Principles of Environmental Geochemistry:  by G. Nelson Eby
514 pages, $96.95 list
1-4786-3164-3
978-1-4786-3164-4
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Principles of Environmental Geochemistry
Many geochemists focus on natural systems with less emphasis on the human impact on those systems. Environmental chemists frequently approach their subject with less consideration of the historical record than geoscientists. The field of environmental geochemistry combines these approaches to address questions about the natural environment and anthropogenic effects on it. Eby provides students with a solid foundation in basic aqueous geochemistry before discussing the important role carbon compounds, isotopes, and minerals play in environmental issues. He then guides students through how these concepts apply to problems facing our atmosphere, continental lands, and oceans.

Rather than broadly discussing a variety of environmental problems, the author focuses on principles throughout the text, leading students to understand processes and how knowledge of those processes can be applied to environmental problem solving. A wide variety of case studies and quantitative problems accompany each chapter, giving each instructor the flexibility to tailor the material to his/her course. Many problems have no single correct answer, illustrating the analytical nature of solving real-world environmental problems.
Reactions
“I like this book because it provides worked out, step-by-step solution examples for problems and uses an easy-to-follow writing voice. It also covers all of the low temperature topics that I teach in my course. This is the best book currently available for undergraduate-level geochemistry. All other books are good only for graduate-level work.” — Zsuzsanna Balogh-Brunstad, Hartwick College
Table of Contents
1. Basic Principles
The Atom / Chemical Bonding / Atomic and Molecular Weights / Measurement of Concentration / Types of Chemical Reactions / Determining and Balancing a Chemical Equation / Gases / Structure and Properties of Water / Box Models and Geochemical Cycles / Questions and Problems

2. Equilibrium Thermodynamics and Kinetics
The Laws of Thermodynamics / Equilibrium Thermodynamics / Calculation of Activity Coefficients / Aqueous Complexes / Measurement of Disequilibrium / Kinetics / Water-Chemistry Computer Models / Case Studies / Questions and Problems

3. Acid-Base Equilibria
Definition of Acids and Bases / The Dissociation of Water and pH / pH of Natural Waters / Amphoteric Hydroxides / Acidity and Alkalinity / Acidity and Alkalinity Titrations / Buffers / Mineral-Water Reactions / Acid-Base Equilibria Case Studies / Questions and Problems

4. Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
Basic Principles / Oxidation-Reduction Diagrams / The Role of Microorganisms in Oxidation-Reduction Reactions / Oxidation-Reduction Processes in Natural Systems / Questions and Problems

5. Carbon Chemistry
Basic Structures and Naming of Organic Compounds / Carbon Compounds in the Environment / Humic Substances / Soil and Marine Organic Matter / Fossil Fuels / Natural Carbon Inputs to Surface and Ground Waters / Geochemical and Biochemical Processes That Control the Concentration of Organic Chemicals in Water / Questions and Problems

6. Isotopes
Radioactive Isotopes / Stable Isotopes / Questions and Problems

7. Environmental Mineralogy
Basic Mineralogy / Basic Silicate Structures / Clay Minerals / Zeolites / The Asbestos Minerals / Crystalline and Amorphous Silica / Mineral-Microorganism Interactions / Questions and Problems

8. The Atmospheric Environment
Properties of the Earth's Atmosphere / Air Pollution / Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change / Ozone / Radon / Rainwater Chemistry / Chemistry and Sources of Atmospheric Particulates (Aerosols) / Questions and Problems

9. The Continental Environment
The Hydrologic Cycle / Weathering / Geochemistry of Surface and Ground Waters / Adsorption-Desorption Processes / Complex Formation and Chelation / Metals / Nonmetals / Questions and Problems

10. The Marine Environment
Physical Aspects of the Open Ocean / Chemical Composition of the Open Ocean / Seawater Chemistry / Geochemistry of Marine Sediments / The Marginal Marine Environment / Questions and Problems

Appendix I: Electronic Structure and Valences of the Elements
Appendix II: Standard State (298.15 K, 105 Pa) Thermodynamic Data
Appendix III: Ionic Radii in Å for Different Charges and Coordination Numbers
Appendix IV: Piper Diagram for Water Chemistry Problems

Answers to Selected Problems