By
William H Schlesinger
Description
For the past 4 billion years, the chemistry of the Earth's surface, where all life exists, has changed remarkably. Historically, these
changes have occurred slowly enough to allow life to adapt and evolve. In more recent times, the chemistry of the Earth is being altered
at a staggering rate, fueled by industrialization and an ever-growing human population. Human activities, from the rapid consumption
of resources to the destruction of the rainforests and the expansion of smog-covered cities, are all leading to rapid changes in the
basic chemistry of the Earth.
The Second Edition of
Biogeochemistry considers the effects of life on the Earth's chemistry
on a global level. This expansive text employs current technology to help students extrapolate small-scale examples to the global level,
and also discusses the instrumentation being used by NASA and its role in studies of global change. With the Earth's changing chemistry
as the focus, this text pulls together the many disparate fields that are encompassed by the broad reach of biogeochemistry. With extensive
cross-referencing of chapters, figures, and tables, and an interdisciplinary coverage of the topic at hand, this text will provide an
excellent framework for courses examining global change and environmental chemistry, and will also be a useful self-study guide.
Audience:
Upper-division undergraduate and graduate students in geochemistry, ecology, earth, and soil sciences, especially those with interest in global change or environmental chemistry.
