Probably more than any other element, iron markedly influences the chemical and physical properties of soils and sediments in the earth. Considering its transition metal status, with potential variation in electronic configuration, ionic radius, and magnetic moment, combined with its abundance and relatively large mass, little wonder that one sees its unique influence on every hand. Pre sentations at the NATO Advanced Study Institute (NATO AS!) on Iron in Soils and Clay Minerals reviewed and discussed the occurrence, behavior, and properties of Fe-bearing minerals found in soils and in the clay mineral groups kaolinite, smectite, and mica. Also discussed at the NATO AS! were the basic chemical properties of Fe, methods for separating and identifying Fe in minerals, and the role of Fe minerals in weathering and other soil-forming processes. The present publication is the reviewed and edited proceedings of that Advanced Study Institute. The sequence of chapters follows the general pattern beginning with introductory chapters which overview the general occurrence of Fe in the earth and its chemistry, both generally and in mineral environments, followed by identification and characterization methods for Fe and Fe phases in minerals. The properties and behavior of Fe oxides, Fe-bearing clay minerals, and other Fe minerals in soils are then described, and the text ends with a summary of the role of Fe in soil-forming processes. A Table of Contents and subject index are provided to assist the reader in finding specific topics within the text.

und theoretisch-sachlichen Gesichtspunkten vorgenommen werden. Wir hielten es auch ftir richtig, einzelne Gegenstande unter verschiedenen Gesichtspunkten darzustellen, wie sie sich aus den unterschiedlichen Betrachtungsweisen ver- schiedener Forscher und Autoren ergeben. Wenn dadurch gewisse Dberschnei- dungen verursacht wurden, so halten wir dies nicht fUr einen Nachteil. Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. Dr. h. c. KARL SCHARRER, der langjahrige Direktor des agrikulturchemischen Instituts der Justus-Liebig-Universitat in GieBen, gab den AnstoB zum Entstehen dieses Werkes, mit dem er seinen grundlegenden Arbeiten auf dem Gebiete der Agrikulturchemie und insbesondere auf dem des Dungungswesens einen zusammenfassenden AbschluB geben wollte. Seine letzten Bemuhungen vom Krankenbett aus galten diesem Buch. Sein fruher Tod lieB ihn das Entstehen des Gesamtwerkes nicht mehr erleben. Der Heraus- geber hofft, es in seinem Sinne weitergefUhrt zu haben. Dber hundert Wissenschaftler und Techniker aus aller Welt haben an dem Werk mitgearbeitet. Ihnen allen sei an dieser Stelle besonders gedankt. Zu danken ist aber auch jenen, die bei der umfangreichen redaktionellen Arbeit tatkriiftig mitgewirkt haben, vor allem Frau Dr. ELFRIEDE PRESOLY (Linz), Herrn Dr. KARL-HERMANN NEUMANN (GieBen), der auch die Register angefertigt hat, sowie Frau EDITH HARNDT, Frau CHRISTEL FRIEDRICH und Frau ELLEN NEUMANN (GieBen) sowie den Herren Dr. JOACHIM BOHRING und Dipl.-Landw. J URGEN DRESSEL. Dem Springer-Verlag in Wien, der sich dem Plan von Anfang an auf- geschlossen gezeigt hat, gebuhrt Dank fUr alle die Sorgfalt, die er dem Werk hat angedeihen lassen.

Probably more than any other element, iron markedly influences the chemical and physical properties of soils and sediments in the earth. Considering its transition metal status, with potential variation in electronic configuration, ionic radius, and magnetic moment, combined with its abundance and relatively large mass, little wonder that one sees its unique influence on every hand. Pre sentations at the NATO Advanced Study Institute (NATO AS ) on Iron in Soils and Clay Minerals reviewed and discussed the occurrence, behavior, and properties of Fe-bearing minerals found in soils and in the clay mineral groups kaolinite, smectite, and mica. Also discussed at the NATO AS were the basic chemical properties of Fe, methods for separating and identifying Fe in minerals, and the role of Fe minerals in weathering and other soil-forming processes. The present publication is the reviewed and edited proceedings of that Advanced Study Institute. The sequence of chapters follows the general pattern beginning with introductory chapters which overview the general occurrence of Fe in the earth and its chemistry, both generally and in mineral environments, followed by identification and characterization methods for Fe and Fe phases in minerals. The properties and behavior of Fe oxides, Fe-bearing clay minerals, and other Fe minerals in soils are then described, and the text ends with a summary of the role of Fe in soil-forming processes. A Table of Contents and subject index are provided to assist the reader in finding specific topics within the text."