The book deals with the processes in marine environment with particular emphasis on the interface processes (sediments- water and atmosphere-water) regarding organic matter and energy fluxes, carbon dioxide intake and transformation. Particular analytical methodologies concerning biosensors for analysis in situ are discussed.

This book discusses recent developments in the study of chemical processes and equilibria in the marine environment and in the air/water and water/sediment interfaces. The chemical cycle of carbon as well as the effect of organic substances on the speciation and distribution of inorganic and organometallic substances are extensively discussed. Much of the recent progress in the area is the direct result of advanced analytical technologies and chemometric applications which are highlighted in the book.

This book is a collection of all the lectures by the professors attending the 3rd "Interna tional School on Marine Chemistry" held in Ustica (Palermo, Italy, September 2000), under the auspices of the United Nations and the Italian Chemical Society. The School was organized by the University of Palermo in co-operation with the Natural Marine Reserve of Ustica Island. The Organising Committee of the School wishes to thank the University of Messina, the University of Roma "La Sapienza: ' the Italian University Consortium of Environ mental Chemistry, and the Marine Reserve of Ustica Island for their financial support to the School. This book has been printed with the financial support of the Environmental Re search Centre CIRITA of the University of Palermo. thank all the professors whose outstanding scientific contributions have The editors made it possible to publish this book. Professor Antonio Gianguzza Professor Ezio Pelizzetti Professor Silvio Sammartano Contents Part I Biogeochemical Processes at the Air-Water and Water-Sediment Interface .............................................. ."

nd This book collects the scientific contributions from the lecturers at the 2 edition of the "International School on Marine Chemistry" held in Ustica (Palermo, Italy) from 5 to 12 September 1998. The School was planned with the aim of giving an overview about the chemical processes occurring in the marine environment and the more recent ana- lytical methodologies for their study. The School was organised under the auspices of the Italian Chemical Society and with the financial support of the Marine Reserve of Ustica Island, the Committee for Environment of Italian CNR, the University of Palermo, the Provincia Regionale of Palermo and the Shimadzu-Italia Corporation. The book has been printed with the fi- nancial support of the "Assessorato Ambiente" of the Provincia Regionale of Palermo. All the participants, about a hundred including the lecturers and the Organising Committee, are grateful for the generous support of the agencies. A particular ac- knowledgement from the Editors is to all the lecturers for their availability and cour- tesy and for the high quality of their scientific contributions.