevent migration and mobilization of pollutants and how to enhance their degradation and/or immobilization. Mechanism of action is considered the first priority, but optimization of technical construction/application details are of no lesser importance. In the permeable reactive barriers, and other preventive/remediation measures, a number of novel integrated physicochemical and biochemical methods are presented. The remediation solutions for soil pollution are focused on non-destructive methods such as phyto- and ecoremediation that would preserve soil properties during and after decontamination. The contributors to the book are internationally recognized experts, which present both state-of-the art and novel approaches in the above fields that makes the book unique with respect to the scope.

The sustainability of both natural and managed ecosystems is strongly influenced by soil biological processes. A major question in soil biology and ecosystem ecology is the extent to which these processes are affected by the function and structure of the soil's biotic community. The Significance and Regulation of Soil Biodiversity presents the discussions of a group of soil biologists and ecosystem ecologists in which they synthesize available information, present innovative methodologies, and develop cross-taxa and cross-habitat collaborations to advance our understanding of soil biodiversity. The volume addresses the extent and regulation of soil biodiversity and describes initial approaches to the linking of soil biodiversity and ecosystem function. Audience: Researchers and students in a wide range of environmental scientific disciplines.

This book contains papers presented at the 6th Global Workshop on Digital Soil Mapping, held 11-14 November 2014 at the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences of Nanjing, China. Digital soil mapping is advancing on different fronts at different paces throughout the world. The researches and applications on DSM are moving from method development to realizations in different scales and regions, serving the generation of national and continental to global soil grids. Meanwhile, new ideas and insights on mapping complex soil-landscapes such as flat plains,anthropogenically altered agriculture and urban spaces are emerging, with the help of new paradigms and models.The goal of the sixth workshop was to review and discuss the state of the art in digital soil mapping, and to explore strategies for bridging research, production, and environmental applications. This book provides a very useful and comprehensive overview of the status of digital soil mapping, in which graduate students, scientists and specialists working within the field of geography can find the spatial prediction approaches and related theory.

Written by a renowned professional with more than 30 years of experience in environmental sampling and analysis, this reference describes in unparalleled detail all the essential elements for the development and execution of a successful sampling plan at both contaminated and uncontaminated sites. The book covers presampling planning and decision-making, specific sampling situations, and correct sample labeling, and presents the framework and background for the sampling of any contaminated site. Presenting a wide variety of models, quality control procedures, and valuable troubleshooting methods, Field Sampling contains an abundance of topics never before covered in any other source.

Soil degradation, a decline in soil quality due to anthropogenic perturbations, is a serious threat with negative impacts on agriculture and the environment. The assessment and monitoring of all forms of degradation is essential to the evaluation of negative trends and implementation of mitigating technologies. Soil Degradation in the United States: Extent, Severity, and Trends is an assessment of current trends and geographic hot spots. It not only describes the types of soil degradation, but also evaluates the processes and triggers that cause the damage.

Written by world-renowned leaders in the field of soil science, the book is thematically divided into three sections: Section I addresses basic processes and discusses concepts and definitions, land use change, and global trends. Section II provides the data on soil degradation by various processes such as water and wind erosion, salt build-up, and soil contamination. Section III summarizes the magnitude and severity of degradation and addresses policy issues in relation to economic and environmental impact. Several appendices provide much needed information on past trends and future projections.

This book is a state-of-the-art compendium that provides a ready reference and data source for soil scientists, agronomists, environmentalists, land managers, and policy makers.

This book offers an overview of geospatial technologies in land resources mapping, monitoring and management. It consists of four main sections: geospatial technologies - principles and applications; geospatial technologies in land resources mapping; geospatial technologies in land resources monitoring; and geospatial technologies in land resources management. Each part is divided into detailed chapters that include illustrations and tables. The authors, from leading institutes, such as the ICAR-NBSS&LUP, IIT-B, NRSC, ICRISAT, share their experiences and offer case studies to provide advanced insights into the field. It is a valuable resource for the scientific and the teaching community, extension scientists at research institutes and agricultural universities/colleges as well as those involved in planning and managing land resources for sustainable agriculture and livelihood security.