Summary
Contents
Subject index
This unique addition to reference literature provides an introduction to the major concepts and contemporary issues that are essential for students of environmental science and environmental studies to know. With over 200 entries authored by world-class names like Anthony Brazel, John Day and Edward Keller, this text is divided into six sections: Environmental Science, Environments, Paradigms & Concepts, Processes & Dynamics, Scales & Techniques, and Environmental Issues.
Geochemistry
Geochemistry
Geochemistry is the study of chemical dynamics, interactions, and processes of the earth surface. An important sub-discipline is biogeochemistry, chemical dynamics between living organisms and the environment. Many important chemical changes take place as rocks and soils are formed and changed through volcanic, weathering, and sedimentation processes. The weathering of rocks and the formation of soils and sediments is called diagenesis. Many rocks can be classified as alumino-silicate or carbonate. The weathering and breakdown of these rocks contributes to global silicon and carbon cycles. Clay mineralogy is an important geochemical study. Clays form as alumino-silicate rocks weather. Soil formation, soil erosion and transport, and sediment deposition are important processes of clay mineralogy. The use of particle-reactive radioactive tracers such as Be, Th, Cs, and Pu, ...
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